GM to increase Chevrolet Volt output to 5,000 units by Jan.

So far in 2011, the all-electric Nissan LEAF is outselling the Chevrolet Volt. Nissan has sold a total of 3,875 units of the LEAF this year, while GM has sold 2,745 units of Volt. GM is now planning to boost production of the Volt to 5,000 units a month as it seeks to pass the LEAF.

In order to outstrip Nissan, GM will make 5,000 units of the Volt a month as soon as January, Tony Posawatz, the director of the vehicle line.

Nonetheless, at today’s production level, both vehicles are in short supply.

Posawatz says that GM will quickly expand output to push toward a goal of selling 10,000 Volts in the United States this year.

“It’s fair to say GM underestimated demand for the Volt,” he said. “By January, the capacity we need will be online.”

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Volt.

Refresher: The 2012 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 2012 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 2012 Chevrolet Volt start at $39,995 but with a full federal income tax credit (which range from $0 to $7,500), the Volt can cost a total of $32,495.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

   

– By: Omar Rana

Source: Detroit News