Yesterday General Motors held a communications conference with all of the Chevrolet dealers in the car’s launch markets. This includes California, Michigan, Washington DC, Texas, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
A few weeks ago those dealers were told what their total Volt allocation wold be for the year 2011. From feedback I have gotten, those numbers have generally been in the single digits. After all, GM will only be producing 10,000 Chevrolet Volts in 2011.
Armed with the information of what would be required to sell Volts, including sales and service training, and keeping a demo and two charging units on premises, dealers had to tell GM whether they will sell Volts or not.
Today GM announced that in those markets, over 600 dealers agreed to sell the car, which equals about 90 percent of dealers.
“About 90 percent of our Chevrolet dealers in launch markets to date have requested to become participating Volt dealers,” said Tony DiSalle, Chevrolet Volt product marketing director. “The response exceeded expectations given the extensive training requirements. There’s obviously a lot of enthusiasm for the Volt’s arrival later this year.”
“As soon as we got the final word, we signed on,” said Steve Waersch, general manager of Pohanka Chevrolet in Chantilly, Va., near the nation’s capital. “Our waiting list compiled over the last year and a half to two years has no less than 50 names on it. In the last month and a half, we’ve been getting four or five inquiries a week.”
Feedback here has also suggested that most of the dealers have a few names on their waiting lists right now, and most, but not all, are planning to charge a premium over MSRP. GM spokesperson Dave Darovitz notes “a complete list of participating dealers will be available soon.”
GM-Volt has started a Volt Dealer Forum to discuss and compare those dealers and what they are offering. You have to register to comment.
Also the Volt will appear in San Jose California next week at the Plugin2010 conference. Reports suggest GM could reveal Volt pricing there on July 27th.
Source (GM)
This entry was posted on Friday, July 23rd, 2010 at 2:04 pm and is filed under Dealers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Jul 23rd, 2010 (2:09 pm)The countdown has truly begun1 I spoke to a service technician at Criswell Chevrolet in Gaithersburg, Maryland and he said that they could harly wait to get the car on the lot.
Jul 23rd, 2010 (2:11 pm)Is the list of dealers avaialable?
Eugene in LA
-2
Jul 23rd, 2010 (2:14 pm)If most of the 600 dealers are getting single digit allocations how does that get to 10k units? Will there be a lot of fleet sales that don’t go through dealers?
I’d still really like to be an early adopter and help the move toward electrification, but 4 seats is an absolute show stopper for me. I’m thinking of a LEAF instead.
+1
Jul 23rd, 2010 (2:21 pm)There’s no tricks here… That’s 1.5 Volts/month/dealer. Over the year, it’s about 10K Volts.
+2
Jul 23rd, 2010 (2:23 pm)The dealer I put a deposit down at had allocation of 10 volts. 10 Volts and 600 dealerships is 6,000. I assume that some of the dealers may get additional allocation later in the launch period, i.e. maybe the “single digits” number is for immediate November 2010 allocation?
join thE REVolution
Jul 23rd, 2010 (2:25 pm)Good question, we know the government gets some (100 I believe), the dealers have to keep one each for the showroom, and then you’re left with about 15 Volts for sale per dealer on average. I can’t even imagine what craziness this strategy will cause. If the dealers make $10,000 per Volt between built in MSRP mark up, and above MSRP markup, they’ll make $150,000 just off selling a dozen or so Volts. It’s like printing money.
+3
Jul 23rd, 2010 (2:33 pm)Why wouldn’t every dealership want to sell Volts? I understand the first year will be difficult managing the limited supply, but it would be a really foolish decision to not be involved in this
+1
Jul 23rd, 2010 (2:46 pm)Here’s a big question. Are demo volts going to have a toggle so salesmen can show the transition from electric to range extender?
How else would test drivers be able to see this transition without depleting the battery?
+3
Jul 23rd, 2010 (2:51 pm)I predict the Chevy Volt will have a demand similar to the ’65 Mustang.
+1
Jul 23rd, 2010 (2:53 pm)The dealership forum is a good idea…..
The only way to stop the huge dealer markups if if we just walk away from those deals. Then maybe they will get the idea.
But if we already have a list of which dealers are selling at MSRP or close to it, it will help to put an end to massive markups, because we can avoid them.
JMHO
+4
Jul 23rd, 2010 (2:53 pm)I guess here in Illinois we are still years away from getting one. At least we can follow along like 90% of the rest of you.
Tom
Jul 23rd, 2010 (2:57 pm)I still believe the polling that says buyers prefer an EREV to a BEV 4:1. With the LEAF struggling to reach 16,000 in sales, the Volt will easily and instantly sell out their first year’s allotment of 10,000. Once the Volt hits the road and their owners start showing them off, GM will have no problem selling 60,000 in the following year.
Jul 23rd, 2010 (3:07 pm)Some in the small towns like in northern Michigan may not be want to sell volts. They would not get many maybe 2 or 3 and the cost of keeping a demo and all the training may not be worth it.
+2
Jul 23rd, 2010 (3:10 pm)They will probably have a problem selling 60,000 because they said they were only building 30,000 in 2012.
+2
Jul 23rd, 2010 (3:29 pm)In other news, EVWorld says GM will announce the price during the plug-in conference on July-27.
http://evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=23692
+6
Jul 23rd, 2010 (3:37 pm)They said they would build to meet demand. They said they were building 30,000 but would build more if needed.
+13
Jul 23rd, 2010 (3:42 pm)If your not buying one because you always drive around with 5 people in the car then why does it matter what the allocation is in your area?
Reminds me of someone i work with that said she “absolutly could not drive a vehicle with a 4 cylinder engine” when asked why she stated that its not enough power to get on the highway despite the fact that there are 4 bangers out there with 200HP, and the fact that I have driven 100HP 4 cyl’s for 10 years now and have never had any issues keeping up. People look for the most petty reasons to dismiss a product.
Jul 23rd, 2010 (3:48 pm)Maybe it depends on how broke the dealership is.
I would imagine that all the training doesn’t come cheap.
+2
Jul 23rd, 2010 (3:52 pm)I just called my local Chevy dealer.
He had no clue about the conference yesterday, didn’t participate, and doesn’t know if he will “bother” (his words) selling the Volt.
+8
Jul 23rd, 2010 (3:53 pm)They’ll build as many as they can build to meet demand. The 30,000 figure is just a teaser. GM doesn’t want to promise a big production figure and have to reduce it later if demand doesn’t justify it. That would not be good for the image of electric cars in general.
+6
Jul 23rd, 2010 (4:01 pm)Hopefully you have other “local dealers in your area that understand where the future is going.
Jul 23rd, 2010 (4:02 pm)Rashiid, which dealer did you call? I live in CT and have emailed 5 local dealers all with different responses.
+1
Jul 23rd, 2010 (4:07 pm)Terryville Chevrolet.
302 Main Street
Terryville, CT 06786-5904
(860) 582-7434
Which ones did you contact?
Terryville Chevrolet is a small dealership.
Jul 23rd, 2010 (4:08 pm)I noted earlier my dealer was talking about taking and placing orders soon.. This makes sense as it locks in a real number for cars to be built. I told him I am interested ….. if the price is reasonable. Since the VOLT is in the Chevy fold one must assume the price will not be too high. Corvettes do not count.
Most car makers seem quite optimistic about selling a lot more cars next year….. 30K plus VOLTS sounds pretty exciting.
Jul 23rd, 2010 (4:09 pm)# 9 predictor guy Said:
I predict the Chevy Volt will have a demand similar to the ‘65 Mustang.
I predict Ford and Chrysler dealers will be trying to become Volt certified, after the facts are out about the very little gas used.
Jul 23rd, 2010 (4:15 pm)This interesting, welcome and timley news. Lyle, it’s amazing you can get us this information the way you do. At this point in time, I am looking forward to seeing and driving the car for myself. I’m holding off final judgment until then. In the mean time, keep the details coming.
=D~~~~[Volt}
-9
Jul 23rd, 2010 (4:17 pm)Got a credible source for that? I doubt it.
If “GM doesn’t want to promise a big production figure and have to reduce it later if demand doesn’t justify it,” why should GM offer any figure at all? Changing any number, whether it’s 30K or 15K or 60K, just makes GM look clueless.
+3
Jul 23rd, 2010 (4:20 pm)Time to shop at a new Chevy dealer.
-15
Jul 23rd, 2010 (4:23 pm)(click to show comment)
+1
Jul 23rd, 2010 (4:28 pm)This sorta confirms what Tony P. said at Criswell on July 3rd. He said that within a month that there will be a marketing packet put out and it will include pricing information. Another gm-volter confirmed this after I posted it here. And obviously there would be an announcement via non-print material before then. So the timeline definitely seems to fit. Exciting times!
+1
Jul 23rd, 2010 (4:36 pm)There seems to be a general assumption that the 10k Volts will be spread out over the year. We know GM can build 5k/month, so it is conceivable that all 10k would arrive at the dealers in short order, then GM will wait to see if any problems arise. I think this makes more sense than spreading them out, as GM wants to get real-world feedback and there is nothing to be gained by forcing people to wait and then not being able to get the feedback until many months later.
The longer the time goes by that there are no problems, then GM might re-consider after 6-8 months to build and sell more Volts.
Jul 23rd, 2010 (4:41 pm)I would spread it out. If you send 10K out at once, and they all have the same problem, then it is 10K they have to bring back. Better to let 2K out and see how that goes. If any issue, they can fix them before the other 8K leave the factory floor.
Jul 23rd, 2010 (4:45 pm)Certified GM dealers will later be able to service EV from other manufactures as well. Good move to become certified now.
=D-Volt
BTW: AONE up 8% today. ABAT up 10% on the week. Interest in battery energy is growing.
Jul 23rd, 2010 (4:58 pm)Is that 90% of all dealers or 90% of those in the initial roll out markets? Thought there were more Chevy dealers than that nationwide.
Took another look, think they mean in initial market.
Jul 23rd, 2010 (5:02 pm)Thanks Lyle.
NPNS!
Jul 23rd, 2010 (5:03 pm)My local dealer was not part of the conference.
So I suspect GM hand picked the dealers they wanted to have involved.
+10
Jul 23rd, 2010 (5:03 pm)Are you joking? GM IS building the Volt on one of the most advanced flex lines in the world.
+4
Jul 23rd, 2010 (5:08 pm)The have been testing the hell out of these cars for over a year. Highly unlikely they will find any issue that will require correction after 2k units. I’m thinking that it will require thousands of units before any problems show up.
Jul 23rd, 2010 (5:09 pm)Maybe just switch on mountain mode?
+1
Jul 23rd, 2010 (5:23 pm)Tear…..
/I can’t afford one………..brokeazz CA.
+1
Jul 23rd, 2010 (7:12 pm)Uh, no… bumping production up from 30k will not make GM look any more clueless than anyone else is, for there’s never ever been such a car sold — in other words, there’s no sales history upon which to base any future production figures. I suppose I should acknowledge past BEV sales attempts which went nowhere, so you might want to argue that GM is being overly optimistic with their 30,000 figure.
Why offer a figure? Why not – it’s an acknowledgment of the groundwell of interest in the Volt. It also confirms GM’s committment to expanding Volt availability.
And my source is – my own intuition.
+2
Jul 23rd, 2010 (7:26 pm)Enjoy your LEAF
Jul 23rd, 2010 (8:05 pm)http://garfwod.250free.com/Volt_Rawhide_clip.mp3
=D-Volt
Jul 23rd, 2010 (8:54 pm)Here’s the email I got a couple of weeks ago from them.
We do not have exact details yet but they should be here in early 2011, we will be handling orders like we do with any launch. $1,000 deposit to reserve your chance to buy one.
If you are interested in putting a deposit on one, it just takes about 20 min of your time to stop by. It is refundable of course if for some reason they do not deliver it to CT
+1
Jul 23rd, 2010 (9:05 pm)If the demand is there, I have every confidence that 2011 production will exceed 10,000. Why wouldn’t any company sell as much product as possible? I think GM is sticking to the under-promise over-deliver strategy.
I’m hoping that we are all pleasantly surprised by an announcement that the first 10,000 cars sold out overnight and GM is working 3 shifts a day to make more.
Jul 23rd, 2010 (9:20 pm)Bless you Lyle.
Jul 23rd, 2010 (9:28 pm)Keep in mind also that several months into 2011 GM will begin to open the market to other area of the USA, and even Canada. That means there will be a lot fewer than 16 cars per dealer, as more and more dealers are allowed to order vehicles.
+2
Jul 23rd, 2010 (10:41 pm)I highly suspect that the ones who initially said they would sell at MSRP, will look around the room and go, Hmmmmm… And then charge what everyone else is charging.
While there are a number of people here that believe the dealers are bad for charging above, they need to look in the mirror. If you put your house on the market for X amount and at an open house you have 2 interested buyers and one of them offers you 10% above your asking price because the really like the location, while the others offer to buy at list price (but maybe he offered first). Who are you gonna sell to?
How many of you have ever paid MSRP before? If you raise your hand, you are a fool. Chevy dealers got a golden opportunity on this one. They should reap the benefits. I myself will wait several years, when competition and innovation will drive the cost down to my price range. And I will bet the performance will be better in 4 years too!
+2
Jul 23rd, 2010 (10:53 pm)I think someone
has lost their mindis not including financing costs, commissions, training, tools, an on site Volt demonstrator, overhead, etc. Normal costs don’t just disappear because a “popular” car is on the lot in lower volume than it’s demand.
Jul 24th, 2010 (12:42 am)I’m thinking about organizing a “JUST BUILD MORE” campaign – we’ll all go to Detroit and encircle GM headquarters – we’ll need some catchy marching chants to shout – so start your creative minds now.
I’m thinking, “WA WA , WAY OUT WEST, SHIP US VOLTS ‘CAUSE WE’RE THE BEST!”….. or “BUILD ‘EM BUILD ‘EM WE WANT VOLT – PLUG ‘EM IN OR WE’LL REVOLT!”…..How about – “TEN THOUSAND VOLTS WON’T TELL ‘EM SO, BUT BUILD 100K AND ABDUL WILL GO!” …..hmmm…. “CHEVROLET IN FIFTY STATES, SELL TO ME, NOT JUST BILL GATES!” ….
More later, but I have to get on the horn and find one of those empty shell display EV-1s to put on a trailer to drive back and forth in front of the picket line.
RECHARGE!
James
Jul 24th, 2010 (4:17 am)So GM builds all 10k in the first 2 months, then lays off all the now idle workers for the rest of the year?
.. after all the recall work will be done by the dealerships.. I guess since the Volt is build on a flexline they can get busy and build the other two models instead. Could be, sounds more efficient.
Jul 24th, 2010 (4:23 am)LOL. What a spectacle that would be!
Jul 24th, 2010 (6:39 am)This is a good thing… people complaining about not building enough of the VOLT… that’s the kind of problems to have!
Don’t be surprized if GM builds more than 10K in 2011.
What about the MPV5 any news ?
+6
Jul 24th, 2010 (6:57 am)Got home yesterday from an incredibly hard day at work (HOT) and opened the site to find this article. I immediately sat down (on a towel because I was soaking wet with sweat) and went to the forum about dealers. Long story short the paperwork is on the way!!! I chose a big dealer in MD, who is actually closer to my area than NY/NJ. It will be well into 2011 before my number comes up, but this is definitely a PEAK MOMENT for me. I shortened the story by omitting the long discussion with “management” about our family finances and planning, but, God Willing, it may now actually *happen*!
HUZZAH!
Thanks, Lyle, for this site and all of your dedication that will now pay off for thousands of enthusiasts!
(HEEEE-YOOOOOUGE SMILE)
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Jul 24th, 2010 (7:01 am)Could I order a Volt from my local dealer that is not from the initial roll out are and have a factory pickup? It would be fun to have a factory tour, plus extended rage mode would be found out quickly.
Jul 24th, 2010 (7:12 am)That’s very exciting! Congratulations.
Jul 24th, 2010 (7:14 am)Interesting question! Certainly thinking outside the box. I suspect that GM would need to keep the dealer in the $ loop though. And besides, how would GM deal with the HUGE tent city that sprung up outside their factory (lol).
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Jul 24th, 2010 (7:17 am)Thanks Koz. It’s hard to get an old guy like me really STOKED (lol).
I have a pretty short “bucket list”, but this will really shorten it up. Talking to my wife yesterday about such lists, she announced that she doesn’t even HAVE one. We’re both very blessed.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Jul 24th, 2010 (7:27 am)It would be incredible to tour the factory and see my volt roll off the line. I should call the dealer adn see if it can be arrainged. My dealer would not have to finance any of the volt cost. He could have the check as soon as it rolls off the line and just collect the commission on the sale.
Three more days until we know the price. I can barely hear my electric car already. (pun intended).
Take Care,
TED
Jul 24th, 2010 (7:30 am)Morning Tag.
Jul 24th, 2010 (7:33 am)Morning Ted. Wasn’t it just speculation that the “big announcement” was going to be price? I was thinking it could be CS mpg. I hope that you’re right though.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Jul 24th, 2010 (7:42 am)Don’t know for sure but each item would make a great announcement. I think negotiations are still going on with the EPA and I don’t think we will hear about CS mileage until that is over.
Take Care,
TED
+1
Jul 24th, 2010 (7:45 am)While I agree that GM could increase volume, I am in the school that they won’t, for two reasons.
One is quality control; I think they really want to make sure there is no problem that will cause a massive recall. As been noted by many they have tested the hell of the car, but in reality the rubber meets the road when the general public uses and misuses these cars on a daily basis. GM is trying to show the country that the government (tax payers) made the right decision to save them. Toyoto did not all of a sudden decide to build lower quality products, they just got sloppy. GM learned the lesson and is actually being responsible by keeping numbers low the first two years.
Second, GM is trying to actually make money. This is a new and exciting technology and not a commodity. Fewer numbers keeps prices higher. Early adopters are paying more, but can and will pay for it. In some ways keeping the numbers low, give the early adopters a sense of honor and pride as they are the only one in the neighborhood to have one. It actually builds momentum for the product.
Year 3 is the “tipping point”. If the VOLT is performing as advertised, they will turn up the production significantly. You will see expanded product lines, etc. If in year 3, GM makes comments about not ramping up, etc, then people can start complaining and the conspiracy theorists can and will come out.
EREV is owned by GM and no one is close to dropping this technology on the market. My guess is that they (Toyota, Honda, Ford, etc) are starting to look at this right now. Spend a little on R&D to start the ball rolling, but evaluate how GM is doing. When the VOLT performs as advertised, they will begin development, but be 3-4 years behind GM. Meanwhile GM will already be expanding product lines, lowering cost and increasing performance.
People worried about the Leaf and similar cars taking VOLT customers, do not have to worry. There is a place for BEV, but in the short term its only for a very small segment of the U.S. market. The people that buy the Leaf will either be very happy because their lifestyle fits in the range limitations, or there will be a group that very quickly learns of the limitation and quickly sells the car.
Jul 24th, 2010 (7:47 am)Almost like everyday is Christmas eve (g). I know that GM was getting very intense about the CS mode determination being completed, but that’s literally out of their hands.
*ANY* truly big announcement is good – as long as it’s not like that “major consumer initiative” that was vapor.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Jul 24th, 2010 (7:52 am)Nice to know your going to be an early adopter Tag.
I am sure your going to be more than willing to lend out your Volt to the rest of your volt friends, in order to keep them sane. I would like to reserve it for a week in January, just to see how it does in COLD weather.
Your BEST friend,
JEC
Jul 24th, 2010 (7:54 am)Sorry for not doing my part for the economy but I am not spending a dollar on anything until my volt arrives. It will be a heavy responsiblility but being the first in Florida to own a volt will make it imperative for me to attend every electric car show scheduled. Do I need to route through Pennsylvania on the way back to Florida Tag?
Take Care,
TED
+1
Jul 24th, 2010 (7:56 am)I don’t think that will happen. The 600 dealers will have to invest significant money to be allowed to sell the vehicle. GM would not allow a non-certified dealer from outside the area, who did not invest a dime, get the commission. Regarding factory pick-up, that won’t happen as the dealer needs to get his prep charges, etc. And while GM could prep the car at the factory, the dealer really needs start their training of unloading the VOLT, pulling off the “packing peanuts” making the final battery connections, etc.
Just the reality of life!
Jul 24th, 2010 (8:00 am)Are you saying that you want to get my Volt cold and possibly even WET?? HA!
Seriously, what state do you live in? I could see a neat avocation if people provided room and board while they used my Volt…. I could be a “Volt Ambassador” (are you listening GM???)
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Jul 24th, 2010 (8:01 am)Better start looking for a different dealer!
Jul 24th, 2010 (8:03 am)I’m *definitely* in the same fiscal boat, but this is SO worth it! We are literally looking at second jobs to make this “work”. And of course, PA is on the way to and from *everywhere*!
(It’s just not CLOSE to anywhere).
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Jul 24th, 2010 (8:04 am)Jimza,
I agree with most of your points.
I would add that one of the big reasons GM is not building as many as they could, would be due to the price drop that will come with the next gen Volt.
Along with the battery cell cost, I would expect that the packaging and thermal management cost will come down significantly. I have a sneaky suspicion that GM is going to be able to greatly reduce the size of the battery in two major ways:
1) New battery chemistry will allow utilizing nearly 100% of the battery capacity w/o significant degradation. This alone would cut the cost of cells nearly in 1/2.
2) The expense of all the battery conditioning will decrease dramatically with the new chemistry. The battery packaging/conditioning is very expensive and if they can either reduce or eliminate this part of the battery, this could save a nice chunk of cash.
So, GM is not flooding the market with what it knows will be “expensive protos”, and will let the technology mature, before making its next drive into the market.
Go GM!
Jul 24th, 2010 (8:05 am)Ditto! Go to the forum here regarding dealers and start there!
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Jul 24th, 2010 (8:07 am)Thats Funny….it reminds me of 1975. I purchased a “nearly new” Chevy Monza with the 262 V8 and 4 speed tranny……it was the second car I ever owned. Anyway, that was only a year or two after unleaded gas was mandated to accommodate all of the new cars coming out with catalytic converters. ( and lead pollution of course ) I stopped at a small town, country gas station one day and was surprised to find no unleaded petrol pump at all! An elderly gentleman came out of the station and asked if I needed any help. I explained that my car would only take unleaded gas…..and I asked where I could find the nearest gas station that sold it. He became quite indignant, and shouted that unleaded gas was some kind of conspiracy to put people like him out of business….and basically insinuated that I was a fool to purchase a car that needed this new “poison gas”.
Needless to say, I drove off and found an up to date service station myself.
About two years later, I drove past that same location and sure enough….that station no longer sold gas at all…..he switched to doing small repairs only. Another year or two passed…. I drove by again…. he was “Out of Business”.
I never forgot that gas station…..It exemplifies how, that in a free society, you MUST keep up with technology if you want to stay in business. The same holds true for automobile dealers.
I would not want to be a dealer that did not offer the game changing technology the Volt is pioneering.
I am now the happy owner of an 09 Chevy Malibu. Compared to that old Chevy Monza, and every car and truck I have owned in the last 35 years….foreign and domestic…. it is superior…………( Speaking purely from a satisfaction point of view. ) It’s great on gas and high in quality. This will be my LAST purely gasoline powered automobile. If the Volts quality of build is as at least good as my “BU”….I have no doubt my next car will be a Volt.
Looking for a VOLT in Pennsylvania!
Jul 24th, 2010 (8:08 am)Here’s why most dealers have single digit allocations:
The 10,000 units is what GM has said they will build through CY2011.
The allocation GM has provided to dealers only covers MY2011. This initial allocation covers production from Nov 2010 to June 2011. In Dec or Jan, GM will provide each dealer with an additional allocation of estimated shipments that will cover July-Dec 2011 – these units will be 2012 models.
PLUS, each of those 600 dealers will get a DEMO unit in addition to their regular allocation. Those units must be held at the dealership and used for demo purposes, shows, fairs, etc. Basically each dealer will have a mobile billboard for the VOLT.
Jul 24th, 2010 (8:10 am)I think that you and jim are both correct. I wish I had the bread to buy a VOLT just as a collectors item. This first model year may quickly become a classic. Very low numbers and soon to be outdated tech.
It’s all good.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Jul 24th, 2010 (8:12 am)Just as an aside. One of the things that has REALLY bugged me with the Volt since the inception, was the fact that it would utilize only 50% of the battery. This is being done for good reason today, and that is to extend the life of the battery.
It just seems such a waste to have something that is so expensive per kW, and then only get to really use only 1/2 of it. It would be like buying a car with a V8, but only getting to use 4 of the cylinders at any one time.
Solving this would instantly decrease both the size, weight, and cost of the Volt battery. Since GM has made it clear, that they would not increase the capacity of the battery, that means they would reduce the physical size, which would then also free up space to add the fifth seat back.
Getting the battery to utilize nearly 100% capacity would mean SO much, in SO many ways.
\I await the battery announcement…
Jul 24th, 2010 (8:13 am)Unfortunately, GM has already stated they will not allow “Drop-Shipments”, where you order from one dealer and have it delivered by another. All VOLT’s will be shipped to the ordering dealer – and all of those must be certified before getting any cars. GM has also encouraged dealers to sell into their own market area, although they cannot prevent it from happening. With guys like Ted in Ft Meyers … there’s no stopping that determination!
Jul 24th, 2010 (8:21 am)AMEN re determination. I called dealers as far as 5 hours away (one-way) and was very lucky to find one only ~4 hours away. Gm’s training dealers in non-release states to do the service, so I suspect that they know that there will be “enthusiasts” (read goofballs) who will go to great lengths like Ted and me.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Jul 24th, 2010 (8:23 am)
Jul 24th, 2010 (8:24 am)I BELIEVE!!!
Jul 24th, 2010 (8:38 am)You got that right. I did choose my purchase dealers area carefully. I originally was born in Michigan and feel it is important to support Michigan businesses that support the domestic auto industry and the first major auto manufacturer to promote electric and erev cars.
Take Care,
TED
Jul 24th, 2010 (9:57 am)You really think you’re going to easily fit five people in a Leaf and get even 80 miles out of a charge with the additional weight? Even kids would be cramped. The technology has to improve first. These first electrics are going to be small.
Jul 24th, 2010 (9:57 am)Weren’t there supposed to be 2500-3000 Volts to be sold to the US govt and utilities? If so the numbers sound right for the 600 dealers + govt & utilities.
Nice Photoshop of the “Volt” sign there. lol
+1
Jul 24th, 2010 (10:24 am)Personally I think its pork barrel spending from congress since this problem is starting to repeat itself. The rebate is not designed to make dealerships richer off federal money its designed to get cars to the drivers.
Hello US Congress,
Please amend the rebate program to disqaulify any car purchase over MSRP.
That would solve the problem that I saw when Touota dealerships marked up their product back in the early launch. Its a major flaw in the program since the US Congress is writing a check to US businesses and not helping US citizens.
Its that simple if Congress would just do a good job and add a smiple sentence to the program.
That way if GEEM dealers start marking the car up $8-10000 then the Peoples government rebate will be void. I think that would fix the problem of markups very quickly.
I dont see the point of giving dealerships federal government money and increasing the car price equal too or more than the fully inflated MSRP.
Jul 24th, 2010 (2:20 pm)That’s seriously admirable, Tag, and, for others who actually are striving at 100% of
their efforts to get a Volt. But in so doing, please try to pace yourselves and be as mindful
to physically
STAY WELL.
Your friend in Austin,
Dan Petit.
Jul 24th, 2010 (4:43 pm)Very nice commentary. Keep up with the times or eat dust.
Jul 25th, 2010 (9:54 am)That’s very interesting. Who is paying for dealer training in non-release states? Or did you just make that up?
Jul 25th, 2010 (11:43 am)I’m glad the Volt triggered an interest for electric car for you. Better yet, I’m glad you are setting your sight on a Leaf. That makes one more Volt available for those of us who believe it’s a better car.
Jul 26th, 2010 (12:40 pm)You are truly clueless. My driving is mostly chauffeuring my four kids. I signed up on Lyle’s list ages ago before GM announced the Volt would only seat four. Despite my disappointment I am still a huge fan of electric propulsion in general and the Volt in particular. I regularly talk the car up to neighbors and acquaintances. Since I live about a hour from Austin I care a lot about its status as a rollout city and initial dealer allocations.
The fact that your ignorant comment drew 13 recs does not reflect well on this otherwise excellent site.
Jul 26th, 2010 (9:52 pm)Whether the Volt Forum Dealer can provide in terms of improved customer complaints