Volt 2.0: Ruess "It will leap-frog... the competition"

2016 Volt has one thing very right: It looks sharp and 'sporty' outside and the interior is similar to many top selling cars. I think the new Volt is going to start selling quite well depending on the price.

Don't mean to be mean, but I wouldn't be surprised if PiP sales hang around 500 ish a month here for well over a year.

 

with production stopping in june, i couldn't agree more. sales numbers of the next gen will depend on msrp, level of improvements, roll out dates, quantities, and sales area. and of course, gasoline prices, hov stickers and govmint incentives. volt sales? same general principles apply.

 

2016 Chevrolet Volt Priced From $33,995, Or $1,195 Lower Than 2015 Volt

 

not what was hoped for, but an excellent price nonetheless, after incentives. this should make the gen I available to a whole host of new ev drivers.

 

The price is not competitive though.

The other hope was winning over GM's own customers, rather than only conquest sales. Traditional vehicle sales will continue to overwhelm. GM's own product-line is the competition.

Making it appeal to ordinary buyers was very important for this second generation. Not stirring interest from them will be a problem. When the incentives expire, the brand must be able to self-sustain at a profit in high-volume.

 

well, is suppose all alternative fuel vehicles are in the same boat right now, titanic.

 

Is it a valid argument to suggest that if GM really were keen on hybrids and phevs, that they'd have a hybrid/phev engine option on all/most of their model range? Toyota and Lexus seem to manage it, Honda did, even Ford US seem to. But as long as a phev is a one off expensive model, it'll remain a small seller.

Could that be the idea?

 

It looks like more than 75,000 Volt has been sold in the US. That means, 25k left and the incentives could be over by the end of 2016 (depending on when it is launched).

So, for the rest of it's model cycle, MSRP will be what people will be paying.

 

Incentives last through 200,000 cars.

 

You are right. My memory is failing.

125k should last this gen then.

 

why build what people don't want? they are coming out with a 50 mpg impala though. or malibu? i forget.

 

GM already stated this Volt will continue to sell at niche level and has moved on.

They recently revealed a hybrid Malibu and a plug-in hybrid CT6.

In other words, those of us who pointed out the business shortcomings of the Volt approach are finally relieved.

GM didn't understand who. Now, it looks like they do.

It's easy to forget GM's goal of having 500,000 electrified vehicles on the road by 2017.

 

Just like the Toyota and the PIP!

 

Nothing has been stated about Gen-2 volume plans yet.

 

The Volt will always sell well - as a niche vehicle.

DBCassidy

 

Like the Prius you mean?

 

122,776 annual here for the liftback cannot be considered a niche in any respect.

Some could try to label the 12,088 sales here of PHV as entirely separate, but that would be quite a stretch knowing the only difference is the battery-pack & charger.

 

Will it, after the incentives are gone?

 

even if it doesn't, 'it will leapfrog the competition'.

 

The Volt's sales number aren't that far off from the Camry hybrid, and other midsize sedan hybrid models, so they can be counted as niche along with the PPI. Unless GM does something different than the others in marketing the Malibu hybrid, like offering it for the same price as upgrading to the 2L engine, it, too, will be niche. The non-hybrid CT6 will likely start in the $50k range, so I don't expect anything but niche there.

The Prius plugin is just a liftback with a charger and larger battery, but Toyota treats it like a totally separate model. The differences may get more pronounced in the next generation.

I have forgotten the context of that quote. It's been too long in internet time.
The next generation is getting more efficient on electric and gas, longer EV range, space for a child in the middle rear seat or adult if you don't particularly care for them, and a lower price than the previous model. With price cuts on the current Volt, the next one will have dropped by over $6000 in price since its introduction.