Surprise? From 10,000 to 25,000 Chevy Volts in 2011

[scottf200]

http://www.hybridcarblog.com/surpris...volts-in-2011/



Demand or increased production capabilities?

Because of surprising demand, according to GM, production of the Chevy Voltwill be increased from 10,000 units in 2011 to 25,000 units.

Surprising demand? Seriously? With a few hundred thousand early adopters having already expressed interest in the Volt to GM, how exactly did demand suddenly become surprising?

“We have been pleased and a bit surprised with the initial orders for Volt, and we don’t want to miss the opportunity” said General Motors CEO and President Daniel Akerson earlier today.

It’s not a one time opportunity, is it?

Anyway, from what I recall early Volt production numbers had little to do with demand and much more to do with a controlled rollout, just in case a few bugs that only the real world ever seems to find happen to turn up.

Regardless, glad to see GM pumping up Volt production. Doubling output demonstrates both confidence and some flexibility in production capabilities. Hopefully this is a sign of quicker than expected cost reductions as well.

Other google news: http://www.google.com/search?&q=gm+volt+25000+2011

[Adarondax]

Does anyone know if these 25,000 Volts include both 2011 and 2012 model years built in 2011? Or is GM increasing 2011 MY Volt production from 10,000 to 25,000? Either way this will make a lot of people happy.

[Jason M. Hendler]

Adarondax, good question. I wondered that myself.

My only surprise for the moment is that GM is succeeding in delivering vehicles and ramping production, whereas Nissan is floundering. I do believe their current optimism is a good indication that the Volt has been very well rung out over the past 4 years, leaving GM confident to accelerate plans. A lot of that has to do with leveraging previous technology that was already fielded - drivetrain, engine, etc., leaving only the battery and the nav system and apps as the only new items.

[igotzzoom]

I think Hamtramck has the capacity for about 250,000 vehicles a year. It's currently cranking out the fossil DTS and Lucerne, but my guess is the geriatric twins will be put out to pasture soon. But their replacements could be build there. I think I read somewhere the Caddy XTS is going to be built at DHAM. I think even at 50,000 Volts a year, the factory would be working well within capacity.

[bonaire]

To me, "in 2011" means calendar year. Car companies are usually specific when they talk "in the 2011 model year" or "in 2011" so I have to guess it is production through Dec 31st, 2011. My thinking comes from the short-fall due to battery production and battery companies do not think in "model year" terms, but rather calendar year. LG Chem probably is promising the 25K units in 2011. How GM uses them in model years 2011 or 2012, it's up to them.

I don't believe Volt needs to distinguisn between a 2011 and 2012 model year - just run the line and stamp the production date on it. Unless the seats or paint color change into 2012 model year, what will be changing to make a different model into the 2012 model year anyway?

I've always disliked the "model year starts 6 months early" mode of US car makers. I guess it's to get people into showrooms for a new year during the time of year some of them make more money - that is the upper middle class and higher who stop getting FICA withdrawn from their paychecks about then and start looking for ways to spend the extra cash. Plus, most test drives wouldn't happen in the snow if the model year change-over was in January. Back when I made a higher salary and also when FICA stopped earlier - I'd always look at this period as a raise :-) However, things have changed and any extra money goes into the mortgage and emergency savings (just in case of layoff or whatever else happens).

[igotzzoom]

So far, the only announced changes/upgrades to the 2012 models are the wireless charging mat option in the center console. I'm sure more will be announced, but I wouldn't expect radical changes to the '12 models.

[PatsVolt]

This uptick in production really makes me happy. I have a deposit in at a dealer in Mich. and I am no.6 on a present allocation of 4. One car in the allocation has been ordered so that puts 3 allocations waiting for order processing and 2 waiting for allocations which includes me. Glad to see that GM is looking and listening and adjusting to conditions. Keep it going GM.

And Thanks to all on this Forum...

P

[scottf200]

This popped up on google news date Jan 18, 2011. Note sure how these get posted and if the info was another discusssion with Dan A or just the same one. Heck couldn't help bumping this "old" good news thread again anyway.

http://www.mibz.com/29897-gm-to-doub...n-in-2011.html

Dan Akerson, CEO of General motors, confirmed a hybrid version of Cadillac SRX and announced that the GM plans will built twice more Chevrolet Volt units in 2011 than initially planned.

The officials of Chevrolet US announced that General Motors will double the production number for Volt during 2011. The Americans aim to build 45,000 Chevrolet Volt units per year in 2012, and for 2011 they want to build not less than 25,000 vehicles. The reason behind the increase in production numbers is the high demand registered by this model and its introduction in more and more Chevrolet and General Motors dealerships.

The end of 2011 will mark Chevrolet Volt’s debut on the European market. The Europeans will also receive its version built by Opel and called Ampera, a vehicle that benefits from the same Voltec drive train. First, the Volt units shipped to Europe will be built at the GM plant in Hamtrack, Michigan, but the Americans might also use a European plant to built Chevrolet Volt in order to reduce the costs.

As about the hybrid version of Cadillac SRX, Dan Akerson said that “is very likely” for the model to enter production. Despite Volt’s success, the model will not be built in a Cadillac version, staying a member of the Chevrolet family for the US market.

[marlow]

Well I think I am number 7 0r 8 out of four at my local dealor ship in Michigan, Ive noted several comments from people out of state that ordered them early from here and had them shipped to them (so much for Michigans allacoations) I expect that I might end up with a 2012, the major changes when they pump up the volume will most likely be made to manufactuer them at a lower cost and try to sell them at a higher cost as long as the tax incentives still apply.

[MVRacing]

I've searched the FAQ's & forum ... Any word on what areas are next and when??