Chevy dealer charging $20K over MSRP for Volt

All-Or-Nothing · 08-03-2010, 01:24 AM

I just thought some people might want to have a direct link to the article...

Researchers from Edmunds decided to drop their local Chevrolet dealer a line to inquire about staking a claim for one of the first available Volts, and the response was shocking at best and galling at worst. Here's the email, sans names:

Hello *****

Thank you for your online request, as you know the Volt is going to be a very limited production vehicle for the first 2-3 years. Demand is going to far exceed supply for this vehicle, initially our asking price for the Volt is going to be MSRP plus $20,000, we are expecting only receive 9 Volts all of next year.

I will keep you in my customer base for when the Volt comes out and I will contact you with any information as I receive it. We are taking orders right now for the Volt, if you would like more information, please let me know and I will be more than happy to help you. Thank you.

***** *****, Internet Specialist
******* Chevrolet
********, CA

You read that right. A $20k markup over MSRP for a 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

As Edmunds' AutoObserver points out, this email exchange took place before General Motors announced its plans to increase Volt production by 50% for 2011, churning out approximately 45,000 units in its first year. But even with that knowledge, would the unnamed dealer still avoid bilking early adopters? We doubt it.

While it's not clear if any other Chevy dealers plan to follow suit, history would suggest that big markups are likely – the Corvette ZR1 initiated this sort of fervor when it was announced, too. On the flip side of the coin, AO sites a report from GM-Volt.com this past June, in which a GM spokesperson is quoted as saying: "We also aren't expecting our dealers to overcharge anyone for this vehicle, either, and will monitor the situation closely when we launch," adding, "we'll be paying close attention when the vehicle launches and do our best to strongly discourage this kind of behavior, as we always do with any GM-branded vehicle."

GM is allowing Volt buyers to lease the plug-in hybrid for $350 a month (with a $2,500 down payment) when sales begin later this year, so it strikes us as odd that someone would choose to purchase a Volt outright if the dealer would tack on such an astronomical amount to the MSRP. Then again, there's the possibility that dealers might only allow purchases, negating the option to lease.

With so much riding on the Volt's success – from GM's long-term environmental program to the political pressures over the federal bailout – the General better get its dealers in line post-haste. If not, the fallout has the potential to stymie the Volt's success before the first owner takes delivery.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/02/r...er-msrp-for-v/

fazm · 08-03-2010, 01:41 AM

i couldnt find a fail image good enough for this post.

All-Or-Nothing · 08-03-2010, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazm

i couldnt find a fail image good enough for this post.

Meh.....if they don't want it seperate than they can merge it.

*DGthe3* · 08-03-2010, 02:43 AM

I hate market adjustments on any car, but I certainly see why they'd do it to the Volt.

All-Or-Nothing · 08-03-2010, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGthe3

I hate market adjustments on any car, but I certainly see why they'd do it to the Volt.

I have to agree. No matter if you are on the "FOR" or "AGAINST" side of the Volt it will definately be in high demand and the stealerships will be ready to gouge the prices.

This happens to all new model cars.

JoeP@TeamBeckyD · 08-03-2010, 05:08 AM

Market adjustments are very short sighted. While supply will be very limited, there is no reason for it. While others may attempt to take advantage, I will not!

LittleMT · 08-03-2010, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeckyD@RodgersChevrolet

Market adjustments are very short sighted. While supply will be very limited, there is no reason for it. While others may attempt to take advantage, I will not!

you are one HepKitty!

*Mindz* · 08-03-2010, 06:03 AM

Of course it's gotta be in CA.

I hate dealerships in this state. There are a few exceptions though.

Noturday · 08-03-2010, 06:21 AM

i went to a dealer here in N. Houston when the Camaro first came out and they had a "market adjustment" of $10K, that was ridiculous, a $20K markup is just insane.

plus i saw in the newspaper the other day that the Volt is supposed to start at around $41K, so add another $20K to that and you have at least a $61,000 vehicle.......may as well buy a Corvette or one bad a** Camaro and say screw the fuel savings. any $ you would have saved from not buying gas would go straight towards that extra $20K, so whats the point.

i'd rather have a Camaro anyway

Eric's Blue · 08-03-2010, 07:06 AM

Im not seeing why a Volt would be such a "hot" car?

Rogue Leader · 08-03-2010, 07:56 AM

Wow and I thought people paying $5k over sticker for a Camaro were dumb... anyone who pays this is a COMPLETE idiot.

All-Or-Nothing · 08-03-2010, 07:58 AM

So does anyone think that some of the first production Volts will be collectors items in the future.

*radz28* · 08-03-2010, 09:57 AM

That's about the stupidest thing I've read today. It's not like we're talking about a Bimmer or Merc' or something. I'm interested to see how many of these sell at that price.

*The_Blur* · 08-03-2010, 10:03 AM

Can someone find this dealership's general manager and slap him for me?

08-03-2010, 01:24 AM	#1
All-Or-Nothing Account Suspended Drives: BMW 6 series Vert Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Right Here Posts: 979	Chevy dealer charging $20K over MSRP for Volt I just thought some people might want to have a direct link to the article... Researchers from Edmunds decided to drop their local Chevrolet dealer a line to inquire about staking a claim for one of the first available Volts, and the response was shocking at best and galling at worst. Here's the email, sans names: Hello *** Thank you for your online request, as you know the Volt is going to be a very limited production vehicle for the first 2-3 years. Demand is going to far exceed supply for this vehicle, initially our asking price for the Volt is going to be MSRP plus $20,000, we are expecting only receive 9 Volts all of next year. I will keep you in my customer base for when the Volt comes out and I will contact you with any information as I receive it. We are taking orders right now for the Volt, if you would like more information, please let me know and I will be more than happy to help you. Thank you. * *, Internet Specialist *** Chevrolet ******, CA You read that right. A $20k markup over MSRP for a 2011 Chevrolet Volt. As Edmunds' AutoObserver points out, this email exchange took place before General Motors announced its plans to increase Volt production by 50% for 2011, churning out approximately 45,000 units in its first year. But even with that knowledge, would the unnamed dealer still avoid bilking early adopters? We doubt it. While it's not clear if any other Chevy dealers plan to follow suit, history would suggest that big markups are likely – the Corvette ZR1 initiated this sort of fervor when it was announced, too. On the flip side of the coin, AO sites a report from GM-Volt.com this past June, in which a GM spokesperson is quoted as saying: "We also aren't expecting our dealers to overcharge anyone for this vehicle, either, and will monitor the situation closely when we launch," adding, "we'll be paying close attention when the vehicle launches and do our best to strongly discourage this kind of behavior, as we always do with any GM-branded vehicle." GM is allowing Volt buyers to lease the plug-in hybrid for $350 a month (with a $2,500 down payment) when sales begin later this year, so it strikes us as odd that someone would choose to purchase a Volt outright if the dealer would tack on such an astronomical amount to the MSRP. Then again, there's the possibility that dealers might only allow purchases, negating the option to lease. With so much riding on the Volt's success – from GM's long-term environmental program to the political pressures over the federal bailout – the General better get its dealers in line post-haste. If not, the fallout has the potential to stymie the Volt's success before the first owner takes delivery. http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/02/r...er-msrp-for-v/

08-03-2010, 02:43 AM	#4
DGthe3 Moderator.ca Drives: 05 Grand Am GT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Niagara, Canada Posts: 25,366	I hate market adjustments on any car, but I certainly see why they'd do it to the Volt. __________________ Note, if I've gotten any facts wrong in the above, just ignore any points I made with them __________________ Originally Posted by FbodFather My sister's dentist's brother's cousin's housekeeper's dog-breeder's nephew sells coffee filters to the company that provides coffee to General Motors...... ........and HE WOULD KNOW!!!! __________________ Camaro Fest sub-forum

08-03-2010, 06:03 AM	#8
Mindz E.B.A.H. Drives: you wild... Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: In the happy padded room wearing a jacket that makes me hug myself... Posts: 18,420	Of course it's gotta be in CA. I hate dealerships in this state. There are a few exceptions though. __________________ Blue Rush, 2010 SS [Car of the Week 3/22/2010] Traded in on...ZLZBUBB, 2013 ZL1

08-03-2010, 06:21 AM	#9
Noturday [Not-your-day] Drives: 2005 Avalanche Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Huntsville, TX Posts: 223	i went to a dealer here in N. Houston when the Camaro first came out and they had a "market adjustment" of $10K, that was ridiculous, a $20K markup is just insane. plus i saw in the newspaper the other day that the Volt is supposed to start at around $41K, so add another $20K to that and you have at least a $61,000 vehicle.......may as well buy a Corvette or one bad a** Camaro and say screw the fuel savings. any $ you would have saved from not buying gas would go straight towards that extra $20K, so whats the point. i'd rather have a Camaro anyway __________________

08-03-2010, 07:06 AM	#10
Eric's Blue Drives: Cybergray 1SS Join Date: May 2010 Location: Temple - West GA Posts: 565	Im not seeing why a Volt would be such a "hot" car? __________________ "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's SS"

08-03-2010, 01:41 AM	#2
fazm Drives: ex-500hp v6 mustang Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: arizona Posts: 605	i couldnt find a fail image good enough for this post.

08-03-2010, 05:08 AM	#6
JoeP@TeamBeckyD 1 Drives: SS,PaceCar,ZL1,1LE,C7Z51,Z06,17-ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Detroit, Mich Posts: 68,623	Market adjustments are very short sighted. While supply will be very limited, there is no reason for it. While others may attempt to take advantage, I will not!

08-03-2010, 07:56 AM	#11
Rogue Leader Iatefiberglassinsulation Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS M6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Long Island Posts: 3,601 View My Garage	Wow and I thought people paying $5k over sticker for a Camaro were dumb... anyone who pays this is a COMPLETE idiot. __________________ 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS - was daily driver, now toy 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio - Daily Driver 2017 Mercedes Benz GLE 350 - Wifes Car 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD LT 6.0 - Tow Vehicle 1991 Alfa Romeo 164S - Project Car 1994 Volkswagen Golf - Race Car "Like" my race team on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/farfrumwinnin

08-03-2010, 07:58 AM	#12
All-Or-Nothing Account Suspended Drives: BMW 6 series Vert Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Right Here Posts: 979	So does anyone think that some of the first production Volts will be collectors items in the future.

08-03-2010, 09:57 AM	#13
radz28 Petro-sexual Drives: Ultra-Grin Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Crazy Coast Posts: 15,850 View My Garage	That's about the stupidest thing I've read today. It's not like we're talking about a Bimmer or Merc' or something. I'm interested to see how many of these sell at that price. __________________ '20 ZL1 Black "Fury" A10, PDR, Exposed CF Extractor Magnuson Magnum DI TVS2650R // RFBG // Soler 103 // TooHighPSI Port Injection // THPSI Billet Lid // FF // Katech Drop-In // PLM Heat Exchanger // ZLE Cradle bushings // BMR Chassis-Suspension Stuff // aFe Bars // Diode Dynamics LEDs // ACS Composites Guards // CF Dash // Aeroforce // tint // other stuffs

08-03-2010, 10:03 AM	#14
The_Blur Moderator Drives: 2018 Harley-Davidson Street Bob Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 14,768	Can someone find this dealership's general manager and slap him for me? __________________ RDP Motorsport//GEN5DIY//Cultrag Performance//JPSS//Rodgets Chevrolet// Operation Demon//Buy at Invoice//RACECARWEAR RESPECT ALL CARS. LOVE YOUR OWN. warn 145:159 ban

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