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Will the Chevy Volt Succeed?

1015 messages,  Last post on Dec 09, 2012 at 8:21 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Volt Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Volt, Automotive News, Hybrid Cars, Coupe, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan, SUV

Messages Page 69 of 102

#677 of 1015 AutoWeek likes the Volt by larsb

Mar 18, 2011 (8:13 am)

Volt impresses AutoWeek editors for the most part
 
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110318/CARREVIEWS/110319903
 
SENIOR WEST COAST EDITOR MARK VAUGHN: First off, I like the looks of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. It doesn’t look nearly as nice as the concept version, but what production car ever does? The exterior design is a little busy, in a General Motors way, with a line of blackout under the windows, strips of chrome around the greenhouse and different layers of design sort of slathered over each other. But the shape and the proportions look good. I see it as a slightly smaller, much-better-looking version of the 2004 Malibu Maxx five-door station wagon/hatchback thing. Not that anybody but rental-fleet sadists would remember that.
 
Inside, the Volt has a very futuristic-looking center console--almost too futuristic, if you ask me. The console really does look like a concept car, like those instrument panels they show off at the Consumer Electronics Show. It works: All of the buttons operate the functions they’re labeled for, but I wouldn’t have picked this particular finish for the console--it looks like a 14-year-old’s makeup case, especially when contrasted with the more utilitarian, GM-generic rest of the interior.
 
Seating is perfectly comfortable, though it only seats four, not five, because of the massive battery hump running down the middle. The rear hatch offers plenty of room for various cargo. I loaded up stuff from the hardware store easily and carried passengers both front and back without complaints. In fact, everybody liked it.
 
The four-cylinder engine’s exertions are quieter than in the development mule I drove at Dodger Stadium a couple years back, particularly when you hit a hill and floor it and the engine has to spin up to make enough juice. Mostly you have to listen carefully to hear it at all. I was happy to hear it. Having driven all of the early EVs of the 1990s, I can tell you that having a range extender makes a world of difference. You can run the Volt like a regular car without a second thought.
 
They did not mention if they had the Granola model.

#678 of 1015 Looks like the Volt needs another charge by gagrice

Mar 29, 2011 (8:02 am)

Evidently the $7500 tax credit is not getting the job done. Now the spokesperson for GM wants the tax payers to just hand over $7500 when you buy the Volt.
 
Cash for Clunkers 2: The Return of Government Motors
 
Ready for another cash for clunkers program? It looks like General Motors is attempting to replace it's own consumer incentives with tax payer money. The car company, bailed out of bankruptcy in 2009 by the American tax payer, appears to be turning the government into an automatic rebate provider.
 
The Obama administration and their friends on Capitol Hill are floating around a proposal to change the $7500 tax credit for green vehicles. This change can be found not only in President Barack Obama's budget but also a bill proposed by Senator Debbie Stabenow, Michigan Democrat.
 
Edmunds.com, a 45 year old trade magazine company that provides automotive information, posted a Department of Energy document listing the department's funding highlights. The proposed Obama Budget, changes the existing $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit “into a rebate that will be available to all consumers immediately at the point of sale.”

#679 of 1015 Re: Looks like the Volt needs another charge [gagrice] by qbrozen

Mar 29, 2011 (8:28 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Mar 29, 2011 8:02 am)
I'm missing how that makes a difference for us, the tax payers. $7500 now or $7500 in April. Who cares? heck, I think it makes more sense for the buyer to get it off the price. That's what was done for me when I bought solar panels for my home.

#680 of 1015 Re: Looks like the Volt needs another charge [qbrozen] by gagrice

Mar 29, 2011 (8:40 am)

Replying to: qbrozen (Mar 29, 2011 8:28 am)
Not everyone will have a $7500 tax liability. If you don't have to pay it you cannot get a tax credit. It cannot be spread over more than one year. Plus if you fall into that AMT trap, No tax credit for you. This makes it a gift with no strings attached.

#681 of 1015 Re: Looks like the Volt needs another charge [gagrice] by fushigi

Mar 29, 2011 (9:17 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Mar 29, 2011 8:40 am)
I'd think that AMT aside most households that can afford a $41K car are very likely paying more than $7500 in taxes. We are nowhere near rich but we still paid more than twice that last year.
 
IMO such a change merely widens the market for the Volt. The effective price becomes $33.5K today v. $41K today - $7500 tomorrow. Easier to finance, easier to pay cash for if one were so inclined. Depending on your state it may mean less sales tax.
 
Of course, it also means the Volt will take an added $7500 depreciation hit on Day 1 of ownership.

#682 of 1015 Re: Looks like the Volt needs another charge [qbrozen] by larsb

Mar 29, 2011 (9:23 am)

Replying to: qbrozen (Mar 29, 2011 8:28 am)
Agreed. $7500 now, $7500 later, what's the diff?

#683 of 1015 Re: Looks like the Volt needs another charge [gagrice] by qbrozen

Mar 29, 2011 (10:27 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Mar 29, 2011 8:40 am)
I have no idea what an AMT is, but I agree with fushigi, if you are buying a $41k car, I'm SURE you pay more than $7500 in taxes.

#684 of 1015 Re: Looks like the Volt needs another charge [qbrozen] by sebring95

Mar 29, 2011 (11:32 am)

Replying to: qbrozen (Mar 29, 2011 10:27 am)
A married couple basically needs to gross $70,000 to hit that kind of tax bill and with itemized deductions they could easily still not hit it. Certainly not uncommon, but I'm sure there are cases where somebody thought they were getting a big tax credit and didn't. Someone that's self-employed could have a lot of depreciation or section 179 deductions and end up with not enough tax to cover the credit.

#685 of 1015 Re: Looks like the Volt needs another charge [qbrozen] by dmathews3

Mar 29, 2011 (1:12 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Mar 29, 2011 10:27 am)
YHou get the $7500 whether you pay taxes or not. That is the way it is setup as my wife got a Fusion Hybrid and she payed NO taxes at that time and got the rebate. Thats why it is called a TAX CREDIT.

#686 of 1015 Re: Looks like the Volt needs another charge [sebring95] by qbrozen

Mar 29, 2011 (1:20 pm)

Replying to: sebring95 (Mar 29, 2011 11:32 am)
As the person above me stated, I don't believe you actually need to have an end of the year tax bill to benefit.

Messages Page 69 of 102

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