In case anyone ever wonders, I read each and every comment people write here and learn from and appreciate them greatly. As well, it is a fact that many of GM’s top executives also read this site and the comments daily.
I picked out this particular part of a comment as being interesting. Here we are over two years since the Volt concept has been announced, over 830 articles have been written about it on this site, and thousands more online, in print, and television. But how far has the message penetrated? How many people now about the Volt?
Here is the comment made by solo2500nt :
As far as people knowing about any new electric cars coming out, I doubt it. Only serious car people know about the Volt, plug in Prius/Vue, etc. Everybody I mention the VOLT to look at me like a space alien. I told 2 computer geeks at work (I used to be a computer geek too, by the way) and they were shocked. They thought it must be some golf cart or something. When they read this website they were astonished. I bet today less than 5% of the population know what the Volt is.
I forwarded this to Rob Peterson who is GM’s Voltec communications manager. Rob replied as follows:
While we don’t have data to support your posters claim, we suspect he’s directionally correct. This notion is at the core of our activities to reach out to stakeholders and actively communicate the benefits and attributes of the Volt to the public. Electric vehicles will be a new experience for most – and it will be met with some intrepidation as most new technologies are. The more people we reach in advance of the Volt’s launch, the greater its chances for market success.
Like your reader, we recognize that there are many others who we need to “educate” about the potential of electric vehicles like the Volt. But to be clear, we don’t see this as a challenge, but rather a tremendous opportunity to generate even greater enthusiasm for the Volt and to further demonstrate the important role that GM is playing to bring this vehicle technology to the masses.
It has been my mission all along to have this site serve both a beacon to GM relaying back public opinion on this critically important car, but as well to serve to educate and invite the public into the discussion of and to share the passion about electric cars.
In the comments of this post please share what experiences have you had with people in the real world setting that you tell about the Volt. What percent of the public do you think know about it?
This entry was posted on Friday, March 6th, 2009 at 6:56 am and is filed under Feedback to GM, Marketing, Public Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:00 am)It is amazing how many people are loyal to this site. That’s a strong endorsement of its management, too
In talking to people, I find that some know about the Volt but most do not. The things that will make the biggest change is for there to be actual cars for people to see, touch and watch.
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:01 am)I tell everyone I know about the status of this car, and about this site.
But I have to agree that the general knowledge in the world is low. Most people I ask about electric cars say something like, “Oh that will be really cool, but they are probably about ten years away, don’t you think?”
If I had to put a percentage on it, I would say between 5% and 10% have any real knowledge about othe Volt and E-REV.
On the other hand, if GM starts to advertise the Volt now, but the first few years of production are low, it may actually hurt the Volt, because of non-availability.
And quite honestly, I want one of the first Gen-1 Volts!!!!
Are you listening GM???
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:11 am)Lyle,
Once again, thank you for all your effort and dedication “to educate and invite the public into the discussion of and to share the passion about electric cars.”
Im trying to do my part also in Portugal.
I wanna say that, in terms of the amount of electric cars that are coming in 2010/2011, I would prefer the Ampera / Volt rather than BYD f3dm / f6dm, but the price of the last one being around half of the Ampera / Volt will be deffenetly a main obstacle to buy the GM car.
Nevertheless,there will be others in the competition, such as Nissan, the Imiev,etc.
Its great to see the turmoil thats on the way, and im looking forward as you, and all of us around here, to see a brighter future in terms of air quality, costs, geopolitical,etc
Keep on Lyle!All the best.
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:15 am)Dear GM Executives, please read this!
A great way to increase public awareness is to have more than 1 traveling model of the Volt for car shows. The recent Pittsburgh Auto Show had no Volt or presentation of one. In fact, there was precious little to educate people on Voltec or any other concepts in the works. The show was more like a glorified, multi-company sales lot. One of the commenters on this site informed be that the Toronto Auto Show (the same week as Pittsburgh’s) did in fact have the Volt.
So here’s me… excitedly telling friends and family about the Volt, about how it is a REAL car in the works, not just a concept, and then… nothing. I know the Toronto show is bigger than Pittsburgh, but Pittsburgh (and the upper midwest in general) is natural GM territory. GM and Ford have a huge market share in these areas; don’t overlook them!
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:17 am)Well I’m from Germany – and I make sure all of my friends and workmates know about the Volt (Ampera). People who are interested in cars or EVs already know the Volt. My poor girlfriend already has an Volt/EV overdose
I guess we are all EV nerds on this site.
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:17 am)I’ve discussed the Volt development with about 50 family and friends. These people live predominantly in California. A few live in Texas and Missouri. Their ages range from 20-50. Their genders are mostly male. Ethnicity varies. They all would be considered in the “middle class” financially. Not a single person knew a thing about the Volt or the coming electric cars. After our interaction, they were enthusiastic about the potential, but hesitant on the target price range.
If I had to hypothesize about a national percentage, it would be less than 10%.
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:22 am)All the people I am close to know about the Volt. I talk about it whenever the opportunity presents itself.
But I don’t think people are in that much of the dark.
Say what you will about the Prius. It has raised the awareness of electric vehicles I believe. Remember that for the first two miles, it can travel on pure electric.
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:32 am)I tell people about the Volt, the Air Car, Stirling Engines (Dean Kamen’s Revolt) and hydraulic hybrids (intended for buses, garbage trucks and delivery vans). And why I absolutely despise fool-cells.
I think it’s very important to educate the masses. I just feel sad because it seems too late. Big Auto kept milking the market with it’s Internal Combustion Engine and now brand names and automakers face extinction. Not to mention all the damage to the planet.
Lack of foresight (Big Auto & the public) could collapse not only the US economy but perhaps even entire countries if there are Oil Wars. My point of view, out of all the movies that try to depict our future I still keep coming back to Mad Max.
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:36 am)I am a long time GM fan and car lover in general so I do talk about cars to many people. The Volt comes up alot and I don’t have to bring it up in many cases. I find that almost everyone knows that GM has some type of electric Volt coming out. Even my wife found out about the Volt independently of me telling her about it. (and she has no idea what http://www.gm-volt is).
Many have no idea about the details of the Volt but that probably means that they lead a healthy normal life (unlike myself and you other folks who hang around gm-volt each day)…. only partially kidding here…
Bottom line, in my experience, most people who are capable of buying a new car that I have met are familiar with the fact that GM has an electric on the horizon. Details may be foggy for many of these people but they do have some anticapation. I would say that they have a healty wait and see attitude. Frankly, I have been pleasantly surprised by the Volts wide spread anticapation.
99% of these people are hopeful for its success.
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:37 am)I’m sick of waiting for my EV and am considering building one. If you take a look at any of the EV sites out there they all say the same thing. “People stop me all the time at street lights and parking lots and ask what I’m driving” All you have to do is “GET THE VOLTS WHEELS ON THE ROAD” That will get the message out better than any superbowl ads. Let us on this site lease some early prototypes ASAP and give you feedback while at the same time educating the public on what the AMERICAN auto industry can produce to put our country back on top. And for the love of every thing Holy please give Lyle his test drive!
As for your question Lyle, My wife can attest that everyone I know knows about the volt (probably a little more than they want to). But most people I first talk to about it are seriously misinformed about it. Again, without getting one to drive in front of people I don’t think they’ll care enough about it. My inlaws were looking to buy a new prius 2 months ago and I convinced them to hold out for the volt or at the very least a plug in Prius. In the mean time they got a fantastic deal on a slightly used 2007 Saturn Aura. Without this site I don’t think I would have tried to convince them of anything.
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:39 am)Article like this one on CNN also help raise awareness, although it also sends a bad message about battery technology.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2009/03/05/pleitgen.electric.saviour.cnn
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:45 am)“Directionally correct” … that’s a phrase I’ve never heard before.
All jest aside, when I initially started talking up the Volt, most poeple did not know about it. Over the past year, with the reveal of the production model and the accompanying publicity, I sense that more people are award of the car. But many still do not “get it” — especially the concept of a ER-EV with an on-board generator. That much is obvious from the occasional newcomer who stumbles upon this blog and posts an ill-informed comment.
My sense is that until the car is in showroom and on the road, it will remain mysterious to the majority of the public. But once it’s on the road and the car mags and newspaper car columns are featuring it — look out! I expect that by then (I HOPE!) the economy is back on track, gas prices are back where they were (well, I don’t hope for that, but we probably can’t get one without the other) and the public will be craving what the Volt offers. IMO.
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:46 am)I also think most people don’t really know about the Volt. Everyone seems an electric car wont work. The press keeps hammering out the message that batteries are ready.
Toyota, Ford, and Honda are all looking to continue their regular hybrid products, with weak PHEVs as “me-too” options, so these companies do everything possible to bash the Volt as well.
Most people that I talk to about the Volt don’t really comprehend the full benefit. As long as it’s an abstract idea, most people won’t get it. We need to move preople from thinking “miles per gallon” to “gallons per year”:
Vehicle ……………… Gallons per year
Volt (EREV-40) …….. 37
Prius HEV …………… 228
Vue HEV ……………. 380
20 MPG car ………… 570
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:47 am)I’ve talked about the Volt to all sorts of people. They have been exposed to the idea now. Most of them don’t care all that much or are intrigued by the idea. The sad part is when I have to tell them that they likely won’t sell one in Tennessee until 2012/2013 at the earliest (most likely). So it ends up being a tease. And, sadly, probably means I’ll get something other than a Volt since I won’t wait forever for my next vehicle.
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:50 am)Lyle said, “….I read each and every comment people write here…”
So, I’d like to start by apologizing…and also taking up so much of your time, lol.
—————————
My real life experiences talking about the Volt?
Well, the first person I ever told was my father back in early 2007 (because he is a moderate car fanatic). We generally all get together for a family meal once a month, and it went pretty close to this:
“Hey, GM is making a electric car.”
“Hrm…really?”
“Yeah, it actually looks pretty good too.”
“Cool, lets go see it”
“Um, well they just announced it, so its not out yet. But you can see it online”
“Oh, ok…so you can order it now? How much?”
“Um, no you can’t order it…but know what your thinking. It IS real this time. GM says it will be about $27-$29,000″
/we go bring it up online
“There it is, what do you think?”
“That car? For $29,000. No way.”
“Well, thats what they say.”
“Doesn’t matter. That car will never get made. GM doesn’t make cars like that, and that car is $50,000.”
“No, thats it. $29,000, honest…and they say it will look exactly like that…the wheels will probably change I figure, but…”
“Alright, if you say so. When is it coming out?”
“About 3 years…end of 2009 probably, maybe early 2010″
“….I think maybe your mother is serving dessert now”
I was mildly annoyed. Never spoke to him again about it, lol. Shortly after, I started following GM and the process a lot closer because I was excited about the project, and I realized he was completely right.
/I think that story explains a lot about my life, lol
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:55 am)An addendum to my previous post:
We all know that GM is proposing to sell just 10,000 Volts the first year. What I don’t know is if that is the absolute limit of its production capacity that first year, or they wanted to limit their exposure in case the car needs to be de-bugged.
But it seems to me that, if the economy is back on track by November 2010, there could be a much greater demand — especially since everyone I know is trying to eek out as many years as they can from their current set of wheels. And GM will be in no position to turn away customers for lack of product. I hope that company is making a contingency plan for greater first-year production, be it 20,000, 30,000, or whatever….
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:55 am)Like others here, everyone I know knows about the Volt. Last year I made an appointment with our current Prime Minister and updated him on the Volt in the hope of getting support for EV’s
As the oil age draws to a rapid close, cars like the Volt are critical to making the transition away from the ICE.
I know my friends will only buy cheap second hand cars until a plug in is available. Still coming here every day, I tend to overlook the fact that most do not know about the Volt, plug in Prius etc. However I think the publicity boost coming from the GSB will provide heaps of publicity for the Voltec system. JMHO.
A few adds showing carrier battle fleets, and flag draped coffins pointing out the subsidised cost of gas/petrol would help offset the negatives about the tax credit. I mean those carriers look really expensive to run.
Finally, GIVE LYLE DENNIS A RIDE IN A MULE, like this week, already.
LJGTVWOTR
NO plug, NO sale.
And make gen two a five seater.
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:01 am)#13 Dave G:
I love the concept of describing the Volt’s benefit in terms of gallons per year instead of miles per gallon.
It’s a revolutionary way (and a revelationary way, too) to impart the revolutionary nature of the car.
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:03 am)Here is what I know. Everyone around me knows about the Volt because I’ve told them about it. My Fiance knows a lot about it becasue of me and when she teaches at the local community college she meantions it in her economics classes. When I finally get my Volt, I’ll be brining plenty of people for a ride in it and knowledge will spread even more.
Bring on the Volt!
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:13 am)Intel is pushing open-source vehicle entertainment systems.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/03/05/genivi_and_intel/
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:14 am)The Auto industry’s best salesman for electric vehicles will be the vehicles themselves. We can talk about all of the virtues and fine points of these vehicles to other people until we’re blue in the face, but quite frankly, I can’t see wide scale awareness, preference, and/or adoption until these vehicles are actually out on the road. People need the tangible item there to see, touch, drive, and experience.
Regarding awareness of the Volt specifically, I would say GM would be lucky if 5% knows about this car. And that’s by no means intended as an insult or a finger point, it is just the way it is. They need the actual car available to the general public before it will get the notice of more people. My advice to GM is to keep pushing on with the developement of the Volt and the Voltec drivetrains in different vehicles. Get the Volt to showrooms. Leverage the media attention as much as possible and give your ear to people like Shai Agassi and Better Place–he’s building a market for your company whether you choose to believe it or not. Embrace ideas and businesses like that–don’t resist them! I’m hoping and wishing the best for this company.
Leaving soapbox now.
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:31 am)I have not talked to many people about the Volt, but of the less than a half dozen I have talked to, basically they were dubious. They did not express concern about lack of power, but did think the batteries were heavy. They thought gasoline would have to be higher (than $4.00 per gallon) to make the Volt viable. They were concerned the batteries might be hazardous not so much because they might catch fire or explode, but from a toxic waste view. They thought the batteries cost too much. There was a credibility issue, car makers make lots of promises but do not deliver. Most did not know GM might go bankrupt so that concern was not present when I asked what they thought of the Volt.
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:37 am)#15 Statik:
I wonder if your Dad and my Dad went to the same school or something??? I had very much the same experience in my family too. I tend to be the optimist of the family–(often to my dismay when things turn out badly–but I digress). My Dad is the consummate realist. He’s very well read in all things business and follows the stock market heavily. When I first mentioned this car in 2007, he was skeptical then already, not that GM could make the car as claimed, but that they would be around long enough to make it! And then also the skepticism with the price too!–LOL.
Me: “Dad, their saying it’ll cost in the neighborhood of $30 grand”
Dad: “S–t, their pick-ups cost more than that and that’s all established technology, then tell me their going to re-invent the wheel for $30 grand??? I’ll believe it when I see it.”
GM: Can you be of any help here?
I spread the word about the Volt as much as possible but GM needs to get the car made and available first, period. Only then can we get people to sit up and notice.
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:38 am)Lyle the posting you cited by solo2500nt was in response to a posting I made about whether or not perceptions/knowledge of upcoming electric/plug-in cars (rather than just the Volt) are affecting sales of new automobiles right now, how we have no independent research data about this and how it could be a growing threat to the survival of much of car industry in the interim. Indeed it would be the revenge of the electric car if a dusruptive change is happening as opposed to a smooth transition to electric.
In other words companies like Tesla, growing media exposure of plug-ins and sites like this may be killing the future of the internal combustion car industry right here, right now and even more so in the future as more and more A-listers zoom around in their Fiskers and Teslas.
Since I know you will be reading this how about a posting from you on this issue, its significance and how it could further erode the prospects for the auto industry as we all drive second hand cars until the EVs start rolling off the production lines?
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:49 am)Most people I talk to are very skeptical about electric cars. As others have mentioned, they show no interest when they find out it is not in production.
GM could take mules to shopping center parking lots or car shows to generate more interest if they think it will help them survive to produce the thing. What else is the fleet of mules to do that cannot be done while tantalizing crowds of consumers as well?
Maybe GM would sell me a Malibu today with a contract that when the Volts come out, I get a $15k credit on the Malibu toward my new, electric blue Volt. This is a way they can pre-sell the Volt and get some cash. I’m protected ‘cuz I will have a good car no matter what happens. I’m willing to give all my GM card points as well. If you were struggling to survive, wouldn’t you do a deal like that?
When businesses start sucking on the Federal teet, they lose all initiative to solve their own problems. Citibank held my daughters student loans. We decided to retire a chunk of it for her. Called Citi to see if we could make a deal on the balance; I give you good cash, you need it, you give me a discount on the loan balance. No way in hell. It’s simply easier to steal the taxpayer’s money by using our oppressive government to fund their mistakes.
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:53 am)I have had similar experiences when I mention the Volt to friends and family. They are shocked – but in a positive way. When I explain the electric drive train and the 40 mile electric range and the range extender they all say that would work for them. The usual response is, “So…when can I buy one?”
I find that very encouraging…
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:57 am)The best thing GM can do to infuse capital and build awareness is take a page from Tesla and do Pre-Sale… Unlike Tesla, surprise early release ro the option for early adoption through a lease program would make headlines. Timing is critical and every day I watch my GM stock go lower and lower. My broker says “If you liked GM at 12, you must really love it at 2 ….so how much more do you want to buy” . . . .at this point, m patience is running out and I am thinking of selling.
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:58 am)Hi guys,
I’m living in the south of France and I’m following the Volt adventure since the start. I’m constantly updating my friends about the Volt, and now the Ampera, and I can tell you that the idea to use electricity instead of gasoline is a strong incentive here where we’re paying the equivalent of 7$/gallon of gas !!
In addition, the government is giving 5000 euro for the purchase of a zero emission vehicle… With this environment the business case is a lot stronger than in the US.
I cannot wait for my Ampera
Chris
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:00 am)I have been following electric cars since the early 90,s and was devastated at what happened to the EV-1,however myself and many others have absolutely no use for a small sedan, and would rather convert our own van or pickup truck to electric at whatever cost than buy a commercially produced small sedan that we would never use.
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:05 am)Once the EPA gives the Chevy Volt a mileage number for the window sticker, and it reads something like “150 MPG” people will learn about this vehicle overnight.
It will be a watershed moment in the history of the automobile.
Mark my words, GM will rule the world again.
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:06 am)People who WILL NOT buy a volt
1.People with more than 2 children
2.People who need to haul something besides groceries.
3.People who need to tow something on occasion.
4.Middle class and up who are now driving suberbans,tahoe,s,yukons
excursions,range rovers,ect,ect.
5. people who go off road from time to time
My point is:not everyoine wants or needs a small sedan.
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:07 am)It’s hard to know which is worse…that so many people don’t know about something of manifest importance…or what they think they know is demonstrably wrong.
In my end of the business, it’s like that every day.
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:08 am)I bring up the Volt in some of my classes. My students think it is a great idea, but they, too, are skeptical of the reality! Seriously! I have told them about this site, and some have even checked it out, but many still doubt that GM will a) be around long enough to produce Volts in enough numbers to make any impact; b) that they will produce on for less than $40K; and c) that they will be able to drive one before they are adults (most of my students are right around the age of 16).
My wife understands that I want to wait for the Volt and the other plug-in hybrids/electrics coming out in the next couple of years, but she’s getting sick of me talking it up.
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:08 am)#21, I agree.
The neat thing is we have all types of people here. You can tell when politics come up.
But it does show the wide reaching audience the next generation vehicle propulsion has. You don’t have to be a certain group to see the future benefits of the Volt. I am a stanch conservative who wants hydrogen power for my car, mower, and my house. I would have solar power if I lived in the SW. I would have a personal wind turbine if I lived in the plains. Maybe I just don’t trust the governement, but in the end I want the Volt to make money and keep GM going. I will also admit the Volt in its current form isn’t my kind of car (own a G8), the next gen should have something for me, and that is what is exciting about all this.
Thanks for the great site. I tell everyone I know about this place and the Volt.
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:15 am)Because I visit this site and talk about the Volt, my wife is aware that it exists, although she doesn’t truly understand the E-REV concept. She apparently has told people she works with about my passion for this site, because one of her co-workers gave her a magazine with a major article on the Volt to give to me (nothing in the article that I hadn’t already learned from this site).
Actually, due to media articles and snippets I see from time to time on the nightly news, I think more people than 5% know about the existance of the Volt. I venture that 1/3 of the US populace at least knows about it.
The difference is that they are not passionate about what it can do for us in terms of lower driving costs, lower pollution, reduced dependence on foreign oil, etc. It is just an electric car instead of an ICE driven car, and they don’t understand the benefits that are associated with this technology.
One of my favorite examples of dealing with the public is this video (2nd half) with Frank Weber explaining the benefits of the Volt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiKIG0HphIs&feature=related
My sympathies, Frank.
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:17 am)As long as we’ve got GM people looking here I want to say I was very disapointed they didn’t let people sit in the Volt model at the NAIAS in Detroit. When people are able to touch something and feel it they become attached to it more easily. I saw kids and all kinds of people sitting in and walking around the Tesla there. (Basic psychology)
Everyone i’ve talked to has said the Ipod wantabee center stack looks stupid. I think so too. (so 5 minutes ago)
the two ex-gm executive’s I’ve talked to said they think a battery powered car will fail. (doubt)
My boss says GM has been making horrible business mistakes for the last 20-30 years and that is why GM is in trouble, on top of the credit crunch. He still says to by american or there won’t be funding for my job here in detroit. (credability)
My co workers are sick of me talking about how much I want a Volt so now i’m talking about building an electric bike since the Volt is still 2 years away. (overexposure, my fault)
My father in law told my wife, before he passed away, to buy a Volt for me because he knew how much I wanted one. (Not a bad dying wish.)
I think it is ridiculous GM still has Hydrogen car programs they spend money on and they had people riding around in those cars at the NAIAS and not in E-REV cars and asking for feedback on those vehicles rather then something that won’t be built for 10-15 years if ever. (credability, directionality)
Most people now think GM won’t make it another 2 years for them to even build the Volt. (viability)
I worry the economic crisis will still be in full swing in 2 years and no one, including me, will be able to buy a cheap car let alone one over $30,000. (capability)
To end on a positive most people are very excited about not using gasoline when they drive, as am I. (freedom and safety)
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:22 am)The Volt must first be exposed to the world as “an electric car’ without the clutter of the full specs and details.
As people have a closer look, they will see the benefits of E-REV. And decide that the sticker price is worth the comfort, quiet, low pollutants, smooth peppy operation … ect.
Everyone I know has heard about the Volt. And more than one lady friend wants a ride in my Volt. There are very few new cars you can say this about.
The local A.M. radio station has a 5 second Volt ad most mornings. “First 40 on electric, Volt coming in 2010″
=D~
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:23 am)staunch
trepidation
intrepid – that’s Statik
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:24 am)As long as it’s an abstract idea, most people won’t get it.
______________________________
That’s why *YOU* need to start collecting real-world data *NOW* from your current vehicle. The typical driving estimates hold no credibility without something genuine to compare to.
SHOW ME THE DATA!
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:26 am)Everyone in my family knows about the Volt trust me.
Everytime the commercial plays on TV, I make everyone shut up to listen to it.
GM should have a commercial where they put emphasis on the technology, and how different it is from other cars.
Show the inside too in the commercial, that would be great and make pple show where GM is going.
I would even mention the Prius and Toyota in the commercial, and explain why the Volt would be a better alternative. Toyota has a commercial here where I live and they attack Americans directly, saying something like “you have the opportunity to buy a car from a manufacturer that will still be around in 2 years”… that’s quite insulting.
GM should even show a Prius or an Insight stopping at a gas station, with a Volt driving by them
They should clearly say that they are reinventing the automobile, and that GM will be the first one on the planet to release wide-spread plug-ins. An electric car that will have higher performance levels than a 1989 honda civic with 95 HP.
Find a easy way to make the public understand the “max torque @ 0 RPM”. That will make people turn around and look at the TV when they hear that. They will understand that driving will feel totally different with the Volt.
Back where I live, electricity is 95% hydro power and wind power; no emissions at all. Nothing comes from coal. So the Volt would be the cleanest and best alternative for me.
Mention in the commercial too that the amount of moving parts is much less than a regular ICE car; therefore lower maintenance costs and less chances of having parts breaking.
Talk about other plug-ins too. Show the Converj maybe
I’m proud of GM everytime I see the Volt commercial on TV.
GO GM!
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:30 am)I am not the least bit surprised that the Volt is not widely known at this point.
With our diverse sources of information now, it is quite possible to be extremely well informed in one’s areas of particular interest without ever relying on any of the traditional mainstream sources for news and information. We all can now choose our little Information Islands and live there, quite content.
That makes it very difficult for marketers to spread the news about new products like this. And that is why central social touchstones like SuperBowl advertising still have relevance for something like the Volt.
Becoming a societal interest point can also play a big role in marketing success today. Using celebrities that allow you to cross over into more areas of American consciousness can be very helpful. At some point, The Tipping Point, your product can become a cultural phenomenon if you do all this right. That is why I think some sort of celebrity road rally could be powerful during the product roll out. Many celebs are quite enthusiastic about environmental issues so it would not be hard to attract very big names for such and event.
(Yes, Angelina and Brad should “compete” with Al Gore and Paris Hilton and P. Diddy and Queen Latifah, or whoever else is “hot” right now, in the Volt Rollout Rally from New York City to wherever…)
There are many other ideas that can penetrate the fog of media and excite the general public about this revolutionary vehicle.
Hope GM is still around to engage in such activities when the time comes.
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:36 am)#17 NZDavid said:
Like others here, everyone I know knows about the Volt. Last year I made an appointment with our current Prime Minister and updated him on the Volt in the hope of getting support for EV’s
=============================
Sorry, I have to do it:
http://www.hbo.com/conchords/img/episode/season2/ep19_mainbg.jpg
http://www.hbo.com/conchords/img/episode/season2/ep19_tout.jpg
/it is a little obscure, but you might get it…actually I think it is legally required for you to have to watch Flight of the Conchords if your from New Zealand, so watch the whole episode here already:
http://www.supernovatube.com/play.php?viewkey=1c792e0f978db51bacb2
If you care to
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:37 am)I get nationall news every day and find that most people do not even hear half of what I hear . I is like the only news that they want is what what is of important to this minute . Rain , wild fires , local crime , and not a lot more than that . Their greatest source of info is the cellphone in their hand . Trivia is rampant what Jen did how much a hair stile cost . $4,000 for that hair cut you have to be kidding me .
God Bless
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:43 am)I have described the Chevy Volt in detail to most of my friends and most give me the same response…”The cost premium will be too high and payoff of the premium too long to be an acceptable option” I am afraid, in this day and time, that sentiment is going to be a reality and difilcult to overcome.
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:43 am)That’s why *YOU* need to start collecting real-world data *NOW* from your current vehicle. The typical driving estimates hold no credibility without something genuine to compare to.
SHOW ME THE DATA!
————————————–
So that I can send it to Toymota.
Regards,
http://john1701a.com/
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:45 am)#15 Statik
“….I think maybe your mother is serving dessert now”
I hope that it was apple pie…I like apple pie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u82029GLWaU
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:46 am)I just had a very knowledgeable mechanical engineering professor who announced confidently in his lecture on batteries that no car companies have ever considered using Li-Ion batteries because of the problem of thermal runaway. I corrected him, but I think most people in the class had no idea about current EV technology as well. I would say about 10% of mechanical engineers know much about the Volt, let alone the average person. Most people are shocked to hear the true facts about the Volt, and have many misconceptions about Voltec (normally not differentiating it from parallel hybrids). Every time I explain Voltec, however, people who understand engineering are very impressed and often excited. Many environmentally-conscious engineers realize that weak hybrids are good for little other than greenwashing. The Volt, however, is a different beast.
I don’t normally have the same success in explaining Voltec to non-technical people. What normally works with such individuals is talking about Plug-ins’ cost savings and conveniences (and political stuff: if they are liberal, they love the environmental advantages of the Volt- if conservative, they generally love the “screw OPEC” side).
On that note, I have a great idea for a Volt commercial- not that anyone would ever run it:
A super-stereotypical hippie girl and equally exaggerated hyper-patriotic “middle American” dude run into eachother at a Chevy dealership. They show obvious disdain for eachother. However, they both happen to be standing near a Volt, and a salesman walks up and explains Voltec to both of them. The guy gushes about how he can support American manufacturing, reduce his dependence on foreign oil, and stop supporting anti-American regimes. The hippie is equally excited about how she can save the environment. Their common love for the Volt seems to dissolve their differences and they lock hands and frolic gaily while the song “why can’t we be friends” plays. They keep listing the great things they are going to do in their Volt, until at the same time the girl and guy exclaim “I’ll use it to go to my (fill-in-the-blank with some uber-liberal cause) rallies” and “I’ll drive it to my big game hunting expos!”, respectively. They then glare at eachother, suddenly remembering their former animus. At this, the music abruptly cuts off and the brief moment of bonding ends. Both buy the Volt (hers in tie-die, his in red-white-and-blue) and they go their separate ways. The commercial cuts to an announcers’ voice who says: “The Chevy Volt: One thing we *all* can agree on”.
Ok, so I’m not an ad person, but I tried!
—
Hopefully GM can emphasize how Voltec is a boon for all sorts of people, regardless of their political stances or lifestyles. They’re welcome to use my ad idea
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:50 am)Its what I’ve been saying from day one Lyle…
The advertising for the Volt has been woefully inadequate.
In fact, some of the Volt commercials have been downright stupid.
Like the dog licking its owners foot….STUPID!!!
It is GM’s lack of advertising for the Volt that has always given me that uneasy feeling in my gut; you know, that feeling you get when something does’nt seem right.
Actions speak louder than words.
So what is GM telling us when we’re not seeing ads for the Volt?
As I recall, when GM was starting Saturn, there was a huge advertising blitz “Saturn: A Different Kind of Car, a Different Kind of Car Company.”
Advertising does have one drawback: it can cause you run out of product.
This is a bad thing?
I’ll believe that GM is fully committed to the Volt when I see real advertising for it, when GM finally makes a real effort to make this car known to the public.
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:53 am)I’d say that 90% of the American populace couldn’t care less about electric cars. I think most folks drive trucks and think of cars as unsafe. Four dollar gas was starting to make them look outside the box, but that was fleeting. I don’t know anyone who has a hybrid or wants one. I would personally rather have an E-85 car than a Prius. But the Volt has it all: E-85, electric drive, 40 miles battery only. . . The Volt is almost to good to be true. I think the Volt is worth about $10,000 more than a Prius because of that versatility. Our Federal Government will have to lead, if change is to come. I think state, county, city and other government agencies should be switching their fleets to E-85 as part of Obama’s stimulus plan. I am patiently waiting for the new Energy Secretary’s leadership on the appropriate direction. I’d happily convert my present car to E-85 if that was deemed the American path to sustainability. I know I’m rambling but it all seems to tie together to me. Great question Lyle, perhaps we need to take a step or two back for clarity on these hazy issues.
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:58 am)#47 Ccombs:
I think your idea for a commercial is a good one. That’s the thing with the Volt in that “It’s something we all can agree on”. Cool.
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:00 am)Knowing about the volt is not the big issue, after that its trying to convince them that the car is the “right” one to buy compared to the 15,000 dollar cars getting 25-30 mpg. Yes, I know there is a tax credit and rebates, but generally people don’t get all that technical, they see 40K and run the other way to sub 20K market, especially with 2-3 dollar a gallon gas.
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:10 am)I have even noticed that only about half of the ones I talk to even know the stock market is down .
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:12 am)Most of the time, if not all the time, when I talk about the Volt, people I’m talking to are not aware of it.
a) The product doesn’t exist ( = is not available for sale)
b) The price is unknown (even to us that are on top of this topic)
c) It’s still considered a ‘prototype’ as long as it’s not on the road
d) GM already had a shot at the electric vehicule and they blew it
The solution is not in advertising a technology that is not available. I don’t think they advertised the iPod very long before the product was available. We knew it was coming maybe a month or two, maybe three before the launch, then BANG it was available.
The only reason why GM is advertising it so soon is to create a favorable public opinion of the company to avoid bankruptcy (or gain bailouts).
5% people awareness is the correct ballpark figure. My opinion is that it must be even less. And of those people, only a small fraction really know about the Volt technology. Others only know the general concept – there is a battery and we will plug the car and it’s less polluting – at a price.
We can only do so much without a product on the road.
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:14 am)As a patent attorney, I tell my clients and everyone I know about the Volt and the value of electric cars. They listen to me and are amazed, but I get the impression that they still feel that it is science fiction. We need more publicity and some actual cars. More importantly, GM has got to stop talking about bankruptcy. Many people are afraid that GM is going down the tubes and that the Volt will go with it.
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:17 am)Thanks Lyle for your interest in the bloggers posts, so I may perhaps speak of my own experience.
Since the foundation of GM-Volt.com, I have been more and more involved in the promotion of EVs.
So my last effort has been to write to all the representatives of my regional parliament (40) two weeks ago.
So far, I received 8 positive answers (none negative) and 2 positive (on 4) of presidents of the principal political parties. All ask for more information of the basics of EVs (Don’t speak them directly about V2G or E-REV, or Series vs Parallel hybrids, or V2H, I had to make a lot of little drawings to help the understanding)
The regional department of Energy accepted to include all my proposals on the necessary political support to the coordination of stakeholders in the EV introduction and the necessary fiscal incentives for EVs in its plan for 2010-2020. But that’s just a plan, how this will translate in the reality is another story.
I spoke with several high level public servants in this department and was astonished to have the impression that I was teaching the EVs basics to such people. I have to do the same with my relatives, colleges, friends, my children’s friends, and so on ..
So far I think we must educate a lot of people about what is really a modern E-car.
Regards,
JC LJGTAWOTR !!
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:21 am)ccombs #47
Did you know that the song ‘Why can’t we be friends’ was sung by a group called … “Wars”
You can’t make that up
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:24 am)Ok, so in Arkansas about 50% of people that work in the state’s only city, Little Rock, and surrounding areas have to drive 15+ miles one way to get to work from our homes (including me – 48 miles). Arkansas is “The Natural State” and people want to be able to live on several acres of land which means we have to commute to get to “civilization”. On the highways I am seeing more and more Hybrids than ever before. We will always have people that drive their trucks and big SUV’s around here, but most people around here care about preserving our “Natural State”. I talk about the Volt to just about everybody that I meet. I have never met someone that had any idea that an electric vehicle was even close to production much less actually know what an EREV is. So, to them, the Volt is about the best thing ever imagined, and I point them to this site for more information. Not everybody is concerned with the technical aspects of how the Volt will work, but they just want to hear that it can help reduce the amount of pollution.
Bankers and loan officers around here “know” that Honda’s and Toyota’s are better cars with better quality and better gas mileage. They think that their technology is far greater than ours. What they do not realize is that we are no longer in the 1980s and that the American car companies are making better quality and more fuel efficient cars. I really think GM should work with educating America on EREVs and the future of electric cars and get Americans back into believing in American cars again.
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:25 am)The one thig I know without dought is that when the time to buy a new car comes the car buffs get a call for info about what fits this or that , but comfort is the one thing that every one wants . A large interior , comfortable seats and electrical toys that do things like communicate , navagate , or just put cool air in the correct place in the summer . The vent systems on the new cars and trucks put cool air out but offer poor directional control .
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:26 am)It must be geographic but everyone I speak with around here feels that electric transportation is the future. They may not know of the Volt specifically but all know that we must reduce our need for crude. I’m from Sonoma, CA and we just received an award for the highest solar powered town per capita in Northern California. We have had small electric drive cars puttsing around here for years. An electric-drive bicycle dealer opened a couple of years ago. We even have a Segway dealer in town.
I was having my Caddy serviced a few days ago at a dealer in Napa and told the service manager that my next car would be electric. He said that he hears that often.
As I mentioned the other day, the April issue of Motor Trend magazine has one article about the Converj and another, more lengthy, one about the Volt. Word is getting out.
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:26 am)ccombs #47: I think that ad would be terrific!!!!
And I agree with some of the other points raised here:
GET LYLE A TEST DRIVE ASAP!!!!!
Why wasn’t a Volt at the Cleveland Auto Show either????
We are ready to buy – GET the Volt on the road!!!
But in the mean time, I would buy a new GM vehicle now, if there was a condition in the sales agreement to be able to get a good amount of return, if traded in on a Volt in 2011…
GM – can you hear us now????
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:28 am)I have been talking to friends and family about the Volt for about 18 months. So in my small group the car is known but the general public knowledge of the Volt is small like maybe 5%. However advertising can be a two edged sword winning Volt customers but stopping the CURRENT buyers from purchasing now. My advertising suggestion would be to run two adds against each of the other GAS/ELECTRIC that are available. The first add would show each car, [volt/competitor] receiving the same amount of gas from the same one gallon container, and each car travels around a race track at 40 miles an hour. The comercial ends with miles driven by each car till depletion of the gas and the battery.
The second add is to simply show the Volt passing a large truck and then the competitor passing the same truck. The camera would need to show that both accelerators are floored during passing. I think as the commercial ends it should be a split screen showing acceleration of each car.
Nw you all know that I was not in marketing!
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:32 am)Added to my post #55 :
A 9th reprensentative is interested (on 40). I just got her mail. She announces that her political party ( the 3rd on 4) will insert several measures for the support of EVs in its program for the regional election of June 7th.
Momentum is building up !
Regards
JC LJGTAWOTR !!
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:42 am)Well, if you see those street interview segments on shows, most people can’t answer questions like “how many states are the in the US” or “who is the Vice President” or even easier questions. So I would have to say if asked about an upcoming concept car like the Volt, the percent would be less that 1%. Probably far less.
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:42 am)The Volt is coming.
But it will suceed only if the idiots in the Clueless One’s administration cease their war on electricity prices.
So far it doesn’t look good. They speak of “necessary taxes” and fees on coal, natural gas, and nuclear, driving up electrical generation costs, enormously. Their pet dream for Wind and Solar don’t produce anywhere near the amount of electricity needed, nor anywhere near the costs expected. And never produce anywhere nameplate ratings, that their regulatory idiots use to justify raising prices “only” 30 or 40% when the reality is 400-1000 %.
This stupidity is removing incentives for electrically propelled vehicles. One of the attractive features of the Volt is that you can substitute 75 cent a gallon equivalent electricity for $4.00 a gallon gas.
The Volt’s lower operating costs help offset it’s higher purchase price. But how attractive would a Volt be if the substitute was $7.50 a gallon equivalent of electricity for $4.00 a gallon gas? If you don’t think that would kill electrically driven vehicles for another decade or more, you are daft.
But you get what you paid for. The majority of the people voted for Hope over any Expectations, and they are getting neither. Incompetence is the result.
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:42 am)#47 Ccombs:
#50 Schmeltz
“That’s the thing with the Volt in that “It’s something we all can agree on”
This idea has legs. It certainly describes the followers of this site to a “T.”
====
I find most people don’t know about the Volt, and they mostly end up being politely skeptical. My Uncle, who worked for GM, thought it worked on the same principal as a locomotive until I explained it.
Nowadays, anything to do with GM is utterly and blindingly eclipsed by the economic situation; in the SE it seems to me that the majority opinion is one of resentment over being forced as taxpayers to (as they believe) support the unsupportable.
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:44 am)I get a lot of blank stares when talking about the Volt. And I like it. The less people know about it the better my chances are of getting one of the first 10,000.
I do have to say so I am my worst enemy, as I tell anybody that will listen about this car.
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:44 am)I recently attended a course on sustainable energy at my local College. I was shocked to find that no-one not even the lecturers had heard of the Volt. This was a class full of people who were otherwise very up to date with the latest in sustainable technology projects. I would suggest that a major marketing campaign begin asap. Who knows maybe it will bring back some excitement/hope into a very sick auto industry.
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:49 am)heya all,
two basic questions popped into my mind today:
1. How much does Volt/Ampera weight? and is there room to reduce it (technologically speaking)?
2. Is the plug-in-and-charge a must be condition in order that this car makes sense?
the reason is have these primitive questions are:
1. Weight is the number 1.1 problematic of cars nowadays. Remeber the first VW Golf, it was weighting 700kg, and had a less than 100hp engine in it. Now, it weigths almost like my Stratus, and needs a more powerful engine to run it the same way.
2. I fear this car only addresses people who live in their own houses…
Cheers
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:52 am)Post #69, User Name says:
=D~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ADVERTISE THE VOLT
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:53 am)A suggestion to those on this site and to GM, do not refer to the Volt ans a EV, always say an extended range electric car.
Another add, show a young person and their dad about to go for a drive and the dad saying “not in a dang electric car, my prius will at least get us there.” Then the young person says “dad let me show you what is under the hood.” The hood is lifted and the engine with the generator is pointed out and the dad is told that the engine runs the generator to supply electricity to the electric motor. The last statement is the dad saying, “WOW”
Nobody has offer me a marketing job yet, and these have been my best ideas.
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:53 am)All my friends think it’s a new iPod. lol
But our parents know more about American Idol and the 167 characters of Lost then the Volt.
One of them said to expect more Volt commercials than Sham Wow closer to production. Something about lost momentum if advertise too soon.
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:08 am)The new Popular Mechanics magazine has a feature called “5 cars that could save Detroit.” One of them is … the Converj … Only when you get to the item about the Cadillac concept does one hear about the Volt; as in “uses the same power train as the Chevy Volt.”
Their reason for including the Converj on their list was as an indication that the Volt’s architecture could be spread across several lines and models, increasing numbers and bringing overall costs of the technology down.
The on-topic part of this is the assumption on the part of PE’s editors that the readers already know what a Volt is, already. I think people with enough interest in technology know about the Volt; however, many more people subscribe to TV Guide and People.
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:13 am)Only a handful of people I’ve mentioned the Volt to actually knew what I was talking about.
The public at large is very ignorant about vehicles in general. I’ve noticed that when making empty conversation to fill in time at places like dinner parties, they rely a lot on stereotypes. Interestingly, some local radio personalities were talking about the Tim Horton’s top prize in the Roll Up the Rim to Win promotion in Canada which is a Toyota Venza. The lady asked, “Isn’t that a hybrid?”, and the man said “Yes, I think so.”
I guess that since Toyota has the Prius, all their new vehicles are hybrids and have the best fuel economy in their class, right? *Cough* Tundra *Cough*.
“Hi, I’m ignorant. What’s your name?”
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:14 am)How many in ths site have even noticed that the oil companys have gone back to raising the prices at the pump ? 1.59 jan 09
1.64 feb 09 , 1.69 mar09 . 1.72 some places . they are trying to test for market and how much publisity they get . It was jump it up untill a drop in sales occured then fall back some untill they goofed at 4.10 but the creep is back .
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:14 am)Lyle, you’ve had a major positive impact on public awareness of the Volt (and the coming emergence of electric vehicles in general). I’ve suggested this site (gm-volt.com) to countless friends, family & acquaintences, as I’m sure many others here have! My newest car (2008 Saturn Vue) has a gm-volt bumper sticker at eye level near my Florida “NASAMAN” tag saying “my next vehicle will be electric”. My feeling is that, while the general public is largely unaware of what’s coming, a large fraction of potential Volt early adopters are very much aware of it — thanks in large measure to YOU!!!
ATTN GM: I want to add my sincere recommendation to that of NZDavid in post #17….. “Finally, GIVE LYLE DENNIS A RIDE IN A MULE, like this week, already!” (His report will unquestionably be very favorable by contrast to the $110,000 Tesla he drove last month, and is likely to be widely quoted by the print & electronic media!)
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:15 am)I tell family and anyone else about the Volt when the occasion allows. Most seem to not have heard of it before. If I had to put a % on it, I’d guess that less than 25% of the public has heard of the Volt, less than 10% have any understanding of how it works, and less than 5% believe that it is anything more than an idea.
Not to get poltical, but there is one thing that I really think illustrates the lack of public awareness and belief in the Volt and similar technologies. If you look at the debate during the last election cycle, the one thing that the Republicans had going for them was, “Drill, baby, drill!” Over 1/2 of the public agreed with that sentiment. The reality is we will not get oil from the Artic to the continental US for at least a decade. If the country truly made it a priority, in a decade, we could sell enough cars with Voltec technology that we would not need the Artic oil. If the public understood that, I don’t know that the chant ever would have caught on as much as it did.
We need demonstration vehicles, out in the community ASAP. Not just to promote Volt sales, but to educate the public that we have better altneratives to oil. I wish GM would give cars not just to Lyle, but to dozens of real-world volunteers across the country.
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:17 am)I am # 974 on the Volt list so I have been here a while.. I am putting a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid in my driveway come Sept this year.. I have had alot of cars over my lifetime .. both foreign and domestic. I had Pontiacs and Chevys in the 70′s… Datsun, Mazda, and Pontiac in the 80′s.. Hyundai, Ford, and Chevy in the last 15 years.. All were ok cars.. some better than others…
I would love to have a Volt in my driveway NOW.. but and GM , I hope you are listening…. without the Volt out there NOW and in volume.. It is going to be a really tough sell to anyone that this is the car that is going to save you….
It cannot be 2 – 3 years down the road before most of us (me… Central Alberta, Canada) even get a look at VOLT in a showroom.
Sadly … I feel GM will be long gone down the road of bankrupcy by then… But the good news is that there will be a car company out there that will be listening to the public and actually putting the cars that the PUBLIC wants … in their driveways..
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:18 am)One word- Ed Begley, Jr.. Need to get his quirky environmental program back on the airwaves, both entertaining and informative. (What happened to that show anyway? Exxon Mobil got to the station manager?:-() Surely he is enthusiastic about volt-tech. thanks
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:22 am)My boss is an emphatic “car person.” He drives a Miata. He watches that huge auto auction on cable every year. He was one of those excited by the Concept version of the Volt, but lost all interest after the Production version was released.
We who were here at the time the production-intent Volt was released got an earful (eyefull?) of disappointment in the comments.
When I recently showed him a picture of the Converj, he said “Wow,” and I think he’s back on board.
My point being, if you bring the Converj to market, don’t give it the GM ‘blandification’ treatment; or you could lose the car enthusiasts’ interest forever.
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:23 am)#36 Bearclaw said:
I think it is ridiculous GM still has Hydrogen car programs they spend money on and they had people riding around in those cars at the NAIAS and not in E-REV cars and asking for feedback on those vehicles rather then something that won’t be built for 10-15 years if ever.
_________________________________________________________
So we know Hydrogen is a fraud, what does that make the Volt E-REV?
The longer this goes the more it seems like the Volt is like Santa and the Easter Bunny—something you believe in, but don’t see.
I expect that in two years my next car will be the Fusion Hybrid or Escape Hybrid. I believe those exist.
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:25 am)Hi I am from Israel most of Israelis are aware about electric car. Because we are waiting for “Better Place” electric cars. Most of the people are not aweare about Chevrolet Volt. When I am telling them about Volt people get excited and are waiting for chance to drive the car. I do recomend GM start the “VOLT Experience ” giving some people to drive the car and share the experience . I will be glad to pay for that.
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:32 am)I am not sure I would hazard a guess as to the public in general, however, I would say that at least 85% of the people I know are at least aware of the Volt. It may be due, in part, that I like to mention the Volt whenever discussions of high gas, oil independence, etc.. It also helps that I’m an engineer who works with a bunch of engineers who support the interstate system.
I think word of mouth is important, and if any GM exec. reading this wants to give me a discount, so much the better.
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:32 am)A low percentage of my circle of friends and acquaintances are aware of the Volt although I bring it up whenever I can. It just doesn’t seem to generate much interest, perhaps because it doesn’t exist yet. Perhaps because so many of the media representations emphasize the challenges encountered over the progress made & express skepticism. There’s a tremendous bias there & it is frustrating to see how much the media continues to manipulate public perspective.
I am a yoga teacher &, if any of you have ever been to a yoga studio, you probably know that the parking lot is filled with mostly Japanese autos. I can’t tell you how much I would love to park a real live Volt in one of those lots one day. I also recently relocated to an over 55 community where I was saddened to find a similar preference in automobiles. I’d thought that an older population would be more supportive of domestic industry, but found that the tendancy to compare the Japanese cars of today to the domestic cars of 20 years ago is just as strong here as it is anywhere else. So, my theory is that the bad reputation of years ago has affected GM’s ability to convince the public of the quality of today. Therefore, any news about GM (unless it’s negative) is pretty much ignored.
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:32 am)I think that there are quite a few people that have at least heard of the Volt. However, of those that have heard of it, many don’t actually know what it is capable of.
Also, based on the current financial state that GM is in, I believe that people are concerned about purchasing a GM product. “Will my car be serviceable should GM go under?” “What will be the build quality of the vehicle?”
Finally, if people do know about the Volt, and know what it is capable of, and can get past GM’s finaincial situation, the issue of price still remains. Given the economy, many that could once afford a $37-$40K vehicle, may not be able to any more.
I want a Volt badly, but there are many factors to consider over and above the vehicle itself.
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:33 am)Here’s my personal experience, I currently own a sport car (350Z Roadster) and when people asks me if I like my car, I always reply, I do but my next car will be an electric car and I’ll buy it in 2010. I make it my duty to educate them about the Volt and electric cars in general.
Most of the time I get some weird face/reaction, but lately I have seen my folks asking more question about electric car, I meet more people who wants more then a Prius can offer, they want to be free from gas and are looking for answers. Most of the time I refer them to this site as it included a lot great information (when we are not talking about GM going under).
Here in Quebec we want electric cars, we have green energy and it would mean re-injecting money in our economy instead of a few big corporation.
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:36 am)I think the 5% number is a littlle low I would say here in Michigan it is more like 10%, But less then 5% understand what the volt really is.
Around the time the Porduction Volt was shown back in September I had to stop wearing my Volt shirt because everywere I would go people just wanted to talk about the Volt. Eye doctor, at the check out in many stores, and the waitress at restaurants.
Since November I can wear the shirt and noone says anything. I think now would need a Bailout shirt to get the same response as I did back in September.
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:37 am)Some know about volt, the problem is “GM ” is making it. the perception of quality is s bad with American makers ( one full form i herd on an American manufacture is “Found On Road Dead” . This perception is not different for GM also.
Secondly the hype gives volt is going to give 150 mpg+. It looks to me its now the extended range is only 50mpg (even current prius give 65mpg on road ) . Gm will manage to sell volt initially but once other manufactures go for similar offerings, they will try to put a 90% efficient engine with some power cogenaration systems and mpg will be real 150 mg. people will again say “Volt is a crap”. ex: Honda has the most efficient generator . GM needs to have incremental research and optimizations . Simple to understand what goes wrong with GM is look at Subaru: now all offerings are in CR recommended. When GM had share in it , this was not true. GM has to understand what came new to Subaru and get that DNA in GM.
I have sheer interest in the technology, but i don’t buy a volt till i see it reviews and i can afford.
If GM people this comment : I recommend to give, Volt test drive for a day for lyle.
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:37 am)People do need to see and experience the car. It takes 3 hours at 220V to recharge it to 40 miles. This would seem to make a ‘drive it yourself’ event unlikely.
What if you took some of the 10,000 around the country to local TV stations so that a news dude or dudette can produce an “I drove a Chevy Volt” spot on their nightly, or morning program; or on the local news magazine program? One or two charges a city could gain a lot of (mostly positive, I think) exposure.
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Anything which could disrupt oil supplies will have an especially bad effect on the Southeast, since there are no refineries here. We are completely dependent on pipelines. Everyone I know sat in at least one gas line, in vehicles of all sizes, last Summer. If there had been 10,000 Volts for sale in Atlanta, they could have been cleaned out in a big-tent weekend Sales event. The trick for GM is going to be getting properly restructured and production-ready for the next oil-price spike / hurricane disruption event — which is surely coming.
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:44 am)I think far more people are aware of the Tesla than that Volt. Tesla has gotten great press and is all over the media, while being about a millionth of the size of GM. Where is GMs PR/Marketing department? Of course it helps that Telsa is actually in production with their cars and have the whole silicon valley startup thing going for them
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:52 am)Like so many here, I talk about the Volt, and GM-Volt.com, to family and friends all the time. I have seen many articles about it in the automotive press, and in the local newspapers in the LA area. Plenty of people know about the Volt, at least in terms of the projected production for the first few years.
I believe that the problem is going to be one of supply. There are almost 50K people on the GM-Volt.com waiting list, for heaven’s sake. If the production is going to be 10K in 2010 and 50-60K in 2011, I would say that they are all sold already.
As a result, I am concerned that too much advertising is just a waste of money. In fact, as many have already said, it may be counterproductive, as it just creates frustration when people find out they can’t get one. If you want to sell Volts, LJGTVWOTR!!
I have suggested before, as someone did above, an early adopter lease program, a la the electric MINI. I would do it. I think that Mini is showing the way.
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:59 am)Non-ICE cars have been “coming sometime in the future” for so long that people don’t really expect them anytime soon. When I bring them up, people go on autopilot. I sense that they’ll believe it when they see it and they don’t look into it much further.
Mar 6th, 2009 (12:05 pm)How about a cross-country Volt whistle-stop tour? Give Lyle a Volt in NYC. Let him drive it to Rashid’s house. Rashid can drive south and pass it off to N Riley. Yada, yada, yada…I get my turn in San Luis Obispo, CA. During the transitions, we promise to hold a Volt showing event. People will see the real deal, driven by enthusiats.
Mar 6th, 2009 (12:10 pm)Tesla, another great advertisement has popped into my small brain. Two young collge students want to go to Florida for spring break. The one with the Volt says “lets take your Tesla, The girls will go nuts over us.” The Tesla owner says “only one problem, this car will not go that far unless we stop a couple of times to recharge it both going and returning”. The other says “not a problem with my Volt, I must admit my Volt being driven is more attractive to the women than a Tesla is while it is being recharged”.
Both get in the Volt and you see the Tesla being left behind.
Mar 6th, 2009 (12:19 pm)Since this was an opinion article and a request for experiences and opinions…I haven’t read through the many posts before mine…as I usually do before adding my .02 when I feel the need.
My experience has shown that probably less than 15% of the people I interact with know about the Volt…until the topic comes up and I share my limited knowledge.
In my humble opinion…it is sites like this and the people who visit here and comment here regularly that are helping to spread the word about the Chevy Volt and bringing electric car technology into the mainstream dialogue.
My kudos to everyone here for all we are doing to bring about positive change in our world today.
Mar 6th, 2009 (12:20 pm)I am reading these comments and surprised by the estimates of how low a % of people are estimated to know about the Volt.
To repeat my earlier post, I have found that in the Maryland area and with the few out of staters that I have spoken to, Volt name recognition and electric car anticapation is high. And I am not talking about the Nerds that I work with.
In this area, I would estimate that 75% of the people who fall into the “new car buying class” ( I have not polled homeless people or teenagers) are aware of some bits of information about the Volt.
News of GMs upcoming electric car is out there. Whether its an electric car, a greatly improved hybrid, an ER-EV is not important to most people outside of this site. But who really cares.
In the end, how much gas does it use and how much does it cost (and how cool is it to have one) will be the main points and most of the people I have spoken to on this will be interested to check these points out once the Volt is available.
GM… Get a few Volts out early. Spread the cars out as far as you can. Start showing off the production (looking) test cars as soon as possible. And finally, give Lyle the keys of some type of Volt prototype ASAP.
Lyle, when this happens, I will provide my address so you can stop by and we can joy ride together.
Mar 6th, 2009 (12:23 pm)I don’t know about the Volt
Mar 6th, 2009 (12:28 pm)I think the percentage is quite low. Probably less than 10%. Most people can’t get their heads out of their asses long enough to pay attention to any information about the Volt. TV commercials at this time don’t really inform that many people and I don’t know how useful they are when mixed in with all the other things GM is trying to convey during the same spot. GM has a good commercial going on TV at this time and I do stop and watch it because I am interested in GM. Most people just ignore it because it is not direct enough on a single subject. Sometime next year before GM is ready to release the Volt maybe they will produce commercials devoted strictly to the Volt and it needs to be really up-beat and catchy to grab people’s attention.
I suspect GM will not really need to many commercials about the Volt for the first year’s production. They will get snapped up faster than the dealer can get them in. There is enough true interest from members of this blog to buy all the first year production.
GM, I want to say this directly to you. You must find ways to cut cost and find more efficiency to stay financially sound given the loans granted you. We need you to finish this job and recover your status as a world leader. You need to really study how Honda and Toyota builds cars here in the U.S. and start emulating them where possible. You need to free yourself of the union as much as possible and accept no less control over your plants and production than Honda and Toyota has.
Mar 6th, 2009 (12:29 pm)Most people I work with have either never heard of the Volt or heard about it and dismissed it as a “concept car” that will never appear. AND I DON’T BLAME THEM.
Most of the concept cars you see at auto shows NEVER see the showroom floor. The Volt has been “under construction” for 2 years now, and it will be for almost 2 more years. Most people have a life – problems, worries, schedules, agendas, emergencies – they have no time for a car that may never exist (their opinion). The Volt will only be taken seriously after it arrives in the GM dealer’s sales lot.
Personally, I won’t believe in the Volt until I can buy one. But what else would you expect from a grump? Yeah, right – the Volt’s coming – why would Bob Lutz abandon GM, 2 years before his Volt is ready? It looks fishy to me.
Mar 6th, 2009 (12:43 pm)I believe this technology will lead to energy independance.
I believe if the government is extend a bailout package they should put 1/2 down payment for a fleet of Federal vehicles with VOLTEC Technology and 1/2 paid upon delivery. If the gov’t buys 200,000 vehicles @ $40,000 the industry would get $40,000,000 billion now to finish the start up costs and another $40,000,000 upon delivery.
This will help toward energy independance – show leadership and help the industry through this transition phase.
I understand there are other problems with the corporate structures and the obligations etc…. But I believe this is a better way to spend the money – if they do.
Mar 6th, 2009 (12:47 pm)Ask yourself this question: How many times a day do I get a “green” lifestyle impression? That is, how many energy conservation, recycling, alternative energy, healthful living messages to I get per day? If I quantify those impressions into a number, I begin to build a foundation upon which to communicate the “VOLT SOLUTION.”
Simply because each “green” lifestyle message/impression builds the case for a switch to electric vehicles. While the public’s knowledge of the brand “VOLT” right now is understandably small (5-10%) – their knowledge of sustainable “green” lifestyle is much larger (50-60+%) By positioning the VOLT as one practical step in addressing the “green” issue – GM rides the coattails of a very large “education” budget.
Of course the geo-political issues are also foundation bricks. i.e. domestic energy solutions like VOLT, address dollars for foreign oil, conflict and global health issues. It’s a very winning message – the VOLT. All nearly all fronts. So, to summarize: ask the public, do you know about “green?” Do you know that using less gasoline is the “greenest” step you can take? Do you know that every gallon of gas you don’t use is dollars kept in your country for your economy? You want to improve the economy? Improve the environment?
You can. Made in North America it’s called the VOLT. Made in Europe it’s called AMPERA. You can make a differience. 2010.
Mar 6th, 2009 (12:57 pm)How many people know about the Volt? The answer is pretty simple, Not Enough! GM as well as all of us have to get the word out. The more people who know the better. It will bring more pressure on GM and the government to make sure the Volt becomes a reality. Not only to save GM but more importantly, because America needs to get off of oil. The electric car is truly the future for America. We all have to make it happen, period.
Mar 6th, 2009 (1:10 pm)#90 noel park said:
I believe that the problem is going to be one of supply. There are almost 50K people on the GM-Volt.com waiting list, for heaven’s sake. If the production is going to be 10K in 2010 and 50-60K in 2011, I would say that they are all sold already.
============================
Not to split haris, but I think you mean 10K for 2011, and 50-60K for 2012…just in case there are any ‘new fish’ out there lurking today.
(=
“10,000 for first full production year”
Mar 6th, 2009 (1:15 pm)Not too many people know….but if GM (or the newly formed GM) over promotes the VOLT then they’ll have the people saying, “Oh I want one” and the answer will be, “Sorry out of stock”. Then they just go elsewhere. There will be so many EV options (Insight, Prius, Fusion, etc.) in the next two years before they release the VOLT that most who post here or who read here will not holdout for a VOLT.
BTW, what’s GM planning to sell during the next two years to get them out of the situation they’re in and is also as exciting as the VOLT? If GM really reads this site maybe they can answer that simple question?
Mar 6th, 2009 (1:18 pm)Once you actually feel off the line linear torque for a substantial period of time in real world driving, and then try a multigear full ICE driven vehicle afterward, you will cry over the deficiencies of the latter.
C’mon GM, get them out there, NOW!
Mar 6th, 2009 (1:20 pm)#102 Statik (me)
Same comment, but now featuring correct spelling”
————————-
Not to split harsr, but I think you mean 10K for 2011, and 50-60K for 2012…just in case there are any ‘new fish’ out there lurking today.
(=
“10,000 for first full production year”
Mar 6th, 2009 (1:29 pm)Lyle, Thanks for the information and using my quote with Rob Peterson from G.M.
I understand G.M. has more pressing issues trying to get government assistance or possibly a pre-packaged chapter 11, so for them to take the time to respond to you shows this web sight is on their front page.
Once the government funding issues are settled (and they will be, one way or the other), G.M. needs to put on a media blitz in selected
markets for this vehicle, Namely California, specifically L.A. Like it or not, the best way to get the country on board with the Volt is to get the Hollywood green crowd excited about this vehicle.
G.M. executives need to go to key Hollywood celebs, the ones who raised the most stink about their EV-1 being yanked out of their hands, beg forgiveness, and offer the Volt to them first.
I would also envite Chris Paine who made the movie, “Who killed the electric car” to come in and film at G.M. as they develop the Volt.
Any other marketing ideas??
P.S. I’m typing fast so forgive my grammer mistakes!
Mar 6th, 2009 (1:30 pm)15. statik,
I have a hard time believing you were ever gullible enough to believe GM’s claims.
Mar 6th, 2009 (1:41 pm)How Many People Know About the Volt?
I think a better title is How many people can afford the Volt?
Will GM survive? is a better question.
Mar 6th, 2009 (1:41 pm)As some of you know, I live in an area which has an admittedly self-selected population. We’re individuals who’d rather not be able to see our neighbors house let alone live so close to them that you can shout to them and be heard (I’ve read that some people even live RIGHT NEXT TO other people). The point is, that my informal survey probably should not be expected to reflect any dissimilar population. Having said that, I’ve found remarkable stability in the results from my last two surveys (County Fair Sept 2007 and 2008). Both surveys were done verbally, so that reading levels were not a factor.
In 2007 AND 2008 4% of those polled knew that there was such a thing as a “Chevy Volt”. A comparison group was selected (Norming population) grouped via a stratified random sample of individuals based on age, sex, race, and socioeconomic level (the “highest level of education achieved” strata was dropped due to it’s homogeneous response of either “did not graduate high school” or “Whattya mean”). 2% of the norming population was able to name a president of the USA.
Given these impressive results we can conclude that our work here has been incredibly successful, given that twice as many people knew of the Volt..
Be well,
Tag
Mar 6th, 2009 (1:53 pm)I serve in the Air Force stationed Stateside. I work with a very diverse crowd of Officers and Enlisted and have only met two car enthusiasts (they are into Muscle cars) that know anything about the Volt. They only know about it because I told them about this website. We talk about plug in cars on a weekly basis. I have been ordained as the voice of the Volt. I keep a model of the Volt concept car on my desk which helps me spread the word.
I hope the Volt makes it!
Mar 6th, 2009 (1:54 pm)I disagree with this:
“We need to move people from thinking “miles per gallon” to “gallons per year”
When I tell people about electrical vehicle technology, they all believe that electricity is just SO expensive. but when you say the volt will cost about 2 cents/mile to drive and then have them work out how much their current car costs (at $2/gallon, at $4/gallon…) THEN people get real interested.
Mar 6th, 2009 (1:55 pm)solo2500nt
It’s my understanding that Chris Paine is already on board production of a film immortalizing the birth of the Volt. Let’s just pray that it’s not stillborn.
Be well,
Tag
Mar 6th, 2009 (2:01 pm)#107 GXT said:
“15. statik: I have a hard time believing you were ever gullible enough to believe GM’s claims.”
================================
I know, eh? A lot of things have changed in 2+ years.
I started out to prove my father wrong, but it didn’t take very long to realize things were not at all as they were being portrayed
…and thus began the downward spiral, lol.
Mar 6th, 2009 (2:02 pm)That the Opel Ampera (European Volt) is being considered a run of the mill model shows how mainstream and acceptable it is. Start producing them this instant.
From Bloomberg (with edits):
‘GM’s Opel presented the Ampera, an electric- powered muscle car based on the Chevrolet Volt…
“Opel’s …” Dudenhoeffer[*] said. “[n]ew models that were introduced at the show are run of the mill.”’
* “Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, director of the Center for Automotive Research at the University of Duisburg-Essen”
Mar 6th, 2009 (2:14 pm)#102 & #105 statik:
Well I feel a bit challenged for my title of “The King of Typos”, LOL.
I’m sure that you’re probably right. Just call me the eternal optimist, LMAO.
Makes my point all the more strongly, IMHO.
Mar 6th, 2009 (2:15 pm)I can say that if it was not for this site I would not have purchased my wife’s Saturn Vue hybrid. Great car. We love it. Can’t wait to upgrade to PHEV Vue. Sorry Volt does not meet my needs. Not here in S. Florida where these oldsters should not be driving.
Mar 6th, 2009 (2:18 pm)Oh, wait, that’s exactly the reverse of what “Rob Peterson…GM’s Voltec communications manager” thinks:
“Electric vehicles will be a new experience for most – and it will be met with some intepridation …”
Way to pull the rug out from under yourself and the Volt , Mr. Peterson.
Mar 6th, 2009 (2:22 pm)I’d never heard of it until Bob Lutz was on the Colbert Report, after which I became very interested in it. I think that exposed the Volt to a lot of people.
Mar 6th, 2009 (2:23 pm)I am a high school teacher and have friends in many fields of work ranging from flight attendant, clergy, musicians, artists to computer/technology, etc. When I mention the Volt, they all look at me with blank gazes. When I explain what it is and how it will work they say it sounds like a good idea but doubt it will ever come to fruition since GM is behind it. I have also heard people in the public like Michael Medved declare the volt to be a “boondogle” that requires it to be plugged in every 20 miles.”
GM really hasn’t designed good looking cars for years (they have started to) and they really don’t know how to communicate the good stuff they have. I think they need to cease the incestious practice of promoting from within and get some fresh blood.
Mar 6th, 2009 (2:27 pm)Reality:
http://www.amarillo.com/stories/021909/new_12632092.shtml
http://www.topix.com/autos/saturn/2009/01/saturn-dealership-closing-its-car-doors-in-north-brunswick
http://www.saturnofalbuquerque.com/ “announced that it will voluntarily terminate its franchise agreement with Saturn.”
and many, many more.
Sorry, Bruce.
We’re all baffled on how GM plans to distribute a Saturn PHEV. Maybe they’ve finally seen the light and you’ll be able to direct manufacturer order it on the internet with exactly the color/options you want, it’ll be lean, just in time, quick and quality built to your exact specifications and it’ll be promptly delivered to your house or work. Ha!
Mar 6th, 2009 (2:27 pm)#109 & #112 Tagamet:
Nice to hear from you pal.
#109 reminds me of the old Dillards Bluegrass song “The Whole World ‘Round”, from the 50′s which starts out:
“Heard my neighbor’s rooster crow early in the day. Packed my goods for the Arkansas woods, and now I’m bound away.”
For some reason, I think of it all the time.
If the industry sells 9 million cars a year, and 1% of the customers buy a Volt, that’s 90K Volts’ right? Which is almost twice as many as GM is looking to produce for the first few years. So, if 4 or 5% of the population knows about the Volt, and they are probably car enthusiast “early adopter” types, IMHO, I think we’re good.
Once they get out on the road, and then the next gas spike hits, it’s off to the races. There goes the old eternal optimist again, but what the hey?
BTW, where’s the obligatory LJGTVWOTR!!?? I’m trying my best to hold up my end, but I can’t do it alone.
Mar 6th, 2009 (2:35 pm)Not sure if this is GM or just the dealers last month I attened the Buffalo Auto show and there big marketting push was the Green show. I was hoping to see a Volt but when i approached the Chevy sectoin of the show not olny was there no Volt but the Sales people looked at me like i was crazy. They did not even have a poster. They did have a Fuel cell equinox but again no one could or wanted to answer any ?s. I am nurseing a 96 chevy blazer until i can buy an electric car. I hope to buy a Volt but if i have to i will by an alternate brand.
Mar 6th, 2009 (2:45 pm)#117 Opel gets the marketing right again:
Well I let it go when I read the interview, but now you have forced my hand. “Interpridation”??? Not in my American Heritage, thank you very much. Is this guy related to Don King, by any chance?
I have often defended bloggers who were ragged on about typos, but a professional GM employee giving an interview is a different thing, IMHO. Pretty underwhelming.
Mar 6th, 2009 (2:50 pm)Hope that Steve Jobs gets well enough to market the Volt. For that matter, pile on the celebrity endorsers–who wouldn’t want their image associated with American rebirth, saving the planet, and having the latest, greatest, coolest gadget? Piece ‘o cake.
Mar 6th, 2009 (3:10 pm)CNBC reporting GM shares just fell to 1933 levels. I dont think it really matters who knows about the Volt anymore.
Mar 6th, 2009 (3:11 pm)I live in the Detroit area, so i would say the percentage of people knowing about or at least having HEARD of the Volt is slightly higher than the rest of the nation. Our local Detroit News newspaper reports on the Volt…is that uncommon elsewhere? I don’t even know. Around here i’d say about 15-20% of people have heard of it, weather their knowledge of how it works is sound or not.
Mar 6th, 2009 (3:34 pm)#124 Timaaayyy!!!
Be careful what you ask for, you might get it.
When the Corvette was introduced in 1953, GM used exactly this approach. They only made 300 the first year, and they carefully allocated them to various movie stars and “VIPs”. The shortage of cars and the perceived elitism turned of the real cutomer base. In 1954 they made 3500 and had 1000 left over at the end of the year.
The bean counters at GM wanted to kill the car, but Zora Arkus-Duntov arguably saved it by pointing out how embarrassed GM would be if it backed down in the face of the T-Bird.
They made 700 1955s. Finally, with the restyled and more user friendly 1956, sales began to climb, and the rest is history.
I know that I’m going to be plenty p****d off if they sell (give?) my Volt to Brad Pitt, LOL.
Mar 6th, 2009 (3:36 pm)Many people that Have heard of the Volt think it’s a “Hybrid”, or that the gas engine is there to “recharge the battery” and/or drive the wheels.
So it’s not just getting people aware of the Volt, it’s getting them to realize that it’s Not a Hybrid, & the gas engine isn’t in it to recharge the battery or give extra power to the wheels.
Mar 6th, 2009 (3:41 pm)Most people I talk to don’t know anything about electric cars except the fact that they are coming some time in the future and that they will be expensive. Mainly most don’t care anymore because gas is down. But it will go back up and their interest will go up with it when electric cars are available and gas is back at $1.30/Liter or $4.00 a gallon
Mar 6th, 2009 (3:42 pm)I only found about the Volt because of the auto hearings. But I live in New York City, and, like most people I know, I don’t own or want a car. So I’m definately not GM’s target audience. Except, of course, that I pay taxes, and I care about the environment.
Most people I’ve told about the volt are interested because of the environmental/geopolitical implications. But even people here who own cars usually don’t have their own garages, so they would have no place to plug it in.
Mar 6th, 2009 (3:44 pm)The majortiy of people that i speak to think that the Volt sounds great, but don’t pay much attention to it until they can actually see it. Concepts are just a great idea, until they hit the showrooms.
Ccoombs #47 great ad…..
My 2 penneth is that it GM really doesn’t want or need to be spending too many advertising $$$$ on a product nearly 2 years away. After all there is no point in driving away ANY potential customers right now. Plus the first 40 -100k Volts will take themselves out of the door. BY US……
Most bloggers on this site constantly critisize GM for wasting money, so why spend anything on the Volt realisticaly 3-4 years before you need to…… Anyone agree……
Mar 6th, 2009 (3:55 pm)#127 noel park
I hear you–GM would have to manage the marketing rollout carefully, which they seem to be doing already. They already have some product buzz. I say crank that way up, at the right moment. Hasn’t been an American vehicle launch that could be this big, in a LONG time. Have to carefully manage expectations, though–like very limited initial supply, but the exclusivity factor could be off the hook, in a helpful way–lines around the block kind of thing. That’s why I mentioned Steve Jobs. And Carmen Electra can have my Volt. I’ll be happy to wait for v2.0
Mar 6th, 2009 (3:55 pm)If you want people to truly understand the Volt and what differentiates it from other hybrids, GM needs to do more than a commercial with an “ordinary” car sitting in green pastures. Why not SHOW people what is really cooking inside this machine.
So, for GM’s next commercial (assuming they can afford one?):
- Yuppie Man with a Prius pulls into at gas station desperate for a enough gas to make the next town in 34 miles, and a old geezer says “sorry, we have been out of gas for months”
- Yuppie man asks “Can I siphon off a gallon of gas from you car? I will pay you whatever you want for a gallon”
- Old geezer says “Sorry, my car is out of gas to”
- Old geezer walks over to his Volt, unplugs it and jumps in.
- Yuppie man asks “Hey, I thought you were out of gas?”
- Old geezer says “Gas? Who said anything about gas?” (Old guy starts to laugh….)
- Old geezer pulls out of dusty gas station, throwing up a heap of dust back at Prius. The Volt quietly and quickly accelerates down the road (a low electric motor whine is barely audible)
- Yuppie man looks longingly at the Volt as it speeds silently away….
Mar 6th, 2009 (3:56 pm)If you really want people to know about the Volt, just GIVE one, to Paris Hilton and/or Britney, or the next American Idol winner. After that point, you would not have to do any other advertising, period. That type of advertising would talk directly to the level of intelligence of most Americans.
Mar 6th, 2009 (4:00 pm)GM,
I would not be too disappointed in the low percentage of people around the U.S. that know about the Volt. How many of these same people could name their Governor, U.S. Representative or U.S. Senator? Most of them could not tell you within 1,000 miles where Detroit is. Probably 25% could not identify the United States on the Globe if it was not labeled and some even if it was labeled. Do I think our fellow citizens and illegals are dumb, you might ask? What do you think of their level of intelligence? Surveys, Man in the Street interviews and other such have pretty well shown the low level knowledge of the typical person on the street.
Don’t waste too much money on trying to “educate” these people. Just consider how much money the states and the U.S. government have wasted on them for the last 50 years and look at what we have? No, let’s keep the Volt out of heavy advertising that cost a lot of money (you don’t have it to waste). But do, as someone else said earlier on this post, get more Volts out to the car shows around the country and Canada as much as possible. Don’t just use one.
And finally, let Dr. Lyle Dennis do a god test drive over the weekend. Not one of these “take it and keep it for 4 hours” deals. Give him time to ride in it all afternoon, charge it up overnight and drive it some more the next day before bringing it back. He deserves it more than any other “media” types. He damn sure has done more for the Volt than anyone outside of GM.
That’s all for now. I may think of more to say later. Thank you, GM, for the Volt program and its siblings and thanks to you, Bob Lutz. We will miss you.
Mar 6th, 2009 (4:36 pm)“what experiences have you had with people in the real world setting that you tell about the Volt.”
- I had a conversation last year with a friend of mine who I consider to be reasonably up on oil/gas issues. He had heard of the Volt but anything he heard went in one ear and out the other because he had heard it was a “hybrid”. As soon as he heard that all he thought was “oh, a GM prius, whatever”. He was astonished to learn what it really was,what it meant and the impact it could have once I explained it to him. He was excited. I could see the wheels turning in his head as all the implications started to fall into place. I’m guessing I and many others have had that same look on their face. I think there are a lot of people who heard “hybrid” and tuned out but would become zealots if only they knew.
“What percent of the public do you think know about it?”
- My gut feeling is 10% know about it. But that’s “know” as in someone may “know” who Monet was but they couldn’t point one out in an art gallery if their life depended on it. I think maybe 1/3 of the people who “know” actually know the basic “It’s some kind hybrid electric car thing.”
Mar 6th, 2009 (4:36 pm)Here is some interestin facts to plug in to a calculator .
2.5 billion dollars left wallstreet sofar this year . At a very average tax rate of 35% that would be 870 billion dollars in new taxes . From just the rich . and with the securities and exchange commision and irs plus the treasery and fbi watching . cheeting will be at a minimum but some are all ready getting caught . So the stimulas package is paid for plus the few hundred billion in weapons sales from bush going out the deficet drops . the only ones that get soaked are the ones who run .
Mar 6th, 2009 (4:42 pm)Plus I like that some part of that is going to the Volt and development of other cars like it .
Saber tooth has a good calculator .
Mar 6th, 2009 (4:43 pm)I told my entire family about it at Christmas. I bet they all forgot.
Mar 6th, 2009 (4:48 pm)GM should send us all bumper stickers that say my next car is a going to be a chevy volt with a website like http://www.chevyvolt.com or something so people can look it up.
With roughly 2 years until production that is a lot of free advertising we would be doing.
Mar 6th, 2009 (4:51 pm)Jim @ 140
Jim:
That’s a good idea…bumper stickers.
Do you hear that GM?
I’ll even authorize you to use my bailout money to get the bumper stickers made, you won’t have to pay me back for the that cost.
Send it to me so I can put it on my GMC Sierra P/U.
Mar 6th, 2009 (4:53 pm)ccombs I like your ad but I think the hippie girl should get it in the end.
Dear high school teacher lady, I hate to pick on you given the rampant misspellings on this site, but in the last several years it has become sadly apparent that too many teachers have an unhealthy interest in sexual relationships and some of them may even be “incestuous”.
To all my friends here, if you are going to post on a site that is so widely read, can you not turn on your spell checker? You can get them for free. If we are able to give technical and financial advice to GM, perhaps we should try to spell correctly so they won’t mistake our meaning. I say this with great “trepidation”.
Mar 6th, 2009 (5:05 pm)tsk tsk, N Riley. Tsk tsk. A real piece of work…thanks
Mar 6th, 2009 (5:09 pm)noel park@121
Thanks for the “Hi” and right back at ya.
My last few posts have omitted the LJGTVWOTR!!, partly because of an admittedly “Sux to be me” patch in the road, and partly because it “Sux to be everybody else too!” reality.
(mumbles something that sounds a little like The sunnnil come out, tooo-moooo-rooow)
Be well,
Tag
LJGTVWOTR!! NPNS
Mar 6th, 2009 (5:19 pm)LYLE: I’ve mentioned this to you before… You need to have a ‘Slogan Contest’ on your blog site. You had a bumper sticker contest in the early days of this site. It’s time to do it again!
Here are my first 2 slogan entries:
“The All-New VOLT. A New kind of Hybrid. A New kind of Chevrolet.”
“The All-New VOLT. It’s FAST relief for gas pains.”
Mar 6th, 2009 (5:20 pm)GM,
In reference to my comments (#135) don’t take my pessimism wrong. I don’t think you need to worry yet about informing people about the Volt. It will happen person to person and from the street as fast as you can do it in advertising. Local dealer advertising will catch some people’s attention more than national ad campaigns.
Mar 6th, 2009 (5:22 pm)One more thought before I go home….
GM, save all your advertising money to be used on the Volt until 2013. Offer to sell all of the Volts produced in 2010 & 2011 to the people on Lyle’s list. All cars would be sold as soon as you let people put down a deposit. Word of mouth advertising (which is the best, by the way), would sell all of the production run for 2012. You have happy customers and save a bunch of money at the same time!
Sounds like a win-win to me………..
Mar 6th, 2009 (5:24 pm)Lyle, perhaps you should get someone to produce some kind of quick video introduction or flash piece about what the Volt is and isn’t, and link it to a prominent banner at the top. Maybe someone at GM could put that together for you — on second thought, maybe someone here knows how to do that flash-y website stuff. GM ads tend to appeal too much to emotions and be short on real info (sorry, GM guys).
If we’re going to put the website address on bumper stickers, there ought to be a quick answer to most questions (I’m aware that there is a FAQ on the masthead, but I’ve been here so long I don’t remember what’s in it, and I have to hunt for it among the other links). Just a suggestion.
By the way, Lyle; you do all of this, read all the comments for every posting, and you’re a doctor? What do you do in your spare time?
Mar 6th, 2009 (5:25 pm)hey everyone its been a while since i posted last. ive been keeping up with the site though .. soo why respond now?
gm wants feed back about how many people are educated about the volt? … in my area… central wi.. NO not madison thats in the south.. im talking about the farming communitys the back water little citys and the little tiny towns sorounding them the kind of places most america kinda forgets .,. yes we are still around still farming and producing small buisnesses .. tho we got a walmart! woot!.. anyways..
ive been excited abot the volt since 2005 i belive it was the superbowl comercial that first alerted me to the volt… i catch a ommerical on.. every few months since.. but they dont showcase the volt.. the commerical runs like this… chevy wants to announce the new.. tahoe or the new suburban or the new hdrogen car that wont be practical or the new h3 or the new yadda yadda…. then * 3 secs at the end u see the volt* DISAPOINTING! to say the least .. of course its been years and yes they are gonig though some hard times..but id have ramped up the volt commercials atleast by last year fall and continue to ramp it up till next year…buildin excitment and knowledge ..
in my areano one knows about it unless ive toldem about it..
top 3 questions
milage? i tell them it wont use gas its electic unless u go over 40miles.. they ask.. what? how much does it cost to charge the thing?
2 dollars for a full charge,,.. ( we think in practical means.. we arent a rich folk generally over nere.. soo any way we can save money or get ore bang for the buck.. the better * yes most of us buy used cars for hat reason*
when is it commin out? i say prolly 2010
how much? ( muddled answer of) with the rebate 7 k less.. but they are asking.. 20 to 40 k???? ish?? they dont say the price yet
prolly alot i say..
* then they say sorry but we cant aford more then xyz amount of money about 20k cuz we dont make that.. and anyone who needs a car more then that is wasteing money they could be saving for .. yadda..yadda..
and i agree with them
i can see buying a 20k car that saves me aloooot of gas money..
it pays for the difference eventually..
RUN DOWN
excitment about 20k carin middle income familys and blue collar job people…. hell ya.. 40 k car.. hell no..
little to no knowledge of the volt ( yes we got our teeth and use computers.. sorry kids the old sterotypes dont apply)
Mar 6th, 2009 (6:00 pm)ut-oh, i just ate a bowl full of acai berries
my last citizen kane word will be ‘volt’
Mar 6th, 2009 (6:04 pm)Of course most people don’t know about the Volt. It is not a real car yet. Just a concept on its way to being real. Ask the same people if they have ever heard of a Prius. That is a genuine real vehicle. Until this thing called a Volt hits the showroom, the vast majority won’t know or care. Even when the Volt starts showing up on roads I think many other EVs will be out there as well, so the Volt will not get most of the attention anyways. I look forward to seeing the Class-B Mercedes EV, the Smart EV, the BMW Mini EV, the Nissan EVs and many many more. The Volt is not really that unique when you look at the big picture. The price of gas will determine the fate of the EV. Will it just be a niche market or a mass market ? I wouldn’t bet the company on them just yet.
Mar 6th, 2009 (6:04 pm)Lyle, can you ask GM for a VOLT test drive? If they say yes, then report back your findings like you did with the Tesla test drive.
If the answer is no, then ask them why not and when you will be able to do so, since over 40,000 people you know are interested?
I don’t think that the VOLT is ready for “Primetime” or you would have driven it long ago before the Tesla.
Let’s see if GM really does read this site or even cares to answer?
Mar 6th, 2009 (6:26 pm)#152 Lyle, can you ask GM for a VOLT test drive…I don’t think that the VOLT is ready for “Primetime” or you would have driven it long ago before the Tesla.
____________________________
The Tesla has about 150 Roadsters in owners hands and about 200 out of the factory. The Volt has no factory and 0 completed Volts. The mules don’t even have Volt bodies. Can every one asking this question let your blood pressure settle down at least until GM has a couple protoypes for validation and testing. This is the same hurry up and let me make the decisions for your jobs nonsense that got people worked up about the concept car way too early, when it should have been obvious (just ask Static’s Dad) that wasn’t ever going to happen.
Nothing personal Anthony BC and I’m not saying this is obvious, that is specifically in reference to the concept car, but I’m getting tired of this question being unanswered considering the state of the Volt program.
Mar 6th, 2009 (6:26 pm)i aint got no frends. butt if i did darn rite they wood no about the volt
Mar 6th, 2009 (6:28 pm)I guess we need to work harder to get the word about the Volt out.
Mar 6th, 2009 (6:35 pm)Good thread Lyle. I just want to chime and say, like nasaman and many others, I still proudly sport the gm-volt.com, “my next car will be electric” magnetic bumper sticker. It gives me a chance to tell friends and strangers about the VOLT and Voltec technology.
Unfortunately, the effects on the market place have robbed my 401k and IRA of more than the cost of a new VOLT. Since I’m retired now, and that was my funding source for a VOLT, I may just be part of the wishing crowd when they do roll out.
Mar 6th, 2009 (6:37 pm)My anecdotal experience here in Sydney Australia is that very few people outside of electric car enthusiasts know about the Volt/Ampera. What’s particularly ironic is that the Volt/Ampera is little known among environmentalists, green groups and politicians. The ignorance is palpable. When I educate people about this vehicle, the response is almost unanimously positive.
What is interesting though is that I found greater awareness of the Tesla Roadster, particularly among car enthusiasts and petrolheads, mainly because of the speed credentials of the Tesla roadster.
I would also like to note that when I approached Holden (GM’s brand here in Australia), I was told there was the “intention” to have the vehicle line as part of the 2012 but could not give further informaton regarding technical or pricing details.
Whilst the customer service reps were prompt and polite in their response, in terms of substance I found the response underwhelming. The Volt should be front and centre of their product range – the impression I got was that it was something on the fringes, and not part of their bread and butter product line.
I then provided Holden feedback and suggested importing some Opel Ampera’s in 2011 or some Volts in 2010 as a promotional special edition which would generate interest and help gauge the extent of the demand.
However as things stand, as far as I was concerned, Holden is a roadblock to the introduction of this vehicle to Australia which is why I recommend GM export this vehicle directly to Australia in 2010/2011 under the Chevy or Opel brand.
In relation to generate consumer awareness, I see plenty of Holden ads that drum on that “times are tough, but Holden and Australians are tougher”. However we see nothing about selling products we want such as the Chevy Volt. What would help generate interest is if GM reps did the morning show circuit (Sunrise on network 7 and GMA on network 9), the evening news and the current affairs programs in the 1800 to 1900 timeslot. Then have a contact point where consumers can get more information and dare I say, a waiting list where you can lodge a $1000 deposit.
Mar 6th, 2009 (6:39 pm)I’m with solo2500nt at least on the direction. If you say “it’s a hybrid” then everyone thinks it’s Prius. If you say “it’s an electric car” then people have trouble getting their head around the concept. They’ll say things like “you mean it runs on a battery” while looking at you like you’ve lost it.
FWIW the commercial referenced above doesn’t help much. It’s fine for those who know about the Volt, but for everyone else it’s too obscure. They need to add a voice over and make the point about coming out with an electric car that you charge in your garage explicitly. Very explicitly. Otherwise they’re just preaching to the choir.
Mar 6th, 2009 (6:40 pm)Brain Dead Monkey 151
Thanks for that post it really jogged my memory. When the Prius came out I remember people saying something like, wow that’s amazing they really did that! And when they heard about the price something like; ohhh, that will never sell though, that’s too much money just to get higher gas mileage.
Mar 6th, 2009 (6:46 pm)Oh, forgot to mention, Mistubishi are doing the promotional circuit with 2 actual iMIEVs here in Australia, 1 for the motor show in Melbourne and general public to experience, the other will be doing the government and corporate fleet buyers circuit and there will be opportunity for the public to get up close and personal (see press releases section on http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com.au). This is what GM need to do, once they have a real car to show. Until then, I’m pestering Mistsubishi to sell one of these two vehicles here in Oz.
Mar 6th, 2009 (6:51 pm)Michael@156 said in part:
“Good thread Lyle. I just want to chime and say, like nasaman and many others, I still proudly sport the gm-volt.com, “my next car will be electric” magnetic bumper sticker. It gives me a chance to tell friends and strangers about the VOLT and Voltec technology….”
My Jeep sports TWO of those magnets (and I got 2 T-shirts, too), and both have led to conversations re the Volt.
Unfortunately, like yourself, I’m watching my future circle the porcelain facility.
I’ll still count myself proud to have been a tiny part of this game changing effort.
Be well (and pray)
Tag
LJGTVWOTR!! ********************NPNS! ***************INDEPENDENCE DAY, 2010
Mar 6th, 2009 (6:57 pm)Jeffhre #153 “Nothing personal Anthony BC and I’m not saying this is obvious, that is specifically in reference to the concept car, but I’m getting tired of this question being unanswered considering the state of the Volt program.”
That’s my point! I’m not getting, I AM tired of people (ie. #135 N Riley & others) asking that redundant question every few posts! My posting was to have Lyle answer that he won’t be test driving a VOLT until they’re built and that’s if GM makes it!
Next time I’ll be more sarcastic! In other words, I think we’re in agreement.
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:08 pm)I live right outside of Detroit, and even here the Volt, and what it actually is, is not understood by many. Some are aware of various aspects of the Volt, but few understand it to the degree necessary for adoption (purchase). I know it is cool to say LJGTDVWOTR or whatever on here, but reality is that we almost NEED this extra time to get the word out. And not to those of us who read this site, but the billions (globally) who do not.
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:13 pm)One reason the Apple iPhone was a huge hit on it’s first day was the one hour demonstration video of Steve Jobs during a keynote speech FIVE months before release. We learned how to use it by watching that video and if it would fit our needs before purchase. Think how we all used wired phones and pay phones, but seeing others using cell phones got us excited. The Internet in your pocket was a major draw to iPhone and other portable devices. We are now free to enjoy the technology wherever we are.
Videos of VOLT “owners” enjoying the fast accleration, quiet operation, and fewer gas fill ups when you simply plug it in will speak volumes to a nation when gas prices rise again. Show every feature. The large rear hatch and fold down seat for large purchases. All the comfort features should be highlighted. But most of all, the drive and how it makes you have a guilt free commute, and without having to spend money for another car for weekends. It was the fun of seeing drivers enjoying the EV-1 in “Who Killed the Electric Car” that got me turned on to purchase an EV. But the VOLT is so much better, because of NO range anxiety. Showing two drivers; one taking the $109K Tesla and another with the $35K VOLT from LA to Vegas would shock the public on how much better off they would be with E-REV technology. While Tesla stops for a 3 hour charge at the campground, the VOLT arrives in Vegas on time. Yet, the daily commute no longer requires a weekly fillup. You could compare the Prius and VOLT for the commute, showing how the Prius owner has to fill up and can’t plug in (or plug in more often when plug-in is available.)
Disneyland was sold to the public once a week on ABC TV for an entire year before it ever opened. The opening day crowds were massive. Your timing of such a campaign is critical, and should be started when you need to woo people away from Prius and other hybrid or BEV technologies.
Don’t forget to give test vehicles to radio talk show hosts to experience the excitement of the superior design of VOLT. Some of those hosts currently mention “clown cars” because of the Th!nk design. Get them to speak positive about VOLT now so the audience will be ready to buy. Snapple was a hit because one talk show host enjoyed it. Paul Harvey (bless his soul) encouraged me to buy the expensive Bose Wave Radio, but it still is a joy to use years later and is worth every penny.
The future is exciting when the customer can dream in advance. HDTV, broadband, DVD, cell phones, computers and so much more. People must see it, get excited about it and then learn if it fits their lives, answers a need or fills a desire in their heart.
Best wishes to GM for a successful campaign to transform the drivers of the world to dream of the day they can plug-in their own VOLT and enjoy the performance, comfort, style and luxury of E-REV techology.
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:26 pm)Mark Z. “The opening day crowds were massive. Your timing of such a campaign is critical, and should be started when you need to woo people away from Prius and other hybrid or BEV technologies.”
Thanks for the shout-out for Paul Harvey, amazing Guy remarkable life. Regarding, “The opening day crowds were massive. Your timing of such a campaign is critical, and should be started when you need to woo people away from Prius and other hybrid or BEV technologies.”
There will only be 10,000 Volts available initially and most of the NA dealers will not have been trained by that time according to GM. I’m not sure what GM would do with the crowds it they created a stampede. From what you wrote I’m not sure if this is the right question but. How would you want them to time the campaign?
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:41 pm)I have the perfect Volt commercial.
No voice overs for the first part.
Mom walks out with kid(s) in tow. Puts them in the car, is talking on the phone to her job about the daily schedule at work. She pulls out the plug from the side of the car (still talking on the phone). She gets in, turn the key and the dash lights up. The camera zooms in on the ‘electric range remaining’ showing 40 miles, also the odometer showing zero.
Next we see mom driving, she is talking on the phone (via the blue tooth, mom has BOTH hands on the wheel). We see her buzzing along at HIGHWAY speeds, (queue the speedo). The next scene shows the dash readout going down to maybe electic 25 miles left, next we see a view from under the hood showing the road going by as well as the front of the engine. The camera zooms in for a close up of the crankshaft pully which is not moving.
Mom arrives at day care, drops off the kids, gets back in and drives to work. We then see mom make the reverse journey pulling into the garage, she plucks out her purse, brief case, brats (okay her adoring children), and plugs in the car before disappearing into the house. Zoom in on the odometer showing 39.2 miles.
Oh, on the drive home, have mom pass a gas station where a Prius is filling up!
A voice over:
“Chevy Volt. 40 all electric range, no gasoline burned, no greenhouse gas emissions, no middle east oil purchased” available at your Chevy dealer now”.
This is the marketing opportunity of the century…….
John Queue Public will then know what a Volt is all about.
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:41 pm)#92 ThombDbhomb Says:
How about a cross-country Volt whistle-stop tour? Give Lyle a Volt in NYC. Let him drive it to Rashid’s house. Rashid can drive south and pass it off to N Riley. Yada, yada, yada…I get my turn in San Luis Obispo, CA. During the transitions, we promise to hold a Volt showing event. People will see the real deal, driven by enthusiats.
————
Great idea! Sure wouldn’t have to ask me twice!
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:55 pm)Hm-mm, folks tell me about the Volt! If they are willing to listen, I will tell them more about the Volt (Thanks to what I learn from Lyle and his friends) and other electric cars.
Why do people tell me about the Volt? I have a windmill in my yard.
The best way to sell the Volt? Park them in the dealers lot with a red tag in the window! Until then give Lyle a mule to drive, otherwise we may defect.
Red HHR (Volt Dreamer)
Mar 6th, 2009 (7:55 pm)I search that blog on google, and i found that is very nice blog. I also don’t know about the “Volt” but now i know about it. Thanks to the sharing.Mohammad Zohaib Khan
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:07 pm)Rashiid Amul @167
Rashiid:
Don’t forget me in this endeavor…I’ll just be satisfied to come and see it and simply drive it around the block before you’re on you way.
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:08 pm)Of the 99 shops I’ve trained on advanced L-1 ICE diagnostics,
(yes, the 100th will likely get a party next week), 28 had someone that had heard about the Volt, (as I had been asking them since I was able to download that fantastic picture of the Voltec chassis view!)
Of these 28, the younger respondents were highly enthusiastic and appreciative. The middle-aged respondents were visibly concerned about how it would impact their careers (aged 38 to 48 approximately). The 50′s plus techs seemed to have a mixed set of reactions based perhaps on their closeness to retirement, and, as likely that the demographics of the servicing work mix (e.g. other non EREV vehicles that remained in service, providing them ample work) would not cause them unduly-significant concerns.
4 of the 28 asked about “hydrogen”, to which I replied that this was about 10 years away at least. 2 asked about Battery Electric (only) Vehicle propulsion, to which I advised also that the Voltec technology was the finest technological mix that would clearly work for all the various types of driving requirements anyone might need.
All expressed keen interest regarding their desire to learn as much as was possible regarding Voltec Technologies and about the chemistry of the traction battery.
Of those who did not hear about the Volt, only 30 percent displayed what I interpreted as disinterest or at least preoccupation with other matters.
While I think it an outstanding program to allow the public to participate in becoming aware of the ongoing benchmarks of Voltec advancement;
I think that it is not at all too much to very seriously consider some very very extremely bold approaches at this point in this historical mile marker regarding our necessary green evolution to electric motoring.
Prepare for the bombshell of boldness:
I think that there ought to be
******************INTERNATIONAL GRANTS***************
(Money that need not be paid back!!),
of :
ONE TRILLION DOLLARS (US) IN PROPORTIONATE OF ALL MAJOR CURRENCIES,
Where ALL (recipient) ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS
OEM’S of all nations be required to do their finest “due- diligence” in order to set up all their infrastructures quickly, efficiently, and responsibly, to produce E-REV’s to the quality standards to which GM engineering has so well established. (I say that pro-actively as an ASE-EXAMINED L-1 ADVANCED SYSTEMS EDUCATOR in expert witness regarding the very high- quality/efficient-cost industry-standards which GM has always provided the motoring public down through the last 100 years.
The expectations of “kitchen table economics” of “paying all this back” is simply not at all valid here in the case of eliminating
joblessness and Carbon Dioxide, where there is International coordination and equity. Yes, this would certainly set up accounting challenges but no one can pretend to represent to “know” what these challenges may be since this approach has not yet been considered. (Self-Convinced talk radio might have a great time with this, or, more likely, most hosts might actually be open-minded and not “jump the gun”). (Most don’t have 80 million bucks).
But once the majority of the public comes to understand that the Voltec technologies have the very highest technical merit of all technologies at this point in time for jobs and green motoring, that this same majority will vote with their dollars at significantly greater cost than just for mere hybrids.
Dan Petit Austin TX.
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:21 pm)166.
solo2500nt ” I have the perfect Volt commercial.”
______________________
Wow, sheer genius.You should get a prize!
Hey about that Prius. That was Dad in the gas station, he’s still there. He’s looking at his watch now, and he even left work before mom did.
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:30 pm)#131 TALLPALL:
Agree. See my comment at #90 abpve.
#132: Timaaayyy!!!:
Carmen Electra?? Now you’re getting my attention!
I totally agree – timing is everything. Too soon and everybody gets irritated and goes back to sleep. Too late and somebody beats you to it.
#147 Jim I:
I completely agree. The Volt can be a classic “tipping point” scenario, and the ready made cadre of “early adopters” is right here.
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:39 pm)#68 Lawrence Says: two basic questions popped into my mind today:
1. How much does Volt/Ampera weight? and is there room to reduce it (technologically speaking)?
2. Is the plug-in-and-charge a must be condition in order that this car makes sense?
the reason is have these primitive questions are:
1. Weight is the number 1.1 problematic of cars nowadays. Remeber the first VW Golf, it was weighting 700kg, and had a less than 100hp engine in it. Now, it weigths almost like my Stratus, and needs a more powerful engine to run it the same way.
2. I fear this car only addresses people who live in their own houses…
————————————————————————————–
1) Chevy Volt Curb Weight Around 3520 Pounds
http://gm-volt.com/2008/08/21/chevy-volt-curb-weight-around-3520-pounds/
So it’s not a light car, but with regenerative braking, most of the energy used to accelerate the car is recovered on braking, so weight is not a big deal like it is in a regular gas engine car.
2) If you can’t plug it in, you’ll probably be better off with a full hybrid like the Prius. Many Condo associations are considering adding outlets to their parking spaces.
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:41 pm)Statik @ 42. Now you’re just being mean. Good joke though!
PS: That’s not the prime minister.
We no longer provide service to some countries
the following countries represent 15% of total traffic. So by saving 15% on cost we will be able to prove the other 85% of traffic a better service. (Also alot of these countries leech/steal bandwidth) we talking about that ninja site! Singapore Philippines India Japan United Arab Emirates Romania Norway Israel Mexico South Korea Poland Jamaica New Zealand Finland Malaysia Hong Kong Barbados China Puerto Rico Saudi Arabia Pakistan Portugal Greece Qatar Iceland Trinidad and Tobago Serbia Brazil Czech Republic Hungary Turkey Bahamas Estonia Egypt Malta Indonesia Argentina Thailand Grenada Kuwait Morocco Macedonia Taiwan Russia Colombia Croatia Slovenia Dominican Republic South Africa Chile Latvia Lithuania Slovakia Sri Lanka Netherlands Antilles Guam Panama Cayman Islands Antigua and Barbuda Saint Lucia Peru Luxembourg Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Kitts and Nevis Ukraine Venezuela Cyprus Costa Rica Aruba Bahrain Dominica Macau SAR China Jordan Guatemala Iran Bulgaria Vietnam El Salvador Nigeria Bangladesh Oman Honduras U.S. Virgin Islands Brunei
LJGTVWOTR
NO PLUG, NO sale.
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:41 pm)As a car enthusiast, most people in comparison are casual about the idea of a vehicle like the volt. I find that a lot of people are more concerned about the asthetics of a car more than the technology that powers it — frustrating! When trying to explain how the battery/genset powersource works, I sometimes find myself having to repeat myself two or three times to get the concept across — still there are some who have trouble keeping it straight — they keep trying to relate it to the Prius drive system.
That being said, the more tech savy types usually like the idea. But I’m finding that this new drive paradigm makes them ask a lot of questions, and even after answering them, they still seem like they’re not quite sure that they would actually purchase one.
However, recently, with the latest shakey financial ground the American car companies are on, most people are looking to the asian brands for their next purchase, as they fear lack of support for their car if the company is no longer in business.
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:57 pm)It will be interesting to hear Warren Buffets Monday morning interview. He will be a pivotal factor in the EV/GM situation. And you can bet that more people will be aware of the electric car after his three hour interview is complete. More politicians are getting on board as well. I’m not pleased to hear the political rumblings of increased rates on hourly power use. If this is the case, then the solar industry will boom.
=D~
Mar 6th, 2009 (8:59 pm)I went to the Chicago Auto show in February and found quiet a bit of interest in the Volt and The Cadillac Converj especially. The presenter was surprised to find that I was quite knowledgeable about these cars.( I have been with this site since just about the begining. I am one of the first 100 on this list but I rarely post.)
Most people I do not believe understood the concepts of these cars well. GM will have to continue to provide more info to the public to make these cars more well known. By the way I found the GM Volt/Converj presentation very impressive, though the crowds were not especially great. In my opinion there is not enough distinction between these GM cars and other hybrids in the public mind. Especially the Ford Fusion has received a lot of accolades from the local and national media.
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:39 pm)On GoogleFight
Prius : 13,200,000
GM Volt : 5,080,000
GM Volt : 5,080,000
iMiEV : 46,500
GM Volt : 5,080,000
GM Bankrupt : 979,000
Mar 6th, 2009 (9:58 pm)Well I hope what was said at the top is true….that someone who works for GM (hopefully with influence) reads these comments. So what would I like to say?
I am not a fanatic. I read some car magazine early last year and heard about the Chevy Volt and I wondered about the latest news which lead me here. Honestly my first impression is that it won’t compare to the Prius. I mean you have to beat 48 mpg. The upside is that it will be a Plug in Hybrid….what do they call those….PHEV or something….
Anyway, currently I think that is the only thing the Volt has going for it. That and the extremely high gas prices l expect in a few short months. I just expect the gas prices to keep climbing and climbing. Which is why I have decided that when my current car dies I will only own hybrids from then on.
I am a college student so I think most people my age are more aware of the existence of hybrid vehicles. And when I graduate I think the Chevy Volt or a Prius would be an awesome graduation gift to myself. But I guess I’ll wait to make my final judgment when it gets here.
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:04 pm)Marinko #157
I wrote something saying Bob Lutz at one time felt the same way about GM that you feel about Holden but the spam fighter ate it up twice.
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:29 pm)I’m glad there are enough well-to-do early adopters of the Volt. I got really excited when I first heard about the Volt and could justify it’s expense (then $29K) through longevity/greenness of an electrical system. The price went up and the economics no longer made sense to me. I feel that I’m in a vast minority that realizes I just need a vehicle to get me from A to B efficiently and reliably. I don’t care about the road noise or how fast I can get to the next stoplight. People don’t realize that the one or two times a year that they need to actually tow or haul something, it’d be cheaper to rent a vehicle for that time…. I’ve driven for 19 years in a single Geo Metro (still gets up to 50mpg—take THAT Prius!). Fortunately I’ve never had to test it’s safety features! I understand that people need/want bigger vehicles with mass amounts of acceleration, torque, seating capacity….and those people have MANY options compared to what I want/need (another Geo Metro, but electric!). I’m a fan of the Volt, but won’t be able to afford it.
I don’t have much faith that GM will succeed here. Dealing with pure economics, the Volt doesn’t make sense for the consumer. GM’s thinking revolves around the BIG company: make as many big expensive cars as they can and optimize the economies of scale. They can no longer think like a little guy: find the niche and dominate…those margins and risks don’t make sense to a big company like GM, that’s why the Kia’s and Hyundai’s can sneak there way into the marketplace and become successful. I hope that GM will succeed and be able to bring the economies of scale to the Volt platform, but I truly think that they are a day late and a dollar short. At this point, it would make more sense to buy an econobox and pay an extra $10-15K to electrify it than to wait for a Volt (a possible savings of $15-$17K). I hope I’m wrong about GM, but they’ve lived of the fat of the land for too long to remember what it was like to be lean and trim in their younger years.
Lyle: You’ve done more for the Volt than $20 million worth of advertising. GM should feel a MAJOR debt of gratitude towards you and your efforts. It would only be right to be rewarded by them once the Day of the Volt begins.
Mar 6th, 2009 (10:37 pm)#117 Dave k : He already invested in the Chinese company and he will and sure they can sell cars here and close GM . He is just doing marketing for his money – nothing else
I love to see volt fleets in 2010 @ Vancouver because it may get attention due to 2010 Olympics and BC is green
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Mar 6th, 2009 (11:08 pm)50%+
I teach at a local school in a fairly small town in Ohio. Many of the local population works for a Ford plant, and though not everyone is loyal to Ford, many will support American manufacturers first.
As I’ve discussed many aspects of “greening” our school district with school officials, other teachers, students, and community members, electric vehicle technology is always brought up. Plug-in buses are already on the market (though quite costly as of yet), and in-house renewables can charge them, to reduce use of diesel and grid power.
I would say at least half of those I’ve talked to in each sector is aware of the Volt, though they may not understand all the workings like I, or the ideas and concepts of the competition. PHEV technology will need to reach out to educate, but its commuter market knows the basics…it’s just still really far away.
And that’s the final part about it, GM. The waiting is the hardest part. We heard about this long ago, got stoked, and still have a year and a half to go, while papers say the company is doomed. I believe the Volt is top among other plug-ins, but other companies will live and their cars will just have to do if you go under. I know you don’t want that, but just so you know…we really admire the fact that you’re throwing the company’s eggs into the E-REV basket. Risky business can be the most profitable…if you survive the risk you take.
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:26 pm)I’m 23 years old, and none of my friends care so much about newer cars, so I believe it’s safe to assume that the majority of people my age (in particular) know much or anything about new vehicles with electric drive trains.
With that being said, it’s probably to GM’s advantage that minimal people know of the Volt. Knowing that the Volt is coming out, I would recommend to everyone I know to hold off on vehicle purchases. I’m sure I’m not the only one that will be doing that.
Mar 6th, 2009 (11:43 pm)______________________________________________________
How Many People Know About the Volt?
Answer: More people than GM will have the ability to supply VOLTEC cars for.
The VOLTEC opportunity for GM is big…I mean REAL BIG; bigger than GM itself. I have strong suspicions that this fact is better understood by some folks outside of GM. After all, it was Lyle (a GM outsider) that raised the VOLT flag high and ignited much of the current momentum behind the VOLT. The amount of heart out there in support of the VOLTEC Project (such as I read on this blog site) is unprecedented for a car that is 2 years away from production. There is an army of VOLTEC enthusiasts wanting to will this car into existence because they know this car symbolizes a new and better future for America.
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Electric Cars + Nuclear Power = American Energy Independence!
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Mar 7th, 2009 (12:08 am)If GM needs to do market research to figure out the market for the Volt, when its price is only 32.5K (40 – 7.5), then they should not be in this business.
I say to GM – either deliver (yes end of 2010 is WAAAY too late) or fold and get off taxpayer’s backs. You are not the only one who will deliver EV’s and based on your past history, we prefer to get it elsewhere.
An EV is more like a TV set. When was the last time an American company delivered a competitive TV set?
So if you can’t figure the message, then you should not be in the EV (or car) business, and we are tired of hearing you whining.
Mar 7th, 2009 (12:09 am)Gary #73
I had a *Cough* Tundra *Cough* years ago before gas prices went through the roof. At that time I began driving a lot more than I had been to make repairs on an out of town property. The gas bill then started to drive me crazy. I had bought the truck used and the gas bill felt like making a second vehicle payment, Only then did I compare mileage vs. other trucks. The results made me so mad I sold it the next week. So much for Toyota engineering and fuel economy.
That truck with a 4.3 L engine got mileage the same or worse than Fords and Chevys with 5.6 L engines!
Mar 7th, 2009 (12:21 am)MarkinWI # 76
No one will ever believe it.
I have to admit though the first time I saw a guy put down his briefcase sized cell phone about 30 feet from a pay phone, I thought that’s pretty cool, but I was one that said,” who would ever want one of those?”
They just have to get the Volt out there and let the revolution wind it’s way through it’s own course.
Mar 7th, 2009 (12:35 am)ThombDbhomb #91 “Non-ICE cars have been “coming sometime in the future” for so long that people don’t really expect them anytime soon. When I bring them up, people go on autopilot. I sense that they’ll believe it when they see it and they don’t look into it much further.”
______________
You’ve summed up the whole marketing thing for me.
I think I’ll keep posting on this thread till I’m the last one – what time is it in Hawaii now!
Mar 7th, 2009 (12:47 am)15% of the people I know, know OF the Volt (mostly because of me)
5% (est.) of the public know OF the Volt.
OF the people that know OF the Volt, 20% actually know HOW it works, and why its different than other Hybrid cars.
Even people that I have explained it to several times, still forget regularly the differenences. They also get confused by all the articles coming out.. such as the one from Carnegie Mellon.
Mar 7th, 2009 (2:09 am)I thought up another marketing idea but I’ll wait for the appropriate post. If you liked the last one you will LOVE the new one!
Mar 7th, 2009 (2:48 am)solo2500nt
It’s going to be tough to top it!
Mar 7th, 2009 (7:08 am)We are poised at the cusp of a revolution in transportation . Some of us know that but most people don’t know because of the self centered thinking of most people , “the me first principle” .
This technological development is more important than the Industrial Revolution that we all studied about in school in our history classes .
The whole world is about to make a dramatic change in the way we move ourselves around , including goods and services .
High efficiency is going to be the most important developmental driver for years to come and the Volt and Tesla are the leading forces in this endeavor .
There are many intelligent people going to this site who have good ideas and have the ability to see and sense the future and I think it is a resource that GM would be well advised to take advantage of .
I am a Mechanical Engineer and a Professor and once I got the straight goods on how it is to operate I understood it very easily , however it is something that is not easily grasped by most people that are not Engineers and cant see things as Engineers do .
For my two cents , I think a video posted on you tube that takes the time to explain what it is and how it works could be priceless , especially if done by personalities like Jay Leno and Lyle talking about what they like about the Volt .
I personally like the exciting design of the Converj over the Volt Chevy family blended in design appearance . ( If I were to get a car like this I would want it to stand out , not to blend in with the others )
Change the fenders and front end and make it exciting with plug-in ports on both front sides .
I embrace the technology , but I would not want personally to bother with the plug-in model , my preference would be for a 70 mile per gallon Hybrid with a good strong bank of capacitors for acceleration and for capturing the complete power generated by regenerated breaking and a much smaller battery and gen-set .
( I do appreciate the need for room to design in improvements in the future models )
I think it would be good for GM marketing to send out beautifully done full color high detailed pictures to all GM dealers for the new and used car departments to put on their walls promoting the vehicles maybe with a graph showing how the car would use its energy. “COMING IN 2010″
This vehicle and the technology is more than important to GM , it is very important to everybody as technology moves us as a civilization forward at this time in our history .
I also believe a ground shattering announcement that the released date has been moved up from the end of 2010 to the beginning of 2010 ( before April ) would build confidence in GM and the American economy as a whole and bring this recession to an abrupt end .
Mar 7th, 2009 (7:26 am)The Volt will need no marketing. The first 10,000 vehicles will be snatched up by rich guys (and ladies) in LA and NY and the word will spread like wildfire, either good (if the car lives up to expectations) or bad (if it flops). If it works as promised, GM won’t be able to keep up with demand for years, advertising or no advertising, regardless of the $40,000 price. I’m not a rich guy but I want one of these cars. They just make sense. Skip the advertising expense and LJGTVWOTR!
Mar 7th, 2009 (7:36 am)#76 MarkinWI Says: If you look at the debate during the last election cycle, the one thing that the Republicans had going for them was, “Drill, baby, drill!” Over 1/2 of the public agreed with that sentiment. The reality is we will not get oil from the Artic to the continental US for at least a decade. If the country truly made it a priority, in a decade, we could sell enough cars with Voltec technology that we would not need the Artic oil. If the public understood that, I don’t know that the chant ever would have caught on as much as it did.
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Right. McCain also talked about a multi-million dollar prize to develop a capable EV battery technology, which certainly implies no capable battery technology exists today. How much did big-oil donate to the RNC? Not hard to connect the dots there…
Mar 7th, 2009 (7:56 am)The most compelling way to explain the volt is a test drive advertisement like the one this website did last week with the little roadster through NYC and upstate. People don’t trust the normal slick advertising because they perceive so much dishonesty on the media. “You gotta be straight”. Can’t wait to replace my 2004 Saturn Vue with a plug in version!
Mar 7th, 2009 (8:06 am)#80 V=IR Says: So we know Hydrogen is a fraud, what does that make the Volt E-REV?
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The Bush administration started a presidential initiative to promote hydrogen. This initiative gave $billions to car companies and scientists to promote fuel cells. Many consider this program to be a smokescreen to defer/delay more viable technologies to replace oil.
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/feb2003/2003-02-06-10.asp
In order to receive this government money, GM had to make some fuel cell prototypes. GM also created the “E-Flex” architecture, in which the range extender that provides additional electric power can be a gas engine, diesel, fuel cell, or more batteries. Since E-Flex encompassed fuel cells, it’s possible that some of the money from the presidential initiative on hydrogen was used to fund the Volt development.
In any case, it’s clear that hydrogen fuel cell technology is not economically viable today, and probably never will be. So I hope the government and GM doesn’t waste any more money on this.
Ulf Bossel is a fuel cell expert who heads up the European Fuel Cell Forum. He says:
“There is a lot of money in the field now,” he continues. “I think that it was a mistake to start with a ‘Presidential Initiative’ rather with thorough analysis like this one. Huge sums of money were committed too soon, and now even good scientists prostitute themselves to obtain research money for their students or laboratories—otherwise, they risk being fired. But the laws of physics are eternal and cannot be changed with additional research, venture capital or majority votes.”
Why a hydrogen economy doesn’t make sense
http://www.physorg.com/news85074285.html
Mar 7th, 2009 (8:38 am)#83 Joy Says: A low percentage of my circle of friends and acquaintances are aware of the Volt … so many of the media representations emphasize the challenges encountered over the progress made & express skepticism. There’s a tremendous bias there & it is frustrating to see how much the media continues to manipulate public perspective.
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Right. Every news piece I’ve seen on the Volt or any other plug-in always stresses that the batteries are not ready. They emphasize that these cars aren’t real. Very depressing.
Mar 7th, 2009 (9:07 am)Cap & Trade will make “fool cells” look like child’s play. Just wait until the Federal government is designing an electric grid to bring solar and wind power from Texas to NY. We won’t be able to afford the cost of charging our Volts. Obama himself stated that electric rates will skyrocket. The Cap & Trade charade will make the fiasco of the deregulation of electric utilities look insignificant.
The government was wrong about Fuel Cells and they are wrong about Cap & Trade. Everything we get, we get with energy. Electricity costs are a major component of manufacturing costs. If Cap & Trade is not stopped, all US businesses will suffer even more than presently and the subsequent job losses will be massive. This scheme gives a whole new meaning to the term “Boonedoggle”.
The only rational energy alternative to coal and shale at this point in time is Nuclear energy. In the future, battery development and cost declines may allow the economically efficient storage of solar/wind power. At that point, homeowners will not need a grid at all, only commercial and industrial customers will need access to off-site power.
A centrally planned government economy has never worked in the history of the world as we were recently reminded by our new best friend, Vladimir Putin.
God save our country from ourselves.
Mar 7th, 2009 (9:29 am)My experience has been what many have already mentioned. Most simply don’t have a clue and those that do are misinformed in some fasion. Beyond that, overcoming perception of GM is, in my opinion, GM’s biggest hurdle. In general, when talking about GM, most people automatically assume that Toyota or Honda make the better product, and GM couldn’t possibly come out with something better than the Japanese. These are people who were once loyal Big Three purchasers, but over time have switched to Toyotas and Hondas. I can see their point. In many ways, the Big Three just have not produced the same quality and reliabiltiy to keep up and keep their loyal customers “loyal”. Those of us with an open mind though can easily see that the last few models are extremely competitive in their class. The Malibu and the GM trio, (We drive an Outlook XR) are excellent… GM has made great strides in quality and realiability, but again…perception is killing them. Most people automatically assume that the imports are better. To be fair this did not happen overnight, but changing peoples minds is not easy and will take time.
As far as the Volt is concerned to the general public, people simply are not aware of what it is and just how revolutionary it will be. When you say it can drive 40miles on electric power alone and then it can switch over to a generator, it really does require some explaining that those first 40 miles are much cheaper than using gas, and then after that you are still only burning about 1 gallon per 50 miles. This is simple for us that have been following this and are up on the technology, but for people that are not informed you can just see their eyes glaze over sometimes. Not to mention the lagging perception problem. This will take time. People really do want to buy American, but they do not want to buy an American product that they “believe” is inferior to another product-fair or not, that is the way it is.
Hawk
Mar 7th, 2009 (9:42 am)Off Topic
The Hybrid Cars site has a story about the Volt with GM asking suppliers to improve efficiency such that the Volt can go 40 miles on a charge.
One of the disheartening statements was the new Goodyear Assurance Max Fuel tires reduces fuel use by 4% and adds 1 mpg.
If you run these numbers, that equates to an original 25 MPG, not the 50 MPG we have come to expect.
Disappointing news if true. Hopefully, I missed the boat.
Here is the link:
http://www.hybridcars.com/components/gm-volt-suppliers-get-us-100-mpg-25621.html
Mar 7th, 2009 (10:24 am)#200 Shawn Marshall,
I think this project is in your neck of the woods.
If it could also generate more electricity, don’t you think this could represent the future of coal?
http://www.baardenergy.com/orcf.htm
Mar 7th, 2009 (11:15 am)I live in the SF Bay area and I would guess most folks have at least heard about the Volt. Most just think about it though until it’s an actual option to buy one.
Mar 7th, 2009 (11:15 am)#175 NZDavid:
Statik @ 42. Now you’re just being mean. Good joke though!
PS: That’s not the prime minister.
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Sorry. I had to post it.
(=
I mean really, how many times do you have the opportunity to use a prime minister of New Zealand photo/comedy clip? hehe
Mar 7th, 2009 (2:58 pm)Well, I doubt you will forward this post, but what is really interesting is that GM is surprised, considering they have spent the last 100 years suppressing knowledge of the electric vehicle. They made them when cars were first coming out, but due to distance restrictions, and MAINLY the issue of the darned things being so reliable and requiring very little maintenance they didn’t see them as profitable to the company. Not surprised though, they sold the very battery patent that would have saved them millions, later possibly billions to Chevron. They teamed up with goodyear to take out all of the streetcars in St. Louis, and replace them with busses that require maintenance, and tires. It’s about time they make up for it all, but unfortunately they chose to wait until they were basically loosing their asses to Toyota.
Mar 7th, 2009 (3:06 pm)Everyone in my immediate family has a basic understanding of what the Volt is, but according to most people I talk to, they don’t seem as excited about the technology as I am. The top responses:
“Didn’t GM try this in the 90′s?”
Seems to stem back from peoples knowledge of the failure of electric cars about a decade ago.
“How fast can it go?” or “So this is nothing more than a glorified golf cart then, right?”
People can’t seem to get the idea of a golf cart out of their minds when they think electric drive. Instead of avoiding that reference, GM should tackle it head on in their commercials. The current Volt commercials show it sitting out on green grass. No wonder people think ‘golf cart’. Put it on the race track. Show it weaving through traffic. Burn some rubber. Have it driving through rain, sleet, snow, going through some puddles. Kill all of the myths associated with electric cars in one 30-second commercial slot.
“Will it work in Michigan?”
A valid question. A car that relies heavily on batteries and low rolling resistance tires doesn’t usually go well in the minds of Michiganders (and other northern states), especially since this winter is still fresh on their minds.
“$40K seems like a lot to spend, especially when gas is still fairly cheap.” and “Will it actually pay off?”
At these gas prices, no way. But I do try reminding them about the rebate and the fact that electric drive vehicles don’t depreciate as much as gas powered cars. I don’t believe GM will have to overcome the hurdle of the high price, since I think these will sell out instantly even in this economy. But honestly, price does need to come down. And gas does need to come up.
“It only goes 40 miles?”
Again, people don’t understand EREVs. They need to experience it to understand “wow, I can drive 41 miles or 401 miles”. GM should show all of the standard features in a commercial, and end with “gasoline… optional”. People need to realize that this is not a typical gas, hybrid, or electric.
“Plugging it in at night and unplugging every morning will be a pain.”
This response came from my brother, who on every cold night used to plug in his engine block heater. Yes, plugging in is inconvenient.
In my mind, gas prices are the key to public acceptance. People have to realize that:
1) Gas isn’t worth it. There must be another option.
2) The inconvenience of plugging in is a lot more convenient than going to the gas station and filling up and spending $50 on a tank of gas.
When gas was $5/gal, people used to put their car in neutral and turn them off to save gas at red lights and traffic. People drove very slowly and weren’t in a rush to guzzle gas. People can change their attitude toward cars and their attitude toward how they operate them if it hurts them enough when it comes to their money.
Mar 7th, 2009 (3:08 pm)#90 noel park said:
I believe that the problem is going to be one of supply. There are almost 50K people on the GM-Volt.com waiting list, for heaven’s sake. If the production is going to be 10K in 2010 and 50-60K in 2011, I would say that they are all sold already.
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You cannot count someone adding his name to a list on the internet as a done deal for a big ticket item. Of those 50k names on the list, some are kids, some don’t have 30k, some will buy other cars, others will defer their purchase.
Mar 7th, 2009 (3:38 pm)#208 Tom Harwick:
Quite right, but I would make a substantial bet that the first year’s production (10K) would sell out right off of this list. I have also learned that, for every person willing to follow something like this blog, and to put their name on something like this waiting list, there are several more who will not make the effort, but share the same ideas.
So, I would stick to my prediction that the first two years’ production is as good as sold right now. An ongoing theme of the blog has been the concern about dealers “packing” the price in the face of a demand greater than the suppy in the first few years.
After that, all of the usual market forces will come into play. GM’s marketing, the strength of the competition, the potential drop in the prices of batteries, and so many other factors. And of course the real 800# gorilla, fuel prices. If fuel prices stay where they are, it will be a tough sell. If they go back up to $4+, which I personally believe that they eventually will, Volts will fly out of the showrooms.
The price trajectory of the Prius is really interesting. A year ago I was commenting here that you could buy a Prius in LA for $2K off sticker. 6 months later, gas was $4/gallon, and there was a 6 month waiting list. I heard a report this very morning that the dealers are discounting them again to get them off of the lots. Boy do we have short term memory problems. Of course, they have sold over a million of them, so there’s some kind of a message there.
Mar 7th, 2009 (6:05 pm)Bill R – Thanks for the link – appreciate it.
If the present administration has any interest in coal gasification they manage to keep it under the radar. They are trying to nationalize the electric industry and Obama is very plain in his claims that costs need to go up and will go up. The site you linked me to was dated 2007,
I’m gonna try to find out more about it when some time is available, maybe you are current with their progress? I’m pro-coal, have little confidence in man-caused global warming claims. But our country seems to be so berserk with its anti-CO2 mania that nuclear power seems a true and reasonable solution if their motivation is the elimination of CO2 emission. Nuke plants run on ships and they could surely run near load centers and eliminate the necessity to build transmission lines. Many small towns in the US could benefit from nuke plant construction and operation. I’m sorry for ranting but just alarmed at the predominance of ill-considered government initiatives (like corn ethanol, subsidized wind farms ) that seem to be taking us by storm. The market should be operating. Also, if global warming exists now (instead of cooling as the last 8-10 years) how do we really know that it is not beneficial?
Mar 7th, 2009 (11:29 pm)I have been surprised by the number of family and friends who have heard of the “Volt,” but very few of them know anything other than it’s a new car from GM that isn’t out yet. It could just as well be a Corvette for all they know. When I mention that it’s a new type of electric car, a few nod (clueless), a couple ask if that means hydrogen, and maybe 1% (my engineering friends) actually say “cool, when can I drive one.”
so GM sure has a lot of ground to make up, but like that movie, Pay it Forward: if I tell two people, who each tell two people….
Mar 8th, 2009 (2:28 am)I appreciate your efforts to keep the world informed. Sadly I have had a Prius since 2001, when they were first available.
Even now after the period last summer when everyone suffering $4/gal gas, asked me about the Prius, there are still people who ask “But where do you plug it in?” or “It’s a what? A hybrid?”
I have found that the average person is an idiot. Many of them post here. They have summed up thier understanding of cars as “I put in the gas. I put in the keys. And it goes. And if it doesn’t go I call someone else” This is why GM should have brought out a gas Hybrid as a transition vehicle back in 1993- oh wait, they did! The Precept! But somehow they expect the public to forgive their mangaerial stupidity and let them hide behind the UAW and the potential job losses. Sorry GM. You’re toast, as you should be. I look forward to buying a Volt type vehicle, but it won’t be from GM.
Mar 8th, 2009 (1:16 pm)Tom #208,
And you could add : some could buy an Opel Ampera (I’m one of those but I keep my #684 on the waiting list).
Regards,
JC LJGTAWOTR !! NPNS !!
Mar 8th, 2009 (4:16 pm)#209
noel park Says:
March 7th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
#208 Tom Harwick:
Quite right, but I would make a substantial bet that the first year’s production (10K) would sell out right off of this list. I have also learned that, for every person willing to follow something like this blog, and to put their name on something like this waiting list, there are several more who will not make the effort, but share the same ideas.
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I plan to buy a Volt… I am not on the wait list.
Mar 8th, 2009 (7:18 pm)Motor Trend is doing their part to spread the word. They have an excellent 7 page spread dedicated to the Volt in the April issue. It’s the best coverage of the Volt I’ve seen yet. Can’t wait to get my Volt……! Maybe 2011 or 2012.
Mar 8th, 2009 (7:44 pm)Thanks Lyle.
This is a very good thought provoking post. I would guess that the real world percentage of potential car buyers who know about the VOLT is likely even less than 5%. Stop and think about it – GM has a 22% market share – so maybe 40% of the automotive buying public even knows what GM offers today – let alone what they are coming out with in the future.
The VOLT is one of many potential ground breaking vehicles that will see the light of produciton in the next few years – and no doubt the biggest one for GM.
While everyone posting on this site is extremely excited about the Electric Future, there will always be skeptics out there. The most important thing the VOLT will do for GM is to act as a hallo vehicle for the company’s entire lineup. GM makes some fine vehicles today, but public perception lags reality by a wide margin. As the VOLT becomes more known to the mainstream market, it will bring other GM vehicles up as well. Everyday, new consumers drive and buy a new Malibu or CTS because seeing is believing – these cars are world-class.
I’ve shared the VOLT story with hundreds of people – and I’ve seen well-educated adults turn into question asking first graders. People are genuinely interested – but most will not believe until they see the actual vehicle. And as automakers have long known, that TEST DRIVE will be the key!
Mar 9th, 2009 (6:15 am)People I have told about it are excited about the environmental prospects and would love to drive one but are put off when I tell them what the price will be like, even with the $7,500 tax credit.
Meanwhile, I assume there will be much more of an advertising blitz when the car actually goes on sale next year? At the moment it’s only mentioned as one of 3 or 4 cars in a general “GM is cool” ad. I figured GM didn’t want to get people all worked up when they can’t buy the car yet and then have it turn out to be “old news” when the car actually comes on the market and they can’t generate the same buzz again.
I do wish the commentators on news shows and whatnot would take a bit more notice, though. They keep saying “GM is putting out the same old cars” and stuff and completely ignore the fact that GM is leading the industry in electric vehicles.
Mar 9th, 2009 (10:33 am)My wife and I were watching NBC Nightly News a few nights ago and they were talking about this electric car being proposed in the Silicon Valley of California. It is a two seat sports car that costs about $200,000.
Tom Brokaw said ” Gee, you think an American car company could come up with some thing like this.
I was stunned that he knew nothing about the Volt or maybe he just enjoys bashing the Big 3.
Mar 9th, 2009 (4:24 pm)#206 Brad Horton Says, “… they were basically loosing their asses to Toyota.”
I hate to harp on this grammar thing again, but that is a disgusting statement!
“Lose” = fail to win.
“Loose” = not tight.
Mar 9th, 2009 (4:27 pm)#135 N Riley says, “… Man in the Street interviews and other such have pretty well shown the low level knowledge of the typical person on the street …. And finally, let Dr. Lyle Dennis do a god test drive over the weekend.”
Don’t believe everything you see on TV. Those “interviews” are selected for shock and entertainment effect, so we don’t get to see all the “boring” people who *can* answer the questions. Besides, if someone ambushed me with a camera and told me that I was on national television, I would be a little distracted too.
Regarding test drives, I suspect that one of the reasons we don’t see a big Volt test drive blitz is that these cars are under active development. If it’s anything like a flight test program in the aerospace industry, just about every hour of each vehicle’s time is reserved for testing, troubleshooting, maintenance, and modifications. Taking vehicles away for other “non-essential” activities could jeopardize the schedule.
So, while I think feedback from Lyle would be valuable to the Volt’s development effort, I wouldn’t expect GM to let him have a prototype for more than a few hours.
Mar 12th, 2009 (10:09 pm)It would be nice if Chev can produce a car where the window does not fall inside the door. No doubt the Volt will have this feature like every other Chev.
Mar 15th, 2009 (5:48 pm)Most people I have talked to about the Volt have never heard of it as well.
Mar 26th, 2009 (8:03 pm)does anyone know how many people work for GM in 2009 plaz right back to me on my e-mail by tommorow
Jun 18th, 2009 (10:33 am)There is more than a billion dollar project which won’t help Toronto for the next few years. The way it’s paid for is with a special fund for projects to boost manufacturing now. Oh yeah, that fund is added straight to the national debt.
John Baird releases a bit of frustration at Toronto’s expense, Miller capitalises and it happens and streetcars worth $1.2 billion are bought. Gotta love politics. We’re so very lucky that Toronto didn’t need any work done on roads, sewers, parks and bridges or anything else that could reduce unemployment and help the city right now.