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Chevy Volt Inventory Build – Time for Another Production Halt?
NLPC ^ | May 22, 2013 | Mark Modica

Posted on 05/22/2013 8:52:22 AM PDT by jazusamo

A recent search for new Chevy Volts on cars.com unearthed 9,254 vehicles currently at dealerships for sale. There were another 258 late-model, used Volts available. About half of those had less than 5,000 miles on them. Considering the abysmal sales rate for the self-proclaimed electric wonder-car (1,306 in April for those keeping track), the unofficial inventory numbers point to about a seven month supply of Volts available. Ideal inventory levels are considered to be in the two month range. It may be near time for General Motors to halt production, yet again, for the floundering Volt.

The inventory numbers for the Volt seem to be at all-time highs at a time when sales have shown no signs of revival. Barring a manipulation of demand, which GM has managed in the past by offering low-payment, subsidized leases through government-owned Ally Financial, it does not make any sense for Volts to continue to be manufactured faster than they are being purchased. Another option is for crony company GE to step up to the plate and take a load of Volts off of GM's hands. Or maybe the Obama Administration can find a way to use some more taxpayer money to support a car that can not survive on its own in the free markets. It does not appear that the $7,500 federal tax credit is enough to motivate wealthy consumers to flock to dealerships to buy the cars.

GM has used excuses for the shutdowns in the past when it halted Volt production. The primary reason for factory shutdowns has been that the plant needed retooling. GM then went on to proclaim something to the effect of, "Great news, demand for the Volt is so strong we're restarting production sooner than we thought we would!" I guess these statements are designed to fool the same people that actually believed that low Volt sales were a result of GM not being able to build the cars fast enough to keep up with all that darn demand. That lame excuse has now been replaced with a flat-out denial that there is anything wrong with Volt sales. The car is doing very well, thank you.

The Chevy Volt has been a glaring example of why political ideology and government interventionism have no place in free-market capitalism. Time and again we see failures of government-supported companies, particularly in the green arena, with corporations like Solyndra and Fisker relying on government handouts instead of having a viable business plan. In the case of the Volt, GM refuses to admit its mistake. Instead, it fabricates reasons for low sales or goes a step further and tries to manufacture demand where little exists. Until such time that GM makes its business decisions based upon economic and market realities rather than upon its politically correct green vision for the future, more taxpayer money is sure to be thrown away to keep the Volt hoax alive. I expect that we'll see more Volt plant retooling soon.

Mark Modica is an NLPC Associate Fellow.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government
KEYWORDS: chevyvolt; electricvehicles; gm; governmentmotors
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Perhaps that price cut that CEO Dan Akerson recently mentioned is about to take place because of the Volt inventory now on hand, they'd lose an additional $10K on each Volt but make it up in volume.
1 posted on 05/22/2013 8:52:22 AM PDT by jazusamo
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To: jazusamo
/ "I sure hope this scam works on the little people..."
2 posted on 05/22/2013 8:56:58 AM PDT by AngelesCrestHighway
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To: jazusamo

Almost up to ten kilovolts unsellable...


3 posted on 05/22/2013 9:02:44 AM PDT by Hardraade (http://junipersec.wordpress.com (Vendetta))
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To: AngelesCrestHighway

Yep...Is that Obama’s infamous test roll in a Volt?


4 posted on 05/22/2013 9:03:00 AM PDT by jazusamo ("Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent." -- Adam Smith)
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To: jazusamo

I have a Dr. friend that leased one. He says the range after 3 months dropped to 35 miles a charge. Range is critical with these cars and it is not happening. Perhaps the leaf is better on that score.


5 posted on 05/22/2013 9:06:28 AM PDT by Goreknowshowtocheat
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To: jazusamo

When they give one away with cereal box tops then maybe I willget one as a backup vehicle


6 posted on 05/22/2013 9:10:59 AM PDT by Mr. K (There are lies, damned lies, statistics, and democrat talking points.)
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To: jazusamo

i remember articles here being posted that production was being shut down because of this.’ where are theystill making any?


7 posted on 05/22/2013 9:12:05 AM PDT by Secret Agent Man (I can neither confirm or deny that; even if I could, I couldn't - it's classified.)
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To: jazusamo
 photo obamamobile.jpg
8 posted on 05/22/2013 9:14:00 AM PDT by Huskrrrr
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To: Secret Agent Man

As I recall there were two shut downs in 2012, one at the first of the year and then another later that lasted 3 weeks? instead of an estimated 4.

The Volt is made at the Detroit-Hamtramck Plant.

http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/company_info/facilities/assembly/dham.html


9 posted on 05/22/2013 9:19:26 AM PDT by jazusamo ("Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent." -- Adam Smith)
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Please bump the Freepathon or click above and donate or become a monthly donor!

10 posted on 05/22/2013 9:20:36 AM PDT by jazusamo ("Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent." -- Adam Smith)
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To: jazusamo
the unofficial inventory numbers point to about a seven month supply of Volts available

Just like Russian over-production when the communists were in control. Only, then it was shovels, now it's Volts.

Thank you, Obama.

11 posted on 05/22/2013 9:23:23 AM PDT by Rapscallion (In Benghazi they died; Obama, Clinton and Rice lied. God may forgive. I do not.)
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To: jazusamo

..another fair share story....(moron rat)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/05/pay_by_the_mile_thats_the_prop.html


12 posted on 05/22/2013 9:24:27 AM PDT by Doogle (USAF.68-73..8th TFW Ubon Thailand..never store a threat you should have eliminated))
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To: Secret Agent Man
"i remember articles here being posted that production was being shut down because of this.’ where are theystill making any?"

Fire extinguisher sales are down, so the industry lobbyists have been leaning on Chevy to make more Volts. They're running a promo...buy a fire extinguisher, get a free Volt.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

13 posted on 05/22/2013 9:25:47 AM PDT by wku man (Amnesty? No Way, Jose (No Se Puede!) by 10 Pound Test http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsTUQ8yOI2c)
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To: All; Admin Moderator

Bad link for article.

Working link:

http://nlpc.org/stories/2013/05/22/chevy-volt-inventory-build-%E2%80%93-time-another-production-halt


14 posted on 05/22/2013 9:28:02 AM PDT by jazusamo ("Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent." -- Adam Smith)
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To: Doogle

Here in Washington state a new $100 fee for all electric vehicles went into effect this year that’ll be paid with the yearly registration renewal, it doesn’t affect hybrids.


15 posted on 05/22/2013 9:34:29 AM PDT by jazusamo ("Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent." -- Adam Smith)
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To: jazusamo

I’m doing my part by buying a 2013 Dodge Challenger R/T T/A with gas chugging 5.7l Hemi V8. Should have it by this weekend.

FWIW, I’ve only ever seen one Chevy Volt.


16 posted on 05/22/2013 9:35:01 AM PDT by TheRhinelander
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To: jazusamo

The whack libtards are way ahead of themselves...trying to lower the tax boom on a non existent demand.


17 posted on 05/22/2013 9:44:59 AM PDT by AngelesCrestHighway
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To: TheRhinelander

It just makes me want to go out and order a crate 427!


18 posted on 05/22/2013 9:46:16 AM PDT by AngelesCrestHighway
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To: jazusamo

If GM offers an attractive lease like before ($200/month, nothing down) then I may look into it. The gas savings would come close to paying for itself.


19 posted on 05/22/2013 10:06:14 AM PDT by adamjeeps
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To: Goreknowshowtocheat
I have a Dr. friend that leased one. He says the range after 3 months dropped to 35 miles a charge.

I have always been skeptical of the MPGe rating that the Volt got - mostly because I heard that it was not tested in real-world conditions. No radio, lights, wipers, heaters, etc. being on. These all drain the battery at a higher rate and, consequently, the overall MPGe ...

20 posted on 05/22/2013 10:15:16 AM PDT by Lmo56 (If ya wanna run with the big dawgs - ya gotta learn to piss in the tall grass ...)
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