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GM discounts electric Chevrolet Volt up to $10,000

USA Today -- General Motors is offering big discounts to boost sales of the Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in extended-range electric car that struggled to attract buyers until its price began dropping early this year.

Discounts run as high as $10,000 per Volt, according to figures from TrueCar.com, an auto-pricing website. They include low-interest financing and subsidized leases. Leases have run as cheap as $250 a month

Sales of the $39,995 car have quadrupled this year, and set a monthly record in August. They show that Americans, who have been slow to embrace electric cars, are willing to buy them if prices are low enough.

But electrics have a long way to go before they enter the mainstream and generate profits. Electrics and gas-electric hybrids account for 3.5% of U.S. auto sales this year.

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Submitted Sep 24, 2012 By: BurntOrange

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SammyAdams Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:3,041 Points:789,860 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 8:07:52 PM Ignore SammyAdams Report Abuse This is what a manufacturer usually does and SHOULD do whenever the "supply" exceeds the "demand". Unfortunately for GM, their projection for manufacturing these vehicles was skewed, because it was determined by government pushing in a direction (via incentives, mandates, etc.) rather than the free market. Tax subsidies were not sufficient to overcome the value perceived by the buying public, hence the car maker is NOW offering these discounts. Good plan. I hope it works, except that, as a taxpayer, I have a vested interest in GM.
carranco Champion Author Georgia Posts:1,027 Points:267,390 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 7:24:10 PM Ignore carranco Report Abuse 2012 needs to be the last year for this loser.
bevmill Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,562 Points:596,545 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 4:24:39 PM Ignore bevmill Report Abuse Maybe it will be more affordable now.
rjhenn Champion Author Des Moines Posts:22,419 Points:2,226,625 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 10:55:19 AM Ignore rjhenn Report Abuse RickF350 - "You're talking about future sales which is just a guess and means nothing. Heck, GM could be gone in three years." So, do you think that a company makes up their development costs with the first sale?
jcdakota Champion Author Baltimore Posts:1,347 Points:361,345 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 1:45:25 AM Ignore jcdakota Report Abuse Did anyone expect a stampede to the electric car? consumers are usually slow to adopt a new technology.
RickF350 Champion Author Washington Posts:3,408 Points:705,050 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 10:49:29 PM Ignore RickF350 Report Abuse TrustinDad wrote:Two more links for you, then you have proven you don't understand what you are reading: You're talking about future sales which is just a guess and means nothing. Heck, GM could be gone in three years.
TustinDad Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,271 Points:906,865 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 10:13:06 PM Ignore TustinDad Report Abuse RickF350 wrote: "I understand they are beating around the bush, and that you don't have proof." Two more links for you, then you have proven you don't understand what you are reading: AlterNet and Forbes [Edited by: TustinDad at 9/25/2012 1:14:22 AM EST]
nd73 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,071 Points:487,880 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 10:02:01 PM Ignore nd73 Report Abuse Another proud monument to the incompetence of the arrogant BO in the White House!
RickF350 Champion Author Washington Posts:3,408 Points:705,050 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:46:24 PM Ignore RickF350 Report Abuse JustinDad wrote: Some people don't have the ability to analyze what they read. I will not stay up all night looking for information you can find yourself! I understand they are beating around the bush, and that you don't have proof.
VanIsleLes All-Star Author British Columbia Posts:898 Points:274,595 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:44:20 PM Ignore VanIsleLes Report Abuse Some people will try it for the price
TustinDad Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,271 Points:906,865 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:35:46 PM Ignore TustinDad Report Abuse RickF350 wrote: "In that article GM admits to loosing money, but won't own up to how much. Do you have a link to a reputable independent report?" Some people don't have the ability to analyze what they read. I will not stay up all night looking for information you can find yourself!
RickF350 Champion Author Washington Posts:3,408 Points:705,050 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:32:06 PM Ignore RickF350 Report Abuse TrustinDad wrote: You could have looked this up yourself, but here it is: Carscoop is one of many that reported on the errors in the original calculation. GM added their blurp to it. There are many others, just use Google. There were a couple of article here on Gasbuddy as well, but maybe you didn't see those? In that article GM admits to loosing money, but won't own up to how much. Do you have a link to a reputable independent report?
TustinDad Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,271 Points:906,865 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:12:57 PM Ignore TustinDad Report Abuse RickF350 wrote: "Well, enlighten us." You could have looked this up yourself, but here it is: Carscoop is one of many that reported on the errors in the original calculation. GM added their blurp to it. There are many others, just use Google. There were a couple of article here on Gasbuddy as well, but maybe you didn't see those?
RickF350 Champion Author Washington Posts:3,408 Points:705,050 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 8:54:57 PM Ignore RickF350 Report Abuse Trustindad wrote: The story behind the $50,000 has been proven false, but don't let that stop you from spreading it. Keep up the good work. Well, enlighten us.
papakoca All-Star Author Texas Posts:649 Points:526,935 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 8:06:55 PM Ignore papakoca Report Abuse They should just take a page from the drug pushers salesbook. "The first one's free, kid."
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,290 Points:1,634,920 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:58:04 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse COOL!
bvrbill Champion Author Eugene Posts:3,193 Points:514,850 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:49:04 PM Ignore bvrbill Report Abuse The Volt is not practical nor cost effective.
OGW Champion Author London Posts:5,324 Points:1,529,650 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:45:38 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse They would have to sell them for $10,000. before I would even consider gambling on one.
farn1958 All-Star Author Twin Cities Posts:886 Points:183,385 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:41:37 PM Ignore farn1958 Report Abuse still to expensive.
WIPACKERFAN Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,784 Points:1,839,550 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:37:02 PM Ignore WIPACKERFAN Report Abuse Anything to sell cars.
FlyNFool Champion Author South Carolina Posts:8,224 Points:1,681,200 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:32:25 PM Ignore FlyNFool Report Abuse And loose even more money.
montytexas Champion Author Houston Posts:2,891 Points:1,409,880 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:31:23 PM Ignore montytexas Report Abuse what is the lowest cash price if I go into my local Chevrolet dealer ??
Ray_10589 Champion Author New York Posts:4,926 Points:1,179,735 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:28:09 PM Ignore Ray_10589 Report Abuse tax waste ....
Focus2 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,889 Points:1,918,255 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:27:07 PM Ignore Focus2 Report Abuse WIWalt said, They just came up with another way to spend OUR money. GM did not deserve to be bailed out they failed as a business paid employees too much partied ect. Should have let them fail I am saying this as a GM owner. I like their vehicles But I bought my last one before this all happened & It will remain my last one I was never a big Ford fan but I will be checking them out for next purchace." For your information, Ford was against the bailout before they were for it. They refused it at start but accepted a loan from the government later which was like a bail out. Check it out on the Internet. I for one am glad we saved all the car manufacturers and the thousands of jobs that supported them all. Even avoiding buying up the employee's pension plans by our government has saved us tons of money that even is not mentioned or talked about. The first CNG cars came from Honda Civic GX. The present one is a Ram 2500 truck by Chrysler on the market right now, also runs on CNG and not from Japan.
HailstormCA Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,835 Points:1,468,020 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:22:05 PM Ignore HailstormCA Report Abuse I've got an idea. Obama should like it too. GM can pay me to drive the Volt and I'll say pretty much whatever they want said.
tco9436 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:1,772 Points:719,925 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:21:53 PM Ignore tco9436 Report Abuse Junk
0to60in6 Sophomore Author Idaho Posts:118 Points:247,910 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:21:27 PM Ignore 0to60in6 Report Abuse Increase that discount to $39,000 and I might take one for a test drive.
Rajah Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,553 Points:2,302,945 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:19:06 PM Ignore Rajah Report Abuse Yes, if they're cheap enough, people will buy them. That's pretty much the way it works for everything. If it's too expensive, you won't sell many. Bring the price down to where folks think it's affordable, you'll sell more.
BigMoney65 All-Star Author Wisconsin Posts:800 Points:617,395 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:18:35 PM Ignore BigMoney65 Report Abuse who cares will never buy a electric car or form Government Motors
njerald Champion Author Seattle Posts:7,809 Points:1,620,050 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:17:29 PM Ignore njerald Report Abuse Discounted Government JUNK
usnerd Veteran Author Dayton Posts:312 Points:225,230 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:17:10 PM Ignore usnerd Report Abuse What is the break-even price compared to a 40 mpg car for 20 grand?
Mustache_33 All-Star Author Toronto Posts:900 Points:181,455 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:17:05 PM Ignore Mustache_33 Report Abuse it's annoying when GM claims to losing money bec the discount they're giving. Are the CEO's idiots!?? Why should you be in business if you lose money at the selling point. I would believe if you sell at lesser profit, but not losing, to adjust with the economy. In the long run, GM would benefit because of all these new Volt owners will need to service their cars for change oils, tires, etc.. soon enough .. and that's business too.
Barracuda Rookie Author Orange County Posts:29 Points:306,630 Joined:Oct 2003	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:13:06 PM Ignore Barracuda Report Abuse Give me a 6 passenger,4 cylinder vehicle, 45 m.p.g. with some balls, and all the tech stuff.
CPGas1815 Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,027 Points:1,099,605 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:11:43 PM Ignore CPGas1815 Report Abuse 40 thousand bucks for a soup can size vehicle. What in the world is happening?
libertyut Champion Author Utah Posts:1,340 Points:289,595 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:10:43 PM Ignore libertyut Report Abuse Sorry GM go back to the drawing board, no one wants one even at $30,000
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,492 Points:600,445 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:08:02 PM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse it's a start.
WIWalt Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,712 Points:412,715 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:04:53 PM Ignore WIWalt Report Abuse They just came up with another way to spend OUR money. GM did not deserve to be bailed out they failed as a business paid employees too much partied ect. Should have let them fail I am saying this as a GM owner. I like their vehicles But I bought my last one before this all happened & It will remain my last one I was never a big Ford fan but I will be checking them out for next purchace.
ericbcire Champion Author Nevada Posts:4,505 Points:1,263,710 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:03:28 PM Ignore ericbcire Report Abuse Nobody wants one.
TustinDad Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,271 Points:906,865 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:03:17 PM Ignore TustinDad Report Abuse runningmp wrote: "If you have seen one Volt on the road that is more than I have seen. To date I haven't seen a single Volt." They are not at all that uncommon around here. About the same amount as the Nissan Leaf (which is a pure EV and has a much smaller range than the Volt).
TustinDad Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,271 Points:906,865 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:01:20 PM Ignore TustinDad Report Abuse runningmp wrote: "Why say no to a Volt? Because GM takes a loss of approximately $50,000 on each car that they do sell. When you factor in all of the R&D that went into the car and the abysmal sales that how you get that number." The story behind the $50,000 has been proven false, but don't let that stop you from spreading it. Keep up the good work.
stadlgi Champion Author Akron Posts:2,206 Points:1,321,205 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 7:00:30 PM Ignore stadlgi Report Abuse Winter is coming along and electric cars don't handle the cold all that well. Especially one that will go about 40 miles before a charge is needed. Now throw that into winter with the cold affecting the batteries and the cabin heater draw. Maybe you'll get 10 miles? A lot of price for a car we can't really use.
hammer219115 Veteran Author Pennsylvania Posts:411 Points:22,950 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 6:59:13 PM Ignore hammer219115 Report Abuse Shakin out my piggy bank.
knot2swift Champion Author Calgary Posts:4,374 Points:695,250 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 6:56:46 PM Ignore knot2swift Report Abuse Well really...who gives a rats ass about over priced electrics when the public is screaming for cheaper CNG cars? Again the Big Three screwed up! The first CNG cars will come from Japan.
A2J Champion Author Richmond Posts:3,065 Points:600,900 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 6:53:19 PM Ignore A2J Report Abuse rumors
IUVidiot Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,570 Points:705,435 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 6:52:56 PM Ignore IUVidiot Report Abuse Not for me
Wierbe Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,732 Points:1,115,115 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 6:51:56 PM Ignore Wierbe Report Abuse I doubt the negativity of the posts here reflect the public at large. The problem is car is just too expensive, no matter the power source.
runningmp Champion Author Corpus Christi Posts:24,476 Points:2,744,970 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 6:51:18 PM Ignore runningmp Report Abuse >>rjoeh, I've seen more on the road than I thought I would.. and for those who shelled out the money... more power to them... but I still want my little four cylinder gas model...<< If you have seen one Volt on the road that is more than I have seen. To date I haven't seen a single Volt.
runningmp Champion Author Corpus Christi Posts:24,476 Points:2,744,970 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 6:49:42 PM Ignore runningmp Report Abuse >>TustinDad, That's dumb. No, actually, it is stupid! Would you say no to any other free car? Why say no to a Volt?..<< Why say no to a Volt? Because GM takes a loss of approximately $50,000 on each car that they do sell. When you factor in all of the R&D that went into the car and the abysmal sales that how you get that number. Plus, why would you buy/lease a car from a corporation which had to be bailed out by the federal government (i.e. taxpayers) and our loss on that is close to $30 billion. For the taxpayers to break even a share of GM would have to go for over $53.00.
rjoeh Champion Author Michigan Posts:7,066 Points:2,466,440 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 6:49:15 PM Ignore rjoeh Report Abuse Apparently... the government must have stopped its energy credit and this is the only way to get the public to buy the vehicle. I've seen more on the road than I thought I would.. and for those who shelled out the money... more power to them... but I still want my little four cylinder gas model.
dwbuddy Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:1,813 Points:745,955 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 6:47:57 PM Ignore dwbuddy Report Abuse more subsides to keep jobs