Chevy Volt Sales Plunge – Obama’s Flagship EV a Failure

NLPC ^ | April 3, 2013 | Mark Modica

[jazusamo]

The Chevy Volt has inarguably been the poster child for President Obama's push to electrify America's auto fleet. Billions of taxpayer dollars have been spent to produce and subsidize the plug-in electric car. For years we have heard about the supposedly amazing technology for the Volt which would lead America to energy independence, be a "game-changer" for General Motors and provide a multitude of new green jobs. Proclamations were made that supply for the wonder-car could not keep up with the demand. Well, March's sales figures are in and give further confirmation that the lofty claims were all lies.

March's sales for the Chevy Volt plunged over 35% from last year to a paltry 1,478 units. To put that in perspective, that's about one Volt sold every two months per dealership. The number is also down from an only slightly less paltry 1,626 sales in February. GM's excuses for the poor performance seem to be drying up as quickly as the demand for the Volt. During GM's sales conference call, management claimed that sales are "stable" and that they are "feeling good about the trend." Such dishonesty brings into question GM's credibility.

In the past, GM claimed that lack of supply was the reason for low Volt sales. In addition, GM indignantly blamed a Republican conspiracy to hurt Volt sales as a contributing factor to the dismal sales figures for the car. Regarding supply, a recent search on cars.com showed that 6,804 new Chevy Volts are available nationwide. That's about a five months supply! The problem is obviously a lack of demand as GM produced 2,722 Volts in March; over a thousand more than needed.

GM and the Obama Administration have done what they can to prop up sales of the Volt and give the false appearance of success. Lease terms were manipulated to manufacture demand, as GM even admitted. Crony Corporation General Electric (supplier of charging stations) agreed to purchase 15,000 of the vehicles.Localities, and even the military, used taxpayer dollars to purchase Volts. And worst of all, wealthy buyers of the Volt receive a federal tax credit of $7,500 each to purchase (or lease) the vehicles.

So, now we have one more indicator that the Chevy Volt hype has all been a farce. Yet there is still no admission nor is there any accountability for the hoax that cost taxpayers billions of dollars. The lie lives on as few will criticize the politically-sensitive green failure. The Congressional Budget Office reported that electric vehicle subsidies will cost taxpayers about $7.5 billion over a few years for little benefit. Nissan and Toyota have admitted that lithium-ion based, plug-in electric cars are not a viable alternative to gas-powered vehicles. Still, the folly continues.

GM has doubled down on the failed technology of the Volt, now offering a plug-in Chevy Spark while working on plug-in Chevy Cruzes and Cadillacs. The business strategy seems to be politically-driven, since there is no economic reason to pursue a technology that has been a proven failure in the free market, despite taxpayer subsidization. Billions of taxpayer dollars will continue to be lost on a green pipe dream which has no logical basis. When will it be time to say that enough is enough?

Mark Modica is an NLPC Associate Fellow.

[jazusamo]

Working link:

http://nlpc.org/stories/2013/04/03/chevy-volt-sales-plunge-%E2%80%93-obama%E2%80%99s-flagship-ev-failure

[V_TWIN]

“Chevy Spark”

Thats funny considering all the volts that caught fire in peoples garages. Why dont they just call it the flaming piece of $h!t?

[jazusamo]

It’s amazing to me they’d come up with a name like Spark, maybe it was Obama’s brainstorm:)

[JPG]

The Volt meets the Zot.

[Steely Tom]

Thats funny considering all the volts that caught fire in peoples garages.

They could have named it "the Chevy Fireball."

[AngelesCrestHighway]

[oldbrowser]

Obamobiles

[Darksheare]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9QFjeGcAF8

Ads that are complete crap couldn’t be a reason, could it?
“Doesn’t need gas because it’s fully charged!”

[jazusamo]

What a hoot, haven’t seen that.

[jazusamo]

Please bump the Freepathon or click above and donate or become a monthly donor!

[Darksheare]

They played it as a radio ad here.
Hard to believe, it’s even dumber in video form.

[V_TWIN]

They all come with front end alignment that constantly pulls to the LEFT even when it knows it’s wrong and will damage our country.

[exit82]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/03/23/chinese-firms-reportedly-back-away-from-us-taxpayer-backed-fisker/

Here’s the latest on another garage burner fiasco.

[Rebel_Ace]

My two cents (adjusted for inflation, actual value may be less):

The diesel-electric hybrid propulsion concept has more than 60 years of proven market acceptance in the form of Railroad Locomotives. There are certain economies of scale and size in this arena.

I look at the Volt's technology (not the political baggage) and see some things with promise. The costs are not low enough yet, etc, etc.

So, it sort of reminds me of the first few "Digital Personal Assistants" back in the 90's. Anyone remember the Apple Newton? It was laughable, but it was the kernel that led to the iPhone and all the other marketplace handheld computer-like devices.

My objections to the Volt lie largely with the Government subsidies, followed by the market objection of cost versus benefit.

Electric cars will need a breakthru in battery storage to get them to make the leap to commercial market acceptance. All the other engineering problems have pretty much been taken care of.

[PGR88]

Thanks for providing a reminder to never to buy a Government Motors car.

I hadn’t thought about it in a while....

[nascarnation]

Locomotives use diesel electric because they have to drive all the wheels (steel on steel coefficient is quite low, in the range of .1)

A mechanical system to drive that many wheels is not practical/economical.

[a real Sheila]

I look forward to the MSM telling us all about this.

*crickets*

[jazusamo]

I agree, you stated it well.

The cost is too high for the average buyer. The subsidies and tax credits are outrageous and a huge breakthrough in battery tech is needed which may not be for a very long time if ever.

[Rebel_Ace]

Well, yes, and that is why I said,

"...There are certain economies of scale and size in this arena..."

However, regardless of the number of wheels being driven, the CONCEPT of Internal Combustion mechanically driving a generator to send power to an Electric Drive Train is well established as fuel efficient and road worthy. That was my principle point, not to get lost in the many and varied differences between locomotives and personal transportation vehicles.