My Perfect Automobile » Volt

Chevy Volt for $10K Less?

Larry Bell — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:36:53 +0000

Chevy Volt

General Motors CEO Dan Akerson has hinted that the next generation Chevy Volt might be priced as much as $10,000 less than the current base sticker of $39,995. During a recent industry event, Akerson also noted that the future version of Volt would likely be lighter and more profitable. A $10K price cut would put the Chevy Volt smack in the middle of competitors’ EV price profile. Ford, Toyota and Nissan already offer electric vehicles that straddle the $30,000 price point.

Chevy Volt: Video

For someone who was not originally a fan of the Chevy Volt, the narrator of the above video clip certainly changed his mind. Now, during an extended review ride, he discusses some of the car’s interesting nuances of performance in cold and warm weather. Driving around the streets of Wisconsin, the driver switches between gas and electric drive several times, demonstrates the basics about home charging, and explains the wonders of what he calls “stealth,” or silent, driving. The bottom line from his demo drive is that the Volt is comfortable, fun to drive, handles very well, and gets incredible mileage.

Chevy Volt Price

Industry sources early this year reported that GM is thinking about reducing Volt’s engine size from four to three cylinders, and reducing the current 1.4-liter displacement to either 1.0- or 1.2- liters in an effort to improve fuel efficiency and trim the car’s weight. Apparently, the company is considering the smaller engine for the Cadillac ELR and the Chevy Volt, both of which use the Voltec drivetrain. As is typical in such situations, GM has neither confirmed nor denied specifics about the engine in its next generation Volt, but CEO Akerson’s more recent allusion to a lower price tag for the future Volt would make sense if the company were to cut engine size for the ELR and Volt.

For more about the Chevy Volt, and all the other vehicles made by Chevrolet, see the U.S. carmaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.chevy.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

EV Car Sales: Second-Generation Volt by 2016

Larry Bell — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:36:19 +0000

EV Car Sales (Pictured: Chevy Volt)

Amid a flurry of plug-in car sales announcements late last week, GM CEO Dan Akerson said Chevrolet Volt would unveil a second-generation model not later than 2016. The Chevy Volt, Nissan’s all-electric Leaf, and the Tesla Model S electric sedan all jockeyed for top sales spot in April. While Volt’s sales were down compared to April 2012, the model did manage a 3 percent increase for the first four months of 2013, compared to the same period last year. April marked the second month in a row that Volt was slightly outsold by the Nissan Leaf, as Tesla Motors appears to have beaten both those cars in the monthly sales derby.

EV Car Sales: Video

The video clip above contains the sort of footage that electric car enthusiasts live for, a Formula-E burnout on the streets of L.A. It is all quite legal of course, as the demo was under the auspices of city officials there to promote alternative fuels. Notice the odd lack of noise compared to combustion car burnouts, where decibel levels are almost deafening. Some hardcore-racing fans claim a race is not a race without noise. Formula-E followers, on the other hand, love the hum and rev of the smooth-running electric motor. The good news is, you still get the burnout.

EV Car Sales

Tesla Motors does not reveal monthly sales data, but analysts estimate that the luxury electric sedan topped the much less expensive Volt and Leaf in April sales. As gasoline prices have leveled off, one company official at Chevrolet noted that competition between GM’s Chevy Volt, Nissan’s Leaf and Tesla’s Model S will become more competitive. Volt ruled the roost for a number of months, but now that Nissan has gone into full domestic production with its Leaf, and cut its price by $6,000, the battle of the plug-ins is getting underway. For its part, Tesla Motors expects to sell 20,000 Model S cars by the end of 2013.

For more about the carmakers mentioned above, see their official websites:
http://www.chevrolet.com
http://www.nissanusa.com
http://www.teslamotors.com

Larry Bell

Tesla Vs. Volt Vs. Leaf: The Winner is…

Larry Bell — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:49:27 +0000

Tesla Model S, interior

The statistics read like a football game update. At the end of the first quarter, in a three-way contest, Tesla Motors has pulled ahead of its two rivals, Chevy and Nissan, by a score of 4,750 to 4,421, to 3,695. In the automotive world, that news is no less surprising. Electric carmaker Tesla will post sales of 4,750 Model S vehicles for the first quarter of 2013, a period in which GM has sold 4,421 Chevy Volts and Nissan Motor Co. of Japan has posted sales of 3,695 for its all-electric Leaf automobile. What makes the data even more unusual is the fact that the cars feature wildly differing base prices. The Leaf costs $28,000, while Tesla’s luxury electric sedan goes for $69,000 and Chevy’s hybrid-electric Volt carries a sticker of $39,000.

Tesla, Volt, Leaf: Video

Hybrid and electric car enthusiasts have no doubt seen dozens of videos featuring the Chevy Volt. Chances are this has not been one of them. It is, however, proof that the car has become so popular even dogs are choosing it as their favorite. Kidding aside, the fellow in the clip, and his clever pets, are the owners of a shiny new Volt. This is simply a record of their first-ever ride in the car, along with a few still shots of the canines enjoying some all-electric errand running courtesy of their private chauffeur.

Tesla Sales

Some analysts consider the newly released sales data relatively unimportant, given that Tesla, Chevrolet and Nissan sell to such diverse demographics. The Leaf is trying to carve out a niche for itself as an affordable, budget-minded EV. Tesla’s much higher price tag is not a magnet for those buyers, while the Volt sits squarely between the two extremes. Chevy’s groundbreaking Volt is well within reach of many car buyers after federal and state tax credits.

For more about Tesla Motors, Chevrolet, and Nissan Motor Co., see their official corporate websites:
http://www.teslamotors.com
http://www.chevrolet.com
http://www.nissanusa.com

Larry Bell

Chevy Spark EV ‘Most Efficient’ Car, Says EPA

Larry Bell — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:41:22 +0000

Chevy Spark EV

Chevrolet representatives have announced that the company’s new Spark EV is the most fuel-efficient auto in the marketplace, with a 119 mpg-equivalent rating from the EPA and an 82-miles-per-charge electric range. The mpg-e number is a combined city/highway rating, while the electric range distance places the Spark EV ahead of many other mass-produced electric cars currently for sale. When the Spark EV arrives in dealer showrooms this July, it will only be available in Oregon and California. Specific pricing data is said to be forthcoming in several weeks, though GM has disclosed that after the $7,500 federal tax credit, buyers will be able to purchase a Spark EV for less than $25,000.

Chevy Spark: Video

Enjoy a silent (music only) walk through the Santa Barbara Earth Day car show. The short video clip above spends the majority of its time in and around the Chevy Spark EV that was on display, along with a Tesla Model S, a stunning Tesla Roadster, and other electric cars. The Spark EV is expected to be available this summer in California and Oregon, with an intention to unleash the small, stylish vehicle in several other regions throughout 2014 as demand dictates. Looking like a replica of the gasoline-powered Spark, the two-door EV travels in excess of 80 miles per charge and has so far received very positive reviews from the few who have driven it.

Chevy Spark EV

Both the gasoline version of the Spark and the new electric model are assembled in South Korea, though Spark motors and other components are built in the U.S. Chevrolet’s other electric car, the Volt, is a range-extended model that carries a combustion engine alongside its electric motor. The Volt is able to travel 38 miles per charge on electricity alone, and has a 98 mpg-e rating from the EPA.

For more about Chevrolet cars, and the Spark EV in particular, see the company’s official websites:
http://www.chevrolet.com
www.chevrolet.com/spark-ev-electric-vehicle.html

Larry Bell

Chevy Volt MPG Stats Amaze Analysts

Larry Bell — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:35:14 +0000

2013 Chevy Volt

General Motors announced that Chevy Volt owners collectively surpassed 150 million miles of all-electric driving sometime in early April. Having now compiled a mountain of data about the car, its capabilities and its drivers’ habits, Chevrolet noted that the average Volt owner fills the tank once every 900 miles. That makes for approximately $1,300 in fuel savings per year for the typical Volt owner. Chevrolet reported an 8.4 percent increase in sales for the car through the initial quarter of 2013, notching 4,244 units sold for the first three months of the year. The company is on track to sell over 25,000 of the range-extender electric vehicles if current sales trends hold for the remainder of 2013.

Chevy Volt: Video

For those who have not had the chance to drive a Chevy Volt, the video clip above is one of the better online offerings of a Volt in action, and includes detailed shots of the interior and exterior. Filmed at the 2013 Vancouver Auto Show’s Ride-and-Drive, the clip covers all the basics and then some. In just over two minutes, viewers get a comprehensive overview of the award-winning, historic Chevrolet vehicle. An official Chevrolet film, the clip does a bit of question-and-answer with people who have just completed their test drive in the Volt.

Chevy Volt

GM points out that while average drivers fill up every 900 miles, many are avoiding gasoline altogether. One driver in the company survey had covered 23,500 miles and used just two tanks of fuel. That driver goes about 9,500 miles between fill ups. Many Volt owners report similar, astronomical MPG numbers based upon the fact that they mostly stay within the car’s 38-mile all-electric range on each trip. Since 2011, Chevy Volt owners are the most satisfied drivers in the world, with a full 90 percent attesting that they would purchase another Volt automobile.

For more about the Chevrolet Volt, and for Chevy’s corporate site, see the links below:
http://www.chevrolet.com
http://www.chevrolet.com/volt-electric-car.html

Larry Bell

Back to the Future

Bob T — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 06:58:02 +0000

Hybrid Vauxhall Ampera, Chevy Volt’s cousin

A few months ago I was traveling around Europe. I wrote this blog but didn’t have time to publish it. So here it is! I will follow up with more as there has been a lot more great news since, both from GM and other car manufacturers in the Green arena!

Volt Sales Figures to Beat Target by Wide Margin!

Traveling around Holland and Amsterdam this week I spotted more Volts in one day than back home in San Jose, CA in a single day. Ok, so the Volt in Europe is typically called an Opel Ampera. Opel is the brand under which General Motors produces and markets Chevrolets in Germany and neighboring countries. In fact it is not that simple. Some countries such as Switzerland actually import Chevrolets and although it borders Germany, it has its own import laws and duties.

Rest assured that the Opel Ampera is the Chevy Volt 100%! The only difference a slight change in front look and a feature that lets you turn off the battery so the generator starts on command.

So what does this mean for the actual sales figures? To get the total picture for GM you add up USA sales figures and European sales figures and the rest of the world.

Although the Volt has been available since end 2010 in some states in the USA, its European equivalent only became available a year later and not in all of the European countries. However sales in Europe have been brisk and if it keeps going at its current rate is going to give the USA a challenge in total numbers sold per year.

Some reports already have more than 30,000 Volts/Amperas on the road and if current sales figures are any indication GM should be able to reach 100,000 before end of next year. Naturally it would help if the car was made available to the rest of the world.

Now having taken this gamble with the first mass produced EV with range extender I hope GM doesn’t become conservative. Now is the time to offer the same technology in various other GM models such as the Cadillac and Buick.

How about a plug-in SUV or convertible luxury car? And since a lot of America is still ga-ga about huge pickup trucks with an average of 13MPG, why not produce a pickup truck with plug-in Hybrid technology and thus give a drastic boost to attaining the average MPG goals set for the future. I would give it a 300hp electric motor and possibly double the battery size.

I just cruised through Europe with my family in a Volvo S50. It has a diesel engine. When I picked up the car at the airport with a full tank it told me I had a range of about 600 miles. I proceeded to drive about 120 miles. When I arrived at my destination it told me I had a range left of 630 miles. Now that’s efficient! A Diesel car typically gets about 30% more range on a gallon of diesel than a gasoline car on a gallon of gasoline.

So GM should make a Plug-in hybrid with a diesel range extender. I know Volvo has promised a big plug-in SUV soon with range extender. Lets see who can beat GM to the market!

Bob Twaalfhoven

Bob Twaalfhoven + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Owner and Visionary Creator, but people just call him “Bob T”.. Here is his full Bio: Bob Twaalfhoven. Bob lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Founder of BobCAD-CAM software. BobCAD-CAM was created by Bob, who was an engineer graduate of MIT in 1978. He created the software as a means to bring the technology of CAD/CAM to the personal computer. But overall – Bob is a lover of cars, engines and anything that is fast…

Volt, Cadillac ELR May ‘Go Small’

Larry Bell — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:47:26 +0000

Cadillac ELR hybrid-electric car

Though GM has not confirmed the report, Edmunds is saying the auto giant has a smaller, lighter engine in mind for the 2016 Chevy Volt and Cadillac ELR, both of which are hybrid-electric vehicles. The main component of the new effort, if reports are accurate, would be a 3-cylinder combustion engine for both cars. The change could see the Volt and ELR sporting a 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder engine rather than the current configuration, which is a 1.4-liter, 4-cylinder system.

Cadillac ELR: Video

Get up close and personal with the Cadillac ELR, fresh from its recent showing at the Chicago Auto Show. The standard media photos of the vehicle really do not do justice to the sleek, futuristic ELR, which features a slightly different version of the Chevy Volt drivetrain. With all the talk of the hybrid-electric capability of Cadillac’s freshest face, sometimes the elegance and interior luxury of the Cadillac brand is downplayed or forgotten. In the case of ELR, there was no skimping on interior elegance or high-quality design.

Volt, Cadillac ELR

Before any talk of smaller engines, the Cadillac ELR first came to the world as a concept car called Converj at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. In late 2013, it will go into production as an offering under the ELR nameplate. Using a 4-cylinder Voltec propulsion system, which is all-electric, the ELR will offer an electric range of 35 miles and a top speed of 100 mph. A coupe, the front-wheel-drive 2-door can be recharged in about four and a half hours from a 240-volt outlet. GM’s Delta II platform, which is also the basis for Volt and Cruze, will be used for production of the ELR.

For more about two of the vehicles that are making big news in the auto industry, see the websites of the Chevy Volt and the Cadillac ELR below:
http://www.chevrolet.com/volt-electric-car.html
http://www.cadillac.com/elr-electric-car.html

Larry Bell

EV, Hybrid Car Sales Up for Feb.

Larry Bell — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 16:02:32 +0000

Car sales (pictured: Ford Fusion Energi)

Partly due to rising gasoline prices, U.S. sales of plug-in hybrid and electric cars rose in February. Nissan and GM both reported improved sales numbers for their alternative-fuel offerings. Nissan’s Leaf EV showed a 36 percent sales increase compared to the same month in 2012, while GM said its Volt sales data are a full 60 percent better than last year’s numbers. Month-to-month car sales are considered a reliable indicator of brand popularity. Ford has not yet released car sales data for February.

Ford Car Sales: Video

For those who have any lingering doubts about Ford Motor Co.’s commitment to succeed in the area of alternative fuel vehicles, spend two minutes with Ford Canada’s president and CEO Dianne Craig, as she gives the overall view of her company’s place in the 2013 automotive marketplace. She notes that Ford is the only automaker with the ability to react quickly to consumer demand, whether it is for more hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles, or other fuel-efficient powertrains. Ford’s Fusion, she notes, is the only mid-sized sedan in the world that is available in five separate powertrain varieties. Ford has always paid close attention to its corporate and fleet sales, and the new offerings for those customers include a wide array of cargo and delivery vans. Craig’s summary of Ford’s current position in the global marketplace is informative and upbeat.

Car Sales

Nissan Motor Co. sold 10,000 Leaf electric cars last year, with about half of those car sales coming in the final quarter of 2012. For its part, GM’s Chevy Volt car sales data also showed significant improvement compared to January statistics. Whether Nissan and GM will see better sales for the Volt and Leaf during all of 2013 is an open question.

For more about Nissan, Chevrolet, and Ford vehicles, see the official websites below:
http://www.nissanusa.com
http://www.chevrolet.com/volt
http://www.ford.com

Larry Bell

Oscars’ Green Cars: Fiat 500e, Chevy Volt

Larry Bell — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 16:44:56 +0000

Oscars Go Green: Fiat 500e

Chevrolet and Fiat will be in the spotlight on Oscar night with events and promotions that highlight the Fiat 500e electric car and the Chevy Volt hybrid-electric vehicle. Fiat has been conducting a promotion called, “Into the Green,” to build excitement for its 500e. Two of those events are held prior to the Oscars telecast. In order to raise money for the Motion Picture and Television Fund, Fiat will let celebrities drive 500e models for several months. After that, the cars will be auctioned to raise money for the fund.

Chevy Volt: Video

How many celebrities can you spot in the above video clip from the 2010 Global Green USA conference party? If you caught tennis star Serena Williams, then you are on the right track. In fact, the event featured the Chevy Volt, though it talked up electric and hybrid vehicles in general. As one of the stars pointed out, the party was about the cars, not the celebrities. A GM rep was on hand to let the stars take test drives and be photographed with the Volt. That event took place in the early days of the Chevy Volt’s rollout, when no one had any idea how the car would be viewed by the automotive press and the public. Now, three years later, Chevy is not the only carmaker tagging along on pre-Oscar publicity to get the word out about alternative transportation. Fiat has apparently decided that its 500e, one of the newer EVs on the block, could use a healthy dose of celebrity schmoozing on Oscar eve.

Fiat 500e, Chevy Volt

This year’s Global Green USA pre-Oscar party featured celeb Ed Begley, Jr., who drives a Chevy Volt. The Volt, Cadillac ELR, and all-electric Spark EV were talked up at the event, which is held annually to promote green initiatives.

For more about Chevrolet and Fiat, see the automakers’ official corporate websites:
http://www.chevrolet.com/volt
http://www.fiat.com

Larry Bell

Canadian Auto Show Highlights Green Vehicles

Larry Bell — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 16:07:33 +0000

CAIS (Pictured: Infiniti M35h Hybrid)

The 2013 Canadian International Auto Show, which runs through Feb. 24 at the Toronto Convention Center, features its biggest lineup of green vehicles ever in the Eco Drive exhibit, which brings together a huge collection of alternative fuel cars that are not only environmentally friendly but great to look at. Several electric cars are on display this year, including the Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV, the Smart Fortwo, and the Ford Focus EV.

Canadian International Auto Show: Video

View some highlights of the Chevrolet offerings for this year’s Canadian International Auto Show in the clip below. During an elegant, catered preview night before the show’s official opening, Chevrolet threw a major party, complete with a band and peeks at some of the auto lineup. While the 2014 Corvette Stingray, a work of art in itself, is getting the majority of media attention, Chevrolet also had the Spark EV on display for the special VIP Night preview. With more new models than usual, Chevrolet’s booth was packed with interested auto fans, VIPs, and members of the media. Cameras were pressed in close around what Chevy calls the star of the show, the gorgeous 2014 Corvette Stingray. For Media and Industry Insiders Night, Chevrolet made every effort to impress and put on a fantastic show. Chevy Trax, Impala, and the new Silverado were also on hand to make for a festive beginning of CIAS.

CIAS in Toronto

Alongside the electric cars, CIAS has a generous helping of clean diesel and hybrid vehicles. Adding to the green contingent is the sleek Porsche Cayenne Diesel, plus hybrids like the Volkswagen Jetta, Honda CR-Z, Infiniti M35h, Chevy Volt, Prius Plug-In, and Ford C-Max Energi. The Canadian show never disappoints, and this time around, it looks as though the event’s planners decided to make green cars a centerpiece of the festivities.

For all the details about Canada’s ongoing CIAS, see the event’s official website:
http://www.autoshow.ca/aaaCIAS2013/index.php

Larry Bell

Grammy Awards, Chevy Volt, John Cusack: It’s All Good

Larry Bell — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:22:33 +0000

Chevy Volt, star of Grammy commercial

During the Grammy Awards telecast this week, actor John Cusack debuted as the carmaker’s new, official advertising voice, replacing actor Tim Allen. Chevy’s fresh “Find New Roads” theme offered up its first spot during the Grammy show, with a creative short-story that spotlighted the Volt, Corvette, Spark, Impala, and Sonic. The Chevy Volt, however, was the centerpiece of the commercial. The company has a busy year ahead, with at least 13 upgraded or completely new models aimed at various global markets.

Grammy Gala’s Volt, Cusack Ad: Video

The advertisement in question, which is linked via Chevy’s official YouTube channel, above, features several of the company’s newest and hottest vehicles, but is actually centered on the Volt. The commercial’s storyline involves a little girl and her dog, who have various real and virtual adventures as the parents take a drive in their Chevy Volt hybrid-electric car. The middle portion of the spot offers up some exciting footage of Chevrolet’s Sonic and other models in action on city streets, concluding with a spellbinding chase scene involving the 2014 Corvette. Like all good stories, this one has a calm, happy ending as the little girl and her dog share kisses with a tame deer that nuzzles up to the window of the Volt.

Grammy,Volt,Cusack

Actor John Cusack is the new voice of Chevrolet but only appears toward the end of the spot. We will likely see much more of him in the near future, as Chevy rolls out a slew of ads for its 2013 and 2014 models. The actor is a familiar face to audiences all over the world, having starred in such blockbuster films as Being John Malkovich, High Fidelity, and Say Anything.

For more about Chevy cars and trucks, see the automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.chevy.com

Larry Bell

Private Car Sales and the Law

Larry Bell — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 02:26:44 +0000

Private Cars for Sale (Pictured: A 2011 Chevy Volt)

Buying and selling cars is a rather straightforward endeavor, but because state laws vary so much, it is necessary to know your own state’s transaction laws before completing a sale. Many states have similar rules when it comes to private car sales, especially in the areas of title and taxation.

If you sell a car privately, look up your state laws regarding transfer of title. In most states, a car’s title must be free of liens in order to be transferred from seller to buyer. States will only allow a car to be registered in the name of the titleholder. So if you buy a used car, make certain that the title has no liens on it, and that the seller is indeed the person listed on the original title. That way, you will easily be able to register the car after you buy it.

Private Car Sales: Video

Now that hybrid and electric cars have been around for a few years more and more of them are turning up at dealerships and in private for-sale listings. When the Chevy Volt first arrived on the scene in 2011, General Motors made a time-lapse video of the car moving along its assembly line. Even if you have seen the clip, it is worth revisiting. Some Chevy Volts are now appearing on used lots and in private sales.

Private Car Sales

Most states require the seller to pay sales tax, though a few require the purchaser to pay the tax. Look up your state’s rule on this matter before signing on the dotted line.

For more about buying or selling a used car, see the official Federal Trade Commission website, where you can peruse a wealth of data about what to do before buying, payment options, private sales, pre-purchase inspections, and warranties. The FTC site even features a lengthy section about money and credit for those who want to finance a car purchase. If you are planning to buy a previously owned vehicle, the FTC website is a great place to start your research.
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0055-buying-used-car

Larry Bell