Comments on: Chevrolet is Making Converts to the Brand and its Halo

By: ShockJock

ShockJock — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:54:15 +0000

Not Really: The drive motor lasts 40 years without maintenance but batteries have to be replaced at about 5-7 years as their ability to hold a charge diminishes. If battery prices come down drastically in 5 years you may be right.

By: Bob Davis

Bob Davis — Mon, 28 May 2012 01:16:45 +0000

We traded in an '05 Prius and cashed-out a deposit on a Prius Plug-in for our 2012 Volt.

The Prius Plug-in is the car early Prius owners clamored for in 2003; once I got a closer look at both, the Volt struck me as being 7 years ahead of the Prius.

Once incentives and subsidies are counted, the Volt costs more than a typical Prius but is cheaper than the plug-in. And that higher cost works out to me as (1) pre-paying most of my fuel costs for the next 8 years and (2) stepping up to a much nicer car. With my experience in the 2000 Prius (130K miles on original battery) and 2 others (160K, no problem) I have no worries the Volt may last that long, and expect to count years 8-12 as bonus savings.

I'm well aware the auto industry has been selling fear of change for decades. It's no surprise to me that people who haven't owned a hybrid would shy away from the leading edge. It'll be great for them when they do come around: they've got a pleasant surprise waiting for them.

By: perfectapproach

perfectapproach — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:33:58 +0000

FYI, the batteries are expensive, but it’s a myth that it’s the most expensive component in hybrid cars. The electric drive motor is equally if not more expensive.

By: bloggin

bloggin — Fri, 25 May 2012 06:45:21 +0000

The C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi plug-in is supposed to have a 22-26mile EV range, which wedges both cars between the 6-11 ev mile prius plug-in and the 35-40 ev mile Volt. Where pricing for the C-MAX Energi should be between $32K and $35K and Fusion Energi between $33K and $36K. With both the C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi offering better hybrid mpg than Volt, and more EV range than the prius plug-in. It looks like Ford may have found that sweet spot. Now all we need is the Focus 5-door hybrid with 50+ mpg, at $24K to take the crown as most efficient hybrid. Alan M has already stated that the Focus hybrid is easily doable, just putting a different top hat on top of the hybrid platform used by the C-MAX. The Focus Hybrid would be a nice compliment/bridge car to the $40K Focus Electric.

By: MarkWbrooks

MarkWbrooks — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:05:28 +0000

That would be Yes, but fear not, both are good cars …. btw did you notice that EV insurance costs10 to 15% less… which is cheaper to insure, the leaf or the volt?

By: Max Reid

Max Reid — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:09:44 +0000

Prius plugin is picking up and C-Max plugin is also coming, sooner or later Chevy has to reduce the price of Volt and make it affordable to masses.

Seems battery prices are already going down.

By: VoltSkeptic

VoltSkeptic — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:58:02 +0000

Huh? Loses #35k per car, where is that number from, FOX news? Don't tell me you're including R&D costs, 'cause that's written off and isn't included on anybody's per car profit/loss statements.

According to GM's public statements and that of it's former CEO "At least in the early years, each Volt would cost around $40,000 to manufacture (development costs not included)". So that's a lie? According to Nissan's public statements "Thus, Nissan might not be making money on initial Leafs, but it's very close and could start selling the cars for a profit soon". Most believe it won't be till the third year, but it is certainly not as bad as even 5% of $35k, not worse as you say.

There is no need to exaggerate, you're just discrediting your argument. EV's are barely if at all profitable, but battery prices are coming down as battery production ramps up, so if they aren't now, they'll get into the black on a per car basis soon. The true problem is that only a small percentage of the public can afford EV's without subsidies, so their prices need to come down an awful lot farther for sales to ramp up to levels comparable to Toyota's hybrid line of vehicles.

By: Automotive Expert

Automotive Expert — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:04:43 +0000

GM loses about $35K per car when someone buys a Chevy Volt, and its true cost under most ideal situation (assume GM makes >200,000 Chevy Volt per year) can never be below $40K, the economy is even worse for Nissan Leaf and other pure electric vehicles.
No one at GM believes the viability of Chevy Volt, and it is a good PR tool, but not a good source of positive cash flow!

By: MS

MS — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:00:43 +0000

Volt is a hybrid, more expensive with plugin than the regular Prius. Have more power, and less room, some differences but essencialy different cars.

Naturally the "first time" adopters of Volt are persons who like hybrids and most of them already had a experience with the Prius.

If we make the same survey with the Leaf the response probably would be the same, most came from Prius.

And if the survey is made to Prius new owners, from which car they came from?

This is a step by step approach. However, let's see if Volt increase the sales, as I would guess that being sold for more than one year it will only increase significatly sales after being a proved and tested that is a car with longevity, but that only after a few years of use.

By: dutchinchicago

dutchinchicago — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:43:51 +0000

I wonder if I am the only person to trade in a Leaf for a Volt.