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Good point, instead of making the Volt cheaper, make it slightly more expensive and maybe a bit larger (Malibu sized). Give it features expected in the price class. AWD, glass roof, Super Cruise, 0-60 in less than 6 seconds, etc. Sales stay about the same or go up slightly.
 
The next Volt, if there is one, needs to be more unique and performance oriented. The current Gen 2 looks too much like a Chevy Cruze or Honda Civic. People go into a dealer and get shown a Cruze for 15k less. The next Gen has to offer performance and better handling. 200+ HP motor, IRS and an additional range to 60 miles per charge. It would have to be a sub 5 second 0-60 car. The bigger cars will be the Malibu (for the Camry folks) and Bolt (for the wagon folks). The next Gen Volt has to be more unique like the Vette or Camaro. It's true it can't sell as a volume compact car. It has to offer something more. If not it will go away and the drive-train will be used on other products.
 
I enjoy my Gen2, I drive a lot for work 75 miles or so a day, and i average about 70% in EV mode, that being said: Unless Chevy pulled a home run out of their ass, I honestly will be getting a model3 ~ 2019 probably. By home run I mean, 100+ miles of EV range, better performance, and killer looks and it has to be cheaper than $35,000. Realistically speaking maybe only 1 out of those 3 are possible. Let's just use the 35k price point as a marker, anything more and there's really no point since by that time you can walk into any Tesla dealership and for the same base price get a sexy 100% EV sporty hyper connected little car.

I'd be interested in a Bolt if it wasn't so butt ugly and frumpy. As a single guy, no kids, and no need for rear seat "utility" whatever I get has to at least look sexy/fast. I think the Gen2 is pretty good looking, not ultra sporty or anything but decent. Hell just engineer a Bolt powerpack/drivetrane into something sexy similar to the volt and I'd be paying attention.

Anyone remember the "art/concept" website the Chevy Jolt: http://www.chevyjoltev.com/

If Chevy did that - I'd be *REALLY* paying attention.
 
While I agree that a CUV with Voltec needs to happen. That is not what a "Volt" is. A Volt is a compact hatchback.

Honestly what I think needs to happen for Gen III:
1. Make it cheaper. With the US federal EV incentive likely going away the Volt is currently too expensive.
2. Target an EV range of 45 - 50 miles. With improving battery technology the battery will be smaller, lighter and less expensive while still being the best PHEV on the market. This will also allow the benefit of better vehicle packaging and the reduced weight and will give better gas only fuel economy.
3. With the smaller battery use that extra space for rear seat accommodation and cargo space packaging.
4. Make it a global vehicle. If parts of the US are not interested in EV's the rest of the world is moving on. Design the car to be used in the rest of the world.
5. Improved vehicle charging. 6.6KW L2 charging minimum should be standard now. Harmonizing on 7.2KW (32A) charging might be a good option so the same equipment could be used across multiple cars and would better utilize public charging that is fee based. I don't think DC fast charging is necessary in this type of car.
This Exactly.

Just refine the original intent of the design and make small improvements. Decreasing cost should be the priority, as buyers of compact cars are looking for the lower entry price.

Now an Equinox or Terrain sized vehicle with 40 miles EV for $55k would probably sell like crazy.
 
The next Volt, if there is one, needs to be more unique and performance oriented. The current Gen 2 looks too much like a Chevy Cruze or Honda Civic. People go into a dealer and get shown a Cruze for 15k less. The next Gen has to offer performance and better handling. 200+ HP motor, IRS and an additional range to 60 miles per charge. It would have to be a sub 5 second 0-60 car. The bigger cars will be the Malibu (for the Camry folks) and Bolt (for the wagon folks). The next Gen Volt has to be more unique like the Vette or Camaro. It's true it can't sell as a volume compact car. It has to offer something more. If not it will go away and the drive-train will be used on other products.
The ICE doesn't need to change, performance in an electric car is from the electric drivetrain and a bigger battery will allow for better 0-60 times. The ICE needs to be big enough to handle charging the battery and crusing at highway speeds, the Volt's ICE is more than good enough for that. Bumping the battery size up to 30KWh will provide enough extra surge current to get the 0-60 times down to the 6s. If they wanted to add in some supercaps as a sort of electric turbo that would allow them to drop the 0-60 times into the 5s but I don't think that Chevy is interested in doing something like that, however with a bigger battery you get better acceleration for nothing so that will happen. As for styling I agree with you that the Volt looks like a Honda, in fact I've mistaken silver Acura's and Accords for my Volt in parking lots, you have to look for the shark fin to find your Volt. The secret of the Prius's success is that it's distinct, hideous but distinct. People who bought Prius's were making a statement, and the unique styling advertised to the world that they were driving a Prius (or Pious as they said on South Park). The problem with GM making the Volt and Bolt standout is that there is a better than even chance they will screw it up, if the Volt was as unsightly as a Prius I don't think I would have bought it.
 
Anyone have an idea how the Malibu Hybrid sells compared to the Malibu Hybrid? There's only $2750 starting MSRP price difference between an LT and a hybrid Malibu.
More interesting will be the LaCrosse, where the standard base is now a mild hybrid priced $2500 below the old base. To get the prices down you need volume.

Assuming the rumors pan out, the XT4 should also be interesting. One variant supposedly has the Voltec drive train found in CT6, which will provide more HP and torque than any other model variant.
 
Looking at the 'Daily Driving' graphs on voltstats for the different model year groups is illluminating. It is fairly clear that the Gen 1 cars have not quite hit the 'sweet spot' of ideal AER for local driving, whereas the Gen 2 cars just about have. These other manufacturers which offer cars with teen and twenties AER may satisfy some buyers. But in the larger scheme of things, AER really should be 50+ miles. Then it becomes a trade-off between lugging around an ICE, or a huge battery. Different consumers will make different choices.

IMHO, a Gen 3 Volt would have more attention paid to rear seat head- and leg-room. The 1/2, or more likely 1/3rd (about 20kWh usable), Bolt pack idea sounds good too - with some of the pack being under the floor instead of through the center. If they can nudge the MPG of the gas engine up a tad to make better marketing numbers, it would help.

Definitely need a larger Voltec vehicle. Last night I was talking with some friends who would have been interested in one during a recent car purchase. But she needs to tote her 6' tall harp on occasion. So they ended up with something else.

Of course I'd like to see some sort of "SS" model with higher performance Sport mode - like the ELR had.
 
Raise the clearance so that Forest Service Road pot holes, boulders, and water diversions do not bottom-out the vehicle. Install Envision solar-powered charging stations at trailheads and campgrounds. Provide anywhere from 50 to 100-mile range on battery pack. Offer AWD for those who are nervous about buying FWD in winter weather driving conditions. Expand cargo bed potential and true passenger seating room behind the driver. The Chrysler Pacifica hybrid plug-in already offers AWD option and a bed 96" long x 54" long, so I could actually convert it to a small RV for comfort glamping.
 
Open up a new brand, similar to what GM did with Saturn, but instead make its brand focus ELECTRIC. This would be an answer to Tesla, who seems to have no problem selling electric vehicles. This new brand would sell EVs and EREVs. First and foremost, get rid of the affiliation with Chevy -- too much negative baggage there. Make sure that the new Electric brand (whatever they call it) becomes known for quality, and has a range of models from cheap family-hauler to trucks to high-end refined vehicles. And for godsake get away from interiors filled with cheap, rattling/buzzing/clicking clip-on plastic cladding (except perhaps for the low-end family haulers, whose buyers probably won't care so much). If other car makers can do it GM should be able to do it if they can shake the negative brand image.
 
Open up a new brand, similar to what GM did with Saturn, but instead make its brand focus ELECTRIC. This would be an answer to Tesla, who seems to have no problem selling electric vehicles. This new brand would sell EVs and EREVs. First and foremost, get rid of the affiliation with Chevy -- too much negative baggage there. Make sure that the new Electric brand (whatever they call it) becomes known for quality, and has a range of models from cheap family-hauler to trucks to high-end refined vehicles. And for godsake get away from interiors filled with cheap, rattling/buzzing/clicking clip-on plastic cladding (except perhaps for the low-end family haulers, whose buyers probably won't care so much). If other car makers can do it GM should be able to do it if they can shake the negative brand image.
The problem with a new brand is that they give up their greatest advantage over Tesla, their extensive dealer network. Massachusetts had two Tesla service locations, none in NH, so if I were to buy a Tesla I'd have to travel for an hour and worse it would involve driving on Route 128. If I was unhappy with my Chevy dealer, which I'm not, I have two more dealers that are within 15 minutes of me. That's true everywhere, you can't through a stone without hitting a Chevy dealer in this country. If they were to just use their existing dealer networks for the new brand then it would have no practical effect at all, how would it change anything if my dealer's sign read Cadillac, Chevrolet and Bolt rather than just Cadillac, Chevrolet? It would be much better if they used the EVs as halo cars to get people into Chevy showrooms, for that to work they need to keep separate name plates for the EVs, i.e. keep Volt, Bolt and if they do a midsize or large EV a new name of that type not a Malibu-E or an Impala-E. I would have been less inclined to buy a Volt if it had been called a Cruze-E even though that's essentially what it is.
 
The problem with a new brand is that they give up their greatest advantage over Tesla, their extensive dealer network. Massachusetts had two Tesla service locations, none in NH, so if I were to buy a Tesla I'd have to travel for an hour and worse it would involve driving on Route 128. If I was unhappy with my Chevy dealer, which I'm not, I have two more dealers that are within 15 minutes of me. That's true everywhere, you can't through a stone without hitting a Chevy dealer in this country. If they were to just use their existing dealer networks for the new brand then it would have no practical effect at all, how would it change anything if my dealer's sign read Cadillac, Chevrolet and Bolt rather than just Cadillac, Chevrolet? It would be much better if they used the EVs as halo cars to get people into Chevy showrooms, for that to work they need to keep separate name plates for the EVs, i.e. keep Volt, Bolt and if they do a midsize or large EV a new name of that type not a Malibu-E or an Impala-E. I would have been less inclined to buy a Volt if it had been called a Cruze-E even though that's essentially what it is.
All good points. I guess I was thinking of making repair and service available at most GM dealerships, kind of like is done now across GM brands, but having a different and unique network of sales dealerships. But really I don't understand the auto industry well enough, nor do I understand marketing well enough, to know what I'm talking about here. I'm trying to come up with a branding model that capitalizes on whatever mojo makes Tesla work so well. Sometimes I think the GM umbrella alone obviates any possibility of achieving a Tesla-like mojo. (BTW, I too am not inclined to own a Tesla because of their minimal dealer and repair network.)
 
There is a strong negative vibe to GM with the eco crowd since they killed that horrible EV1 :) Also, they are BigCorp USA, which is not cool unless you have a cool product like Apple or Tesla.

I think a new EV centric brand could help their image.
 
There is a strong negative vibe to GM with the eco crowd since they killed that horrible EV1 :) Also, they are BigCorp USA, which is not cool unless you have a cool product like Apple or Tesla.

I think a new EV centric brand could help their image.
The EV1 was a Saturn,

Perhaps resurrect the planet?
 
The back seat is a joke on the Gen 2 with the middle back seat being a bad practical joke. I am not tall, at 5'8", and with the drivers seat adjusted to my liking, the drivers side rear seat is cramped for me. If the middle rear seat was not a bad practical joke, they would not have put 2 cup holders (for the "real" back seats) where the middle rear seat passengers legs are supposed to go.

I disagree 100% with the having distinct EREV cars. The Volt should have been the Cruz Voltec with upmarket features (heated and cooled power seats, sunroof, supercruise, and best performance of the Cruz lineup) to justify the high cost and expand the Voltec drivetrain as an option in other Chevy products, all targeted at 50 miles of range and 50 mpg on the gasoline engine for cars, and 40 miles range with 40 mpg on trucks and SUV's.

Keith
 
All good points. I guess I was thinking of making repair and service available at most GM dealerships, kind of like is done now across GM brands, but having a different and unique network of sales dealerships. But really I don't understand the auto industry well enough, nor do I understand marketing well enough, to know what I'm talking about here. I'm trying to come up with a branding model that capitalizes on whatever mojo makes Tesla work so well. Sometimes I think the GM umbrella alone obviates any possibility of achieving a Tesla-like mojo. (BTW, I too am not inclined to own a Tesla because of their minimal dealer and repair network.)
GM could never be Tesla. What distinguishes Tesla and Apple is the cult of personality surrounding their founders, GM's founder, Alfred Sloan, has been dead since 1966 and he was never the face of the company like Henry Ford was. It's always a mistake for a company to try and be something other than itself. GM has tried new brands before and it hasn't worked, Saturn was a failure and the NUMMI plant is now in the hands of Tesla. What GM can do is be a better GM, that means that they have to keep improving quality so that they can rebuild their reputation but that's the work of decades because people's memories last a lifetime. They can use their electric cars as a means of creating an image of technological leadership even if they don't sell a lot of them. The window for exploiting their lead to create a long term reputation is very short because in 3 or 4 years every manufacturer will have a host of electric cars. If I were running marketing at GM I'd be blanketing the airwaves with Bolt and Volt ads that crowed about how they beat Tesla to market by a full year on an affordable BEV and how the Volt has twice the range of a Prius Prime and that every single review of the Prius Prime ends with the suggestion that you buy a Volt. The idea wouldn't be to sell a lot of them it would be to establish the reputation for leadership which would help to get non-GM buyers in the door even if they end up buying an ICE car.
 
The EV1 was a Saturn,

Perhaps resurrect the planet?
Not sure what your second comment is about, but I call the GM EV1 horrible as it filled the average car owner with fear that the future of the car would be that tiny soulless thing. As Keith points out, it is actually a GM branded car (not Saturn nor Chevrolet). Tesla is a future most people can get behind: fun to drive and "save" the planet.
 
A larger battery appeals to EV enthusiasts. But to the general public, not so much. Ford and Toyota have decently successful plug-in hybrids with less than half of the range. So, range isn't the issue. For one thing, the vehicle is small and even though I think it is the perfect size, most current Americans prefer something larger. However, the Bolt even is not quite large enough. It's just taller, that's all. So the way for it to ultimately be a success is for its technology to wind up in vehicles that are better selling vehicles in the first place. And, of course, a general desire on the part of the consumer to want an EV to begin with would help a lot!

But let's put that aside and ask what changes or tweaks would make the current Volt more successful to the general public? Oddly enough, possibly LESS range. The Volt doesn't really offer anything in the eyes of the public that really give it any value over a Cruze. So to make the car more widely appealing, one of two things need to happen. One would be to offer a "Volt Lite" at a cheaper price. It would be a better value. That might mean sacrificing some equipment that is currently standard, as well as reducing the battery size. In a configuration like that, it would probably rely more on the ICE for hard acceleration just like other low-end PHEVs. Alternatively, GM could try creating a high-end version of the Volt that is performance based. For example, put a rear motor and advertise it as having all-wheel-drive. Also, between the 3 electric motors and the ICE, a special sport mode should be able to give some impressive drag-strip results that might allow them to compare the performance to a Tesla Model 3. That would certainly add credibility to the car and siphon some of those Model 3 sales.
 
I think Gen II Volt has an edge over many right now as it is a mature vehicle in a sweet spot of its product cycle. The current range is good for Gen II but Gen III will need to compete with many new PHEV in 2021 so it will need to grow to stay the leader. They need to increase advertising / awareness to help increase sales BUT remember the car is currently the #1 PHEV - it's successful with loyal owners and industry wide consensus that it's a phenomenal car. The whole EV market is slowly growing so it's not like they can sell 10K cars a month since the EV market is not there yet for anyone. The hope is Tesla does not mess up the Model 3 launch since if they help bring EV more mainstream, the Volt sales will surge if Chevrolet advertise it when Tesla grows the market in the next 6-18 months. The current car is damn good - it feels solid and stable. Just build on that because that means a lot when selecting a car to buy.

Oh - 1 minor thing - bring back the homelink garage door opener - why is that gone in Gen II?!?!?
 
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