Volt pricing announced. Starts at $41,000*

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by Cheshirelaugh

Wow, I'm incredibly disappointed in the Volt pricing. $41K is simply not competitive.
I know people say the Standard features are "impressive" but I've yet to see any tech "features" that make it price competitive with any of the other hybrids out there. Extended Range or not.

I just went to build a Prius including the Advanced Technology package for $34K that's without having to wait for tax season to get $7.5K back and includes:
Radar-controlled cruise control
Lane-keep assist
Intelligent Parking Assist
Back up camera
4-Disc CD Changer
Voice-activated Nav

All that and more for $34K... Even if the Volt DOES include all that it's STILL $3K more than a Prius. That in my opinion is a recipe for disaster.

A tax rebate should be a bonus to your sales pitch. Not an excuse for why your car costs so much. Some how saying "The government will PAY YOU to buy it" just doesn't seem like that great a deal to me... This is not how you steal buyers from the other Hybrid makers out there...
I forseee GM Giving up on the Volt in a few years and only making as many as they have to to satisfy federal regulations and selling those they do make to the government.

The difference between a PreASS and a Volt, is the PreASS needs the motor all the time (electric motor only is at low speeds), where the Volt does not need anything but the batteries for the first 40 miles (at any speed). and the PreASS has the motor tied to the drive wheels, and varies the RPM all the time, but the Volt's engine powers a generator that not only charges the batteries but powers the electric motor, so it can run at at a more constant and most fuel efficent rpm... Completely different systems.

[FloydSummerOf68]

I HOPE it does well for GM, I'm just worried the price point will turn many away.

[Cheshirelaugh]

PreASS? Grow up. And thanks but I understand the technology behind the drive trains. That doesn't make it price competitive. IMHO If someone looks at a Prius and a Volt and looks at the price and what you get... They're going to go with a Prius... Or a Nissan Leaf.

Originally Posted by Skyman 08

The difference between a PreASS and a Volt, is the PreASS needs the motor all the time (electric motor only is at low speeds), where the Volt does not need anything but the batteries for the first 40 miles (at any speed). and the PreASS has the motor tied to the drive wheels, and varies the RPM all the time, but the Volt's engine powers a generator that not only charges the batteries but powers the electric motor, so it can run at at a more constant and most fuel efficent rpm... Completely different systems.

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Could be 10% better, could be 10x better, could be infinitely better. Depends on how far you drive.


Sorta, its called 'aerodynamics'. The concept wasn't aerodynamic, the production car is. And there is no getting around the fact that the egg shape of the Volt, Prius, Insight and other highly efficient cars is near optimal if you want to maximize space and aerodynamics.

Originally Posted by Cheshirelaugh

Wow, I'm incredibly disappointed in the Volt pricing. $41K is simply not competitive.
I know people say the Standard features are "impressive" but I've yet to see any tech "features" that make it price competitive with any of the other hybrids out there. Extended Range or not.

I just went to build a Prius including the Advanced Technology package for $34K that's without having to wait for tax season to get $7.5K back and includes:
Radar-controlled cruise control
Lane-keep assist
Intelligent Parking Assist
Back up camera
4-Disc CD Changer
Voice-activated Nav

All that and more for $34K... Even if the Volt DOES include all that it's STILL $3K more than a Prius. That in my opinion is a recipe for disaster.

A tax rebate should be a bonus to your sales pitch. Not an excuse for why your car costs so much. Some how saying "The government will PAY YOU to buy it" just doesn't seem like that great a deal to me... This is not how you steal buyers from the other Hybrid makers out there...
I forseee GM Giving up on the Volt in a few years and only making as many as they have to to satisfy federal regulations and selling those they do make to the government.

You are missing a key point. The Prius USES GAS. If you drive less than 40 miles per trip between charges in a Volt you will not use fuel. A Prius only has a battery sufficient for low speed, non acclerating, non hill climbing short distance electric power.

So although the Volt isn't the perfect solution for everyone, if you drive 40 miles per day in the Volt, you will only incur the cost of recharging. The same 40 miles in a Prius will cost you about .8 Gallons give or take. That is roughly $2.50 per day in fuel costs...........or $15 per week.........or $800 per year. And if you drive 40 miles one way and have the ability to recharge at work or your destination that savings doubles. Now the Volt looks pretty good.

And having driven a Volt and a Prius I think the Volt has a much nicer interior, is quieter and rides better. IMO it is a better product.

So, yes, I was hoping for a knock your socks off price too, but have you quoted a 3 year lease on that 34,000 Prius? Is it less than 350/month?

[Cheshirelaugh]

Absolutely right about the mileage savings. And I know here in the DC/Metro there's a lot of people who can get great use out of that.

At the same time though a lot of those same people have living situations where they don't have the infrastructure to charge the Volt. Living in an apartment complex or parking in a parking garage with no plugs anywhere. So that's another (potential) problem that'll be around for a long time until our national infrastructure changes.

I just think people are going to see 40K for a hybrid and balk. Chevy is going to have to sell that $35* HARD to overcome that. And no, the Prius website doesn't list a lease rate, so that's certainly a potential way to sidestep the problem, I can't speak to that.

Please don't get me wrong. I WANT the Volt to be a success, I was stoked when I heard about it a few years ago...I'm just afraid sticker-shock is going to be a big "barrier to entry" on this baby.

Originally Posted by Number 3

You are missing a key point. The Prius USES GAS. If you drive less than 40 miles per trip between charges in a Volt you will not use fuel. A Prius only has a battery sufficient for low speed, non acclerating, non hill climbing short distance electric power.

So although the Volt isn't the perfect solution for everyone, if you drive 40 miles per day in the Volt, you will only incur the cost of recharging. The same 40 miles in a Prius will cost you about .8 Gallons give or take. That is roughly $2.50 per day in fuel costs...........or $15 per week.........or $800 per year. And if you drive 40 miles one way and have the ability to recharge at work or your destination that savings doubles. Now the Volt looks pretty good.

And having driven a Volt and a Prius I think the Volt has a much nicer interior, is quieter and rides better. IMO it is a better product.

So, yes, I was hoping for a knock your socks off price too, but have you quoted a 3 year lease on that 34,000 Prius? Is it less than 350/month?

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by Cheshirelaugh

Absolutely right about the mileage savings. And I know here in the DC/Metro there's a lot of people who can get great use out of that.

At the same time though a lot of those same people have living situations where they don't have the infrastructure to charge the Volt. Living in an apartment complex or parking in a parking garage with no plugs anywhere. So that's another (potential) problem that'll be around for a long time until our national infrastructure changes.

I just think people are going to see 40K for a hybrid and balk. Chevy is going to have to sell that $35* HARD to overcome that. And no, the Prius website doesn't list a lease rate, so that's certainly a potential way to sidestep the problem, I can't speak to that.

Please don't get me wrong. I WANT the Volt to be a success, I was stoked when I heard about it a few years ago...I'm just afraid sticker-shock is going to be a big "barrier to entry" on this baby.

I think the lease will be the way to go. I am sure there will be some that will pay the 41 and get the tax credit, but even 33,500 is a pretty stiff bill.

So is there a value on the intangibles? Simply being greener? or not using fuel at all? A pure EV would likely win out in that area. But for overall flexibility of being able to be green but also having transportation when you have no infrastructure to recharge I think the Volt can be a good choice for a significant number of buyers.

Again, it isn't the answer for everyone but it eliminates the key variable in EVs......range anxiety. It's the number one concern people have with Electric Vehicles. And with a Pure EV you need infrastructure and you need consistent temperature and consistent grades and consistent passenger loads. Too many factors can decrease the Leaf's advertised 100 mile range.

[GrnMchin]

Even w/ the Gov rebate I think the 41 k might be to steep. I'm was looking forward to the volt it would be a perfect fit for me or the wife, but the Cruz might be my next DD. W/ the limited release of the volt and such.. :(

[Mr. Wyndham]

Hmm...I'm conflicted.

On one hand, it's expensive.

On the other hand...it undercuts Tesla's sedan's expected price, it can be leased for as much as the leaf (see: Volt = MUCH better car), and this sort of tech wasn't going to come free the first year.

I think this is good news, honestly. Like it's been said - the car wasn't intended to sell hundreds of thousands the very first year. It's competitive with the leaf, which is phenominal considering the amount of car you get compared to that....thing. AND...this is the very first year. Price WILL come down as the technology ages, just like TVs.

Cool!


EDIT: I do wonder....Since the leases are likely to be most popular, what happens to all those used Volts after the leases are up? Maybe a USED Volt is the way to go in a few years? hmmm....

EDIT2: What does a Malibu come out to with comparable options?

[GrnMchin]

Ya the price will scare off the uniformed and that has me wondering..I was given some advise and will no disclose the info too the public.. all I can say is

[Captain Awesome]

Originally Posted by a_Username

The Volt is simply a product of government regulation. CAFE is forcing automakers to reach a MPG standard across their fleet and this is GM's response. It is forcing a company that just came out of bankruptcy to produce a vehicle that loses money, but to the government it serves a "greater good." I'm sure what the government is betting on is a market expansion of electric/hybrid vehicles if automotive manufacturers are forced to create fuel-efficient vehicles. However, they can't create demand for these vehicles. All in all, this will be just another failed attempt at government economics.

I hope you guys are all well aware that CAFE is fabricated by a bunch of UNELECTED beaurocrats with no responsibility to the public.

Can you say "not representative government"?

[Captain Awesome]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Hmm...I'm conflicted.

On one hand, it's expensive.

On the other hand...it undercuts Tesla's sedan's expected price, it can be leased for as much as the leaf (see: Volt = MUCH better car), and this sort of tech wasn't going to come free the first year.

I think this is good news, honestly. Like it's been said - the car wasn't intended to sell hundreds of thousands the very first year. It's competitive with the leaf, which is phenominal considering the amount of car you get compared to that....thing. AND...this is the very first year. Price WILL come down as the technology ages, just like TVs.

Cool!


EDIT: I do wonder....Since the leases are likely to be most popular, what happens to all those used Volts after the leases are up? Maybe a USED Volt is the way to go in a few years? hmmm....

EDIT2: What does a Malibu come out to with comparable options?

Who has done a comparison chart for the TOYota Pious, the Honda Hindsight, the Nissan Loaf, and the Chevy Volt?

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by a_Username

The Volt is simply a product of government regulation. CAFE is forcing automakers to reach a MPG standard across their fleet and this is GM's response. It is forcing a company that just came out of bankruptcy to produce a vehicle that loses money, but to the government it serves a "greater good." I'm sure what the government is betting on is a market expansion of electric/hybrid vehicles if automotive manufacturers are forced to create fuel-efficient vehicles. However, they can't create demand for these vehicles. All in all, this will be just another failed attempt at government economics.

No...not exactly...Volt was started much before the bankruptcy and the reformed CAFE standards (which they could have met without the Volt...).

It was the brainchild of Lutz because GM has NO hybrid presence in the market, especially back then. They wanted to leapfrog toyota's prius with an electric vehicle as opposed to the standard hybrid. They did that.

The market chose this vehicle. People damned GM left and right when they sacked the EV1, and then people started buying up hybrids shortly afterward. See -- missed market potential. So, GM devises the Volt to make a splash. The PR was worth the initial loss to them. Stress on INITIAL loss, by the way...just like the prius it will eventually earn them money.

Originally Posted by Captain Awesome

Who has done a comparison chart for the TOYota Pious, the Honda Hindsight, the Nissan Loaf, and the Chevy Volt?

I'm not sure anybody can until we get a definitive mpg rating on the Volt...which may come not a minute too late...EPA had to create a set of testing procedures for the Volt.

[GrnMchin]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Um....no? Volt was started much before the bankruptcy and the reformed CAFE standards (which they could have met without the Volt...).

It was the brainchild of Lutz because GM has NO hybrid presence in the market, especially back then. They wanted to leapfrog toyota's prius with an electric vehicle as opposed to the standard hybrid. They did that.

The market chose this vehicle. People damned GM left and right when they sacked the EV1, and then people started buying up hybrids shortly afterward. See -- missed market potential. So, GM devises the Volt to make a splash. The PR was worth the initial loss to them. Stress on INITIAL loss, by the way...just like the prius it will eventually earn them money.

??????????????

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

I'm not sure anybody can until we get a definitive mpg rating on the Volt...which may come not a minute too late...EPA had to create a set of testing procedures for the Volt.

That test resulted in 230 mpg but I think they've thrown out that particular testing cycle