[tc_sting]

In reviewing the state of where the volt sits now in 2018, there are some things that are painfully clear.

Discounts on the volts can be $3k to $6k off MSRP. Then the consumer can take federal tax credit of $7500 and potentially state tax credit too.

All this— and dealers still cannot move the 2018 volts. There are even 2017 volts still around.

The volt is a good car and one of the most technologically challenging and inventive mass market cars ever built. But it’s a compact sedan is an SUV/Crossover world and initial sticker scare of $40k for a Chevy might hurt too. The Bolt cousin certainly didn’t help clarify the consumer space.

So, if you were GM what would you do about the 2019 model year?

Would you simply halt production on volt since you are clearly losing money on each one?

Would you double down on the volt and give it a refresh plus battery boost?

Or would you simply produce a 2019 in small volumes but with minor changes such as new paint colors?

 

[Mister Dave]

Double down on the volt and give it a refresh plus battery boost. That nose has to go along with some of the tail. Battery boosts have been a popular upgrade in the past. It influenced my purchase of a 2014.

 

[Jmaj]

GM probably has enough parts warehoused to build the 2019's and at it's current sales rate the factory could build a years supply in 3 or 4 weeks. I think when the ramp down of the tax credit starts the Volt is a goner.

 

[Mister Dave]

I think when the ramp down of the tax credit starts the Volt is a goner.

Wouldn't it be nice if Mary did more lobbying for a credit extension than she does for axing CARB CAFE regulation exemptions?

 

[Steverino]

Wouldn't it be nice if Mary did more lobbying for a credit extension than she does for axing CARB CAFE regulation exemptions?

Absolutely. But one is seen as slashing regulations and the other as a government handout/picking winners & losers. Of course she could pitch it as a credit for US mfrs only, not applicable to imports.

 

[obermd]

I suspect both the Volt and Bolt will see priced drops over the next model year. They'll be in the form of "manufacturer incentives" of $3,750 and then $7,500 but the effect will be the same.

 

[JRRF]

The volt is a good car and one of the most technologically challenging and inventive mass market cars ever built. But it’s a compact sedan is an SUV/Crossover world and initial sticker scare of $40k for a Chevy might hurt too. The Bolt cousin certainly didn’t help clarify the consumer space.

I think this is the key point. Autos are still marketed for style not function, and that's how most people react as well. Manufacturers are having a hard time selling any sedans anymore, so a quirky one like the Volt is all the more difficult.

 

[Mister Dave]

.....and the other as a government handout/picking winners & losers.

You're spinning it wrong. The winners are the ones who got out there and did the deed. No need to pick anyone, just reward the leaders. That's why I proposed that the credit should go up at 200K cars sold.

Incentive to perform.....

Of course she could pitch it as a credit for US mfrs only, not applicable to imports.

PROTECTIONIST!!!

 

[JRRF]

PROTECTIONIST!!!

Perfect for the current administration. They will eat it up.

 

[Mister Dave]

Perfect for the current administration. They will eat it up.

Ummmm, well you will anyway.

 

[JRRF]

Ummmm, well you will anyway.

sad but true...

 

[bjrosen]

My dream is that they double it's EV range, if they did I'd upgrade in a heartbeat. My bet is that they don't do anything. I think they see the Volt as a dead end and that all of their efforts are going into the next generation of BEVs which are still a couple of years away. It's possible that they will put Voltec into a truck or a large SUV, but chances are it's range won't be any greater than the Volt's, it will just be a bigger vehicle. I'm waiting to see what they do with their Gen2 BEVs. I want a BEV with at least 350 miles of range. I'm worried that they won't produce any BEV sedans, just trucks and SUVs which is all anyone is buying these days. If they don't produce a BEV sedan I'll look elsewhere.

 

[alfon]

We have a 2016 Volt Premier, my wife's daily driver. Mine is a 2010 Prius pushing 170,000 miles. I'm looking at a Prius replacement and the 2019 Volt is on my list as I believe the 7.2 KWH charging would be a big plus. I'm still looking for the 20% off GM had on the 2016 Volts as that is when we purchased ours with $11,000 off MSRP, as the dealer already had thousands off as well.

The Volts probably don't sell well as most people know little about them. Even at work some of my co-workers had asked me where I charge and whats going to happen if your battery is empty. Of course I simply have to tell them the Volt will run for its lifetime without every having to be plugged in to electric to charge the battery, and still get better mpg's than 95 % of the eco box cars out there...

 

[Eagleco]

For 2019 I would try more aggressively advertising the Volt and Bolt EV for a change. See what they do with more exposure.

Every time I open a car magazine these days, I see a full spread ad for the Clarity PHEV. And lately nearly every night when I sit down to watch a Twins game, I see an ad for the new Leaf, multiple times!

Where are the Volt and Bolt EV ads?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[rhodomel]

That leaves the US with only the Tesla as the most viable Electric Vehicle manufacturer remaining and will eat those vacant spots in the niche market. I am just waiting for their real mass market pricing. At this point in time, I have little faith in GM to continue the electric race as a leader. They'll be dragging their feet like Toyota when the federal tax credit incentives ran out.

The only thing that will keep me from buying Tesla or holding on to my Volt for the next 450,000 miles is that if GM produces a Voltec style drive train for SUV, CUV or pickup truck.

 

[Mister Dave]

Even at work some of my co-workers had asked me where I charge and whats going to happen if your battery is empty.

The good news is that they ask. I even get questions in the few minutes I'm at the car wash waiting for the guys to dry it off. I keep the answers simple, which keeps them asking more questions.

 

[obermd]

You're spinning it wrong. The winners are the ones who got out there and did the deed. No need to pick anyone, just reward the leaders. That's why I proposed that the credit should go up at 200K cars sold.

Incentive to perform.....

Better yet, make the credit available to all manufacturers until the total sold by all manufacturers reaches a certain point. This way those who lead will benefit from experience while those who wait will lose the credit before they get the experience.

 

[obermd]

My dream is that they double it's EV range, if they did I'd upgrade in a heartbeat. My bet is that they don't do anything. I think they see the Volt as a dead end and that all of their efforts are going into the next generation of BEVs which are still a couple of years away. It's possible that they will put Voltec into a truck or a large SUV, but chances are it's range won't be any greater than the Volt's, it will just be a bigger vehicle. I'm waiting to see what they do with their Gen2 BEVs. I want a BEV with at least 350 miles of range. I'm worried that they won't produce any BEV sedans, just trucks and SUVs which is all anyone is buying these days. If they don't produce a BEV sedan I'll look elsewhere.

I just talked to a Bolt owner today. He told me his range is right around 350 miles and he routinely gets over 300 miles of range.

 

[Mister Dave]

Better yet, make the credit available to all manufacturers until the total sold by all manufacturers reaches a certain point. This way those who lead will benefit from experience while those who wait will lose the credit before they get the experience.

I like that too. Might be the better plan.

 

[Jmaj]

I just talked to a Bolt owner today. He told me his range is right around 350 miles and he routinely gets over 300 miles of range.

I wish! Now that warm weather has arrived I'm at about 210. 144 in winter.
A true "300 mile" Bolt in the way an average person understands range, would need at least a 100 kWh battery.