Here are some of my suggestions for GM to improve the Volt
-> Decrease the number of options. I had to compromise my vehicle purchase because the options I wanted were not in the color I wanted! I eventually ended up getting a car that did not have heated seats even though I wanted them. I have no idea why heated seats and rear view camera are even options on a $40K car! Ideally, you should just have a few options like 1) Leather Seats Yes/No 2) Navigation Yes/No 3) Premium Bose Speakers (Yes/No) 4) Premium Wheels (Yes/No) 5) Park Assist/Lane Minder/FCW (Yes/No) - thats about it! Make the rest of it standard already.
-> Offer frequent and easy software updates. It wont cost GM a whole lot and you can not imagine how satisfied owners will be (and how much more they will recommend the car) when little freebie tidbits are thrown their way. How about GoGoLink for Volts with MyLink. I think Smartphone based maps are much superior to many in-built navigation systems.
-> While it may not be an absolute necessity for other cars, OnStar is more or less a requirement for the Volt. GM already reduced free OnStar from 5 years to 3 years. Owners may not realize it now but when it comes time to renew their OnStar subscriptions, the extra $20 per month can be a little too much to take. GM should consider a special pricing for Volt owners (maybe 50% off their standard price).
-> Why not offer 3 years of free service? The Volt does not need much maintenance in the first three years so GM might as well offer it for free - it would definitely be a nice USP that will not cost much for GM (or the dealers)!
-> Offer free charging in GM dealeships and establishments. It costs pennies but the PR is invaluable. I can charge my Volt for free at a Nissan dealer and my Grocer but not at a GM dealer!?
-> Use better/softer materials inside the car. I am not expecting leather or microfiber but dont make it look like Rhino bed liner either!
-> Simplify the center console and MyLink. It may be too late for the center console but MyLink should be a simple software upgrade. Why do I have to press so many buttons to change simple settings?
-> Provide a spare wheel - atleast as an option. Some people NEED it!
-> How about a wiper for the rear windshield? Even 15 year old hatchbacks come with one!
-> HID lights please (4300K/35W would work great)! They are no longer "expensive" luxury add-ons - and they draw less power - if that matters
-> Install the shorter air-dam by default, or atleast provide an option to swap the longer one for the shorter one at purchase time.
-> Provide better (and mandatory) Volt training for your sales people that sell Volts. I had to educate my Volt sales person about a lot of things she was not aware of (she did not know the Volt had regen braking or 3 Years OnStar!). She was utterly consused about the different options and I had to actually help her sell the car to me!
I may come up with more suggestions but this should be a good start.
-> Decrease the number of options. I had to compromise my vehicle purchase because the options I wanted were not in the color I wanted! I eventually ended up getting a car that did not have heated seats even though I wanted them. I have no idea why heated seats and rear view camera are even options on a $40K car! Ideally, you should just have a few options like 1) Leather Seats Yes/No 2) Navigation Yes/No 3) Premium Bose Speakers (Yes/No) 4) Premium Wheels (Yes/No) 5) Park Assist/Lane Minder/FCW (Yes/No) - thats about it! Make the rest of it standard already.
-> Offer frequent and easy software updates. It wont cost GM a whole lot and you can not imagine how satisfied owners will be (and how much more they will recommend the car) when little freebie tidbits are thrown their way. How about GoGoLink for Volts with MyLink. I think Smartphone based maps are much superior to many in-built navigation systems.
-> While it may not be an absolute necessity for other cars, OnStar is more or less a requirement for the Volt. GM already reduced free OnStar from 5 years to 3 years. Owners may not realize it now but when it comes time to renew their OnStar subscriptions, the extra $20 per month can be a little too much to take. GM should consider a special pricing for Volt owners (maybe 50% off their standard price).
-> Why not offer 3 years of free service? The Volt does not need much maintenance in the first three years so GM might as well offer it for free - it would definitely be a nice USP that will not cost much for GM (or the dealers)!
-> Offer free charging in GM dealeships and establishments. It costs pennies but the PR is invaluable. I can charge my Volt for free at a Nissan dealer and my Grocer but not at a GM dealer!?
-> Use better/softer materials inside the car. I am not expecting leather or microfiber but dont make it look like Rhino bed liner either!
-> Simplify the center console and MyLink. It may be too late for the center console but MyLink should be a simple software upgrade. Why do I have to press so many buttons to change simple settings?
-> Provide a spare wheel - atleast as an option. Some people NEED it!
-> How about a wiper for the rear windshield? Even 15 year old hatchbacks come with one!
-> HID lights please (4300K/35W would work great)! They are no longer "expensive" luxury add-ons - and they draw less power - if that matters
-> Install the shorter air-dam by default, or atleast provide an option to swap the longer one for the shorter one at purchase time.
-> Provide better (and mandatory) Volt training for your sales people that sell Volts. I had to educate my Volt sales person about a lot of things she was not aware of (she did not know the Volt had regen braking or 3 Years OnStar!). She was utterly consused about the different options and I had to actually help her sell the car to me!
I may come up with more suggestions but this should be a good start.
