Oh oh! Not Good (GM temporarily suspends Volt production for slow sales)

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by payne171

Okay, first let's stop comparing the Volt to the 'Vette. There is a huge difference between the two: the Corvette has a high profit margin.

It does now, presumably. (I'll take your word on it.) But did it have a high profit margin in the first few years of production, when GM was selling just a few hundred a year? Or was GM deliberately taking a loss for the first few years on a product that they believed would eventually become profitable? (And which was presumably good marketing, etc.)

That's part of the problem, not just with GM but with a lot of the US economy today: too many people who're convinced that anything which isn't an immediate success must be a dismal failure.

[ecomodded]

I like the name of car, that may be all it has going for it right now. In the future when they utilize more of the available technologies the car will be a competitor. imo

[cleanspeed1]

It's like weekend box office results for new releases.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

It does now, presumably. (I'll take your word on it.) But did it have a high profit margin in the first few years of production, when GM was selling just a few hundred a year? Or was GM deliberately taking a loss for the first few years on a product that they believed would eventually become profitable? (And which was presumably good marketing, etc.)

That's part of the problem, not just with GM but with a lot of the US economy today: too many people who're convinced that anything which isn't an immediate success must be a dismal failure.

That and reactionary emotions that have nothing to do with the car, price or tech.

Some people seem to believe each volt on the road is like killing their first born.

Although I had no real love for the volt, it was people like that, that have made me a somewhat volt fan, even though it voliolates the KISS principle and I will probably never own one. (at least not soon)

[GRU]

It's just so much better and easier to buy a small, simple gasoline car with a small engine. If they could only build cars like a 92 civic or a geo metro again, that's all people need.

I just don't believe it's worth buying a hybrid or a ev unless it can be made cheap, with easily available parts.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by GRU

I just don't believe it's worth buying a hybrid or a ev unless it can be made cheap, with easily available parts.

But the parts don't become cheap & easily available until you've first gotten a bunch of expensive versions out there to refine the engineering and learn how to mass produce the parts cheaply.

[Marc F.]

Test drove a Volt today and these are my impressions.

The ride is quiet, not just because of the electric motor, it seems to be a well insulated car.
I had it on some smooth and rough road, it was just as quiet even when I hit a mild pothole. Suspension felt good, I have driven and ridden in a new Cruze (my sons) and this seems to be smoother. Handling is also smooth, no surprizes. Feedback on the steering wheel is good. I liked the overall ride.

Speaking of the Cruze I felt like there was slightly more room so I guess this is a larger chassis or the engineers did a better job of laying out the insides. The battery runs down the middle but it really doesnt seem to take much more room than the old driveshaft tunnel, maybe a little.

Power is smooth and even, the only mode I got to try was normal. It accelerates nicely. Its no powerhouse, but its designed to save fuel and like I said I only got to try one mode. I stepped on it at about 30 mph and it moved out smoothly, I think the lack of a downshift may have thrown me off.

It has a couple of blind spots, its sort of a high waisted design, not bad, but its shows when you look over your shoulder to back up. It has a camera but I'm not used to one. Also I was nervous about wrecking somebody elses car... Mirrors worked in traffic, I cant remember if they were good or bad so I'll say they were ok. I guess I didnt have to think or search to keep track of traffic, maybe that says something.

The info is easy to get to and see. The tire pressure is constantly updated by a small car icon, left front started out 31 lbs. it came up to 33 when it was warm. The others were started at 33 and came up to 35. I think its a feature that will help keep mpg up. My wifes Ridgeline just shows that they are low, I like this better.

The center display may put off people that are not computer savy, it is easy to use but like a lot of cars these days there are massive amounts of info available. I think of my mom or sis who would feel that its like an airplane and dont think they can master all the controls. I may be wrong on that but I can see it happening. I will credit Ryan who let me drive it (it was the owners car at a dealer) he made it simple to find the buttons I needed for simple info and home pages.

Looking under the hood you can see the bright orange cable that supply power and a sticker showing you 12 volt and 360(I think?) volts. I did find out the local dealer had a training with all the first responders in the area to learn what to do in event of an accident.

I wont go into the mileage, it had a full charge so it didnt fire up the generator. I cant tell you how that affected things.

I have to say its a contender when I buy a new car. I liked it. I think I'll get my wife to drive it and see what she thinks.

[Frank Lee]

Wish they'd take the Metro platform and update it to current regs.

[Marc F.]

Frank -- would you look at a Honda Civic or Chevy Sonic? I am comparing lots of different options. The Civic coupe dx is about $17k new. I just start looking at the Sonic ($14K and up), you can get it with a 1.4 liter motor if you search (and pay extra). Just thoughts man, I have cars I wished they still made too. I even looked at another CR-Z. I liked my other one.

I love the way my old boat rides, but the fuel.....

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Wish they'd take the Metro platform and update it to current regs.

Suzuki already did and it weighs more and gets less FE.