Chevy Volt in Washington DC Shopping Mall
Today General Motors announced that Washington DC will join California and Michigan as an initial market for Chevrolet Volt rollout. The rollout region will include the nation’s capital and its suburbs.
“Concentrating Volt sales in these three key initial markets allows us to give our first customers a high-quality experience,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet general manager. “In addition to geographical considerations, each market also has progressive local and state government leaders and utility partners who are crucial in bringing electric vehicles to market.”
GM has also developed an agreement with DC utility companies Pepco and Dominian to take delivery Chevy Volt fleet test vehicles. These vehicles will join a total fleet of 100 cars nationwide that will remain in the hands of utility companies for a demonstration and learning project funded by a $30 million DOE grant.
GM also reports they have tested the 80 pre-production Volts on over 250,000 test miles, and that some of those cars are in 24 hour/7 day per week operation. Cars have been tested in the extreme heat of Death Valley and the extreme cold of northern Canada. 300 pre-production battery packs have already been built.
GM has not confirmed if these three markets are the only initial ones which will be announced, nor how many cars will be allocated to each through the end of this year. There are reports that the company hopes to begin rollout even sooner than the projected November deadline.
‘We could announce additional retail markets later,’ said GM spokesperson Dave Darovitz.
Pricing has also not been announced, though the GM Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre recently told GM-Volt.com it would be in the “low 30s,” without specifically referring to the $7500 tax credit.
It is expected Mr. Whitacre will be named permanent CEO of GM today.
This entry was posted on Monday, January 25th, 2010 at 7:30 am and is filed under Launch, Marketing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
+4
Jan 25th, 2010 (7:38 am)This is a smart business move. They may sell more cars per dealer in some of the DC suburbs than anywhere else in the country.
+3
Jan 25th, 2010 (7:53 am)Lyle, maybe you can get yours from DC. Not that big of a distance? Though it would be a treck for maintenance. In any case, I sure do hope that you get one of the first ones.
Jan 25th, 2010 (7:57 am)Dang, the Miami autoshow isn’t until late in the year.
+4
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:01 am)Boy, that DOE is sure getting cheap these days, a $30 grant won’t even buy lunch in DC!
(Lyle, I think you probably meant $30 million).
+13
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:03 am)I agree! After all, the Blackberry became a raging success in DC and its suburbs, and the Volt’s high-tech appeal should also make it very popular in the area. And Federal employees aren’t experiencing the job or pay cutbacks of the private sector. Finally, seeing Volts on the road should help keep legislators reminded how important new laws regarding gasoline taxes/pricing, rebates, etc are to help get electric cars on US highways.
+7
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:06 am)I’ve been waiting almost 3 years, another 6 months isn’t going to kill me.
+3
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:35 am)I live just south of DC and commute just north Of DC for a total drive time of 41 miles each way. I need to get with our electrician to see how complicated it would be to get somwhere to plug in the car while sitting in the parking garage. I think the move into the DC area is a good one!
Down in DC, one of the parking garages had “smart car” parking. They parking was $20 for the day for a regular car and $12 per day for a smart car. From what I saw, they can fit 5 smart cars in the space of 2 regular cars. The parking garage was full of Smarts.
Heck I could see DC offering some sort of tax credit or incentive to those who drive electric vehicles or EREVs. In DC it isn’t about the money. It has more to do with being ahead of the pack and on the cutting edge. The Volt certainly does that,
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:43 am)“Concentrating Volt sales in these three key initial markets allows us to give our first customers a high-quality experience,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet general manager……
Lyle,
If GM doesn’t realize you are their best customer and that they should give you the “high-quality experience” you deserve then I can see they are not very business savvy.
After all the work you’ve done promoting and educating the public about the Volt, you should not have to go to a dealer to get your Volt. It should be custom built for you and personally delivered to your doorstep by one of the top GM brass.
NPNS!
-13
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:44 am)(click to show comment)
+4
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:46 am)I wonder if GM will try to restrict buyers to people that live in the general geographic locations of the dealerships they choose to sell the Volt in. It doesn’t make much sense to me to limit the dealership locations and then let people from 500 miles away drive in and buy a Volt. If they are going to allow that, then why not just sell them everywhere?
+6
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:51 am)The highways surrounding DC, like Kalifornia, are loaded with imports ( this always struck me as odd, given that these areas are also heavy blue states, and the UAW bleeds blue. I guess the democrats don’t feel much need to support their “bretheren” ).
I certainly see the logic of using the Volt to draw attention to the offerings of the domestic industry. If every other import owner bought a Detroit-3 vehicle, I’ll bet much of our trade imballance ( and ultimately, federal deficit ) would melt away. Kalifornia and the East Koast/DC would be a good place to start this reversal.
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:01 am)Nice report Lyle,
GCUAPO
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:07 am)That’s a good question about limiting sales to people in “the area” of the initial dealers. How big of an area? I was hoping to drive from Iowa to Michigan to purchase ours. My local dealer says they are training a mechanic to service the Volt. Also, will all the big cities in Michigan get some Volts or just Detroit? And I agree GM should airlift the first Volt to Lyle and airlift in the mechanic to service it when needed. We are getting close now men! By the way, are there any female Volt fans out there?
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:07 am)The DC area democrats support the unions with votes but generally are not union workers themselves. Other than the useless govt. unions. These are white collar democrats and yes, they do generally buy imports. In this area of the country, there is a correlation between party affilliation and whether or not you buy domestic.
I don’t know first hand, but I have heard that democrats in other heavily union blue collar areas are more prone to buy domestic.
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:12 am)Launching the Volt in DC is a good plan. This may sprout nationwide plug-in parking space legislation. Looks like the after tax adjustment price of the volt will be $32,500. Maybe a little less in states that favor EV use.
=D~
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:12 am)If you are indeed among the fortunate first, please stand ready for about a gazillion questions from this board.
Does anyone else on this board live in the D.C. area with a real shot at the Volt? (The cynic in me will find a non-lawmaker early D.C. Volt owner a surprising development, but the optimist hopes otherwise).
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:16 am)LauraM has been a stalwart here for awhile, but there don’t appear to be that many at gm-volt. I wonder how significant that observation is.
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:26 am)“There are reports that the company hopes to begin rollout even sooner than the projected November deadline”
GM has never stated Volts would be at the dealer in November. They have said production would start in Novermber. Volts will then take some time to get to the dealers.
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:27 am)DC?? Not surprised at all! Many government workers travel a radius of 50 miles one way everyday in that area. I’m sure government employers are going to provide support of the Volt for those workers.
I, for one, live in that area and am all excited about that! I’m also excited about the Washington Auto which opens this week. I can not wait to go with the VIP tickets that were personally given to me from John McElroy, of the Autoline Detroit TV show..
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:33 am)Attached pic of smart car (not real smart)
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:34 am)Amen! +1
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:35 am)These government workers are doing good in this recession, and they have lots of money… and they are highly unionized. Sounds like prime Volt territory to me.
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:38 am)Washington makes sense, After all the ceo lives on Pennsylvania avenue. lol
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:40 am)Tim Hart: We are getting close now men! By the way, are there any female Volt fans out there?
Women don’t obsess about cars. Men do. As for buyers, I believe women will like the fact that the Volt is a step forward for the environment but will find it expensive.
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:41 am)+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:43 am)Probably why women live longer than men (g).
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:50 am)Having lived in the DC area, I can tell you that this is not the issue. The issue is that small Honda and Toyota sedans are the right tool for the job — moderately sized, reliable, and with a feature set that doesn’t limit the car to the “college kid” audience.
A Suburban looks like it would be a real pain in the ass in that environment, though a surprising number of people drive them. And a Cobalt makes it look like you’re a college kid, whereas a Civic just makes you look like a cheapskate. An Accord or a Camry is a nice-driving moderately sized highly-reliable and car with the right mix of features for those of us who commute to an office job.
It’s nice to see that the new Malibu looks competitive, but my folks have been having great experiences with Hondas and Toyotas for about 20 years now, so the underdog (American car manufacturers) need to do something special to get that business back, and to do something about the perception that a mid-sized Chevy isn’t in the same market category as a mid-sized Honda. This is the transportation-appliance market, not the “my politics have bigger balls than your politics” market, or the work-truck market, or the car-enthusiast market.
Short version: it’s the cars, stupid, not the politics. You see those cars on the roads in sprawly-suburban areas because they meet the needs of the people who drive them better than the competition’s cars. If you want to change that, build a better Honda than Honda.
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:57 am)Suurrrprise…suurrrprise
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703808904575024933533722148.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection
+3
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:03 am)To be fair, any car/truck/suv that does not require a CDL is screwed in that situation. That’s one of the reasons transport trucks require extra training and licensing of drivers.
The Smart Car grates against my tastes, too, and has inferior mileage and inferior seating/cargo when compared to the car in my driveway — but if it serves the drivers needs, so be it. I see lots of reasons not to buy one, but no reason to hate on them.
+8
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:06 am)I know you guys hate politics, but this one soooooo obviously is.
That doesn’t make it bad, however. The more markets that open up and launch the VOLT, the better.
On the upside, there will be plenty of FREE press covering the VOLT and which members of government that get to drive one, (for free I bet’cha), and I’ll bet it will be the one’s whos Senate seat is in danger of being lost this November.
On the other upside, the current administration will be in front of the cameras hot-and-heavy and touting their follow through on saving the U.S. auto industry, and moving forward with ‘green technology’ that will (and has) created more American Jobs. [We still need more jobs though...]
Political? Yes.
Good Thing? Yes.
Negative Scoring for CorvetteGuy today? Ohhhh YES!
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:07 am)I stated this last time and got pretty beat up for it. But I’ll say it again. I think that choosing DC as one of the initial sites is a potential PR disaster. Forget the demographic stats about the area, perception is often times more powerful than reality and the perception in a lot of the country will be that this was politically motiviated. This is made 10 times worse by the fact that GM is now majority owned by the govt. I know plenty of long time GM buyers who say they won’t buy another GM car/truck as long as it is owned by the govt. If you match up where foreign car ownership is the lowest and domestic ownership highest I think it will correlate with Red states and a higher distrust of govt – especially the current administration being it is Democrat. Hopefully I am wrong and the backlash is negligent. It just seems so unproductive. They could have chosen Dallas or Miami, Chicago, Seattle, Minneapolis, Charlotte or …. You get the point, there are plenty of urban areas that would have been as good as DC without the potential baggage.
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:10 am)Most manufacturers will state if the price of the vehicle is after federal tax credit or that federal tax credit is currently available. Unless the Dealer has some kind of program that fronts you the tax credit at the time of purchase that you might receive as long as your refunds aren’t being kept to pay off some kind of debt, you will be paying the original price at time of purchase. Since Mr. Whitacre did not mention the tax credit when he said the price should be in the lower 30′s, I presume that price is before any tax credit. I believe that the availability of tax credits should be mentioned but the price of any vehicle should not include any possible tax credit when stating a price.
I think the D. C. area is a good choice with all the factors considered for potential buyers in that area.
+3
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:13 am)Lets be honest, ANY small car is a death trap when crushed between two dump trucks. Most SUV’s too…
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:16 am)Well, he DID say that there was a search committee. I guess that they didn’t have to look very far. I don’t know enough about him to opine one way or the other – he could be great.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:22 am)Oh yea DC, I guess I have a shot at getting mine
For once it’s good to be in DC
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:22 am)Don’t be so sure about getting voted down. GM likely didn’t have much choice; and yes, primarily for political reasons. And no, it isn’t the end of the world; there are definitely positive aspects to it.
+4
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:23 am)Now that’s 3 words I never thought I would see togeather!!!! ;>)
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:23 am)My sentiments exactly.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:24 am)I have just the opposite impression that Ron. I agree perception is reality, but an initial roll-out in the DC area helps GM associate the Chevy Volt with American patriotism. It’s buy American, both the car and the energy to drive it.
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:24 am)I think so too. I see tons of Prius’ on the road. Many people are concerned about the environment and saving gas. The Volt should really catch peoples attention. In addition, as you alluded to, there is no recession in the DC suburbs so people can still buy cars.
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:25 am)Snopes says it wasn’t a Smart Car but an Escape and that the picture is not accurate as far as the degree of crush (driver survived)
http://www.snopes.com/photos/accident/smallcar.asp
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:26 am)Yeah, I’m not big on political tangents, but I thought that Corvette Guy’s comments were pretty well-balanced.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
-2
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:27 am)Between those three cities they should sell all the first year Volt easily. Looks like the rest of the country ain’t gonna be gettin didly squat.
I remember a meeting with Fritz where they indicated only a select few dealerships will ever get their hands on a Volt anyways.
As long as New Jersey is dead last to get the Volt i’m onboard !
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:28 am)I guess women are smarter and don’t waste time here like you (we) nerds
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:29 am)Govt workers’ income levels are actually increasing during the recession, so yes, the buyers will be there.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:31 am)I would still argue that its simply good business. This is one area of the country that really is not in a recession. Unemployment in MD is around 6% (close to long term averages). Govt workers salaries have increased at an above average rate the last two years. Things are good for many in this area and the population density is very high. This is a great market right now.
+5
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:33 am)As opposed to every other company in the United States?
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:34 am)I disagree, what other car has less crumple room than a “Smart Car” ? Also a bigger car would be seen sooner by the truck driver. A real car would not have been smashed to only 2 or 3 feet. Look at that Pic the hood is still on the truck. Not high speed. I bet a Suv or even average car would not look anything like that. I would like to see a pic of a SUV smashed like that and the truck have that little damage.
Sure it is the owners choice I agree. It just is not a very smart one.
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:36 am)They might. But I doubt it. My theory is that they probably want to concentrate the Volts among a few dealerships, so that each dealer will have as much experience with the Volt as possible.
On the other hand, early adopters might be required to drive back to the dealer for check-ups on a semi-regular basis….
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:36 am)The Smart Car has its limited place in the grand scheme of life, just like the Bugatti.
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:37 am)GM is lowering the Volt’s price ~ and they’re selling it in my backyard. It’s almost enough to make me smile. Almost.
Now I just need to get my govt agency I work for to let me plug in at work. And get $35000 together.
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:37 am)Uncontested.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:39 am)I have a 42 mile commute form the Virginia Suburbs to Near SE DC. Hoping to snag one of the few that will be available.
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:40 am)You’ll need to consider changing your “handle”. (g)
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:46 am)I suspect that OnStar monitoring will largely obviate the need for dealer checkups, but agree that they will likely concentrate the available Volts in a few dealerships.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:47 am)I remember reading somewhere that DC has the highest rate of hybrid ownership in the country. It makes sense since government workers are probably more likely than the general population to let political factors determine their choice of car. Add in that the Volt is built in the US–and I think the Volt will do very well in DC.
+4
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:52 am)Totally OT, but I have to share: I got to ride in a Tesla Roadster Sport this weekend. It was red and it delivered everything they say it does. Chicago opened their Tesla store and was giving out test drives/rides. I’m NOT ready to drive in Chicago so I let them do the work.
Holy crap it’s fast.
Your everything gets pushed into the seat. You’ve never been closer to anything. The trademark Tesla Grin is instantaneous and quite long lasting.
The Tesla employee driving it was less than impressed with the idea of the \VOLT, but that couldn’t spoil the fun. I’m telling you the Tesla makes you want to be a better version of yourself so you can afford one.
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:05 am)Common GM! Add Texas to your initial Volt launch.
We Texans can afford it. (I don’t know about Californians).
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:07 am)Starcast, check out the link to the original picture @ 41… that ‘was’ a ford escape SUV not a smart car.
My point is that any small car is going to lose when pinned between two big trucks.
+3
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:08 am)Since Whitacre recognized this site’s waiting list it needs to be included in divvying-up VOLT production. Now we know selection of a new GM CEO is Leadership’s priority one. No more. The wire is alive with Whitacre making himself permanent CEO. Naturally the board must rubber stamp confirmation. Not one interview – NOT EVEN ONE CEO CANDIDATE. This is a slap in the face of U.S. ownership under the aegis of Geithner. Neither man having the slightest auto industry experience. What a surprise.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:08 am)Breaking News (from local radio station in Detroit): Ed Whitacre has been made the PERMANENT CEO of GM.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:12 am)To be fair the diesel version of the Smart we initially had in Canada got over 70 mpg… That’s impressive, even if it DID sound like a tractor!
I simply don’t understand the switch to the inferior gas engine.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:16 am)Bingo!
I am one happy dude; livng in western Maryland and working in DC suburb.
I just hope the local dealers here don’t rape us on the markups. They have a history of that.
I can’t wait for the car to show up here. Money is continuing being saved as we speak…….
-1
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:16 am)Ok this is clear for you. My point is no car has less crumple room than a Smart Car but I agree any small car and a truck is a big problem.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:22 am)Breaking news update:
http://www.freep.com/article/20100125/BUSINESS01/100125019/1318/Whitacre-to-become-GMs-permanent-CEO
Mentions a press conference at 11:30 a.m. today.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:23 am)#28
Thanks for the link. +1
Works for me. Kick a*s and take names Ed.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:25 am)Every city announced for distribution makes Dallas one step closer.
I don’t see a down side with DC being an early distribution area.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:25 am)I suspect GM will announce that the NY metro area will be an initial release markets at the NY Auto Show this spring. GM has said the Volt is aimed at getting the attention of high tech workers who live on the Coasts, so CA and DC make sense. MI is in their backyard which makes testing a lot easier and it’s a cold weather state.
To a great extent announcing release markets in areas which have cold weather is a good barometer of how much confidence GM has in the Volt’s technology. Seems like they’re pretty confident.
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:26 am)I live right down the street from a Fox Chevrolet dealer who has a dealership in the DC suburbs. The Sales manager says I can get on their waiting list for $500. I gave them my info for a literature mailing, but I won’t give up $$ without a test drive first. Looks like I’ll put Chicago on my travel itinerary soon.
Keep up the good work, GM!! Go Volt!!
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:26 am)Here’s another reason not to choose the Smart Car–wouldn’t have foreseen this problem (people are awesome!).
SMART car owners have been left Smarting over a new craze — for chucking their motors into canals.
Dutch pranksters in Amsterdam have dumped dozens of the tiny two-seater cars into the city’s waterways.
And now police fear the bizarre trend will spread to the UK and the rest of Europe.
Eco-friendly Smart cars are small enough to be picked up by just a few people and dumped into the Dutch capital’s canals, reports De Telegraaf newspaper.
One victim Casper de Jong was woken by police after they found his Smart floating in the waterway outside his apartment.
Mr de Jong said: “Several weeks ago the same thing happened to my companion’s Smart. Both cars were a complete write-off.”
One Smart sales worker said: “We’re not supposed to talk about this because the police don’t want the craze to spread but we’ve had quite a few drowned cars returned to us.”
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2556548/Dutch-vandals-chuck-tiny-Smart-cars-in-Amsterdam-canals.html#ixzz0ddrNtVPK
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:27 am)#5
I agree. +1 Let them see the good that their appropriations to encourage this technology are doing. Maybe it will encourage them to do more.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:29 am)#29
Amen. +1
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:31 am)#30 Sorry to disappoint you, but +1, LOL.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:33 am)Whoa, baby! As I’ve said, I have a spot reserved (with charging) in the DC Area right next to SPARKZZ!
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:34 am)Maybe they should chain them up like bikes.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:35 am)I don’t like the Smart either. It has a horrible transmission, gets middling MPG, and requires premium gas (are you kidding me).
Safety issues are more complicated. For example, many people say that larger is better, but the data doesn’t support this. The real world results indicate you’re safer in smaller sedans than in large SUVs. And Europe, which has smaller vehicles, has lower death rates than the US which has larger vehicles. Running a larger object head on into a smaller object in a laboratory test gives you one result, but that’s not what happens where the rubber actually meets the road, so to speak.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:36 am)#47
Well said. +1
+3
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:37 am)They’ll probably sell more in DC than CA.
Broke assed CA.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:38 am)That is sad. I don’t hate the little car, this is just wrong. I can see picking it up turning sidways or parking behind it, but not Drowning the poor little baby car.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:39 am)I agree. I’ll take a used Honda CRX HF before oneadem.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:41 am)Could be great exercise for the pranksters depending on where you live. Amsterdam has concentric circles of canals and the cars are parked right next to them. The closest body of water to where I live is the ocean, and that’s a hoof.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:46 am)Well, he certainly wasn’t acting like an interim CEO. I have mixed feelings about it. While Whitacre wouldn’t be my first choice for CEO, GM needs stability at this point. You can’t constantly change things around if you need to make long term product decisions. So, on balance, I think this is probably a good thing.
I hope he meant what he says about listening. He can learn about the industry if he continues to be aware of his limitations. If not, if he thinks he knows all the answers, GM is doomed.
I’m hoping he resigns as chairman of the board. They need to separate the two functions IMHO.
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:46 am)Sales in DC make sense from the perspective of being friendly to gm’s federal funds, and there is a big market in and around DC.
But from a NC point of view, it is a major negative for the Volt to be seen as a “government car”. That image will make it hard for me personally to buy one, if in some future year they should become available.
DC sales unfortunately a double negative for Volt, as seen from NC. If the car turns out badly, people will say “well that’s what happens with government management.” If it turns out to be a well liked car, people will be jealous that “their money” was used to pay for cars they were not allowed to buy, that is, to buy yet another perk to the feds. ( If our congressman shows up in one, he well be making a big big mistake.)
The possible offsetting positive is that DC is only 300 miles away, and there are a lot of personal relationships in terms of family and friends, so there might be good word of mouth. But if it takes on a “look what I’ve got that you can’t get” aspect, that will be fatal.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:49 am)#64
I remember a story about a small car dealer in Texas who ran a semi into a Suburban to counter this argument. Then he ran a locomotive into a semi. Same result. Maybe we should all just drive locomotives. Or maybe just those cool $2 million “MRAPs”, or Bradley AFVs. Tens of thousands of people get killed on U.S. highways every year, and damn few of them are driving Smarts.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:51 am)Sounds like a new post for Lyle. I wonder if he will remain chairman of the board for GM and especially if he will give up his Exxon/Mobile board position?
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:52 am)But wouldn’t they also want to check on the hardware? I know that software can monitor hardware, but surely that approach has limits?
I don’t know much about mechanics, but as a layperson, I know I’d feel better if a technician actually looked at my car occasionally.
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:53 am)#76
Great comment. Thanks. +1
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:53 am)Everything that you said it right, but we all know that is not why DC was chosen. For better or worse, Whitacre is always very focused on where federal decisions are made.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:54 am)GM disowned that statement on the same day, its in the low 30′s AFTER you get the $7500 tax credit.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:54 am)#78
Yeah, that’s us, LOL.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:58 am)Two out of three isn’t bad Corvette Guy! You need to change that Negative to Positive .
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:59 am)I wonder how many of them it took to do that.
Hmmmmm….
Sounds like a drunken weekend challenge….lol
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:03 pm)I think it sounds more like a John Deere riding lawn mower, or a Toro.
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:06 pm)One simple point was all I was making. Any other car have smaller crumble zones than a smart car??
This is my last smart car post (for today anyway), just to far of subject.
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:06 pm)Agreed. It would be very difficult for GM to restrict the actual sales of the first VOLTS to a specific geography – but it is entirely possible for them to only certify selected dealer’s to be ‘official warranty service providers’. This will allow them to capture better data in real time; as fewer service providers will allow each to have more exposure to the VOLT and allow GM to get better data back from the field. GM will be able to spot trends much quicker, and those select dealers will be able to provide better service.
GM could still provide emergency warranty service to early adaptors who travel outside the launch markets on a case by case basis – but they will likely strongly encourage early buyers to return to their selling dealer for service and repairs – at least for the first year or so.
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:11 pm)Yup, that’s the beat of the drum I have been thumping to…..forever!
Dude, you’re starting to think like me. You’re scaring me….lol.
I think if there is a federal rebate or any rebate if any, should never be given as the total price of a product. And I agree that unless there is an immediate price adjustment negative to your purchase price, then it’s OK. But to offer a price tag after a Govr rebate is a little misleading. Besides, who applies you for the rebate? Not the Dealer. You, it’s up to YOU to claim that rebate the following year, NOT GM and NOT the Dealer.
/Don’t forget that $7,500.00 is amortized within your loan if you finance it.
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:13 pm)But it’s not like they’re only selling it in DC. It’s just one of the initial markets. And, if people want them so badly, they can go to DC, and buy one.
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:17 pm)Or could it just be they are following the 2010 auto show schedule?
Let us all see what happens in Chicago.
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:17 pm)Having experience running locomotives and hitting a semi (actually a truck with two gravel trailers), I don’t recommend it. Had 12,000 tons of coal behind 10,400 horsepower doing 37mph, split the gravel trailers in half at the hitch (one went into a ditch, the driver took off with the other). Lead unit was brand new CSXT 617, 6000hp. Didn’t scuff it up too bad though (lucky the gravel trailers were empty…). One of my co-workers train went right through the middle of a semi-trailer, had empty aluminum cans everywhere.
Today, the normal GP-38-2′s (2000hp) burn about 100 gallons of diesel a day for a 12-hour day.
Thanks for the heads up on the CEO story Koz #28. Video was interesting. Kinda curious what tomorrows press conference with Tom Stephens will be about though.
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:19 pm)That is not a Smart … Wrong Wheels.
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:23 pm)… so do the choices announced for initial Volt deployment indicate problems in hot climates? (CA is more moderate than hot, I understand). Do those of us in the South have cause for concern?
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:32 pm)Agreed. Sometimes physics is just not a friend.
Kinda like gravity.
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:33 pm)Agree with all you said, but I continue to believe GM really needs an initial launch in SW Florida. Traditional batteries that may last 5-7years in other climates have to be replaced in 2 – 2 1/2 years in the hot/humid climate of SW Florida. How is all this going to affect the Volt battery? No one knows for sure!
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:33 pm)Agree with all you said, but I continue to believe GM really needs an initial launch in SW Florida. Traditional batteries that may last 5-7 years in other climates have to be replaced in 2 – 2 1/2 years in the hot/humid climate of SW Florida. How is all this going to affect the Volt battery? No one knows for sure!
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:36 pm)I also think they could be following the car show city schedule. Chicago auto show is in a few weeks and I am hoping to hear the good news as I live in Chicago. However I am concerned that Chicago may be to close to the already announced Detroit market if that makes any difference.
-2
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:53 pm)Pandering. “Look Mr. Obama, we did good!” Makes sense, have to keep the sugar daddy happy. I guess you have to pick some limited metropolitan areas to go first in and DC is kinda big and it’s where the life line is. GM doesn’t feel confident enough in these cars to actually build enough for everybody so they have to maximize their influential exposure. California, the heart of progressive politics, land of the early adopter and a much fabled “car culture”. DC, where the income comes from these days and Michigan is thrown in because they would like a pool of cars in their own backyard for study and prestige. I’m surprised that New York isn’t included, NYC is very influential as well with public opinion, but I guess they just can’t build enough cars. Could it be that they can’t afford to lose that much money if they built a Volt for everyone that wants one?
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:59 pm)If thats true why would GM want to release the Volt in SW Florida? And why would you want any Electric car in that area. If batteries don’t last there then maybe that is not a good place for electric cars. Nothing is perfect everywere.
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:00 pm)Great attitude!
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:13 pm)#89 Herm When I read today’s article, it sounded like Dave Darovitz was not sure if Mr. Whitacre’s low 30′s price included the tax credit or not. I missed any statement that would clear this up from GM. I sure hope the low 30′s doesn’t include the tax credit otherwise I don’t think my wife and I would want that high of payments.
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:16 pm)You make a good argument that SW Florida should be the LAST place they release the Volt.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:21 pm)In the first place, there’s no reason to expect Li/Ion to be affected the same way by climate as lead-acid.
In the second place, GM needs to include a city in the “swelter” zone to prove that the Volt is a practical car for everyone, everywhere. Or do you think Volt owners in Northern states will be told that they shouldn’t drive through the South and West on vacation? Including hot climates is part of the Volt’s basic credibility.
If we can connect dots here, so can the press; particularly if the rollout continues to favor the northern states.
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:30 pm)#96 Cap Jack don’t forget the 7500 is amortized in your loan if you finance it. That’s right and if that price is about 40,000 we will probably keep our current vehicle but if the price was about 32,500 then it’s doable. We would like to support GM but if the quality and price on some bev’s is right we might keep our Prius and get the bev as well.
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:36 pm)The DC area has one built-in benefit that will make Volt sales here good, I think.
Beyond gas savings or getting off foreign oil, driving a Volt will allow you to drive by yourself in the high-occupancy lanes in many DC-area jurisdictions. That’s one reason why hybrids are all over the place here. That’s certainly the reason I bought my hybrid Civic.
Our traffic stinks, and many people are will to pay extra to have a car that lets them get around faster. Now if they were to change the rules so regular hybrids no longer qualify and only single-driver plug-ins and BEVs are allows in HOV lanes with a single driver, Volts would sell like hotcakes.
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:37 pm)I’m reasonably sure that GM knows more about the Volt than either of us. Personally, I think that they should release the very limited number of initial Volts in places where they will perform well. I haven’t seen any news that says they WON’T be released in the south, nor am I sure that they are anywhere close to the end of their release site list. I think that we should give GM some time to complete their announcements. Then you’ll have all the dots to connect.
Be well,
Tagamet
PS I think NYC will be next.
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:51 pm)Perhaps, we will know in a few years.. perhaps sooner for those in Arizona.
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:55 pm)You can always do an extra payment on the loan when you get the tax credit. It must be fun getting money from the government instead of giving it to them.
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:58 pm)I live in the MD suburbs of DC and I would seriously consider buying a Volt if 1) I can get my hands on one in 2011, 2) the price ends up being in the low $30,000 range after the rebate, and 3) I don’t find anything in a test drive that really turns me off. I work in IT for a medium-sized government contractor, but I’m not a lawmaker, a lobbyist, a lawyer or anything like that–in other words, I don’t do anything for a living that would get me a better shot at acquiring a Volt than anyone else.
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:04 pm)And here I thought that the HOV sticker situation was limited to California. In New York, we don’t let hybrids use our HOV lanes. (Except in Long Island.) But, yes, that law definitely needs to be changed to favor the Volt over the Prius. Everywhere.
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:06 pm)I bet you could squeeze in 10 of those!
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:11 pm)Couldn’t help myself – Kapuskasing is barely north of North Dakota, around the same latitude as Vancouver. It’s nowhere near “northern Canada”.
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:17 pm)Cool. I work in DC and have Dominion Power!
LIfe is good.
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:33 pm)What you and I (and GM) know isn’t really at issue. I said credibility. These days, it’s all about how things look, and not necessarily how things are. What is Joe Sixpack going to think (especially if he’s predisposed to prefer a Japanese make under any circumstances)? If there are dots to connect, someone will connect them; however inaccurately.
I agree that GM needs to proceed down their list of release cities as quickly as they reasonably can — for all sorts of reasons.
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:41 pm)This might be a really dumb question, but isn’t Southern California hot? Is there that much difference between LA and Florida in terms of average temp?
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:45 pm)No one has commented on my #101 yet; I always thought that SoCal was moderate more than persistently hot: seldom colder than “cool,” or much hotter than the toasty side of “warm.” Somebody set me straight.
Of course, Death Valley is in CA, and bloody hot; but I don’t think the nearest Chevy dealer to that point is part of the rollout plan.
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:05 pm)DC might be a poor choice. It’s very well served by rapid transit, especially compared to some other cities. Consquently, people who prefer to use limited to no oil and live relativley close can take the train or bus – and probably already do. Why would they spend $40K to accomplish what they’ve already accomplished?
Now, there’s going to be a “doughnut” in the suburbs around DC (further out than Arlington, Anacostia, Alexandria, Gaithersburg and so on) where the Volt is within EV range or DC but outside of the easy transit range and the car might sell somewhat better inside this doughnut but, once you get further out, you exceed the EV range and the sales of the car become problematic.
The demographics in the “doughnut,” though, might favor the Volt, at least to some extent. The DC suburbs are fairly well-to-do.
I think they’d be better off trying to sell it in a city where rapid transit is more problematic and the distribution of commute distances tend to be more evenly distributed from 0-100 miles, so there’s many comuters with 20-50 mile commutes. The Twin Cities might be close to ideal as far as commute profile goes but the extreme cold works against the Volt.
The DC transit profile works like the PHEV Prius will as a competitor to the Volt; it tends to erode the short-range end of the market.
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:27 pm)125 posts and everyone talking about Smart (or not so Smart) cars. Oh, well.
What I wanted to bring up (in relation to Lyle’s article) is how GM must be very confident of the Volt’s performance in cold weather. Lyle has already written the Mini EV test car he’s driving has a ways to go in cold weather performance and even reliability in general (something about the inverter…) Isn’t Michigan like 50 miles from the North Pole?
Goes to show you GM has it going on despite all the GM-haters. Though I must say the Silicon Valley guys are doing okay by the Tesla. THEY tested their’s in Iceland or Norway or somewhere in Europe that all that exists is unending winter (or so it seemed). Tesla also drove a Roadster to the Detroit auto show to show it had what it took to handle a real world winter.
It’s all good! Go GM! Go Volt and Go Lyle!
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:57 pm)DC is one of the strongest Prius markets. What would you have them do? Purposely avoid one of the most sensible markets on all levels just to avert being the target of the narrow minded?
Jan 25th, 2010 (4:02 pm)#116 Herm you can always do an extra payment on the loan when you get the 7500 tax credit. Thats true but that won’t lower your payment amount just the balance. Unless GM or our Credit Union does refinances for car loanswhich I don’t think would work because we would then have a used car which usually gets a higher loan interest rate. Hopefully GM will have 0% financeing available for the Volt.
In a survey Nissan was doing on the Leaf, one of the questions was something like “how much would you be willing to pay for Nissan to give you the tax credit reduction in the price up front “. Doing something like that might be enough to persuade some people to buy your vehicle with that instant rebate program as long as the cost to you isn’t unreasonable. We’ll just have to see how it all unfolds.
Jan 25th, 2010 (4:10 pm)About the same feelings I have, across the board (HA!). The biggest “concern” I have from what I’ve seen so far is the whole charade about interim CEO, exaustive search…oh my I like what I see in the mirror.
Jan 25th, 2010 (4:23 pm)Yes, it is more of an issue of Volt image rather than substance, but nonetheless real.
Jan 25th, 2010 (4:32 pm)Hey Jackson, here in CA, if the beers cold? Fogettaboutit!
Jan 25th, 2010 (6:36 pm)Well, I looked it up, and LA sounds much more moderate than I remember. I kind of assumed that since I was able to wear summer clothes during the winter the last time I was there, the summers would be unbearable. I guess I was wrong.
http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/90089
Jan 25th, 2010 (6:46 pm)101:
It may be moderate in the LA coastal plain, but it’s plenty HOT in the San Fernando Valley (Part of LA City) and neighboring Riverside and San Bernardino counties. 100+ for MANY days of summer and early fall. Just ask CorvetteGuy.
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:26 pm)Close to the coast is moderate but if you go to east LA or east LA suburbs it gets a lot hotter in the summer. Palm Springs isn’t far away. Florida is a lot more consistent inland since the Atlantic and Gulf is on both sides and is much warmer. No mountains too. Average temperatures are probably pretty similar, though.
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:47 pm)Late July and all of August are HOT. Yep.
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:18 pm)Wohoo!!!
I’m ready. Where do I sign up for one?
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:23 pm)I’m in the DC area and commute on 95 every day (30 miles each way). I may have a charge option at work. Guess I just need to find the money now. Anyone know how much kidneys are going for these days.
Jan 26th, 2010 (8:57 am)I live 20 miles south of DC and have a forced commute everyday (Metro doesn’t run early enough or late enough for my hours) So I will be first in line. I was considering a Pius (Prius), my dad has one. I think for the about the same money I’ll buy domestic.
-1
Jan 26th, 2010 (12:41 pm)Reading a few of the comments, people thinking it is a business move to start out in DC, The only business move GM made was showing off what 56 billion of tax payers money is making, The Obama administration is telling them GM what to do and when and where