GM Confirms Cadillac version of Volt is Green Light and on the way

Not likely, but it's possible for GM to strip down the Volt and put the luxury extras into the Caddy. This lower the Chevy price, making it more available to those that want just a PHV. For those who want all the goodies in the original Volt, they will go to a Caddy dealer. Where they might decide to spend their $40,000+ on some other vehicle.

 

I like your post on this, it may be their strategy. I think a base Volt would help them compete in price and put some Volts in rentals, and start leasing them aggressively.

 

I'm sorry, but a ton and a half of way overpriced crap is still overpriced crap!

 

Having read all of the post ..... I still cannot get past the perception that the Volt is basically an expensive niche commuter car.

Unless the Cadillac variation of the Volt enlarges that portion of the niche best described as extended travel .... I cannot see that anyone, even fewer than the few Volt enthusiast, would want/need a luxury car to remain within 20 miles from home. Like owning a 50 foot yacht that never leaves the interior of the marina.

Said another way ... I have come to accept the Volt as a viable commuter car when the buyers circumstances fit within narrow niche constraints. I fail to see a market for a 35 mile range luxury car? I have read nothing about the demographics of todays Cadillac buyers, but my guess is that most are older (senior citizens); they hang their clothes on a rack in the rear seat; and drive greater distances to visit children and grandchildren. A 35 mile range is not going to get them much beyond the city limits.

 

I can't find much on the demographics of Caddy buyers but I did find:

The Cadillac Ecalade appeals to buyers under age 56, with 72 percent of buyers between the ages of 16 and 55 years old. In addition, Cadillac’s all-new SRX also appears to be attracting significantly younger buyers, with 46.4 percent under age 55 from January through April 2010, compared with 32.4 percent during the same time frame in 2009 — a 43.2 percent drop in buyer age.

— Grace Hamulic, PIN production manager at J.D. Power and Associates

Based on their TV ads Caddy is not targeting Grandpa. Years ago they realized they were in trouble because the average of their owners was increasing. They & the other luxury brands are targeting the middle-aged with money.

No car is perfect for everyone. For higher FE I could buy a used Insight but I don't like the battery & the smaller size as I do haul a load of crap often enough. A plug in hybrid will need to double my FE which seems unlikely because I commute 35 miles one way. A 100 mile EV doesn't have the range & a 230 mile Tesla Roadster is too small. Cars aren't sold by the pound. Performance matters whether it is speed, acceleration, fuel economy, or range is up to the buyer.

(I hate the idea that I'm defending GM but they seem to have built a decent car that's a good fit for some people.)

 

There's no getting around the cost of the battery at this point. That said, some of the expense is from the extras. A base Volt is about on par with the high level trim Prius(can you get heated seats in a Prius). Comparably equipping a Cruze will add almost $10 grand to the price.

Except for the possibility of making to more performance orientated, I don't see how GM can differentiate this Caddy from the Volt. A couple more speakers, some real wood accents?

Which is why I think what I posted earlier is more of a possibility. The 2012 Volt did move some standard equipment to the option list to shave the price. I don't see a technical reason why they couldn't bring it down to a base Cruze in equipment. Maybe even put in a smaller traction motor. It will still be pricey because of the battery, but more available to those who just want plug in hybrid.

 

Sheez - GM finally got around to at least trying to compete with the Prius. Consider the Volt. Years after the concept was first revealed - and ultimately WAY different then advertised - it seems to have sort of underwhelmed the buying public for all the reasons mentioned time and time again. Ok. Why not simply wait through the next few years for GM to do a repeat . . . over advertise / over promise, and under deliver ... You gotta give it to the folks at GM - they truely know how to stick to the plan.


.

 

Watch Fox news' Neil Cavuto posted by Green.Autoblog.com

Want to see overwhelming hatred for the Chevy Volt? Watch this Neil Cavuto montage

 

For every plug smug, there is one Neil Cavuto.

 

lol. I loved this gem from near the end - "and 80% of people who bought them end up getting divorced". Then he tells a guy that owns one and loves it - "You may know cars, but I watch car commercials. It looks stupid." Got to love the made up stuff from the 24 hour news stations. Probably why I don't watch people like neil, except when the daily show is making fun of him.

 

This is a sharp looking car. If sales figures of the Volt is good in 2012, this Caddy may do well.

 

I hope it has already gone through the wind tunnel.

 

I think GM should have tried a cheaper Volt(less battery) and a small SUV before building the more expensive Caddy. Can always put cheaper cars in rentals if sales are bad.

 

Fantastic news.... its about time GM makes other uses of the Volt's technology!

 

If they change technology, by starting all over again, would it be considered another use?
Then yes, I'm thrilled!

To keep Voltec II, as it is now, then no!