Introducing the 2016 Chevy Volt (2.0)

EMC guy is in australia. Prices are very different regionally.

 

I know, I was pointing out price differences between the Volt and the LEAF in the states.

 

In case anyone was wondering if the next Volt will be profitable:

Yes, The 2016 Chevy Volt Will Be Profitable | CleanTechnica

If they're smart, they'll start the price with a "2". $29,995 MSRP for the barebones version will probably entice a lot of people, especially if customers can get much of that $7500 tax credit (still kind of stupid how you can't carry this over, so only the high earners get the full amount, while the middle class joe gets shafted on this).

I suppose as long as it's less than the Gen 1 price though, probably $30-32k MSRP, it may get more people interested in it. But seriously, under $30k will get a lot of bites from folks on the fence with this new fangled technological car. Then make the money back in added features.

 

of course, the truth rarely escapes their lips, so, i'll keep wondering.

 

A bare bones Volt LS should be that low. If GM offers a LS. The Sonic and Cruze LS trims have a cheaper to make, less efficient engine to help with the low MSRP. Without an upgrade to a more desirable engine, GM might skip the LS trim for the Volt. Ford doesn't offer the Fusion hybrid in the base trim. They could still use cruise control and split folding rear seats, like in the Prius c and Insight2, though.

 

IMHO this is GM sticking its marketing foot in its mouth again.

GM probably has pulled $10K out compared to the 2011 volt, but big cost reduction has come in the battery, which already are baked into the current volt's price. I doubt the price will fall much. What platform cost reduction will do will increase the amount gm keeps on each one, which will help pay for that R&D to make it profitable.

Dumb to be raising expectations too high of a price drop that lower current sales of the volt.

 

Given the rare earth magnet reduction in the electric motors combined with transmission redesign, a more mainstream interior that lets them use bulk parts from other cars, and the fact that battery costs have dropped 50% since the first volt came about. I can see them knocking $10K off the car and keeping the same quality. The vast majority of the savings will be from the lack of rare earth magnets and battery costs. $8-9K cost reduction there, combined with streamlining production, for instance the new frame work is more than likely easier to build, requiring less man hours to make, and will be spread across multiple models. A $10K reduction from the original Volt cost without dropping quality would be feasible. Of course cost has nothing to do with sale price, I wouldn't hold my breath for anything under $32K. If they do manage to dip it down to the coveted $29,999 I will most certainly be surprised and impressed.

 

I bet that you'll be able to get a leftover 2015 Volt for under 30K sometime later this year.
With the government kickback?
It will be less than a base model Prius.

OK....maybe not, since the 2016 Prius might be the long awaited G4.

That and cheap gas means that it's going to be a GOOD TIME to buy either one.

 

I think gm is going to simply cut back production, and drop sales. Last year the first half had bad sales anyway. There will be some volt specials, but the new one is so much better in interior and range, I don't know why you would jump.

I expect that toyota will be discounting the prius, the gen IV doesn't come until the end of the year, the yen is really weak, management won't want sales to fall so much. Anyway that is my guess.

 

Could be, but I'm thinking that GM is reading the tealeaves about PHEV popularity.
they will only cut production if sales drop, ad they still have to recoup their engineering costs.
A half a piece of pie is better than no pie.

As far as the G1 Volt?
if they would have gone on sale for $29,999 two years ago they would have sold out in a day or two.
That means if you take the bean out of the equation, then $29,999 is still one helluva good price in late 2015 - especially since the G1 has a proven reliability record.
I only have two butt cheeks, and I try to stay in decent shape.
I have a 3 mile commute to work.

A four-seat G1 Volt will meet my needs.

 

Confirmed!

Details here:
New info on the Gen 2 transmission

 

Duplicate. Ignore.

 

Advertising $5000+ off any Prius here already.

 

wow.

 

That is going to kill my resale value.... OK I'm thinking near the end of the year I pick up an gen II volt purchase and get rid of the prius, or get an i3 or focus ev lease and keep the prius for long trips or muddy trips with dogs and bikes.

 

Did NC ever pass the extra registration fee/tax for hybrids and BEVs?

 

Don't think so.

They are in the process of changing the NC gas tax, spinning it as a tax cut when it can be looked on as a significant increase (The gas tax under current law was supposed to change mid-year and be solely based on the price of gas. The state has spent so much on other tax cuts the transportation budget is starved and they need cash for repairs and boondoggles for all the powers-that-be's home districts). They changed the peak tax rate so they can claim a tax cut while putting a floor on how low it can go. This will cost drivers if gas stays at all low.

There is also talk of considering a mileage tax. A play to the pickup V8 crowd who would rather pay by miles than by the gallon and who want to make sure us free riding road users who use less pay as much as they do.

I have no objection to them raising the gas tax, just object to their inability to be honest with voters.

 

yap, GM shamelessly took the styling from Koreans.

 

Is it shameless when you employ a Korean design division?

Hyundai, on the other hand, has been shamelessly taking styling from previous gen European cars.

A 1994ish Saab 900


A 2000 Accent

Note the nose to hood to windshield line.

The recent Hyundai's styling of their doors is like that of a previous generation Mercedes.

 

Gearheads here may be interested in today's front page article that I helped write at GM-Volt.com about the new 2016 Volt transmission design:

Gen 2 Volt Transmission Operating Modes Explained