I'm very interested in the Volt, but my concern is, like many other popular vehicles with high demand and relatively low production, is that there will be waiting lists AND high dealer mark-ups. I'm willing to wait, but I'm NOT willing to pay an artificial tacked-on markup. I'm just curious how everyone thinks this is going to play out initially?

I agree that dealer markups will generate resentment and put some early adopters off. At 40K it already feels like there is a generous markup. In this economy even MSRP may dampen demand. I think a lot of folks will feel like "I really want one - but I just can't afford it now." I don't know if GM corporate has the power to limit dealer markups. If not I would expect markups until demand at whatever price tapers off.

It seems to me fine for the dealer to ask the market price. If there are more customers than vehicles, it is better to sell the car to the person willing to pay the most. There has to be an allocation system of some kind, and I like an open commercial system with cars available to people willing to pay more more than I would like some kind of back-room "who knows who" kind of insider trading, which is the alternative.

Pragmatically, under supply is not likely to last long. The car is so expensive relative to others of its size and power that the number of early adopters will be small. A bigger issue is the few locations that will have dealerships, making the situation a matter of availability rather than price.

Given the buzz and 'green cred' of the Volt, I don't believe that supply will catch up to demand for at least 2-3 years. Given that, I'm just assuming that every Volt coming off the assembly line will have all of the options, and will be sold at a list price that's more than the projected $40K number.

Since the feds have contracted to buy the first 500+ Volts, that leaves only about 9500 for open sale out of the first year's run of 10,000. The second year probably gets up to about 25,000 cars, and they'll sell out too. The third year should hit about 50,000 cars, and I think that will be the first time that the Volt's sell for list price or below.

If you work hard and are willing to travel, there usually is a dealer out there that will make you a deal at MSRP on a new model. They may not be in your state much less your county, but there will be one guy trying to make it on volume and repeat business. There is a slight chance that GM may put pressure on dealers to sell at MSRP as a pre-requisite fro being an authorized Voltech dealer. It really doesn't help GM one bit to advertise all over the place that the car costs $40k when real world prices are $80k. Consumers are quick to catch on and the "halo effect" of the Volt will be blown. Public opinion of the "new" GM will be that of a swindler and more of the same ol' same ol'.

I'd say the main difference now versus a few years ago is instant communication. You know if there's even one dealer out there selling the Volt at MSRP, people are going to be all over Twitter & Facebook getting the word out, and that dealer will sell a ton of them on volume, and the other dealers will be gouging the rich & ignorant. Something tells me the group of early-adopters will be fairly tight-knit, and word will get around quickly on where to get the best deal.

I am hoping that GM will offer people on Lyle's list a chance to pay sticker price, and come out to the GM factory to pick up one of the first Volts to come off the final production assembly line. You know, with the cameras flashing, etc. make a big show out of it.

Of course I am dreaming, but at #87 on the list, I can hope. :D

I never would've thought the Volt could outstrip demand for years on end (I mean think about that, YEARS!), except for I've seen it happen before with the Nintendo Wii which sold for about twice its MSRP for about 3 years on eBay after it came out. I even bought one and turned around and sold it for $400 to make some quick cash. Nintendo finally caught up to demand after selling 50 million. If not for the recession, who knows how they'd be doing, probably still sold out. Here's the whole funny story.

http://news.cnet.com/nintendo-wii-supply-finally-catches-up-to-demand/

I think the Volt will be exactly the same way. People will be buying them opportunistically and turning around and selling them for huge profits.

I am hoping that GM will offer people on Lyle's list a chance to pay sticker price, and come out to the GM factory to pick up one of the first Volts to come off the final production assembly line. You know, with the cameras flashing, etc. make a big show out of it.

Of course I am dreaming, but at #87 on the list, I can hope. :D

That would be nice. You're a lot closer to the front of the list than I am. I think I'm at 48,000 or something like that. However, I am in Southern California, so I guess I'm "geographically desirable."

Well, even with all the hot models I can think of over the past few years and decades, there were good deals to be had if you were willing to do your homework and wait a bit. I'm thinking specifically of the Miata, Prius, the new Mustang, the CTS-V, etc. Initially, there was a lot of demand, and a lot of dealer mark-ups, but once the initial frenzy was over, you could buy one at or below MSRP. I think the expiration of the tax credit will play a large role in Volt demand, as it was with the Prius. What did they say again? The first 60,000 models?