General Motors vice chairman Bob Lutz addressed some of issue staring down the Detroit-based automaker's plug-in hybrid plans. While GM's plug-in hybrid vehicles might still be on track for a 2010 or 2011 launch, their prices will likely be much higher than originally anticipated.The Chevrolet Volt will be much more expensive than originally planned when it launches in November 2010. "I gave up on $30,000, but I haven't given up on $40,000," Lutz said. Lutz cited higher-than-expected battery prices for pushing the Volt's price up by $10,000. However, Lutz is still optimistic that consumers could still see a price closer to $30,000. "GM will see $40,000, but it's possible that the consumer could see a price closer to $30,000," thanks to government incentives.
But when it comes down to it, GM is more concerned about getting the Volt to market on time, rather than its price. "We're not worried about [price], we just want to get it to market," Lutz said in closing.
Upcoming 2011-2012 Chevy Volt Latest Spy Photos
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Full spy report from Brenda Priddy's spy photographers, Chris Doane, below.
The Chevy Volt (test mule)
Today we have the first rock solid evidence that the Chevy Volt has begun development. Hiding under a previous generation Malibu body, we saw GM starting to run the E-Flex powertrain through it paces on the track.
The General will hope to have the Volt on sale in late 2010 as a 2011MY car. However that timing will depend on how well the Lithium Ion batteries development progresses. A task given to Continental Automotive Systems and A123 Systems. It could very well be a 2012MY car by the time Volt's start rolling down the production line.
One thing we do know for sure if that the Volt will be riding on the next gen Delta chassis. This next gen chassis is also know as GM's "Global Compact Car Architecture." According UAW documents, GM seems set to build the Volt at their Hamtramck plant once the G-body Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS cease production.
Price wise, GM was hoping for an MSRP of around $30,000. It now seems that number may be closer to $35,000.
Photo Credit: Chris Doane for Brenda Priddy & Co.
Spy Shots: Chevy Volt caught testing for the first time
What we do know is that the E-Flex powertrain will be paired with the next-generation Delta chassis. Two suppliers, Continental Automotive Systems and A123 Systems, are tasked with developing the Volt's all-important lithium-ion battery pack that has to achieve the difficult mark of allowing the Volt to operate for 40 miles on electric power alone. There's still a lot of work to do and not a lot of time left to do it, so it's good seeing GM finally driving the Volt around.
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