The Chevy Volt will cost $30,000. No, $35,000. Alright, how about $40,000…
GM Vice Chairman and product development chief Bob Lutz told the Seattle Times that "the first-generation Volt will retail for about $40,000 and generate no profit for GM." The Times adds, "The company hopes to make money as it rolls out later versions of the vehicle and other plug-in models."
This follows assurances from CEO Rick Wagoner back in May that the Volt would make its target price of $30,000, and could sell for even less.
Car Domain, after sharing dinner with Lutz and other GM executives, reports that GM is "aiming to bring the Volt in under $40k, but are hoping that tax credits will make it easier for people to afford."
Autoblog Green comments, "Unless automotive industry lobbyists can convince Congress to pass some of the proposed legislation that includes plug-in tax credits on the order of $7,000 for a Volt-type car, the price to the consumer is going to be at least one third more than originally envisioned."
With battery research still ongoing, and the price of most cars going up as the price of the materials used to make cars rise, we wouldn't be at all surprised to see a $40,000 sticker on the Volt. For consumers, sticker price is just one consideration. The value proposition of a Volt at $40,000 depends largely on the mpg the car achieves when it comes to market. As frightening as it sounds, if gas prices continue their rise, a $40k plug-in hybrid might be a good deal. We'll report fuel economy numbers on the Volt as soon as we have them.
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