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Originally Posted by buzzy56
The Volt just like the last GM electric vehicles (that were eventually crushed) were both over budget,over priced,and not practical at that time and even now.Other than the tax break that the purchase provides, and the ability to be unique and get to say I have one , there is absolutely no practical reason to own one.In all practicality the research will undoubtedly pay off in the long run.Timing however is not right for mass production of this type of vehicle as the market is not there and will not be for the near future.
Now let me say that my perspective is personal.I used to work at the plant in Lansing when the first GM electric vehicle was developed and as they prepared the plant for the production run and during debugging I had talked to the lead Engineer several times prior to start of production.He stated that even before production that the car would be over budget and the market limited due to cost and re-charging issues.If I remember correctly the initial estimates were cost's in the neighborhood of $20,000.00 and eventually actual production cost exceeding $40,000.00 per unit, a lot of dough back then.Now we all know what eventually happened to the program.Cars were brought back and crushed and the program was shut down.Eventually the Volt will follow the same fate only over a longer span due to Government hoop ala over alternative energy .Too costly and not practical for ninety five percent of the population.One giant tax write off for GM will be the result down the road.
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Not sure why you think it is impracticle for 95% of the people. It is known that 70% of drivers commute less than 40 miles round trip per day making the Volt ideal for most drivers.
Unless cost (sticker price) is your point, it is an incredibly practicle car, at least for the times I've driven one.
I've posted a number many times in the threads like these. If you happen to drive 40 miles one way to work and have a charging station where you park at work the Volt will pay for itself compared to a Cruze Eco over a 5 year note.
That's 80 miles per day, 5 days a week, 52 weeks per year, or 20,000 miles per year (a lot I know). With a 40 mpg car, that is 500 gallons per year or currently $2,000 in gas per year. Over 5 years, that's $10,000. A Cruze Eco is around 10k cheaper than a Volt and having spent time in both, the Volt is a far nicer car.
Now add, for some, the value of not having to use gas at your own choosing.................
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lou_Dorchen
The Volt only failed because Americans dont want electric cars in large enough numbers to make them viable without non-free market forces interfering. Actually it still failed despite the Government literally paying people to buy them. Making excuses like these is ridiculous.
If it was about Obama or the bailouts, people wouldn't be buying ANY GM or Chrysler products. Chevy is selling Camaros left and right. The Silverado is either the #1 or #2 vehicle sold in the US. Cruzes are flying off the shelves. Dodge sells every Challenger they make, and the Rams are huge sellers as well. Americans just dont want to drive electric cars, plain and simple.
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Why do you say it failed? Why is anyone saying it has failed? It hasn't been on the market for even a year yet.
BTW, Bush started the bailouts, not Obama. December of '08 was the first $17 Billion payment.