Volt named one of top 10 underappreciated vehicles

Chevrolet’s Volt has been named to a laundry list of awards and accolades, but a recent dubious distinction is its being named to Cars.com’s list of Top 10 Underappreciated Cars and Trucks. Hey that’s not bad right? Sort of like an honorable mention with implications that it is just waiting to be discovered? Not sure, but here’s what Cars.com’s Executive Editor Joe Wiesenfelder wrote about the Volt as republished in the Chicago Tribune: All plug-in cars are expensive, but so are luxury vehicles, and the reasons for driving both prove to be surprisingly similar. As owners, we know the Volt has downsides, as all cars do, and we accept that they’re deal-breakers for some shoppers. But Volt resistance seems to be more about partisan pretzel logic and safety misperceptions than about the car itself. GM’s sales expectations were too high, but the Volt definitely deserves more success than it’s seen so far. Many people have said the Volt deserves more success than it’s seen so far, but it still has detractors throwing mud at it. If you’re interested, the complete list of vehicles Americans have not appreciated enough are: 1. Ford Flex–This seven-seat gem is terrific, yet it’s outsold five-to-one by the Ford Explorer. 2. Suzuki Kizashi–An efficient sedan that’s fun to drive and has a stunningly high-quality interior. 3. Mazdas (all models)–These fun-to-drive vehicles are just as good as the competition but lag competitors, sometimes drastically, in sales. 4. Kia Optima–With its handsome exterior, high-quality interior and generous standard-equipment endowment, there’s no question why the Optima was chosen as Cars.com’s Best of 2011. 5. Hyundai Genesis–It was awarded our top honor when introduced in 2009, and has only improved since. 6. Nissan Quest–With a troubled past, the new, competitive, high-quality Quest has yet to build a name for itself. 7. Dodge Challenger– Voted Cars.com’s Shoppers’ Choice Award winner in 2012, it is roomier and far more comfortable than virtually all of its direct, better-selling competitors. 8. Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen–A surprisingly versatile, fun car that beats many of its trendy crossover competitors. 9. Chevrolet Avalanche–It does the work, serves as a five-seat SUV or full-length pickup truck, and comes from a trusted truck brand. 10. Chevrolet Volt–Though GM’s sales expectations were too high, the Volt definitely deserves more success than it’s seen. Of all of them, Mazda can say the loudest “ouch!” Its entire lineup is considered underappreciated, but Cars.com says there is sort of a silver lining to it all. “Good products usually sell themselves, but that’s not always the reality,” said Wiesenfelder. “There are so many great options on the market and these 10 vehicles are no exception. Our editors recommend that car shoppers research and test drive these models if they’re already shopping for similar cars. They might even get a good deal because these are not moving off lots as fast as some of their competitors.” So, being named to the 10th car listed on Cars.com’s write-up of 10 underappreciated vehicles is not meant to say the Volt is bad. On the contrary, the publication says it is a good car, but not enough people are catching on in a timely manner. Since we all know it is a great car, perhaps the question that persists is: what’s it going to take?

Source: GM-Volt.com

Automakers Unveil Universal Fast Charger

 

There has been a lot of debate over the fast-charging standards of future electric vehicles. While Tesla has been busy perfecting its own “supercharger”, the world’s leading automakers, among them GM, VW, and Ford, have come out with a universal fast charger for future plug-in automobiles.

This united, single charger will mean that makers of EV charging stations will have a single template to follow. The Society of Automotive Engineers has been working with automakers to help develop a single standard, rather than allowing each automaker to develop their own system.

This universal charger is said to be a Level 3 charger that can rapidly charge EV’s in as little as 15-20 minutes. Not quite the 5-minute fillup of current petrol cars, but this rapid charger could help speed acceptance of electric vehicles among the car-buying public.

All three American automakers are on-board with this new system, as is Audi, BMW, Porsche, VW, and Daimler (parent company of Mercedes). Interestingly enough, these are all European and American automakers, even though Japanese car companies are producing far more electric and plug-in vehicles.

Were the Japenese companies frozen out? Did they simply choose not to participate? Or are Japan’s automakers developing their own charging system? This one has me scratching my head, that’s for sure.

Source: gas2.0

Jason King is on his way to driving his Volt for ‘free’

Is the Chevy Volt way too expensive – a car for well-meaning but well-heeled greenies to make themselves feel good? Or, is it so frugal to own and drive that you cannot afford not to get one?
Those are two extreme views aren’t they? We’ve heard from critics – who often have never even driven one – and who’ve tried to paint negative views, and more recently we heard from Jason King, who says his Volt fits the latter scenario, and is paying him back fast.
King is a writer and photographer living in Maui who figures his driving will soon be effectively “free” due to low-cost solar panels he had installed to keep his car charged.


The cost of solar has come way down in recent years, but we know where gas is going, don’t we?
“Gas prices are only going up,” King said. “Gas here is around $5 a gallon, and I drive by just laughing, you know?”
What’s more, King says his Volt is the best automotive value he’s yet had despite not having recouped any federal or state subsidies when he bought it. Being eager to get one early, he bought his Volt in California just two months after GM began production, and shipped it for about $1,000 to Hawaii.
His cost for installing nine extra solar panels to his pre-existing solar array was $5,000, plus he paid $500 for an optional fast charger.
If you have no solar now, you would also need a DC-to-AC inverter and related hardware, so it could be up to double or more compared to what King paid, but this is an investment that would last for many years that would effectively wipe out your gasoline bill, and you may even be able to sell unused electricity back to your local utility.
As for King, he says buying a Volt and solar charging is a good deal even though he forfeited eligibility for a $4,500 Hawaiian state subsidy now available, and the $7,500 federal subsidy.
To others, he says it should also make good financial sense, as they more likely will qualify for federal and state subsidies – for the car, and possible for the solar installation.
King’s estimation that charging costs will soon be no charge takes into consideration what he formerly spent monthly on gas for a Honda CR-V. In nine more months, his Volt will have paid off its lifetime cost to solar recharge, then every electric mile he drives thereafter is effectively free.

Not having a particular affinity for the undesirable effects petroleum has had on the environment and society, King has set up his house to live autonomously yet with high quality of life.
“I was previously spending at least $2,500 a year on gasoline so that means in two years the solar panels have paid for themselves, compared to what I previously spent on gas,” King said. “You know – in terms of the cost of the solar panels to power it. That means in two years my driving is not only pollution free, it’s free.”
The deal was especially sweet where Maui electric rates can hover around 30 cents per kilowatt-hour or more.
King acknowledges everyone’s situation is different, and living entirely off the grid as he does, his environmental commitment is deep, but having researched solar, he does not understand why more people are not doing it – particularly when a less-involved approach of grid tie-in is more financially feasible than ever.
Nor is he alone.
Jay Friedland, legislative director for Plug In America says a growing number of people are discovering what it is like to cut or eliminate the electric bill – and even be able to sell energy back to their local utility for a very satisfying turning of the tables.
State-by-state subsidies are available, as is a 30-percent federal tax credit, and so are loans if needed.
Friedland cited others who have realized – like King – that all of a sudden having effectively free kilowatts on hand, they would benefit from buying or leasing an electric vehicle.
Naturally, beyond the cost-benefit analysis, every individual’s motivation is unique. People’s rationales can include preferring their energy to be domestically sourced, and it’s satisfying knowing the money stays at home, instead of paying domestic or foreign oil suppliers. Others point to what it costs in wars and military expense and lives to keep the oil flowing here. Others point to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Others point to being self-reliant and not having to pay for ever-increasing gasoline expense. You can take your pick, or empathize with some or all of the above.

King’s off-the-grid living is made possible through readily available technology.
But consumers who are not as ideologically driven want to know they are not paying extra just to support a cause. There are those who want to able to simply justify the outlay, and see a return on investment.
That ultimately depends on a host of variables for your local circumstances, but the good news, says Friedland – and King – is that solar recharging can pay back out-of-pocket costs to switch to solar.
King says his solar power system includes 24 deep-cycle batteries for storage, and a diesel generator backup – which he rarely if ever uses, and he looks forward to when the Volt can be used in a smart grid application as his backup.

Twenty four deep-cycle marine batteries last maybe seven years or so. The rest of the system is much more robust. Battery backup is optional, and not required for more ordinary grid-tied systems.
In any event, his solar panels recharge 100 percent even on a cloudy day, and about the only time he may not generate power is in a torrential downpour.
If anyone thinks solar is only for sunbelt states though, you’d be mistaken. They just need a clear exposure to the sun, and Friedland notes the second largest solar energy usage outside of California is in New Jersey. King observes also that Germany leads the world in solar proliferation.
As for justifying whether it would be worth it for solar electric car recharging, one major factor to consider is how much you spend on gasoline and electricity per year, and factoring the Volt’s electric range and money saved can make a compelling case.
In King’s moderate climate, his Volt’s all-electric range is much better than the EPA-stated 35 miles, and he averages 45-48 miles on a charge. All this to him will soon be effectively free, as he is not even paying a utility for the kilowatt-hours or a gas station.
His reasoning extends also to other electric vehicles with longer ranges, such as the Nissan Leaf, Mitsubushi i, and other available or soon-to-be models like the Ford Focus Electric or Tesla Model S, and others.

Going well beyond creating enough juice for their car, Norma and Alan Williamson power their California home with photovoltaic panels. We’re including this photo to show an example of a more ordinary residence with solar system potentially tied to the grid. This is one of Plug In America’s case examples mentioned.
If the vehicle to be charged has a larger battery as pure EVs do, you’d need enough solar energy daily, and a 240-volt level 2 charger, but the math can still work out – while giving a hedge against inflationary gasoline prices.
For his part, King says the Volt makes the most sense because its range meets his daily driving needs – and statistically, those of most Americans – and has gasoline backup when needed. Thus far, he estimates he’s only used about four gallons, and has effectively driven the Volt at 2,000 miles per gallon – with his electricity soon to be paid off as well.
“It’s not just a hype – the lack of range anxiety that I feel having that backup, you know? I mean if it was just pouring rain for few days and I needed to use the electric that my panels were generating for my house; I didn’t want to charge the car,” King said. “So yeah, I can still drive. You know, if I need to drive 100 miles in a day because I have friends visiting and I’m taking them all over the island, no problem, so I’ll drive 100 miles and I’ll use a gallon of gas.”
To determine what state-by-state incentives are available, the Energy Department has an interactive map. You can think also about leasing solar from a company like Sungevity, or others, and as you know the cost of a Volt can also be offset by a presently reasonable lease rates – and this might make sense especially if you do not fully qualify for incentives.
For more information on solar power in general, you can contact a non-profit like the American Solar Energy Society, and the Energy Department has further info worth perusing as well.


Besides these resources, there are many others, but they ought to get you started in the right direction.
Calculating cost for solar would also mean factoring in amortization, as the solar array will not last forever, but they are known to last many years even decades.
But if you ask Jason King, he says he has the formula dialed and even if your daily mileage goes a bit over the Volt’s electric range, it still is an elegant solution with no downside.
“The point I want to drive home to people is most people think that they can’t afford to do it,” he said. “I’m living proof that you know what, you can’t afford not to do it. I only have nine moths to go until all my driving is free and powered by the sun with no pollution.”



Source: GM-Volt.com

Chevrolet Volt Records Third Best Sales Month

With April Volt sales numbers in, GM reported 1,462 units sold in a month with three fewer selling days than March.
This total is down from the Volt’s second-highest sales figures in December, in which 1,529 were sold, and down also from the March record of 2,289.
Last month we had heard some from GM say they were not expecting April Volt sales to exceed March, although CEO Dan Akerson has been quoted as saying he’d like to see somewhere between 2,000-3,000 month after month going forward.


Some industry watchers have speculated also that GM’s California Volts are still in a transition period of changing over to solo-HOV-lane eligible Electric Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle (eAT-PZEV) versions, and this could have put a crimp in the progress.
But if GM sold fewer than some hoped for, Nissan could be said to be looking worse, with just 370 battery electric Leafs sold in April. This is down from 579 units in March and 478 in February. In fact 370 is lower than the 573 Leafs Nissan delivered in April 2011. The Leaf’s best sales month was June, 2011 with 1,708 sold.
Nonetheless, ever-optimistic Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said industry watchers should not let a few mediocre months influence their perspective. He is keeping a long-term view, unwaveringly saying BEVS will comprise 10 percent of the market by decade’s end.
Things ought to pick up also, he said, as Nissan begins building the Leaf in Tennessee in late 2012, and the UK in early 2013.
As for the Volt, it was not a bad month, and being lower than the last month which happened to be a record does not add up to a negative trend.
Indeed, GM is doing what it said it would in building to meet demand, and has been producing them in decent numbers.
Further facts of interest are that for the 2012 calendar year to date, Detroit-Hamtramck has built 5,095 Volts and 3,382 Opel Amperas.
For 2012 model year to date, the assembly plant has so far turned out 16,336 Volts and 5,987 Amperas.
Ampera sales reported for April were 557 total units.



Source: GM-Volt.com

Michigan Chevrolet Dealership Selling 25 Volts Per Month

We’ve often seen suggestions for how GM could better advertise the Chevrolet Volt. True more could be done, but the actual transaction takes place at the dealership, and regardless of political, economic or corporate marketing factors, one Michigan dealership is consistently delivering 25 Volts per month. In a feature by Forbes yesterday, Serra Chevrolet in Southfield was shown to be capitalizing on the fact it’s on GM’s home turf, and going well beyond, it has honed a sales formula to move inventory proving the Volt need not be merely a showpiece “halo” car. There are nearly 2,600 Volt-selling Chevy dealers in the country, and could you imagine what potential is there if each sold only three Volts month after month? That’s 7,800 units, a little more than the number GM sold last year. But as Forbes observes, that may be a stretch, as the average auto dealer in 2010 sold just 653 vehicles, and last month was the Volt’s best at 2,289 sold. Nonetheless, Serra, which opened only around a year ago, is cranking out the Volts. “We’re getting in 25 a month” from the GM factory in nearby Detroit, “and we’re selling 25 a month,” said Serra’s General Manager, Greg Brown, to Forbes contributor, Dale Buss. “We only have five left on the lot; we should always probably have 15 to 20 here at the dealership. So we just put in an order for another 25.” Boiled down to the basics, Serra has a top-down dedication to the Volt, its own Excel spreadsheet to demonstrate how the car makes sense, plenty of Volts on hand, and all its sales people are proficient at explaining the car. Following are the main points Brown relayed to Forbes that together outline the dealership’s Volt sales formula: • Cross-selling the car • Creating sales-force expertise • Coming up with new sales hooks • Playing the parent card • Keeping Volts in stock • Committing from the top • Using The Windmill Effect • Offering generous lease rates Number one on the list is “cross-selling,” and here is a reversal of the all-too-often told story whereby Chevrolet salespeople steer would-be Volt buyers away from GM’s purportedly expensive halo to easier sales like the Cruze and Malibu. Brown told Forbes the dealership has rapidly become a magnet for Volt shoppers, but about half the customers who purchase a Volt there do not start out with one in mind. “Since we really got to know the vehicle, we’ve been able to switch people from the Cruze, Equinox [crossover] and Malibu [midsize sedan] to Volt,” Brown said. This, he said, is accomplished by not having only one or two Volt-trained salespeople, but every single salesperson is fully comfortable discussing the Volt’s pros and cons. Brown said the dealership uses a consultative sales process to qualify whether the Volt fully makes sense – and often it does – but Brown says Serra’s salespeople are capable of leading a person to see that for themselves. Of course, neither Ralph Nader nor an editor from Consumer Reports is in charge there, so the dealership does rely on old fashioned salesmanship to help with the psychological factors in the decision. That’s where being creative with new sales hooks and playing the parent card come in. A sales hook need not be mind games and manipulation though, rather one example was showing how much gasoline per month the Volt could save compared to a conventional car. “A payment on a Volt might be $150 more a month,” Brown explained. “But we can show them that they’d be saving $150 or $200 a month in gas with a Volt, so it might make sense for them.” The “parent card” was mentioned as a potential aid to closing the deal based on the simple fact that teenagers need not ask the parents for gas money. “And if they are hitting you up for gas money if they’re driving a Volt, then you know that they’re driving the car further than they should be,” Brown joked. Of course, if you are a parent, you can decide whether you are willing to turn your young driver loose with a new Volt … Other factors adding up to Serra’s ability to deliver 25 Volts per month include keeping plenty of cars in stock, and “committing from the top.” Regarding this second point, it simply means sales managers are all about the Volt, and encourage sales people to be also. As for the last two points in Serra’s formula, the “windmill effect” and “offering generous lease rates” the second one probably needs no explaining, but the windmill effect is an environmentalist pitch. Just as GM has been doing from the corporate level – issuing press releases showing how environmentally consciousness it is with solar installations, efficient light bulbs, recycling, etc. – Serra has a little bit of green cred to boast of as well. In this case it has two large windmills reportedly quite visible to passers by that provide 15 percent of its electricity, and it offers a Volt charging station on the premises. “Those aspects of the store, and the mindset of the Volt, go hand-in-hand,” Brown said. “It helps.” All told, the synergy adds up to a whole lot of Volt sales, Brown said. Now just imagine if other Chevy dealerships yet finding it tough to sell Volts – or preferring not to – took these steps too

Cadillac Converj / ELR - VIDEO

Cadillac Converj video:

The Cadillac ELR could be launched as a 2014 model

Do not be surprised if GM announces at what it deems the appropriate time that the Cadillac ELR will be launched as a 2014 model year vehicle.
Since Wednesday, conjecture has been mixed with what little has so far been divulged about the extended-range Cadillac based on an unintended GM OnStar revelation – while in related news, it has been said the ELR will be made available in China.
As for the unintended revelation story, a blogger named Christopher Price reportedly checked the OnStar Web site to see whether his Pontiac G6 was due for service and whether it was compatible with OnStar’s RemoteLink smartphone technology.
On the list of compatible cars he discovered the 2014 Cadillac ELR, and thus far, this is the only possible confirmation that the extended-range Cadillac will be produced for that year.

The 2009 Converj relabeled the “ELR.”
Previous statements made last year by GM of Europe head Nick Reilly had been that no new Voltec models would be spun off before 2015. We now have reason to believe that Reilly’s assertions might have only pertained to Europe, given the 2014 ELR.
The OnStar revelation also listed a “Chevrolet SS Performance” model which could be used as a platform for a NASCAR racer, and that has the GM enthusiasts’ rumor mill also swirling.
As for the plug-in Caddy, so far it’s still being said it will share the same powertrain the Volt has – a 1.4-liter gasoline generator plus electric motor and 16-kwh lithium-ion T-shaped battery.
The 2+2 coupe is to be considerably more upscale, more aesthetically pleasing, and positioned as a global halo vehicle for GM. But the company has been silent as to whether it will boast more power – as some think it should – or whether a new generation Volt would also see more power, range or both.
Yesterday in a phone interview, Cadillac spokesman Brian Corbett said only that “production is not imminent,” and GM will make an announcement with more info on ELR specs, launch date, and more, at a time closer to production.

The ELR is based on the Converj Concept as this 2009 video shows.
In other news this week, GM has revealed – deliberately, not as a rumor – that the global halo Cadillac will indeed be sold in China, the brand’s second-largest market. GM said both the ELR and full-sized XTS gasoline-powered sedan were confirmed as due for launch, although naturally, the date for the ELR introduction remains shrouded until GM decides to let us all know.
Since debuting in China in 2005, Cadillac’s market acceptance there has steadily grown, its fortunes as a prestigious American status symbol rising also with that of what is now the world’s largest auto market – and major market for all manner of trappings necessary to feed a growing trend toward conspicuous consumption.
Don Butler, Cadillac vice president of marketing, said by the end of the decade GM expects China to account for half of all luxury purchases in the world – in all categories, not just cars. But of course it does like its cars too.
“China has quickly become the fastest-growing market for Cadillac. Last year, sales rose by 73 percent,” said GM CEO Dan Akerson. “Introducing the XTS is part of our strategy of adding one new model per year to our Cadillac lineup in China through 2016 to address the needs of luxury car buyers nationwide.
We have seen speculative reports that the ELR could be launched in China as early as 2013, but have no reason to believe this would happen until GM actually confirms that – and, again, it’s more likely the car will be produced by 2014. Corbett also would not confirm whether the U.S. would get the car first, but as that was the case with the Volt, it’s likely with the ELR.

Also awaiting confirmation is whether Cadillac will build the ELR – or Volt, for that matter – in China. Thus far it has not yet said it would build the Volt in China, but it will build Cadillac’s “new definition of luxury,” the 2013 XTS there with joint venture partner Shanghai General Motors (SGM), and is quite unequivocal about the allure of that market.
Presently there are 68 Cadillac dealers in China, and by the end of the year, GM projects this to nearly double to 120.
“Our dealers in China are experiencing strong growth, with some of them quickly becoming among the largest and best we have in the world,” said Butler.
“The average age of a Cadillac buyer in China is 35, signifying the explosive growth of the luxury marketplace and consumer perceptions of Cadillac,” GM said.
“We’re very encouraged by the positive response Chinese luxury consumers have to Cadillac,” said Butler.
“Qualities like innovation and entrepreneurship are admired by many luxury consumers in China, which aligns well with Cadillac. The American spirit of Cadillac creates a distinct and compelling position in the luxury marketplace.”
It sounds like many in the upwardly mobile, electric-vehicle friendly country would be eager to get their hands on the premier Cadillac, the ELR, and no doubt GM will make it so just as soon as it deems the appropriate time has come.
The U.S. is however still Cadillac’s number one market – at least for now – so keep your eyes open for more news as the days count down to a 2014 model-year announcement.


Source: GM-Volt.com

GM shows design of Chevrolet EN-V 2.0 mobility concept vehicle in Beijing

General Motors showed the company’s vision of the Chevrolet EN-V 2.0 concept at Auto China 2012 today. It is an evolved design of the company’s mobility concept revealed at World Expo 2010 Shanghai. The EN-V 2.0 concept would use technologies such as the mobility Internet, electrification and telematics to help change the automotive landscape and ensure a sustainable future for our industry. —Kevin Wale, president and managing director of the GM China Group The original EN-V (Electric Networked-Vehicle) concept was a centerpiece of the SAIC-GM Pavilion at World Expo 2010 Shanghai. The two-seat electric vehicle was based on the convergence of electrification and connectivity. It was developed to show the possibilities for alleviating concerns surrounding traffic congestion, parking availability, air quality and affordability for tomorrow’s cities. The EN-V 2.0 concept adds features that consumers demand such as in-vehicle climate control and personal storage space. In addition, it would be capable of driving in all weather and city road conditions. GM expects to use EN-V 2.0 prototype models in pilot studies throughout China. Source: Green Car Congress

Ampera may outsell Volt in its first year

The Volt’s Euro twin siblings, the Ampera variants, are on track to surpass first-year Volt sales.
This news for the Opel/Vauxhall twins may come as little surprise, but as you’ll recall, GM missed its 10,000-unit target last year after the federal battery investigation and American politics were blamed on slowing momentum to 7,761 units sold.
Well, the Ampera just being introduced has over 7,000 orders, of these a good 60 percent are fleet customers, and the Detroit News reported that Enno Fuchs, e-mobility launch director for Adam Opel AG, said it will be no sweat topping 10,000 Amperas by year’s end.


“We are quite sure that our sales target of 10,000 units (in 2012) is within reach,” Fuchs wrote in an email to the publication.
We’ve been hearing similar things from European GM executives since last year, and even if things for the Volt were off to a rocky start here, the Amperas and European Chevrolet-badged Volts are being comparatively better received.
No doubt it has partly to do with high fuel prices there, and that the Volt has already passed a gauntlet in its home country further proving to progressive Europeans – particularly deeper-pocketed fleet buyers – that the car is a safe bet.
Also not hurting the situation, the Volt/Ampera was recently named the first American car to receive European Car of the Year, and – although priced like a modest luxury car – it is taking sales from competitors, including diesels, even in some countries where no tax credits exist, but a VAT tax does.
Months ago there was some talk of asking GM for more than the first year’s Ampera allocation, so we shall see whether this is deemed feasible in months to come.
The Ampera sells for 41,900 Euros (about $55,300) and it is noteworthy that from the beginning GM has invested in more Voltec variants in Europe than it has in America.
In Europe you can choose between an Ampera or Volt, whereas in the States, we have just the Volt. Perhaps we should also comb news there for test mule sitings or other clues to the second generation Volt?
Meanwhile, Volt sales are picking up here, and GM will sell more than 10,000 in the U.S, having delivered 3,915 year to date through March, and more of these were individual consumer sales.



Source: GM-Volt.com

Volt Production Resumes One Week Early

The Volt is back on track following the best-in-its-history March sales of 2,289 units.

This tops December’s 1,529 units, and GM CEO Dan Akerson has been quoted saying he’d like to see 2,000-3,000 per month, but we’ve heard others at GM say they’d not be surprised if April is weaker month than last.

With the politically mixed environment it has had to face, the “batterygate” issue behind it, and more positive pressure for sales, GM’s halo car still has industry watchers waiting to see where it will go.

Other sales-inducing factors include the solo-HOV-lane legal California Volts now available, ever-rising fuel prices, and an apparent taming of some of the critics, not to mention conservative public figures coming out in its favor besides.

Still, the Volt catches criticism for its price, which despite government subsidies being available, has even some of those who otherwise love the car expressing hope for a decrease. Other early adapters have said they are fine with it, have said it is a good value where it is, and are reaping big savings month after month.

Adverting, marketing, word of mouth recommendations – and a fairly low lease rate deal being offered – are all other factors that stand to increase sales, and most of all are the underlying fundamentals: It is an idea whose time has come.


Source: GM-Volt.com

2013 Chevrolet Volt options - again

One more driving mode, one less color.

That's the crux of the changes in store for the 2013 Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in electric vehicle. Changes for the 2013 model year will include a driving mode that lets drivers force the car into gas-powered, extended-range mode in situations where it's most advantageous to switch out of EV-only mode, GM Inside News reports.

Driver can choose the Volt's "EV Hold Mode" in certain cases, such as when the route consists of a bunch of highway driving prior to city driving, according to the publication. Switching over to extended-range mode, in which the gas-powered on-board generator is used, would be best in that situation because high speeds drain a plug-in's battery charge a lot more rapidly than city driving. "EV Hold Mode" is standard on the Volt's European sister vehicle, the Opel Ampera. The closest that U.S. drivers can do with today's Volt is engage "Mountain Mode."

Additionally, the Volt will eschew its black roof and trunk backing and will go to body colors for those parts of the car for 2013. Other improvements include a lane-departure warning system that's becoming commonplace on many U.S. vehicles.

GM released details of the 2013 Volt following the model's most successful sales month since its late-2010 debut. The automaker sold 2,289 Volts in March, a monthly record that is more than three times higher than figures from a year earlier. The Volt missed the 10,000-unit target set by GM for 2011, moving just 7,671 units last year.


Source: Autoblog Green

Chevrolet, GMC price bi-fuel pickups $11,000 above suggested base-vehicle price

Chevrolet and GMC extended cab heavy-duty pickup trucks with a bi-fuel option will sell for $11,000 above the suggested base-vehicle price. Fleet and retail customers can place orders for the 2013Ú Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra 2500 HD beginning 19 April.

The pickups, which run on compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline, have a Vortec 6.0L V8 engine that seamlessly transitions between the two fuel systems. A single light-weight Type 3 tank in the bed maximizes available payload and bed space, offering more usable space than competitors.

The Silverado HD and Sierra 2500 HD offer customers fueling flexibility with a combined CNG and gasoline range of more than 650 miles—the longest range available in the bi-fuel truck market.

The pickups will be available in standard and long-box, two-or-four-wheel drive in the extended cab models, offering customization for specific needs.

CNG has maintained a significantly lower retail price than either gasoline or diesel. The current average price of CNG is equivalent to $1.89 per gallon of gasoline. Customers could save $5,000 to $10,000 over a three-year period, depending on their driving habits.

—Joyce Mattman, director, GM Commercial Product and Specialty Vehicles

The bi-fuel trucks will be covered by GM’s three-year, 36,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and five-year, 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and vehicle emissions warranty, meeting all Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) emission certification requirements.

The entire manufacturer-backed gaseous fuel system in the vehicles meets GM’s strict quality, durability, safety testing and is covered under the extensive warranty. The trucks are built in Fort Wayne, Ind., and then sent to the Tier One supplier for installation of the CNG bi-fuel delivery and storage system.



Source: Green Car Congress

2013 Chevrolet Volt Trim and Options Revealed

If reports are correct, over the weekend, GM released specifics about a host of model year trim and options changes for the 2013 Volt.

Perhaps the big news is an EV Hold mode – a la Ampera – and deletion of the black-colored roof and rear liftgate.

We do not have photos of the new models which will have body colored roof and liftgates, nor have we seen pricing, and GM’s media site sure doesn’t mention the changes at all.

Other deletions of note are the Bluetooth for phone, 30 GB hard drive, and they’re changing the five-spoke wheels to a new design of five-spoke painted wheels – haven’t seen them either.

Although GM has not confirmed it, a GM-Volt reader with the initials GSB has maintained that Crystal Red Metallic as shown on this Volt with the polished wheels is the fastest color, and others have widely agreed.

According to gmauthorityy.com, a new paint color – Silver Topaz Metallic – will be available, and while we could go on, we’ll just list all reported additions, subtractions, and changes with thanks to GMAuthority.com.

It and GMInsideNews reported it, and http://rumors.automobilemag.com/2013-volt-rumored-to-get-ev-mode-body-trim-color-changes-125609.html grabbed the news also but hedged the report calling it a “rumor.”


Source: GM-Volt.com

Hyundai will make 'limited' number of fuel-cell vehicles this year, 'thousands' by 2014

Hyundai has confirmed that it will make a "limited" number of hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV) this year for testing purposes, with a goal of making as many as 10,000 FCEVs annually by 2015.

The South Korean automaker is testing an FCEV based on the Tucson crossover which will be part of test fleets around the world during the next couple of years. Hyundai wasn't specific about how many units of the Tucson ix Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle it will make this year.

The company is "willing to provide a sufficient number of FCEVs where hydrogen infrastructure is available during 2012-2015," Hyundai said in a statement sent to AutoblogGreen. "All we can say is that we have said we will make a limited supply in 2012, and anticipate thousands will be available globally through 2014."

Torque News reported that Hyundai would make as many as 1,000 FCEVs this year, and that the car would be priced at $88,550 before incentives and any tax credits. Hyundai is looking to cut that price to $50,000 by 2015, Torque News said.

Hyundai is among a number of automakers – Toyota, General Motors and Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler among the others – that have targeted 2015 for FCEV mass production. With such plans in place, Pike Research estimated late last year that a million FCEVs will be cumulatively sold by the end of the decade, down from Pike Research's previous estimate of about 2.8 million vehicles.



Source: Autoblog Green

Mitsubishi companies launch smart grid demonstration system using EVs and used battery packs

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Mitsubishi Electric) have completed the development and begun the operation of M-tech Labo, a smart grid demonstration system consisting of a 20 kW photovoltaic system, 5 electrically-dischargeable electric vehicles (EVs) and 80 kWh of used rechargeable batteries collected from EVs.

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate load shifting by charging at night when demand is low, storing power produced from renewable sources in rechargeable batteries, and supplying such power back to the grid when factory facilities and offices face peak demand.

MC, MMC and Mitsubishi Electric also expect that utilizing EV batteries and used rechargeable batteries, instead of expensive, dedicated batteries, will lower costs while promoting the environmental-benefits of renewable energy and EVs.

Tokyo Institute of Technology is playing an advisory role for the project. This demonstration project is part of the KEIHANNA Eco-City Next-Generation Energy and Social Systems Demonstration Project, one of the four smart grid initiatives authorized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Project targets for this fiscal year include:

Reduction of electricity fluctuation at the Administration Building of MMC’s Nagoya Plant by utilizing electricity from M-tech Labo at a maximum power of 50 kW (Target: 33% reduction of the 180 kW fluctuation range).

Validation of EIS (Electric vehicle Integration System) which aggregates data and information of available dischargeable capacity and hours of each EV while still allowing the EV to be used as a mean of transportation.

The three companies will collaborate in project implementation and application of knowledge obtained. The primary roles of each company are:

MC: Study of electricity-related business utilizing of rechargeable EV batteries and used rechargeable batteries.

MMC: Research on the effect of discharging and charging on EVs, and on the necessary information and data from EVs.

Mitsubishi Electric: Validation of a system that can effectively utilize rechargeable EV batteries and used rechargeable batteries.

EV-Only Mode May Come To Chevy Volt

Though the Chevy Volt and Vauxhall Ampera are built on the same platform, the reception the two cars have received could not be more different. While the Volt has been polarized and bastardized as a product of Obama, the Ampera sold out before it ever went on sale. There is another key difference too; the Ampera lets you select when you use EV mode and charge-sustaining mode, whereas the Volt does not. But that may soon change.

We first reported on this feature back in October, when it became apparent that the EV-only mode was only available on the Vauxhall Ampera. U.S. Volt buyers get no such option. This feature was put in so that drivers of the Ampera could run on electricity only, allowing them to avoid congestion charges in major cities like London or Paris. These congestion charges allow EV drivers to avoid a fee, and the Ampera lets its drivers decide when to use EV mode, and when to run on the petrol engine.

GM has yet to make any official announcement regarding an EV-only mode for the Volt, though at a recent breakfast meeting, one GM exec reportedly said that they were considering such a feature for U.S. models. First they’d have to discuss things with the EPA, but if I am not mistaken, the Prius Plug-In will also have a selectable EV mode…so no problem there.

Allowing drivers to select when to turn on or off the EV mode could result in even better gas mileage results, as drivers know their vehicles and routes better than GM. But logic and common sense sometimes gets lost on GM’s factory floor…hopefully this is one feature that is the exception.

Source: Gas2.0

Detroit-Hamtramck will resume Volt production a week early as sales rise

Chevrolet’s Volt could be considered a grandfather among a yet-small but growing segment of plug-in vehicles that rely on electric power as a source of propulsion.

We’ve heard all about how the Volt has been targeted by opponents to what it could all lead to – and can do now – to wean away from petroleum reliance, but the Volt has shaken off many of the malignant allegations, and enthusiasm for it is growing.

Following another record sales month in March, General Motors has said it will cut the time out it has given its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant from five weeks down to four.

GM North America President Mark Reuss told the Detroit News the company is heartened by 2,289 Volts sold in March, and expects the higher average momentum to continue, but he will not forecast actual numbers.

The company’s CEO, Dan Akerson, has been quoted as saying he’s looking for 2,000-3,000 per month, but GM’s official posture is it will manage inventory closely to match supply to demand.

The five-week closure now shortened by one week had been from Mar. 19-April 23, and had been just for this reason in light of negative press and nationwide inventory considered excessive.

Industry watchers also note the company is continuing with a favorable lease package, and wants and needs the positive press to continue.

In rather a unique category as a “plug-in car,” the Volt, launched December 2010 – as was the Nissan Leaf battery electric vehicle – has not been threatened to date by the Leaf’s month after month sales.

And while the tide is seemingly turning further for the politicized Volt, and some Republicans have been very conspicuously featured lately as endorsing the car, eyes also are on the Prius plug-in hybrid, which scored 911 units sold its first partial month in March.

For its first sales month, the Prius PHV made a sizable splash into what is a small but growing pond of plug-in electric cars tracked by the HybridCars.com Dashboard. Sales of all brands combined in February added up to 1,662 units, with a total market share or “take rate” of 0.15 percent , and in March this jumped to 4,161 total vehicles with a take rate of 0.30 percent.

There is a proverb that says people ought not to look down upon “small beginnings” and fact is, everyone has to start somewhere. This industry has many players posturing and preparing for growth, and the Dashboard’s plug-in numbers do not count Coda and Fisker which do not regularly report sales, or Tesla which when last we checked, said it has over 12,000 pre-orders for its Model S.

As for the Volt vs. Prius vs. Leaf question – three different kinds of technology with the common denominator of ability to plug into the electricity grid – a sense of rivalry will always be there, but the big picture is the market is growing with major commitment and sentiment expressed by respective plug-in automakers ranging from mildly bullish to fully optimistic.

Source: GM-Volt.com

2013 Chevrolet Spark to start at $12,995*

PRESS RELEASE

Chevrolet is taking the guesswork out of the car-buying process with a new, simpler approach to pricing and packaging for the 2013 Spark. When the mini car goes on sale later this year, Spark will be available in three well-equipped trim levels starting at $12,995 including destination.

Spark is a sporty, fuel-efficient, four-passenger, five-door hatch designed to excite first-time car buyers and city dwellers with bold styling, attention-grabbing colors – including Salsa, Jalapeno, Denim, Lemonade and Techno Pink – engaging driving dynamics, the personalized connectivity of MyLink, and the safety of 10 standard air bags.

Spark also offers more passenger and cargo room than other mini cars such as the Fiat 500, Smartfortwo and Scion IQ.

"With the Spark Chevrolet has the opportunity to connect with a new generation of car buyers who expect more from every product they purchase," said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet Global Marketing. "So we wanted to make the process of choosing a Spark as simple as possible by reducing the number of stand-alone options and providing more standard content to each trim level at a competitive price."

Spark LS starting at $12,995 includes:

• Standard 1.2L Ecotec engine and five-speed manual transmission
• Standard convenience features including air conditioning, power windows, rear window wiper, auxiliary input jack, outside temperature display and trip computer
• 15-inch alloy wheels
• 60/40 split flip-and-fold rear seat
• Comprehensive safety package including 10 air bags, electronic stability control with traction control and brake assist
• OnStar Directions & Connections plan standard with six-month introductory subscription

Spark 1LT starting at $14,495 includes LS standard content and adds:

• Standard 7-inch color touch radio with Chevrolet MyLink, Bluetooth connectivity for select phones, steering wheel audio controls, USB port and Sirius XM Radio with three-month trial subscription
• Other standard convenience features include power door locks with remote keyless entry, theft deterent system, outside power mirrors, floor mats, visor mirrors, and cruise control

Spark 2LT starting at $15,795 includes all 1LT standard content and adds:

• Unique 15-inch alloy wheels
• Fog lamps
• Exterior appearance enhancements including silver painted roof rails; chrome lift gate handle, exhaust outlet and beltline molding; body-color lower rocker molding; front and rear body-color sport fascias with unique front upper and lower grille inserts
• On the interior, leatherette seats and heated front seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel

A 4-speed automatic transmission is available on all models for $925. The only other available options include an engine block heater for $75 and Black Granite paint for $195.

Chevrolet MyLink in the Spark will include Pandora internet radio and Stitcher Smart Radio apps. Later in the model year, the recently introduced GogoLink – an embedded smartphone application that delivers full-function navigation including live traffic updates – will be available. Pricing for GogoLink will be announced later.

Spark is the only car in its segment to provide the added value of a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and the safety and security of OnStar.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Improving Chevy Volt sales leads GM to shorten summer shutdown

Just the other day, we heard that General Motors might extend its traditional two-week summer shutdown to three weeks for the Chevrolet Volt. But, after record Volt sales last month, we wonder how the calendar looks in Hamtramck now. We wonder because we are hearing reports that the current shutdown – originally scheduled to run for five weeks, from March 19 to April 23 – will be shortened by a week. GM originally decided on the hold to reduce supply that had grown too large because of soft demand.

Don LaForest, the chairman of the United Auto Workers bargaining committee at the Hamtramck plant where the Volt is made, told Talking Points Memo that GM is "adding a week of production back in." The Detroit News reports that GM President of North America Mark Reuss said the same thing Wednesday during the New York Auto Show. Reuss said, "We're doing it because we sold a lot."

Increasing sales numbers (GM sold 2,289 Volts in March – well over double February's 1,023-unit total) come at a time when some of the right-wing attacks on the plug-in hybrid appear to have calmed down. LaForest told TPM that his union workers have been confused about these criticisms. "I don't think Newt or Mitt have said a single negative thing about the Nissan Leaf," he said. "They're attacking our car to get at the President. But our car is going to change the way America does business. It's a breath of fresh air."



Source: Autoblog Green

GM China signs MOU with CATARC for Chevrolet Volt demo fleet

General Motors China has signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) to manage GM’s Chevrolet Volt demonstration fleet in Beijing for one year and to help organize workshops and seminars that will build support among decision makers and key stakeholders for vehicle electrification policy in China.

The demonstration fleet vehicles will be delivered to CATARC during April.

GM and CATARC will form a joint working team that will be responsible for gathering feedback from Volt demonstration fleet usage to better target discussions and actions to support new energy vehicle policy in China. Specific objectives and goals of the partnership will be developed through the working team. According to the MOU, both GM and CATARC will also study how real-world performance, charging and infrastructure for the Volt and other electric vehicles can address the varying needs of Chinese consumers.

This partnership is strategically important to us. The Volt, with its cutting-edge and practical technologies, will provide information to assist us in preparing the Chinese market for future electrified vehicles.
—CATARC Director Zhao Hang

According to Ray Bierzynski, GM China executive director of Electrification Strategy, GM’s relationship with CATARC will provide GM access to top opinion leaders and policymakers.

To support the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, GM has recently installed charging poles at Tsinghua University, the office of SAE China, a Chevrolet dealership in Beijing as well as GM’s China headquarters in Shanghai. The company plans to install charging facilities at CATARC’s Tianjin headquarters as well.

China is among the initial markets to introduce the Volt following the United States.

CATARC is the most important third-party automotive technology service organization recognized by the Chinese government. It is playing a critical role in the development of new energy vehicles.


Source: Green Car Congress