Chevrolet Volt may have a lower price tag than expected... - Page 3

a_Username · 01-18-2010, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Whitacre just said that it'll sell in the low 30s and for a profit.

Not sure if that's a low-30k MSRP or low-30k with the tax incentive.

Pleaaaaaaase be MSRP...

If that's MSRP... then it won't be no time before they have a nationwide release.

AngryAmish · 01-18-2010, 10:57 PM

Listen, I'm all for consumer rights, but expecting GM to warranty a battery for 10 full years when its capacity is greatly affected by the intelligent use(or lack thereof) of the end user is a little bit unfair. Especially considering the cost of the battery. Just a little bit, but unfair nonetheless.

These kinds of batteries are in their infancy compared to the technology its being paired with. There WILL be problems. It would be a bad move for a company to--after pulling itself out of the gutter--set itself up for another fall. Even if its a distant possibility. Odds are there are no major recalls, but putting $10000 on TOP of your credibility for a NINE YEAR OLD battery is simply not good business. That goes double for a company still on the rebound and paying back a government loan.

fp115 · 01-19-2010, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolman

Are the batteries warranted for that long are just designed for that long?
Two different things.

It will be under warranty for that long. This is why GM has been testing the battery packs in every possible scenario and why it only charges up to 80% and charges down to 30%. This maximizes battery life.

FenwickHockey65 · 01-19-2010, 11:51 AM

Never mind, low-30s with the tax credit...

Poo. :(

a_Username · 01-19-2010, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Never mind, low-30s with the tax credit...

Poo. :(

So it is really right at $40,000 MSRP. Hopefully more companies will get into the game so the price of the car can lower as the technology becomes more available.

*Mr. Wyndham* · 01-19-2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_Username

So it is really right at $40,000 MSRP. Hopefully more companies will get into the game so the price of the car can lower as the technology becomes more available.

Or they accelerate plans for a Cadillac version to soak up a good deal of the cost...And rapidly deploy lithium batteries in all their other hybrids.

Rumor has it that the next-gen Volt is already being worked on, with a goal to reduce price. Basically, Gen I was..."how do we do this"...and Gen II is "Now that we know what we're doing...how can we do it better?" So I'm not too worried. Especially with the slow initial rollout of units.

2ndgenz28 · 01-19-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fp115

It will be under warranty for that long. This is why GM has been testing the battery packs in every possible scenario and why it only charges up to 80% and charges down to 30%. This maximizes battery life.

Ahhh so companies are posed n ready to sell you, chips, scanners.....
to by pass those settings

a_Username · 01-19-2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Or they accelerate plans for a Cadillac version to soak up a good deal of the cost...And rapidly deploy lithium batteries in all their other hybrids.

Rumor has it that the next-gen Volt is already being worked on, with a goal to reduce price. Basically, Gen I was..."how do we do this"...and Gen II is "Now that we know what we're doing...how can we do it better?" So I'm not too worried. Especially with the slow initial rollout of units.

I hope they do find a way to keep a monopoly on this type of car for as long as possible, but I don't see a price reduction happening quickly until other companies getting into the game.

Brokinarrow · 01-19-2010, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ndgenz28

Ahhh so companies are posed n ready to sell you, chips, scanners.....
to by pass those settings

Who knew that today's hackers would be tomorrow's mechanic

Brokinarrow · 01-19-2010, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_Username

I hope they do find a way to keep a monopoly on this type of car for as long as possible, but I don't see a price reduction happening quickly until other companies getting into the game.

I think a better cheaper battery would go a long way in price reduction. Battery tech has really CRAWLED compared to all the other advances we've made in the last few decades :(

2ndgenz28 · 01-19-2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

Who knew that today's hackers would be tomorrow's mechanic

Talk about hacking, any bets on how long before someone puts a V8 in one

a_Username · 01-19-2010, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

I think a better cheaper battery would go a long way in price reduction. Battery tech has really CRAWLED compared to all the other advances we've made in the last few decades :(

It would still take longer than competition. They'd have to raise the price of the batteries in order to fund the research to making it more affordable, which would take some time before the prices reach the affordable status again.

*DGthe3* · 01-19-2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Or they accelerate plans for a Cadillac version to soak up a good deal of the cost...And rapidly deploy lithium batteries in all their other hybrids.

Rumor has it that the next-gen Volt is already being worked on, with a goal to reduce price. Basically, Gen I was..."how do we do this"...and Gen II is "Now that we know what we're doing...how can we do it better?" So I'm not too worried. Especially with the slow initial rollout of units.

Not a rumor. They aren't just working on gen II, there has been work on the 3rd generation as well. I suspect gen III will use fuel cells, the Volt is perfectly suited to that tech.

Brokinarrow · 01-19-2010, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_Username

It would still take longer than competition. They'd have to raise the price of the batteries in order to fund the research to making it more affordable, which would take some time before the prices reach the affordable status again.

well there HAS been some research lately that certainly sounds promising... if it ever gets into actual production phase. Couple of examples:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/19/s...pfrogs-li-ion/
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/09/s...per-batteries/
http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/c...ar-in-ultra-r/

Weather or not these will be able to be implemented cheaply is another story. If we could get it done (and done safely) I'd be all for switching to fuel cells.

01-18-2010, 10:57 PM	#30
AngryAmish Drives: Impala Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Posts: 813	Listen, I'm all for consumer rights, but expecting GM to warranty a battery for 10 full years when its capacity is greatly affected by the intelligent use(or lack thereof) of the end user is a little bit unfair. Especially considering the cost of the battery. Just a little bit, but unfair nonetheless. These kinds of batteries are in their infancy compared to the technology its being paired with. There WILL be problems. It would be a bad move for a company to--after pulling itself out of the gutter--set itself up for another fall. Even if its a distant possibility. Odds are there are no major recalls, but putting $10000 on TOP of your credibility for a NINE YEAR OLD battery is simply not good business. That goes double for a company still on the rebound and paying back a government loan. __________________ Proud Owner of #168

01-19-2010, 11:51 AM	#32
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2023 Expedition Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,375 View My Garage	Never mind, low-30s with the tax credit... Poo. :( __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2023 Ford Expedition SSV (State-Issued)