[Jim Fallston Md.]

Volt sells 2191 units last month, Still holding steady.

 

[VikAiRious]

Yeah, but did the guy whole stole a Volt yesterday in that car chase count as that last '1' in the total of 2191?

 

[16513]

Well, I was expecting better since California reopened the HOV sticker supply and rebate programs. Now, with winter approaching sales will tail off. The Bolt EV Effect is yet to be determined, but I predict it won't be good. Hmmm, maybe it's time for a Sale, Chevy........

 

[Ziv]

Chevy has to reduce the MSRP as timoshev notes. The car is just too expensive for most people to even consider, since it is a Chevy, not a Buick. Chevy has a reputation for building poor quality small cars and reducing the Volt MSRP to $29,990 would be a big enough move that people who otherwise wouldn't take one out for a test drive, might just do so. GM is making money on the Volt now, the question is, would they be making enough if they dropped the MSRP by that much. My gut is that they would still be making a small profit, and that the increased perception that Chevrolet small cars are being built well would be worth it.

 

[bro1999]

Based off the average transaction price of a '17 LT, I think a price chop to <$30k is realistic at some point in the future.

 

[Qinsp]

It's funny. I hear two different voices that are often coming from the same direction:

The Volt is too expensive.

The Volt needs more base features added to it that are currently expensive add-ons.

Not sure who will win yet.

A lot will have to do with Bolt sales. Is it Possible the reason Nav/ACC are not listed on the Bolt right now so Chevrolet can give people a reason to buy Volt Premiers?

 

[Steverino]

Chevy has to reduce the MSRP as timoshev notes. The car is just too expensive for most people to even consider, since it is a Chevy, not a Buick.

The last time Chevy dropped the price it created negative publicity of the, "Volt resale value is simply awful!!" kind. People take the Volts 2011 price and ignore the $5000 price drop, ignore the $7500 tax credit, ignore the state rebates (if applicable), ignore the current selling price and then wail, "OMG, Volts "depreciate" a minimum of $13,000 day 1 driving it off the dealer lot!!" They "depreciate another $6000 day one in Colorado due to the state's tax credit.

 

[ChiVolt]

Volt sells 2191 units last month, Still holding steady.

I'm happy to claim 1/2,191st of that.

 

[Bacardi]

It's funny. I hear two different voices that are often coming from the same direction:

The Volt is too expensive.

The Volt needs more base features added to it that are currently expensive add-ons.

There's a solution in there, reduce the MSRP to $29,995 even if you have to remove some standard things...Then increase STANDALONE option offerings...Everyone, including GM, wins...

 

[twoheeldrive]

The last time Chevy dropped the price it created negative publicity of the, "Volt resale value is simply awful!!" kind. People take the Volts 2011 price and ignore the $5000 price drop, ignore the $7500 tax credit, ignore the state rebates (if applicable), ignore the current selling price and then wail, "OMG, Volts "depreciate" a minimum of $13,000 day 1 driving it off the dealer lot!!" They "depreciate another $6000 day one in Colorado due to the state's tax credit.

... and don't forget last year's very generous $2500.00 gift to Volt owners for the purchase of any new Chevrolet!

I spent it on a Silverado.

 

[DonC]

There is a limit on the tax credits. GM gets 4 ZEV credits for every Bolt EV it sells and 2 ZEV credits for each Volt. So $7000 more in credits for every Bolt. Add in the fact the Bolt EV is the basis of the autonomy push, and you have to think GM wants to sell more Bolts. IOW no point in cutting the price of the Volt, especially given the Bolt EV is priced higher to begin with.

As much as I love the Volt, I can see it being phased out as CUVs/SUVs are the platform for EREVs and cars become the platform for BEVs.

 

[kns]

...As much as I love the Volt, I can see it being phased out as CUVs/SUVs are the platform for EREVs and cars become the platform for BEVs.

It might be nice to be able to offer a larger battery or a range extender in each model or at least in each body type. Production volume would need to increase in order for that to make economic sense.

KNS

 

[kns]

A newsworthy pricing strategy might be to reduce price in step with the decline in federal tax credits available to Chevy buyers. Chevy is keeping buyers whole.

KNS

 

[bro1999]

A newsworthy pricing strategy might be to reduce price in step with the decline in federal tax credits available to Chevy buyers. Chevy is keeping buyers whole.

KNS

That's what Toyota did with the Prius when the fed tax credit phased out. I would be shocked in GM did not adjust the price of their plugins once the credit starts phasing out.

 

[Brjohnso]

This is crony capitalism at it's best. Since the incentives are locked to the manufacturer, they can jack up the price and keep most of the benefit for themselves. When it expires, the lease companies and the people that own the cars take a big hit in used value. If they made the incentive cap industry wide, there would be an incentive to ship as many cars as you could, as fast as possible.

No thanks GM, I'm not going to participate in this scheme.