Chevy Drops Volt Price (And Standard Nav), Rolls Out 50-State Sales For 2012

by Edward Niedermeyer

March 19th, 2023 6:00 PM

GM has announced details for the 2012 Model Year Chevrolet Volt, and for the second year of production The General is already addressing the Volt’s most controversial feature: its high price. The base MSRP for the Volt will drop from $41,000 to $39,995 for the 2012 year of production, an accomplishment that GM explains

is possible in part because of a wider range of options and configurations that come with the expansion of Volt production for sale nationally.

Wider range of options and configurations? According to the Detroit News, this means navigation and a Bose speakers are no longer standard features on the base-price Volt, but that seven options configurations are now available compared to the 2011’s three. And, on the other end of the pricing equation, the Volt’s fully-loaded price has increased to $46,265 from the $44,278 that Chevy’s configurator tops out at for a loaded 2011. Keyless access with passive locking is the only new standard feature for 2012. With more choices and a slightly lower price of entry, GM is clearly trying to move the Volt away from the “novelty” image that CEO Dan Akerson referenced earlier this week, as it ramps up Volt production for 60,000 units next year. But until the Volt’s price starts dropping without simply offering a less-contented version, the road to mass sales will continue to be a tough one.

#DealerNews #EV #Hybrid #Marketing #NewCars #Options #Pricing #Volt

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Jkross22 on Jun 10, 2011

Is there any Volt/GM fan that will acknowledge that without the $7500 tax credit, that the Volt would indeed be stickering for $33k, a price still too high for what it delivers, instead of the ridiculous $40k mark?

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- Steven02 on Jun 10, 2011
  
  Is there a Leaf fan that will acknowledge... Seriously, how can anyone know this?
  
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- Luke42 on Jun 10, 2011
  
  All of the Volt fans say that... A quick trip to http://gm-volt.com will confirm that (or it used to back when it was a blog), if you're interested. IIRC, the $7500 thing is currently a tax credit, though, so you have to wait until you file your taxes to get the refund. I think they're planning to change the rule in the next year or two so that the buyer doesn't have float an extra $7500 until the end of the year. I'd love to replace our Prius with a Volt, but anything that says $40k on it says "you can't afford it". But, dropping the sticker price from $41.5k to just under $40k is a hopeful sign. Our 2004 Prius has been so reliable and such a good match for our needs that it waiting a few more years for the price to come down (and for me to get a raise) is perfectly acceptable. The Volt looks like it has a lot of the same advantages as the Prius (like the hatchback). The people buying the Volt are basically from my demographic, except that they're slightly older and richer than I am. Also, my old pickup truck needs to be replaced with a family-friendly vehicle before the Prius is up for replacement. The condition of the vehicles in our household fleet, combined with my hope that the cost of the Volt will come down will delay my purchase of a Volt -- but it doesn't make me want the car any less.
  
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DenverMike on Jun 10, 2011

OK, so they're knocking $1000 off the price for no nav but if the next guy wants it they'll have to add $2000? I like strippers but don't insult me. Is there anything worst than an insulting stripper?

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- SVX pearlie on Jun 10, 2011
  
  A stripper who demands you tip in $100s instead of singles
  
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Marko on Jun 10, 2011

Massachusetts = We're supposed to be "high-tech" and such, so why are we the last? (This has happened before, but I can't think of an example right now.)

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GS650G on Jun 11, 2011

If anyone really wants to cut their carbon footprint, greenhouse emissions, or whatever they should move to a large city, get a work at home job, turn off the TV, and join a group of folks gardening on rooftops. They can feel good while not fleecing the taxpayers for cars.

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- Luke42 on Jun 11, 2011
  
  You're right. Green cars such as the Prius, the Volt, and the LEAF are for people who want to live a mainstream lifestyle while wasting a little less. They are not for the hard-core enviros out there. And, yes, before you ask, I am a Prius driver. And I resemble this remark. People who really want to do something substantial about these issues should (and often do) adopt something like your plan. I happen know a number of car-free / TV-free Urban dwellers, and I have a great deal of respect for their choices. Another option is to move to one of the dozens of eco-villages around the country, and accept the cultural and lifestyle requirements that come with living in any values-based community. In my experience, people from both of these groups are far less likely to own cars than the general public, so car makers don't make a car for them.
  
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