Another "Winner": GM Stalls Chevy Volt Production

[Politico]

General Motors (GM -2.23%) has idled production of the Chevrolet Volt because it had difficulty finding people crazy enough to buy the hybrid electric vehicle.

For one thing, the four-door sedan is insanely expensive. With a sticker price of about $41,000, it is pricier than much nicer cars made by Audi, BMW and even GM's sister brand Cadillac.

The car isn't worth the money once the green aura is stripped from it. Reviewers at Edmunds.com and Car and Driver, who otherwise liked the car, both noted the Volt's small backseat and subpar gasoline mileage. Electric vehicles are not practical for many Americans because of the lack of public charging stations.

"Currently, 48 of 50 states have fewer than 10 charging stations, and even California's relative abundance of 422 pales in comparison to its roughly 10,400 gas stations," according to Car and Driver. "In other words, it's going to be some time before charging while at work or out on the town becomes the norm; for now, EVs' batteries will be replenished largely at home."

Consumer Reports had harsh words for the Volt, saying it would be a "tough sell" to average consumers -- even though Volt owners are eligible for a $7,500 tax break. Reports of Volts catching fire scared away consumers, too. Some bought the Toyota Prius, and others acquired more conventional vehicles like the Chevy Cruise, which gets better mileage than the Volt for about half the price.

The world's largest automaker is not ready to throw in the towel on the Volt yet. According to The Wall Street Journal, GM plans a new marketing campaign and will lower the monthly lease payment to $350 from $399. Again, this raises a question of value. Drivers can lease a Mercedes Benz C-Class Sedan, Cadillac CTS Coupe or BMW 128i for similar rates.

The Volt is a niche product that will appeal to consumers who want to show the world they are concerned about the environment and wealthy enough not to be concerned about the vehicle's economic impracticality. But that is a tiny universe. Perhaps future generations will look at the Volt as a watershed development in the auto industry that hastened the demise of the gasoline-powered engine. That day, though, won't be arriving for a while.

Source: http://money.msn.com/top-stocks/post.aspx?post=75d2f24e-7577-4895-a271-25aad397f529

Will Obama be able to find one next year?

[opebo]

So.. what is it you dislike here?  I dislike electric cars, but I don't blame GM or Obama for them. 

[tpfkaw]

Good riddance: http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16192

[dead0man]

Indeed.  It will happen (electric vehicles), but it will happen on its own time.  We still need a better battery.  But electric motors will be a boon for people that like performance (despite people that like performance almost universally hating the idea).  Gobs of torque, RIGHT NOW.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Politico, do you realize that the development of the Volt began during the Bush administration, and that the tax credit it depends upon was first signed into law by Bush as well?

That said, I'll agree that the Volt has some definite problems, largely because it targets the wrong market segment.  A series hybrid drivetrain such as that used in the Volt has its greatest advantage as a fleet vehicle that will make many stops and starts in city driving, not as a passenger car.