Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Etc., Green, Chevrolet, GM, Lifestyle
Unofficial Volt Wait List surpasses 30,000 hand raisers
Shortly after the Volt Concept was shown, a Volt adherent started a website called GM-Volt.com to show General Motors that it was on to something. After the Volt was approved for production, the site added a feature to allow people to "raise their hands" to show interest in the Volt, much like what was done for the smart fortwo before its arrival on our shores.
A little more than a year later, there are almost 34,000 hand raisers in 50 states and 56 countries. While the list is unofficial and doesn't mean that any of these hand raisers are in line ahead of you to purchase a Volt, the site claims that GM is aware of the list and considering making it official in some capacity.
California, no surprise, accounts for the greatest interest in the Volt, but even the folks in the dirty dirty -- that's the South -- have put in a strong showing. Alabama's got 86 Volters on the list, as opposed to Vermont, one of the states suing the EPA over emissions regulations, which has just ten.
As far as countries interested in the Volt, number three on the chart is Turkey (among those who identified their nationalities). Who knew? And tiny Vanuatu has double the number of hand raisers than all of Russia -- two to one. What could be most interesting is the average price people say they are willing to pay for the Volt: $31,298.27. That's about $9,000 short of Lutz's number, but hey, there's still time to negotiate. Thanks for the tip, iOrange!
[Source: GM-Volt]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mike 12:42PM (8/13/2008)
You know what i say. I say GOD BLESS.
Finally GM is building a vehicle that is good for they, consumer,USA, environment, world, Georgia,Israel, and everyone else who suffers from terror.
I still think that Wagoner needs to go.
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Todd 12:57PM (8/13/2008)
Leasing the Volt's battery, as planned by GM, will cause the project to fail. If Maximum Bob doesn't reverse himself on that fateful decision, he'll have "Who killed the Electric Car 2" on his hands.
Red 1:11PM (8/13/2008)
As I said the other day, Wagoner's decision to invest in overseas markets is what's keeping GM afloat. Under Wagoner, GM has seen a tremendous leap in quality, quality control and reliability. It's easy to point the finger at Wagoner, when in reality, if the Volt doesn't succeed, it'll be because of Lutz' promises, not Wagoner's.
jesda 2:12PM (8/13/2008)
The investments in China, SA, and Africa began before Wagoner.
alex 1:47PM (8/13/2008)
GM has never said they are going to lease the battery, someone once mentioned it's a possibility.
there is no decision to reverse. quit hatin!
Red 2:57PM (8/13/2008)
@ jesda,
I never said Wagoner was the originator. I said his decision to invest is what's keeping them afloat. What I should've said was, his decision to back Jack Smith, who was the one that moved GM early on into China specifically, is why they hold such a large portion of market share in China, more than any other automaker. GM's largest losses are from GMNA, which is affecting everything else.
Torrent 3:54PM (8/13/2008)
I'm also glad GM is finally responding to the Customer's wants. Hopefully it will be like this in the future.
mike 12:52PM (8/13/2008)
"California, no surprise, accounts for the greatest interest in the Volt,"..Oh ohhhhhh, this could be a problem. Because many Detroit groupies wanted CA to be bombed, or just exit the union.
Could be a problem
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Todd 12:53PM (8/13/2008)
New market: Ebay-ing your place in line for a Volt. What was the most paid for a Prius list position? $5,000.00?
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tim 1:08PM (8/13/2008)
I'll sell you my fictional place in line for this fictional car with a fictional power train. bidding starts at 10.26 or one share of gm stock
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Shipey 1:20PM (8/13/2008)
Haven't you guys worn out the vaporware card on this one yet?
Interview after interview, sneak peeks, drivetrain mules, parts suppliers... all fake? The GM Moon Landing?
Even if you hate a car you've never seen (for whatever reason), it's pretty obvious this thing is in fact on it's way.
Adam Marcello 1:10PM (8/13/2008)
I wont have my solstice paid off for the first year on these but Im planning on getting a second year volt. I think the idea is great and if they can keep the feel of the concept in the production model Ill plunk the change down.
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Red 1:11PM (8/13/2008)
Go figure, the "Green Mountain State" Vermont doesn't want more of these. They banned billboards awhile back and won't let anybody put up cell towers, despite many incidents of people freezing to death in the winters. Incidents much like the woman who was stabbed to death by her son while she was literally on the phone with 911, but because the cellphone signal was so crappy, the operator couldn't pinpoint her. Incidents that could completely be avoided if they got off their pompous a**es and stopped worrying how un-green their state would be with a cell tower here or there. Talk about an a**-backwards state of mind.
But way to go Alabama (my folks :D)!!!
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why not the LS2LS7? 4:33PM (8/13/2008)
I think it's more because it isn't AWD.
Perhaps also because they know from the Prius experience that in cold temps, hybrids don't work so well (until they get some heat in their battery packs).
mike 1:19PM (8/13/2008)
@RED, dude under Wagoner GM's stock is down over 60%, the company lost market share, the company was close to bunkruptcy 3 times since Sept 11, the company is loosing BILLIONS every quater.
Also last time i checked North America is the biggest market for GM, #2 in In Asia USA is also losing money, 65 million is 2nd Q.
By the way, in your book if a student takes a test and out of 100 quuestions gets 3 right, does he deserve a passing grade?
I also almost forgot to remind you that Wagoner (few years ago) took over NA operations personally. He personnaly oversaw the procuction of LAMBDAs..............on each and every model GM currently offers rebates, even Buick.
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Red 2:37PM (8/13/2008)
"DUDE", GM stock was down LONG before Wagoner ever got there. In fact, GM lost $30 billion dollars in the early 90s (over 3 years, mind you). Apparently, you were born yesterday because Wagoner was faced with 30 years of mismanagement. Dunno where you got a $65 billion dollar loss for GM Asia, but 65 percent of sales for GM were OUTSIDE of the United States. Global market share was down 0.9% because of the weak US market. Overall sales were down because of, once again a weak US market, while growing 10% over last year, OUTSIDE of the US. Combined revenues for OUTSIDE of the US were actually up $1.8 billion over last year. Despite overall sales down 20% here, some of GM's most recently launched cars and crossovers are seling well, as of August 1, 2008. Those models include the Malibu and Caddy CTS, up 113% and 33% respectively over last year's sales. Both of these were personally pushed by Lutz and Wagoner.
The first Lambda vehicles on sale here were the 2007 Outlook, 2007 Acadia, 2007 Enclave, with the Enclave (since you brought up Buick) was the first concept with the Lambda platform unveiled in 2006. The Lambda platform was under development for six years before they debuted. Wagoner took back personal control of the North American car division in 2005. Do the math. Wagoner obviously knew the vehicles were in development, but in 2001-2002 at the start of development, SUV sales were still high, gas prices were still under $2.50 (IIRC) and small cars were in. What'd you think, cars take 6 months to plan and build before they're on lots? Hello, McFly.
Do yourself a favor. I'm not one of these wannabe-blog fanboys. Before you come at me, make sure you've got your sh*t straight. You're also a horrible speller, which when combined with your apparent lack of knowledge makes reading your uninformed rambling that much more difficult to understand. So based on your theory of taking a test and only getting...well, in your case...none of the questions right, you = FAIL.
Cheerio.
Eddie 1:36PM (8/13/2008)
I don't care for current hybrids, however, I love the idea of a plug-in vehicle such as the Volt. I really hope this works out well for GM.
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MajorGeek 1:36PM (8/13/2008)
I want one, but sticker is already overpaying, so I don't think the Ebay thing will work really well here, after all you need to drive it for years to justify the cost alone as it is. If it can be had for 40k at the time it is released and looks as cool as it does now, I may pony up for one. Depends on the market when its released, its so shaky now that anything is possible.
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Epyx 1:50PM (8/13/2008)
The cost justification depends on what you compare it to. If you use the Prius as the benchmark it does take a long time but even then it depends on how you drive. 40 miles or less a day (all electric) will have a much swifter pay back than 100 miles per day and the use of gasoline.
Why is Tesla never held to the payback standard and compared to a Prius?
MajorGeek 1:58PM (8/13/2008)
Im a different animal, I work at home and am more interested in the technology and seeing what Chevy does here then anything else. Never cared for the Prius personally. The Tesla is not held to the same standard for the same reasons any muscle car or SUV isnt. Its considered a sports car, and while unique, at over 100k no one is buying it simply to save gas.