Chevy Volt is 99% Ready

How much? $40K? Even at that price, I would prefer it over a Porsche Panamera for $90K--which is what it resembles in styling from the pic.

 

you know what happens when you assume!

 

I wonder why they're not advertising like crazy?

 

EPA just have to decide on the fuel economy testing method.

 

Wonder if they'll tell the dealers before the haulers show up?

 

What's taking so long to make the other 1% ???

 

Price $37,499 - $7,500 tax credit = $29,999.
Available in November, 2010 at your dealership.
4,000 units for Q4/2010 and Q1/2011.

 

(Source GM Volt link)
"Comparing with hybrids"
..."they recharge by capturing the energy from braking and with the help of generators"

Well, if Volt does not do that also, then is not ready for battle.

Does anyone can confirm that?

 

Almost like a typical software project.

In the early 1980s, we had a software manager reporting progress that seemed to freeze at 90%, week after week. The program manager, Dick Hicks, one day said in a loud voice after a month of '90%' that "Ninety percent isn't good enough! Its perfect! Ship it!"

What Dick accomplished was to get the software out of the developer hands and into the integration and test team and operations staff. They quickly identified the problems and by priority, they were worked off.

There comes a time when the development team has to 'step away from the project' and let the integration and test team and customers get hands on. I have no idea how good or bad it will turn out other than every new project starts with some rough spots. The key is how quickly and throughly the developers are able to fix the problems.

Bob Wilson

 

Bring it on! Finally a vehicle that is competitive with the Prius. I can't wait to test drive one.

 

Is that what you think? I do not see the Volt as Prius competition except in the very local, commuter niche. It is a viable alternative for only buyers with money to purchase a commuter car as a second vehicle. The Prius is much better suited for the one vehicle family.

I predict the Volt will be a great, quiet, efficient vehicle for the short commute; there will be complaints when the short range is exceeded and with ICE operations.

I can't wait to see what the car public reaction is when the Volt enters daily use.

 

You know, some people may laugh at this statement. But there is some truth to it. My best friend is a Toyota mechanic and every now and then I'll ask him something like, "Oh. did you hear about this new toyota model they are making?" and he will have no idea what I'm talking about. Then he'll say, "They pretty much don't tell us anything. The first we'll hear of a new product is when one rolls into the service department for the first time. Then a few weeks after that, they'll send us off for some training on it."

 

That is crazy-talk. I'd rather have a Volt ten-to-one over a Prius. Three-to-one over a plug-in prius.

At this point we can't really talk reliability since the Volt hasn't been on out the streets yet. But if we are just comparing feature to feature, the Volt has the Prius beat. I imagine the only reason the Prius will continue to sell is because of limited availability of the Volt and the high price tag.

 

Volt should be good for commuters or a family of 4 without pet. It belongs in the subcompact market. The cars in this market are around $10k so even with the tax credit it will be a tough sell.

 

The only reason?
Not at all, I would say a fresh model has something to prove against a very mature Prius. Remember Prius is one of the most reliable cars actually! And still had recalls every now and then.
Feature to feature, I can't see where Volt is a step ahead - one thing is what you read, other is what GM can effectively do.
Where and when were made the consumer tests? Toyota has a 3year program for its PHV Prius, and the actual Prius HV IIgen is already tested, 2 million units sold and at a good level of development! Engineering at Toyota is taken at a high level of confindence.

 

Well .... we shall see. Actually, I hope the Volt sells well so the taxpayers can get their money back.

"I imagine the only reason the Prius will continue to sell is because of limited availability of the Volt and the high price tag."

The "ONLY" reason .... like I say ... we shall see, but I fully expect Totota to continue to manufactur and sell the Prius, and, for the Prius to be a top seller, further, that a G4 will follow in time.

Oh ... that "high price tag" is no small problem for GM.

BTW, I do not consider the Prius to be the Volt's competition ... how about the Leaf ... the Leaf appears to be a much more reasonable EV solution than the Volt .. plus greater seating capacity, lower cost and longer range.

On last suggestion ... when you test drive the new Volt, be sure and drive it long enough for the ICE to start ... I suspect there will be surprises.

.

 

From the Volt the had on display at the 2009 L.A. Auto Show, the Volt was certainly the size of a full-size car (appearance - I didn't pull out my measuring tape and force my way onto the stage ). Although,bit's possible that the actual production version or the measured dimensions could be different.