Volt pricing announced. Starts at $41,000*

[Sax1031]

Originally Posted by Skyman 08

More than likely you are correct in real world driving... on another note, I wonder how you figure the efficiency of an entirely electric car? MPKWH?

I am not sure how they should rate the cars. I think their should probably be two ratings for a car like the Volt. One for pure electric driving and one for when you are burning gas.

The Volt should be able to advertise good numbers though. I just wonder what the EPA is going to rate it at.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by Sax1031

I am not sure how they should rate the cars. I think their should probably be two ratings for a car like the Volt. One for pure electric driving and one for when you are burning gas.

Silly. That would make too much sense. You know that isn't allowed.

I think the reason they have to work on some confounded formula to factor in both EV and extended-range is for CAFE purposes or something.

[motorhead]

To me they should have a rating for the ratio of KW in to Kw out along with gas mileage.
Because on the electric side of things it doesn't really matter how many miles you drive it.
What matters is how many Kw you get out of it vs what you put in to charge it.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Skyman 08

More than likely you are correct in real world driving... on another note, I wonder how you figure the efficiency of an entirely electric car? MPKWH?

Pretty much, though they convert kWh to gallons of gasoline equivalent.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by All-Or-Nothing

Active versus Passive

Volt says To-May-To and the Leaf says To-Mah-To

Not very accurate. An Active system will take into account outside impacts...including any potential failures inside the pack. A passive system won't no any better and can't self-correct.

Any active system is designed and controlled to do what it's supposed to do.
A passive system, however effective, is uncontrolled...

Originally Posted by Supermans

Well, I do agree with the moderators that this is not a car to buy if you want to save money (which that is how it will be marketed, "save money on gas") However we all know in time it will get cheaper and this technology may find its way into every vehicle at some point in time to meet more strict CAFE standards which we know are coming. At that point it is goodbye V8 and hello to supercharged 4-6 cylinder/hybrid's.. Not that there is anything wrong with that however I will miss the sound of the V8 when it does..

There's no reason the V8 will go away. The logic behind this prediction never made sense. As I4 and V6 engines (hybrid or not) advance. So will V8s. Purposes may be shifted...but not their existence.

Originally Posted by Supermans

Obviously GM doesn't have to make a profit on this Volt to survive since it is US Government owned. That is why Ford is not throwing all their money into this type of vehicle, only using certain grant money and a small percentage into the R&D. They will probably share R&D with other car companies down the road about this so they may be handling this the "free market" way as best as possible. GM on the other hand, are already losing money on the VOlt selling it at $41,000 and then on top of that they lose another $7,500 (they meaning the Government which is GM for all intents and purposes for this comparison)

You are very wrong in your statements above. First and foremost -- just because GM temporarily has stock owned by the treasury, does not change the fact that it is, has been, and always will be a for-profit BUSINESS that relies on generated income to operate and grow.

Secondly, Ford is not doing any of this because they had no money to do it and made the low-risk decision to hold off until the technology and market was proven. There have been official statements by executives along these lines ever since the Volt concept was released and toyota said it was impossible. () Alternatively, they have been investing in common hybrids to compete in that segment. GM intentionally made a high-risk decision to divert what resources they had to the Volt project because they felt the steps after the initial car, as well as the PR-boost was worth it. I'm still split on which is the right way to go.........

The $7,500 tax credit has no effect on General Motors whatsoever...that one needs no counter-argument.........

[King Sun]

@ the price. well gm has another dud on their hands

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by King Sun

@ the price. well gm has another dud on their hands

Another?

Which of GM's latest launch products has been a dud?

Camaro: Obviously successful.
Equinox: Starting production at Oshawa in conjunction to CAMI in a desperate attempt to keep up with demand.
Terrain: Same story as Equinox, except Oshawa production won't happen.
SRX: Selling like hotcakes.
Lambda crossovers: Best-selling in segment.
LaCrosse: Exceeded expectations.
Regal: Too early to tell, supply extremely limited.

GM will sell every single Volt produced.

[King Sun]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Another?

Which of GM's latest launch products has been a dud?

Camaro: Obviously successful.
Equinox: Starting production at Oshawa in conjunction to CAMI in a desperate attempt to keep up with demand.
Terrain: Same story as Equinox, except Oshawa production won't happen.
SRX: Selling like hotcakes.
Lambda crossovers: Best-selling in segment.
LaCrosse: Exceeded expectations.
Regal: Too early to tell, supply extremely limited.

GM will sell every single Volt produced.

not talking about latest but how in the world its going to complete with a leaf and prius with that price tag

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by King Sun

not talking about latest but how in the world its going to complete with a leaf and prius with that price tag

You are talking as if GM plans on outselling the 2011 Prius with the 2011 Volt. That isn't the goal at all. They will only build 10,000 Volt's for 2011, it isn't intended to be a huge seller.

[Supermans]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Not very accurate. An Active system will take into account outside impacts...including any potential failures inside the pack. A passive system won't no any better and can't self-correct.

Any active system is designed and controlled to do what it's supposed to do.
A passive system, however effective, is uncontrolled...


There's no reason the V8 will go away. The logic behind this prediction never made sense. As I4 and V6 engines (hybrid or not) advance. So will V8s. Purposes may be shifted...but not their existence.



You are very wrong in your statements above. First and foremost -- just because GM temporarily has stock owned by the treasury, does not change the fact that it is, has been, and always will be a for-profit BUSINESS that relies on generated income to operate and grow.

Secondly, Ford is not doing any of this because they had no money to do it and made the low-risk decision to hold off until the technology and market was proven. There have been official statements by executives along these lines ever since the Volt concept was released and toyota said it was impossible. () Alternatively, they have been investing in common hybrids to compete in that segment. GM intentionally made a high-risk decision to divert what resources they had to the Volt project because they felt the steps after the initial car, as well as the PR-boost was worth it. I'm still split on which is the right way to go.........

The $7,500 tax credit has no effect on General Motors whatsoever...that one needs no counter-argument.........

I hear ya and I understand your point of view about GM. If the Volt is a success, then the high risk decision of diverting large amounts of resources to its R&D would be justified. If it is effective, then other brands will be paying to use the same technology or a trade of technologies as has been done in the past. However if by having such a high price initially backfires sending those potential buyers away buying the competition....Then it would take those buyers of the competition many years before they buy another hybrid or all electric vehicle and by then, other automakers may have caught up with the Volt's technology or improved upon it. That is what happened to the X-box 360 and the PS3 gaming system battle. The X-Box 360 was released first with a huge head-start, however the PS3 improving upon that technology has since surpassed the 360 in sales and arguably has a more flexible and powerful gaming hardware. I am hoping GM does well and prospers with this Volt technology and makes the right decisions moving forward. So far I do not see such a high price at launch as being a right decision. I may be wrong, but I have my opinions being someone interested in buying one until I saw the price.

[All-Or-Nothing]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

The $7,500 tax credit has no effect on General Motors whatsoever...that one needs no counter-argument.........

I think it does affect GM. What is the Volt actually worth to GM. Is it the pre tax credit price or the post tax credit price.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by King Sun

not talking about latest but how in the world its going to complete with a leaf and prius with that price tag

Sure, completely ignore the fact that the lease deal is right on par with the Leaf's.

And Prius is such an inferior product to both cars that calling it a competitor is laughable. A 1st grader could understand that Volt and Leaf are in a whole different category.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by All-Or-Nothing

I think it does affect GM. What is the Volt actually worth to GM. Is it the pre tax credit price or the post tax credit price.

Its a 41k car as far as GM is concerned. The buyer gets the tax credit.

[toesuf94]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

If you own a Leaf, you will need to have another vehicle at your house. Want to visit family or friends over 100 miles away? Can't take the Leaf. What about a road trip? Not going to happen.

Ever hear of Rental Cars?