Rush Limbaugh criticizes General Motors and the Volt

Posted: Jul 29, 2010
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2011 Chevrolet Volt

In a not so shocking display of his own ignorance, conservative pundit Rush Limbaugh criticized GM (one of his advertisers), and the Obama administration with regards to the government’s bailout of the former, and the company’s new Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle. Limbaugh scoffed at the $41,000 price tag applied by GM, and questioned the $7,500 tax credit added by the government.

“Obama and the government are admitting nobody wants this,” Limbaugh said, repeatedly referring to GM as “Obama Motors.”

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Volt.

In his criticism of the vehicle however, Limbaugh revealed his own ignorance. “That 40-mile range has to include you getting home, and staying home three to four hours to charge the thing,” he said. “It’s (a) 20-mile range.” He failed to mention (probably because he was unaware of) the fact that after the car exhausts its 40-mile range on exclusively electric power, the gasoline powered range extender takes over and provides for an additional 300 miles of travel.

In the utmost hypocritical fashion, Limbaugh admitted last year, after a tirade denouncing the bailout of GM, that he had taken advertising money from GM.

Apparently Limbaugh thinks that the technological advances and future implications that the Chevy Volt indicates for future AMERICAN green technology and energy consumption, is insignificant and wasteful. Fortunately, not many people with the slightest sense of awareness regarding the environment or the automotive industry agree.

Click here to read our first drive impressions of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

Refresher: The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is powered by 16-kWh, “T”-shaped lithium-ion battery that powers the electric drive unit, which allows it to drive 40 miles on battery power alone. According to GM”s preliminary specs, the system puts out 150-hp and a maximum torque of 273 lb-ft, allowing the Volt to go from 0-60 mph in about 9 seconds, hitting a top speed of 100 mph. The battery can be re-charged by plugging into a household outlet and takes less than 3 hours to recharge on 240 volts, and about 8 hours on a standard 120-volt outlet. The Chevrolet Volt also carries a 1.4 4-clyinder engine that allows the five-door, FWD sedan to travel additional miles while averaging a fuel-economy of 50 mpg. A fully charged battery and full tank of gas will allow the Volt to travel 300 miles.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

2011 Chevrolet Volt Production Show Car

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Free Press


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  • HorsePowerHaven

    well lets be honest; limbaugh is correct, obama is stuffing the volt down america's throat. ugly car, and he is also correct because no one actually wants to volt.

  • jnkyrdmaddog

    The Volt concept was unveiled Jan 2007 (and was the talk of NAIAS), one month before Obama announced his candidacy. Did Bush stuff the Prius down our throats or did it succeed on its on accord?

  • Obomunisim

    In a show of your ignorance, Limbaugh noted before his monologue that he had turned down a very lucrative advertising offer from GM on principal. The entire point of his Volt speech was to point out that in a free market a decent product doesn't need a $7500 tax incentive…using the iPhone as an example. By the way my Ford Explorer has a 360 mile range extender called a gasoline powered engine. So as I see it the Volt is a $41,000 Cavalier with a battery and an electric motor.

  • jnkyrdmaddog

    I hear the point, but shouldn't we stop all the billions/year in subsidies to the oil industry with that logic? Just because you wont buy a Volt doesn't mean Chevy wont sell them as fast as they can be produced until long after the tax incentive is gone. Enron, the Financial Crisis, the Oil and Coal disasters, Toyotas without Breaks: hiding behind the 'free' in free market has become rather passe, don't you think?

  • Fliguy2009

    I think Obama worked out a deal where he is making commission on every Volt sold. What a sad attempt on a electric vehicle for Obama Motors! Go check out the Nissan Leaf a little more impressive!

  • HorsePowerHaven

    a competitive market is best for everyone, competition is the motivator, but giving tax breaks is a bit counter productive. and as much as i want to support american made vehicles, the volt is pure ugly.. i can't believe even going to be produced, what a waste.

  • Obamunisim

    Sure, until the government gets its spending under control all tax incentives should be reconsidered. Simply put though if the people want a $41,000 economy car the Volt will sell, tax incentive or not. I have doubts that it will given that the electric range of the thing is only 40 miles followed by an 8 hour charge on standard household current. The idea is simply way ahead of the technology.

  • Jimh

    this is a scam that robs the taxpayers, these vehicles were scrapped when they were developed in the 50-60's at oakridge,tn. why should my tax dollars be donated so someone can buy a $40,000 pus car? jim hathcock , murfreesboro,tn.

  • prak

    Limbaugh is a f——ing idiot.
    I do believe that instead of keeping the price tag high and then giving a $7,500 incentive, just reduce the price by $7,500 and everyone is happy.

  • Obamunisim

    Limbaugh doesn't need me to defend him but my experience has been that the 'Limbaugh is a f___ing idiot' line is usually used by people who have never listened to his show and are relying on what they hear from the state run media.

  • Tommy

    Once again you didn't check your facts, Rush spent a considerable amount of time discussing the gasoline powered range extender and how it takes over and provides for an additional 300 miles of travel. He also stated that that was more than his current car. If you would have actually listened to him you would have heard the true statement that he made. What a disgrace to your profession!

  • Cinalray

    You have to be another idiot to defend him.

  • Obamunisim

    No, you have to have respect for the truth to defend him. When someone blogs about something without knowing the facts, pointing those facts out does not make you an idiot. Taking the opinion that this story was right (regardless of the facts) simply because it was anti-Limbaugh does however.

  • Tmg1950

    In a shocking (?) display of ignorance and an attempt to prove their own self-worth, this writer parlays his liberal agenda. No, its not shocking anymore. Liberals are hell-bent to force themselves down everyone else's throats. Mr. Limbaugh stands for the principles and the founders who made this country greater than any other. I used to think liberals were just not quite there yet about seeing the benefits of a free market economy, freedoms, and faith in God. I know now they are intentionally 180 degrees opposite of those those things and more, including common sense, and are very close minded. Of course, I listen to Rush regularly and know what he said and the perspective of it. The writer of this article should be reprimanded or better yet, maybe I'll just quite reading egmcartech (like I did with jalopnik) … that can be my vote at the car site ballot box.

  • Jennifer Smith

    First saw Rush on the Grace Under Pressure tour in 1984, New Haven CT. I was floored and amazed the whole time. I have not missed a tour since. I used to get Rush Tickets easily through Ticketwood.com .I think my favorite one was when I skipped school to go see the Power Windows tour in Mass. Believe me, there is nothing like a Rush show — mind blowing.