GM Chairman Says Chevy Volt Plug-In Hybrid To Be Priced 'Mid- to High-Thirties'
If you've been following the price rumors swirling around the Chevy Volt, you've heard guestimates ranging from $25,000 to $50,000.
This week, General Motors Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner told talk-show host Charlie Rose that the plug-in gas-electric hybrid will likely sell for about $35,000 to $39,000.
Starting a little more than 32 minutes into the interview with Rose, Wagoner says:
"We initially hoped we could get it for a very, very good price, let's say below $30,000. It's going to be more expensive than that for the first couple of years. Haven't finalized it ... but it'll be in the mid- to high-thirties is my best guess."
Later on, Wagoner said that "for something like the Volt, we'd be looking for a significant subsidy" from the government on the demand side, meaning a tax credit for initial Volt buyers.
If by "significant" Wagoner is referring to the $7,000 tax credit GM has been lobbying Congress for, initial buyers who live in states without a sales tax might be able to get a Volt for less than $30,000.
But whether the base price for the Volt will fall in the mid- to high-thirties remains to be seen.
On June 30, The Seattle Times quoted General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz as saying the first-generation Volt will retail for about $40,000.
Two days later, The Wall Street Journal reported the sticker price might be $45,000.
The vehicle is expected to enter production in 2010.
Scott Doggett, Contributor
- Posted by
- Scott Doggett August 20, 2008, 12:48 PM
- Permalink
- Categories:
- Batteries, Chevrolet, Emissions, Fuel Economy, General Motors, Hybrid, Legislation, Plug-ins and Electric
- Technorati Tags:
- Charlie Rose, Chevrolet Volt, GM, PHEV, plug-in hybrid, Rick Wagoner
I bet the CEO was basing his "mid-to-high thirties" pricing to INCLUDE the $7000 tax credit GM is lobbying.
So actual price will more likely be mid-to-high 40's.
Only a dolt would think the "volt" is a viable solution for high energy prices in the first place. Who cares what it costs. The notion of electric-hybrid vehicles is just plain ignorant.
So the heroin addict uses slightly less heroin he is still a junkie.
I don't understand why GM has to price the Volt so high - AND ask taxpayers to chip in for it also - when Toyota can sell the Prius starting around $22,000. Are the technologies so different that the Volt needs an extra 10 years of R&D, as well as an extra $15,000 on the price tag??