GM Vows To Increase Voltage

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

GM is planning to build up to 36,000 Chevrolet Volts and other plug-in hybrids for worldwide delivery this year, 20 percent more than in 2012, “two people familiar with the effort” told Bloomberg.

GM sold about 30,000 Volt and similar Opel Ampera cars globally in 2012, GM spokesman Jim Cain told the business wire. He did not want to confirm the 36,000 target.

Bloomberg could not help but remark:

“Chief Executive Officer Dan Akerson has struggled to compete against more successful alternative-power vehicles such as Toyota Motor Corp’s Prius. The CEO originally touted the Volt’s gasoline-and-electric system as the technology of the future and forecast global Volt sales of 60,000 in 2012, before settling for half that amount.”

Cristi Landy, GM’s marketing director for small cars, put her own spin on the matter:

“We had some on and off starts with the assembly plant. California, which is our strongest market, was selling great then they would have no products. They’ve run out of products probably three or four times in the last 12 months, it’s been very frustrating.”

Wow! The Volt can’t keep up with demand!

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Schmitt trigger Schmitt trigger on Feb 28, 2013

    +1 The Volt may be an expensive vehicle, but the Tesla is an expensive TOY. I once had a 6 month work assignment in South California. Everything was really great, with the exception of traffic and the long driving distances. A vehicle can become as important as the place one lives. I can fully understand how people are willing to pay a hefty bonus for a HOV sticker.

    • 95_SC 95_SC on Mar 01, 2013

      Or we could utilize the roads we have to the fullest potential. Seems silly to have underutuilzed lanes while the masses sit in traffic.

  • Kars Kars on Feb 28, 2013

    wow, sales of 36,000 cars - that's a 20% increase in 1 year - i bet toyota is starting to sweat

  • APaGttH APaGttH on Feb 28, 2013

    GM production issues on California spec versions for single occupant HOV tags was well documented, even here on TTAC. Why GM doesn't build them all the same is a mystery, would solve a couple of issues. So hats off to twisting the statement on inventory issues. The Volt remains the best selling pure electric, series hybrid, and/or plug-in hybrid in the market. Agreed its akin to calling the winner of a cripple fight.

    • See 4 previous
    • 95_SC 95_SC on Mar 01, 2013

      @KixStart I wonder if one can get that deal in Kentucky. I need to do some Math but living in Military housing and having my electricity included in the lease combined having a very short drive to work this may make more sense than maintaining my 23 year old Miata and filling it up. Actually I think a Leaf would work except for having to move every few years but I could ship it and probably come out OK. A bicycle works too and I have a gas powered vehicle in my Land Cruiser and my wife's Hyundai but I can't take the bike to the hardware store or load my kids in it. I would usually take my Land Cruiser but at 4 bucks a gallon it is getting impractical to do anything with outside of its lone purpose of going camping.

  • Loser Loser on Feb 28, 2013

    Nice Nixon pose.

    • See 1 previous
    • 360joules 360joules on Feb 28, 2013

      "I am not a crook...just a humble corporate servant selling Volts." Nixon sarcasm set aside, in what countries would that hand gesture get me in trouble? Yes, completely off topic, but sometimes the B&B shine best in the segues (no, not Segways).

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