GM sending more Chevrolet Volt demos to dealers

2011 Chevrolet Volt
2011 Chevrolet Volt

As part of its forward-thinking strategy, GM is sending more demo units of the Chevy Volt to dealers for display in showrooms. As a result however, sales will take a hit in April, but that is just temporary, as the move is seen as necessary in order to bake the Volt into GM’s long-term vision.

“It’s tough to limit the number of Volts for sale to potential customers when demand is so strong, but the Volt has value to the Chevrolet portfolio well beyond incremental sales,” said Cristi Landy, Chevrolet marketing director, in a statement. “Our Chevy dealers will keep their Volt demo units for six months, and then they sell these units at the conclusion of the demo period.”

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The company expects to sell between four- and five-hundred Volts in April, compared to 608 in March. Through March, 1,500 Volts have been sold since the car went on sale last year. For the first full year of production, GM expects to produce 15,000 Volts – 10,000 of which are meant to hit US showrooms.

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. The system puts out 149-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 4 hours to recharge on 240 volts, and about 10-12 hours on a standard 120-volt outlet. The Chevrolet Volt also carries an 84-hp 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 379   miles. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt gets an EPA estimated 93 miles per ’gallon-equivalent’ when driving under electric power only, 37 mpg when in gasoline mode and over the long term it is estimated to get 60 miles per gallon in combined gasoline-powered and electric-powered driving. Prices for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt start at $41,000 but with a full federal income tax credit (which range from $0 to $7,500), the Volt can cost a total of $33,500.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Detroit News