[Honhme]

Why doesn't Chevrolet put roof handles for the right front passenger in the 2017 Volt (or any previous Volt model)?

 

[Steverino]

I give. Why?

The answer is: Because they don't. Any asnwer beyond that is speculation.

 

[jbakerjonathan]

I wish they had done so. But, wishing can't make it so, so.... it is what it is. And it ain't gonna change.

 

[bjrosen]

I was once told that cars with side impact air bags don't have them, the theory being that a person who was hanging on to the handle when the airbag went off could have their arm seriously injured.

 

[canehdian]

I was once told that cars with side impact air bags don't have them, the theory being that a person who was hanging on to the handle when the airbag went off could have their arm seriously injured.

And yet, they don't bother to move the horn to a side-actuated button, should someone be signalling with their horn prior to an imminent collision.

 

[reciprocity]

A few guesses:

—The car has a low roofline and people would hit their head on something sticking out
—The structure of the roof/headliner doesn't allow for it
—Weight/cost savings
—It's a car (you don't need to pull yourself "up" into a Volt like you would a truck/SUV)

I agree with Steverino:nobody but the engineers know. It's just the way it is.

 

[mikeg3]

I give. Why?

The answer is: Because they don't. Any answer beyond that is speculation.

Do you think the Tesla people would answer the same way. I realize that you're not the GM CEO, but the attitude is pretty widespread and totally 20th century. "Any color you like, as long as you like black" H. Ford Sr.

Even IBM, in their 90% market share heyday, would explain system feature decisions to customers.

BTW, at my age that missing handle is a real pain (physically).

 

[Mister Dave]

I was once told that cars with side impact air bags don't have them, the theory being that a person who was hanging on to the handle when the airbag went off could have their arm seriously injured.

 

[llninja]

And yet, they don't bother to move the horn to a side-actuated button, should someone be signalling with their horn prior to an imminent collision.

That said, I've always wondered why on some cars there is a plastic or metal emblem on the horn so when the airbag goes off, that might come flying into your face.

I also don't allow any passengers to put their feet up on the dash as if the airbag does off, their spine will be saying "ouch"

My daughter's Subaru has side airbags and handles. But I think they are in the a and b pillars and not above the roof liner.

 

[edk-austin]

Bolt has the handle. My wife asks that any new car I get have the handle so she can hang on.
Me, I never use it. Not on my list.

 

[canehdian]

I got a chuckle when someone here called it the Jesus handle or something along those lines. as in "Oh Jesus, grab on for dear life!"

 

[Mister Dave]

I got a chuckle when someone here called it the Jesus handle or something along those lines. as in "Oh Jesus, grab on for dear life!"

adding an "oh sh*t bar"

 

[Steverino]

Do you think the Tesla people would answer the same way. I realize that you're not the GM CEO, but the attitude is pretty widespread and totally 20th century. "Any color you like, as long as you like black" H. Ford Sr.

Even IBM, in their 90% market share heyday, would explain system feature decisions to customers.

BTW, at my age that missing handle is a real pain (physically).

I don't work for GM, no.

On a practical level, many people don't even read the owner's manual, lol. As much as I'd be interested, I don't see GM publishing several thousand pages of what went into each and every design and engineering decision they made on the car. I'm sure someone inside knows what went into your hot-button issue and would likely say why they did it if asked. I doubt it's a trade secret. Send a letter and ask.

Personally, I think it is either a lack of roof structure and or cost, but that's just my guess to add to the hopper.

 

[Mister Dave]

These are from a gen 1 Volt, but you'll likely find a wiring harness and a securing strap for the side curtain airbag under the a-pillar trim. If you're thinking of adding a grab handle, it might be a good idea to have some standoffs to bolt it to.

 

[KenC]

My BMW has a side curtain airbag and a handle. It's just a matter of design.