This sub-forum seemed as good a place as any to post this.

Over at another site, a dealer said "you can see the volt this weekend in Dublin California, east of San Francisco".

Does anyone know of other appearances that the Volt is making? We've been hearing about these events just a couple days prior (like the Woodward Cruise appearance). It would be nice to have a little longer notice. I'm willing to travel out of town to go meet my future car, but not knowing where or when is killing me :)

I'm especially interested in appearances in the southeast, like Georgia, Tennessee, etc.

I got a call from Chevy last night inviting me to spend some "quality" time with the Volt the day before the State Fair opens (at the State Fair grounds). Although the test drive is an invitation only event I feel sure the Volt will be hanging around for the State Fair. The Fair opens on September 25th.

People from all over the United States come to the biggest State Fair in the country so come on over Chris.

Jerry

Awesome news VoltGuy. I will be there in October to watch OU beat Texas.

Thanks VoltGuy for the tip. That's technically in the South but still very far from me (farther than DC) so hopefully there will be an event closer to me. Did you get a call from Chevy because you have an order placed? If so, maybe they'll call me when a Volt is coming to my area.

Stephanwolf I am with you about Texas losing but I am not an OU fan. My school was OSU (with no love loss for OU ;) )

Chris I am hearing that these "appearances" are stepping up as roll out gets closer so just hang in there. I bet Atlanta is real close.

My connection for the test drive came from the Voltage website where you participate also so keep showing that "Volt Passion" and you might get a call also when they come to your area.

Jerry

I tried calling 1-888-VOLT-4-YOU yesterday to see if they knew of any marketing swings through the South. They did not.

Although at one point, the guy said "well, production is scheduled for November so you should see Volts by then". Riiiiight. Thanks dude :)

I also asked if I would get an email from Chevy if a Volt was making an appearance in my area (or even my state!) and basically got the equivalent of a shrug.

I'll try asking again in a couple weeks :)

Chris

Leave a note for Doug, the moderator on the Voltage forum. He is in the Volt marketing group and although he is not in the group organizing appearances he has connections with that group. Just ask if it would be possible for him to get a list together for you. I am not sure he can but he is the best source I can think of.

Jerry

Contact this company for possible events in your area, as they are the apparent coordinators

1-800-869-5876
or email us at GM Outreach Headquarters
gmoutreachheadquarters@carlsonmarketing.com

according to this event poster:
www.mychevroletvolt.com/docs/dublinchevy.pdf
www.dublinchevrolet.com/MiscPage_9

Ooooh, good catch sgc!

I called them and talked to "Kim" (who sounded terribly busy) and here is what they have booked right now:

Sep 25th Washington DC
Oct 23rd Orlando
Dec 4th Miami

Wouldn't you know it, I have a wedding to attend on Sep 25th, otherwise I'd fly up since that's the soonest. Looks like I'm making a day trip to Orlando!

I asked via email about any southern california events, and was told that one is planned for Nov 6, 2010 in Thousand Oaks, CA, but the location is not yet set because the event is too far out into the future.

I asked via email about any southern california events, and was told that one is planned for Nov 6, 2010 in Thousand Oaks, CA, but the location is not yet set because the event is too far out into the future.

The LA Auto Show runs from November 19th through the 28th at the LA Convention Center. I don't have any inside info but it seems likely that Chevy will be showing off either production Volts or at least some of the production spec not for sale Volts.

For all our GM-VOLT fans from around the Connecticut / New York market area - I'm pleased to report that the 2011 Chevy VOLT will be displayed at the Live Green Connecticut Festival on Saturday and Sunday - 9/18th & 19th - in Norwalk, CT. CLICK HERE for all the details! (http://bit.ly/ad2RZ1)
Live Green .... Go VOLT!!! :)

The LA Auto Show runs from November 19th through the 28th at the LA Convention Center. I don't have any inside info but it seems likely that Chevy will be showing off either production Volts or at least some of the production spec not for sale Volts.
Yes, I went to the LA Show last year and saw the Volt display which was very elaborate. Went to the Inland Empire Auto show at Ontario convention center two weeks ago and there was a Volt on the turnstyle, with spokespeople talking about it.

There is a conference coming up in Detroit in the middle of October, "The Business of Plugging In". I feel very strongly that there will be a good Volt presence at the conference. Last year I actually got to sit in a Volt at that conference. I'd be surprized if there are not driving opportunities. The conference is for businesses, but last year GM sponsored an "open to the public" segment. This year it is being moved to the GM headquarters building (The RenCenn). The conference is on Oct 12-14. There is a scheduled "Ride & Drive" event.

BTW, I read in a local newspaper that the Volt made an appearance in Pontiac.

Just talked with Kim at the GM outreach line and she informed me that the information about a Volt appearance in the Washington, D.C. area on September 25th was mistaken. At present there is no Volt appearances scheduled in the DC area. Too bad!!

Son of a f... If it wasn't for a wedding I have to attend, I would have booked a flight for that date and would be throwing chairs at this point.

I'll sleep on it and then call her myself tomorrow.

Got an update.

Oct 23rd Orlando -- Volt requested for this event, will firm up next week
Nov 13th Washington DC -- back on the calendar, after Sept 25th cancellation
Dec 4th Miami -- tentative

Note that the Washington DC date is right after the Nov 11th production start. I'm expecting a media blitz at that point, tied to Veterans Day, "End Dependence Day", reduce foreign oil imports, etc. So a Washington appearance then would be good.

If the Volt is in DC on November 13th, maybe it'll be mine! Ourisman Chevrolet in Bowie says that I'm number 1 on their list of their 10 allocations!

Got an update.

Oct 23rd Orlando -- Volt requested for this event, will firm up next week
Nov 13th Washington DC -- back on the calendar, after Sept 25th cancellation
Dec 4th Miami -- tentative

Note that the Washington DC date is right after the Nov 11th production start. I'm expecting a media blitz at that point, tied to Veterans Day, "End Dependence Day", reduce foreign oil imports, etc. So a Washington appearance then would be good.

Any idea of "time and location" details for the DC appearance?

The chevrolet voltage site:

http://www.chevroletvoltage.com/index.php/Volt/join-the-chevrolet-volt-on-the-road-for-volt-unplugged.html

has an announcement of several upcoming Volt appearances in an upcoming "Volt Unplugged Tour". Here are the cities that are planned with their dates:
Oct. 9 and 10 – Seattle

• Oct. 13 and 14 – San Francisco

• Oct. 16 - 18 – Los Angeles

• Oct. 20 – San Diego

• Oct. 22 and 23 – San Antonio

• Oct. 24 and 25 – Houston

• Oct. 28 and 29 – Miami

• Oct. 29 and 30 – Washington D.C.

• Oct. 30 – Orlando

• Nov. 1 - Raleigh

• Nov. 5 - 7 – New York City

• Nov. 18 - 20 – Chicago

They are offering the opportunity for a test ride with a registration web page.

https://www.teamchevytestdrive.com/register.aspx

The announcement advises you to sign up quickly as open slots are limited.

I came in here to post this, but you beat me to it :)

Looks like I'll be making a day trip to Raleigh, slightly closer to me than Orlando and the flights are way cheaper. Now I just need to find out where exactly it's going to be (in Raleigh) and figure out the logistics of getting there from the airport.

Test drive a volt:
register here:
www.teamchevytestdrive.com/register.aspx

I've registered for the Volt appearance in DC. I'm psych'ed! What's really surprising to me is how supportive my wife has been through the ordering ordeal. I'm amazed that she's actually trusting my judgement! Love you, Sweetie!! You can drive it too!!

I registered for the SF event. Um...but where in SF? The email confirmation gives no details.

We’re working on setting up a Volt test drive in South Florida, open to everyone, tentatively scheduled for 3 to 5 pm, Thursday October 28th, likely in Boca Raton, venue still to be arranged, but possibly at FAU. A technical person from GM’s Volt team will be on hand to answer questions, and they want people to be able to drive the cars. Yeah, plural is the last I heard, so I guess there will be more than one Volt.

Will post more details on the venue when that's set.

I registered for the SF event. Um...but where in SF? The email confirmation gives no details.

I registered but didn't get an email confirmation. Did everyone get a confirmation? Crap.

I didn't get a confirmation, but thinking I messed something up I tried to register again. "Duplicate database entry". So I suggested my wife register, and we'll see if they like her better (an easy thing to do). Hopefully if they see 2 people from the same address with the same last name, they'll schedule us together....

I registered for an LA test drive less than an hour after it was posted on the chevroletvoltage.com web site and haven't received a confirmation e-mail either. However, given how the whole process has gone so far I'm not too concerned...yet. Hopefully it all works out though. Just found out from my dealer that my order will be accepted by GM on or about Oct 14, so getting to do a test drive on Oct 16 would be great!

I registered but didn't get an email confirmation. Did everyone get a confirmation?

I didn't get one either. It could be that they haven't nailed
down the logistics of some locations yet. Or it could be
something else. It's not like I know what I'm talking about.

I registered for the Washington, D.C. event early Wednesday and have not received a confirmation email yet. I suspect those with earlier dates will be notified first.

I registered for Chicago, the last stop on the tour, and got an email right away.

I suspect there is an issue with their email setup.


I got the following email:

Thank you for completing the Team Chevy Test Drive Registration for Volt -- Oct. 13 and 14 - San Francisco. Upon arrival at the Team Chevy Test Drive, please present your valid Driver's License to check in.

Thanks for registering.
-Team Chevy

and the "rcpt from" is info@teamchevyrideanddrive.com

but teamchevyrideanddrive.com is not a registered domain


$ whois teamchevyrideanddrive.com

Whois Server Version 2.0

Domain names in the .com and .net domains can now be registered
with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net
for detailed information.

No match for "TEAMCHEVYRIDEANDDRIVE.COM".
>>> Last update of whois database: Thu, 30 Sep 2010 04:50:31 UTC <<<


You may want to check your spam folder since the domain isn't valid it may have triggered an event flag.

Oooooh, good info, thanks goyogi! I still haven't received any emails, and I have already been checking my spam folders* :)

* two layers, checking both

So did anybody that got an email receive details on exactly where and what time the event will happen?

The venues for the initial Volt UNPLUGGED events have been officially announced

WopOnTour

******************
Seattle - Oct. 9 and 10
Oct. 9 -10 a.m - 6 p.m.
Griot's Garage Ride and Drive and Tour Kick-Off
333 S. 38th Street
Tacoma, WA 98409

Oct. 10 - 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Volt Ride and Drive at Best Buy
19225 Alderwood Mall Pkwy
Lynnwood, WA 98036

San Francisco - Oct. 13 and 14
Oct. 14 - 12 -5 p.m.
Volt Ride and Drive
50 Moraga Ave.
San Francisco, CA 91429

Los Angeles - Oct. 16 - 18
Oct. 16 - 12 - 4 p.m.
Volt Ride and Drive at LA Fashion Weekend's Public "Green" Show
Sunset Gower Studios1438 North Gower StreetSunset Gower Studios
1438 North Gower Street
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Oct. 17 - 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Volt Ride and Drive at Best Buy
740 S Sepulveda Blvd
Manhattan Beach, CA 90245

San Diego - Oct. 20
Oct. 20 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Volt Ride and Drive at Center for Sustainable Energy
8690 Balboa Ave., Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92123

Note: more details in the dedicated thread that WOT opened for this at:

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?5283-Volt-UNPLUGGED-Tour

Thanks, Chris.

Argh, it's right in the middle of the friggin' day. That's 3 hours out of my day to test drive the Volt. *sigh* The things I do for love.

Hey SEA-TAC Drivers..... How about some reviews from the start of the tour???

One was posted here yesterday afternoon:

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?5283-Volt-UNPLUGGED-Test-Drive-Tour&p=43960#post43960

EDIT: and another one this afternoon:

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?5283-Volt-UNPLUGGED-Test-Drive-Tour&p=43997#post43997

Funny how these are coming from people new to the forum :)

Thanks Chris and MVRacing! I'm always interested in the comments of "regular drivers" on the Volt. I signed up for the DC drives, but no details as yet.

I just attended a Chevrolet Open House at my local Chevrolet dealer, Criswell Chevrolet in Gaithersbug, MD. It was quite an event. There were a couple of Volts there in addition to several other 2011 models available for test drives. In addition, there were several GM folks with technical knowledge of the cars to answer question. I was able to go for my second Volt test drive, the first was in DC at the Volt unplugged event. Unlike the DC event I was able to get out on the road for this test drive, though they would not let me take it on the nearby I-270 freeway.

I am a XXXL 6'2" kind of person and I can say, without any qualification, that big fat guys can easily fit into the Volt seating - even the back seat (though not without moving my head back under the hatchback windshield - getting out of the back seat required unusual contortions).

It was a well attended, well organized, and well fed event (they provided a nice spread from the local Red, Hot and Blue BBQ). I talked with some of the organizers and they said there was a possiblity that another event would be held a a local Maryland Mall (Mongomery Mall) in December.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5173484092_c11c535b24.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rob_hellie/5173484092/)

I forgot to mention one little oddity that I encountered at yesterday's Chevrolety Open House hosted at Criswell Chevrolet in Gaithersburg, MD. When I signed up to test drive the Volt I had to do the usual waiver signing and drivers license check but there was a new twist that I had not encountered before. I also had to do a breathalyzer test - something I did not do at the DC Volt Unplugged event a couple weeks ago. I am sure this is just a liability thing for the event organizer but, subliminally, it also implies that someone thinks you have to be a little drunk to want to test drive these Volts. I know that is a extreme interpretation, but as I said it did seem odd. Are any of the rest of you Volt test drivers experiencing sobriety test requiements?

It was a beautiful day yesterday with temps in the 60's and bright sunshine all day. Here are a couple more pics.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5173706482_99b5f3482f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rob_hellie/5173706482/)

Some fall colors with a sober Volt driver returning from a test drive in Gaithersburg.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5173609152_bf38c7c47e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rob_hellie/5173609152/)

When I signed up to test drive the Volt I had to do the usual waiver signing and drivers license check but there was a new twist that I had not encountered before. I also had to do a breathalyzer test

Haven't heard that one before. My guess is, somewhere along the tour lately, somebody showed up that the ride-along thought wasn't quite right. Sad, but it happens. And prudent people protect against the idiots once exposed.