I got a call back from my dealer saying that my Volt would be delayed past launch date deliveries if I stuck with my black leather interior with black trim. I had to change to the black interior with light trim which means white console. It doesn't look all that bad. I almost picked that one to start with.

I ordered the black on black trim too, guess I should expect a call from the dealer, any word on how long the delay would be?

on the good side I think you get the graphic side panels with that, the black on black leather didnt allow that.

Crap. I have the neutral leather with black console. In fact the only reason I'm getting the leather is to get away from the white console. Sight unseen.

I think my title is misleading. The only thing I know for sure is no black on black leather. Too many interiors use the black console for the console itself to be the problem.

My dealer said they couldn't say how long the delay would be but I am shooting for one of the first ones so I am not opting for anything that delays my order.

The really good news here is that Chevy has obviously started getting ready for production if they are looking at orders to see if they can fill them as entered. I had not heard of them doing this before today.

Regular VOLT production has been scheduled to start in November and shortly after the start of production the only trim package option available has been planned to be phased in after the holiday period. At this time it will be very early January. I hope this clears up any confusion.



Angie – Chevrolet Volt Advisor

Regular VOLT production has been scheduled to start in November and shortly after the start of production the only trim package option available has been planned to be phased in after the holiday period. At this time it will be very early January. I hope this clears up any confusion.

Angie – Chevrolet Volt Advisor
This is very interesting if true—probably interesting enough to warrant an article on the main page.

Alas, I can't say I completely understand it. Does "the only trim package option available" mean the dark console for sure?

I'll see if I can find out more about this. As most of you know the dark center stack was sort of "late in the game". But how they offer it with the rest of the interior (i.e. seating options) is going to make it problematic if they cant get sufficient supply for the initial production run.
This sort of crap just drives me nuts!
Be patient boys!
GO VOLT!
WOT

Regular VOLT production has been scheduled to start in November and shortly after the start of production the only trim package option available has been planned to be phased in after the holiday period. At this time it will be very early January. I hope this clears up any confusion.



Angie – Chevrolet Volt Advisor

Angie,
Thanks for the info, unfortunately I'm not fully understanding your statement, are you saying only the base model will be available initially? ie if you want leather heated seats, or the backup camera with parking asset, or polished aluminum wheels you have to wait until January? Are the exterior initial colors limited too?
Or is it just the dark trim console option that will be in limited supply initially?

My car has every option on it. The only thing that they couldn't do was the black on black leather. As I said I just switched to black leather with light trim.

Regular VOLT production has been scheduled to start in November and shortly after the start of production the only trim package option available has been planned to be phased in after the holiday period. At this time it will be very early January. I hope this clears up any confusion.

Oh dear. No, this creates confusion. Angie, can you clarify pronto what you mean by "only trim package option available"? Are you saying that anyone who orders a leather interior, or black console, isn't going to see their car until later in the production run?

Lyle, you need to get confirmation of this, and I agree with bitguru that this would be front page article material. Definitely get GM confirmation though, don't just go on Angie's post. If true, it is going to completely up-end the delivery sequencing. Meaning those of us at the front of the line will suddenly be at the back :)

[ 888-VOLT4YOU (888-865-8496) ]

It does make me worry more about
the possible ordering discrepancy (http://www.gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?p=41313#post41313)
that I posted about a month ago:

http://www.gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?p=41313#post41313 (that's a clickable link)

I said I was fine either way, but if
(as Lyle says (http://gm-volt.com/2010/09/05/my-chevrolet-volt-order-has-been-placed/)) the dark console won't
be available until March 2011, then
I guess I do care.

update: This poll (http://polldaddy.com/p/3559552) (click on the word poll (http://polldaddy.com/p/3559552)) may be relevant.

I know there is a lot of confusion right now about the standard vs. optional trim package available for the start of production. I am waiting for specific details and will post as soon as I get the information. I apologize for adding to the confusion.

Angie – Chevrolet Volt Advisor
socialmedia@gm.com

That's what I figured. Thanks Angie!

Like many others here I have been trying to get any kind of confirmation about the availability or scarcity of dark consoles without much luck. My dealer was not aware of any delay associated with dark consoles. Volt customer service was mystified as to why they have been getting so many calls regarding this question. After they took a look at the web sites where this has been reported they said this was just "enthusiasts talking without having any real information". No kidding. I really don't want to have my delivery delayed so I went ahead an asked my dealer to change from dark leather/dark accents (AFI) to dark leather/light accents (AFE). I have no way of knowing if this change is actually going through but my dealer patiently took my information. I'm told by Volt customer service that I will need to wait until October 1 when everyone will be contacted by a representative.

Confusing.

Called my dealer today to ask about delays related to the black accent package. I got the following response:


"I just spoke with our Chevrolet dealer representative - there are no restraints on the dark accents. Restraints are based on lack of availability of a certain product from a specific vendor, and rarely occur before production begins. Restraints arise primarily when a preponderance of orders contain a particular similarity (eg. dark accents). That product is essentially used up, putting it on restraint until the supplier can restock GM."

This is just another data point, but it does remind me of the line from Cool Hand Luke -- "What we have here is a failure to communicate..."

On the chevrolet voltage site a GM rep is quoted as saying leather interiors will be delayed till Jan. and all cars made in Nov. and Dec. will be cloth and white console. There seems to be not end to speculation on this, but no one inside GM or out is coming up with a consistent message. It would be very useful to know what is going on.

Since my order is for a cloth interior with the white trim, maybe that will move me up some. I'm told that our dealership does not get cars until March.

I could live without the dark console, didn't care too much one way or the other. But not without heated seats and the only way to get heated seats is the leather option...
Looks like my order is going to be delayed:(

On the chevrolet voltage site a GM rep is quoted

To be clear, the quote there is from "a GM/Volt supervisor from the hotline", which may or may not be reliable. The Chevrolet Voltage site itself is operated by a third-party marketing company, hired by Chevy.

Certainly I agree that there's a dearth of real information about it. I expect Lyle will make a post about it once A) he has less stories backed up in his queue and B) he can get someone higher up at GM to comment on it. Or, lacking GM input, post an article that forces GM to comment, ala the recent AOL/MPG dustup :)

I also expect that GM may be trying to just resolve it before commenting, so they can say "not an issue anymore".

FYI, this is basically a repeat of the "no black consoles" thread here.

I just received this information. I hope this will help clear up any confusion.

Chevrolet is working hard to have all interior color options available at start of production. At times there may be a delay with various vehicle options. When the dealer submits an order for production, they will be made aware of any options that are not available at the time. The dealer will be able to consult with their customer accordingly before the order is placed. The Jet Black Seats/Dark Accents Interior (AFI) was added to the vehicle build plan earlier this year, and we are working to have it available at start of production or shortly thereafter.

Thanks,
Angie – Chevrolet Volt Advisor
socialmedia@gm.com

I just received this information and have posted it in the "No Black Consoles Yet" thread as well. I hope this will help to clear up any confusion.

Chevrolet is working hard to have all interior color options available at start of production. At times there may be a delay with various vehicle options. When the dealer submits an order for production, they will be made aware of any options that are not available at the time. The dealer will be able to consult with their customer accordingly before the order is placed. The Jet Black Seats/Dark Accents Interior (AFI) was added to the vehicle build plan earlier this year, and we are working to have it available at start of production or shortly thereafter.

Thanks,
Angie – Chevrolet Volt Advisor
socialmedia@gm.com

What I parse from that official message from Angie is that only the AFI option is potentially at issue due to the apparently late decision to offer the AFI option.

Good news for me. :)
Looks like my AFF order for dark accents and light/neutral leather remains on track.

Okay so we have the following options
(AFA) Jet Black Seats/Ceramic White Accents (cloth)
(AFE) Jet Black Seats/Ceramic White Accents (leather)
(AFF) Light Neutral Seats/Dark Accents (leather)
(AFC) Jet Black and Green Seats/Dark Accents (leather)
(AFI) Jet Black Seats/Dark Accents (leather)

And only the AFI may be delayed.

Black leather is available in AFE/AFC
Dark accents are available in AFF/AFC

So if dark leather and dark center console are available in other options, the difference I see are the door panel inserts. The AFI have no swirly design in them which must be the delay.

Well, I LIKE the "artsy fartsy" door panel inserts. :D I would like the AFI trim with the "AF" door panel inserts. Angie! Make a note for another option! I will pay a little extra for the "AF" door inserts.

Angie, thanks for the clarification on the leather/console confusion. That is more information than has been available so far on that issue. It should help to retore the calm.

Volt Interior Theme Delay Details: http://veh.cl/qv

Over at CheveroletVoltage.com, Angie reports the following:


Updates regarding the black/black (AFI) production delays. For anyone who has ordered or is interested in ordering the AFI trim package - good news! I have just received word that the AFI interior will be available at start of production.

Yes, I received this email from Angie yesterday as well, and posted in the main GM-Volt article at the time. I also just started a new thread per Lyle's suggestion to indicate that the AFI will be available initially!