Recent reports have noted the Volt will be sold in Europe, Australia, and China. An important message from GM is that they are highly focused on developing the Chevy Volt for the whole planet. According to GM VP of global program management, Jon Lauckner, the Volt will indeed be a global vehicle. The following is a discussion Mr. Lauckner and I had about it:
With respect to how the Volt may be branded internationally, is Chevrolet represented in all of Europe?
Chevrolet is represented in all of the regions where we do business. So its one of our global brands. Chevrolet on one hand and Cadillac on the other, those are two of our foundation global brands.
So you can be sure when we talk to our colleagues in other areas of the world outside of North America they too are very interested in the Chevy Volt.
How many countries does GM do business in?
I don’t have the exact number but its probably at least 180 or something like that.
Does everyone of those countries have Chevrolet as a brand?
Well Europe does business under Opel/Vauxhall and Chevrolet. GM does business in that many countries and the vast majority of them has Chevrolet as their foundational brand. For example, in South America Chevrolet is ‘the brand’ for us. In Europe we’re known as Saab, Vauxhall, Cadillac, and Chevrolet. Of course then we have some imports from North America such as Hummer and so on. But even in Europe today Chevrolet is one of our major brands.
So we are developing the car with all global requirements in mind, the Chevrolet Volt. That means from the very first moment we are already anticipating that there is going to be widespread demand for the Chevrolet Volt in other regions of the world. And we are going to prepare the car accordingly so it will meet all of the regulatory requirements in these other countries right from the very beginning.
Do you anticipate building a diesel-generator version of the Volt for Europe?
That hasn’t been decided. Once you have a gasoline engine generator set that runs E85 ethanol its a relatively straightforward job to covert that to diesel and run biodiesel. You can take the same engine and convert it to run E100 ethanol for our friends in Brazil. That’s one of the beautiful things about the setup for the Chevrolet Volt is it lends itself intrinsically as a part of a concept to be something we can levarage around the world depending upon the preference of customers in those particular regions. ‘E’ equals electricity, ‘flex’ equals flexibility.
[UPDATE: Title changed to reflect Mr. Lauckner's comments more accurately]
This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 at 5:58 am and is filed under Production. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Oct 21st, 2008 (6:07 am)#1 It doesn’t sound like a low volume niche vehicle to me. It sounds like they are betting what’s left of the farm. Go Volt!
Oct 21st, 2008 (6:15 am)Looks like GM will make a lot of money out of Volt.
I’d like to see it use CNG to recharge the battery, thats very important!!!
Oct 21st, 2008 (6:25 am)When will this availability come to pass?
Oct 21st, 2008 (6:34 am)“The Volt Will be Sold in Every Country in the World GM Does Business” – um… that’s nice, but is there any chance at all that I might be able to buy one here in the USA?
Oct 21st, 2008 (6:36 am)Good news Lyle, being #684 on the Gm-volt waiting list and living outside California and more generally outside the US made me anxious about not being able to buy a Volt in the next three years.
I already asked to my Opel dealer to be on the list of the first buyers, I just have to wait …
Oct 21st, 2008 (6:38 am)There may be a market for such a pricey car in every country GM does business in, but not necessarily a large market for a $35,000 or higher Chevy. On the other hand, this could mean GM has high hopes the second generation battery will be much cheaper. Time will tell.
Oct 21st, 2008 (6:46 am)24 months and 10 days to go…….
It sure would be nice to be one of the initial buyers, but I doubt that being from Youngstown, Ohio I have much of a chance at that. Unless of course, Lyle is able to work some magic with his list!! I am # 1196 in line.
Hope springs eternal!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go GM! Go GM Volt Team!
Oct 21st, 2008 (6:54 am)Smart move, Using the delta platform and designing for every country should certainly make things a lot easier when designing a van or another EREV car on that platform.
I do wonder though if the Volt will be seriously over designed for the markets in China. If what we get from them is any indication of the quality they are used to I would imagine there are going to be much cheaper knockoffs available in china without all the safety features.
Oct 21st, 2008 (6:58 am)Good luck designing ONE car that fits every country. The regulations in every part of the world are very different. I think GM is going to need a version for each region. Also, why would you build an expensive car that passes all of the US standards, for a region that does not have these standards?
If resources become an issue, I would hope that the US production remains at the top of the list.
Oct 21st, 2008 (7:07 am)Actually, this is quite significant.
Many countries (unlike us in the US) do not want to become dependent on foreign oil. They either limit imports or place heavy taxes on petroleum. This encourages the use of local energy sources, such as coal in China or ethanol in Brazil.
With electricity, as we have discussed, there is a diverse supply of energy that can be used, including coal, biomass, hydro, renewables, and nuclear. The E-Flex platform helps provide the independence that these developing countries seek.
I can see possibly more demand for the Volt in other countries than in the US, especially given the current $70 per barrel for oil.
Oct 21st, 2008 (7:35 am)I’d like to see CNG or Propane fueled ICE option as this would take care of the stale fuel issue, as well as the sources are generally in place. I have that deposit saved!
Oct 21st, 2008 (7:42 am)I think what GM means is they will be sending ‘token’ Volts to alot of countries and production to some.
It makes no sense to try and distribute a product to 180 countries, if you can sell then all within the comfy confines of homebase.
I understand why you want to send production to other countries/regions, even if demand is high at home. A company has to respect its big markets and keep them in the loop/wanting its product…no matter the product, eventually home sales are exhausted and/or production surpasses domestic demand and you need to extend your base.
However, sending it to 180 countries is probably best put in the ‘green-washing’ folder.
/Iceland and Guam can go without
I don’t really see in the article where GM actually says all 180 countries will get one…but I’m willing to go out on a limb and say, thats not going to happen, hehe.
Oct 21st, 2008 (8:15 am)Ah!….the power of being vague.
I suppose that it is difficult to understand the “real” demand for the Volt now. How many countries is the Corvette sold in? And at what volumes? A fair comparison since it appears that Volt will be in the same price range…just a different demographic.
Oct 21st, 2008 (8:19 am)I misread the quote above and thought it said they were going to convert the car to run biodiesel.
Here is my initial rant;
Convert to BIODIESEL? What ate they talking about?
What is apparant is the misinformation that is so rampant that people all believe it is true. WHY DON’T PEOPLE READ FOR GOD’S SAKE.
ALL DIESEL ENGINES CAN RUN BIODIESEL WITHOUT ANY CONVERSION.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROlnm9EDtDg
Look any diesel engine will run biodiesel without conversion. The oil companies are spreading misinformation quite adeptly. They want the average joe to THINK you need an expensive conversion. YOU DO NOT. The only thing that ever needed conversion are old mercedes running old rubber hoses.
You need to replace those old hoses. THAT’S IT FOR GOD SAKE!
If you are running trash oil from grease pits then you need a greasecar kit to filter and warm the crap you dug out of the pit. If you are running processed biodiesel then you do not need any conversion.
I ran over 14000 miles on my vw beetle on biodiesel you know what I did to convert it? NOTHING. I just poured the biodiesel into my tank and it started up and ran WHOO HOO!!!
/off soap box
Oct 21st, 2008 (8:26 am)RH drive versions produced in Melbourne, Australia will not affect US sales at all, but will make ME very happy hehehe.
Oct 21st, 2008 (8:36 am)As Lutz has said previously, GM is banking on the Volt to rebuild the Chevy brand. GM wants to spread the Volt out as much as possible to get it the greatest amount of coverage.
This is good news. If GM views the Volt as critical for their brand, they will work extra hard to ensure it’s succes, even taking a short term loss since brand has long term power.
I wonder what the cars will sell at in other countries where they won’t have our subsidies. We might be able to get a peek into whether GM is just using the subsidy for profit padding, though the data will be muddled by different demand curves and extra transfer costs.
Oct 21st, 2008 (8:37 am)“Pinkie… Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
Oct 21st, 2008 (8:51 am)#16 Cautious Fan, A lot of European countries have much better subsidies than we do. Denmark for instance has a %100 sales tax on any vehicle bought (new or used). I believe with EV’s this tax is either waved or significantly decreased. Not only that, but most or Europe taxes the crap out of fuel and if you can run on electric with $6 gas you are getting a subsidy in a sense.
Oct 21st, 2008 (8:52 am)This really does not come as a surprise. I expected GM to sell the Volt world-wide. I believe they stated that previously. But, not right away. It will take several years before they can ramp up that unless they use Holden in Australia, for instance.
Oct 21st, 2008 (8:53 am)# 974 on the list and my chances of seeing a VOLT in Central Alberta Canada will probably be in 2012 / 2013 .. I sure hope it is not that long as I will need a new vehicle by late 2011 at the very latest and that would mean… A Volt would not be in my driveway till 2016..
Hello… GM…. Let’s pick up the pace ….
Oct 21st, 2008 (8:57 am)#12 Static
I think you’re right Static. Many of them will be token Volt’s. The cost to train Volt mechanics everywhere, only to have them work on a few cars, would not be efficient.
Oct 21st, 2008 (9:03 am)It’s nice to hear Jon Lauckner mention E85 again. It looks like there’s no way they’re going to back away from this. Good news.
Oct 21st, 2008 (9:07 am)Lets see… North America, Canada, USA, Mexico
South America, Argentina, Brazil, Chili
Europe, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy
Russia
India
China
Japan
Indonesia
Australia
Egypt
South Africa
So even if the Volt is sold in 20 Countries or so, it would be a Global product.
Oct 21st, 2008 (9:09 am)I would like to have the option of having my volt be biodiesel. We dont have the restriction on diesel here in Texas and it would make it charge the battery a lot longer and get more miles on a fill up!
Oct 21st, 2008 (9:12 am)#14 Biodiesel Joe
“If you are running processed biodiesel then you do not need any conversion.”
The one thing you do need to watch out for is when you start using biodiesel, especially in older engines, you need to change your oil filter after the first 1k miles or so. Biodiesel will clean the inside of your engine and all the crap it removes will end up in you filter. You may even need to replace it after about 500 miles. Depends on your engine. After the filter stops receiving the build up in the engine everything will be fine. But, watch your filters for awhile.
Oct 21st, 2008 (9:16 am)Internationally, that’s great, but how far down the list will my number move?
3819 currently, But I am in the DC ‘burbs
NPNS =D–
Oct 21st, 2008 (9:20 am)Have none of you talking about having the engine charge the battery been reading any of the recent post? The engine is not going to charge the battery. It will be used to maintain the battery at or around 30% SOC until you can get to a place to plug the Volt into the electric grid for recharging. If the engine was used to recharge, you would use more petroleum products than necessary.
Oct 21st, 2008 (9:23 am)#26 KUD
I would expect DC to get Volts well before the majority of the country. Probably right after California, Florida and New York. GM probably will do this for political reasons, or to please the politicians who helped dole out the money to them. Not that I am opposed to a low interest loan to help our automakers.
Oct 21st, 2008 (9:34 am)Dave G
Congratulations on over 1,000 comments. That is quite an achievement. Some of us obviously spend too much time on this site, me included, of course.
Oct 21st, 2008 (9:40 am)Um, I would obviously much rather a diesel generator (what’s in a name?), but the money side of the problem is obvious: this car costs WAY TOO MUCH as it is. Second is the emission compliance issues and expense (stadards are high for passenger vehicles). Third, the weight (not much, but look how crazy they are about the aerodynamics). So ix-nay on the diesel-volt-nay in the U.S.A..
However, when they make the SUV version (Jeep-volt anyone?), the regs would allow a diesel engine more easily.
We beat the diesel engine thing to death a long time ago. So, I’m not going to get heartbroken. Even though they promised a diesel when they introduced the concept.
Or talk about it any more. Or talk about the concept anymore. Really. I mean it.
I’m serious, I’m really not going to talk about it anymore.
Stop goading me.
Oct 21st, 2008 (9:51 am)It seems like this announcement says something so big and wonderful that everyone interested in electric cars will endorse it. Indeed the idea of electric cars all over the world is a great idea.
But, it also is like dragging a dead fish across the trail so that the bloodhounds find it hard to follow the scent.
That is, in the midst of these world-wide visions, one wonders more humbly
When will there be enough availability to sell cars in Michigan? or Utah? or Alabama?
When will there be a battery contract for any Volts any where?
When will construction begin on the assembly line (any one, any where) to build the Volt?
Yes, I understand that the grand vision is far above any of these pedestrian questions. Still, it would be reassuring to know the answers.
Oct 21st, 2008 (9:52 am)Big oil has burned all it’s bridges! Time for a new future indeed…
Oct 21st, 2008 (9:58 am)My guess will be that the Volt will be built at several different plants. At least 3 or 4. The one for most of us will be in Detroit. I am guessing there will be one in China, Australia and Europe as well building the Volt for their respective regions. Then they will also be able to build the cars in regards to the safety standards for that area as well.
Oct 21st, 2008 (9:58 am)Against the advice of some of our canadian friends that frequent here……
I stole 250 shares of GM @ $4.90. Since USA is a socialist country now i figured i couldn’t go wrong. Today the stock is at $6.62, in 5 years when it’s at $65.00 i’ll be laughing my ass off. While using the extra income to buy my 1st Volt.
To quote a great buisnees man Warren Buffet:
“Th pro’s know that the best time to jump in with both feet is when the blood is running thick”
Oct 21st, 2008 (10:00 am)#30 biodieseljeep
Um, I would obviously much rather a diesel generator (what’s in a name?), but the money side of the problem is obvious: this car costs WAY TOO MUCH as it is. Second is the emission compliance issues and expense (stadards are high for passenger vehicles). Third, the weight (not much, but look how crazy they are about the aerodynamics). So ix-nay on the diesel-volt-nay in the U.S.A..
However, when they make the SUV version (Jeep-volt anyone?), the regs would allow a diesel engine more easily.
We beat the diesel engine thing to death a long time ago. So, I’m not going to get heartbroken. Even though they promised a diesel when they introduced the concept.
Or talk about it any more. Or talk about the concept anymore. Really. I mean it.
I’m serious, I’m really not going to talk about it anymore.
Stop goading me.
————————————————
Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of…nevermind
/couldn’t resist
Oct 21st, 2008 (10:04 am)Larger global volume should drive the price down and increase the demand more. Expect it to take a few years to get the price down in range for average person. Just hope that GM can hold on until the Volt profits start rolling in.
Oct 21st, 2008 (10:17 am)#34 Jon P
Against the advice of some of our canadian friends that frequent here……
I stole 250 shares of GM @ $4.90. Since USA is a socialist country now i figured i couldn’t go wrong. Today the stock is at $6.62, in 5 years when it’s at $65.00 i’ll be laughing my ass off. While using the extra income to buy my 1st Volt.
To quote a great buisnees man Warren Buffet:
“Th pro’s know that the best time to jump in with both feet is when the blood is running thick”
—————————————
Oh, you knew when you said ‘Canadian friends’ I would have to come into the discussion,lol.
So your coming to the board to announce a back-dated sale with 35% already cooked in? Well, I just so happened to have bought some at $4.00, then just sold today @ $6.72…I’m pretty happy with my 68% return. (See why that doesn’t work?)
I’m not saying you didn’t open a position in GM for the first time at $4.90…just know how it sounds.
The trick to having credibility (especially on the internets) is saying something ahead of time and then being accountable for it. For all we know you didn’t buy any, or you have bought it all the way down. It is a unverifiable claim…unless we are government tax auditors.
But if you want to say that today’s price of $6.62 is a value, I’d be happy to hold you to it.
Oct 21st, 2008 (10:23 am)I can’t wait until the car magazines like Motor Trend, Car and Driver, and Road and Track get their hands on a full production version of the Volt. I think GM should already be talking with those guys right now during the development stages if that’s possible. Get their input. They should know what is likely to be popular on some of the little things us bloggers don’t get to see.
I want this Volt to be massive hit worldwide. I want good reviews from just about everyone in the automotive press. High ratings from Consumer Reports.
Oct 21st, 2008 (10:45 am)So much the better, but I don’t see how this fits with their announced production plans. Maybe they secretly plan to “ramp up” a lot faster. I sure hope so.
Based upon what we have seen so far, it is very hard to disagree with RB at #31. It would seem that the degree of world market penetration envisioned by Mr. Lauckner would be several(!) years out. I only hope that GM proves us wrong.
Oct 21st, 2008 (11:05 am)Lot of talk regarding CNG up here. Why would we move BACKWORDS using fossil fuels? Electric is so much more fungible…. wind, solar, nuclear, hydro, etc.
Regarding the launch, GM needs to speed this thing up. Why would it take a year to test? I say quit being so careful and follow Tesla–get it out to the public ASAP. Why do you think GM’s stock is at $6?
Oct 21st, 2008 (11:15 am)Statik,
I don’t understand, your saying i made it up? Why would i do that?
Okay don’t believe me, my point was that while alot of us were singing doom & gloom, i was sharpening my teeth. Not sure how you would expect me to verify that i actually made the purchase.
My even larger point is if i was to buy shares today, right now @ $6.57, i just stole something. Your preaching about how GM’s about to fold, i just don’t see it. I agree with your numbers, but i think in this climate there’s more to it then that. A company that’s about to fold wouldn’t be talking about aquiring Chrysler with their 11B in cash, and 2-3B from cerebrus to sweeten the deal. That’s not to mention a larger stake in the 25B already approved, with congress talking about another 25Billion already.
Again you think i made that purchase up? Why?
Oct 21st, 2008 (11:18 am)#31 RB
“When will construction begin on the assembly line (any one, any where) to build the Volt?”
My question, exactly. They seem to be doing nothing about getting production started. I know they have a little over two years before introduction date, but they still have to do a lot of work getting a stock pile of cars to ship to dealers. Plus, the test fleet will require a line to build them on. Does anyone have more information?
Oct 21st, 2008 (11:31 am)#14 biodieseljoe
Another problem is stale diesel after a few weeks of non use, water and algae forms and the fuel is contaminated, you can get additives for that but its expensive
However, I would like to see the Volt with an option for the ice to run on propane with a removable 5 gallon tank like an RV, remember I said =an OPTION==NPNS =D—
Oct 21st, 2008 (11:32 am)I can’t wait for all this to happen. I’m number 941 and now live in a great area for GM to have the Volt.
Oct 21st, 2008 (11:50 am)#43 Casey
“nother problem is stale diesel after a few weeks of non use, water and algae forms and the fuel is contaminated, you can get additives for that but its expensive.”
You are correct on both points, for sure. We store diesel in 20,000 gallon tanks for resale and add the additive to stabilize it and one to add properties removed when making Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel. The additives are very expensive. Gasoline or E85 blend would be a better product to stay in your tank longer without causing problems. Gasoline does not go stale in many parts of the country as fast as in others. But, if anyone is unsure about the gas in their Volt, all you have to do is not plug in for a few days and let the ICE run until the fuel is almost gone. Fill-up your tank and charge the battery the next time you can plug in. You will not have to do that but maybe once per year in most parts of the country. IMO.
Oct 21st, 2008 (11:59 am)#9 kdawg says,
Good luck designing ONE car that fits every country. The regulations in every part of the world are very different. I think GM is going to need a version for each region. Also, why would you build an expensive car that passes all of the US standards, for a region that does not have these standards?
—————–
How many countries is the Prius sold in? Don’t they have the same problem?
Oct 21st, 2008 (12:03 pm)#41 JonP
Statik,
I don’t understand, your saying i made it up? Why would i do that?
Okay don’t believe me, my point was that while alot of us were singing doom & gloom, i was sharpening my teeth. Not sure how you would expect me to verify that i actually made the purchase.
My even larger point is if i was to buy shares today, right now @ $6.57, i just stole something. Your preaching about how GM’s about to fold, i just don’t see it. I agree with your numbers, but i think in this climate there’s more to it then that. A company that’s about to fold wouldn’t be talking about aquiring Chrysler with their 11B in cash, and 2-3B from cerebrus to sweeten the deal. That’s not to mention a larger stake in the 25B already approved, with congress talking about another 25Billion already.
Again you think i made that purchase up? Why?
———————————
I’m not saying you did, or you are misrepresenting yourself, I have no reason to think that you did…also the inverse is true.
I’m just saying you clearly want to ‘go on record’ today…a line in the sand if you will, about the condition of GM and its stock value. I’ll give you all the credit for your position, it is not easy sticking your neck out on the line…and you have, today. I respect that.
All I was saying basically is that you are indeed on the record here and now… at a verifiable $6.62. If you wanted $4.90 to be your unquestionable baseline, you should have posted when GM was at the price back on Oct 9th,10th.
Oct 21st, 2008 (12:16 pm)Speaking of stocks, did you notice on the Yahoo site this AM that Kirk Krekorian is “divesting” his 140,000,000 or so shares of Ford? 7,000,000+ already sold at approx. $2.90. Bought in June/July for approx. $8.90. He has hired Goldman Sachs, or some such investment bank (how many can there be left?), to help him do it, I guess to try to avoid completely killing the market in Ford shares.
A cautionary tale?
Oct 21st, 2008 (12:27 pm)Obviously most people here are buring their heads in sand or simply GM employees who do not see the reality, I said many times here that GM is losing to toyota in China, here is the link:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aE0XLVFNCiF8&refer=us
I predict all Detroit three will die in 10 years if there is a bailout by Obama or die in 15 months if there is none. The short-term culture at Detroit determines the fate of GM/Ford/Chrysler. When you look at the cheap buick crap in China, you know they are hevaving like they are in the USA. Well, bad strategy. Anyone who recently went to China will tell you America can’t defeat the Japs when it comes to automobile, the same thing applies to HEV/PHEV.
My grandfather was alomost killed by Japs and my father told me to hate Japs when I was 10 month old. I am NOT working for any Jap companies!
Oct 21st, 2008 (12:31 pm)#48 Noel Park
Knowing Krekorian’s history with Ford, I would not be surprised if he is not trying to force down the stock by selling off some portion of his stock. When the stock reaches a certain price and many other stockholders have sold because of the falling price, he will start buying the same stock he sold plus what everyone else has sold. He will then be in a stronger position to tell Ford what to do, if not outright own it. This man is not stupid, but he does have tons of money and plenty of hard feelings toward Ford and it may be one way to get “pay back”.
Oct 21st, 2008 (12:32 pm)#9 kdawg says,
Good luck designing ONE car that fits every country. The regulations in every part of the world are very different. I think GM is going to need a version for each region. Also, why would you build an expensive car that passes all of the US standards, for a region that does not have these standards?
————————————————————————————–
Thats a very dumb comment.
How does Audi or BMW do it?
And how do you know that the current design of the VOLT doesn’t furfill all the global regulations?
Sometimes its nice to think before you post.
Oct 21st, 2008 (12:38 pm)#49 ysf
What can you say to that? We all have had family or friends killed in a war, you take your pick of which ones. That is no reason to hate any people of a country. Most people of most countries are hard working, honest people who only want to provide for their families and get the government out of their face. We, as Americans, should recognize the problem of government in our face as much as anyone. I just don’t think we should be hating people. Hate their government and its policies and the acts they do. People are pretty much the same the world over, if given a chance. They all want to be free, to work for a good income, to build something to be left to their sons and daughters and not have the government start taking their money away after finally “making it” to give it to people who do not do the same things to be successful.
Oct 21st, 2008 (12:44 pm)#50 N Riley:
Now they are saying that he has sold the 7 million shares and the stock is down to $2.43 or some such. He “may” sell off the remaining 133 million. So your scenario would certainly seem possible.
On the other hand, if he dumps the whole works and the price goes down to 99 cents or something, maybe GM can buy Ford too, LOL. In for a penny, in for a pound!
You don’t think that Kirk would bail on some sort of secret whisper of C 11 do you? Sorry, I guess one shouldn’t suggest such things.
Oct 21st, 2008 (12:50 pm)#53 Noel Park
I would not put it past him to do almost anything to get the upper hand. He has wanted control too long to give us like this. I think it is a ploy. And the sad thing is, in today’s environment, he has finally found the one thing that will work to his favor — FEAR.
Oct 21st, 2008 (12:53 pm)#53 Noel Park
I don’t think he wants it to go to C 11. That would not help him in the short term and would make his job harder to gain control. I think he is playing a very dangerous game, but one he knows where to stop at.
Oct 21st, 2008 (12:56 pm)#53 Noel Park
It may take a combined GM, Ford and Chrysler to compete in the “new” world. That would not be a bad thing to do. Together they would be an awesome team, if they bring on their “best game” and learn from past mistakes.
Oct 21st, 2008 (12:58 pm)Hello
Oct 21st, 2008 (1:01 pm)#46 Regarding the launch, GM needs to speed this thing up. Why would it take a year to test? I say quit being so careful and follow Tesla–get it out to the public ASAP. Why do you think GM’s stock is at $6?
Indeed the current schedule will not cut it. They have to hope that the 2009 Prius will not be a plugin. If it is they are doomed – Toyota will grab the market. However if Toyota launch with no plug then GM have a huge spoiler on their sales – with a ‘why buy that when something much better is coming along’ pitch. The Prius buyers will be fully appraised of plugins by then and I think will be prepared to wait BUT NOT FOR TWO YEARS by which time Toyota and others will have grabbed the market.
Oct 21st, 2008 (1:05 pm)N. Riley, #52.
Occasionally I travel down the same stupid road as ysf #49. Then someone smacks me on the back of the head and reminds me of how wrong I was thinking. Usually it is you or Noel.
This happens when I start talking about Muslims. I can’t get 911 out of my head. But Muslims are no different than the rest of us. Every society has its extremists. We have them too. (ELF comes to mind).
It is not people we should hate. I have traveled to several different countries.
As you said, people are the same. Their governments are not.
Hate the governments, the extremists, but not the people. You are right on, my friend.
Oct 21st, 2008 (1:09 pm)Statik,
Okay, got ya.
For the record:
I’m rating GM stock as a very strong buy today 10/21/08 @ $6.56
A very low risk, high reward gamble for undoubtedly one of the largest employers in the USA, and the largest automaker in the world. Look at the 45 year chart, stock through the decades has hovered around 40 dollars, with dips coinciding with every USA recession. The feds have already invested 7 Billion into GM, don’t see them turning their back now.
If you were to invest $1637.50 (250 shares @ $6.55) right now and the stock goes back to even 1/2 of the normal $40 price per share. Your return on 250 shares would be:
$5000.00 or a little short of tripleing your money.
This is the case all over the market, baby boomers are jumping ship on their mutual fund packed 401K’s. Get in why you can, in 5 years you’ll be very happy you did. Unless you think there is going to be a total failure of our economic system. Which if there is you’ll have alot more to worry about then the $1700 you just lost on GM stock.
But i’m just some dude, to each their own!
Oct 21st, 2008 (1:10 pm)#56 N. Riley says,
It may take a combined GM, Ford and Chrysler to compete in the “new” world. That would not be a bad thing to do. Together they would be an awesome team, if they bring on their “best game” and learn from past mistakes.
———–
My concern: Stupid is as Stupid does.
I wonder if they are really capable of learning from past mistakes.
Oct 21st, 2008 (1:24 pm)#57 Hoang
Hello to you, also. New to this site? If so, welcome. Join in the discussions. It can get lively sometimes and boring other times. But, we keep coming back time after time.
Oct 21st, 2008 (1:26 pm)#58 Arthur Morrison
“They have to hope that the 2009 Prius will not be a plugin. If it is they are doomed – Toyota will grab the market.”
The 2009 Prius is already out and it is not a plug-in. Nearly the same as the 2007 and 2008. I almost bought one the 13th. But, I agree GM needs to get this car to the buyers sooner than November 2010 because competition is making its move now. China may well beat them all to the U.S. market with a plug in.
Oct 21st, 2008 (1:29 pm)#60 JonP
Statik,
Okay, got ya.
For the record:
I’m rating GM stock as a very strong buy today 10/21/08 @ $6.56
A very low risk, high reward gamble for undoubtedly one of the largest employers in the USA, and the largest automaker in the world. Look at the 45 year chart, stock through the decades has hovered around 40 dollars, with dips coinciding with every USA recession. The feds have already invested 7 Billion into GM, don’t see them turning their back now.
If you were to invest $1637.50 (250 shares @ $6.55) right now and the stock goes back to even 1/2 of the normal $40 price per share. Your return on 250 shares would be:
$5000.00 or a little short of tripleing your money.
This is the case all over the market, baby boomers are jumping ship on their mutual fund packed 401K’s. Get in why you can, in 5 years you’ll be very happy you did. Unless you think there is going to be a total failure of our economic system. Which if there is you’ll have alot more to worry about then the $1700 you just lost on GM stock.
But i’m just some dude, to each their own!
——————————————-
I gotcha…it’s all good. Good luck to you.
Oct 21st, 2008 (1:30 pm)#40 DaveB
I’m not sure fossil fuels are “backwards” as you suggest. Fossil fuels are a low-cost, high density, cheap energy storage medium. They work really really well at transportation. There is nothing currently in the pipeline that is going to realistically wrest that crown away from, as much as you and I want that to occur. The talk about Volt 2.0 supports this. The focus is on cheaper, smaller, longer life batteries. Not longer AER.
My point is, fossil fuels will be a valid for sometime still. The Volt is a great step in the right direction but it also supports the point that fossil fuels aren’t going away anytime soon. Not that I don’t want that transition to occur sooner, but I think that’s reality.
Oct 21st, 2008 (1:33 pm)Talking global, even with the Volt, we’re still behind. Check this out and it is good news for those who commute around 20 miles/day and have $5600.
http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/zhejiang-001-the-new-electric-car-with-solar-panels-ar65579.html
It is just $5600 solar car. Imagine how decent a $40,000 solar car could be. Heck, I don’t even want plug-in, I want NO PLUG and NO GAS. That is what I want. Now just wait for Honda, Toyota and European car make solar coupled with range extender.
I feel sad because either technology or money, we are still behind the world.
Oct 21st, 2008 (1:33 pm)#59 Rashiid Amul
“Every society has its extremists.”
______________________
Amen to that friend. We have too many extremists and the world can ill afford more.
#61 Rashiid Amul
“My concern: Stupid is as Stupid does.”
_______________________
My concern, also. But maybe it would be better this time. But in most cases your statement rings true. May God Bless Us All.
Oct 21st, 2008 (1:34 pm)#48 noel park
Speaking of stocks, did you notice on the Yahoo site this AM that Kirk Krekorian is “divesting” his 140,000,000 or so shares of Ford? 7,000,000+ already sold at approx. $2.90. Bought in June/July for approx. $8.90. He has hired Goldman Sachs, or some such investment bank (how many can there be left?), to help him do it, I guess to try to avoid completely killing the market in Ford shares.
A cautionary tale?
——————————————–
#50 N Riley
Knowing Krekorian’s history with Ford, I would not be surprised if he is not trying to force down the stock by selling off some portion of his stock. When the stock reaches a certain price and many other stockholders have sold because of the falling price, he will start buying the same stock he sold plus what everyone else has sold. He will then be in a stronger position to tell Ford what to do, if not outright own it. This man is not stupid, but he does have tons of money and plenty of hard feelings toward Ford and it may be one way to get “pay back”.
==========================================
My take is that he really doesn’t understand the company or the business in this environment the way he used to and he is cutting his exposure. (It would not surprise me to see him liquidate his whole position)
Krekorian is no fool, he certainly understood the poor economic reality of Ford when he got into it a few months ago. I’m sure he had a exit strategy for his money at a higher value…I think maybe he seems alot of his ‘outs’ going by the wayside.
/just my 2p on it…then again, sometimes guys just do nutty things, ‘big dog’ or not
Oct 21st, 2008 (1:35 pm)The best part of this article is that it puts it right in the face of all those that say “I only buy american”
America needs this car. Not paying for gas is the only real raise americans will get for years because of global outsourcing. But does this concern the american company. Hell no, if they can get more bonus money out of other countries, good luck to us being able to find a volt in this country. Look to Toyota to have a significant number available for us in the US before you can find a non marked up volt on the dealer floor.
Buy American. Yeah right.
Keep buying that stock, but keep in mind one car model does not make a car company. Look at Tesla(roadster only), look at Fold(mustang is the only car worth a dam), look at Crapsler(Do they even make auto’s anymore).
Oct 21st, 2008 (1:35 pm)#65 Cautious Fan
You are absolutely correct. Keep it coming.
Oct 21st, 2008 (1:39 pm)#66 Hoang
Don’t give up on us just yet. When it looks the worse for Americans that is when we come up swinging. It is starting to look worse, so watch out.
Oct 21st, 2008 (1:40 pm)Dave G. #22
“It’s nice to hear Jon Lauckner mention E85 again. It looks like there’s no way they’re going to back away from this. Good news.”
*** *** ***
That makes two of us. I just don’t think most people considering the Volt realize how important the E-85 (and possibly E100! ??) capability is.
Oct 21st, 2008 (1:41 pm)#68 Statik
You are probably as correct about him as anyone else tends to be. I just spoke from the gut when I said what I did.
Oct 21st, 2008 (1:43 pm)#69 GmsAJoke
Well, now that you have given us your hopeful opinion, tell us how you really feel.
Oct 21st, 2008 (1:46 pm)For you Ethanol fans, Hunt Refining in Tuscaloosa, Alabama just told us they would only offer E10 gasoline starting this week. “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind!” Or is it?
Oct 21st, 2008 (2:01 pm)N Riley #50
“Knowing Krekorian’s history with Ford, I would not be surprised if he is not trying to force down the stock by selling off some portion of his stock”
*** *** ***
With just Ford? Kerkorian has always been this way. He failed to sell GM to Renault-Nissan in which his plan was for each of them to acquire a 1/10 of GM even though Renault controls Nissan and they’re basically one company. Then I believe his plan was to sell his 1/10 to them netting himself a premium and giving control of GM to Renault. Didn’t work out, but one thing’s for sure, Kerkorian always looks out for himself.
Oct 21st, 2008 (2:03 pm)N Riley, you crack me up.
It just ticks me off that they are taking so long to get it out. I don’t want to be a serf to the pharoahs for the rest of my life. If we eliminate everyday use of gas, we have enough oil in our borders for the oil uses that can’t be eliminated.
Then, PTB willing, we won’t be dieing in the dessert for people that don’t want to take care of themselves.
Thats how I really feel.
Oct 21st, 2008 (2:08 pm)I’ve wanted flex-fuel capability both for insurance purposes, and because it gives me another option if I’m using the Volt as a generator. I’m assuming there must be a 12-volt outlet in there SOMEWHERE and I can run an inverter off of that unless they have the foresight to build a 110 outlet in already.
Oct 21st, 2008 (2:28 pm)#77 GmsAJoke
Glad I made you crack up. Nothing wrong with what you are saying. It has been said many ways by many other people on this site. Join the crowd. We all want pretty much the same thing as you stated. We want GM to get it together and get the job done. We want to stop importing oil from anyone, especially from those that hate us. And we do have enough available to take care of what can’t convert. The 3% figure you hear all the time from the democrats and the news media only count that portion of our reserves where we are allowed to drill. The figure does not count the areas off the Gulf, the eastern seaboard, the west coast or areas in Alaska that are off limits and it does not count the oil shale areas of the western states. If all of our reserves were to be truly counted, we would have most of the known reserves in the world. So, yes, we have enough to supply those that do not or can not convert without importing oil. And this does not count the vast natural gas reserves we know we have. Much more has not been discovered, but is believed to be available.
Oct 21st, 2008 (2:37 pm)So, will GM make and sell a CNG version right here in the US? One that will fit right in to the Pickens Plan or not. And if not, then how quickly can we get after-market conversion kits out there?
Oct 21st, 2008 (2:43 pm)Hey now, don’t get so upset with oil producing nations Venezuela and Iran. The way I read this article they are doing their part to ensure a successful Volt market entry!!!
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,442343,00.html
Oct 21st, 2008 (3:48 pm)Well $8.90/share to $2.40/share times 177 million shares is a pretty fair chunk of change. Maybe it’s a small comfort to the rest of us punters with our nose-diving 401ks. Nobody’s perfect.
#81 gsned 57:
They are doing exactly what we would be doing if we were in their position. The only answer is to use less fuel and drive the price down. Or, we could invade them. That’s worked pretty well so far, right?
LJGTVWOTR!! NPNS!
Oct 21st, 2008 (3:49 pm)The only problem is, in 2010 or 2011 model year, GM will not be the only auto maker with a plug-in on the market. If they could get it out sooner that would certainly help GM. But from all reports, it’ll be hard enough to get the Volt out by the end of 2010. So, will have plenty of competition when it finally arrives.
Oct 21st, 2008 (3:59 pm)#73 N Riley
You are probably as correct about him as anyone else tends to be. I just spoke from the gut when I said what I did.
—————————————————-
You could be right, I could be completely off, who knows…I was just spit-balling my own internal monologue #68
/grain of salt and all that
Oct 21st, 2008 (4:08 pm)#82 Noel Park
“Maybe it’s a small comfort to the rest of us punters with our nose-diving 401ks. Nobody’s perfect.”
_____________________
Speak for yourself. I moved all my 401(k) stock into cash reserves in the latter part of August. My gut told me to do it.
Oct 21st, 2008 (4:14 pm)#84 Statik
Spit balling works sometimes. Don’t knock it. Hard to tell what works these days.
Only truth I know about the market: The bottom is somewhere below where it is today and the ceiling is somewhere above where it is today.
Oct 21st, 2008 (4:30 pm)#85 N Riley
“Speak for yourself. I moved all my 401(k) stock into cash reserves in the latter part of August. My gut told me to do it.”
Ditto here. I did the same the beginning of August and I am starting to trickle some back into stock funds. The prices of some of those funds are just ridiculously low…
Oct 21st, 2008 (4:32 pm)#85 N Riley:
Well congratulations to you. Every time I try it it blows up in my face, but that ‘s just dumb me.
The new Autoweek has an extensive report on the Paris Motor Show. On page 17, they report on the Pininfarina Bollore:
“Using Pininfarina’s design and manufacturing know-how in combination with the French Bollore family’s money and electrical development expertise, the Bo will be built in Turin, Italy, starting in 2009.
Powered by a combination of a battery pack full of solid-state lithium-metal-polymer batteries between the axles and the supercapacitors, its builders claim the 4 seat, four door city car will run 155 miles between charges. Speed is limited to 80 mph, and Bollore predicts at least 124,000 miles out of a battery pack.”
Supercapacitors???
Oct 21st, 2008 (4:37 pm)#88 Noel Park
The Pininfarina Bollore sounds interesting. I need to look it up just for informational purposes. Sorry, about things blowing up in your face. I just felt it was time for me to move my investments. I will be 65 in January, but that was not the primary cause. I just felt something was wrong with the markets. My investments had fallen back to where they were in October 2007 and I was tired of the up and down.
Oct 21st, 2008 (4:45 pm)# 85
Supercapacitors get around the problem that batteries don’t like to discharge super fast (not that great on charging that way also).
With a supercapacitor in parallel with the batteries, a car can accelerate (or brake) at the maximum the motors can take without damaging the batteries.
I think they should be in all electric cars, don’t know why they aren’t.
Oct 21st, 2008 (5:04 pm)It’s good to see that GM plans world wide exposure for the Volt. This makes sense being that the GM NEXT100 celebration was 80% focused on the world community. And that the Volt represents a world solution to the big oil grip problem. I am willing to wait an additional 6 months order time so that others in the world get a fair pick.
GM Centennial .. http://garfwod.250free.com/Photos/volt-reveal-back%20seat.jpg
=D~
Oct 21st, 2008 (5:07 pm)Supercapacitors like to BLOW UP. If you damage a battery – you get a leak, or in worst case a fire because the rate of chemical reactions is limited.
If you damage a capacitor – you get a runaway discharge. And it’s not limited by the speed of chemical reactions. Essentially, all the stored energy is discharged in just a few seconds.
Oct 21st, 2008 (5:18 pm)____________________________________________________
Time to bend over the barrel America!
OPEC Set to Hike Prices…”The era of cheap oil is finished,” Iran’s Oil Minister Gholamhossein Nozari boasted on Tuesday.
When asked what price Iran would want for its oil, Nozari declared, “The more the better.”
Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,442343,00.html
—————-
Solution:
* Don’t get mad…do get a VOLT…then smile each time you pass up a gas station.
* Tell everyone you know about GM-VOLT.com. Explain to them what the VOLT represents.
* Do everything within your individual power to promote American Energy Independence.
* Directed to you younger guys in college and entering the work force: You will greatly influence America’s ability to achieve American Energy Independence for it is your turn to steer America’s future. Don’t pass up the opportunity to succeed where those before you have failed. Don’t fall victim to hackneyed ideological arguments, misguided idealism, and professed government solutions, all of which have lured those before you off course. Do take individual action where those before you have failed to individually act so that your children will not be put at risk to battle in a foreign land to secure America’s energy needs. Your individual action is the solution; the power of one.
______________________________________________________
Oct 21st, 2008 (5:38 pm)#89 N Riley:
Hey, no offense taken. Maybe a little bit of jealousy because somebody else made a smarter move, LOL. Good for you.
#93 CDAVIS:
I agree. We got ourselves into this by our wasteful habits and dumb governmental policies. We can get ourselves out of it by changing same. The recent gyrations of the oil market only show how true this is. The power of one indeed. Well said.
I mentioned this the other day, but I have been reading “Flat, Hot And Crowded” by Thomas L. Friedman. It is really worth reading for anyone interested in these issues. He even goes very seriously into the V2G issue we have discusssed here so many times. He is a Pulitzer Prize (multiple, I believe) reporter, not an academic. As a result the book is pretty easy to read, if terrifying.
Oct 21st, 2008 (5:46 pm)New York Times #2 Best Seller this week, BTW.
I find it pretty encouraging that so many people are reading this book It just reinforces many of the same points that bloggers have made here over the months. Climate change, resource wars, and destruction of our economy by massive transfers of wealth to the very people who would wish us ill, just for starters.
Oct 21st, 2008 (5:54 pm)#85 N Riley
Speak for yourself. I moved all my 401(k) stock into cash reserves in the latter part of August. My gut told me to do it.
——————-
#87 Aspherical
Ditto here. I did the same the beginning of August and I am starting to trickle some back into stock funds. The prices of some of those funds are just ridiculously low…
———————————-
I’m glad to hear that for both of you…especially you Riley, I didn’t know you were right up against the big 6-5…that was a wise move.
I’d also like to echo my endorsement/plug along with noel park on “Flat, Hot And Crowded” by Thomas L. Friedman. I’ve gone through it twice now
Oct 21st, 2008 (6:02 pm)Other random things that suck:
Federal cash may be needed for GM-Chrysler deal
—-Congress may find compelling reason to fund potential General Motors acquisition of Chrysler
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/081021/gm_chrysler.html?.v=2
You knew it would come to this. I’ve mentioned since the start of all this talk that I didn’t think GM had the scratch to pull it off. I guess this is the next logical step…for them, not so much for the taxpayer/Chrysler employee.
Not sure how you justify getting cash from the government for a merger with the main benefit being cost cutting on wages and to acquire 11-14 billion in cash.
The loss of American jobs would probably be just as great from one of them going bankrupt as this merge. I know it is highly unlikely the UAW would be on board…so the stumbling block for GM/Chrysler in getting the money is that funding of this project by the government would be a PR disaster.
Can you hear it already? “America pays GM to fire employees?” — not necessarily factual, or something that did not need to be done, but a political nightmare. Just who would be lining up in government to get behind it? I don’t know. This could happen…but put this in the category of ‘last ditch effort/wild shot in the dark’ I think.
Oct 21st, 2008 (6:10 pm)California Edison rates are the highest in the nation.
My Volt is going to cost $400 a year to plug in!
I could buy 130 gallons of smelly OPEC gasoline with that money!
What should I do?
Please help me!
Electricity savings how-to .. http://garfwod.250free.com/2010/Volt%20electricity%20chart.jpg
=D~
Oct 21st, 2008 (6:18 pm)#98 Dave K –> What are the Cal Edison rates? (in cents/kwh or some such)
Oct 21st, 2008 (6:30 pm)hi RB # 99,
12.82 cents/kWh
My condo is fully electric with a monthly bill of $50 in summer and $90 in winter (at this time). Just installed a smaller water heater and replaced ALL the bulbs with the low use coil type.
My goal is to not only own a Volt, but to be efficient enough to have this cost me NOTHING in per day recharge cost. I think I’m already half way there.
OPEC who?
=D~
Oct 21st, 2008 (6:58 pm)#100 Dave K — Sounds like you are well on your way. Great job!
Oct 21st, 2008 (7:08 pm)#99 RB:
We are paying right at $0.13/KWH average when you add up all the fees, taxes, etc. to the bottom line and then apply it to the KWH used. Even so, we there are only two of us at home now, and we have gas stove, dryer and on demand water heater. We live in a fairly cool area and don’t have AC. Our bill this summer has been $40-50/month. As much as we would love to put up a solar array, or make some other gesture toward “Flat, Hot And Crowded”, it’s pretty hard to justify at that level.
I might take another look at doing it at my shop though. The bill there is a whole different deal.
Oct 21st, 2008 (7:19 pm)#102 noel park — you guys are terrific, really inspirational!
Oct 21st, 2008 (7:45 pm)#75 N. Riley says,
For you Ethanol fans, Hunt Refining in Tuscaloosa, Alabama just told us they would only offer E10 gasoline starting this week. “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind!” Or is it?
—————
We’ve had E10 here in Connecticut for the last few years.
Cars seem to run fine on it. My Elantra gets 39 MPG with it.
They replaced MTBE with E10. So all of our gas has it.
Oct 21st, 2008 (7:51 pm)#93 CDAVIS says,
* Don’t get mad…do get a VOLT…then smile each time you pass up a gas station.
———————
Yup and stick up your middle finger in the direction of OPEC while you’re at it.
Oct 21st, 2008 (8:08 pm)At any price under $8.00 GM stock is a steal right now. This company is two years away from the first of several splits without diluting earnings.
Turnaround of the century!
Oct 21st, 2008 (9:29 pm)#102 noel park
We are paying right at $0.13/KWH average when you add up all the fees, taxes, etc. to the bottom line and then apply it to the KWH used. Even so, we there are only two of us at home now, and we have gas stove, dryer and on demand water heater. We live in a fairly cool area and don’t have AC. Our bill this summer has been $40-50/month. As much as we would love to put up a solar array, or make some other gesture toward “Flat, Hot And Crowded”, it’s pretty hard to justify at that level.
I might take another look at doing it at my shop though. The bill there is a whole different deal
——————————————-
#103 RB — noel park, you guys are terrific, really inspirational!
——————————————–
No A/C noel? I live in Canada and that makes me feel ill.
Is this fairly cool area you speak of… Anchorage? I hope so, lol. You wouldn’t need much of a ‘solar array’ to jack out $40 of electricity…especially at .13. Thats only 30kW/month…hella low. Would convert to around a 2.2kW system? 11 panels, thats more like solar awning over the back deck, hehe. (Also a easy set-up/install like that).
Depending on your state and how handy you are, cost might be around $12K before rebates…and depending on the state… $6K bottom line? Heck we go up or down by $6,000 bucks every day just guessing the Volt’s MSRP, hehe.
Oct 21st, 2008 (11:53 pm)Rashiid #105
“#
Yup and stick up your middle finger in the direction of OPEC while you’re at it.
”
*** *** ***
Couldn’t agree more, yet I’m always suspicious. If the Volt’s RE ICE is E85 capable, I’m even more convinced. This IS important!
Oct 22nd, 2008 (5:29 am)Anyone, I don’t care who; I would like someone to answer/ explain to me one simple thing. If the ICE is constantly running to maintain 30% charge how are you using less petrolium as compaired to a short time use for a full regen to full capacity and thereby useing batt pwr til fuel resuppy? Oh on another tangent, you can find on-line 25 volt solar panels for RV’s for about $200 max and 12 to 110 converters at Wal-mart,so the $4G panels sounds suspicious to me. I doubt I’ll ever be able to get a volt(us lower income folks don’t have the ability to purchase brand new vehicles every year or four and can have onely one vehicle for most of our lives), but I was interested due to the potential of the vehicle to get troops back home out of hell. Sure their families’d like that. I’d appreciate any help you can provide. I’ll scan for any response in a few days, not all of us can afford the luxuries that others take for granted.
Oct 22nd, 2008 (8:36 am)Thought I would mention this here, rather than ‘polluting’ a new thread:
Microcar- M.Go electric. It’s real,it’s for sale Q1 2009 (under 6 months)…but it isn’t very fast, lol. (oh yeah…only in Europe)
4 versions
-two “citys”, with a maximum speed of 30mph
one 75 mile range
one 90 mile range
-two “standard car” versions, max 45mph
one 55 mile range
one 75 mile range
Here is the official PDF if you want to give it a once over:
http://www.mgo-electric.fr/download/dossier_uk.pdf
Oct 22nd, 2008 (9:50 am)#17 Gordon
I am Brain..but where are we going to find rubber pants our size?
(sorry couldn’t resist)
Nov 1st, 2008 (3:30 am)Exciting article. I also hadn’t really realized the potential this car has globally until I read this. Granted it takes a little bit of mathematical icing for an American to economically justify buying this car for $35,000 and expect to get your money’s worth when gas costs $3-3.50/gallon. (I’ve done some math, 15,000 miles a year * 10 years = 150,000 miles per 10 years, 25 mpg combined city/highway, say gas averages out over the year $3.50 for the next ten years) that means it costs you 14 cents a mile in a normal car and 2 cents a mile in the Volt) means you are saving somewhere around $18,000 over 10 years. Putting it that way sounds…pretty good…
But now, imagine you’re in Europe or the UK where gas costs $5-9 per gallon (I personally have lived in Europe for a couple of years and paid these prices). Now you’re talking twice that much gas savings in the same 10 year period. With conservative estimates, I would say you are saving $30,000 in 10 years of owning the VOLT just in fuel (I calculated that for someone that drives 15,000 miles a year in a car that averages 30 mpg city/highway combined, and pays $6/gallon for fuel, although when I was in France it was more like $7/gallon)
You RARELY drive more than 40 miles in one day. The Euro is worth $1.35, meaning for 25,000 euros (but you probably have tax rebates too) only slightly more than a normal car for them, but you never have to buy gas again. Plus all of their residential electrical outlets are 220V, so it would take just 2-3 hours to charge and you would never spend time at gas stations again (I would imagine that’s something I could get used to). It’s a no-brainer, especially for individuals and countries interested in energy security (which is becoming more important all the time).
The volt is perfect for you.