[landisj]

I was just at a Home Depot and when I first arrived at the store a guy asked how I liked my Volt, and we talked as we entered the store. Interestingly, his son is a Volt engineer at the Hamtramck plant. He was thrilled to see a Volt in the wild.

Upon returning to my Volt in the parking lot, a lady and her son parked next to me got out of their car, and she said to me, "I hope you like that car and your rebate that I helped pay for with my tax dollars." She was angry. I was tongue-tied and only said, "I do really like it, thanks much." She was long gone by the time I was angered by her statement. I looked at her car and the trunk was covered with anti-Obama and other right-wing stickers. It was a Toyota Camry, no less. This is in my winter home state of Florida, and I also live in Michigan where these wonderful cars are made. She obviously doesn't like the GM bailout or the EV rebates.

Does anyone have some quick retorts when faced with such vitriol by the public? I would appreciate some help in case it happens again.

 

[tboult]

You could also have said that yes it was great and that it was foresightful of Bush to setup the tax credit for EV's like the Volt.

You could have also said that Volt was better better than sending gas dollars overseas and at least your money is staying in the US.

If by retort you mean to put her down a bit, given her son was there.. you could have replied, that you enjoy the volt and you hope she enjoys her son, and her tax credit having for him that you are supporting with your taxes.

 

[dwl]

Probably not the best idea, but when faced with people like that, I'm usually very tempted to say something like "Just think of it as a Christmas presant..... Sorry I didn't get you anything."

I think the smart thing to do is just ignore them. They've made up their mind already. You can't educate them. And they're already mad. You might escalate the situation.

 

[Pat]

Nothing surprising here ..many right wing folks are fed anger, hate and other names I dont want to mention here by the likes of Rush, Fix (Fox) news and other outlets run by the tight wing. That is the only way they know how to keep the many whites in the GOP fold. Many of these folks are close minded and run with the bs fed to them ..

Just look at GM it is thriving and making cars with new technology. It kept million plus people employed if you consider the supply chain buisness who provide parts etc .. What a tragedy to see these folks are full off hate... Sad

 

[yoyodyn]

She parked next to you? How about "You know these things explode right? Are you sure you want to park there?"
I like the "Least the money is staying in this country" one. And the "started under Bush".

 

[VoltinME]

Volt Hater Here at work

I have a coworker that drives a Chevy Avalanche. Ever since he heard of my interest in the Volt he constantly tries to ruffle my feathers. He just realized there is a Volt in the parking lot now and asked how I like my "coal burning hybrid". "Where do you get your electricity? Did you know all the plastics in your Volt come from oil?" Lots of it is in jest but it really does bug me with comments like that.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

@ landisj,

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I deal with the same angry anti-Volt comments/posts on a daily basis monitoring Facebook and Twitter. I agree with Pat. It is sad that so many people that make these kinds of comments. It's a great car with a lot of new technology that has created many jobs for people here in the US.

 

[JMatt]

What do people think about owning a home and getting a deduction for paying interest? I mean, people with big homes should be able to pay their own way to live there, right? Why should I be subsidizing their fancy homes with my tax dollars?

And don't you dare donate to Goodwill. Not on my dime.

 

[bonaire]

She wouldn't have said anything if you were in a Leaf or even a 2006 Prius which was assisted by tax credts in the past. During the Bush years.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/tax_hybrid.shtml

 

[Joule Thief]

I have a coworker that drives a Chevy Avalanche. Ever since he heard of my interest in the Volt he constantly tries to ruffle my feathers. He just realized there is a Volt in the parking lot now and asked how I like my "coal burning hybrid". "Where do you get your electricity? Did you know all the plastics in your Volt come from oil?" Lots of it is in jest but it really does bug me with comments like that.

Your coworker is an idiot. The irony here is that many of the plastics in the Volt, including the front air dam, are made from recycled oil boon material from the Gulf of Mexico BP oil spill! Would he rather this stuff went into a landfill? Maybe you should send him a few articles like these so he'll think twice before he opens his mouth next time:

http://gmauthority.com/blog/2010/12...-to-be-built-with-recycled-oil-boon-material/

http://media.gm.com/content/media/u...l/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/May/0523_volt

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4076836...-bp-disaster-equipment-chevy-volt-components/

http://earth911.com/news/2011/05/24/chevy-volt-recycles-gulf-oil-spill-waste/

-JT

 

[BeechBoy]

One reason those people are so angry is because the Volt is actually a success story. This is the point to keep in mind.

 

[jackphillips]

Tell them thank you and you appreciate it. I also tell them that I have received close to $35k for my PV solar systems in tax credits alone!

They can do the same as we did... everyone takes tax credit one way or another... I never get mad.. between tax breaks, buying no gas, not paying for electricity, and SREC's I will probably net $100k in 15 years .. I am an dwill be laughing all the way to bank.

Problem in this country is no one wants to invest in future .. all instant gratification and short term returns…

 

[bonaire]

What I might say to the lady:

"Who taught you to hate this car? Were you told by someone on tv? I wouldn't mind talking about in an objective manner if you have a minute."

Have your facts straight and you can offer something to help them understand that it is:
- a tax credit, not a rebate.
- started with credits for 250,000 vehicles under Bush
- started before that with credits for regular Hybrids like the Prius
- is intended to strengthen the USA's energy independence and lower our need to import
- is intended to keep money flow within the country - much of the trade imbalance of the USA based on outflow of monies for oil import
- is intended to strengthen USA manufacturing and jobs

If the lady (or anyone else) is just parroting Cavuto or Fox News - make them work for it and give reasons why they have this hate. Most likely it is "groupthink" and they actually don't know why they hate it. I just can't see why any "True American" wouldn't be all for it.

 

[landisj]

Thanks for all the replies Volt users! I will be ready for the next angry one. landisj

 

[Richmond72]

I would have said "Thanks! Tax credits for EVs is about the only thing George Bush, the father of the modern EV (google it), did that I agree with". OR, maybe I would have said in my Dave Chappell voice "I'm rich Bxxch, I paid more in taxes last year than you made".

 

[yoyodyn]

How about a simple: "You are misinformed. You might want to check your sources."
Or take the Wikipedia approach and slap a "Citation Needed" sign/sticker to their car/back.

Relevant Link

 

[Brandon]

"Yea, well you're ugly......" end convo, you win.

 

[EVPedaler]

I would have replied, "I hope you like the subsidy for the gas you put in your car that I helped pay for with my tax dollars".

 

[spreston]

What kind of woman with a kid in tow up and attacks a stranger in the parking lot like that regardless of the topic? Surprised she's still alive. I'm not holding up much hope for her kid to grow up to be a quality adult.

 

[ewiggins]

There is probably nothing you can say to change her mind. Her mind is not set on learning the facts but on being a smart a$$. She is trying to ruffle your feathers so you have to just say 'Thank You and I could not have done it without your money' with a smile.