Chevy to halt Volt production for 5 weeks
March 4th, 2012, 3:52 PM
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March 7th, 2012, 7:43 AM
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I think everyone knows that the Volt pricepoint precludes it from being a true mass market success, but GM must do more to promote the Volt Their idea of relying on owner generated buzz on social media is a joke. This is a new car with new technology that will live or die with a consumer base that does not yet exist. GM must promote this car to the mainstream touting more than the technology. This is a great car that fits the bill for many, if not most Americans. The fact that it's plug-in is a great bonus that probably, by itself, won't sell it to anyone but early adopters and eco-nerds. My sister drove mine when I visited her recently, and liked it because it was the right size, comfortable, and had all the bells and whistles she's used to (except power seats). She also figures that she would almost never need gas, except for long trips. So the gas thing is important, but wouldn't be a factor if the rest of the car wasn't great.
So GM might try the kind of promotion it does the rest of the line. If it sells well, it will be a great halo car to bring people in the showrooms. They might get a Volt, or they might opt for a Cruze or Malibu, but it will have done its' job as a halo. The half- hearted promotion we are seeing now has led to the shutdown and the kind of embarrassment associated with the old GM.
GM got the technology right. Now let's see if they know what to do with it.
So GM might try the kind of promotion it does the rest of the line. If it sells well, it will be a great halo car to bring people in the showrooms. They might get a Volt, or they might opt for a Cruze or Malibu, but it will have done its' job as a halo. The half- hearted promotion we are seeing now has led to the shutdown and the kind of embarrassment associated with the old GM.
GM got the technology right. Now let's see if they know what to do with it.
March 8th, 2012, 4:37 PM
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I think everyone knows that the Volt pricepoint precludes it from being a true mass market success, but GM must do more to promote the Volt Their idea of relying on owner generated buzz on social media is a joke. This is a new car with new technology that will live or die with a consumer base that does not yet exist. GM must promote this car to the mainstream touting more than the technology. This is a great car that fits the bill for many, if not most Americans. The fact that it's plug-in is a great bonus that probably, by itself, won't sell it to anyone but early adopters and eco-nerds. My sister drove mine when I visited her recently, and liked it because it was the right size, comfortable, and had all the bells and whistles she's used to (except power seats). She also figures that she would almost never need gas, except for long trips. So the gas thing is important, but wouldn't be a factor if the rest of the car wasn't great.
So GM might try the kind of promotion it does the rest of the line. If it sells well, it will be a great halo car to bring people in the showrooms. They might get a Volt, or they might opt for a Cruze or Malibu, but it will have done its' job as a halo. The half- hearted promotion we are seeing now has led to the shutdown and the kind of embarrassment associated with the old GM.
GM got the technology right. Now let's see if they know what to do with it.
So GM might try the kind of promotion it does the rest of the line. If it sells well, it will be a great halo car to bring people in the showrooms. They might get a Volt, or they might opt for a Cruze or Malibu, but it will have done its' job as a halo. The half- hearted promotion we are seeing now has led to the shutdown and the kind of embarrassment associated with the old GM.
GM got the technology right. Now let's see if they know what to do with it.
March 9th, 2012, 9:05 PM
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My words also. Why on earth did they price it like a Lincoln Town Car? Folks are buying up the Prius' and not even test driving the Volt. Chevy can afford to lower the price so middle class folks can own it. They'd better hurry up or the Chevy Volt may become the Chevy Dinosaur.
March 12th, 2012, 11:14 AM
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I took a Volt for a test drive last weekend and really liked its performance. They seem to have thought of just about everything in the gadget department. After the drive I went in to the sales office to see how the payments would look with trading in my 2010 Malibu. I know the price of the car but was really disappointed with a 5 year monthly of over $450. Now that didn't include any down-payment but that's ridiculous. The people who can afford it don't care about the cost of gas and would rather spend the money on a guzzler. I would have jumped on the Volt purchase if it was even close to my Malibu payments. Disappointing...
Last edited by pcochrane; March 12th, 2012 at 11:27 AM. Reason: more detail
March 14th, 2012, 6:24 PM
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thankfully the govt is giving an instant credit now, so it will soon be like a malibu payment, that tax credit is also bumped to 10k, so it would be like buying a $30 000 car
on the other end, i do agree gm needs to advertise more, the small amount of social media done is very dumb for a vehicle like this, it is attacked by polititions, media and anyone else who has a grudge with GM or the current administration. its time to get bob lutz to write and star in comercials for the volt.
there isnt anyone in the world who can explain car common sense like bob
on the other end, i do agree gm needs to advertise more, the small amount of social media done is very dumb for a vehicle like this, it is attacked by polititions, media and anyone else who has a grudge with GM or the current administration. its time to get bob lutz to write and star in comercials for the volt.
there isnt anyone in the world who can explain car common sense like bob
March 15th, 2012, 10:35 AM
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I can't locate any info on an instant credit or that it's been bumped to $10k. If it's true it would make the difference for me. I'll keep an eye out for it.
I remember reading about the Volt when the pricing first came out that they weren't making any money on it at that pricepoint. So, it's got to be difficult to pour money into advertising. But, since they seem to be commited to it and it appears to be the future in at least small cars, they've got to do it better.
I remember reading about the Volt when the pricing first came out that they weren't making any money on it at that pricepoint. So, it's got to be difficult to pour money into advertising. But, since they seem to be commited to it and it appears to be the future in at least small cars, they've got to do it better.
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March 15th, 2012, 1:33 PM
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March 16th, 2012, 8:03 AM
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I can't locate any info on an instant credit or that it's been bumped to $10k. If it's true it would make the difference for me. I'll keep an eye out for it.
I remember reading about the Volt when the pricing first came out that they weren't making any money on it at that pricepoint. So, it's got to be difficult to pour money into advertising. But, since they seem to be commited to it and it appears to be the future in at least small cars, they've got to do it better.
I remember reading about the Volt when the pricing first came out that they weren't making any money on it at that pricepoint. So, it's got to be difficult to pour money into advertising. But, since they seem to be commited to it and it appears to be the future in at least small cars, they've got to do it better.