GM is really controlled by the Government (And is now known Government Motors) And they still have the over paid union sucking them dry!

I would never buy another vehicle from Chrysler or GM

And one other thing……………That guy, the CEO on TV, He looks more like a used car salesman then a CEO!

Forget about Government motors and by from a real Car company….FORD

CJ

Politically connected, he Demanded and Got that the PNGV auto bodies be built out of unrecyclable Billion dollar B2 bomber materials instead of recyclable steel, to save a few pounds or weight.

It made the the PNGV cost a $3/4 of a million per, if ever they were put into production.

The money went instead to create the US Automotive Battery Consortium. USABC, which let the auto makers and the battery makers collaborate to develop Lithium-Ion batteries for auto applications.

Where would we be if the were no Lithium Ion Batteries? Still bitching about the death of the Lead Acid EV1; it being a convenient liberal conspiracy theory?

Tell me quick what is bringing the electric auto to reality faster, Li-Ion batteries or B2 bomber composite material bodies?

The PNGV was a car designed by a government committee. and just about as build-able and realistic. As realistic as $10,000. toilet seats…

I see that there is another idiot who actually believes that the CAFE rules have EVER been reduced, in any way. Its another convenient propaganda liberal conspiracy fantasy too.

Bob Lutz has said the thing that drove up the price the most was the assumption that every battery will have to be replaced under waranty, meaning 2 batteries for every car sold.

But Lutz has said more recently the batteries are performing better than expected in the longevity and durability tests, so the cost may come down soon.

In addition, Lutz said the the model 2012 Volt will have many cost improvements. The 2012 model is the next model year after the initial 2011 Volt that will be available in November of 2010.

So all signs point to lower prices fairly soon.

All automakers require a sustainable product quickly. That means something they can sell by the millions for a profit to keep the business going.

To be better, it would have to at least meet that criteria. Clearly, it doesn’t yet.

“When it launches next spring, the Insight will be the most affordable hybrid car on the road. But we’re not skimping on features”
–—Dan Bonawitz, Honda Vice President

Honda is targeting annual global sales of 200,000 units per year, with approximately 100,000 in North America. Honda is aiming for affordability with the new Insight, which is expected to sell for approximately $19,000—several thousand dollars below the Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius

http://www.hybridcars.com/compacts-sedans/honda-insight-overview.html

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I know, even myself I think $19,000 is a pretty ‘magical’ type number, but that is what they are putting out there and the car drops to the public in like 5 months. (still waiting for my dealer to put a MSRP to my deposit, lol) Personally, I’d still be delighted at anything at $22K or less.

I just don’t understand how we can put such hard and firm estimate on the Volt when we have gotten jack-squat from them on pricing and then turn around in the same breath and slap a 30-40% ‘executive BS’ premium on Honda who are on the record. I think it is a double standard to do so.

Side note: I’m not really attempting to squash the Volt as a viable product with this train of thought…it is ‘new and cool,’ and that justifies its price. If GM only builts 10-60K of these a year, it will be a sell out for many, many years.

#58 statik – “50MPG/$18,500 beats 40 mile range and 50 MPG/$40,000 everytime.”

Put that way, yes. But we can change the question. First on the price: I’ve seen many people say that a Prius is $21K but everyone I’ve known who has bought one has paid more like $28K. So let’s say that the Insight is more like $25K. That seems more likely.

On the price, it’s becoming clear that the Volt will be $35K. With the $7.5K incentive that’s $27.5K.

So let’s change your proposition. Now let’s say: Do you want to spend $2.5K and use one fourth the gasoline, or do you want to “save” a paltry $2.5K up front and use four times more gas and spew five times more pollutants?
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You just can’t do that. That is way over the top with the rationalizing. Your adding as much premium as you can to the competition and max low balling the Volt MSRP with no premium.

The fact is you CAN get a Prius for 22K, the fact is that the Honda execs are on record at decently under 20K, with $18,500 & $19,000 being the most common reference points. We have absolutely nothing from GM on price.

Most people add options to their cars, which increases the price, that is certainly true, but the same can be said for the potential Volt buyers. If your asserting that the average Insight or Prius buyer adds $6,000 to their cars in options, do you think that logically Volt buyers will not do the same? How can you add the buyer premium to the Prius/Insight and not the Volt? I’d say the average consumer ‘additional premium options’ on the Volt will be a lot more than the Insight. The Volt is high end, high visability…the Insight is functional practibility. The rule of thumb for options has always been, the more expensive the car is, the more dollars are spend on options.

So sure, if all the thing you say come true (and GM builts the Volt fully loaded, with no options available and the Insight comes say without wheels as a option) making the actual difference only $2,500, thats a no brainer, the Volt is a winner.

But I got as much money as you want to wager that my Insight’s invoice that I get in the spring is a heck of a lot cheaper than $2,500 under the BASE price of the my Volt (after rebates), whenever (and if) that day comes.

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The Volt will eventually cost $28,900 without a credit. Initial price will be more like $40,000 ($32,500 after credit). And these will be sold before they reach the dealer lot.

A standard Honda Accord 4 cylinder cost $23,000. A hybrid Honda Accord 6 cylinder cost $33,000. A hybrid insight will not cost $19,000.

=D~