Chevy Volt: Can it change perception of GM?
The Volt made a recent publicity stop at NASCARFor many Americans, the Chevy Volt has become the savior of the US auto industry. A made in America foreign oil dependency freedom fighter. And, one day, it might just be that, but not any time soon.
In the interim, however, can it change the perception of GM and its ability to build quality automobiles?
Finish: Chevy Volt: Can it change perception of GM?
Labels: Chevy Volt electric vehicle concept, GM, Hybrid Vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, toyota, toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns at
8:24 AM
3 Comments:
FULL STORY
For many Americans, the Chevy Volt has become the savior of the US auto industry. A made in America foreign oil dependency freedom fighter. And, one day, it might just be that, but not any time soon.
In 2013, for instance, if all goes well GM will probably be making about 60,000 Volts per year.
That won't even dent foreign oil dependency, especially when the CAFE credits the Volt will quality for will be used to help gas guzzlers loophole through CAFE legislation.
In reality, it will probably take a good decade for economies of scale and manufacturing experience to achieve cost-effective range extended EVs. So, why is GM pushing the Volt so hard?
It's obviously not to find buyers.
Because of technological constraints, GM won't be able to keep up with demand. Finding Volt buyers won't be a problem for several years, at least not until GM starts selling a few hundred thousand Volts per year.
In the short term, the Volt is about perception.
The Volt says GM can compete with the Toyota Prius. In fact, in GM's opinion, the Volt will be better than the Prius and all other hybrid cars.
Furthermore, if GM can build better plug-in hybrids, excuse me, range extended EVs, than Honda and Toyota, then GM can build better small cars, trucks, SUVs and crossovers than Toyota as well, right? If you can trust GM to build a quality revolutionary plug-in, then you can trust them to build a quality conventional vehicle as well.
Ultimately, Chevy Volt sales won't save GM, not in the near term. However, if the Volt can convert a number of Civic and Camry buyers into Cruze and Malibu buyers, then the Volt will make GM much stronger.
Maybe even strong enough to turn the Volt into a cheap range extended EV for the masses some day.
Wouldn't it be easier to sell the Hummer brand to change the perception?
They're trying to sell it.
Still, many people don't believe that GM's products are reliable. Even though recent independent studies indicate that a Malibu is as reliable as a Camry, many still have the perception that the Malibu is far inferior.
If the Volt can bring people into showrooms, it will also get consumers whom wouldn't shop GM products to shop them.
The Prius, for instance, brought people to Toyota dealerships that bought other products, but it was the Prius that got them there.
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