It seems likely there will be great demand for the Volt when it arrives. Those of us who are hoping to be among the first drivers are what GM calls the early adopters.
As GM VP Jon Lauckner has previously said, “there will be a lot of people who want to be part of that first group and have a Chevroelt Volt.” The supply is limited though, and more recently GMs chief of EVs and hybrids Micky Bly said,“I feel strongly the early-adopter movement is done in North America.”
Jim Campbell is the chief of Chevrolet and thus oversees all of the brand’s marketing including Volt. I had a discussion with him recently about who he thinks the early Volt adopters are and how or whether they will develop a special relationship with them (us).
I know there’s a large body of early Volt adopters out there with over 51,000 people on my symbolic list. How will you capture those people and will you reach out specifically to the early adopters?
There’s no doubt there’s early adopters, and I think the early adopters have an amazing appreciation for technology combined with a green or eco-imperative in their lives.
So its really the two together that we think has the most potential particularly in the early stages. People that really appreciate new technology combined with the green benefits that we’ll provide with the Chevrolet Volt. That will be the initial target and then we’ll work very hard to look for ways to accelerate the adoption rate and adoption curve. That’s really the task at hand for us.
There seems to big a large group of people that are mostly concerned with the energy independence. They’re not necessarily technophiles or are concerned about emissions, but they don’t want to depend on foreign oil. How big do you think that group is and do you have a way to market to them?
All those groups that we just talked about will be important and we’re going to need to reach out to them and show the benefits of this product as it relates to the things that are important to them in their lives.
So in some cases there is an intersection between those two or three groups we talked about. In other cases there are not.
Some people just focus on the technology and its all about being an early adopter and the green benefits are nice to have. I think there is a pretty large group in which there is an intersection between tech and green priorities and how they lives their lives at home, work, and other places. So that going to be our opportunity particularly in the early stages. I’m excited about it and coming back to Chevrolet. Its an opportunity of a lifetime as a member of the Chevy team and as a marketer and somebody who cares very deeply about the Chevrolet brand.
Its rolling the company. We have a big job to do. I think Volt can be a catalyst to help change the way people view Chevrolet broadly.
+5
Jun 24th, 2010 (6:21 am)Definately looking forward to being one of the early adopters of the Volt. I’m sitting here typing on my iPad so I’m in that group that loves and has to have new technology. I just hope that I can snag one before they’re gone!
+12
Jun 24th, 2010 (6:29 am)To me the greatest task will be getting average Joe Blows to buy a Volt, and having them save gasoline.
+24
Jun 24th, 2010 (6:29 am)Mr Campbell says “That will be the initial target and then we’ll work very hard to look for ways to accelerate the adoption rate and adoption curve. That’s really the task at hand for us.”
Chevrolet seems to have moved on past the group of early adopters so fast that it has abandoned it. At least I feel that way.
What Chevrolet has done is get us early adopters organized, so that we moved over to the official LEAF reservation line in mass at the first opportunity. Maybe not our first choice of car, but nobody likes to be ignored.
As a little example, there is a blizzard of LEAF ads that show up every time I look at the gm-volt site.
+51
Jun 24th, 2010 (6:31 am)Once again, GM marketing shows us how clueless they are.
On this very site, Lyle conducted a poll, and the vast majority said Energy Security and Peak Oil were their top priorities. The eco and tech categories were together were less than 20%.
http://gm-volt.com/2010/01/29/lutz-driven-by-peak-oil-not-global-warming-how-about-you/
Energy Security 50% (550 votes)
Global Warming 11% (124 votes)
Peak Oil 24% (263 votes)
Latest Technology 8% (88 votes)
Other 6% (67 votes)
+12
Jun 24th, 2010 (6:33 am)“and then we’ll work very hard to look for ways to accelerate the adoption rate and adoption curve. That’s really the task at hand for us.”
I sure hope he means that, the only way to “accelerate the adoption rate” is to make lots of Volts!
+33
Jun 24th, 2010 (6:38 am)If GM really wants to sell to early adopters, then they have to have units available for us to buy, don’t you think????
If I can’t buy a Volt until late 2012, then we can hardly be considered as early adopters, when the car will be in the third year of production………………
And by then, the movie stars and politicians will have moved on to the next big thing, making the Volt old news, which again, hardly keeps us in the loop as early adopters.
This is the statement that really gets me:
“All those groups that we just talked about will be important and we’re going to need to reach out to them and show the benefits of this product as it relates to the things that are important to them in their lives.”
WE ALREADY KNOW THE BENEFITS!!!! WE ARE READY TO PURCHASE!!!! All you have to do is make them available!!!!!
Sorry – Rant Off
Have Outlet – Ready For E-REV
NPNS
+4
Jun 24th, 2010 (6:59 am)The iPad is totally awesome, over 3 million sold in less than 80 days, I bet Chevy wish they could sell Volts that fast.
Chances of you snagging a Volt are nil, nada, zero, zilch. Sorry but it ain’t gonna happen. Limited supply means those Volts will be sold at a premium, whatever the market will bear. That is just the way it is. Maybe by 2012 you may get a chance to own a Volt if you are very very lucky.
+4
Jun 24th, 2010 (7:07 am)Yes, sort of takes the excitement away.
+5
Jun 24th, 2010 (7:20 am)I checked with my local Chevy dealer, saying I’d like to order a Volt if I could get it for MSRP.
His comment
“No I can not guarantee that. The first few will probably be over MSRP.”
Clearly, until the supply goes up, us early adopters will be paying a premium.
+11
Jun 24th, 2010 (7:23 am)“Its an opportunity of a lifetime as a member of the Chevy team” He slipped, I wonder if he’ll be part of the Chevrolet team much longer with a mistake like that.
Dave G, +1 for linking back to Lyle’s results.
+3
Jun 24th, 2010 (7:24 am)It sounds so stupid when they are not allowed to use the name “Chevy” Give it up! Everybody in the world knows them as just that!
+6
Jun 24th, 2010 (7:29 am)As our patience is strained and excitement runs wild, try to remember that GM is accomplishing the timetable they set out over three years ago with the Volt. And remember, they were the major auto company that got the EV revolution kick-started when they introduced this car. So they deserve our thanks and our support for the success of this awesome achievement.
+6
Jun 24th, 2010 (7:36 am)Concept, engineering design, product development, product execution all seem to have been done by a dedicated team. From all reports their work has been accomplished in an outstanding manner with an outstanding vehicle as a result.
Unfortunately, production and marketing seems to have let them down. I think Volt is going to be a business school case study for years to come.
+19
Jun 24th, 2010 (7:39 am)Selling the Volt is not a matter of taking opinion polls. Or stressing over recharge stations.
GM has confirmed favorable test results of the battery system. The suspension, door hinges, and outer surfaces have been abused, cooked, and frozen during intense testing. The vehicle is equipped with sound, blue tooth, Google Map and OnStar connectivity. Smooth, quiet, high torque, solid handling performance is verified.
What the sales department is lacking is either the will to sell or faith in the product. The Volt is not a PT Cruiser. The PT sold in high numbers for years. This is until people realized the mpg was low for the engine size. And the repair costs were higher than average. Even with this, the vehicle won Car Of The Year awards. Why, because it’s a cool car. It was fresh and different.
How will a fresh and different car sell with favorable consumer word of mouth? How will a car sell which separates the driver from the Gulf oil spill? How will a car sell that can be fueled at home or at work or at a green friendly business at a time and price the owner wishes to use?
The thought process of the Volt buyer:
1. I want one of those.
2. How much does one cost?
3. Can I buy one locally this week?
Thought process of the future buyer:
1. Electric cars are cool.
2. Friends have them and like them.
3. Which one is best for me?
4. Can I buy one locally this week?
GM has the will to sell 800,000 electric vehicles. GM does not have the faith. We know from word and example that this is the case.
The Voltec system is more significant than the iPad. There are many devices that perform like the iPad. There is only one extended range Volt. In 2015 GM will look back and say either, “We had a great product and we knew it”. Or, “Let’s keep flooding the market with Voltec to hold our lead”.
=D-Volt
+4
Jun 24th, 2010 (7:48 am)What he doesn’t understand is that anyone who buys a Volt is in fact an early adopter. Until the technology is replicated by other manufactures or Voltec is added to other models, all Volt buyers are early adopters. The only buyer who they shouldn’t consider an early adopter is the person who bought an original Volt and then bought a second Voltec vehicle a year later.
139 Days and counting!
NPNS!
+25
Jun 24th, 2010 (7:53 am)Early Adopter survey results:
Energy Security 50% (550 votes)
Global Warming 11% (124 votes)
Peak Oil 24% (263 votes)
Latest Technology 8% (88 votes)
Other 6% (67 votes)
__________________________________________
As someone very interested in Voltec development, I must say that I am in that 50% for whom energy independence is my highest priority. For the nation and for me individually.
The post from yesterday that talked about how the Volt will be wired to “enhance the user experience” left me sort of cold. I really don’t want my car to talk to my coffee pot and my dishwasher. I just want a car that will do its primary job VERY well. Get me to my destination safely, efficiently, comfortably and with a bit of style.
So to me it seems that GM marketing is focusing a bit too much on the gadgetry and not the core mission. “Make great cars that run on as little gasoline as possible.” No gas at all would be the best.
As an enthusiastic long-time Mac user with a new Ipad, I realize there is a whole new generation of such devices every year or two. But my car’s main function is transportation, not amusement.
They can put all that stuff in the Volt if they want, but they should remember the early adopters who like Volt because of its much-reduced use of petroleum is ten times larger than the “latest tech” early adopter crowd. (See the numbers above)
GM should remember that largest segment of Volt “Early Adopters” like it because VOLTECH is a fantastic idea, not because of periforal gadgetry. So this is a different kind of “Early Adopter”. And there will be millions more “Adopters” once that VOLTECH story gets out there. Voltech is just far better than what we have now. Make that your marketing focus and you will win BIG.
(And perhaps change the world.)
GO VOLT!
+21
Jun 24th, 2010 (7:57 am)From the article.
I think Volt can be a catalyst to help change the way people view Chevrolet broadly.
Personally speaking, I couldn’t agree more. As a former customer who swore would never buy another GM product again, I am back, I am willing, and I am able, to buy the Volt.
It has completely changed my perception of GM. Completely.
What group do I belong to? Ending terrorism, destroying evil governments who use oil profits to subjugate their people, keeping our soldiers safe by not fighting over oil.
+2
Jun 24th, 2010 (7:58 am)Yes!
Bob Lutz got it, the putzes now in charge don’t.
That poll didn’t permit voting in multiple categories. I put energy security as #1, but peak oil is intertwined with energy security, and it is important to me too.
Less than half of Americans subscribe to the global warming theory. Nearly all don’t like the idea of all of the money flowing to the middle east. Don’t ignore 1/2 of the potential market.
+3
Jun 24th, 2010 (7:59 am)To prevent price gouging of the early adopters, defined as those who buy the first 10,000 Volts, Chevy should sell the vehicles via a lottery. To enter the lottery, you must put $1000 down, and qualify financially as a buyer.
+4
Jun 24th, 2010 (7:59 am)Over the last two years I have attempted to stay informed with all the information regarding the Chevy Volt on GM-Volt.com (primarily) and other websites. I consider myself to be in the middle on being amazed with the mixture of technology and green features offered by this vechicle. I am one of those drivers that given my daily commute and the 40 mile pure electric drive of the Volt, I won’t need to purchase any fuel during a regular week. While regretably, I won’t be one of the early adopters I will definately be in the market for the 2nd or 3rd generation of the Volt as I am one that believes that as a country we must look in the direction to reduce our dependence on not just foreign oil but fossil fuels in general.
My concerns with the Volt are as follows:
1) To date, there’s been no official price release. I realize GM has said that will be published this fall but I think their missing a public relations opportunity given the current state in the Gulf.
2) Unless I’ve missed it, I’ve not read any information about actual MPG while using the combustion engine. I realize GM has posted their over all MPG number but I’m more interested in the actual number based on use of the engine and I would be sorely disappointed if that number is anything less than 45 MPG…
+6
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:04 am)I am also in that category. And GM better not screw it up by not having one I can go buy before Ford has one for sale.
GM: You’ve got a monopoly on the EREV for a little while, you better take advantage of that position before the competition catches up.
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:06 am)Easy to spot an early adopter today because today is officially iPhone 4 Day ! (Should be a national holiday imo). Anyway early adopters choose Apple’s latest iPhone. Known early adopters number at least 600,000 strong. The Apple Army. If GM gets the 4 to tightly integrate with the Volt’s power electronics its a win-win and Apple Army will adopt the Volt as their car of choice.
Apples rabid fanbase is what GM should strive for in the Volt. Build a loyal following and you can have success like the Apple (currently 32 BILLION DOLLARS IN CASH and no debts) GM can only dream of a similar balance sheet.
+23
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:10 am)from the aricle:
“Bly said,“I feel strongly the early-adopter movement is done in North America.”
Hello???? It hasn’t even begun.
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:14 am)Hey Chevrolet. You can no longer call a Mac a Mac it must now be called an Apple computer.
+17
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:14 am)Once again, we’re treated to the same weaksauce doublespeak when GM is pressed to accomodate early adopters in greater numbers.
As it stands, we’ll see Volts in my neck of the woods (Northern Ontario Canada) sometime between now and Doomsday-ish – at least, that’s how it feels. And when they do finally start trickling in, it’ll be at sticker price plus.
Yeah, thanks but no thanks, GM. By that time, I’ll have multiple BEV models to choose from, and their price will be sticker, and maybe a little less. I’ll go with whomever insults my intelligence and taxes my patience the least.
Thing is, the Volt impresses me a lot. It’s too bad they won’t let me buy one.
+2
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:22 am)“Its rolling the company. We have a big job to do. I think Volt can be a catalyst to help change the way people view Chevrolet broadly.”
I am very happy GM is thinking this way.
Does this mean they will be ramping production to meet the needs of the “early adopters” ?
That would be the best way to create new customer loyalty, build excitement as these new owners rave about the game changing car and demonstrate a strong commitment to building great high quality cars ( I feel like an adv guy).
As someone notes on this site… “build it and they will come” in this case in droves!!!
+3
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:27 am)“There seems to big a large group of people that are mostly concerned with the energy independence.”
I think this is by far the largest group. GM wake up.
I hate the term “green” everyone uses it for everything?
If they advertise the Volt as helping with the “global warming” hoax I am out.
Uses less oil and has less emissions. Great selling points.
+10
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:29 am)Jim Campbell knows how to speak eloquently without saying anything substantive.
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:39 am)Let’s see…I’ll bet there are lots of us who want to get off foreign/domestic oil, help with cutting emissions, invest in new American technology, etc…there must be a few more reasons, but there is one that is not…vanity. I hope we are all moving past the typical petty consumer thinking…
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:42 am)HEY!!! I would keep that RANT ON until GM gets it and ramps production to meet early adopter demand and by then a lot of other buyers.
+3
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:45 am)#25 Snoproblem… no truer words have been spoken. Living in Northern Alberta (Edmonton), I don’t think I will see a Volt in these parts till late 2013, if I am lucky. I will bet (judging how the Solstice was handled here) the dealers think a markup from MSRP is normal and expected.
So my money goes to the first company / dealer that offers me an electric car at MSRP or below (can dream right?). The Volt has had me from the first day I heard about it and would dearly love to buy one. BUT right now any of the potential competing cars will more then satisfy me.
I am a family with three vehicles. Wife has a car, I have a truck and a summer car. I am looking to replace my truck with an electric vehicle daily driver. My current daily km usage of my truck is under 20kms. We already use the wife’s car as the family daily driver so if I buy an all electric car this won’t change, if I buy the Volt this would probably change.
So to me the Leaf is a great alternative. If on the worst reported range of 60 miles (96kms) I would only be charging once every 3 or 4 days depending on my car usage at work. So the Volt isn’t the be all end all but I personally would prefer the Volt in my garage!
Please don’t disappoint me Chevrolet I do really want to give my money to you!
Cheers!
+9
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:50 am)I would argue that there is a great many people who simply want to significantly reduce the amount of gasoline they use without compromising lifestyle. Period.
All the other stuff is nice and you can run around sporting your moral superiority to others less enlightened, but for a large number of people, when you get right down to it, the fluctuation in the price of gas is too big a variable in the forseeable future.
+12
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:50 am)Today’s article was great. I liked seeing a photo of the VOLT that is not Silver-Green. Then I get to the end of the article and BAM!!! There’s an ad-link to “Meet the Nissan LEAF”.
Now, the upside is if enough people click on that link, Nissan will pay for Lyle’s VOLT. But the downside is that GM Marketing SUCKS!!! Of all the places on the net that they could be spending a few bucks on an ad link, it would be right there.
Not because they really need to… Just so so they can ‘bump’ Nissan.
If I were king of the world, I would fix this. Or, at least working at GM Marketing.
+3
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:51 am)Hear, hear.
Mr. OnStar wants to make the Volt unique in the degree of gee-whiz gadgetry he can cram in; but the Volt is already unique!!
On the one hand, GM clearly thinks that Volt is for the iPhone generation with this unnecessary display-and-gimmicks tech. But on the other hand:
Yeah, don’t tell Apple that. This was said virtually on the eve of the iPhone4 rush!
Don’t be a chicken, Micky Bly; Mr. T has a message for you:
Just give us good and available Voltec offerings before you get buried under a flood of Asian BEVs.
+3
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:54 am)As gm changes marketing directors monthly, I nominate you as the marketing director for July
You’ve given a better organized and more coherent marketing outlook than anyone at gm, so far.
Is marketing what you do in your ‘real job’ ?
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:54 am)sorry, duplicate.
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:59 am)(Cartoons on sticky notes drawn by Doug Savage: from http://www.savagechickens.com/ Well worth a daily visit; watch for the book!)
+2
Jun 24th, 2010 (9:03 am)GM is greatly underestimating what an ‘early adopter’ is and how many there are.
An early adopter is the person that is first to buy the ‘new thing’. In this case, Volt, it will be a new thing until there is a competitor. There is no competitor on the horizon within three years of Volt launch. Therefore, all buyers of the Volt in the first three years ARE early adopters.
I would guesstimate that there are at least a HALF MILLION of us. 128,000 cars ain’t gonna cut it. The first year production will go for double MSRP because there are 500,000 buyers for 8,000 units!!
This is going to make the iPhone-4/iPad rollout look tame. I hope they have a couple more production lines in their back pocket.
+5
Jun 24th, 2010 (9:19 am)RB good observation. But let me think about it and work on that a bit.
What Chevrolet has done is to leave it up to Lyle and a small group of visionaries to get us early adopters organized,
so that weMany of us have moved over to the official LEAF reservation line in mass at the first opportunity. Maybe not our first choice of car, but nobody likes to be left swinging in the breeze while they are trying to give their hard earned money to a company to buy their expensive product and just be ignored.Just to amplify the insight, hope you don’t mind
Jun 24th, 2010 (9:22 am)I’m probably the dream customer (well paid, techie, live near GM Tech Center, etc) but I’m not paying big $$$ over sticker. Sorry guys but there’s a fine line between loyal customer and “sucker”. Probably best to wait until Spring 2011 anyway, to keep the thing out of our Michigan winter salt, and to let others be the pioneers (and get the arrows in their backs).
As far as global warming, etc, lighting a match causes global warming, taking a breath causes global warming, the question is whether or not it’s enough to matter. The earth has taken huge whacks from meteors and came back from it, I doubt we can do more damage than that (although it did take out the dinosaurs, oops…). If we wipe ourselves out (i.e. human race), I’m not so sure that would be a bad thing.
I’m reminded of the whole SUV rollover thing from a few years ago. People want a clean yes/no answer, but it’s actually a continuum. Call it 0.0 to 1.1 and every vehicle is somewhere in there for rollover-ness. It’s not just black/white or yes/no. This is why engineers are often unwelcome on jury duty, both prosecutors and defense attorneys want people who think with their emotions instead of their brains.
Jun 24th, 2010 (9:25 am)Is GM paying a marketeer to completely misunderstand his market? Sounds like old GM is still thriving.
Our entire nation desperately wants to get off foreign oil and in an efficient and economical way. If the Volt can do that for us, it’s a big seller. If not, it’s a techie thing for eco-nazis and thus relegated to niche status. I hope it’s economic.
+2
Jun 24th, 2010 (9:26 am)From the article: There’s no doubt there’s early adopters, and I think the early adopters have an amazing appreciation for technology combined with a green or eco-imperative in their lives.
I believe that you are reading too selectively, Dave. I read this statement as seeing that those of us who want to get off of foreign oil, etc., and are early adopters, as having the smarts to understand how electric vehicles and the science behind them work. Had he meant what you think, he would have said latest technology.
Just reading through the past blogs here on GM-Volt.com, you see a keen interest in how GM has engineered the Volt’s power plant. I would also hope GM responds positively to what appears to be a huge demand for the Volt and state outright that they will increase production accordingly. IMHO, they will do exactly that. We have voiced our request for GM to meet the demand! Now we can only be patient, and wait and see. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait very long.
Happy trail to you ’til we meet again.
+8
Jun 24th, 2010 (9:37 am)I actually don’t like to be pigeonholed by a marketing staff as an “early adopter”. I feel the mass acceptance of Prius shows just how varied and diverse the demographic is for either A) Green vehicles or B) Gas saving vehicles that are percieved as economical. I think every single person out their driving a Fusion, Highlander, Camry, Altima, Escape, RX400-450h, Civic, Insight or Prius hybrid should be considered a potential Voltec customer. WHY THE HELL NOT?!!! We’d all have to be pretty stupid not to hear GM backing out of Volt as fast as Obama backed out of “I’m bringing our boys home”.
I’ve been saying for 66 days, just show a picture of the Volt with plug in wall, next to a picture of the Gulf smeared with oil. Show some industrial stovepipes with black smoke soaring skyward. Show children walking in a green field with daisies and sunflowers. Toyota markets the Prius in a green manner, although I don’t believe it’s necessary as many just want to save a buck on gas. Toyota markets a package #1 Prius that is it’s plain Jane model without all the electronic gizmos-and the premium price – simple, no? All this is just too simple for the once-bankrupt old-new GM to fathom it seems. But darker yet is this simple fact that GM executives ( Exxon/Mobile board member – GM CEO Whitacre ) and others just don’t want non oil burners to succeed.
I’ve been called names, given -1s and called a ranter a few times in here posting reality. Now, with Gordon Green’s experience of his dealer telling him, “no way at MSRP”…and this wonderful quote from the article: “recently GMs chief of EVs and hybrids Micky Bly said,“I feel strongly the early-adopter movement is done in North America”, I think, unfortunately, we can see my prognostications coming to fruition.
I wanted to be wrong. I was hoping all along this miserable scenario would be different. I was hoping Volt would be a homerun out of the park like the Prius was for Toyota.
Unfortunately, as I’ve said many times, the bean counters rule at GM and so do the oilmen.
It’s just that, as we draw closer to the actual rollout of a few thousand Volts to a privelaged few, GM’s rhetoric is getting harder and harder to swallow – and it will get worse.
Sometime in late 2011 or so, if this site still exists, it will be a GM Volt, or as one poster labeled it, “EV-2″, memorial site – a “what could have been if-” site. It shouldn’t have to be repeated that the amazing engineers GM hires are fantastic. Of course they are going to spend months sharing excitedly the details of their science project if GM allows them to. Of course nobody is going to tell them it is a PR move because the current hot button in Congress is “green” technology…
But it is the actual marketing and power people in a corporation that sign off on selling any new product, and I feel the decision was made long ago that Volt would not be mass produced. Sorry Lyle, it appears you’ve been used – although you did get a Volt, so congratulations.
It pains me when I see how short-sighted GM’s people are. But it reminds me why I haven’t purchased one of their vehicles for nearly 30 years. If they woke up one morning and counted the Prius on the freeway, or in a large mall parking lot…went home and drew up a GM Prius, they would be far ahead today. But that is too simple. Instead they had to get everyone’s hopes up for some new horizon of transportation – that they were leading the way.
On the upside, GM will be continuing their battery and EREV R&D and probably making some Chinese market EVs. Let’s hope they ship some over here. As DonC and others have pointed out, at least those vehicles will be driven in place of a flash and bang ICE and produce less harmful pollution.
It would be nice if GM thought about the very people who bailed out their company and secured their jobs though.
RECHARGE!
James
IF YOU BUILD THEM THEY WILL COME
+5
Jun 24th, 2010 (9:41 am)Maybe now that BP has virtually killed the Gulf of Mexico with “domestic oil” it is time for a new survey? The problem with the above survey is that it assumes “global warming” is the extent of environmental concerns sbout oil. I’d say that killing one of the most productive fisheries in America warrants inclusion on the list, wouldn’t you?
Jun 24th, 2010 (9:41 am)What does Bly mean by ‘synthetic list’? I signed up to be on the waiting list years ago, does that mean that my signature was just a gauge of possible interest? Dang!
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (9:42 am)Thank you RB. No, marketing is not my real job. Work in plastics extrusion, molding, and vacuum forming as a lead, supervisor, and foreman for 20 years. Help tune production lines and maintain quality. Have occasionally taken customer orders over the phone. Strong intuition and viscous work ethic.
=D-Volt
LGVWOTR
+2
Jun 24th, 2010 (9:42 am)… and BTW, this seems appropriate given all the early-adopter iTalk today:
+4
Jun 24th, 2010 (9:49 am)YES, we are ready to purchase but many said that they would go out and buy a Nissan Leaf if they can’t get a Volt because of limited production. IMHO, why would anyone do that if they understand the differences between the two vehicles. Simply stated, they are impatient.
GM has designed and engineered this vehicle with many benifits. There job is to market this vehicle now; not site back and let all the past information make the Volt move out of the dealerships. Once it becomes common knowledge among the public, all of the addition features of the Volt will cause earlier adopters to reconsider.
GM continue to spread the word of the Volt’s features as you have been doing.
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (9:54 am)My wife and I have concluded that we will wait 2 to 3 yrs to buy our first EV. Gen. I Volt Is a very complex melding of combustion and battery technologies. I am glad that the Volt will have a very good warrantyI think there should be 2 Gen. II models available. Have a CJS model with no bells and whistles For us common folk and have a more expensive model with all the tech stuff you want to offer in it. Price and Practical will sell the most volumeand that will include BEV’s as well.
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (9:59 am)LOL…
Perhaps it’s just semantics that separates our perceptions from Mr. Bly’s but, I’d like to add, ummm; sir, can you move a few units before you call it a wrap?
-7
Jun 24th, 2010 (10:03 am)I think you’re wrong buddy, those who would of voted for Latest Technology simply aren’t visiting this website everyday. Why? because they’re playing video games with their buddies or playing ultimate frisbee or at the movie theater or mackin’ on women at a bar. Anything but sittin in front of a computer at GM Volt.com. Lookin at comments on other websites I think I’ve learned it’s mainly young girls and Fox news watchers who comment the most.
+3
Jun 24th, 2010 (10:05 am)#9
Not me. I’m an early adopter, but no that early, LOL.
Jun 24th, 2010 (10:07 am)#8
I direct GM’s atention, once again, to the trajectory of the 1953 – 1954 Corvettes. He who forgets history id doomed to repeat it.
+3
Jun 24th, 2010 (10:10 am)If GM didn’t include all of the extra techno-gadgets, some other automotive company (Toyota, etc.) would come along and beat GM to the punch. No, GM is being smart for once and is building a vehicle that will appeal to the masses. The Volt with many newer safety features will out sell its competitotrs; I especially think OnStar is their best feature.
The Volt is one “great car” that runs on very little gasoline for most drivers, and IMHO, will evolve into a “nearly BEV” perchance fitted with an alternate Flex-fuel. The battery will for a long time be the long/short term storage device but some other power source may be discovered that will supply the electricity on-board that is needed.
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
+4
Jun 24th, 2010 (10:15 am)#23
Amen. +1
A profoundly stupid and troubling statement from a GM official, IMHO.
Jun 24th, 2010 (10:22 am)-2 already? C’mon, that was funny! (Lot’s of iPhreaks out today; maybe GM marketing is right?)
+2
Jun 24th, 2010 (10:26 am)#38
True that. +1
GM marketing people, and especially the famous Mr. Bly, should be required to read “The Tipping Point”. Early adopters are marketing gold, if not platinum, and the key to IPhone/IPad style product explosions. They should be nurtured and encouraged by every possible means. To dismiss them and/or minimize their importance and value is marketing suicide.
+4
Jun 24th, 2010 (10:27 am)These are all good points but I think there is a bigger reason why the Volt and electric cars will be far more popular than GM imagines, and that reason is … BOREDOM.
That may sound trivial, perhaps even stupid, but boredom plays a big role in motivating people to buy. Shoes, pants, music. You name it, people want something different. And it holds for higher end items as well. When they first came out, digital cameras weren’t terribly competitive with film cameras, and when they first came out wireless phones weren’t very competitive land lines. But people liked them because in some sense they were different. And ultimately they displaced the existing technology.
Cars are more expensive but not fundamentally different. The ICE has been around for over a hundred years and the new ICE cars are terrific. But people are just over it. It’s boring in the sense that everyone has been there, done that, and gotten the T-shirt.
EVs are fresh and different and people want something different. This drive will prompt people to look at EVs, and, once they do, the strong torque, great performance, and smooth and quiet ride will win them over. All the reasons that people give for being interested in an EV — oil dependency, global warming, economic well being — are all valid and provide a backdrop. But ultimately it will be boredom that drives a significant portion of the buying public into showrooms to sample the EV product.
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (10:29 am)From my point of view, most of the technical interest here centers around trying to figure out:
a) how much the Volt will cost, both near term and in 5 -10 years.
b) if there are any other issues that will affect customer satisfaction.
c) potential design options that could improve a) and b) above.
In other words, I believe the technical discussions here are usually related to other primary issues, like how mass adoption of EREVs or EVs improves energy independence and/or the environment. And that’s reflected in the poll. Only 8% said their main interest was having the latest technology.
+2
Jun 24th, 2010 (10:30 am)#44
Amen. +1
I would have checked “All of the above” if it had been an option.
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (10:33 am)#49
I’m with you. +1
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (10:43 am)Yes, well said, +1.
Or to put it another way, fashion changes because of boredom.
20 years ago, most women wouldn’t be caught dead in anything that remotely resembled a truck. Then huge SUVs became fashionable, and that was a big difference from what people were used to at the time, so it was sort of new and exciting.
Now we’ve had the big truck fashion for at least the last 10 years. It’s getting stale. The next new and different type of vehicle to go mainstream will probably affect car buying fashion dramatically – much more than any current marketing department projects.
Jun 24th, 2010 (10:46 am)THAT was “symbolic list” not synthetic list!
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
Jun 24th, 2010 (10:50 am)Wow. I’d have a hard time using so many words to say so little. I’m impressed.
The way things are looking, I don’t think going to get an opportunity to be an early adopter. I’d be happy to give them feedback and as a former test engineer maybe it would be helpful, maybe not. I think they’re going to get plenty of feedback and data from Onstar before I even get an opportunity for a test drive.
Jun 24th, 2010 (10:57 am)Hey girl, anything new on Fox News. Oh, my bad dude!
Jun 24th, 2010 (11:00 am)This is a great point. I had not thought of it that way but your right many people just need something new and there has not been a major change in the automobile in a long time.
From a marketing stand point I would think the idea is to make everyone want to be a “early adopter” of your product.
Of course as anyone in sales knows it is easy to sell something that has limited supply,(and some appeal) everyone wants what they can not get.
Jun 24th, 2010 (11:21 am)“with over 51,000 people on my symbolic list”
Lyle calls it, “My symbolic list.”
Symbolic of what, any suggestions?
+2
Jun 24th, 2010 (11:24 am)Actual demand?
Jun 24th, 2010 (11:31 am)#67
In the words of the late, great, Jim Healy:
“Comment…………………………………………………………………………….No Comment!
-7
Jun 24th, 2010 (11:36 am)Since there is no recent reaffirmation of interest based on the latest information, some of those older tallies cannot be verified as valid to count.
They don’t represent a commitment to purchase anyway. Are many interested, of course. Will they actually buy one, probably not. That’s the norm for autoshow turnover.
Jun 24th, 2010 (11:43 am)No, it wasn’t funny. It was hilarious! Built in GPS; You are here -> Guffaw!!!!!
In the words of Olympic figure skater Nancy Harrigan, “Whyyyy, whhhyyy?”
Jun 24th, 2010 (11:48 am)To put it another way, count as what? Use your imagination, go past the norm, like Toyota did when they introduced the…oh never mind.
Someone once said to me that the Bible says, “A people without vision shall perish.”
Jun 24th, 2010 (11:52 am)Interest for the 2010 Prius was extremely high, much like Volt. Yet, of those enthusiasts who has explicitly expressed interest, only 5% actually purchased one in the first year.
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (11:53 am)In the words of Olympic figure skater Nancy Harrigan…
Oops missed that one; Nancy Kerrigan. Has the edit time run out? Just checked, yep.
-4
Jun 24th, 2010 (11:56 am)Vision of what? How much of the fleet will remain traditional vehicles? How soon do we want to end our dependence on oil?
Vision is a distance future. Detail is for a purchase soon.
We want actual specs, price, and timing.
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:01 pm)Nice recovery. Though based on the empirical, symbols go beyond reciting facts. Here’s a great way to visualize a GM centric view of the halo effect from Jim cambell, “Its rolling the company. We have a big job to do. I think Volt can be a catalyst to help change the way people view Chevrolet broadly.”
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:02 pm)I have been a pioneer in many things I do. I will take that car and arrows early and you settlers ( ;+}) can fill in behind.
BUT, like you, if a dealer or who ever wants to play us for suckers by “price premiums” I will be moving on. Even Nissan has noted they may have an extended range BEV soon. :+}
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:02 pm)I want a dang Volt.
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:05 pm)OT: This Tesla blog runs through the steps needed to manufacture the “S” sedan. Gives a very quick overview of how vehicle assembly works, which should be applicable to the Volt as well. The Model S is a very nice looking car and if Tesla can make it for $57K ($50K after rebates) they could end up selling quite a few. For those who want room this puppy has it — seating for 7 (well maybe 6.5) and good trunk space as well.
Not exactly the basic transportation at popular prices promised by the Leaf but this thing is way way cooler than a BMW 7 Series or a Mercedes S Series.
http://www.teslamotors.com/blog2/?p=182
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:19 pm)I don’t think Nissan ever said SOON.
+4
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:22 pm)Lots of excellent posts today.
So far, GM’s marketing of the Volt sucks. There’s some guy (Capt Bly?; sorry Capt Jack) spitting in the face of early adopters. There’s the missed emphasis on reducing oil consumption. There’s the seeming reluctance to leverage Lyle (just agree to GIVE him a Volt already). There’s the Volt Dance when there shouldn’t be one, and there’s nothing when there should be something. The list goes on and on.
That being said, there is still time to fix things. Get out a polished, consistent message that makes sense. Take back the momentum from the Leaf. Ummm, advertise. Duh.
I hope the marketing vacuum is by design–the ‘wait until you see the whites of their eyes’ approach. Timing does matter. But I hope GM knows what they’re doing, because it feels like this board is losing some faith on that one.
+2
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:27 pm)Symbolic of what, any suggestions?
Stayed Tuned…
+2
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:29 pm)FTFY
We look forward to having those things in due time. You’ve been indecently desperate for them for over two years.
We want them because we are interested in, and hope for the success of, the Chevy Volt. You have your own Prius fan-site ( http://john1701a.com/ ). No telling what your motives are specifically, but they can’t be good.
+2
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:31 pm)+1 for this. But I don’t agree with all your prescriptions. Forget advertising. You don’t need it for new products. PR works way better and costs way less. The Malibu needs advertising but the Volt doesn’t.
As for a “polished” message, one problem is that GM has gone for so long without a really new product that it doesn’t seem capable of doing good product introductions for one. Go to the Leaf site and then the Volt site. The Leaf site has interesting and innovative graphics. The Volt site? Well it looks like an HTML site from 2002. Or take the video for the partnership with Microsoft. The thing looks like a long commercial. And that’s a problem. It shouldn’t look or feel like a commercial. But it does. It’s like they just take what they’ve been doing in the TV and print worlds and stick it into the digital world. Not working. Ugh!
Hard to fix a culture maybe?
+2
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:31 pm)Mickey Bly may be misquoted or minunderstood, I think.
“The supply is limited though, and more recently GMs chief of EVs and hybrids Micky Bly said,“I feel strongly the early-adopter movement is done in North America.”
Is it really logical to assume that he believes that the early adpoter movement is “done”, as in “kaput”? Or is he saying that he thinks that the early adopter program should be “done”, or “executed”, here in the US? Seems like a little clarification is needed before passing judgement on this guy. At the very least we should all give the benefit of the doubt to any man whose name could be pulled straight out of a Mickey Spillane novel about a hard-boiled private detective.
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:38 pm)I fear he may be shortening your life. Yoga?
FWIW with respect to numbers, I saw an interview yesterday about the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. The guy from Chrysler was saying it would be a big success, and the interviewer then pressed for what number of units Chrysler would define as success. Of course the guy wouldn’t say. No manufacturer gives out the numbers that John keeps asking for. Especially Toyota.
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:40 pm)#82
Aaaaaarrrrgggghhhh!!! +1 for irony (I hope).
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:40 pm)GM’s first web presence was simply to digitize the glossy, emotion-driven glittering-generality brochures available through their dealerships; with absolutely no other information, period. On the slow connections prevalent at the time, this was torture. At the same time, you could go on VW’s site, for example, and ‘build your own,’ see what a car would look like with different trim levels and color, find a dealership, get MSRP for all selected items and view actual specifications.
{irony}
GM still behind the curve on the Internet? Naaaah.
{/irony}
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:41 pm)HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa!! Busted!!
/wonder who the registrar is… hmmm…
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:42 pm)I interpreted it to mean at some point there will be at least 51,000 Volts on the road, then what? And it’s the then what that he needs to work on. Then I looked at what GM marketing has done so far and took into account what Timaaayyy!!! said at #81 “So far, GM’s marketing of the Volt sucks.”
Then I thought….naaa! I actually thought more than that though, but once the expletives and curses were removed, that’s what was left.
+2
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:44 pm)I haven’t bought a GM car in, well, never.
I was very interested in buying a Volt until it became increasingly apparent that it won’t be available (short supply, nano-geographic availability), and I would get gouged on the price (on top of what I can only guess will be a high price) — assuming I managed to jump through hoops to buy out of state.
By the time they are more available, the battery system will be a cheaper (likely junkier) iteration designed to die sooner. On top of it all, GM views me (most of us?) as enthralled by gadgetry or eco motives rather than simply desiring gas independence. Way, way off the mark GM. Gas independence is THE reason, with a bullet.
So I’m now doing what GM wants: looking at other (non-GM, or must we say “General Motors” now?) cars. Why bother investing any more of my time in something that GM seems to have little interest in selling to me? No thanks. I’m moving on.
I don’t HAVE to have a Volt or my life will end. If I could buy one this year, or next I would. But that’s looking this side of impossible. When I do buy, I keep my cars for 15-20 years or more. So guess when I’ll next be in the market for a GM car? By then the Volt will be old, old news and I’ll have many, many choices and GM will likely have blown many more opportunities in many more ways by then.
Get them excited, build it, they will come, then turn them away. Smart. But hey, insisting on “Chevrolet” is where the big brains are focused these days, not on actually selling cars to people who want them.
+2
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:45 pm)#85
Maybe you could get a side job as his press secretary, LOL. As in:
“Mr. Bly was quoted out of context. What he really meant to say was______________.”
I have to give you credit for a generous spirit and a positive outlook. +1 for that.
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:46 pm)You’re talking to a dead President, you know. Besides, I’ve been a little too stiff for Yoga lately.
http://americanhistory.about.com/od/zacharytaylor/p/ptaylor.htm
-1
Jun 24th, 2010 (12:58 pm)Chevy.com’s registry entry expires on 2010-11-03. Just sayin’.
+3
Jun 24th, 2010 (1:02 pm)Hey, John:
The next time any of you are tempted to take John1701a seriously, go to http://john1701a.com/ and view his e-shrine to the Shoe. This isn’t a healthy interest he has in the Prius; it’s his obsession. He’s here only because the Volt threatens him in a deeply personal way.
Oh, and he doesn’t allow comments, either (dang it). He’d get some real beauts from me.
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (1:05 pm)P.S. Yes, the Volt could be the auto equivalent to the iPhone or iPad. But it won’t.
Apple actually ramps up mass excitement well before production and they size production to sell mass market. GM is doing neither. The iPad would be a dismal failure had Apple restricted sales to 8,000 the first year (gah!) and 12,000 the next instead of opening the flood gates and raking in 3 MILLION iPad sales in a few months. That, despite all the naysayers, despite the fact it was a brand new (untested waters) product category.
Yes, there is a reason Apple has billions in the bank and GM is bankrupt. GM should be aping Apple. Imagine what Steve Jobs would do with the Volt. Like he did to phones, music, movies, and now a whole new type of computer. He’d likely be firing GM marketing and kicking butt in production. The roll-out would be a world event talked about for months before-hand. People would be lining up at dealerships in every state for test drives, and he’d be selling Volts like hotcakes. But GM has a better idea – limit sales, push customers away, let the competition catch up. Better to be safe than successful I guess. Aim for mediocrity and you may hit the ho-hum target.
+3
Jun 24th, 2010 (1:07 pm)I met Jim Campbell in New York at the Volt Test Drive. He seemed to me to be very interested in what we all had to say and an easy person to talk to.
Having re-read today’s thread again, I get the feeling that GM’s management has told everyone to stop saying anything of substance about the Volt, until it is time for the “Big Presentation”. That has to be why there are so many words, but nothing really being said. It might also explain why Tony Posawatz got thrown under the bus for talking about the rollout plans for the Volt…….
Plus, right now, I wonder if GM is really focused on the Cruze introduction, and that is why we really are not seeing any real announcements concerning the Volt. I can tell you that in Youngstown OH, all that is on the news about GM is the Cruze. Here is a sample from today:
http://business-journal.com/clients/business-journal/farewell-cobalt-hello-cruze-p16800.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No
So I am trying to give GM the benefit of the doubt, but I really hate it when we are treated like stupid little kids. GM would get much more respect from me if they just said something like: “The Cruze is next on our agenda. We will make our formal announcements about the Volt on October 1, 2010.” I could live with that, as long as on October 1st, they made those announcements……………
JMHO
-6
Jun 24th, 2010 (1:11 pm)That doesn’t make any sense.
Why would I be arguing for multiple models of Volt then?
How many times have I stated that I don’t like the one-size-fits-all approach?
Don’t attempt to spin that I haven’t been arguing for a lower priced model to co-exist with a high-end one.
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (1:16 pm)From your site:
Yes, of course; your enlightened even-handedness is evident for all to see. There is utterly no conflict of interest, here.
When have you done that? I’ve heard many posters put that idea forward, and indeed we’ve been told that Volt as an EREV20 is in the works. Our response? Oh, goody.
Uh, zero? Seriously, what have you done here for the last year but pooh pooh anything positive and whine for specifics we don’t have?
Nice attempt at evasion, but WTF are you talking about? This is about you showing up unwanted to say nasty things about the Volt and those who support it, make insupportable demands and generally try to distract us from whatever we’d rather be doing here.
Try opening a forum on your own site, if you dare. Especially before you come here and try to take control of the conversation.
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (1:19 pm)Actually, much improved. I like the revision.
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (1:26 pm)You don’t make any sense. You never have. Only a deep emotional need explains what we’ve seen from you, here.
Avoid all this angst, and go home. Your Prius is waiting for you.
+4
Jun 24th, 2010 (1:27 pm)In that case, may I ask what what it would take to make you buy one? Just curious…
Jun 24th, 2010 (1:28 pm)Sometimes people have talents in directions they have not realized. If, as, and when the opportunity comes along for you to shift to marketing, you might want to consider it.
-1
Jun 24th, 2010 (1:32 pm)Here’s 2 quick examples from last year… (gotta love that Google search)
http://gm-volt.com/2009/09/09/fisker-karma-erev-expected-to-get-67-mpg-combined-fuel-efficiency/
http://gm-volt.com/2009/06/06/what-question-would-you-ask-gm-ceo-fritz-henderson/
Don’t like the message, shoot the messanger. Whatever. You’ve made it overwhelming clear now that I’m against the ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL approach. That’s been the complaint all along. Remember all the references to Two-Mode. Same thing. We’re still waiting for that second choice…
+3
Jun 24th, 2010 (1:38 pm)Your emphasis on One-Size-Fits-All and 2-Mode has nothing to do with the price of eggs. This is only the direction into which you’ve decided to squirm. The One-Size-Fits-All won’t continue to exist indefinitely. An EREV20 will likely appear with GEN III. 2-Mode may appear as a PHEV-20. But then, you know this full well.
The overwhelming issue at hand is WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING HERE? If the Volt were being offered with 5 variants, your basis for objections to it would be founded in other factors. You are not our judge nor our definer. You are not predisposed to favor any Voltec offering in any way, shape or form; unless Toyota comes out with it.
Go away.
I don’t like the messenger. If necessary, the message will be dealt with; but it’s really beside the point.
Jun 24th, 2010 (1:39 pm)Same minimums I posted here 2 weeks ago:
PRICE: nicely under $30,000.
EFFICIENCY: 35-miles EV real-world & 40 mpg CS real-world.
EMISSIONS: a SULEV rating.
POWER: 0-60 in around 10 seconds.
SIZE: 4-seat compact with average cargo area.
AVAILABILITY: dealer lot (preferred), within a month order (acceptable).
Jun 24th, 2010 (1:40 pm)GM is most likely going to set the MSRP high enough that the above conversation does not happen very often. But if and when it does, I think it is ok. So long as the supply of Volts is less than the demand, the cars have to be allocated some way. Would it be better to do it by political connection, or insider back-room trade-offs? Or maybe the dealer would rather go down a list, but is the obligation both ways, that is, to pay full MSRP if it turns out that when your name comes up there are cars being discounted at other dealers? Overall it seems to me that “market price” is a good mechanism, better than the alternatives.
As a customer and not a dealer, of course I would like to stick to MSRP if that’s the lowest, or discounts if that’s the lowest, and always get the better price than anyone else. That’s why I haggle. But dealers have to live too, and that means there has to be some margin on popular cars some of the time. (Hasn’t been that much lately.)
So I agree with you that until supply meets demand buyers are going to be paying a premium. That is what is going to allow the enthusiastic to pay more and get a car more quickly, but it also will communicate information back up the line that more Volts should be built.
Jun 24th, 2010 (1:44 pm)Excellent points! +1
Jun 24th, 2010 (1:57 pm)MANUFACTURER: Toyota.
But seriously …
All of these factors are not likely to be met until Gen III (hopefully by 2015), so try coming back in about four years. And if I may suggest, read awhile before you post.
+3
Jun 24th, 2010 (2:15 pm)Absolutely.
Also very hard to change the V1.0′s economics. I’ve been assuming that GM’s lack of advertising/PR as well as the lack of production volume for the Volt is due to the expectation that they would be selling each unit at breakeven or a loss. Not good for a still uncertain-future company attempting an IPO. The Volt’s an experiment by a company that can’t afford to waste resources, may be their view. So get people excited but not TOO excited. Tease, retreat, repeat.
But a couple of events in the last year or so has changed the game. The first was the enthusiasm for the Volt, which I think caught GM offguard, but to which they still don’t seem to completely believe. The second was the Leaf’s low pricing and high volume preparedness.
So GM’s trying to dramtically lower the cost of future versions. Regarding being able to dramatically increase volume–I don’t know what GM’s doing. Maybe a wait-and-see approach? Reallocate resources if this crazy thing actually takes off? Much as we may want it here, I don’t see them betting the farm on Voltec. If they were in much better financial and business shape, that would be fun. They have a game-changing product, but may not have the resources and culture to fully pursue that. Bummer–I sure would love to see them be world-beating again, and have everyone who wants a Volt be able to get one ASAP.
-1
Jun 24th, 2010 (2:44 pm)WOW I don’t know what to say. Why would anyone make such a site about anything. Talk about need to get a life or to much time on your hands. Most people don’t have that many pics of their kids.
John1701a Why would you ever come to this site? For your own health, I would think you would get sick reading about a car so much better then the one you love.
-2
Jun 24th, 2010 (2:54 pm)Some of us have taken the ADDICTION TO OIL and the POLLUTING OF AIR far more serious and for much longer than others.
How will you look back upon yourself after having been actively promoting new vehicle technologies for 15 years?
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (2:55 pm)“….GMs chief of EVs and hybrids Micky Bly said,“I feel strongly the early-adopter movement is done in North America.”
I’m sorry to say this but this guy is dead wrong! So if this is the route that GM is taking then they need new people in marketing. Getting off of oil is going to be the driving force. Between our armed forces fighting in the middle east as we send our dollars to the very people we are fighting and the BP flow in the Gulf, America is much more ready to get off of oil than GM understands. Buy, even though we want to get off of oil, we can’t. There’s nothing to buy that fits our life style, except for the Volt, which again we can’t buy it. Not that we don’t want to, GM won’t supply it. GM is currently completely out of the mainstream thinking. I don’t know who is doing their market research, but they need to review that, like yesterday. They must not be asking the right questions or something. Most, and I mean Most Americans want off of oil and there’s nothing to let us do that. GM has the inside track if they want to take it. The best way to get people to buy the Volt is to actually have them at the dealers IN STOCK.
Jun 24th, 2010 (3:03 pm)Wanna bet? With the convenience of digital cameras now, it’s no big deal building up a large collection and easily organizing them.
I’ve been taking digital photos since the early 90′s and digital video since the late 90′s. With all that experience already and a career which includes website support, why wouldn’t it be a natural?
Again, what will your situation will be that many years later?
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (3:14 pm)“Some of us have taken the ADDICTION TO OIL and the POLLUTING OF AIR far more serious and for much longer than
othersyou.”Ego, Holier-Than-Thou. Is this how you are able to make your many criticisms of us so blithely? Elucidating, but not an answer.
Intriguing question, but also not an answer.
Typical. The issue is your obsession with the Prius, but you cannot respond to that. Defend the number of photographs you take!
And of course, the question you chose not to even attempt an answer to speaks volumes as well:
John, I’m not your friend, but I’ll give you some friendly advice: Get help. This isn’t normal.
-1
Jun 24th, 2010 (3:32 pm)That was obvious the moment you changed focus from the topic at hand to me.
Shooting the messenger accomplished what?
Jun 24th, 2010 (3:34 pm)It’s my understanding that when you create and actual order, you can get it for MSRP but that you have to wait for the system to spit out that exact car ( from a comment Statik once made…Statik? ). Any other cars delivered to dealers before yours arrives would go to the highest bidders.
If you have an agreement with a dealer now, it’d be only for exactly for what he has written down. I’d guess the dealer would have to convert folks to regular orders for you to have any kind of rights to terms that the dealer would want to recognize.
If someone knows the system, can we get a little help with this?
+2
Jun 24th, 2010 (3:47 pm)Let’s roll.
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (3:48 pm)This was obvious long before today. In fact, the topic was early adopters, and a poll with a direct bearing on the subject, which had been done earlier on gm-volt.com, was pooh-poohed by JOHN THE DIVINE thusly:
This can only be called “typical” for the Revelations of John. There is no positive spin (where have I heard that word, recently?), no pertinent fact that you will not pounce upon like a mortal enemy.
In the course of dissing several other frequent posters (adding more entries on gm-volt which are not about the GM Volt), you just had to write this:
Now this is something that you have said over and over. In the earliest days, it was clear to many of us that you simply were pumping for something that would help Toyota compete. I don’t know how many of those old posters are still around, but I was far from alone in observing this. Your request / demand / complaint for specifics just gets on my last nerve, after 2+ years. If you want someone to start shooting, just demand specs price and timing.
You keep talking about “shooting the messenger.” In fact, your sudden bewildering defense was out of left field and utterly irrelevant:
Huh? How was this on topic, Mr. Distracto?
If this is your “message,” I think you’d better consider that it’s you drawing fire, not whatever card you can pull out of your arse first.
We are critical of GM here, but we have skin in the game. We hope that they can succeed. It’s clear that Prius John, coming from Prius never-never land has no such hope and no business coming here to be our special, irritating devil.
I mentioned old posters to gm-volt.com: They may recall that this isn’t the first time you’ve been ‘outed’ for your website. It shows more than anything you say here that you have no foot to stand on at gm-volt.com.
GO HOME.
+2
Jun 24th, 2010 (4:02 pm)The two dealers I’ve talked to have both said MSRP, not above. The first is in the Washington DC zone and will get a few cars the first year. The other is north of Baltimore and won’t get Volts until the second tier rolls out.
When the Camaro came out, supposedly there was a dealer in downtown Detroit selling them at MSRP and cleaning up at the expense of the suburban dealers with their markups. So, if a dealer tries to gouge you, smile sweetly and try another dealer.
+3
Jun 24th, 2010 (4:19 pm)Quick somebody install OnStar in the GM corporate board room. It is obvious that GM management has been taken hostage by foreign oil interests, and nobody (but us) knows.
If they had OnStar, they would have pushed the blue button…
Behold, General Lyle is ready to rally the faithful troops of GM-Volt to repel the foreign intruders. Man the battlements load up the Trebuchets. Prepare yourselves. (Typically I am antiviolent, but this is a worthy cause)
Jun 24th, 2010 (4:31 pm)Granted… But I would not be surprised if GM did come out with a limited production VOLT….. AND there is a lot of demand Nissan just might do it. They seem to be very committed growing EV market share. I am pulling for GM to do the right thing for its “adopters”
Jun 24th, 2010 (4:38 pm)Steverino, I think you hit the nail on the head regarding the Volt and iPad.
There are crystal clear reasons that the iPad is outselling all other tablets 1000:1. Both the iPad and Volt are superior products relative to the current competition. Apple was willing to take a risk to aggressively deploy their product, but GM is not willing to take that same risk with the Volt. Seems like they are missing a golden opportunity to own this new market. By the time they finally ramp-up production, GM will have lots of competition and this unique opportunity will be gone.
The GM engineers have been planning for greatness, but the GM bean-counters, marketers, and managers are planning for safe mediocrity. Unfortunately that latter group will now define what happens.
+2
Jun 24th, 2010 (4:54 pm)So .. tell me why has GM been outselling all other car companies?
Could it be that they test vehicles more and have the lowest anmount of recalls and the most reliable vehicles?
It has been my experience for all the vehicles I’ve boutht in the last 35 years… the last GM I just traded in last year was 17 years old .. had it’s original exhaust and no rust…. that is unheard of in the northeast with out brands.
GM takes the time to do it right…. rush to market is never good.
+2
Jun 24th, 2010 (5:44 pm)It makes a difference whether you’re a dominant player in an existing market. Let us not forget that Microsoft brought out what was essentially the iPad in … 2005! But between the fact that it was more concerned about protecting Windows from incursions in netbooks and the fact that it never does hardware (except when it does) and the fact that it wanted these little computers to run Windows, it never managed to actually come out with a product. Now it’s probably too late.
GM strikes me as ending up in something of the same situation. It just announced it was spending almost a billion dollars developing a new V6 engine. That’s fine but in my view they’d be better off spending less than that on the Volt and converting some of the existing models to run on CNG. IOW fighting the last war usually isn’t that productive.
+3
Jun 24th, 2010 (5:50 pm)Yes, I agree, +1.
If the Volt isn’t under $30K after the tax credit, I won’t buy one. And I’m willing to wait for the 2012 model for availability.
-1
Jun 24th, 2010 (6:20 pm)Folks on this site understand the importance of going green, wean ourselves off oil & prepared to put $$ where their mouth is …but these folks constitute a very tiny fraction of buyers…The rest stoopids live in LA MS AL where inspite of the oil disaster still want to drill …these knuckle heads will never understand that the US citizens need to sacrifice a bit to get off the oil …US has cheap petrol until they tax it demand for EREV BEV will be very limited …European & Asians will drive the electric revolution NOT the spoiled FAT pigheads in US..
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (6:24 pm)#122
If they don’t, they will be making a huge mistake. 3 words – “The Tipping Point”.
Jun 24th, 2010 (6:24 pm)#125
Amen. +1
-2
Jun 24th, 2010 (6:26 pm)Isn’t the point to get pass the “early adopter” stage as quickly as possible?
After all, the problem in the past has been: too little, too slowly
Jun 24th, 2010 (6:26 pm)My understanding is only about a total of 8 to 10 thousand Volts will be built in 2010 and 2011, then in 2012, the production rate will be ramped up to match market demand or about 60,000 whichever is lower. If the nation wide roll out is not quite complete by the end of 2011, I expect it will be by mid 2012. So my expectation is I will be able to buy one around June 2012. And I expect at that time to be able to compare actual performance of the Volt to the Prius PHV and perhaps other Plug-in hybrids.
However, I remain hopeful Lyle will be able to buy one early in 2011, and in the mean time, we are stranded in Casablanca, and we wait, and wait and wait….
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (6:26 pm)#126
I think that you ae speaking for the majority there. +1
Jun 24th, 2010 (6:36 pm)#127
I swear, it’s like watching a lesson in schizophrenia. Out of one side of their mouth they scream that the “Federal Gummint” isn’t doing enough to clean up the oil. The next sentence comes out of the other side screaming the the “Federal Gummint” is putting everybody out of work with the drilling moratorium. Bobby Jindal for a start, LOL. He seems like a pretty intelligent guy to me. Do you think he realizes how hypocritical he sounds?
And don’t you love the Republican born again environmentalists shedding buckets of crocodile tears over the poor wildlife and the fouled wetlands?
As far as I’m concerned, they can put all the drill rigs on standby and make BP pay them, and all of the laid off workers. Or pay their wages and let them clean up oil. There’s plenty to go around.
LJGTVWOTR!! NMST!
+3
Jun 24th, 2010 (6:38 pm)Here is how we did it with 2010 Camaros when they first came out:
We took the customer’s specific order and placed it in the ordering system. The customer signed a pre-order agreement and knew the exact price including any markups. We also took a $1,000 refundable deposit. That order is given a 5-digit code for tracking purposes. That way if the same identical car came in that was NOT pre-ordered, then that car could be sold for whatever.
When the car arrived, the customer was notified as the car was being unloaded off the truck. As it turned out, 1 out of 3 Camaro orders were flakes, dreamers, bogus… (call it what you will) but that was no problem since we would just refund the deposit, slap an addendum onto the window sticker and place the car in the showroom where it sold pretty dang quick anyway.
I expect something similar to happen with the VOLT. However, because there will be so FEW available, I also expect that buyers wanting to place an order will be pre-qualified as to financing terms, if not paying cash, to avoid some of the issues like we had on Camaro. [Read: 'put up or shut up'... No offense intended, but we are in business to make money.]
The only questions now are: How many will we get? When will we get them? When will we be allowed to place a pre-paid order? How long is the wait after ordering?
Jun 24th, 2010 (6:56 pm)#134
I happened by the local Chevy, oops, sorry, Chevrolet dealer this PM and saw about 8 Camaros parked on the front line outside the dealership. How are the sales going now? Do you happen to know how many they are building now?
BTW, sorry for all the typos today guys. I guess my poor mind is just elsewhere.
Jun 24th, 2010 (6:58 pm)Thanks for the info
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (7:03 pm)All four cars I bought over 35 years were pre-order. Three took four months to arrive, the most recent took 2.5 months. All were first year of production.
The first two were held up by parts availability (first car was the spacesaver spare tire, the second was the 4-wheel-disc brake package), the third was held up by a first year production glitch (cracking in the hatch hinges). That 2.5 months on the fourth was just the length of the pipeline. It wasn’t popularity because they were already offering rebates when I bought.
Only one was limited production (1982 Trans Am with Recaro package). The dealer was allocated two for the entire year and got ornery when he realized he just sold me one at $500 over invoice.
So take that history for what it’s worth and apply what you will to your anticipated experience in buying a first year Volt.
PS: Good post from CorvetteGuy
Jun 24th, 2010 (7:23 pm)Camaro sales are still pretty good, but everything now is at MSRP to about $1000 to $1200 below depending on equipment. V8′s are getting harder to find. Plenty of V6′s… and I can take an order on 2011′s now.
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (7:30 pm)Play it again Van…
Jun 24th, 2010 (7:52 pm)I would not consider myself an early adopter. I just want a Volt and I am willing to pay a premium to get one now. The first year’s production would have been allocated and paid for if the execs at GM had any brains. They could keep looking at the inspiration for the whole endeavor- Tesla.
What they don’t need is marketing research, ad campaigns and GM execs making stupid statements. They don’t even need salesmen. All they need is a mechanism for building the cars and making them available to those who are willing to buy them.
Anybody know which dealers in Michigan are likely to get Volts?
Storm in Connecticut.
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:23 pm)+1
Understatement of the year. It makes me want to yell with joy each time I ride my EV that I get to experience that in an inexpensive (but race proven) street kitted, highway capable dirt bike. I have a smoother, quieter ride than the best full gasser European luxury cars AND stronger torque and more power to weight performance than the most popular full gasser American muscle cars. Yeeeee-haaaawwwwww, Jeeves!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeehaw
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeeves
+3
Jun 24th, 2010 (8:35 pm)It’s clear you don’t really have respect for what it takes to develop and mass produce a $30,000 automobile that people need to count on (with their lives, sometimes), and a $500 (?)ipad. Talk about apples and oranges…
These two products aren’t even in the same solar system.
+9
Jun 24th, 2010 (9:31 pm)Off Topic:
I just got an email from GM Regional in CA… “VOLT Dealer Webcast” set for 07/01/2010… “Will provide details re: Launch Plans, Training, Concensus (allocations), etc…” Details to follow in the next few days!!!
I’ll let you know what I find out!
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (9:50 pm)IS this the start of what the REAL plans for roll out and production might be???? Let us hope..
You get an “atta boy” and I would say this post is very much ON TOPIC.
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (10:15 pm)Energy independence from Middle-East oil is an increasing issue for us all.
+1
Jun 24th, 2010 (10:52 pm)It has sunk in that GM does not want to sell the Volt. They will sell just the right amount to meet the Government standards….. nothing more and nothing less. Do we really believe this PR guy doesn’t know what the market is for the EREV. No, he is just providing lip service from Senior leadership.
There is a reason why they would develop a BEV spark for India and not the USA.
Jun 24th, 2010 (10:55 pm)OK,
I have skipped a few threads and must have missed something.
Where’s Tag? Is he OK?
Jun 24th, 2010 (11:10 pm)#133 Noel
How true. I live in LA and Bob is hypocritical, as are most people. A lot of people want the Feds to not regulate and stay out of business, but when something happens they are screaming ‘Where is the government why did they allow this?’
“I think the people responsible in the oil spill–BP and the federal government–should take full responsibility for what’s happening there,” Boehner said at his weekly press conference this morning.
Isn’t Boehner from the party of ‘Take responsibility for you actions, Feds spend too much, taxes are too high, and the Feds need to stay out of telling business what to do?’ Oh wait, this it an OIL company so the government must help them out despite record profits a few years ago.
Corporate American is just good at corruption and wasting money as the government.
Take responsibilty BP, stop the leak and clean up the mess you made.
+1
Jun 25th, 2010 (4:00 am)The VOLT is stil the best technology to date. GM has spent more than any other car company in reseach and development of the electric driveline. And time will tell how many people will buy a electric car. It’s easy to say you will buy a electric car…. but next the next couple years we will see how many people actually will buy a electric car.. and in about 5 years we will have the answer to the electric car question of how many people will adopt the electric car.
-2
Jun 25th, 2010 (4:12 am)US is full of hypocrites especially the dumdums on the right ..just pure BS uttered …yeah Bobby Jindal intelligent he may be but like many others on the right they got to tow the line or else Rush Idiot beck Lady Sarah will oredr their A** kicked publicly …what a sham ..I have no sympathy for these knuckleheads in LA MS AL ..they deserve what they got ..now the tears & whining about oil fish birds ..yeah too late better go & pray a little harder May be the Lord is no mood to hear your whine …
Jun 25th, 2010 (9:54 am)Not trying to start an argument or anything, but (and I think I’ve posted this before) I tend to agree with waiting until cars are actually available, and a few are out on the road and in dealerships for people to see, before starting the major advertising. People have very short attention spans these days (especially the young-un’s). Seems dumb to dump million$ into advertising an item which the ad viewer probably won’t be able to purchase until a year later.
Did Apple advertise the iPad a year before it was available? It’s far better to have rumors floating around in the press of, “Something cool is coming…”
Pat, I’m sure you are actually a nice person, but please take your meds.
Jun 25th, 2010 (10:41 am)What is the difference between the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe?
Is the top speed different in any way. I know the engines are different and the coupe is better on fuel but I need to know more.
Jun 25th, 2010 (1:14 pm)VOLT is ABSOLUTELY a tremendous game changing catalyst for the Chevrolet Brand. But the clock is ticking and GM Leadership MUST seize the opportunity before the clock runs out (i.e. competition catches up). Right now, it still may be the pre-game show, but soon the game will start for real and no one really knows how long it will last. Nissan appears ready to go, but GM has a superior product (IMHO). Who else will enter the fray?
If any automotive company should know the lesson “Perception = Reality” it should be GM. By hard work and determination, the VOLT team has delivered on the promise of a tight timeline. Now GM Leadership MUST act wisely and seize the opportunity to position GM as the company stepping forward to help America get off foriegn oil. They have the opportunity to create tomorrow’s reality by capitalizing on all the pent-up demand for VOLT built by Lyle and this site. Just do it! Build the VOLT, in the greatest numbers possible while maintaining quality levels, and the future will be bright.
Jun 25th, 2010 (1:41 pm)I think I respect it. I’ve been following the Volt from day one. Bringing the Volt to market is an enormous task, and it’s very impressive that GM appears to be pulling it off. It’s also an impressive task to invent a new 3G/Wifi computer platform and deploy it world wide. Apple appears to be pulling that off, and they will probably sell 10 million units in the first year.
My point was … if you can ship ANY production units, then the hardest tasks are already behind you. After that, it’s mainly a question of scaling production and taking that risk. I think GM could sell 100,000 Volts in 2011 if they were willing to risk making that many. It all comes down to having confidence in your product and your ability to execute. I think GM engineering has that confidence, but GM management does not.
Jun 29th, 2010 (12:29 am)The same sales pattern drove the Prius to its present success. Wait lists, premiums, desirability all make for a high demand product. Hard as it may be the slow rollout of the Volt will drive sales further – just as with the Prius. GM is well aware of the early adopter pattern and the slower pattern of the less invested buyer. A carefully managed rollout will maintain product quality and consumer enthusiasm for industry’s first mass market EV.
Jul 6th, 2010 (11:27 pm)I still say GM is missing the Boat (so to speak) in only wanting to produce 10,000 Volts the first year. I think they are seriously under estimating demand. But I think since 2 other differant model cars come down the same assembly line as the Volt, that GM could and hopefully would, Ramp up the production volume of Volts to meet demand. my 2 cents.
Jul 21st, 2010 (11:43 am)This is great! How did you learn the subject when you were new to it?