[JoeReal]

It's been 7 years. Most people wanted SUV's, CUV's and Pick-ups and I was expecting GM to come up with their Voltec version...

So what happened?

http://money.cnn.com/2010/04/22/autos/chevrolet_volt_mpv5/

 

[firehawk72]

It really is sad. I would have purchased one for sure, but it looks like a Pacifica Hybrid is in my future.

 

[jsmay311]

Volt sales turned out to be far less than projected.

The Volt's ROI / business case is probably marginal at best.

A Voltec CUV would likely cannibalize some Volt sales.

The Bolt EV KINDA fits in as a very small CUV.

Gas prices have been low.

Take your pick, I guess.

 

[Bacardi]

You'd imagine they could drop the Voltec into the Cruze hatchback for minimal cost compared to any other option...Could also consider giving it some additional ground clearance in the way the Subaru makes the "Crosstrek" from the Impreza wagon which would again be minimal costs compared to other options...

 

[wildgoose]

I assume it's because they would make a lot less money from a Volt SUV compare to a traditional SUV, which is one of their main money making vehicle. So they will likely drag their feet for as long as possible until market pressure forces them to do so (ie, customers are flocking to the model Y or Volt like hybrid SUVs).

 

[realdb2]

My $0.02:

1. Obviously SUVs will result in less range/performance for the same battery size EV in a sedan factor so that is working against it.
2. More importantly, traditional auto manufacturers make huge profits on SUVs. They have very little incentive to move from ICE SUVs (big profits) to BEV SUVs (smaller profit margins).

In simple terms, why would [insert big auto manufacturer here] want to sell a BEV SUV for say, $5k profit when they can sell the ICE counterpart for $20k+ profit?

 

[Eddycurrent]

So build a kickass BEV SUV and think volume less profit per vehicle but you sell many more . Let the other car makers fight over the ICE suv's . You have a bigger slice of the pie and the rest of the manufactures are dividing a slice.

 

[volt11]

It's been 7 years. Most people wanted SUV's, CUV's and Pick-ups and I was expecting GM to come up with their Voltec version...

So what happened?

http://money.cnn.com/2010/04/22/autos/chevrolet_volt_mpv5/

GM decided that 6.2L V8 trucks and SUVs were where it's at.

 

[2VoltFamily]

GM decided that 6.2L V8 trucks and SUVs were where it's at.

Americans decided it.

 

[rickkop]

I've been waiting a long time for this. I too can see a Pacifica in my not to distant future. C'mon GM. If Chrysler can do it what's taking s long.

 

[mikenky]

Thats why i bought a kia niro hybrid instead of the bolt- you no-no charging infrastructure. i still have my 16 volt. oh, i am getting 51 mpg on the niro. so i may wait and get the m-3 so i can go on trip

 

[TennesseeJoule]

It really is sad. I would have purchased one for sure, but it looks like a Pacifica Hybrid is in my future.

Supposed to finally be in dealer's hands on April 17th. I have a '97 Town & Country still going strong. Paint's peeling but not a rip or tear anywhere on the upholstery.

 

[realdb2]

So build a kickass BEV SUV and think volume less profit per vehicle but you sell many more . Let the other car makers fight over the ICE suv's . You have a bigger slice of the pie and the rest of the manufactures are dividing a slice.

Sounds good in theory but big auto won't go for it, IMO.

Using the example I gave you'd have to replace each ICE SUV sale with 4 BEV SUV sales to see the same profit, and that might be conservative.

Big auto sells LOTS and LOTS of ICE SUVs so hypothetically you'd have to sell a number of BEV SUVs that the market is not ready for.

As much as I'm a fan of BEVs and would love to see BEV SUVs I can understand that at this time big auto is making a conservative decision for financial reasons.

 

[Coppersnowboarder]

Unfortunately, the economics and lack of regulatory pressure create incentives for the instant gratification of stockholders rather than the well-being of the planet. The winners will be Tesla and Chinese manufacturers.

 

[Barry]

I really like that Voltec SUV concept and would gladly buy one. As for what happened to it, I'd say cheap gas happened. Plus it is a strong overlap with the Bolt now. With the Bolt, they do not have to provide the ICE system, so it is simpler to design and build.

 

[wildgoose]

Unfortunately, the economics and lack of regulatory pressure create incentives for the instant gratification of stockholders rather than the well-being of the planet. The winners will be Tesla and Chinese manufacturers.

I can understand Tesla, but what's in it for the Chinese manufacturers?

 

[JoeReal]

I really like that Voltec SUV concept and would gladly buy one. As for what happened to it, I'd say cheap gas happened. Plus it is a strong overlap with the Bolt now. With the Bolt, they do not have to provide the ICE system, so it is simpler to design and build.

My wife really loved the Bolt but she wanted the EREV like our Volt. She doesn't like the low driving position in the Volt. She doesn't like planning her long trips around charging stations and the fact that the station may be in use or being repaired when she gets there beyond the roundtrip range. We love the high seats of the Bolt but cannot go on long distance trips with it. So we're waiting for the Voltec on CUV, SUV's. The minivans are now too big for us, so the Pacifica is out.

 

[realdb2]

I can understand Tesla, but what's in it for the Chinese manufacturers?

The ICE automobile industry has been dominated by Japan, USA and Germany for the most part. China sees BEVs as a way to capture a huge chunk of the automobile market.

 

[Barry]

My wife really loved the Bolt but she wanted the EREV like our Volt. She doesn't like the low driving position in the Volt. She doesn't like planning her long trips around charging stations and the fact that the station may be in use or being repaired when she gets there beyond the roundtrip range. We love the high seats of the Bolt but cannot go on long distance trips with it. So we're waiting for the Voltec on CUV, SUV's. The minivans are now too big for us, so the Pacifica is out.

I agree the Bolt is very different from a Voltec vehicle from the point of view of the owner. When I wrote that they strongly overlap, I was thinking more from GM's perspective. As in, one executive says "why don't we build the Volt SUV?" and the other executive says, "nah, we already have a small wagon with green technology."

 

[maczr1]

I still need a pickup truck that can tow a minimum of 3500# so my volt lives next to my 12 year old Avalanche with 288,000 miles and gets 12 MPG .
I believe GM insiders own VIA motors so I am waiting.
Tom