Chevy Volt "old technology and old news" in 5 years

GM prepares to go further than the Volt?

GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson is intent on Reinventing his company with a cultural revolution that a lean, mean and competitive mentality. In addition, the company prepares to spend billions on sophisticated engines in the coming years.

So, how the Chevy Volt fits into this picture?

According to the Volt "Akerson is a novelty (today), but it won't be in five years. It is an old, old technology and old news ".

The Volt will, of course, more common in 5 years than it is now, but it might outsell the Toyota Prius or even more interesting, the Chevy Cruze? For example, is a big chunk of these billions go to perfect the Volt in such a way that it is one of GM's best-selling vehicles in 5 years?

Or, is a lot of money going into this R&D powertrains differently than the Volt-technologies that the Volt will seems to be a "old technology"?

"In the next 10 years," according to "Akerson, GM has to break the code on advanced propulsion and that goes a versatile solution."

For example, Akerson suggests natural gas engines as another possibility, while claiming that ethanol is a dying technology. In addition, one can assume that advanced petrol engines, even HCCI engines, and eAssist also probably part of this "versatile" approach. Also notes that Akerson also plug-in hybrids also coming.

Akerson, what if he means the Volt "old news claims" will be?

It Is possible that a beyond the-Volt drivetrain is already in the works? Or, again, the Volt is intended to be as ubiquitous as the Prius and that is why it will be "old news"?

Of course, hyperbole is commonly found in CEO statements regarding the future, and maybe Akerson not choose the correct words or expression summed up his thoughts on advanced motors and the Volt. Nevertheless, however, it seems clear that GM is not content to rest on his laurels with regards to the current state of the Powertrain lineup under the Akerson revolution.

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Chevy Volt vs. Nissan vs. Toyota Prius sheet: there is a clear winner

Is the Prius and hybrid cars, passe?

Hybrid cars, cars, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric cars built by major automakers – are now available to the consumer, and there is much talk about which technology is the best. Of course, that's not an easy answer, especially today, as can some consumers simply don't even plug-in, for example.

However, there is a clear winner in this ' best of ' debate.

Today, the Toyota Prius is the King of hybrid cars, and while some such hybrids passe, they could not be more wrong. For the next two decades, according to a plethora of studies, hybrid sales squash plug-in sale. Plug-ins will eventually, just too expensive, or just not feasible for most mainstream consumers.

The Prius is still, not the clear winner.

Plug-ins like the Chevy Volt and the Nissan leaf will eventually overtake the Prius, but what technology is best to pick up the Prius? Pure battery-powered plug-in electrics like the Leaf, or the plug-in hybrids like the Volt which both electricity as conventional fuels can benefit?

Today, the range anxiety caused by the 100 mile Leaf a big concern for most consumers. The Volt's ability to use gasoline to expand the range of the Volt is therefore an important advantage. Of course, this benefit comes at a cost.

The trains of a Prius and a sheet compare and the Prius is complicated with more pieces. The Volt, on the other hand, is much more complex than both the sheet and the Prius, and that complexity increases Volt's price tag substantially relative to the Prius and the sheet.

And cost do for most consumers, especially when the leaf both cheaper than the Volt, cheaper to operate and cheaper to maintain. Of course, to those pesky range problem is resolved – if ever solved – the Volt will resonate better with consumers despite the higher costs, in any case, the consumers who can afford to buy a plug-in vehicle, which is only 5-10 percent of the new car consumer can be.

Consequently, the blade nor the Volt is the clear winner.

Ultimately, there is a case and a segment of the consumer for each of these vehicles and drive trains, and will be there for decades. That is why we need a full line car manufacturer relative address all three types of vehicles: hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric battery. Fortunately, most major car manufacturers appear headed in this direction.

Therefore, the clear winner in this debate choice.

Category: buying hybrids, Chevy Volt, hybrid cars, Misc., Nissan leaf, plug-in vehicles, Toyota Prius, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid cars Tags: Chevy Volt, electric cars, hybrid cars, Nissan leaf, plug-in hybrids, Toyota Prius

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2012 Chevy Volt to begin at $ 39,145

2012 Chevy Volt to see a reduction in the price

When the 2012 Chevy Volt hits dealers in all 50 States beginning later this year, it will do with a cheaper price. The updated Volt will start at $ 39,145, not including an $ 850 delivery charge.

In addition, the new Volt offer up some new colors and a few other features, such as sports 17-inch alloy wheels.

Other features will keyless access and locking, OnStar turn by turn navigation (default for 3 years), and Chevrolet MyLink including Bluetooth, although the basic Volt will not include navigation nor the Bose stereo.

A fully charged Volt, on the other hand, sees a price of $ 1600 to rise to $ 46,265.

In addition, the Volt 2012 still eligible for a $ 7,500 Federal tax credit, and numerous State and local incentives.

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