This is clearly a biased article from a "journalist" with an agenda. They choose to list sales for July, when the plant was shut down and when the volt had very very limited availability (7 states). The volt did not go full national until November. First year sales were grater than that of the US launch of the Prius.. The fires are mostly media hysteria but clearly there is an agenda here to bash efficient cars.
In comparison US new just ranked he 2012 volt the #1 upscale midsize car
Best Upscale Midsize Cars Rankings | U.S. News Best Cars
Quote:
The 2012 Chevrolet Volt ranks 1 out of 21 Upscale Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 28 published reviews and test drives of the Chevrolet Volt, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
Reviewers agree that the 2012 Chevrolet Volt is one of the best hybrid cars on the market, thanks to its impressive fuel economy.
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(The volt moved up from #2 position in 2011.)
Also ran across this, article last week.
IIHS Sticks By Volt Safety Rating: No Pack Issues After Crash Tests
IIHS Sticks By Volt Safety Rating: No Pack Issues After Crash Tests
Together these may help reduce some of the silly hysteria and negative articles, though the FUD does seem organized and relentless.
And to put things into perspective here are some of the Volt's other awards
Vehicle awards
- 2009 Green Car Vision Award by the Green Car Journal
- 2011 North American Car of the Year at the 2011 North American International Auto Show.
- Motor Trend 2011 Car of the Year
- Automobile Magazine 2011 Automobile of the Year
- MotorWeek 2011 Driver’s Choice Best of the Year
- Car and Driver 10 Best for 2011
- 2011 Edison Award
- Highest-rated compact for 2011 J.D. Powers and Associates APEAL Study
- 2012 Car of the Year in Denmark
- Consumer Reports rates Volt #1 in Owner Satisfaction
- Named “2011 Collectible Car of the Future” by Friends of the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC)[/li]
Environmental awards- 2009 Environmental Grand Prize awarded at the 2009 Festival International Automobile
- 2011 World Green Car announced at the 2011 New York Auto Show
- 2011 Green Car of the Year awarded by Green Car Journal
- MotorWeek 2011 Best Eco-Friendly
- Chicago Auto Show Best Green Vehicle[/li]
Technology awards- Ward’s AutoWorld 10 Best Engines for 2011
- SAE 2011 Best Engineered Vehicle
- Top Michigan Innovation in 2011
- Edmunds 2011 Green Car Breakthrough Award
- Poplistar Mechanics 2010 Breakthrough Technology
- Poplistar Mechanics Top 10 Vehicles Award for Technology
- Poplistar Mechanics Editor’s Choice Award for OnStar MyLink for Volt[/li]
Mobile Application awards
- Poplistar Science Best of What’s New 2010
- Consumer Electronics Show’s “Top Products” Award for OnStar MyLink for Volt Mobile Application[/li]
Safety acknowledgements
- Top Safety Pick by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Five-star overall vehicle score
- Euro NCAP Five stars (out of five) in all categories[/li]