[mwalsh]

For anyone who may not have caught the electric car segment on the ABC Nightly News last night, they wrapped up by quoting (un-named) analysts who supposedly say the Volt could cost "as much as 40 to 50 thousand dollars".

Edit: Found the video segment online. Go to abcnews.com and find the video "Where is the electric car?".

 

[Altazi]

Misleading or not. . .

. . . as the price approaches $50k, I find my desire to purchase a Volt waning. I will be more likely to purchase two Priuses (Priuii?).

At $30k, the decision to buy a Volt was close to being a no-brainer. At $40k, it becomes a bit "iffy", despite my desire to reduce my need for oil. At $50k, this dog just won't hunt - it will be a niche vehicle for a niche market. What a sad fate that would be. . .

I hope that GM comes to their senses and re-targets a $30k-$35k sales price, if they want the Volt to have any significant impact in the automotive world.

 

[Mathguy]

I don't understand why you people think this car will cost $38k

Hello all,

I'll put this as simply as I can. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BUY THIS CAR FOR UNDER $60K (at least for the first couple of years).

Here's why:

Your hopes:
1. This car will have a sticker price of under $40k (some are hoping under $30k)
2. They will make more than 10,000 units its first year to satisfy demand and lower the price

The reality:

The sticker price will be closer to $50k!! I know, I have nothing to base this on but look at it's history. First GM hinted at trying to keep the cost below $30k. Then as time progresses they keep adding to the price. I'm guessing the STICKER price will be $50k. Now look at the numbers. Already the waiting list (granted not everyone on the list can write a check for $55,000) is over 30,000 people. Let's see, if they produce 10,000 units with a demand more than 10,000 units, the price skyrockets (remember back in the early 90s when the miazda miata with a retail price of $30k were going for $40k (or was it $20k and $30k) or even now that the Prius sells for $8k over sticker?)

My point is, please stop saying the actual retail price for this car will be under $40k. I'm guessing the actual price paid for one of these cars will be closer to $60k. After 2 years when supply and competition increases, you'll see the price come down.

I guess we'll have to wait until 2010 to see who is correct.

 

[MrBogey]

Hello all,

I'll put this as simply as I can. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BUY THIS CAR FOR UNDER $60K (at least for the first couple of years).
satisfy demand and lower the price

there' no math and all that you posted is your guess with no mathematical or logical support.

 

[frankyB]

Sometimes you wonder if people actually read the Lyle's blog posts.

Now read this before reporting rumors:
http://gm-volt.com/2008/06/18/lutz-...-first-generation-will-not-make-money-for-gm/

 

[Tom]

A niche market

I hope that GM comes to their senses and re-targets a $30k-$35k sales price, if they want the Volt to have any significant impact in the automotive world.

Altazi,

GM does not intend for the Volt to have any significant impact. By their own statement

"for the purposes of the NHTSA rulemaking, GM’s game-changing EREV technology should be treated as a low-volume application during the time period under consideration. We strongly discourage NHTSA from applying either PHEV or EREV technology in any significant volume in its … model during the 2011-2015 timeframe.”

Their stated production goal is a total volume of 200K the first five years.

As for price, as the first and only E-REV on the market, they can easily sell 20,000 globally the first year at a $50,000 premium price. This is a niche market for people with lots of bucks to spare.

 

[[email protected]]

Too rich fo my blood

If these price scenarios are true it will definitely be a rich mans toy--

even 40000 plus tax, plus destination charges etc are a killer

It looks like Toyota is going to sell a lot of cars and GM is going to lose out (AGAIN)

 

[DaV8or]

...quoting (un-named) analysts who supposedly say the Volt could cost "as much as 40 to 50 thousand dollars".

Tragically, this may be true. It could cost that much. GM is not running out and reffuting this or setting a price. They're no longer saying that's it's going to be under $XX,000. Their position now is "we don't know yet" and "I hope the government can help people afford this car."

 

[profk]

Hello all,

I'll put this as simply as I can. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BUY THIS CAR FOR UNDER $60K (at least for the first couple of years).

I guess we'll have to wait until 2010 to see who is correct.

For THAT amount of money, I will put my dibs on a TESLA sedan....
crimeny....

*depression sets in*

 

[kubel]

Many people here will be disappointed when they realize that the Volt will cost more than they can afford, won't be available in all states, and will probably have a very long waiting list.

 

[profk]

What is MOST irritating to me is California ALWAYS seems to get 'first preference' for any 'new' thing...as if the rest of us troglodytes were 'not worthy.'

 

[EV51]

How sad...

Many people here will be disappointed when they realize that the Volt will cost more than they can afford, won't be available in all states, and will probably have a very long waiting list.

How sad indeed if these price rumors turn out to be true. Sad...yes. Tipical...also yes. I can see how it will all unfold. GM goes into this game with modest, if not lack-luster enthusiasm. It's a game GM knows all too well. Japan beats them to the punch by offering an EREV of thier own...at a lower cost...and within a shorter time period thus cornering the market early on. Hope this doesnt turn out to be another "EV1 effort."

 

[zzyzzx]

Many people here will be disappointed when they realize that the Volt will cost more than they can afford, won't be available in all states, and will probably have a very long waiting list.

I expect most of the people here will wait until enough Volts are made to satisfy demand and or at least wait until the dealer gouging phase is over. Personally, I'm holding out for a 2DR hatchback model in the US.

 

[willdryden]

Many people here will be disappointed when they realize that the Volt will cost more than they can afford, won't be available in all states, and will probably have a very long waiting list.

Sounds just like the EV-1 to me. I bet it is lease only as well so GM can get them all back and crush them.

 

[DaV8or]

Sounds just like the EV-1 to me. I bet it is lease only as well so GM can get them all back and crush them.

Yep, GM only exists to disappoint consumers and crush all their hopes and dreams for new tomorrow. They're evil I tell you, Eeevil!!

 

[LampCord]

or even now that the Prius sells for $8k over sticker?)

Where are you buying that Prius?

According to edmunds.com the average price payed in my neck of the woods is only $1,400 over sticker. High, but not anywhere near $8k.

 

[GGTTOO]

I weill have to disagree with you guys. I have been reading the business reports and GM has to change and is betting on cars like the VOLT to revive them. If this is true then they will want to get these cars out fast and at a reasonable price. I would have to agree though with others and say that if the car approaches $40,000 I will look elsewhere. That takes a lot of gasoline to make upt he difference for the average consumer.

 

[Critius]

Won't be buying if this is true

The current price of a Prius is around 25K, If the Volt costs 50K then even with gas at $5 per gallon that would be 5,000 gallons of gas before I break even. At 50 miles per gallon that means I would have to drive this car 250,000 miles before I would break even over buying a Prius. I think not.

What a terrible disappointment.

 

[DaV8or]

What a terrible disappointment.

You know, I believe that no one should get disappointed until GM releases actual specs on this car. They have not said what it will retail at. They have not said exactly what mileage it will get. They have not said exactly how long the battery will last. They have not said how much the battery will cost to replace. Until they do, it is pretty much impossible to evaluate the value of this car as it relates to other cars. Everything that has been bandied about so far is pure speculation. We shouldn't get so worked up.

 

[Critius]

"The company once targeted $30,000 as the price for a Chevy Volt. But the cost of developing the technology is making that an unreachable dream. Lutz now figures a more realistic price for the Volt would be about $48,000. He reckons that $40,000 might be possible, without making any profit. Only government tax incentives could take the price tag nearer to $30,000."

This from: http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/mar2008/db20080321_805508_page_2.htm

That sure seems like a statement of the Volt's price to me and how often do prices drop from initial statements? Volt will remain on my radar but how GM can go from a 100 mile EV-1 to a 40 mile Volt is beyond me. Man I wish I could have gotten one of those.