Posted on 11/26/2018 9:07:04 AM PST by tcrlaf
Amid flagging sales, General Motors confirmed on Monday that it will no longer make the plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt, ceasing production on March 1st, 2019. The news comes as part of a wider plan by GM to slash car production in North America and halt production of several low-selling brands. Trading on GM shares was briefly halted on the stock exchange early on Monday in anticipation of “major operational changes,” according to CNBC.
GM plans to “unallocate” three assembly plants — in Oshawa, Ontario; Detroit, Michigan; and Warren, Ohio — putting the future of those plants in doubt, Reuters reports.
The move will necessitate layoffs of salaried executive employees. “Actions are being taken to reduce salaried and salaried contract staff by 15 percent, which includes 25 percent fewer executives to streamline decision making,” GM said in a statement. An estimated 14,000 factory workers and white-collar employees stand to lose their jobs, according to The Associated Press.
(Excerpt) Read more at theverge.com ...
someone i know just had a hybrid given to them, apparently this hybrid recharges whiel driving- no plug in necessary- why aren’t car manufacturers seeking to refine this technology instead of requiring expensive electric plug in recharguing?
Looks like they are going the hybrid-suv route
The public doesn’t want a cramped car to drive around in.
However, hybrid-SUV’s offer similar room to other small SUV’s, so the public wants those.
Yep, non-hybrid Geos got 45 mpg.
Maybe they can all go to work for the Democrat Party?
They’ve been paying them for years.
They have refined it. They are bringing out an SUV-hybrid in 2022
I doubt that President Trump will be silent about this. Thank the Lord for President Trump.
Surprise. Volts aren’t selling like hotcakes.
Although feeling sorry for the workers, I haven't any sympathy for GM the company since they started making shit cars and doing really stupid stuff in the 70s and beyond. As far as I am concerned, they should have gone bankrupt and then worked to get out of it.
It's fine if people want to drive an SUV or a cross-over. We have a brand new SUV in the family, but I just do not understand the desire for a cross-over vehicle. My parents bought cross-over vehicles in the late 60's and into the 70's. But in those days the cross-over vehicle was known as a station wagon.
I gave up driving an SUV for a sports sedan. I can't imagine ever going back.
Doesn’t that tell them the public does not want these hybrids?
What the public wants is secondary. Much of what we are seeing is being caused by the stranglehold the Government has on the cars via requirements. To make matters worse on his way out the door Obongo imposed standards which require suspension of the laws of physics. Trump said he’s “looking into” at least freezing them as is but has yet to commit
"Unlike the Volt, though, the Bolt is the linchpin to GM’s plans for the future.The EV is used by its Cruise Automation division for autonomous testing, and a future version without steering wheel or pedals is getting ready to go into production." (my emphasis)
Oh, wonder joy and glory. Now Government Motors is coming up with another great brainstorm, a totally driverless vehicle, "without steering wheel or pedals." Somehow, I absolutely know consumers will be knocking each other over and mugging each other just for a chance to ride in it, let alone a chance actually to buy one. After all, look how successful driverless cars have been in avoiding fatalities so far. Having done so well with consumer diesels and the brilliantly successful Chevy Vega, GM is assuredly on to another great market triumph that will excite its remaining stock holders. (sarc. off)
A hybrid can save you about $900/yr in fuel costs. A couple of years of ownership will pay for the difference between a hybrid and a full gas model.
Ford also (not so recently) announced that they were ending the production of sedans, and that soon, the only non-SUV offering in their stable would be the Mustang.
They didn’t mention specific layoff or plant closures at the time, though (I might have missed it).
Chrysler has already pretty much done the same thing, axing the 200/Dart.
The public has voted with their wallets, and the humble (or not so humble) sedan has lost the election. They are currently unprofitable, and with the entrance of China in to the market, will become a complete boat anchor, so the big 3 are throwing in the towel and sticking to the big money - trucks and SUVs, with the occasional high-profit sporty car on the side.
I bought my Malibu a couple of years ago, when they had a 30% off sale. 30%! Practically giving them away. That said, I like it, 35+ mpg highway is nice, and the Bose stereo is sweetness, but in a few years, when it’s time to change cars, what will be available for me? Probably just another generic SUV/CUV. Huzzah. I may not like it, but I’m just one of those dinosaur consumers, stuck in the past.
Whatever.
MAGA!!!! Best President ever!
The Chevy Volt needed to be put out of its misery. There never was a true market demand for it. It was never anything more than a feel-good, public relations caper.
Preexisting orders need to be filled.
A couple years back they were going all out in advertising. Local conservative talk radio hosts were doing Volt pitches. They were trying to make the car attractive to other than wacko greens. I guess it wasn’t enough.
Whatsamatter, fedgov not buying fleets of Volts anymore?
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