I logged in today on the chevrolet.com/volt website and connected with the chat feature. The following transcript may be of interest to those of you, who like me, made the decision to get a Volt based on the advertised offer of a 3-year lease for $2,500 down and $350 per month. On 1/3/11, that offer ends, to be replaced by something else with terms yet to be defined.

Transcript follows (except I deleted the name of the GM rep):

You have been connected to [deleted].
GM: Hi! How can I help you?
Me: i have a question about leasing a volt, Does GM offer the lease?
GM: Yes, we do offer a lease, hold one moment please.
GM: The lease price is $350.00/month with $2,500 down at lease signing. The lease term is 36 months with 12,000 miles per year. The national lease program is through US Bank ONLY (not available in Alaska or Hawaii). Lease customers will not be directly eligible for the tax credit because the tax credit value is already included in the lease price.

The US Bank Lease Offer expires on 1/3/11. GM expects to be able to continue to offer attractive lease offers through our leasing partners. However, the specifics of the offer may change after 1/3/11. Incentive eligibility is based on a number of factors including program dates, credit approval and geographic residency. Please check with your dealer for further details.
Me: So if I understand correctly, the $350 per month payment ends on 1/3/11?
GM: Correct.

That's pretty slippery, GM. They better replace it with a new lease program with the same or better terms. Quickly.

There are many who placed orders early, but GM didn't make and ship the Volts fast enough to meet the short time window of the initial lease offer. Don't penalize the early adopters!!!

I wonder if GM is hedging their bets in light of the new House Majority in Congress that has announced they are looking to cut spending drastically. Things like the $7,500 tax credit will be on their radar screen and losing that makes the lease deal a real loser for GM at the current levels. Perhaps GM and the US Bank folks are feeling the winds shifting for electric car subsidies.

I wonder if GM is hedging their bets in light of the new House Majority in Congress that has announced they are looking to cut spending drastically. Things like the $7,500 tax credit will be on their radar screen and losing that makes the lease deal a real loser for GM at the current levels. Perhaps GM and the US Bank folks are feeling the winds shifting for electric car subsidies.Losing that $7,500 tax credit will grind Volt sales to a screeching halt. I sure hope they don't cancel that credit.

Losing that $7,500 tax credit will grind Volt sales to a screeching halt. I sure hope they don't cancel that credit.

The best of both worlds would be to buy while the credit exists, and be selling at a time the credit no longer exists. Nothing helps residual values like a $7,500 price hike.

This is really BAD! Many of us (including me) put money down on a Volt specifically with this 350$ lease deal causing the buy. Now they are going to tell us that its not available? Im not sure that is legal. Seems like a 'bait and switch' to me.
Also this is incredibly stupid for GM to do. I understand that they may need to change the lease details but it should not apply to those whose put money down on a purchase long before the lease deal 'expires'.
I think this will create a serious negative impression on GM at a time when they do not need it.

Stilgar

Everything worked out okay for me. Hope the terms stay the same for everyone who wants the deal...

I think there is a bit of conclusion jumping here. They say the details MAY change based on a number of factors.

I will not be purchasing or leasing if the leasing deal changes for the worse. Sounds like they did the lease promotion to get the publicity to match the leaf and knew they would pull a bait and switch.

I'm glad the lease promotion lasted a full 3 weeks after getting the partial details. I don't feel like paying $100 more a month (just a number I made up) because gm couldn't produce my car quick enough. This combined with the low range on electric is starting to sour me a bit.

I really want to love this car. I have always been a HUGE GM guy. I was even traveling 1000 miles to get my car early and to get the low lease before they go nationwide in 18 months and change it up. So much for that.

Now I assume I will be out my deposit if I don't lease.... Wow...

I think there is a bit of conclusion jumping here. They say the details MAY change based on a number of factors.

We shall see what the new year brings for folks...

Unknown lease details - just venting.
I have concerns now if we will ever get our Volt. My hubby and I have spent months in the pursuit of a new car. We had to turn in my TSX, and I have been interested in a greener car for a long time. I turned down great deals including an Infiniti G35 for $430/mo or a new TSX loaded up for $400/mo both with nothing down. Instead I put my name on lists in Fort Worth for when the Volt became available and paid most of our savings for a nice used car that would tide us over until the car arrived. We plan to sell my hubby's beloved, gas thirsty Dakota RT as soon as we get a second car. After finding out about the Austin roll out, we bit the bullet and deposited money at a dealership there. I began to get excited about the prospect. I am not doing this to save money or to replace an existing hybrid. I am not a typical driver. I drive 9000 miles a year. I have been getting about 24 mpg. That means my cost for gas yearly is close to $1,000. I want to be part of the solution not the problem. Our cars in the past have been about $28000 with very high residuals and often subsidized leases. I was attracted to the option of the Volt partially because of the lease terms. I make teacher salary (School Nurse), so we need a payment near 400/mo. We knew with the extra leather package we would put us close. We had to add the camera/backup option and fancy wheels because we accepted a dealer spec car. I worked the numbers and thought...maybe we can do close to $500 if we must. Tax method on leases in Texas does not help matters. We have watched the car production status. We have started our process to get a free 240 charger station/install. a while back a GM phone rep even told me that the lease would probably be extended because not many would be delivered before Jan 3, 2011. But now it seems that may not happen. Of course none of know yet what is going to happen. Maybe lease terms will stay exactly the same or they will get even better. I have to try to be optimistic. They are talking about the 2000 rebate/incentive and lease terms maybe going away or changing. I had been mainly concerned about the dealership specific lease deal and possible undesired charges (such as an expensive tint), but it seems GM's national deal itself might be in jeopardy. I have called and written to everyone I can think of. We probably can't finance the car just yet because the dealer has not been invoiced yet, but we have told our dealership that we would be happy to drive down there to work out the paperwork on a car that hasn't been delivered yet (It should arrive in January).

GM/Chevy, if you read these posts, I am just venting (since no one there seems know an answer yet). I hope you will find a way to make this work out for us all. Keep the lease going or work out the same terms with another lender if needed. I can tell you it will not look good in the press if you make this car far less affordable. Compound this with the now realized lower electric range (in cooler weather) and occasional technical hiccups and unknown dealer charges if any is stressing. Those of us here have been your biggest proponents and cheerleaders in this process. It would be sad for us to have to "switch" teams due to a technicality. Please make this car affordable for folks like me. I hope whatever is worked out doesn't take my dream away.

Cari

Cari,

I completely agree. I want this car but based on other deals out there if these lease terms increase, it won't make sense for me to pull the trigger as well. I don't want a payment over $400 a month as well. Based on the numbers we are now seeing on the mileage using the battery (mid to low 20's in the winter), this won't save me much money over a honda accord. Hopefully GM extends this lease offer and they didn't just offer it for 300-500 people to get the huge promotion with the media that this car can be lease for $350 a month (aka the same as the LEAF).

Cari, did you read LeoK's comments on the main thread for today?

"This is normal for all leases. Residual value guides are typically published quarterly, thus almost all lease deals end at the end of the quarter. in the case of the VOLT, I would not expect the basic lease terms to change going into Q1 or even Q2. If anything, with all the positive publicity and early demand for the VOLT, it is conceivable that the residual percentage could actually INCREASE over time, thus having a positive impact on montthly payments."

I am leaning toward not getting the car now. I am sure the dealer will have no problem selling it, but I must confess I have been really naive about the new GM. Apologies again to volt11. It appears he was right all along.

Well, you and I had settled that. My point was never that GM was bad or anything, just that as a corporation they don't always act in your best interest as a customer, since they have other interests to juggle. It's an extraordinarily complicated business, possibly the most complicated in the world.

A) Hopefully GM will maintain a competitive lease on the Volt, and I would think they will; B) once your invoice is released, I believe you can finalize your deal, even if the car is still a few days away from arriving.

Best of luck!

Cari,

Even if your car does get invoiced, Hewlett is not interested in doing the paperwork early. I got this from them yesterday:

"As far as completing paperwork by the end of the year, our management staff has made a decision not to contract any vehicles that are not physically on the ground at the dealership, so hopefully it WILL show up in time."

My guy's also mentioned before that they don't do a lot of leases there, so do your homework and know the math before you get there. I'm not planning to lease, but I hope they keep favorable terms for all y'all in the new year.

Kyle

I in no way am posting anything to put GM down. I know their number one priority has to be GM (and not necessarily the buyer). I want to try to remain positive about all this. I have hope that GM will do everything they can to find a comparable lease. I have to hold out hope for this. I am not saying anything negative about them. We don't know what is going to happen or what the new year's lease details will be. I have put myself in this situation. I have told some people in my excitement about the car order, so I hope not to have to say we did not get it, but we are prepared to do that if the situation becomes unmanagable for us. I really wanted to be an early adopter of this technology. I still would like that. But there are other options. As a buyer, I always have options. So it is not raining on my parade just yet. I am just expressing concerns about the variable forecast.

As a side note, should the lease details get unfavorable compared to the initial deal promises, then my positive opinion and Public statements to friends, relatives and anyone else that will listen could become much less GM friendly.

Cari

Calm down everyone. First, the $7500 credit is set in stone. If you look at the various website such as Consumer Reports and others, you will find that the credit is a multi-year credit that was passed by Congress back in the Bush era. The termination of the credit is based on 200,000 vehicles produced, and even then buyers will be provided notice. I addressed this with website citations a few days ago in another thread.

Second, all lease and loan deals end on the quarter, as mentioned above. Does anyone really believe auto manufacturers when they are clearing out old inventory in June, that there won't be a better (or at least the same) deal in August on a year-old car? Still, all the advertising states that the offers expire at the end of June. (The end of the quarter.)

I would advise anyone to wait and see what happens next week. Then, you can go and cancel your Volt order if you think the deal is bad.

Maybe it'll be an even better deal!

I am not taking any chances. My dealer is letting me sign the papers without a physical car. It is still at the rail yard and it could be 2011 before it makes the final 50 miles it to the dealer.

Talked to my dealer today about US Bank leases. I was told that US Bank is requiring each dealer to promise a certain number of Volt leases in exchange for getting leasing business. Pay to play it is sometimes called around these parts. The problem is that my dealer is getting such a small allocation of Volts that they cannot meet the US Bank requirement for a guaranteed number of leases even if 100% of the dealer allocation were to lease.

That is a new wrinkle for me.

Not much longer Lurker. Hope you are on the road before you know it.

I am not exactly uncalm. I think the word for me anyway is cautious and may be feeling a little helpless. I have entered into a situation that I have very little control and that there is a lot of uncertainty. My emotions are tied into the excitement of this car. But I can not afford to let the dealer know that or more importantly let that be my final reasoning. I am a glass is half full kind of girl, so it is my hope that the new lease, whatever it is, will be better or at least as good as what we have had. I am okay with it being another lender if GM can find one to agree to the terms. All we can do is wait and see. (I do however have to remember I am not locked into anything yet no matter how much I want a car.)

It does concern me seeing all of the 20 to 30 ranges on this car on battery. That seems to be the case for many regardless of temperature extreme. They say this car can supposedly get up to 50. I haven't even seen anyone here post getting in the 40's to speak of. I should be fine regardless, but it means I will be using more gas than I had hoped if I go out shopping. I am curious under what conditions I can achieve the 50 Miles per charge. If I were to drive in a straight line in 70 to 80 degrees on the eco setting with nothing on except the car with even acceration and braking, would this be possible? I am not in a hurry to jump off the wagon. I still am excited about the prospect of the car. But what was promoted and made the car that much more tempting is gradually being diluted to something not quite as amazing. People have been testing this car for a bit. Sure it wasn't the dead of winter, but that would insinuate that I am going see near predicted ranges if it is nice weather here and I baby the drive factors. We shall see.

Cari

Cari,
I would not worry yet. The lease deals may change somewhat but Im betting that the basic offer stays the same. GM has advertised it too much to change it now.
Also on the range....it seems to me that most folks that are getting in the 20s are in very cold weather. We wont have that issue here in Texas. (course we have not seen how bad having the AC run constantly will affect the range either...)

Stilgar

Cari. Again I have the same issues as you. The lease is my first, less than steller milage on battery, a sluggish onstar app, and some other minor items. The battery is what it is but the other two can be fixed and hopefully don't prevent me from enjoying this car. Again I am not trying to be negative but I am a glass half empty type of guy lol.

I agree Stilgar. I think our 105 days will be more of a challenge. I am counting on GM working to get a comparable lease deal for us. May not even notice a change.

Hey today our status changed a little. It shows us rail info with the transport company, but then that says it is going to NZ (Fort Worth via New Zealand, snicker). Who knows. If the car was just produced, it seems unlikely it would be on a train/truck already. My main wish now is to be able to talk to the dealer and make sure they understand my exact desires regarding nothing being added to the car beyond what has to be done as part of the initial check. But it is exciting to think we may be getting close even if it is a possibly inaccurate update in our status. I have no idea even if it is on a truck how long that transport process via rail can take. I don't expect to get the car until a week or two into January at the earliest. Anything sooner would be a total surprise. We have gotten the impression that updates are not always real time. Like your car could be built on Thursday, but it not show as built until Monday or something along those lines. So who knows with either of our cars? I have also heard about some peoples cars being stuck after the build for a long time before they get it. Go figure. We got to ride in one the other day. It is pretty nice.

Chiefsfan, I am sure once the deal is done and settled to everyone's satisfaction, you and I and the others that are waiting will finally be able to really enjoy our cars as some of the others already are. I do hope they work out some of the speed issues with the onstar application. Many of us here are techies and really hope to try out some of those features. I can't wait to be in a restaurant or store and be able to condition my car for when I get out to the parking lot. Great stuff. I am not overly thrilled with unknown variables. I do love leases though. Sure afterwards you have no equity and no car. You always have a car payment. But, I went from paying 350 a month for a Neon I was buying to 400 a month (first lease) for an Infiniti I30. I have grown accustomed to leasing allowing me to drive luxury cars. It is hard to imagine going any other way now. As for mileage, I am more interested in how it will do in the warm weather. And well 25 miles is more than I do most days. Work is less than a mile and most places I frequent our within a few miles. I really am pleasantly surprised with most of what we saw in the car when we finally got to sit in one.

Sitting with the dealer today the subject of leases came up (I showed them Lyle's column.) The interesting comment from them was how the $350 lease was based on the least expensive Volt. Add options and the lease changes by a surprising amount. Check with your dealer and post what you learn.

Keep hope alive!

Not much longer Lurker. Hope you are on the road before you know it.

Thank you!

Sitting with the dealer today the subject of leases came up (I showed them Lyle's column.) The interesting comment from them was how the $350 lease was based on the least expensive Volt. Add options and the lease changes by a surprising amount. Check with your dealer and post what you learn.

The lease should change proportianally to the options. Same money factor as a percentage, same residual as a percentage.

I agree Stilgar. I think our 105 days will be more of a challenge. I am counting on GM working to get a comparable lease deal for us. May not even notice a change.

Hey today our status changed a little. It shows us rail info with the transport company, but then that says it is going to NZ (Fort Worth via New Zealand, snicker). Who knows. If the car was just produced, it seems unlikely it would be on a train/truck already. My main wish now is to be able to talk to the dealer and make sure they understand my exact desires regarding nothing being added to the car beyond what has to be done as part of the initial check. But it is exciting to think we may be getting close even if it is a possibly inaccurate update in our status. I have no idea even if it is on a truck how long that transport process via rail can take. I don't expect to get the car until a week or two into January at the earliest. Anything sooner would be a total surprise. We have gotten the impression that updates are not always real time. Like your car could be built on Thursday, but it not show as built until Monday or something along those lines. So who knows with either of our cars? I have also heard about some peoples cars being stuck after the build for a long time before they get it. Go figure. We got to ride in one the other day. It is pretty nice.

Nice to hear your status changed. I am following your car close as it is one I almost bought and also just a week or so ahead of mine. Remind me.....what dealer are you working with? I worked with so many I cant remember which this car was from...

Stilgar

With my Volt on a train, my Maryland dealer was willing to do the papers on my lease.

I have a red Volt with the premium interior and the camera as options.

I put down 4k.

Payment is 361 and some change per month.

Nice to hear your status changed. I am following your car close as it is one I almost bought and also just a week or so ahead of mine. Remind me.....what dealer are you working with? I worked with so many I cant remember which this car was from...

Stilgar

We are getting ours from Hewlett Chevy-Buick in Georgetown,TX (north of Austin).
724

Yeah Marty, that is what we would expect. We have talked to GM and the AP (Press) today and from what we have gathered and would expect from GM, the lease should stay the same or close. We do not know yet if our car will be delivered this year or next week. It will be close. Our car is now on the rail. That was confirmed by the GM VA. Yeah! It shipped Monday or Tuesday. So now I have to get the dealership to consider doing the paperwork early or just wait until we can. I go back to work on Monday, so that will make things a bit challenging. I am also hopeful that the dealership adhere to my requests to not add any dealer extras to the car. Provided everything goes smoothly with the dealer prep and lease financing deal, we should be our new car before we know it. We should be the first (or first few) to have a Volt in Fort Worth.

Cari

I had one dealer add-on charge. $15 for a front license plate bracket...

I wish I was able to do this right now. $361 would be awesome!

I wish I was able to do this right now. $361 would be awesome!

I am happy to get my deal in under the wire, here, and really hope that the terms will not materially change in the new year for others. GM-volt.com has been a great resource, indeed, for all of us to compare notes.

I wish I was able to do this right now. $361 would be awesome!

and 57 cents. Just checked the papers again and it is $361.57.

Here is what happen to me, even I am not proud of admitting it, I have been screwed by US Bank - glad they end their offer on 1/3/11.
The dealer, which I am not disclosing the coordinates, is using a (antiquated) leasing software and got directives from a company called Automotive Information Services, MI. Apparently, the software does not incorporate the tax credit. In order to properly calculate the lease, it has to be "tricked" by adding the $7,500 on the contract residual. The lease cap base is thus reduced, thus the lower lease payments. But the same software keeps the buy-back amount to residual + $7,500. US Bank takes a double dip here. Looking at the lessor cash flow, the total sales price should be equal to the total of:

Residual Value (x % of MSRP, generally 43% for 12,000 miles)
Tax credit ($7,500)
Total Lease (including all charges and fees collected by lessor)
CAP reduction (Here $2,000)
Cash Down Payment.

Period. If US Bank is adding the tax credit on top of the residual value, the cash flow is off by that value and goes in US Bank pockets. Note that when I called US Bank in Denver, CO, a guy named Richie did not contest the double dip but said it was to late to negotiate the contract. The claims that a buy back at residual value is double dip for the lessee. That claim does not hold for two reasons: (1) look at the cash flow above: the residual is what is on US Bank books (2) the tax credit goes to the title owner, which is the ultimate buyer - when US Bank transfers the title over to the lessee.
Bottom line: do not dream about a $350/month lease: reality check could be up to more than $580. Dealers are not well trained: it took me 30 minutes to convince the dealership general manager (he also took a US Bank lease for his wife's Volt) that we were both screwed.
The fact that a new financial institution is taking the leasing program over should be the moment to straighten up the structuring by spreading the word about the treatment of the residual and buy-out values. The contract residual may stay at residual + tax credit (the sales tax are calculated on the sum), but the buy-out amount should be the lessor book value, de facto transferring the benefit of the tax credit.

The US Bank deal, as far as I can tell, is a great deal if, like me, I am walking away at the end of the lease and not buying the car. If, however, I am someone who wanted to buy the car at the end of the lease, it is not a good deal for the reason stated--that the $7500 gets added back.

We're screwed! We wanted/needed to lease our Volt. Our dealer now has the invoice, but just now told us they don't do leases through US Bank. They stated US Bank charges them to get setup and a monthly fee. So, now we have a car (will likely soon arrive) at a dealership that won't help us get the lease deal we need. Perhaps another lender will be available on 1/4/10 and the problem will solve itself??!!! We tried to go through US Bank directly, but they are saying it must be setup via the dealer. Suggestions anyone??

Paul (Cari's husband)

Here is what happen to me, even I am not proud of admitting it, I have been screwed by US Bank - glad they end their offer on 1/3/11.
The dealer, which I am not disclosing the coordinates, is using a (antiquated) leasing software and got directives from a company called Automotive Information Services, MI. Apparently, the software does not incorporate the tax credit. In order to properly calculate the lease, it has to be "tricked" by adding the $7,500 on the contract residual. The lease cap base is thus reduced, thus the lower lease payments. But the same software keeps the buy-back amount to residual + $7,500. US Bank takes a double dip here.

Absolutely correct. That doesn't make the lease a bad deal, if you're sure you won't want to buy the vehicle at the end of the lease. It actually makes it a very good deal. The net cost of the car is $33500 after the rebate. There's no way a three-year-old used Volt with 36K to 45K miles on it will be worth $26K which is the residual. So yes it's added back in but after three years your payments have been much lower, your down payment has been much lower, and those savings can go toward a shiny new 2014 Volt with three years' worth of bug fixes and technological improvements. Turn the car in and wish US Bank good luck in trying to sell it at anything close to the residual.

If you're going to keep it, buy it. If you want to drive it for three years at relatively low cost and then get a new car, lease it.

We're screwed! We wanted/needed to lease our Volt. Our dealer now has the invoice, but just now told us they don't do leases through US Bank. They stated US Bank charges them to get setup and a monthly fee. So, now we have a car (will likely soon arrive) at a dealership that won't help us get the lease deal we need. Perhaps another lender will be available on 1/4/10 and the problem will solve itself??!!! We tried to go through US Bank directly, but they are saying it must be setup via the dealer. Suggestions anyone??

Paul (Cari's husband)

I'm in the same boat. For the smaller dealers, the overhead for dealing with US Bank is too high. You have to produce a certain number of leases each month or pay them a fee. My dealer will not get enough Volts to meet the US Bank monthly quota even if every single volt is leased. Not the dealer's fault - it is inadequate disclosure by GM. They have been advertising the lease program since late July, promising early November delivery of cars. In fact, the first car delivered was in mid December and the lease program ends January 3 for qualifying dealers. But the dealers don't know if they qualify until they get their allocation....sounds a lot like bait and switch to me. I wonder how many folks actually got the advertised lease terms. 100? Less?

We're screwed! We wanted/needed to lease our Volt. Our dealer now has the invoice, but just now told us they don't do leases through US Bank. They stated US Bank charges them to get setup and a monthly fee. So, now we have a car (will likely soon arrive) at a dealership that won't help us get the lease deal we need. Perhaps another lender will be available on 1/4/10 and the problem will solve itself??!!! We tried to go through US Bank directly, but they are saying it must be setup via the dealer. Suggestions anyone??



Paul (Cari's husband)

Very sorry to hear this. This is probably not likely at all, but would the dealer be willing to transfer the car to a dealer with the U.S. Bank lease?

from AP article today:

"GM spokesman Rob Peterson says the Volt lease terms "will extend into 2011, but I don't have the specifics on how long it will be out there." He added that the company expects to honor the deal for people who have already put down a deposit."

If you don't plan on purchasing at the end of the lease, as others have said, it can be a good deal but review the details carefully for extra fees etc. before signing the lease. The errors never seem to go into our favor.
Roughly, your total additional costs above 350/month (your monthly lease cost minus 350 and multiply by 36) should equal your taxes/DMV/govt fees plus 56-57%% of any options above base price)--I think.

Very sorry to hear this. This is probably not likely at all, but would the dealer be willing to transfer the car to a dealer with the U.S. Bank lease?

Great suggestion and we did think of that. We contacted another dealer and they would be happy to take the car, sell it to us at MSRP and do the US Bank loan, but haven't asked our dealer to transfer yet.

We're screwed! We wanted/needed to lease our Volt. Our dealer now has the invoice, but just now told us they don't do leases through US Bank. They stated US Bank charges them to get setup and a monthly fee. So, now we have a car (will likely soon arrive) at a dealership that won't help us get the lease deal we need. Perhaps another lender will be available on 1/4/10 and the problem will solve itself??!!! We tried to go through US Bank directly, but they are saying it must be setup via the dealer. Suggestions anyone??

Paul (Cari's husband)

Cari (or Paul)
I would contact GM. They advertised/promised this lease. They should find a way for you to be able to use it.

Stilgar

The AP article:
Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf Post Small December Sales
by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Paul and Cari are in the article. GM definitely knows them <grin>. Good for them as that is/was a bum rap!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=132515106

Great suggestion and we did think of that. We contacted another dealer and they would be happy to take the car, sell it to us at MSRP and do the US Bank loan, but haven't asked our dealer to transfer yet.

It is worth a shot. Maybe there is some way the dealers pay each other back--one owes another a favor, who knows, can't hurt to ask. I also agree the fact that you made national news would encourage GM and the dealer to do the right thing...

Yep, we knew we made the national news. It is everywhere! We have CBS calling us for further details, however we haven't returned their call yet because we are feeling hurt at the moment and don't want to be negative towards our dealer or GM (yet).

Paul (Cari's husband) AKA Cari & Paul from AP story

Posting a follow up for people here. We did the CBS interview, but it was CBS radio, so not sure anyone heard it (we didn't) and likely would not show up in print, so I guess the AP article will be good enough for now :) We spoke to a GM regional mgr and currently waiting to see if any new lease info comes out in the next day or two. If no new lease info and Hewlett doesn't change their minds, likely we will be months waiting for a Volt through another channel. The AP story and indirectly helping to sell 3 other Volts doesn't seem to be enough..

Still working on staying positive..

Paul (Cari's husband)

Hang in there Cari.
I suspect help is on the way......

Stilgar

Posting a follow up for people here. We did the CBS interview, but it was CBS radio, so not sure anyone heard it (we didn't) and likely would not show up in print, so I guess the AP article will be good enough for now :) We spoke to a GM regional mgr and currently waiting to see if any new lease info comes out in the next day or two. If no new lease info and Hewlett doesn't change their minds, likely we will be months waiting for a Volt through another channel. The AP story and indirectly helping to sell 3 other Volts doesn't seem to be enough..



Still working on staying positive..

Paul (Cari's husband)

The problem I had that prevented me from being able to lease was that US Bank wants the dealer to guarantee a certain number of leases per month. If the dealer does not meet the quota, they have to pay US Bank a fairly hefty fee. My dealer was getting such a small allocation of Volts (9) for the 2011 model year that they could not make US Bank's quota. So, I had to figure out a way to buy the car....which I did on December 31.

I pick it up tomorrow along with a local NBC TV crew.....then on to my house where we hook it up to 240 volt charger. Then on to my work (36 mile trip) to see how long the battery holds out, and plug it in on arrival to prepare for the trip home that evening. It will be interesting to see how much of that makes the evening news....if any.


Good luck to you.

FOR CLARIFICATION.............THE US BANK LEASE PROGRAM HAS REMAINED THE SAME.....THE PROGRAM RUNS FROM 1/4/11 TO 2/28/11

36 MONTHS AT EITHER 10K OR 12K

2150 DOWN PAYMENT

7500 (ADDED TO RESIDUAL VALUE)

ON STANDARD EQUIPPED 41015.......MONTHLY WOULD BE 350 PER

FOR CLARIFICATION.............THE US BANK LEASE PROGRAM HAS REMAINED THE SAME.....THE PROGRAM RUNS FROM 1/4/11 TO 2/28/11

36 MONTHS AT EITHER 10K OR 12K

2150 DOWN PAYMENT

7500 (ADDED TO RESIDUAL VALUE)

ON STANDARD EQUIPPED 41015.......MONTHLY WOULD BE 350 PER


But only at dealers who are getting a large enough allocation of Volts to qualify with the US Bank requirements. If the dealer is not getting a large enough allocation, then the dealer cannot offer the US Bank lease.

Just an FYI, I got my first lease payment bill from US Bank yesterday. Ended up setting up automatic payments through my local bank. Pretty painless. My payment ended up being $337 a month, well worth it to be driving this car every month.