Happy Independence Day GM-Volt Readers!
Speaking of which, the steady chipping away toward the goal of energy independence scored another small victory as the Volt recorded its second-highest sales month since its December 2010 launch with 1,760 units sold, of which 90 percent were to retail customers. Its all-time high was in March, with 2,289 units sold.
And though GM has said it is “not in a race” with sales against Nissan’s Leaf which was launched the same month – and Nissan’s CEO Carlos Ghosn has recently said he’s not worried over slumping sales at this juncture – the Japanese rival again posted numbers of around one-third the Volt’s, at 535 Leafs sold for June 2012.
Whatever the case, things at the moment are decidedly picking up for the Volt as the Leaf’s sales are still withered, or just holding on. In June 2011, a mere 561 Volts were sold, compared to 1,708 Leafs.
Or sliced another way, the Volt is up by over 300 percent year over year, and last June the still rolling-out Volt and Leaf “race” saw Volt year-to-date deliveries at 2,745 Volts versus 3,875 Leafs – representing 727 more Leafs in June 2011 compared to June 2012. Calendar year to date, Nissan has delivered 3,148 Leafs which is an average rate of around 6,300 per 12 months.
Even so, Nissan has defiantly said it will sell 20,000 Leafs this fiscal year ending in March 2013 considering that Tennessee production begins in December. However, if that’s going to be true, it will need to seriously quicken the pace for the rest of this year, or expect a major blitz at some point.
As its sales are yet trending in an unintended direction, a Leaf charged full-speed-ahead in reverse last weekend at Goodwood; intended as positive press, the negative imagery of racing backwards is unfortunately also apparent.
In contrast, GM stopped saying it will meet a previously specified – and even more ambitious – goal of 45,000 Volts for this calendar year. It has idled the Detroit-Hamtramck plant twice this year to trim supply to match demand. Nonetheless, it’s now in a healthier position, and the company’s mid-year sales of 8,817 Volts already now exceed its 2011 total of 7,671 for the entire year.
Sales for Volts are being helped by word of mouth, more advertising, and California Volts are now eligible for solo HOV lane access. Plus, it has been several months since a protracted spate of negative press set the Volt back to selling just 603 in January. Since then, it has easily topped 1,000 units per month, or specifically February: 1,023, March: 2,289, April: 1,462, May: 1,680, June: 1,760.
The Volt’s sales in June also rose as the aggregate of GM passenger car sales also rose by 12 percent year over year.
When I had a Volt to evaluate last year, I shot a photo of it in front of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, where America was born.
GM credits its passenger car sales progress to a 32-percent increase in Chevrolet Malibu sales and a 21-percent increase in Buick LaCrosse sales. It also noted combined sales of all seven Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac crossovers were up 30 percent versus a year ago.
But it’s all a relative comparison. With just around 0.25 percent of the total market share being held by all plug-in vehicles compared to mainstream automobiles, the Volt versus Leaf race – or not a race as the case may be – is a microcosm of the big picture.
The big picture for the small market is many wild cards yet remain to be played in months and years ahead. Globally, pressures are spurring demand for these and other electrified vehicles, as their makers continue to race toward technological improvements and work on getting their respective value propositions properly marketed and understood.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 4th, 2012 at 5:55 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
+16
Jul 4th, 2012 (6:58 am)And soon we in OZ will be helping to push those sales numbers up just that little bit more. The volt pricing has been announced down under, and for just $59,990 (+ dealer delivery and on road costs), you can have a Volt down under. I’ve already got permission to get one from my partner, but at that price… it will come down to the trade in price on my existing vehicle… almost 5 years I have been waiting so I certainly hope I can help out with these sales numbers!
+8
Jul 4th, 2012 (7:04 am)Well written article. My color suggestion way back when was independence green. Dual meaning – independence of America and independence from oil. LOVE to keep seeing more and more Volts on the road. Have passed them in mine when they are going the other direction, looking forward to pulling up next to another one at a stoplight. We need a get together in Southeast Texas so we can talk everything Volt!
+9
Jul 4th, 2012 (7:45 am)Good numbers! GM is selling more Volts than ‘Vettes.
+15
Jul 4th, 2012 (7:58 am)TODAY —JULY 4, 2012— IS HEREBY DECLARED AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
/Wishing everyone a VERY HAPPY 4th of July!
+10
Jul 4th, 2012 (8:06 am)More drivers will declare their independence from gasoline as the production EV and E-REV vehicles hit the road. The rising sales numbers is encouraging news. Have a safe 4th of July!
+14
Jul 4th, 2012 (8:09 am)I almost woke my wife up this morning to get me to the train station at 7:30am. That’s because I have to fly down to Florida *tomorrow* (not today) to pick up the Volt from Stingray Chevrolet.
Happy Independence Day. Heading out for a carnival and fireworks tonight with my wife and kids and then hit the airport tomorrow. Going to be 97*F in town here Thursday – glad to get of town instead of working around the house.
Independence Day is all about how we stood up to someone for something. I don’t mind picking up my Volt on July 5th – making for some amount of independence from oil. It is also my catalyst to install a 4500W Solar PV array this summer to be a bit more independent from our local power producer (.17/kWh). Might go larger on the array – depends on pricing.
We’re voting with our wallets and the marked difference between Volt sales and Leaf shows our decision that EREV beats BEV in the “most utility” category. I could have gotten a BEV – we have both a mini-van (inherited) and two other cars (wife’s and my old one). Still wanted a Volt because “I don’t always drive far – but when I do, I drive really far.” I may not become “the most interesting Volt driver in the world” but I want to be in the running by starting at least with the initial 1023-mile drive home from Stingray. Only minor regret is that the unit I’m buying is early in the 2011 builds and the 1.4L engine isn’t built in Michigan.
+8
Jul 4th, 2012 (8:15 am)What a surprise! was at a Chevy dealership and looked at the malibu cruze corvette sonic and then Volt. It seems salesmen are not interested in showing Volt as many still looking at the ICE price etc …But what struck me was the qualty of finish on these car …Just excellent ..However, Volt stood out the nest in my mind ofcourse I am biased to some extent .. Great work GM on quality just keep working on it and give the imports a run for their money …
On a side note Ford is coming up C-max SUV EV… towards the end of year … That will be great and will be the sole SUV EV until Toyota RAV 4 comes out next year.
+10
Jul 4th, 2012 (8:17 am)Happy 4th everyone!
I believe each Volt buyer’s ENERGY INDEPENDENCE DAY should be celebrated as the day he/she bought the car.
I want to see ENERGY INDEPENDENCE emphasized in Volt’s marketing going forward. Hey GM – put a red, white and blue wrap on a Volt with custom wheels and have one drive down every July 4th parade route in the country.
RECHARGE! ,
James
+6
Jul 4th, 2012 (8:54 am)Does everyone remember this from exactly two years ago?
Volt Completes 1776-Mile Freedom Drive
Plug-in hybrid Volt demonstrates trouble-free cross-country drive.
http://gm-volt.com/wp-content/gallery/chevrolet-volt/volt-nyc-fireworks1.jpg
It definitely caught our imagination and our patriotism.
To all you Volt supporters helping the US continue as the Land of the Free…
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!
+2
Jul 4th, 2012 (9:22 am)Jeff,
Do these numbers include Amperas.
If not what is the number if we add those.
+3
Jul 4th, 2012 (9:32 am)I’m actually slightly surprised how HIGH the LEAF’s numbers are. I never have believed BEVs of today are capable of mass appeal, but 500 units is far greater than what other BEVs have been able to tally up in sales.
I don’t think the battery issue came soon enough to put a measurable dent in LEAF sales for June; July sales results should better show if it’s a big deal or not even though buyer awareness of the issue is questionable as it seems to have not caught the attention of mainstream media.
June’s results further suggest the Volt extended range concept is going to be the driving force toward EV adoption by mainstream buyers.
+3
Jul 4th, 2012 (9:50 am)They are giving Volts away in Ca and at Stingray in FL.
I think Stingray has 40 on the lot.
Totally amazing.
I’ve seen 34K as base price so that’s 6 K off MSRP. Add in incentives and it is an incredible deal.
Anybody on the fence needs to jump on this!!
+4
Jul 4th, 2012 (9:57 am)This month the Volt handily outsold all the other BEV/PHEV’s combined (1760 vs 1330 or so)!
Last month it was about equal. Unfortunately the total sales for the segment is down
Overall nice article.
Total of all EV/PHEV was
1760 Volt
535 Leaf
695 Plug in Prius
50 Ford Focus Electric (estimate)
33 iMiev
57 (my estimate for tesla/coda/karma since they don’t report)
3123 total.
+12
Jul 4th, 2012 (10:34 am)stuart22,
At the car show this weekend. I was asked the same question over and over. “So how far can this car go?”. My simple (and startling) reply was “360 miles”. After explaining the battery/generator system. Viewers were both impressed and accepting. I continued on to mention that the driver is in control of gasoline usage. And that you won’t miss having to compete for dirty gas pumps and deal with the twice per week refueling dance at the local gas station.
Nearly all felt the 8+ hours to recharge at 110V is too long. Conversely, 3 1/2 hours at 220V went over real well. Two viewers stated the system is better than hybrids. Two viewers said they will buy one.
Happy Fourth of July all!
My garage before and after. The oil pans have been replaced with a wall charger.
+5
Jul 4th, 2012 (11:07 am)George – Opel says it cannot yet provide total European Ampera registrations for June at this moment because they don’t know the final June data so far.
Opel rep said:
“This is somehow quite normal due to the fact that the European registration office usually needs some days to collect the data from every European country. We will hopefully see them early next week. I’ll provide you the data asap, ok?”
So … I’ll do a separate story when I get Ampera info. …
Happy Energy Independence Day
Jeff
+3
Jul 4th, 2012 (11:53 am)Dave K.,
Dave,
nice picture.
Note how dingy and dark the garage looked prior to the Volt then…miraculously when Volt is in garage, the picture is so much brighter, crisp and full of light. Not to mention chrystal red Volt!
+2
Jul 4th, 2012 (12:03 pm)> Note how dingy and dark the garage looked prior to the Volt then…miraculously when Volt is in garage, the picture is so much brighter, crisp and full of light. Not to mention chrystal red Volt! <
Hee hee… It's technology. First photo taken with a G1. Second with a MyTouch4g .
Enjoy your 4th!
+6
Jul 4th, 2012 (12:12 pm)New Volt w/ little sister the Prius.
Note what a wider stance the Volt has.
A GE buddy of mine asked about the Volt and this is what I told him:
“So far we love it. (although April still isn’t sure if it’s better than that Prius she has)
The engine hasn’t started since I brought it home.
I get a lot of comments on how nice it looks.
It’s a little roller skate around corners
It has a really nice interior (leather seats and totally quiet)
I go 38 miles to Payson and back for 90 cents of electricity.
I love everything about this car.”
+2
Jul 4th, 2012 (12:28 pm)You could explain that the 8+ hours to recharge is at the home, not at any “station” away from the home, and that is another sense of independence from the filling station. You can compare it with the ease of recharging their cellphones, laptops and other electronic devices while they sleep. That is another factor in favor of EVs, if we all see the Volt as another electronic device, but with wheels and space for four passengers, which no laptop, cellphone or anything else can give them.
Raymond
+1
Jul 4th, 2012 (12:35 pm)Those numbers don’t include sales outside the U.S. If those were included, the month of June may have been the best on record. Look at GM’s manufacturing numbers from its Hamtramck plant instead, and you will arrive at close to the truth, if you average out 3 or so months. After all, GM is trying to keep inventory levels stable. Also, you will then see that the 2013 model started to roll off the line in the last week of June as well.
+7
Jul 4th, 2012 (1:04 pm)Yesterday marked a milestone for me: I saw my first ever Leaf out in the wild! Here in NJ and along the Northeast corridor, I’ve spotted other Volts dozens of times, but surprisingly never saw a single Leaf on the road until now. Have to say, the Leaf looks a lot better up close at an auto show or in a showroom than it does on the road. The narrow stance, weird rump, and porpoise face spell U-G-L-Y in all caps, and make a Prius look almost normal and attractive. I pulled next to the guy at a light and put my passenger window down (his driver side window was already down), but he obviously didn’t want to talk as he diddled with the radio.
We both pulled quietly forward when the light changed, the big difference between us (other than my car actually looks good!) being that I could have driven to Canada if I wanted, and he constantly had to monitor the patented Nissan guess-o-meter to try and make sure he didn’t go so far that he couldn’t make it back home again. I may be philosophically in favor of every EV on the road, but I’m sure glad I’m actually driving an EREV!
+3
Jul 4th, 2012 (1:47 pm)What preventing Volt of being image car in US? So high performance and comfort features with most advanced technology.
+3
Jul 4th, 2012 (1:55 pm)I love my Volt! But please understand that range anxiety only exists in the eyes of the non-EV owner. I had an EV whose range was about 20 miles. Never had range anxiety because I knew what it could do. Non Volt owners worry about the eight hour charging time. For the majority of Volt owners, it is a nonissue.
+2
Jul 4th, 2012 (2:06 pm)Happy 4th everyone! I’m in Boston and have kept my eyes peeled for Volts but nothing yet. I have been on a boat most of the week, so not exposed to a lot of cars, but I did see a 100% electric water taxi. Petty cool.
+5
Jul 4th, 2012 (2:42 pm)Politics. Hatred of GM by many who think it’s “Government Motors” and feel slighted that they didn’t endure bankruptcy with Chrysler. Also, the continued bad-news by Fox News and others about things like crash test fires due to not de-energizing the battery for 3-weeks after the crash. All sorts of nonsense. Mainly, political though. And I really, truly believe that some people don’t buy Volts even if they want the technology simply because of their loyalty to the Toyota/Prius brand, loyalty to “only buy foreign cars”, loyalty to not be seen in “an Obama car”, peer-pressure issues at work and among friends and so on. Too much childish behavior on the part of many of us in the USA, sorry to say.
+3
Jul 4th, 2012 (6:45 pm)Because they only sleep 4 hours a night and drive the other 20?
+5
Jul 4th, 2012 (7:16 pm)I think it will become an image car. for all the reasons you have listed.
I also think that not ALL Republicans are against the Volt.
It is a small party segment of Republicans that ruin a good thing.
-1
Jul 4th, 2012 (7:31 pm)Sorry George it is not small segment … hypocracy, bs-nonsense is strategy of Gop say stuff which is of no consequence but get folks angry, agitated , hatred drive their approach to get elected … Alas the many citizens these cant distinguish between good/bad for the nation …Oh well to each his own.
On a separate note, Total Volt production must be in the 3000+ range if exports to Canada, Europe are included? Does anyone has #s on that? It will be interesting to get that kind of info!
+3
Jul 4th, 2012 (8:09 pm)Another writer summarized the EV/PHEV/EREV sales for June earlier today as follows…*
“Cars are cool again – last month’s US auto sales were up 22% compared to June 2011. Inexplicably, the majority of sales are still old-fashioned gas burners, but plug-in vehicles are coming on strong. It’s becoming clear that buyers are favoring PHEVs over pure EVs.
“June’s big winner is the Chevrolet Volt – it was the top-selling plug-in vehicle in the US in June, selling 1,760 units for the month. Volt sales reached 8,817 units for the first half of 2012, up from 2,745 units in the first half of 2011. It now appears that GM’s initial prediction of 10,000 units for 2011 was only a little premature, and should be handily surpassed this year.
“The new Toyota Prius Plug-in roared out of the starting gate to take second place – no surprise considering the well-established Prius brand name. It sold 695 units, representing 3.6% of Prius family sales in June.
“Nissan’s LEAF isn’t looking so good – the all-electric hatchback came in third for the month with 535 units sold, down 69% from the 1,708 units sold in June 2011.** In the first half of the year, the LEAF sold 3,148 units, down 19% from the 3,875 units sold in June 2011.
*From http://www.chargedevs.com/content/news-wire/post/auto-sales-soaring-volt-remains-far-best-selling-plug
**We told you so, Carlos! Anyone could’ve told you a car that “looks like a catfish” will flop like one!
+4
Jul 4th, 2012 (8:18 pm)What,
Volt beat PiP???
Excellent!!
+7
Jul 4th, 2012 (8:26 pm)I have a lot of conservative friends and they like the car.
+7
Jul 4th, 2012 (10:33 pm)I’m a conservative and I have a Volt. Will very much likely have a second one around 2013-2014.
+3
Jul 5th, 2012 (12:05 am)I really hope the Leaf, Tesla, Ford Focus, and the rest of the BEVs make it. I do have to say though, MANY, many people who speak to me are very worried about “what happens when the battery runs down.” They won’t even talk about these cars as a viable purchase. The Volt needs to keep pushing this message. I can’t believe how many people believe it’s a BEV rather than range extended car.
+4
Jul 6th, 2012 (6:49 pm)Kent,
I am an libertarian leaning republican and I am absolutely impressed with the Volt. Unfortunately, I do find myself defending the Volt frequently. I think most conservative people will get over the negative Volt bias with time. My crowd of conservatives love that the Volt improves domestic energy use (self sufficiency), sticks it to terror funding oil regimes, has a reduced cost of ownership, and reduces energy price anxiety. These facts will eventually win over most conservatives with time. They just need to work through the political bs and realize that the Volt truly represents solutions to their values and goals for the country.