[ad#post_ad]After more than three years of intense debate, discussion, and speculation and over a fifteen hundred articles on GM-Volt.com, the moment has finally arrived for GM to unveil the Chevrolet Volt’s pricing.
The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starts at $41,000.
Taking the $7500 tax credit into account the net cost to the buyer will thus be $33,500. The MSRP includes a $720 destination charge.
GM is pricing the car’s lease price much more aggressively. The 3 year 36 month lease payment will be $350 per month with $2500 down payment.
GM is able to offer such a low lease price because of the determination that the car will have a high residual value, though they are not releasing it at this time.
GM will begin taking orders for the car at participating launch market dealers in California, Washington DC, Michigan, Texas and New York starting today.
The car comes with a generous list of standard features for the base MSRP. If a buyer decides to, he or she can add up to 4 premium options which include leather seats and steering wheel, rear camera and parking sensors, polished wheels, and one of three premium paints.
Fully loaded with all the premium features the MSRP will be $44,600 or net $37,100 after the tax credit.
“The Chevrolet Volt will be the best vehicle in its class…because it’s in a class by itself,” said Joel Ewanick, vice president of U.S. marketing for General Motors, who made the announcement at the Plug-In 2010 conference. “No other automaker offers an electrically driven vehicle that can be your everyday driver, to take you wherever, whenever. The Volt will be packed with premium content and innovation, standard.”
To assist the ordering process and manage expectations GM has a specialized customer call in number of -888-VOLT-4-YOU (1-888-865-8496), where a Volt adviser will take your questions. As well there will be a special website to see the status of the order and build process.
Local Volt dealers can be found on the website getmyvolt.com
Included in the MSRP of the car is an unprecedented 5 years of OnStar directions and connections as well as mobile phone connectivity.
“We wanted to make the Volt ownership experience unlike anything we’ve done at Chevrolet, because the Volt is unlike any vehicle we’ve offered,” said Tony DiSalle, director of Chevrolet Volt product marketing. “We want customers to fully enjoy the Volt lifestyle by providing unprecedented connectivity to their vehicle through the Volt mobile app.”
The car comes with a 120V standard charger that will recharge the car in up to 10 hours.
An optional 240 V charger will be available. 4400 customers in launch markets will be eligible for a free charger made available through DOE grants.
And there you have it. Now we know the price.
You can also ask your questions of the Volt team in the box below. Volt vehicle lien director Tony Posawatz and Volt marketing director Tony DiSalle will answer selected questions in a videocast that will appear at 4PM Eastern time.
FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE
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This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 at 11:00 am and is filed under Financial. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
+42
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:01 am)Participating Chevy Dealers selling the Volt shown at http://media.gm.com/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/July/0727_voltpricing/_jcr_content/rightpar/tabbedframe/par3/download/file.res/072710%2520Chevrolet%2520Volt%2520Participating%2520Dealers.doc
I’m pretty disappointed in the price. They are taking the short sighted approach it seems.
The lease looks very attractive though, and the announcement of options was very exciting.
I feel like they could have really hit a home run today, but instead they went against all their previous quotes stating it would be in the 30′s (sometimes saying “closer to 40″) before the tax incentive.
join thE REVolution
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:01 am)WAHOO!!! I WANT ONE!!!
+15
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:02 am)That is disappointing but not too surprising. 41 + dealer prep + 7% sales tax should put it over 44K. Then wait for the tax credit check in 2012. This will push many to lease I think.
+6
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:02 am)They deserve this price and the car is worth far more than a 100 mile range BEV.
Everyone of them will sell.
Demand for them will spur on the process of developing Volt Version 2.0.
+31
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:03 am)I guess I’m not too surprised, but I am a little disappointed. I really thought the “comfortably under $30,000 after the rebate) was for real. I hope GM finds a way to lower the price for 2nd generation because many folks that want this car won’t be able to afford it.
+43
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:03 am)Ouch, 41K base price. Very steep. And yes the lease is a very attractive alternative.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:03 am)Lyle, thanks for the info. Off to the dealer…
+8
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:04 am)From the article:
“We wanted to make the Volt ownership experience unlike anything we’ve done at Chevrolet,
Ya, like make a reliable product at a reasonable cost.
+87
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:04 am)After more than 3 years of watching, hoping and actively supporting GM’s Volt design and development —including two trips from my home in Florida to NYC at my own expense— I’m sorry to say I think they’ve seriously misjudged the buying public. To illustrate my own view, let me say I’d seriously consider buying a 2011 Lincoln MKS hybrid at just over $35,000 —a beautifully-styled luxury car whose hybrid technology has been proven in the Ford Fusion hybrid— rather than a Gen 1 Volt.
GM, I’m not saying the Volt isn’t worth $41,000 —I’m saying you don’t see the big picture like Toyota did when they introduced & sold the Prius at a loss!
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:04 am)Wow, more than $40K!
GO EV!!!!
+16
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:05 am)Lease price is … Accessible in ways the msrp just isn’t. That’s practically a force. Who would assume all the risk of purchase of a car this radically different if the lease option is this attractive?
+23
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:05 am)The MSRP is higher than I expected, but not a lot higher. I was thinking more in the range of $37K to $39K. Thinking that the MSRP could be in the low 30s just didn’t seem realistic, IMO. On the other hand, the lease is much better than I imagined. Much much better.
For those disappointed in the price — which includes myself to some extent — keep in mind that $350/month is a great deal. A really good deal. Just ten years ago a much less capable car was $500/month and you couldn’t buy it at the end of the lease.
Also keep in mind that in the last two years we’ve gone from having one EV — the Tesla Roadster — available at about $125K. The Volt even at $40K has reduced this price by 2/3rds. The GM engineers are good but they’re not miracle workers.
+56
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:05 am)Too much for the common person. Really disappointed by this news. Now I need to look at my other options.
+20
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:05 am)Priced way to high for the masses. The lease option amount is on par with Leaf. Lease might be the better way to go for those who want it.
+7
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:05 am)WOW! The suspense is over. What a relief, even if it is a bit pricey. Gee, that lease is going to be attractive to a lot of people.
+57
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:06 am)That is a disaster. They didn’t get it below $30K post tax-credit. They didn’t even get it below $40K pre-tax-credit.
+32
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:06 am)Well, count me out.
Assuming my trade didn’t have an outstanding loan (which it does) I’d be looking at $500/month payments for 72 months at 4%.
+16
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:07 am)They’ll sell them all, but….
Time for a break.
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!
+37
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:07 am)You would have to save alot on gas to pay 41K for a Volt and not 16K for a cruise…….
+33
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:08 am)This confirms my decision to wait 2 or 3 years to buy an ev.
+8
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:08 am)$41k!!? Wow, higher than what I was expecting… think I’ll be going for the lease option.
+13
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:08 am)Price is what I expected and what was originally stated by Bob Lutz ($40K). $350/month is not a bad lease. I’m not a lease person, but this is a unique car. There’s so much technology thats moving at a fast pace, I think i would want to upgrade after 3 years.
+7
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:08 am)Ouch! I won’t be buying until 2012 anyway so I hope the price will come down by then. Mid 30′s would be great.
+20
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:09 am)I’m a bit disappointed. I’ll wait for Gen 2
The lease is the financially better way to go because you amortize the tax rebate over a shorter period of time, and you protect yourself from obsolescence. But I’m not a lease type person so for me it’s a non-starter.
+22
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:09 am)Aaaaarrrrggh!! Now it’s official; my next car is a Cruze. I will say this in defense of the Volt, however: All of the people claiming that this price tag will doom the vehicle sales apparently have no idea how many SUVs cost $40K. I am sure sales will be brisk since it is such a revolutionary vehicle.
+14
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:11 am)Who says they’re not losing money at this price?
+12
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:11 am)Then I think they have succeeded in that, the price is perfectly reasonable for what one is getting.
They are going to sell out of the first two years of production regardless no point in them losing more money than necessary. As long as the prices drop enough by Gen II I don’t see this hindering adoption in any way.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:11 am)So when does Gen. 2 come out again?
(Need a lot of time to digest this, and I don’t mean my chicken salad).
+15
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:12 am)Holy s#&t! This is much higher than I expected.
Well I did suggest that GM should price it just above cost and make a profit. GM is not in a position to loose money on each car. I just thought they would be able to make money on a much lower price. At least this will minimize if not eliminate excessive dealer mark up. Better the money goes to GM than the dealer in my opinion. I think some dealer markup <$2k is acceptable, just not $5 to $10k some have been suggesting.
+7
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:12 am)I think that this says good things for the long term.
1) It says that GM thinks it is WORTH it.
2) It will take the Volt to profitability very soon
3) It says that GM believes what we have been saying, namely there is a lot of demand.
4) It means that the car will be around for a long time. The price will come down somewhat gradually.
+16
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:12 am)I’m in!
But I live in Iowa, so I’m going to have to wait. 
For the same lease price, which would you rather have: a Volt or a Leaf?
Folks, this is 1st generation, early adopter technology. Compare it to the 1st HD flat screen TVs or the 1st (name your ubiquitous electronics device). You pay the early adopter premium. The cost will come down in succeeding editions of the Volt.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:13 am)This is not a good deal, DonC, if you are used to paying cash for a car.
+13
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:13 am)Apple’s products are priced way higher than the competition, and people can’t seem to get enough of that stuff…
They will sell all the Volts at $41000, though.
+13
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:13 am)In Georgia the Volt will cost $33,500 after tax incentives while the Leaf will cost around $21,000. That is a $12,500 spread difference.
+25
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:14 am)I am going for LEAF….waited till this day…now the pricing is out…I am also getting out from waiting list….
I am GM fan…and I love GM….but…
its really not for common man
With $12-13k difference with LEAF…It doesn’t make much sense to go with VOLT..just to avoid range issue…I can get 12-15 towing service (ya if I forget abt the range issue) for LEAF…and I don’t think if I forget abt the range one time and paid for towing I won’t make the mistake again….
+44
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:14 am)I am deeply saddened by this announcement. I think the Volt is an absolutely amazing car, but the MSRP is way too high! $41K is way too high for a Chevy compact. Cadillac? Absolutely, but definitely not a Chevy. So much for it going “mainstream”…..
The GM execs just don’t get it. This car needs to be affordable and go mainstream to help us get free from foreign oil and it needs to be produced in high volumes (300K per year, minimum).
I don’t care what kind of tax credits that are offered: the $41K sticker price is and will be a HUGE turn-off to a lot of people, especially when they can get a Leaf for approx $9K cheaper ($16K cheaper with the tax credit) and a Prius for a whopping $19K cheaper.
It really doesn’t matter how much GM tries to “educate” people about the Volt: it will be compared to the Leaf and the Prius regardless. $41K will not fly and GM is shooting itself in the foot.
Flame away at me and call me a troll if you’d like (even though I do think the Volt is a great vehicle), but this is not looking good at all.
+38
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:14 am)I thoght gm killed the cadilac converj but apparently they rebadged it a chevy and kept the price
seriously though that is more than I am willing to spend but to get off oil is probably worth the price. I think the price must be driving the production numbers. Good luck gm. This car will be at the topof my when I win the lottery list
+34
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:14 am)Yup. A smashing engineering success by the engineers has been knocked down a few pegs by the accountants.
+15
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:14 am)I think there was probably a lot more thought put into this than we realize. I’m just not sure what their end goal is. Looks to me like they want people to lease this vehicle. It may be too expensive for an average person to buy, but it isn’t too much for them to lease. I expect that is what most people will end up doing. I’m just curious why GM would prefer to have people lease than buy…any thoughts people?
+7
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:15 am)Expensive indeed, but I hope GM will sell a lot – for me I will lease the Ampera when possible in Sweden if the competitors are still behind:-)
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:15 am)This car is in such demand this is probably the right price… demand will set the price … that’s the way it’s supposed to be… If I get the chance of getting one .. I would.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:16 am)> To significantly reduce emissions & consumption in a reliable & cost-effective manner.
That purpose needs to be taken seriously now.
+32
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:16 am)Allow me to take this opportunity to welcome all the new members of “The Gen II Club.” Remember our motto: “All things come to those who wait.” We’ll be scheduling our quarterly “Teeth gnashing & wailing” get-together later this month.
No, I was never in the running for Gen I, but I’d hoped that more people would be.
The question most of us must now ask is: “Will the Voltec program survive it’s first year,” or “Will there be a Gen II or III?” I think the answer has to be
YES.
GM will sell all 10K (and maybe more) at this price. Just not to us.
The good thing about being forced to wait is that tomorrow’s Volt will be better and cheaper. The bad thing is going to be enduring another couple of years of heavy-duty Troll @#$%.
+7
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:17 am)Ouch! I was holding out hope that we’d be surprised with a lower than expected price. Guess not.
+9
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:17 am)Hi all,
It looks like GM is taking the Tax Rebate as a profit. I said a few posting ago, I bet without a tax rebate, the price would be around $33,000
+5
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:17 am)Too exorbitant. GM blew it. I’m going to hold out and see what Toyota/Tesla comes up with.
I wonder how much Big Oil is subsidizing the automakers to suppress progress on electric vehicles. They’ve had 150+ years to perfect the technology and make it affordable. There are old newspaper ads from the mid-1800s advertising electric cars. This is a pity.
+6
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:17 am)A disappointment.
No matter what people do look at price.
Lease may be the better option.
We will see what kind a demand is generated.
Will this be a Camaro Moment?
+13
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:18 am)I was going to put this in yesterday’s thread, but comments closed. As the issues all still apply here are some observations:
1) Premium fuel. Not surprising. As most seem to understand, aging fuel is the issue. At one point, I know it was being bantered at GM that they might have to come up with some mechanism to burn off fuel, as it would sit in the tank too long and get stale. Volatility is the issue, and the stuff your cars want is the octane (C8H18) (8 for oct-). Hence, the octane rating. The octane wants to boil off, so it is a no-brainer that they dictate you start with more of it via premium fuel.
2) LED lights. It is foolish to desire regular lights when LEDs are available. There is a reason your regular headlights melted the snow- because so much of the energy is WASTED as heat. Do you want to drive less miles every day on pure electric so you can melt snow just in the winter? In my home, I have replaced all bulbs I can with LEDs- we’re talking 90% less electricity and decades worth of longevity.
3) $7500 tax credit. If you have heard of the phrases, ‘Alternative Minimum Tax’ and ‘refundable credit’, you know there are strings attached to this money. This is not ‘Send in your UPC bar codes and we will mail you a check’. The previous hybrid tax credits were linked to AMT (although I am pretty sure I read that this new credit avoids that HUGE drawback) and I got burned as NY property tax deductions ensured that I ran into the AMT wall. The solar tax credits I had were not refundable, meaning that if you don’t pay enough tax you carry them forward until you do pay enough tax to be offset by the credit. Understand the ramifications for ROTH IRA retirees. They might have a boatload of money, but no taxes!! This means that the electric vehicle credit is no benefit whatsoever. GM should NOT use this credit as part of their calculations in determining sale price, as there is no guarantee this money will be forthcoming to the buyer. It sets them up for lawsuits if they use the figure in their sales pitches.
4) 220 Charger. I asked this question outright during the GM Volt chat session. I asked why you would need a charger if the Volt would have the charging control circuitry built in. The point is you don’t HAVE to get the charger. It was explained about the communication circuitry, safety, etc. But there is nothing stopping you from buying the proper parts at Home Depot and fabricating the connection yourself. It is advantageous to have the charging wall unit, but the premium price (I think it was supposed to run $1600) makes me wonder if most won’t just forego the option and rig up a 220 connection on their own.
+6
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:18 am)Here’s what I don’t get; it’s based on a Cruze platform. A fully loaded Cruze is still $20K cheaper than the Volt. Are the Volt’s electric motors and battery really $20K all by themselves, even after eliminating the cost of the Cruze transmission?
+33
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:18 am)I’ve spent 3 years pursuing the Volt. I even got to see it at the GM design and technology event last summer. I even told some of the exces and engineers riding with us what I would be willing to pay for a Volt- which was somewhere in the lower to mid-30′s max. But $41,000?
I’m sorry GM, but this is unacceptable. Yes- we who are well-aware of electric vehicles realize this is a totally different car. But the car looks like a Honda Civic, and the general public will find it difficult to cough up $41,000 for a car that looks like a Civic yet costs the same as an Audi A4.
There is no way in hell I will pay $40,000 for this or any car. I make a pretty good 6-figure income, but $40,000 for a car is obscene in my eyes. At that price it would seriously still be way the hell better to just buy a Honda Fit and wait for the cost of electric cars to come down to more reasonable levels.
As you can tell, I’m extremely disappointed. GM- You have GOT to lower that price. I more than anyone else wants to see you succeed with this. But 40k is a a stretch.
+12
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:19 am)To buy all the high end options and state and local taxes = $50K for the Volt
It looks like GM wants most people to lease instead of buy this car. Then, if there are any real problems with the car, they can take them all back.
I do not think I am a conspiracy type person, but does that sound familiar??????????
I guess I am out until Gen-II. So maybe I am not so unlucky not to be in the limited release area after all…………………
$50K for a car is just more than I am willing to spend. I guess I will just drive my Crossfire until it dies.
I know they will still sell every one of the first 10K units, even at these prices. But the 2012 model year will be a different story. Maybe that is why they will only make 30K units!
Very disappointing to say the least.
I wonder what the CS mileage will be???? Then all my questions will be answered.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:20 am)Data collection and limiting exposure to risk.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:20 am)A dose of commercial reality. Personally, 33K net is very reasonable for all the new tech that is crammed into this vehicle, what it can do, and the lack of current competitors, let alone the risk GM is taking. Seriously, a fully loaded Prius V costs that much with decade older tech. And the lease is EXTREMELY attractive and afterwards there’ll be cheaper next gen volts.
Don’t see how anyone can criticize this price point without knowing a) how much they take to build @ quantity & b) what the market really is for these (it’s all just projections right now, highly unknown). Nissan is way out on a limb as they’ve already admitted.
If you drive around 40 miles every day this is definitely worth looking at especially with the lease.
+5
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:21 am)I was wondering about GM’s strategy for the IPO. Releasing the Volt at 41K and selling out the entire years allocation immediately has got to look good for the future if your’e an investor. Along with tons of Equinoxes and Camaros going out at over 40K according to CorvetteGuy. Investors should like the potential to sell their IPO stocks for a profit based on GM’s ability to grow margins. That must of looked a lot better to the folks in accounting than Ed Whitacre’s claims of low thirties.
Oh well on to Gen II.
+17
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:21 am)Wow. I guessed low. A four-seat compact car for $41K. Amazing.
Well, they’ll sell 10K in 2011, I think, but this explains why they won’t need to build more than 30K in 2012.
It will be most interesting to see how the PHEV Prius prices out.
+10
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:21 am)Well, we told them over and over that demand would be much greater than supply. What happens when supply is low and demand is high? Prices go up.
One look at my bank account tells me I’m firmly in the Gen 2 boat now. But despite the price tag, every single one of those cars will sell within weeks. I’m sad for me, but happy for Volt.
+11
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:22 am)No wonder they are only building 10,000 of them. The competition would have eaten GM’s lunch if they make more than that.
#9 Ditto — I think there are cheaper solutions out there. I am priced out.
+5
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:22 am)Comparing the Lincoln MKS hybrid to the Volt: The Volt will be less money, by $1500 if purchased, factoring in the $7500 tax credit.
Now we all have the information we need to make our own personal economic decision. It’s not realistic to believe the Volt was going to be priced for EVERYONE to afford it. They are only making 10,000 of these in the next year.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:23 am)Even if you’re generally not a lease person this particular lease really is a “no-brainer”. Should be interesting to see how they managed to get a $42K car down to this level. For a $42K car you’d expect lease payments in the $450 – $500 range. But sometimes it’s just easier to go with the flow and not to look a gift horse in the mouth.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:23 am)What makes you think this isn’t @ a loss for GM?
+5
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:23 am)Like many of you, I too am disappointed in the price. However, if I am lucky enough to get one of the first Volts, I will take the lease option and return the car in three years. By then, the Gen II version will be out and no doubt the price will likely be more affordable at that time. Also, by then, I’m sure there will be more competition and therefore, more choices.
+15
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:24 am)This is a colossal disapointment! I was hoping for anything under $35K, but not even under $40k?!?
I would have preferred a Volt, but Nissan here I come.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:26 am)The price seems a little steep, but in the long run is probably a really good price. After all there will only be !0,000 of these cars and there is a lot of demand.
I fully expect the 2012 model to be cheaper than this 2011 model.
+5
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:26 am)Wow! Talk about missed opportunity. GM could have saved face and regained a lot of consumer good will by meeting even the highest end of their 3rd upwardly revised estimate for price ($35-$40K). So for $1K/car ($40M for the first 2 years of production), they blew it and blew a lot of credibility in the process. Such a shame. Every dollar north of $35K starts losing early adopters. Every dollar north of $4K more than the Leaf starts significantly losing buyers that considered both a viable option. Every dollar north of $6K more than a reasonably equipped Prius starts losing customers that look at both cars.
On the bright side, the lease is good and will probably allow them to sell out the first 2 years. Only 3 yr lease, no 5 year? How many miles/yr? Restrictions on E-miles?
+7
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:28 am)Now serving number 7…. Number 7 please…. If everyone would just form a single file line, I’ll get to you just as quick as I can!!!!!
+11
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:28 am)POSTED earlier today ……update!
What is the competition for the VOLT today?
Ford Fusion Hybrid ~ $28,100 to $28,800 before Ford announces removal of hybrid premium
Prius ~ $32,000 fully loaded
Leaf ~ $32,780 standard config.
New competitor!!!! – 2011 Lincoln MKS hybrid at just over $35,000
Will the pricing of today’s VOLT reflect these realities or will they push the envelope?
LOOKS LIKE GM WANTS TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE. The only brighter option seems be leasing… but how many miles?????
Early adopters are willing to jump in but they generally are not stupid if the pricing is in gouge territory.
The “average” person will also make these comparisons and …. SEE 41,000 to 44,000 then look at the options above….. Prius at basic config is a lot less and Ford Fusion is a lot less. the LEAF is in the ball park if you need a car that needs no range extension.
Will be a lot of fun to see how it all plays today. :+] “Play” is not as fun now.
Looks like the “Old GM” is still alive.
+5
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:29 am)I’m surprised and disappointed by the announced MSRP. Not that it matters much because I don’t live near a early sales area, and I’ve always been leery of driving to Detroit to buy a car.
However, a high price may be a “fair” method to control early demand when the supply isn’t available. This pricing strategy may be more like the cost of a new electronic gadget than of the traditional car market. The early adopters get to pay the freight as production ramps up. And a lot of shenanigans with dealer waiting lists, special favors, etc., may go away at this price. There probably won’t be a lot of “added dealer markup” at that price.
If GM decides to increase production down the road, then lowering the price can bring back the demand.
One worrisome idea, if most of the early cars are leased, then GM can claw back the Volt just like it did the EV1.
+9
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:30 am)$41000 for a chevy???? NUTS!
+11
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:31 am)People, please cheer up. There are TONS of vehicles out there that are sold for much more money than this and all they provide is snob appeal. This is ground breaking technology; it will cost more. If you have been complaining all along that the idea is to get off of (foreign) (planet killing) oil, then stand your ground. Do not buy a (non hybrid) gas alternative in defiance. Stay the course. Either hold out for the (presumably cheaper) next iteration of the Volt or see what competitors have to offer in electric drives. In a couple years, the sky will be the limit. Whatever you do, tell yourself ‘No Plug, No Sale’.
+10
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:32 am)What worries me is that if the loyal Volt supporters are disappointed and opting out of Gen 1 what will the general public think? Will the Gen 1 Volt be a smashing success? If not then there is no Gen 2. This is scary.
+20
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:32 am)I too am deeply disappointed. This price is over the top! Not sure what GM is intending to do by pricing it at $41K but this solidly places me out of the Volt market. I have to imagine there are a lot of others who feel the same.
My wife and I both have a good jobs, with good pay and no bills including being mortgage free but to pay $41K for the Volt when I can purchase a Prius or Leaf (and I know they ain’t the same so go ahead an flame away) however the price differential is simply too great. And I have to believe that for the majority who have been active on this site and even those who have been just lurking this was quite a disappointment.
Where are you Statik??
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:32 am)Was there any info on when the first customer can expect delivery?
(that person better share their MyVolt page too)
(considering buying the domain name Voltbook.com..hmm)
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:33 am)And if you want to drive your Leaf from Georgia to Virginia you better take a week off work and reserve all the camper sites with electrical outlets on the way.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:33 am)Now…just wait for it…
“send inthe trolls, there has to be trolls (everybody sing along!!)
they will sell every one they make, leasing is a better option for consumers and GM as they will get them back (most likely) for real world information. many will choose that option for pricing vs buying.
I hoped for lower, but this is cool. comparisons? fusion hybrid? not hte same tech, ditto for lincoln or anything else…
BEV are totally different. the plug in Prius? lets see the AER, (rumoured to be 12 miles, less than 1/3).
there will be no shortage of takers for gen 1.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:33 am)They probably priced it this way on purpose so that most people won’t want to spend that kind of money on a car. The 41K pricing is too much for most people, and they’ll lease it instead.
GM never wanted to sell an electric car. This pricing scheme just proves it. Once those leases are done, GM takes back the cars – calls it a disaster and kills the product, just like last time.
+7
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:33 am)OK, the dream is over. 41K & taxes & dealer Markup – $7500 is well over 40K. And that is beyond my price point. Anybody want my slot at the local Dealer.
My Wife will not let me buy another Ford after all the trouble our Freestyle gives us. So as much as it pains my Patriotic American Hart I guess a Japanese / Korean it will be
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:33 am)Anyone know lease terms? how many miles included? does the $350 price include taxes?
-6
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:33 am)Turns out what you thought were trolls were just contributors with an above-average grasp of reality.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:34 am)… at the end of three years they can crush them all. History repeating?
Let’s hope that’s not the case though.
join thE REVolution
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:34 am)When I initially was told that my Volt would not arrive until March of 2011, I was fairly disappointed. But this will give me time to put more money into the piggy bank. Don’t know how much dealer prep is, guessing $400, but sales tax in MI is %6, so that is really close to $2,500 (hopefully that is also deductibe on federal income taxex). And March is close to tax time. Sitll, it will be some extra effort, but if this is not worth it, I don’t know what is.
+5
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:35 am)I didn’t really expect them to have an MSRP of $32,000 like the Leaf is priced. That would have been awesome. However … I did think that GM would surprise us with an MSRP of $37,000 at least though. I would have been fairly happy with $35,000. Oh well. This $41,000 price is disappointing. It’s like the prices of HDTVs were in the first year they came out. You wanted one badly, but you just couldn’t swing it if you didn’t have the extra money in your budget.
Maybe GM is trying to convince people to LEASE instead of buy for this 2011 model. Maybe the purchase price will drop a good bit for the 2012 model, which I hear will go on sale in the summer of 2011.
Leasing might be a good decision anyway since electric car technology will be changing pretty quickly over the next 5 years or so. I guess everyone better start saving a little more each month. That $2,500 down payment for the lease isn’t so bad if you’ve been saving a couple hundred or so each month over the past year.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:36 am)You should work on your reading comprehension, the leases offer the option to buy the car at the end of the lease.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:36 am)The Gen II club will sustain this website for another 3 years !
Talking the wifey into a Gen I lease now :>)
+6
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:37 am)We can cut, shred, rip apart Toyota for just about everything.
But what they are not, is dumb. They are a highly successful company.
My bet is they will come significantly under $41,000.
They don’t have to prove anything to the American people as they are already convinced of Toyota quality. Sadly, GM holds the other side of that perception.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:37 am)$41K + Dealer destination charges.
Then what is the CS mode mpg? It better be the 50mpg “bogey” Andrew Farah has always said it was reaching for.
lol….
EV1…..it was lease only.
Volt…..only financially feasible option IS TO LEASE.
See the parallelism?
+10
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:37 am)Corvettes are in the Mid 50′s
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:38 am)I wish logic would prevail with these posts: As we all know and have burned in our brains, GM is only building 10,000 units this coming year and only 30,000 the next. By that time, Gen II will be out and probably cost less
You are ready to take orders! LOL. I’ve bet you have been waiting for this day for quite some time.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:38 am)It’s absolutely NOT the case, the lease comes with the option to buy.
-7
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:38 am)GM put a “low” number because they want to have another EV-1, once you rent it, you must return after lease ends, that is why they set high price for purchase because buyer can’t be forced to return it.
GM is doomed! Another EV-1 is in the making
+7
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:38 am)traverse, silcerado, corvette, tahoe, suburban, avalanche loaded Equinox, loaded impala,
Lots of Chevs North of 40. Not for a vehicle this size mind you, but then again for game changing technology?
a comparably equipped Prius is about 33k, so what the biggie here folks?
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:39 am)Sure only if you ignore the option to buy in the lease terms.
+5
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:39 am)I think I’m even more disappointed than when GM moved away from the original concept design. And I think what’s really the most disappointing is that unlike the latest and greatest electronics tech/toys/gadgets, you just know the price for gen 2 and 3 won’t be dropping like the price of PC’s and HDTV’s did.
+7
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:39 am)Yes, why the huge discrepancy between purchase and lease? I think even people with ready cash will consider the lease. $350 * 36 months = $12600. That means they consider the car still to be worth about $29k after 3 years. Highly unrealistic. We all expect Gen II to be available for close to this price. Would you buy a new Gen II for $33k with new warranty or a used Gen I for $29k? That brings us to two possibilities, 1) Gen II price will be significantly higher, 2) They really are planning to re-possess and crush after all. I don’t really believe in option 2, so the Gen II will be over $35k. I guess this is just reality and it does cost GM this much to make Volts.
Suddenly the production estimates of 10k for 2011 and 30k for 2012 look much more realistic. There really won’t be more demand.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:40 am)He’s here.
http://nissan-leaf.net/2010/07/27/leaf-remains-the-ev-for-the-people-as-chevrolet-prices-the-volt-like-a-cadillac-starts-at-41000/
+12
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:40 am)The Nissan Leaf folks must be dancing in their offices today. They are going to absolutely bury GM with this pricing mis-step. They are already dominating the social media, buzz marketing and commercial (Lance Armstrong anyone?) lead up to their release. Now they have been handed the whole BP weary EV market on a silver platter. Too bad, GM could have really knocked it out of the park with an affordable MSRP. But I’m afraid they will be reduced to an asterisk on the EV revolution now.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:41 am)Well, I’m disappointed, but maybe it isn’t THAT bad. We paid $30k for our G6 convertible, and this is only a few thousand more. I guess I’ll see how I feel about it after a night’s sleep. The lease probably wouldn’t work–I’m at around 90 miles a day.
+5
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:41 am)Yeah, but:
Some Volts will still be purchased outright. Just not by any of us.
IF most Volts will be leased then crushed, what will those remaining Volts be worth in a few years? Jay Leno take note …
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:41 am)ANL has already been testing OEM’d PHEV Prius.
They will price it very close to that $41K. maybe $38K. That’s the common approach of “If they can sell their product for $xxxx then we can sell ours for a little less but still make a profit while undercutting them”.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:42 am)Sorry for the reading comprehension thing I just realized this article doesn’t included the information.
I have read at another site the the lease included the option to buy, so people can quit freaking out about the lease issue.
-9
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:42 am)Actually, a $33K Prius has features the Volt lacks. And you can get the very desireable solar sunroof option (another feature the Volt lacks) for significantly less than $30K. And you can get them today, with proven reliability.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:44 am)Many things to consider here:
1. Lyle: please stay on top of your contacts at GM to publish the number of people who have paid deposits for the Volt nationwide in the coming weeks. These reservation numbers will ultimately tell us of the Volt’s demand at this price point.
2. Equally important, we need to pay close attention to the number of new LEAF deposits that come in over the next few weeks as well. I believe that there are a number of people whom are either anti-foreign oil or eco-minded, and they will be happy with either car. At this price point, if we see a strong uptick in LEAF reservations over the next two or three weeks, then that indicates that those who would be happy with either car (but were holding out to hear the Volt price) may have gone the other way.
On the flip side, if LEAF reservations drastically fall-off, then that’s a great sign for the Volt. 
3. For everyone who has been disappointed with GM’s decision to do a limited roll-out of 10,000 Volts this first year, we now see why. This price point is what most Volt enthusiasts expected, but it is cost prohibitive (after all, $40,000 will buy you a new, base model Mercedes).
4. I am glad GM has priced the Volt at $41,000 because I want the company to make money (well, at least not lose money). They’ve been bailed-out once recently, let’s keep it at that.
5. $41,000 will sell 10,000 Volts, I’m not certain about 30,000, but if we want the Volt to be at the 100,000/year production range, the price must come down. I think that GM’s biggest gamble here is that the Volt and the LEAF will increase battery production enough to the point that the price for them drops drastically in the next few years, and hopefully that will result in a 2012/2013 Volt that costs $35,000 before any tax credit (which, hopefully, will still apply at that point or be renewed). In short, this is not a mass adoption price, but it’s important to remember that it’s not going to be a mass adoption car at least for the next few years either.
That’s what I’ve got, feel free to “plus or minus” me at will…
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:44 am)Interesting point.
-2
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:46 am)OK, I know this seems OT on a day like today, but I just read an article that claims a company named AFS Trinity is building Ultracapacitors that will be used in the Chevy Volt primarily for the regenerative braking system. Anybody? Lyle? A little help…
+11
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:46 am)Sometimes it’s easier to take a new way when it’s easier rather than trying to stay on an old path. In any event the Volt is about as expensive as a Toyota Avalone, which I’ll try to explain below.
Well a lease on the MKS is about $600/month. Why? Because the MKS is expected to depreciate much faster than the Volt. And this is important for the following reason.
It’s hard to overemphasize the role depreciation plays in the cost of owning a car. Take two cars. One has an MSRP of $50K. One has an MSRP of $30K. At the end of three years the first car has a resale value of $40K. The second car has resale value of $15K. Which car has cost less? Which car would it have been better to own?
In the example of the MKS and the Volt, the MKS is going to cost you $9K more over three years. And since the lease payments represent the best estimate of actual depreciation, the lease payments are telling you that the Volt will cost you a lot less to own than a MKS, and the lease offered by GM is allowing you to recognize that savings on a monthly basis. IOW the MSRP is an important number but it’s not the most important number.
Cars are not like houses, which have a decent chances of appreciating in nominal terms over time. They’re simply depreciating objects.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:47 am)I guess I’m out of the early adopter pool for sure. Doesn’t work for me. Not when I’m only filling my small SUV every other week. Just have to see what it costs a few years down the road. Just the sales tax and first year’s property tax would eat up most of that $7500.00 tax rebate.
We still don’t know the mileage after charge depletion either.
+5
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:48 am)Lots of “unknowns” on that Lease Program according to Sales Manager and Finance Manager here. Info sent out so far is vague, but it appears that the $350 per month lease ‘includes’ the Federal Tax Credit, much like what we read about Nissan doing on their LEAF lease. But since they are not absolutely sure, I am told to hold off on lease quotes being in stone.
+6
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:50 am)Actually it’s a BS point. GM has made clear that you can buy the car for its residual at the end of the lease, which is typical for leases BTW. The lease payments are simply the the difference between the purchase price and the residual. What the low number is telling you is that GM strongly believes in the product so it’s willing to assume a high residual.
-8
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:52 am)The criticisms of this price point sound almost communist to me.
+5
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:53 am)They are only producing 40,000 of these cars over the next two years. Let the elitists and Hollywood types pay the price. The Volt is not a car for the average person at this time. Lets see how serious they are about this technology in a couple years. They really won’t have a choice but to produce this technology at an affordable price in a couple years because there will be a lot more choices by then. Then the average person will be able to get their hands on this type of technology. Whether thats GM or someone else is of on consequence.
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:54 am)I would’ve bet $39,999.
I am #1 on my dealer’s list so it’s just a matter of buy or lease. I’m not a lease guy, but this seems attractive. I will check out the lease to buy terms and make up my mind.
You don’t think they’re doing the attractive lease thing so they can pull an EV-1…?
+12
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:55 am)Good thing that nobody around here overreacts to anything, eh?
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:57 am)Yes it seems they wanted to get 1,640,000,000 for the 40,000 volts they will have for sale. Thats one billion 6 hundred forty million dollars. Get back their R&D money it seems.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (11:57 am)The mainstream media is how most of America will hear about the Volt’s price, is this is what CNN just posted:
http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/27/autos/volt_price/index.htm
The article doesn’t appear to be critical, and it claims that the lease price is a match to the price of purchase for the LEAF. So far, so good for GM.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:00 pm)GM-Volt.com is getting some love right now from the New York Times. Here’s a quote from their story on the Volt’s pricing which is up on their website now:
“As of Tuesday, 52,464 people in all 50 states and 97 countries had joined an unofficial waiting list at the Web site gm-volt.com, which is not affiliated with G.M. The average price the waitlist members said they were willing to pay for the vehicle is $31,437.88, more than $2,000 below the amount it will cost after the tax credit.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/28/business/28volt.html?_r=1&hp
+6
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:00 pm)The lease would end up being about $250/mo (for most people) if you factor in fuel savings. Something most people seem to be forgetting about.
Also…though GM might be working hard to decrease the cost of the Gen II, I doubt they’ll be able to decrease the cost by $7500 (the amount of the tax credit)…so you won’t gain anything by waiting.
I’ve said before: The Gen I battery will probably be one of the best engineered battery systems available. Gen II will cut out a lot of cost possibly including the heating/cooling system. I bet we’ll see much more calendar longevity out of the Gen I….but we’ll have to wait to see if I’m right or wrong on that one.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:01 pm)Yes 40,000 Volts in 2 years @ 41k= One billion 6 hundred & 40 million dollars. Get back your R&D dollars it seems on the first 2 years of sales. Thank you GM.
-10
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:02 pm)(click to show comment)
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:02 pm)The dissapointing part of this is that this means that even at GEN 2, it is likely the price will still list in the mid to upper 30′s. But, also the tax credit will eventually run out, so not only does the price need to drop, but it must also drop below what that after credit cost of today ($33,500).
So, eventually they need to get the MSRP “comforably” below $33k in the future, to even beat todays $41k price. I just do not see this happening on GEN 2 or 3.
The added cost for the range extender is just such a burden, that will always command a higher price than a BEV. So, based on the Leaf vs. Volt pricing, the range extender imposes about $7,000 of overhead. For some it is worth it, for me not so much.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:05 pm)I want leather and the backup camera & sensor. What colors are available, and how much will you give me for my trade (Blk 2006 Civic EX 4-Dr, 39,500 miles, clean car fax (no door dings –iexcellent condition). Oh yeah, do you deliver to DC?
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:05 pm)If the lease option has an early buyout provision, and, if there was a way to have the tax credit value passed onto the customer at time of buyout, then the lease is an incredibly good idea.
Since I drive 19,800 miles a year, and, since leases generally have mileage limitations, I would need to be able to buy out at around the one year mark because of that.
The 41,000 dollar figure plus tax and the extended bumper to bumper warranty would place a retail sale just beyond my reach, (since I have to competitively run my business margins so tightly, I would not be able to get the tax credit in a retail sale), but a lease with option to buy with the tax credit value entirely subtracted from the buyout sale would work.
(The high annual mileage would be related at least in part to my/(your?) going around every day promoting the Volt (how could anyone **possibly** stay home??) (trust that one, as I drove the Volt already), so, that fact ought to be somehow realized that active promoters are really working for GM in a very very direct way, and in that first year, could actually be earning that credit).
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:06 pm)OT, but I almost bought that car. Do you still like it, and do u have any problems w/the automatic convertible roof?
Regarding the Volt, 90 miles/day, the Volt may not be the best car anyway. However you would have been getting 40miles of electric (possibly both ways).
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:06 pm)Fortunatley, this aspect of the Volt is mostly controlled by the engineers and not the accounts nor marketing.
+6
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:08 pm)Per GM’s website, Chevy vehicles with a starting $41K over MSRP…
’10 Corvette ZR1 MSRP $108,180-$118,180
’10 Corvette Convertible MSRP $53,580-$69,480
’10 Corvette Z06 MSRP $75,585-$82,755
’10 Tahoe Hybrid MSRP $50,720-$53,525
’10 Corvette Coupe MSRP $48,930-$56,635
’10 Suburban 3/4 ton MSRP $42,245-$48,580
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:08 pm)Toyota’s in the business of building affordable cars. I’d guess the PHEV Prius will be about $5-6K more than a similarly optioned non-PHEV Prius. And it will qualify for a tax credit. Net price for a PHEV Prius with few options may be under $27K. Yes, it’s a guess but I think it’s a good one.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:08 pm)Perhaps it’s time for a poll on the impact this price announcement has on those who are on this sites wish-list. A) Still a buyer. B) No longer interested.
+26
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:08 pm)Too much whining. I’ll buy one at this price and sacrifice somewhere else. We all need to pay a little more to get off of oil and other fossil fuels. What is the cost of the gulf oil spill? The spill in China? The spill in Africa? Increasingly volatile weather patterns?
If everyone continues to have a “walmart” attitude of I want it all and I want it cheap, nothing will change. Time for our country and the world to grow up and realize we all have to make different decisions and accept the trade offs.
Now let the flaming and name calling begin.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:09 pm)At the announced purchase prices, the dreamers without cash are out. But into a lease, so all is well enough.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:10 pm)I’m not sure if I smell the blue hair at the nursery home of the Old GM or not. I’ve never flamed GM at all on any previous posts. I’ve been an excited, enthusiastic supporter. The engineering is phenominal and groundbreaking. The price announcement however is a complete downer. Unless prices fall dramatically in two generations this car will not be the groundbreaking game-changer we were all hoping it would be (reduction of oil use by a large percentage of the population). It’s hard to imagine that GM could cut $10,000 out of the cost of the car in two generations when we know that’s basically the entire cost of the battery packs. 41K to 44K was the price I was hoping people would pay after large dealer markups, not the foundation for the future sales of the vehicle line.
So, assuming some price shavings in future generations, where do you see this going? Hypothetically speaking, let’s say GM cuts thermal management from the battery packs ($2K), sees a marked improvement in battery costs and contracting (~20%, maybe $2K), and figures that they can cut some other corners in the cabin or otherwise. I don’t see them saving any money by changing engine architecture (already using off the shelf GM engine) or otherwise. So, Gen 2 (or maybe 3) could cost $37K. How much lower could they go? Maybe in Gen 3 or 4 the battery price is half of what it is now? That would put the cost around 34K maybe in Gen 4 realistically?
In former days on this site, people tallied up the basic costs of the car body and engine and then forecasted the added costs of the voltec technology to try to figure out price. One of the things not accounted for in this methodolgy is the cost of R&D. I’m hoping that’s where $41K price is coming from. Since the math above doesn’t work out otherwise for cost reduction (unless you are adding in some R&D cost recuperation), I can only *hope* by Gen 3, Volt pricing is more in line with Prius pricing and accessible for the masses. And by that I mean “comfortably under $30K”. And what happened to that statement about being “pleasantly surprised” with the pricing? I guess Ed Whitacre didn’t exert enough influence on the Accountants or GM felt like the market was different than previously expected or….?
And BTW, What happened with the IPO? I thought they were going to wait until after the IPO to announce pricing?
+8
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:11 pm)Plan B. In 3 years there are going to be some deals on just off-lease Volts to be had
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:11 pm)Way to create a list like it’s six separate cars, when four of them are corvettes.
+12
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:12 pm)$41k?
This is the first time I’ve seen a number mentioned above $40k and of course it turns out to be the real number. Very suprising, especially since they’ve stated the price of the Volt would be impacted by the price of gas. (Meaning, the more gas cost, the more they can probably get for the Volt.) Well gas is realatively cheap right now and here they are pricing the car higher then any number I’ve seen to date.
It’s a very disappointing number for a person who doesn’t believe in leasing vehicals.
I’m completely turned off by this news.
In fact this is the second time this year I’ve been turned off by “Chevrolet”.
First I was excited for news on a new Impala and hoped it would compete with the Taurus, but it looks like it’s going to be a RWD vehicle, which I’m sure some will love, but the American full size car market could use another AWD car. I hoped the Impala would be it. It’s not.
Now this.
I hoped the Volt would appeal to the masses, but at $41k it won’t.
I’m sure they’ll sell or lease the ones they make, but what the hell happened to competing with Prius? Is it really trying to compete when it’s priced about 50% higher then the Prius V?
Did I mention I was disappointed and turned off.
I believe I’m now done with the Volt for the forseable futue.
In full disclosure, I wasn’t planning on buying a Gen 1 version anyway, being that I still have younins in car seats, but I was damn sure pulling for it.
I’ll pull for Gen II also, but I certainly won’t be logging in daily to read the latest news.
This sort of feels like a “Casey at the Bat” moment. As far as I’m concerned, Casey again has struck out. Is that too much? Sorry, but I had high hopes. $32k would have been a homerun. Sure, they wouldn’t haven’t been able to meet the demand but they could have boosted their post bailout public image. Instead, they price the Volt at $41k, which I personnally think looks like they were only looking out for #1. I’m not saying they shouldn’t, but where was that 5 years ago, and in the long run, (assuming a few others think like me) I think this strategy hurts them more then it helps them.
One bummed out fan of American cars…signing off.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:12 pm)Too much. Not even gas savings make it worth it for me. The lease does seem like the much better deal.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:12 pm)For 36 months at $350 we are looking at:
$ 12,600
+ 2,500 due at signing
———-
15,100 + license, registration and taxes.
In Connecticut, we don’t pay sales tax on the Volt.
Leaf neither. We do pay it on regular ICE cars though if they get less than 40 MPG
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:12 pm)I would like to know what kind of deaal the government is getting. Will they be buying or leasing? and at what cost?
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:13 pm)The bright side is that the lease price is VERY low.
Even if the Lease price was higher, it would be a difficult decision to lease vs. buy, since you have all the questions/issues with the batteries and other new technology.
I expect at least 80% of sales of the Volt will be leased. You always have a few that insist on owning.
BTW: I am NOT a lease guy, but in this situation it makes so much sense, you would almost be insane not to lease.
+6
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:14 pm)This does sound way too much like the EV-1. It is probably the reason Bob Lutz left for retirement. Once he heard the price thye were going to ask for the Volt he said I’m outa here. Well it seems I will need to call up my dealer and cancel my order. At least I will get my deposit back. $37500 was my upperlimit. Even with 5 years of onstar. I had anticipation and determination building for all the years GM-Volt.com was around only to be disappointed by a price way out of the market. It was the first GM car i was interested in since my 1970 Pontiac Catalina. Before 1970 all I bought was GM now I have to look at the Leaf i guess. Dazed and confused.
Take Care,
TED
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:14 pm)Well, I was steeling myself for $40K, hoping that all of the people predicting down in the 30s were right, but expecting to option it way up somehow into the mid-40s anyway. $41K is a bit of a surprise, but on the other hand, the base car has a lot of stuff that I thought would be optional.
Back in February, my guess was $47,950 with what I thought the option content and prices would be. http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4246 Guess I’ll have to save $48K after all.
+8
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:15 pm)OH NO!!!! The most technically advanced automobile ever built is 41,000 dollars year one! Oh no, a company that just emerged from bankruptcy isn’t going to sell a car at a big loss!! Oh no, we might have to wait 5 years for it to be around 30k!!
This price makes sense. I’m glad to see them not underpricing this masterpiece. Sometimes, putting a premium on things makes them look more appealing.
Who doesn’t want a Ferrari because it’s out of there price range. I guarantee you if Ferrari could make a fast beautiful car next year for 30 thousand they’d sell more in one year than they have the last ten.
Don’t overreact people.
-13
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:17 pm)(click to show comment)
+9
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:17 pm)One other thing. The Volt is priced a lot like the new Cadillac CTS coupe, the car I have serious lust for. Given similar costs (OK within a few $K), I’m still going for the stick-it-to-OPEC-mobile.
+10
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:17 pm)Then you are clueless about what “free speech” means.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:17 pm)In other news… Nissan just announce they will offer the same 8yr 100,000mile warranty for the LEAF as GM is for the Volt
This is a bit of a surprise as I think most expected it to be less, more like 5yr/80,000miles
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:19 pm)I believe that’s the point.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:20 pm)At this point, I suspect that Toyota has a lot to prove to the American public…Especially when it comes to quality.
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:20 pm)TOO MUCH…I haven’t commented for months and I have many reasons as to why I have slowly faded away from this blog and to more extent this car (well at least Gen1 and probably even Gen2 now)…
Over 1 year ago…after finally physically seeing the Volt at the NY Auto Show I told myself 2 things…
1) It will be very difficult to move from my beloved BMW into this (my first) GM product – BUT I still wanted to do it (at that time)…
2) Looking at the Volt, its styling, its size and whatnot… if they ask more than $40k I will have to first look into another Bimmer, maybe even clean diesel if I can afford it, before making the move to GM and to Voltec.
So here I am and I have already jumped the gun and purchased a new (to me) BMW. I feel as though I have cheated on my “freedom from oil” self because not only did I get an ’06 BMW but I went backwards on fuel efficiency by getting an M3 !!! (used to have the basic 3 series)…
…I am a typical American jerk who is using more fossil fuel now instead of less… I am sorry for that… but I am having a hell of a lot of fun with my SMG tranny!!!
Someday I will make the right choice…. just not yet
Good luck to all who go for Gen1 !!! I will still be reading…..
+5
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:20 pm)… and I don’t think for a second that most Volts will be leased, then crushed. What would be the point if some Volts will be purchased outright?
I bolded, italicised and all-capped “IF” (time to lobby Lyle again for “underline” tag support?).
… and NO, I will not lease any car.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:21 pm)With sales tax and seller’s premiums pushing 50 g’s VOLT is out of reach but for the targeted upper middle income ($125,000/yr.) home owners. Nothing wrong with that. (Assuming a general rule of thumb being 15% of after-tax income for transportation.) However, today this site expresses its great disappointment – GM’s competitors are dancing on the table.
Here in California the $7500 tax credit is diminished by a sales tax 8.25% the highest in the U.S. plus in certain areas a supplementary tax. For example 9.75% in Sacramento. Whereas on the other hand, GM leasing plan which certainly connotes decent value down stream is taxed in California at 10% (short term leasing)
No one here doubts VOLT outselling its 2011 production. Maybe that’s part of the pricing strategy. GM has proven an ER EV market – its MSRP near 50 g’s a really big bullseye – its ears down for competition a bunch.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:23 pm)I brought this up in a previous thread about the 10K Volts to be produced. For all of you going to buy (bless your soul) or Lease, you will be buying from a pool of 10K – 2500 (Government and Municipal sales). So technically, all of you will be fighting for 7500 Volts the first year.
Of course that is if there was any truth to a previous thread here about the government and utilities buying Volts up to 2500 – 3000.
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:23 pm)I would have thought so also, but I seem to remember their sales have increased since their “mistakes”.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:24 pm)Or just rent a vehicle for your yearly vacations
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:24 pm)You know, if the thing had (all along) been called the [Buick, Olds(until retired) or Cadillac] Volt, most of this bitching wouldn’t be taking place. It seems that there was a preconceived idea what the ‘Chevy’ moniker meant. Examine the vehicle for what it is and ignore the heading they put it under. Someone here actually stated “You could get Mercedes..”. How STUPID! I guess I think too much like an engineer and try to be objective. NO ONE has a car like this and NO ONE will for SEVERAL years. My daughter lives out of BEV range, so my (electric) options will be limited to just ONE choice for awhile. It doesn’t matter to me that it is called a ‘Chevy’.
-1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:24 pm)41,000.00 X 10,000 = $410,000,000.00 we will pay for the first 2,500 volts for our beloved politicians to drive this allows 7500 for sale at $41,000.00 or more actually for sale to the public. does any one actually believe they will not sell out at this price. Question is do you think GM should leave money on the table?
Tom
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:25 pm)Safe to say that we’re all pretty much avid Volt fans but I’m sure each of us has a “line in the sand” that just isn’t going to be crossed. At $41K before incentives the Volt is on the wrong side of my line in the sand and I’m sure a few others.
I’ll check in with the Volt every once it a while to see how things are going but I think this is the end of checking in on the Volt almost daily for me. Sad to say but, let the exodus begin…
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:25 pm)I factored that in, and think I’m going to attempt to lease one (if i can get a chance to)
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:25 pm)I simply cannot afford this car.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:25 pm)First time in my life I’ve wanted to live in CT!
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:25 pm)Personally, I don’t have a problem with the price. In fact, given the limited number of Volts that will be coming off the line – at least in the early stages – Chevy could’ve gotten a bit more creative. Just as automobiles are reliant upon foreign oil, GM has been reliant on U S taxpayers. GM could’ve set a minimum price, and then accepted sealed bids for the first batch or so of new Volts. Whoever wants one the most can have it, provided of course that they can pay for it. GM (or others) could finance it up to the minimum bid, and anything over would have to be paid for in cash. They could call it GM’s “Paying Back America” program.
The Volt will help our country wean itself from foreign oil. “Paying Back America” could help GM wean itself from the taxpayer’s pocketbooks.
+6
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:25 pm)$41,000 for a Volt? Well that pricing let’s me and millions of potential Volt buyers out of the Volt arena sad to say. What exactly is GM thinking? They have a golden opportunity to attract new customers that would ordinarily buy foreign and they price it at $41,000. GM had a once in a generation moment to separate themselves from Toyota and Ford and they fumbled the ball badly. I wanted a Volt, was willing to pay a premium, but come on its a small car albeit with high tech wonders installed, is still not worth 41K to me. Looks like it will be a Ford Fusion or some new Ford hybrid still on the design tables for me. GM you disapointed me and lost a customer.
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:25 pm)Maybe when you lose money on every sale you say what the heck and you price it to match your low production intent.
IS GM the home of the milliVolt or the microVolt?
Awaiting Volt GenII.
How do we think Nissan feels about the Leaf now?
How about those Prius guys?
Still like the Volt idea, kudos to Mr. Lutz.
Hoping battery development does improve cost and performance and that it doesn’t stall like solar cell production.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:26 pm)I can compare them because you said “Chevy”
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:27 pm)Do you have a link where it lists the details on the option to buy at end of term? I’d like to look into that.
join thE REVolution
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:27 pm)Let’s just hope they sell the Prius I trim level to the general public this time. Prius I is fleet only.
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:27 pm)Hi,
Do you think American companies will ever succeed again without government handouts paid for by the ever shrinking American middle class? Do you think GM would have been better off going bankrupt and shake the reigns of an uncompetitive and highly overpaid union labor workforce? What is your opinion of the Chinese market and when will GM brand an electric Buick? Do you think the Nissan Leaf will be economically more attractive to consumers looking for a truly electric car? Will anyone at GM have the cajones to truefully answer any of these questions?
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:29 pm)Of course not. They should give it to me.
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:29 pm)Link?
http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/20100727/chevy-volt-to-use-afs-trinity-rsquoultracapacitors-for-better-acceleration-regenerative-braking-capa.htm
is this it?
Don’t see any value in incorporating the capacitor into the battery, would be more cost effective to keep it separate. This article does not say GM is a customer, only that they would like to sell their system to GM. GM is committed to buying LG Chem’s batteries for the foreseeable future, so I don’t think AFS Trinity has any chance as their claim to fame is incorporating the cap into the battery.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:30 pm)+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:32 pm)Too steep for me. Lease looks attractive, but nothing to show for your money at the end. If you want to lease, you better do it quick before GM realizes that they over estimated the residual values once thousands of three year old Volts flood the market all at once. However, that will be the buying opportunity for me. Looks like I will be waiting 3-4 years for my Volt even though I live in one of the initial markets. Sheesh, $41K…
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:32 pm)Let’s not forget this is a whole new class of vehicle, not in the same league as the Prius.
Perhaps you could compare the Volt with the Leaf, but at the same lease price I see the Volt going 3 to 1 at least vs the Leaf. They probably added at least a couple grand to the purchase price so they could sell the lease at a comparable cost.
This will make the Leaf a big loser in the U.S. and GM will come out victorious. I love a good corporate battle.
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:32 pm)Has to. First of all if it didn’t then the credit would be lost since only the lessor, not the lessee, could claim it. Second is that even with the cost of money set to zero you’d be looking at depreciation of less than 10% a year. Even with the credit GM is assuming the Volt will depreciate less than 15% a year, which is a very strong statement of confidence (vehicles with the best resale values depreciate at least 15% a year) …. or a reason why they’re only willing to make 10,000! LOL
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:33 pm)Well paint me disappointed. I was really hopping the car’s base price was going to be $35K, which is my deal breaking price. I can’t justify a $41K initial investment like this.
Lets just hope the affluent buyers that can afford the Volt will help drive down cost.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:35 pm)I’ll be waiting for Gen II or the Model S. The big question is, will federal credits be available then?
All the best to those of you who are ordering. I’m sure you will love the VOLT and be pleased with your purchase. The wait will soon be over!
+5
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:35 pm)So much for the $5000 dealer mark-ups. Given their limited supply, the higher MSRP makes sense. To me at least. And, personally, I’d rather GM get the money than the dealers.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:36 pm)$41,000? Ripoff. Time to build my own EV…….
+9
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:36 pm)We’re in a recession because, among other things, people wanted instant gratification on easy credit and bought a lot of things they didn’t need (some of this was fueled by stupid lending practices at GM dealers).
In 2006, American Savings Rates actually went NEGATIVE.
Ted’s not a joke; he’s a sensible guy who’s going to stick to his budget.
-1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:38 pm)Greedy – Greedy. I’m out. Please remove my name form the mailing list.
-1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:38 pm)I saw this coming. I really wanted a Volt, but they were determined to price it up there with some very nice cars with proven technology. I bought a new 2010 BMW 528i for 44K. It even gets decent gas milage. There is no way i would have been happy driving a Volt for the same money as a nice European sport sedan. It had to be cheaper. A lot cheaper. Like they said it would be in the beginning. Maybe next time… I still want an electric car. But for 40K, I want it to be a very nice car! And the BMW is sweet.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:38 pm)True. But at a lower average transaction price. Which, considering the major uptick in auto sales in general since then, isn’t saying much.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:39 pm)So much for price gouging by dealerships.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:39 pm)Ouch! Yow! Eeeeeooow! Zowy! Gee willikers, that’s a lot of money. I think I’ll save my money and buy a new Chevy Cruze plus $25,000 in carbon credits from whoever will take my money. That’s WAYYYYYYyyyyyyyy too much money for a single, simple four passenger without leather, rear camera, or any of the other fun stuff! And it’s really too bad because, I bet I’m not alone.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:39 pm)Bingo.
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:40 pm)I found a post where GM is partnering with China to sell BEV’s in 2011 & 2012. Maybe they now figure a BEV is safer,( problem wise) and cheaper to produce. Maybe Gen 2 Volt will be a BEV who knows. Quote below:
Stracke also said that Shanghai GM, the joint venture of General Motors in China, will launch several hybrid and electric vehicles within the coming months.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:41 pm)It looks like management killed the electric car again.
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:41 pm)You’ll all do well to keep your hands in your pockets and not buy the first years’ output – even if the price were MUCH more reasonable. Almost any car has a few bugs to be worked out when it first comes off the line – never mind one with a whole list of new technologies in it.
If I do ever get one it with be Gen 3 or 4 after the batteries are assured to last – the generator motor is smaller and the no gas range is extended anoth 15 to 20 miles along with the price being in the mid to high 20k range.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:41 pm)I have always thought looked a lot like the Acura TL…Just something to keep in mind, A 2010 TL with their technology package is almost $40,000….
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:42 pm)The only thing I have at this point is the paragraph from an autobloggreen article.
http://green.autoblog.com/2010/07/27/2011-chevrolet-volt-to-be-priced-at-41-000-350-month-lease-fo/
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:43 pm)41K was equal to the most I would pay, so right on the line, BUT the lease option is such a good deal, i’m going to go that route, then upgrade in 3years.
-4
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:45 pm)Let’s face it, neither the LEAF nor the Volt are big enough to hold 4 or 3 passengers and their “les bagages” on a long trip. Both will have to opt for renting a bigger car or take the bigger car they own.
That’s almost an assumption now.
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:46 pm)I very much doubt GM that really expects the Volt to have that high a residual value. They’re subsidizing (or giving a substantial discount) to people who are willing to lease. Probably because it enables them to keep a closer watch on the cars.
Basically, what this tells me is that they’re nervous about all the new technology…
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:46 pm)Attention GM engineers and marketers.
A lot of people here are threatening to take their ball and go home but don’t worry.
They’ll man up and pay the price that is worth the car, and I believe this car is worth this price. Especially for the next couple of years.
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:47 pm)Yes, that is it. Sorry for not including it.
-2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:47 pm)After all my expenditures in solar and all the rest of the green things, I have looked around me at the failures of this selfish American society and realized my sacrifices may be in vain. I have thought about writing an apology letter to be opened by my granddaughter in the year 2070. As she looks around at the bleak, broken and backward society it has become, she will know that grandpa and grandma tried to do the right thing by her. I will include your comments in that letter so she has a grasp on how other people approached this pivotal time- at a time when the paths were clear, but destructive consumption continued unabated.
There will be no plane trips to a far off continent for ‘holiday’, because planes consume a nearly insurmountable amount of biofuel. But, at least, just as after the dark ages when the plague killed off millions, land will be plentiful. She will need it to grow vegetables and hope a bunny hops by, because meat is a rare treat.
OMG, how can you be so self indulgent as to KNOW what you are doing is wrong and continue doing it? In the legal system, they call that ‘premeditated’ and justice is handed out accordingly.
Save your own writings and refer to them again in 20 years. If it all turns okay, I guess you’ll pat yourself on the back and be thankful that not everyone approached this life the way you did.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:48 pm)Is it possible to take yourself off the wait list? It would be interesting to see if the # drops significantly.
Tom
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:48 pm)How does the 8yr battery warranty factor into the lease? I’m guessing they are building into the residual value and only leasing through their financing arm. Either GM owns the vehicle at the end or the owner buys it out. I’m not knowledgeable enough about leases to know what is possible and what isn’t. It does appear that leasing EV’s, at least the first generations, will be the preferred method.
+12
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:49 pm)It all depends on how important it is to you to stop using foreign oil. I, for one, would rather have the Volt than any BMW. But that’s me.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:49 pm)And they just priced the volt out of range for most people. Sure they’ll sell all they can make the first couple of years, but beyond that the volt’s prospects look dim; unless the price drops drastically in the next couple of years. I know I definitely have no reason to follow news on the Volt anymore.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:49 pm)Just realized a mistake in my calculations, the term of the lease require a $2500 down payment. That will make the residual value $26,500 not $29k. Somewhat more realistic. I am also not figuring in the federal tax credit of $7500, so how does this play in? If they include that in the residual value then it drops dramatically to $19k which becomes very realistic.
Now we have two important remaining questions:
What is the pay-out value at the end of the lease?
What is CS mileage?
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:49 pm)Actually the profit they will see will be signifigantly less. They are not building the cars with free labor out of thin air with no materials. The cost of materials and labor are probably easily 30k then you have advertising costs, and the MSRP includes a built in dealer markup. i bet their profit is only several thousand per vehicle.
Also to figure the residual cost
41,000 base price
-2500 down payment
-7500 tax credit (kept by leasing dealer)
-12600 (350/mo for 36 mos)
————————
$18,400 residual value (I bet in 3 years a used volt will sell for more than this)
Imagine a scenario where the lease is turned back in to GM, GM dets data from the car then replaces the battery with technology +3yrs for a lighter car with better range.
Volt Gen1+
Probably could sell it in the upper 20k lower 30k price range
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:50 pm)GM may produce an EV. In fact, I hope they do. But they still need a gen 2 with a range extender for those of us who are willing to pay the extra for it.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:51 pm)Too High–just knocked me out of even considering it. And I refuse to do a lease–that option is rare financially viable for most people.
So if they price themselves out of the market and sales are void it becomes a “good excuse” to not make such vehicles.
Typical GM, damn I wish our automakers could see past their dinosaur way of doing business.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:51 pm)Okay cool guy, so under your logic, because NO ONE has a car like this, then Chevy can price it at $41,000 and we should ignore the fact that a new Mercedes (again, stripped down base model) can be purchased at the same price. Under that rationale, GM can charge $60,000, $80,000, or even $100,000 because no one has a car like this and no one will for several years… are you kidding me??? You can’t justify a price level because it’s the only one around; rather, you can do it if it is the only one around and there is no competition. GM is facing plenty of competition from not only the LEAF, but the flood of plug-ins that will be arriving in 2012. People cannot ignore price comparisons. True, it is a car in its own class, but buyers should consider what $41,000 will get them elsewhere as well. I’m not advocating against the Volt: I support the Volt 100% and hope it’s a huge success, but I cannot stick my head in the sand and pretend like $41,000 is a steal either when I can purchase a luxury car for the same price. I will buy one, but I do not expect the rest of America to share my enthusiasm for this $41,000 car either.
-2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:51 pm)I meant Chevy Prizm
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:51 pm)Sorry, but this is equivalent to saying that one could go to Home Depot, buy a couple of flourescent tubes, some frosted glass, a calculator and build a digital HDTV.
The wall unit is a specialized device designed to prevent the presence of 240VAC at the business end of the plug unless that unit has negotiated a good, safe connection with the car’s on-board charger. Home Depot can supply the dual 30A breaker, the 3-wire cable, the junction box and strain relief clamps, but you’ll still need to pony up the $1-2K for the wall-mount unit.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:52 pm)A great foreign company will soon make a better one for under $30,000…and so it goes.
+8
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:52 pm)I think Lyle was leasing his Mini-E for over $600/month. The Volt at $350/month is a bargain folks !
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:54 pm)And I suppose the trade deficit and the concomitant reduction in median income had nothing to do with it? Cheaper prices in the short run can be very expensive in the long run.
As far as our low savings rate–at least part of that is a response to asset inflation which was caused by a flood of cheap money from Asia.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:54 pm)I think the price is to steep, I will not be buying one for 41K, maybe wait for the second generation in hopes of the battery price pack drop. You can bet also the dealers will be price gouging consumers on this as well with the limited number chevy plans to make.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:55 pm)Pricing for the Volt isn’t a terribly critical business decision for GM, Toprak said, since the car is expected to lose money, anyway, during its initial run. It’s really an image-making “halo car” for GM. Source: CNN
Shame on you, Toprak.
join thE REVolution
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:56 pm)I have to put my son through college first. Maybe four years from now the price will be better (sigh). The liklyhood I would get one the first (or even second) year was pretty slim anyway.
+6
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:58 pm)Exhibit a for why we need a much higher gas tax…
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:58 pm)GO FORD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:59 pm)Owning a piece of history is expensive
. I think the CEO knows well that if you price it low (or sell in loss ) then you have to sell all life on loss. So its a better move. learn lessons from PS3 -
Thinking loud : Premium fuel 41k base price car – If i was GM CEO i would have priced it a 50 – 80 k but the catch is
a) If its Chevy brand , i would have put the corvette body and logo on it
b) Second option is it will be a Cadillac ( still i can charge the premium )
At this price , sure the lease options looks nice
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (12:59 pm)Oh well. Far too expensive for me. Non-gasoline vehicles are always priced so damn high that it outweighs any savings you might have realized from not needing the gas in the first place. Someday they’ll figure that out…
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:00 pm)They priced it high for the IPO, knowing that the first years allocation will be sold in a month. After that they must know the price won’t hold, but that doesn’t matter, they already completed their IPO.
They can always pull of the Chevy name plate and replace it with a Caddy nameplace, then it is priced right.
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:01 pm)To compare the Volt to the EV-1 is ridiculous. For that I’m saying Ted’s a joke. He way over reacted, he was one of the most excited guys on here before today. For less than 4,500 bucks he get’s distraught? Come on Ted.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:01 pm)CorvetteGuy has stated that existing customers at his dealership will get MSRP + $1k and new customers MSRP + $2k.
Click on his name to order your car.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:01 pm)Hot Damn!!!
$41,000.00 is a sh|tloada chicken wings and beer at H( , y , )TERS!
I betcha any $$$ all the Volts are gone by December 15 2010.
Same thing for the 2011 model years.
I’m a Gen II buyer anyway. Damn brokeazz CA killed my pay. Ok, didn’t kill it but amputated it.
I def aint gonna lease the Volt, that’s fo damn sure. But those who will get a Gen I Volt, big props to you, You’ll have what I consider the best batt pack GM put’s out because it was over spec’d.
But that’s just me.
/gotta go offsite now, check back on yall latter…..maybe.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:01 pm)Or if you’re a true vacation planning genius, after saving thousands of gallons of gas by driving your Leaf, you can take ten minutes from your lunch break and pick up a rented Prius. How ’bout we work on the topic at hand since straying in a logical manner seems too difficult for so many people.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:03 pm)Don’t forget about those gasoline savings.
According to my calculations, even though the payments on the Volt will be higher than I expected, if I drive 40 miles per day, 5 days a week, I am probably going to save maybe $90/month in “fuel” costs by going to electricity instead of using gasoline (at around $3/gal with my 20 mpg vehicle).
If you drive 40 miles per day for 5 days a week, would you rather pay $120/month for gasoline or pay $20-30/month more in your electricity bill? I hope the range extender gas mileage MPG number ends up being 50 mpg like some people are saying. That’ll make a BIG difference on longer trips to the beach or whatever.
I hope ALL the state and local governments everywhere are going to have a bunch of tax credits and other perks like single occupant HOV lane access, free parking, free charging, very low or no vehicle taxes, better parking spaces, etc.
Big corporations ought to offer free charging and better parking spaces as a perk. These extra perks do make a difference to a lot of people you know. There’s a lot of monetary value in these perks in some places. Who doesn’t like to get special red carpet treatment that other people can’t get?
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:05 pm)It’s called industrial policy. The US used it to become the richest country in the world with the world’s highest GDP per capita by 1913. We abandoned it after WWII. And we’re now reaping the consequences.
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:05 pm)So many posts to read. I assume the lease is at 36,000 miles, but like all leases the question is what is the charge per mile for over 36,000 miles. Thats where I’ll know how to make my decision. I don’tknow what the leaf is either. But i’d like 3 mile lease and plan on about 60,000 miles.
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:05 pm)Even better… for the price difference you can take a small amount ~2K and get a really compact aerodynamic light utility trailer…. add an electric 240 volt capable generator and have a great range extended Leaf for still 9 to 10 k less.
PLUS you can leave the trailer home when you know you are going less than the Leaf’s range that day.
That may be the best option going and I would not be surprised if a person came up with an option for sale. :+}
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:05 pm)Well, I do like the car. No trouble with the top, except some rattling in the cold–a bad dealer service center made it worse, then a good one ordered the parts that the bad one removed.
As for the 90 miles/day, I’m hoping to get my employer to install a charger (or at least a designated place to plug in 120v). They seem willing to work on that.
-3
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:06 pm)Call it the first New GM-internet-age mash-up. The New Cimmaron/Former Volt.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:08 pm)For closed end leases, when you lease the car there is a purchase price and a residual. During the lease period the lessor owns the vehicle. At the end of the lease you can buy the vehicle for the residual, in which case you’re the owner. But yes, leasing solves many issues. Definitely a good way to go.
Yup. +1
Actually I think they are bullish on the residual. Otherwise they would have gone the route of a lower MSRP and worse lease deal. As for keeping tabs on the cars, I don’t see this. You just send a payment in just like you’d do if you financed the car. Nothing special with a lease.
I think the decision to go with the higher MSRP and a great lease deal might have something to do with positioning. They’re essentially matching the Leaf on price but saying the Volt is worth a 25% premium. You can always cut prices. Raising them is much harder.
-13
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:09 pm)(click to show comment)
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:09 pm)Add me to the Gen II Club. Out of my price range.
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:10 pm)Apologize to her for your bleeding heart and your bleak outlook on life.
If you people could step back you might see that all of the essential things to move us beyond a world of fossil fuels exist. A libertarian would tell you you don’t need the government to make things happen, society will say we need a solution and the free markets will fill that void, mainly because it’s profitable and partly because of the human desire to fix a problem.
I believe global warming is real, but it may take the oceans taking out the first layer of billion dollar properties along the developed worlds coasts for people to say, OK, we need 100 percent renewable energy.
Fortunately for us all, we can do that. Will we all die? No, we’ll move on, we’ll persevere. There’s no need to be so paranoid. Your grandkids will most likely a more comfortable life than you have. It’s been that way since the beginning of time.
Try being a little optimistic for a while. It’ll change your life.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:10 pm)Amen
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:11 pm)Most people are reacting just as GM probably anticipated. Less demand for the Volt. They probably knew people would flock to their other models for the below reasons.
1. If a Volt advocate can’t afford a Volt today, they’ll support GM by buying a less expensive Chevy or Buick to keep the company and Voltec effort alive.
2. If a Volt advocate can afford $41K GM makes money.
Perhaps a win-win for them.
Of course there are those who will wait to buy a plug-in Prius or Fusion and those who will continue to wait for the price of the Volt to drop and even those who will postpone their Volt purchase while they save up the $41K.
I won’t be buying the Volt until I find out what the CSM mpg is. The MSRP news was bad enough. If the CSM mpg is 38 or less, I may take a closer look at a Leaf.
I guess we won’t be seeing a spectacular IPO from the “New GM” any time soon.
NPNS!
-9
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:11 pm)GM will probably lose $10000 per each Chevy Volt. BTW, the mpg during CS mode is about 35 mpg because it uses Otto cycle.
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:11 pm)IOW John wants to put four players on the court when the opposition puts five — playing four on five — and then complain when his players never win. The inability to understand that there is no free market when foreign competitors have government backing is constantly astonishing.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:13 pm)I guess I’ll have to keep commuting by myself in my Winnebago. And I’m the #1 fan of getting off of foreign oil. I can spend the $35k I had earmarked for the Volt on dropping in a V-16 instead. Or hauling a new boat. To work. In my downtown office. Or buying a gently used Bimmer that’ll pull 1.1 g’s. GOTTA have that for my gridlocked commute. I LOVE this planet!
Wait a minute. I can lease a Volt for the same price as a Leaf? Done. Call me Timaaayyy!!!, The Enlightened Planet Savior. If I tow it behind the Winnebago, the regen can even recharge the battery. Brilliant!
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:13 pm)The lease option is the way to go. After 3 years – the battery options will be way better, costs will come down, and the majority of people who bought (leased) the gen one will want to upgrade anyway (not to mention this would be getting close to battery replacement time anyway). I think I will get one maybe sometime later in ’11.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:13 pm)That’d be so gay looking.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:14 pm)$4500 is a lot of money. That’s more than some people make in a year in many countries. And it’s certainly enough to render the car unaffordable to many people in this country.
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:15 pm)I figure I will save about $20,000 in gas if I own the Volt for 10 years so the price does not look bad at all.
I drive 14,000 miles a year and get about 18 miles a gallon on my current car.
14,000 / 18 mpg = 778 gallons of gas used a year
778 gallons times $2.7 a gallon = $2,100 a year spent for gas
$2,100 times 10 years = $21,000 savings on gas over 10 years
I would rarely drive it over 40 miles with out a charge.
The savings would be half that amount if my current car got 36 miles a gallon or $10,000. Still making the Volt a good deal.
-4
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:15 pm)That would be the last nail in the Volt coffin
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:16 pm)C) I’ll lease mine.
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:16 pm)I hate the fact we buy foreign oil. I hate it even more that we have untapped American oil that the govt. won’t allow to be tapped. I wanted very much to get away from high gas prices. But I do not make a political statement with my family transportation. For 40K plus, I want a great car with proven technology that rides well and handles well also. If the Volt had come in around 25K, I was going to buy one as a daily commuter. Instead I am left with the Prius, which I don’t care to drive. I will enjoy my BMW for 4 years, then see what is up with the electric car market. I am not out for good, just for the first round! The Volt is the future. Just not for me at this price at this time.
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:17 pm)You quoted the wrong James. That was not my post.
-13
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:19 pm)(click to show comment)
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:20 pm)I paid $18k for my Jetta TDI. It’s got 200k miles and still gets 50mpg, expecting 350k before major work, burns bio-D just spiffy. I could buy two more of those for the price of a Volt and have over a million miles of economy!
GM, I really wanted to be an EV driver but looks like this round is only for the have’s.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:20 pm)If the rest of America has such a love affair with the nameplate, then MBZ should be very content with their sales at the end of the fiscal year. Though I’m certain that 10,000 Volt owners will be driving to and fro with technology available to no one else, ’cause Volts will begin year one service engineered like no other cars on the road.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:20 pm)If you happen to have throw-away cash in this down economy.
Many people want to do the right thing, but can’t afford it. I don’t begrudge anyone for not having the means.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:21 pm)What’s better? Use it now? or sell it later when it’s worth more?
-4
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:21 pm)GM blew it… I guess it was just a matter of time. Bring on the plug in prius, ford focus EV and leaf….
-1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:21 pm)And how exactly are you going to drive 14000 miles/year in Volt? Fueled by God’s spirit and Volt fanboism?
Hint: You need to subtract electricity/charger cost from your “savings”.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:21 pm)I’ll get it even if I prostitute myself
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:22 pm)I’m sure the residual will be higher than with a regular car. For one thing, I expect a shortage of electric cars for at least the next five years. And, this is one car that could easily become collectible. Since it is a first generation of a new technology.
But under 15% a year? And why the limitation in leases to people who actually live in the designated areas?
Definitely true. Although cutting the price too quickly can be a PR disaster…But I can’t see them needing to given the limited production.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:23 pm)It’s not that they haven’t figured it out; it’s because they can’t make a profit providing what you want at the price you want yet. It takes time. This isn’t just a new car; it’s new tech.
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:23 pm)Count me as another disappointed follower. They likely just priced me out of this car. I was trusting the comfortably under 40K and under 30K with incentives quotes earlier and even that was a stretch for my budget but one I was willing to make. At this MSRP, I am out of the running for a purcahse.
I like the lease payment and with this car I might actually go that route, though it is another thing to convince the better half of. The average age of cars I trade in is 10 years and in the past my milage has always been way to high for the lease terms to be wise. My commute has dropped from 90 miles/day to 30 and with this car being so different, a 3 year lease on Rev 1 may make sense then buy a new Rev 2.
My other option is to wait until 2013 when my next vehicle (Venture) reaches 10 years old and buy new then. That leaves me driving a car that is way too big at the moment, however, since my last purchase (2010 Traverse) was going to my wife when I got the Volt. I really want to be driving electric but the vehicle needs to make sense for our family.
+5
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:24 pm)what featurs? and the solar panel only runs a circ fan
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:25 pm)The answere is LEASE…
I have never leased a car but given the potential for cost improvements in batteries and manufacturing, I wonder about the residual value. There are some price predictions for after 2015 for new BEV and PHEV that make it appear a new car will cost much less then.
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:27 pm)Then too the price of grain went absolutely crazy through 1912 leading to tremendous windfalls, and the US was vastly more dependent on agriculture and the rural economy at that time.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:27 pm)Yeah, my SUV ran $42K but it is also three times the size, will tow my camping trailer and motorcycle trailer, will haul all three of my dogs with ease, carry 3/4′s of a ton in the bed (and yes it has done this many times), carry as many 4×8 pieces of plywood as the bed is tall, carry’s five people very comfortably and does much more. The drawback, it doesn’t get good gass mileage. So with all of what it does, the Volt only gives me gas mileage for and over the top price? I realize this is new technology and has some great bells and whistles but this is too much for me. The Volt should have been priced at $38, maybe $39. Over that and it’s just too much, and I’m a fan of GM. For those who would speak up and bash me about driving and SUV, well you can keep your comments to yourself. Remember, I said motorcycle up above – I ride my motorcycle whenever I can. In Dallas, that’s pretty often. The simple fact is the Volt at this price is not for me. Those who think the lease is a great deal, remember the comment is that the residual price is going to be very good, which means at the end of the lease if you still want the car, you’re going to pay a premium for it. The only thing the lease does is make it affordable to drive but not a good financial choice because in the end you’re going to pay or you can write off all the money you paid over the three year lease.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:27 pm)If the Leaf doesn’t hit it’s extremely high sales targets, it’s price will either have to increase or it will be discontinued fast. Kind of risky for Nissan on new tech if you ask me.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:27 pm)Hey GM,
I’m out.
Sincerely,
Joe Public
PS- Get the price to $25,000 after rebates and we can talk.
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:31 pm)We don’t want to wait too long… when we don’t need it anymore!
But I understand your thinking. I have thought the same thing.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:32 pm)Hmm – forget your coffee today, Rashiid ?
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:33 pm)First off, the Volt’s real price will be $33,500 after the Federal rebate. That’s only a tad more than the average vehicle sells for these days. And the Volt is no average vehicle.
I believe he Volt is a watershed vehicle on the order of Henry Ford’s Model T. It is a massive paradigm shift in automotive thinking and will usher in a whole new era of motoring.
We have to get used to paying more for vehicles now because they have much more content in them as we progress. And the Volt technology is a huge leap forward for efficient transportation in America.
So we need to pony up for this advanced technology if we want to free ourselves from the foreign oil slavery that is ruining our economy.
GM did the right thing by developing the Chevy Volt. Now they have to get paid for their efforts.
Go GM!
Go Chevy Volt!
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:34 pm)But the other governments are giving our consumers money out of the goodness of their hearts! It’s so ethnocentric of us to want to turn it down.
And then Americans blame our players for not trying hard enough, and start rooting for the other team…
+15
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:34 pm)Hey guys,
Sounds like a lot of disappointment here. Understandable, but no need to bash anybody about it! It is definitely unfortunate that it’s not more affordable, but as with anything else in life, if you can’t afford it, move on or wait for the second generation.
As for Gen 1 not selling due to price, I don’t think it will be an issue. At my university (public school, not much mega rich people), there are many who drive around in brand new RX8s, G35s, and A4s. Can they “afford” these cars? Highly doubtful. But are they willing to spend just about every dime they make to impress other people? You bet.
Of course, Volt is different from those cars, but my point is that there are a lot of people who just buy what they want, regardless of what they can afford. Bad practice, but my belief is that there will be enough people buying the first generation, so that the car will continue to be manufactured in the future.
Plus, there are way more than 10,000 households that can afford this car anyway. There are 105,000,000 households in the US – that means if only 1 out of every 10,500 households buys a Volt, it will sell out.
The lease looks very attractive to me! I’m the type that likes the latest, especially with technology which evolves so fast. So after 3 years, I’ll dump it for v2.0. Also with OnStar included, I’m not sure, but I think having that will lower my car insurance as well.
PS- I read Statik’s post on the LEAF blog… He’s a sell out!!
-2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:35 pm)How are we ever going to fight Global Warming if the environmentally helpful options are only made available to the exremely wealthy?!? I really expected the good ole USA to come up with a reasonably priced option to fight polution, fight oil dependency, and help make America a better place! With the price of $41,000 (which is almost half of what my home cost) most people are going to continue driving oil/gas driven polutants and we will solve nothing! Seems like they could price it around $18,000 and sell a whole lot more of them! I mean come on… what do they cost to make in mass production $5,000 ea?
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:35 pm)People want Ferrari’s because of there styling/power not because their out of there price range. I can see paying 40K for the original Volt concept car but not for a electric malibu.
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:36 pm)At this point, it needs to be something stronger.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:36 pm)As any national security expert can tell you, the problem IS NOT foreign oil. It’s oil. Full stop. As long as we and our allies depend on oil for transportation our national security is threatened. Do you really think it matters that the money that Saudi Arabia sends to terrorists comes from the US or the EU? Does it matter than the roadside bombs used to kill US service personnel are bought with money sent to Iran from China rather than the US?
Drilling for more oil ANYWHERE is the problem not a solution, and every patriotic American should know this. And what warped sense of values leads you to dismissing protecting your family and country from terrorism as being a “political statement”? What you’re saying is that you’ll do it if it’s cheap and convenient but not if it actually costs something. Priceless.
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:37 pm)Guess what?
They will sell all 5000 cars in 2011.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:37 pm)I wish. You forgot to add in the dealer price gouging.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:38 pm)UGH………well so much for the Volt for me.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:39 pm)Some were saying “why bother, Volt is coming out soon” but this crazy price will definitely spur the EV hacker crowd to keep buildin’.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:39 pm)Dang, $41,000 is almost half of what you house cost?
Where the heck do you live? I need to move there!
+12
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:39 pm)If the lease payment is $350 and you are saving about $150 per month in gasoline costs, could you be any happier shelling out only $200 per month for your commute? C’mon people! This is a really great deal!
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:40 pm)Nah – we had you pegged correctly from the start.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:40 pm)I have noticed that almost everyone here is either for the Leaf or Volt. The is one more on the near horizon the 2012 Ford Focus EV in fall of 2011. That is the car I am waiting for. Great looking car. Plus it has the added advantage of being made as a normal gasoline/e85/diesel car. (i.e. larger production scale) So the price should be much lower than ether Volt of Leaf to start off with.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:40 pm)Ok, so how many here on this site will continue to clamor for the Volt to be mass produced (ie over 100,000 per year) given the news today? I’m still going to take a good hard look (especially at the lease) but there was always a reason (well, many reasons) why a slow roll out made sense and the fact that this car is WAY out of the price range for most Americans turns out to be chief amongst them.
Still excited about the Volt but I do have to digest the significance of the price point and weigh my options.
Still NPNS!
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:40 pm)A lot of people are saying they are going to go to the plug in prius instead… I lease a prius and it is an awesome car and surprisingly fun to drive, plenty of power when needed.
What they are not saying is what the plug in prius will cost, i read somewhere that Toyota was expecting a $4000 premium for the plug in, based on the way the prius works now i would figure you would only have that option on the Prius 5 which currently sells for 33k.
That would put the price at about 37K and you would not get tht full tax credit. All for 12 miles EV range but only if you accellerate slowly and after the engine warms up, and not over 63MPH.
Dont get me wrong I really do like the prius, but when the lease is up in May 2010 I will be following the plan as usual and buying my volt even if the price is 46k fully equipped.
-3
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:41 pm)I was wondering all along how GM was going to set Volt free amongst the common folk just like they did EV-1, but make the science experiment appear non-EV-1-like.
There you have it. An MSRP quite a bit higher than the teases over the last year – in fact, quite a bit higher, especially when you add in that most people will want a leather seat at a luxury car price. And be it that it will mainly be a second or third car in a family ( four seats ), that will cut out most middle to upper middle class families in our down economy.
WALA! The bean counters in Detroit were given the task to make it appear Volt was being introduced to the public as a stand-alone product being marketed like all of their others.
Not so.
This is a veiled attempt to release it’s science project-cum government ( you ) bailout carrot in very very small numbers and pull back most of them for the crusher three years later.
We lose.
GM wins
This is how it is played in the big leagues ladies and gentleman. Watch and learn.
It is not, however, how to run a successful automobile company. GM’s days are numbered.
RECHARGE!
James
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:41 pm)The increase in US income relative to other countries was a gradual process. And, yes, the increase in agricultural productivity had a lot to do with it. (Which by the way was also driven by government policy and targeted subsidies). As did our oil reserves….But industrialization, which wouldn’t have happened without industrial policy, also played a huge role. Just like it did for Japan. And South Korea. And Singapore. And China. Etc…
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:43 pm)“He who fails to learn from history is destined to repeat it.”
The most advanced civilization the world knew (the Romans) was brought to its knees by a) self indulgence, b) bureaucracy and c) a backward breed referred to as the ‘Huns’. Their knowledge and progress was lost for a thousand years. Go look for any technological achievements that occurred during what we call (fittingly) the dark ages.
How about the dust bowl, when short sighted farming techniques displaced an entire region?
Who would have thought a man speaking his mind in beer joints in Germany would be responsible for 50 million dead?
The Saudis stated at the beginning of this month that they had stopped exploration because they were leaving the oil for future generations. http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2010070377026 (What a load of crap- I’d bet there isn’t any to be found). We are so entrenched in oil that the moment we find out we really HAVE to change, it is way too late. It will be like falling off a cliff. Will mankind go extinct? Ridiculous, although some very smart people would argue the point http://www.helium.com/items/1868349-scientist-that-eradicated-smallpox-declares-mankind-extinct-in-100-years But to be so smug as to assume we are above what the Romans experienced, is laughable. To be truthful, they had far fewer issues than we do with an economy so dependent on just one product that is showing all the signs of running out- while we debate the PRICE of the first car to help solve the problem.
I am not a doomsdayer; I am a pragmatist. All the complaints that I see here this day have set me on edge. I thought this was a place where people really got it. Just yesterday, people were talking about these exciting times. Now, many are saying it is better to stick with oil until things change. Well people, things just changed and like taxes, many don’t want to pick up the tab. I cannot imagine a better place to spend money than by insuring the planet provides my grandchildren the same pleasures I received.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:43 pm)But GM will only be building 10,000 units this next year. And only 30,000 the next year. It’s not their intention to price it for millions of potential buyers.
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:44 pm)No answer for the incredible low depreciation. Agreed that it’s not realistic. (Which is a good reason to lease). For the limitation on leases, I’m assuming they want to dissuade people from taking the Volts to areas where there aren’t dealers which are certified to repair them.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:44 pm)For those of you planning on buying a Leaf with some sort of range extender in a trailer:
a) the trailer all alone will likely void your warranty
b) the necessary power/controller modifications would REALLY void your warranty.
c) with this setup I guarantee you get much worse extended range fuel economy than the Volt.
d) betchya it costs more than you think and is more of a hassle to hook up/take down than you think
however,
e) If Nissan comes up with a well-designed solution like this it might be considerable. Most people wouldn’t want to get a wonky mod like this on their own/aftermarket.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:45 pm)Shame. I was hoping for about 30k after rebate. I DO NOT LEASE. I put too many miles on a car for a lease. period. I wasn’t going to get one of the first ones anyways being in IL, but still…
Mike.
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:45 pm)40 miles a day times 365 days = 14,600 miles
dumb people are always the most negative
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:45 pm)Charlie H.: once a shill always a shill.
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:45 pm)Great Price!!! They could have gone for a much higher price.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:46 pm)Great sentiment +1. Though I don’t like subsidies since it lets the government pick winners and losers and governments aren’t as good at this as free markets. It would be better to tax what we know is the problem. But as a second best option, I’m all for it.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:46 pm)Ironically, GM headquarters are in Detroit. You could buy a house in Detroit for the price of Volt. Or sell it if you are lucky and buy a Volt… Decisions, decisions
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:46 pm)I live in Des Moines, IA. My house cost 105,000. New construction, 2BR 2 Ba, 2 Car garge. 1100sqft (Its all I need). Living is cheap here.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:47 pm)“They priced it high for the IPO, knowing that the first years allocation will be sold in a month. After that they must know the price won’t hold, but that doesn’t matter, they already completed their IPO.”
Yes, but remember the wisdom delivered in a deodorant commercial. “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”
A lot of people on this board don’t realize that 99% of the general public has no idea what a Volt is, but today when they see those headlines-wave bye bye.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:47 pm)How does this obviate the need for a coherent industrial policy?
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:48 pm)Unfortunately, I suspect that Ken’s only stating most people’s POV.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:49 pm)Jeremy,
The $7500 tax credit only begins to be phased out after GM has sold over 200,000 of these vehicles, so hopefully the Gen II Chevy Volt will still be eligible for the full tax credit. That is unless it takes GM 3 or 4 years to release the Gen II, but the tax credit will definitely be there 2 years from now.
jt
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:49 pm)You’re too smart for this. The lease offer is for a closed end lease. You can buy the Volt for the residual price at the end of the lease. IOW the crusher is not an option unless you total the car or something.
+5
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:51 pm)Don’t know where you get your news, Rashiid, but everything I’ve read shows Toyoda LOSING significant market share since their coniving ways became public knowledge…..
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:51 pm)Last time I looked, the Volt used gas too. Not as much as my BMW per mile, but I would be out of the all electric mode before I made it home from my daily commute. But I make my political statement at the voting booth. I make my car decisions on price,ride, performance, handling, style and safety. Gas milage counts too, but if I still have to go to the pump, I am just saving money at the pump, not getting away from gas all together. Please enjoy your Volt! I am sure it will be great. But you must understand that for 40K not everyone wants to drive a Chevy. Priceless!
+9
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:52 pm)Could have priced it $1,001 less and been American heros !
-2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:53 pm)wrong, there are always the most positive
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:54 pm)I am flabbergasted that people don’t seem to be getting this. Sign me.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:54 pm)$41,000 is the price of a parking space in Boston. I’m not kidding, search the MLS listings. I can see why this may seem exorbitant to you but to others in large cities it’s actually not THAT bad.
The second part of your post tells me you are new to this site. $5000 doesn’t even cover the cost of the battery.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:56 pm)How can the leaf have so much more battery and still be cheaper?
It has 2.5x the range and thus 2.5x the battery, can 24kwh of batteries really cost more than an engine/generator?
+9
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:56 pm)I’m a bit disappointed in a lot of you regarding your negative reaction to the Volt pricing. Cool off a bit and use the organ between your ears. The lease option is a no brainer. If you get the opportunity, do it! I’ve leased Impalas for many years, and the monthly lease fee averaged in the low to mid $300s, same ballpark as the Volt. I currently spend a little over $100 a month on gas, so that means my average monthly transportation costs are in the mid $400s, not counting insurance, maintenance, etc. With the Volt, the unused $100 monthly gas expense will make my monthly transportation costs $100 LESS than I have spent in the past. Throw in the reduced dependence on foreign oil, emission reduction, US jobs saved, what’s not to like?
+6
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:56 pm)I’m making my decision based on how best to protect my family and country. You are of course free to make yours based on price and ride. Just don’expect me to respect you for it.
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:56 pm)Nice speech. The problem you seem to forget is this: Many people can’t afford to change.
For at least the last two years, I have said repeatedly that this car needs to be priced for the masses. That didn’t happen. How can you sit there on your pompous ass, and blame people who can’t afford it? It is not that people don’t want to pick up the tab and do their part, they just can’t. I grew up poor. I have seen what it is like to struggle. Please don’t be high and mighty and begrudge these people.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:57 pm)Long time no post but here goes…
Really the price is what they have been saying for an extended period of time so it really SHOULDN’T be a shock to us. The problem is that in the big picture I think this strategy is going to hurt the Volts image.
It isn’t a car for everyman, it’s MORE money than a Caddy CTS!
(The local dealer has a bunch of them at $39k cdn…)
For my part I need to get another car since my son’s car is no longer safe so I’m going to buy my sisters old VW Golf as my commuter car and he’ll take the Malibu.
I DO get that GM NEEDS the $100 mil that setting the price at $41K will generate over setting the price at $31k, but I ALSO think that the public would be jumping up and down to get into the car at $31k.
The fact is that it will be much less attactive at $41k.
GM has an uphill battle in the market but their strategy doesn’t seem to reflect an awareness of this and THAT is what I find disappinting.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:57 pm)This is part of the problem with the majority of this country…
-1
Jul 27th, 2010 (1:57 pm)41K is steep, especially considering the number of equally worthy (if not more so) EVs on the way in the next 2-3 years. Less than 2 years ago GM was on the verge of going under – did anyone really expect this outfit to come up with a breathrough that would be accessable and affordable to the people who need and want it the most? Another opportunity lost by GM. So glad i and the rest of the taxpayers are part-owners.
+9
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:01 pm)Sounds like I’m going against the grain of most of today’s postings, but…
I have to say I’m shocked at all the shock! Everything I’ve read over the past few years has led me to expect this would be a $40k car. Given that the $720 destination charge is rolled it, it’s pretty close to that.
As an engineer, given the amount of work and materials I have seen doing into this case, I doubt they are even making much (if any) on the car at this price!
To those who say this is “too much”, on what are you basing that? On the facts of the car? Or comparision to a vehicle that is completely different? Or, as it sounds, must “wishful thinking”? (sure I’d love to buy a 4 bed-room house for $10k or a 2 week holiday in Hawaii for $100 – but that’s just wishful thinking).
I too admit I had hoped-against-hope that the price might be close to $30k, by some miricle (mostly would mean GM eating a big piece of each), as $40k puts it also out of my price range, for now. Options for me are lease, wait to buy off-lease, wait for G2 when prices will start to drop (first gen items are never sold on price – Prius is not a fair example because Toyota was “paying” tp build a market that did not exist at that time – that is not needed now). So I too am “disappointed”, but not in what GM has done or the final price, but siimply in the fact that I now know for sure that I can’t fit this into my budget – but it’s my problem, not GM’s.
I predict there will be anough demand at $40 they will sell all they have and still have a waiting list. The fact that many of use would “like” to still buy at a lower price, does not change that.
My 2 cents, anyway…..
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:01 pm)Wow. This makes the Fisker Karma and Tesla Model S look better by comparison. GM Engineering – excellent. GM Marketing – not so much.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:03 pm)$41000 USD
In Canadian, without the $7500 rebate, add larger destination charges and taxes
Now we are looking at JUST UNDER $50,000. For a base care… I am not seeing any specials showing up from GM Canada.
And we STILL Do not know that Non electric milage.. !!
I have the 2010 Fusion Hybrid,,
IT AVERAGES 52 MPG (CANADIAN) in REAL WORLD DRIVING.
A Fully LOADED Fusion Hybrid for 2011 is $38000 Canadian..
Folks…. it’s time for some of you to walk on over to your FORD Dealership..
Right now in Canada… 0% Financing, Employee discount etc..
A Fully loaded Fusion Hybrid… can be had for under $ 35,000.
Think about it…
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:03 pm)A lot of people here can’t afford to pick up the tab. You can’t spend money you don’t have. Or at least you shouldn’t. GM knows that. That’s why they’re limiting production.
Hopefully, gen II will be a lot cheaper. And gen 3 cheaper still. That’s how technology works. Those of us who can afford Gen 1 will be subsidizing development costs for everyone else. Which is kind of the whole point.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:04 pm)Bingo, we have a winner.
Even if GM’s initial price for the Volt was $35K – $7500 = $27.5K, the car would not have been a good value for consumers. Once the car comes remotely close to 8 years / 100K miles, the car will lose a lot of value because of the replacement costs for the battery.
Lease it today – help our country get off foriegn oil – and wait 3 years for better technology. In 3 or 4 years, the price for the car will have fallen significantly, Gen II will be available, and the car might come with a better 10 year / 150K mile warrenty on the battery.
I would have never considered leasing a car before. But this is tempting.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:04 pm)GM just insulted any potential Volt buyer by making the Volts MSRP a s- u- c- k- e- r- s price!
Driving a Volt around weather your rich or not, you were taken to the cleaners.
NPNS
-1
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:08 pm)Winning wars is usually so absolutely imperative that industrial policy emerges. Apparently more important that the political cost of hearing, hey the government is planning, isn’t that what communists do, the government shouldn’t plan because having plans means we have less freedom to do what we want.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:09 pm)I’m amazed how many are reacting like the ‘affordability’ of the VOLT is something NEW that you just realized today! It has been the subject of discussion here for over a year that the VOLT could be in the high-30′s to low-40′s in price.
If people could not afford a car in that price range then, why is it a surprise now? I can’t be that bad since I just received my 10th request for a Deposit/Order Form and it’s only noon here.
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:12 pm)When you consider the lease payments, don’t forget about the $2500 “down payment” which is really a capitalized cost reduction. Translation is that is money you will never see again, so add $70 a month to your tab.
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:14 pm)I you’re rich not at all. You’ll be one of only 10,000 with a Volt. Out of a population of 310,000,000 that’s an extremely exclusive club for the first year.
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:15 pm)Did you actually read what I wrote? I mentioned that the charger would be preferable (you elaborated on why). I said it was not REQUIRED. I live in FL, land of hurricanes, generators and non-code 220 electrical hookups. The stuff necessary for a FUNCTIONAL car charging port is right there at Home Depot. There are A LOT of people who will bypass the optimal solution to save $1500!!!!! And to reiterate, this is the question I asked at the GM-Volt online forum- of the guy who had the answers about those free chargers (to the fortunate few).
+7
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:16 pm)HA! I’ve already put a $500 deposit down at the countries biggest Chevy dealership (Classic Chevrolet in Grapevine, TX). I’m first on the list to be allowed to order a Volt when ordering opens up (whenever that is).
Got to admit the sticker is a little high, but this is (a) an American product that (b) will greatly lessen the importance of importing foreign oil. I’m willing to put my wallet where my heart is and support GM for being an innovator. They’ve been working on this technology for years and years and they need to recoup the cost of all those man-years somehow.
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:17 pm)Extrapolate that response at one dealer over the 600 that have signed up. By
close of businessnoon tomorrow, there will be no cars left to debate over.
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:18 pm)GM isn’t hiding their motivation behind the pricing… They are intentionally forcing the lease.
The lease ($350/mo. for 36 months) is comparable to other mid-size sedans that might ordinarily cost $25K-$30K. Although GM has done a lot of testing, they still want the control that they had with the EV1 (which was only leased).
I am willing to bet that 80+% of the Volts are leased in the first year or two.
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:19 pm)Amen, Mr. President.
Many of us here have already paid our dues for Charter membership. I’ll bring the Dip to the first meeting.
Be well and be patient,
Tagamet
-12
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:19 pm)(click to show comment)
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:20 pm)I find it interesting you base your respect for someone based on what car they decide to buy. Personally for protection of family and friends, I would prefer to drive a Bradley tank. And an electric model would be even more fun….
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:22 pm)Translation. The government’s job is to make your life easier. Regardless of the impact on anyone else. Or the impact on the country’s future. Or the world for that matter.
Newsflash–the idea that the US still has enough easily accessible oil to make a meaningful difference is a fantasy. Otherwise I’m sure the government would take the easy way out…
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:22 pm)That would be very cool. And I will continue to take deposit orders beyond our initial allocation, just as I believe GM is anticipating, and we will see how fast they ramp up production to cover those orders!
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:25 pm)Still waiting for what the charge per mile over 36,000 miles in 3 years is for both the Volt and the Leaf. Competition will bring these prices down soon. Still planning to buy the best value in 2012, whether Leaf, Volt, Ford or whatever. It would be great if I could get a nice lease on one of these cars by 2011 but none of these manufacturers are talking any real volume and availability until 2012.
I do have my $99 place holder for the Leaf which in the event of an oil shock could be a blessing because demand would skyrocket for these cars.
-4
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:25 pm)What part of “among other things” did I inadvertently write in a language you don’t read?
Now you’re talking sense. Although I’d generalize to “carbon tax.” You might look around the net for “carbon fee and dividend” for another idea.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:25 pm)ARE YOU GUYS NUTS!
The Unions are still ruleing you along with the accountants. You should ask what would Ed Cole have priced it at? I have bought 2 hybrids in the past but their is no volt in my future.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:26 pm)Thanks for your updates. Your posts have been the most valuable ones today–precious data on real behavior!
If other dealers would give us some similar info, too, that would be great. Thanks.
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:26 pm)The stuff at Home Depot will have to hand shake with the charger in the car. Combine your stuff from Home Depot with an order from Radio Shack and I’m sure a lot of smart people will be able to install a bootleg. Though it may be gratifying, I’m not sure how much money could be saved by going that route.
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:27 pm)I’m absolutely positive that Lyle must have misspoken here. The Volt has to have a built-in 240v charger, otherwise you won’t be able to use any level 2 charging docks anywhere.
In fact, he makes it clear that he is talking about charging docks, not chargers, in his very next statement:
There are no free chargers, only free charging docks. Just to be clear about this, for anyone who is still confused:
A charger is a device that accepts 110v to 240v alternating current, like is used in homes, and converts it to direct current that can be used to charge a battery.
A charging dock is a device that can be used to connect a charger to a land line supply of alternating current electricity.
A charging dock is not a charger any more than a boat dock is a boat. In fact a charging dock is really just a very fancy extension cord with some sophisticated checking built in to make it impossible to electrocute yourself no matter how stupidly you abuse it. Saw the cord in half – no problem. Poke hairpins into the contacts while standing barefoot in a puddle of water – no problem.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:28 pm)Very uncool move, IMHO.
Be well and be patient,
Tagamet
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:28 pm)Probably because the last time Americans embraced sacrifice was WWII. Unfortunately, we can’t seem to realize that oil and deindustrialization presents just as big a threat in the long term…
Meanwhile, our interest rates are now set in Tokyo and Beijing. And our government pays more attention to Lobbyists for foreign corporations than they do to the American people.
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:30 pm)I would.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:30 pm)If I lived in Sothern Cali You would have at least one more from me… I am thinking that all the volts will be spoken for in less than a week.
I also find it interesting that GM’s inital release areas mostly have the demographics of higher incomes, perhaps this was part of the plan all along.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:31 pm)Looks like the wife and I will keep ambling along in our old 120k-mile Prius along for another couple of years.
Hopefully I can get my financial house in order, while I wait for the competition to catch up and for the price to drop!
It’s good to see such an innovative vehicle on the market, but I’m disappointed that $41k is just above my “can’t even think about buying it” price. It’s priced similarly to the Corvette and to some of the large luxury SUVs and pickups that Chevy sells, so maybe it won’t look out of place on the lot. But the price alone was enough to deter me from even thinking about those vehicles.
Also, a $40k vehicle would look out of place in my modest neighborhood — my neighbors would start a foreclosure watch if I bought such a vehicle.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:31 pm)“….. and you’ll get the Chevy Volt with all this Standard Equipment for the bargain basement price of $41,000.00 ! ”
(sound of crickets)
Note:
There are rumors that the THINK City (soon to be built in Indiana) will come in around $21,000 after the Federal Tax Credit is applied.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:34 pm)That’s great news! Is that to buy or lease?
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:34 pm)yea, but you forgot the millions that GM got in subsidy from Uncle Sam for research, development, and manufacture of advanced technology for efficient vehicles. They are double dipping–taking your tax credit by pricing at 41 instead of 34k, and getting paid on the back-end by direct government subsidy.
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:35 pm)I did not say everyone could afford this. As mentioned in an earlier post, I pointed out that there are many cars priced much higher with snob appeal being the reason for the elective purchase. In the world of business, you get to see how truly elective dollars become when desire is behind them. “No, Dr, I can’t afford that root canal because I have a cruise to go on in October.” You can’t get blood out of a turnip. BUT, press hard enough and you will see that many here who were willing to spend the money when they thought it was $6000 less could indeed find the money if they wanted to. A huge percentage of people are confined to spending $5000 on a used car. Those people are not visiting this forum. People here knew (if they were honest with themselves) that something around $30K was the entry point of participation in this EREV club. I myself (as someone else here also thought) thought a realistic (psychological) barrier would be $40K that GM wouldn’t venture across ($39,999). Frankly that is my biggest complaint. GM could have priced this just $1001 less and a lot of this bitching isn’t happening. People should be honest with themselves and decide what is important and where they spend their money. My point is that if your dollars can do some good beyond just you, it may be a good decision to arrange your finances accordingly.
-4
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:38 pm)Although I have followed the venelopment of the vold from the intro of the concept, I have to say I’m a bit dissapointed in the 41,000 cost. I currently drive a Lexus (actually 3) and at 41K (or even 33K) I can have a VERY nice Lexus – sorry…but at that price the volt is not cost effective for me. My consideration now will lean towards the Leaf.
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:39 pm)So you think we need to tax people until they make the right choice
-1
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:39 pm)In the past, it was discussed here that not everybody will be eligible for the $7500 federal tax credit, depending on how much money you make.
I don’t see how the Leaf (and now the Volt) announced special lease rates with the $7500 credit factored into the monthly payments. Will leaseholders have to sign some sort of agreement with the dealer first?
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:39 pm)That still does not make the car 100% profit as others are stating. There were signifigant R&D costs but to suggest that the 41,000 is pure profit is short sighted. There are materials cost, labor costs, etc. The US subsidies were to keep GM afloat and to provide for R&D. I was opposed to the bailouts and look forward to the government being paid back at GM’s IPO.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:40 pm)You can get a 1300 sq. ft. 5 year old house in Las Vegas for $82k these days…
-3
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:41 pm)The Realists have taken a lot of flak and negative votes, especially over price. Many True Believers were expecting the Wonder-Mobile to check in at less then $30K, net after rebate, and some spoke hopefully of under $25K. The Realists listened to El Lutzbo and, when he said $40K, they listened.
And now… well… I’ll be darned… the thing turns out to be even more expensive than I expected (I didn’t think GM would go over $40K for marketing reasons).
The Realists are being vindicated on price, just as they were on GM’s Chapter 11.
Now, we can all just wait for the other shoe to drop… CS mode fuel economy is going to be under 40, as opposed to the fantasy numbers the True Believers like to kick around.
Although… I must admit… I doubt any of the Realists thought GM would require premium in the Wonder-Mobile. GM has certainly exceeded our expectations on that score.
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:41 pm)The lease price is the best option for two reasons and they could be classed as the same reason. Battery and obsolescence. The battery life is unknown and significant improvements for EVs and batteries is on the horizion.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:43 pm)Um. YES!
When you consider all of the external costs of gasoline in the federal budget, I believe that should be payed for by the end user of the product.
Military costs to ensure oil relations
Clean up costs and economic losses from oil spills
Oil subsidies
Air polution, water pollution
etc.
Why should a Escalade driver using thousands of gallons per year get the same tax as a prius driver using only several hundred for these costs. (Or a biker using 0 gallons) These are pid out of the general fund supported by income tax even though they are tied to demand for international and domestic oil. The price should be reflected in the product, not across the board.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:44 pm)Well said.
Be well and be patient,
Tagamet
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:44 pm)With the lease option being so attractive versus the outright purchase numbers, I think I may try my first lease on a Chevy Volt! Although, I’ll probably have to wait a year or so before there’ll be one available at a showroom near me…
I wonder how much the price will drop on Gen 2???
LJGTVWOTR!
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:47 pm)You missed the last sentence I edited while you jumped on what I wrote. Read again. I asked this question OUTRIGHT of the Volt guy FROM GM. I’ll state it again, because many here asked the same question (“If I had a 220v dryer outlet in my garage…”). The response FROM THE GM GUY indicated that nothing stands in my way of doing this. The communication ENABLES the outlet to charge. If the outlet can just plain charge without being told to do so, viola- Volt charging at 220 with <$100 in Home Depot parts (nothing from Radio Shack) and you've saved yourself a ton of $$. It is not the best way, nor the right way, but it is A WAY to charge your Volt.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:48 pm)Based on comments I am seeing online (mostly all negative ridicule and scorn with a fair amount of ignoramus thrown in), GM’s pricing has helped reduce the potential demand for the Volt. If the intent was to create a favorable buzz, it failed. “Luckily”, they only have to sell 8,000.
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:48 pm)“Greatly lessen the importance of foreign oil…?” “Greatly?”
Have you looked at GM’s production plans?
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:49 pm)I prefer to speak in “tact,” or “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” You might want to try it sometime.
My point was that often the choice with the lower price tag is actually more expensive when all the real costs are taken into account.
A carbon tax does not substitute for a gas tax. They are two different things. And both are necessary, IMHO.
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:51 pm)not surprising but priced waay too high considering newer batteries are getting better mileage between charges. Leasing is the way to go for now considering the unknown – how much to replace a battery etc. Still, the koreans or japanese will have a better option in 2 years for half the cost so I am waiting.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:53 pm)I am also a bit disappointed… I thought for sure they would announce “$34,990…. -7500 = $29,990, under $30k as promised!”… But still… I priced out a Prius V, Fusion hybrid, and the new Lincoln MKZ hybrid with the options I want… they ranged from $32,200-$34,400… so a Volt at $33,500 after tax credit really isn’t all that out of line everyone… Granted, the Prius V has the auto-levelling LED headlights, something I really wanted the Volt to have… also, that Prius has the backup camera which is an option on the Volt… but still, for something so new and revolutionary… I am still leaning towards a Volt.
-2
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:53 pm)The right choice is to buy the affordable LEAF or Prius that gets 50MPG+.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:54 pm)How many people would have voluntarily paid for a catalytic converter back when we had leaded gas? You cannot count on people to use their checkbooks in conjunction with societal good. No one likes big brother telling them what to do, but I enjoy a great many restaurants that I never could until smoking ordinances were placed in effect. Some laws (and taxes) are good for us.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:54 pm)check your facts.
Volt 16 kw batter, Leaf 24kw battery, 16 x 2.5 is not 24.
The main difference is usable. the Volt will tap 50% from 30-8-%SOC, and use thermal management to maintain battery life and AER range. the leaf? air cooled, higher percentage of SOC.
Differnece. In AER, regardless of the weather, and assuming normal driving the Volt will get you 40 AER miles from Canadian winter to Arizona desert.
The Leaf is not likely to do that with drastically lower AER in extreme temperature.
Battery is only 1.5x the Volt’s, add in Ice, controls, software, some nifty gearing, a ton of features no available, themal management and I think it ok..you line of reasoning is incorrect to me.
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:56 pm)Only time will tell if the $41K MSRP was a good choice for GM. Per past comments from GM, the Volt will break with conventional pricing of future models…lower price. It will take 30-40% drop in price to get “comfortably under $30K”. The price and plans to lower the price for Volt 2.0 are the main reason that I will have to pass. The early adopters should not consider resale value…GM just might deliver.
%10 drop – $36.9K
%20 drop – $32.8K
%30 drop – $28.7K
Someone should start a poll on the predicted percentage drop in MSRP for Volt 2.0. It should be noted that Toyota did not lower MSRP of the Prius. GM’s approach at pricing is a double edged sword.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:56 pm)GM never said they wanted to sell the Volt to a particular group. The idea is to build a car. And sell it. Make money by providing options. And charge for service visits (minus a cup of coffee). The 40,000 2011/2012 Volts will sell as they are produced. The drivers will be the test group (via OnStar) for GM to realize areas for R&D improvement.
The bottom line is getting the Volt on the road. Which will happen. It’s a start and will likely spread to other car makers delivering EV and EREV cars and crossovers at a competitive price. The $41,000 MSRP is actually a boost to the EV movement. Giving competitors plenty of room to sell theirs at a comfort zone price of $36,999.
$4000 X 40,000 (units) = $160 million profit through Spring of 2012. How will the announced MSRP effect the GM IPO? We’ll need to wait and see.
=D-Volt
+4
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:57 pm)Right from an old GM-Volt post:
From Ed Whitacre: The Volt “is going to sell in the low 30s,” said Whitacre. “We’ll get a margin on that.”
http://gm-volt.com/2010/01/18/exclusive-gm-ceo-says-chevy-volt-will-sell-in-low-30s-and-for-a-profit/
This is why the price announcement upsets me. We were lied to.
join thE REVolution
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (2:58 pm)CNN named Volt as Halo and GM do not expecting to earn any money. The named price was expected long ago. There is unexpectedly low lease price. This gives us idea that the $41 000 is just marketing point indicating ‘value for money’ and in reality price is extreamly atractive and this will lead to very high demand.
I say – go GM.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:00 pm)And that is a choice that most people will not make without the cost of gas reflecting its true cost including all externalities.
When I lived in Spain everyone had fuel efficient cars and rarely used them why? Gas was 1.5 euro per litre. (Approx $6-7 per gallon.)
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:01 pm)Nah, leave John-boy at home.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:02 pm)Am I the only who sees the folly of this reasoning? I guess, then, it was never about getting off the oil. So why go for the Leaf? Total contradiction. So you think the Leaf is a luxury vehicle. (Head shaking)
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:03 pm)I figured $40k, but the ting is, it’s only $6k less than what I paid for my house…. I can see the point, but I don’t see too many swarming around it though, it’s simply too much money. The government should chip in the $7500 like the other gimic, cash for clunkers, when a person signs the paperwork at closing the sale.
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:07 pm)early March 2008, Toyota cut the price of Prius by up to eight percent or US$3,000 (check wiki)
they also cut the price by several hundred dollars when Honda re released the Insight
I anticipate that after 200,000 volts have been sold the price will magically be dropped by about $7500 dollars, Just a thought.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:07 pm)shaun, the government does it now, if your a smoker you know. very expensive habit to have. Just one example.
-1
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:08 pm)You folks are CRAZY !!!!!! Remember Henry Ford made cars affordable to all Americans. If you are serious about getting us off gas, price this car around $19,500.00.
It’s exciting, the price is too high for the average American.
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:08 pm)With that high of a price the Volt should have been branded a Cadillac instead. I assumed the whole point of making it a Chevy was to appeal to the masses but not at a ridiculous price. It will undoubtedly sellout because of the low production volume but it will never be the people’s EV like a Nissan LEAF may end up being. Good luck with your Volt to all those that can afford it. Bye.
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:11 pm)With the production volumes announced I was expecting $40k, so GM went up to $41k before options start..wow.
Considering the few vehicles they will be making for the first two years (at least, since they haven’t said anything beyond that) this is probably a good price to keep demand closer to production volumes (although I’m sure they’ll sell out every one of them for the first two years, even at $41k).
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:11 pm)I didn’t actually miss or jump. From what I saw of the Tesla, which may not be applicable at all, even if your Home Depot set up runs your arc welder at 240 v, it will still have to digitally handshake correctly with the on-board charger or you will be charging closer to 120 V than 220V. I don’t see GM taking on the liability nationwide and at a mass scale to set up their on-board chargers any differently.
Perhaps folks with home built units will tell us about their experiences and what the costs and performance results are.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:14 pm)Wasn’t the current ~18year-old generation going to be the first generation (in America) where the majority will have a less-comfortable life than their parents?
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:16 pm)I will.
Be well and be patient,
Tagamet
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:18 pm)Webchat on Autobloggreen.com going on now.
Premium fuel is for better fuel efficiency (tested with this engine at 5-10% improvement) More spark higer octane resists knocking
Premium fuel will go longer without going stale
EPA will not allow them to share efficeincy – EPA label will contain a lot of information on efficeincy
-8
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:19 pm)This price will not allow the majority of Americans to even *think* about getting one. If you think that future cheaper batteries will result in a more affordable Volt in a few years – I have a bridge to sell you people.
The fact of the matter is when the government incentives run out the Volt be cheaper to make but not $7,500 cheaper. So it will still remain a $40,000+ car for its lifetime.
EVEN CRAZY EDDY (The Car Dealer) says that too damn high !
+2
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:22 pm)At $41K the dealer mark up problem will go away. I’d rather have GM get that money than the dealer. GM thinks that they can sell the cars for $41K – $7.5K or they wouldn’t price the car that way. There are tons of over $40K cars and SUVs out there. Just drive by your local elementary school and look in the parking lot. Over half of the cars parked there are SUVs. There’s still lots of money in the country.
I think the primary buyer of the Volt will be suburban housewives. That’s who bought the early Priuses. They need to wave their Eco flag. More importantly, they have exactly the driving pattern that the Volt is designed for. The go to the school, shopping. soccer practice, etc. They pay 2-3 times the price for organic vegetables why not pay for an electric car. They can afford the extra money to be environmentally friendly so they will.
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:23 pm)These were deposit orders to PURCHASE, but I don’t think the news about the Lease Program has gained momentum, but I am sure it will. Since the car is not here yet, customers have plenty of time to change to a lease.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:24 pm)Tony Posawatz sounds like a politician.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:39 pm)$33,500 is in the “low 30s”…
+10
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:39 pm)An excellent and adult response to a disappointing announcement.
Is this more than what I had hoped for? Yes. Am I willing to pay more for what I want and what we all need? Yes.
We… All of us… need to pull ourselves together and treat our countries addiction to oil. In WWII we had victory gardens, people sacrificed all the luxuries of life to reach victory over our enemies. Why is now any different? Only how we fight has changed. I will pay more, I will sacrifice and I will lead the way. Some of you will not be able to follow right now because of the economy… I understand. There are many who can and I urge you to join with me to lead the way for us all.
Harrier1970
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:41 pm)You said it so well…see you there.
I have a feeling, had Wagoner and his team still been in place (don’t know about Fritz and Co.) the pricing and the volumes would have been decidedly different…JMHO of course.
-2
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:42 pm)I’m fairly certian his quote was not factoring in the tax credit.
join thE REVolution
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:43 pm)I missed the 1st 15 minutes of the videocast, so I only heard the mkt’g fluff. Was there any discussion of today’s big news, the pricing? I submitted several pricing questions (easy to tough) but no response.
-1
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:43 pm)Though oddly, the lease terms seem to reflect that price, hmmmm.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:45 pm)Sitting here listening to the on-line Q + A. The answers don’t seem that urgent or important anymore. With the MSRP at $41K, I’m in no hurry. I’m actually getting bored. I’m hearing them taking questions they have already answered. The On star and customer support stuff is starting to give me the impression it’s too much communication and a potential nuisance and distraction.
Maybe I’ll be more interested in buying when Gen II rolls out. I’m interested in the technology still, but I can’t see myself as an early adopter any longer.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:45 pm)Since you are (or were) a frequent poster prior to this day, I had previously been pleased with most of what you had to write. Your attitude went down the toilet today. You apparently had unrealistic expectations on the price. Everything you are writing today is filled with venom and emotion. I suggest you move on. I don’t know where you get your “pompous” adjective from, but you know nothing about my background. You decide you can lecture me based on your upbringing, yet how could you know that I indeed grew up in a single parent family with little means.
This car is not an iphone or HDTV. The biggest reason to get this vehicle is its IDEOLOGY (independence from foreign oil, the oil spill in the Gulf, global warming, etc.) Many here would have said that until the price displeased them. In speaking my opinion today, I would try to remind those who are complaining here to renew their dedication to the ideology. Whether you can afford this car or not, the desire to rid us of oil should remain in front of other car purchase decisions. GM does not have to be the be-all-end all going down this road. By all means, buy a Leaf if that is your answer to GM’s sale price. Buy a used Prius. Whatever. But someone who says they are going BACKWARD in fuel efficiency even though they know it’s wrong- I have no use for that kind of self-focused, ego-inflating, materialistic type of individual. While I don’t think you are one of them, insulting me provides you little credibility. I am sure there are others in Volt nation who are a bit shocked at how nasty you got today. Again, move on.
REDUCE. REUSE. RECYCLE.
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:47 pm)“Disappointed but sucking it up” and “can’t afford it” are both conclusions that potential customers will draw. Where I fall will depend on my status when Volt comes to Ohio, and who knows when that will be? They said they wouldn’t artificially limit production, but it sure seems like it. The high price definitely is a signal that they don’t want as many people knocking down doors to get one. Bob Lutz said it would be significantly below $40,000…something changed, maybe it was just his presence.
Also, Posawatz mentioned biofuel ratings…do they know something about flexfuel capability that I don’t? They said they were dropping it, but hopefully it’ll come in with Gen 2. Really, I hope Gen 2 has diesel/biodiesel options!
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:47 pm)Well, no answer on the question about residual value on the Volt at the end of the lease.
They did answer the “Why premium gas” question.
Not very well IMO, but said it was because it wouldn’t go stale as quickly and gives 5% to 10% better mileage. I don’t know about where you live but here we pay at least 20% more for premium gas so it is cost negative. I also think that this “stale” issue is exaggerated, can’t speak for a car, but I have used gas for small engines, lawnmower etc. that has been in a can for 2 years without any apparent problem.
-3
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:47 pm)Well in that case a LEAF is more a viable solution as well as affordable. I Can get past that lame 40 mile range with the LEAF withiout gas.
OR even a Prius. 3 gallons in a Volt gets me (40 + (35 * 3) = 145 miles and 3 gallons in a 2010 Prius get me (3 * 50) = 150.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:48 pm)But you had me down for “Entertainment”, so as I said: I’ll bring the DIP! He doesn’t eat much either.
Be well and be patient,
Tagamet
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:51 pm)#218 said “According to my calculations, even though the payments on the Volt will be higher than I expected, if I drive 40 miles per day, 5 days a week, I am probably going to save maybe $90/month in “fuel” costs by going to electricity instead of using gasoline (at around $3/gal with my 20 mpg vehicle).”
I wonder why you do not consider choices in the middle: ICE or hybrid cars with much better than 20 mpg, that cost much less than $34k.
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:51 pm)BTW, I asked 5 questions; no surprise: they picked the most innocuous one.
At least I got a “shout out” to the site …
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:53 pm)For those planning to attend the “Teeth Gnashing/Wail-In,” it’s BYOT (Bring Your Own Tissues). Thx.
-1
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:54 pm)I missed the chat, but going off of what you have here:
Interesting they would mention knocking. This leads me to think that high temps under the hood (and resultant knocking) may indeed be the real reason for premium fuel. The 5-10% efficiency gain won’t happen unless they’re running higher compression. So when the list the specs on the engine we’ll know what’s up. — If they were having knock issues then you could sort of say higher octane was increasing efficiency because it let them return to normal spark advance, but that would be a B.S. way of explaining the need for premium fuel.
There may be a small element of truth that higher octane retains less water, but requiring premium fuel to solve the contaminated fuel issue would seem to be a very odd solution. There would be lots of other ways around this problem that wouldn’t require premium fuel.
+5
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:54 pm)Congrats, and I hope you keep us posted on the experience.
Be well and be patient,
Tagamet
-1
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:54 pm)I think the $41,000 price was designed to get many of us to lease the car instead of purchasing. This gives GM much more control and a second sale price later. Smart. Too damn smart to my way of thinking. The Nissan Leaf or some other vehicle is looking better all the time. Every “announcement” coming from GM cements this decision more and more.
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:56 pm)It is a good start. See you on the roads!
Harrier1970
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:57 pm)Just talked to my dealer. He noted I have come in every week ( i am #2 on the short list) to ask about the VOLT. I had to tell him the price. :+} I am a “local” and they do want to see what they can do… but….
He did note he is getting more calls about the car now. He said one guy offered to pay 5k over price.
The salesperson noted everything is now in flux. If the demand continues to grow they will look at ways to make money.. Even auctioning off one of the cars in the future. They get two, one is the demo.
I noted if there is an auction or a big dealer mark up I will pass. No car, even the VOLT is worth it when at this price there are a LOT Hybrid options that are cheaper and even the Lincoln Hybrid at around 35K. I like these guys… they are business people and I understand the game.
There will be more competitors in the future with as good or better cars. The prices will become reasonable and WE will have our say.
Seems too bad GM was so transparent about this car, creating a good early following, hinted at some expectations, and then set a price the took a lot of the “loyal” folks out of the market.
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:57 pm)Even at $41,000, they knew they would sell every one they make in year one and two. Make some profit while they can. Some of us will remember this later. I will also remember every dealer that tries to add thousands to the cost just to make more profit off of those of us who have been following the Volt for over 3 years and have been wanting one as bad as any one.
+3
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:58 pm)Well I HAVE $2k and $350/mo. is greatly offset by the gas savings. So Leasy Goodness here I come!
Can’t pass up driving a $44k vehicle for 3yr’s for about $150/mo.!!!
Price is NOT BOLD though.
+1
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:58 pm)I was going to defend Ted myself, but you’ve done it nicely here.
+7
Jul 27th, 2010 (3:59 pm)Here’s a thought: I know there are many here who have now decided that they cannot affor a VOLT, but isn’t it possible that there may be some people out there who may have been considering a $50,000 Lexus or BMW or Benz and have now decided to go the other direction because ‘electric vehicles’ are the future and it’s the right thing to do? It could happen. Really. It could.
Jul 27th, 2010 (4:00 pm)