The 2011 Chevy Volt received adulation around the world even as the first unit was delivered on December 15, 2010. This range-extended hybrid won the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year and the 2011 World Green Car of the Year in late December 2010. General Motors attracted attention with an active marketing campaign and an initial production run of 45,000 units. The Volt was only available in seven states during the first run and the $41,000 price tag seemed excessive to consumers. The 2012 version of the Chevy Volt attempts to reduce barriers to adoption while adding new features to meet customer demands.
GM announced last week that the 2012 Chevy Volt is now available for presale in all 50 states. The sophomore version of the Volt is priced from $39,995, which cuts the price by just over $1,000 compared to the 2011 Volt. Representatives from GM cited higher production runs and more varied pricing options for the lower MSRP. The automaker noted that production of the Volt would increase to 60,000 units per year by 2013. This Volt should perform at similar levels to the 2011 model with a 35-mile range on all-electric power and a total range of 379 miles.
The 2012 Chevy Volt can be customized with seven option packages with some options unavailable in the 2011 model. A driver selecting premium features like leather seats, high-end wheels and a backup camera can pay up to $46,265. GM has added keyless access to the 2012 Volt, allowing a driver to lock and unlock the vehicle based on distance from the key fob. This sedan also includes three years of OnStar navigation service, a touch-screen display for music and Chevrolet MyLink. The 2012 Volt can be customized with white and spiced red interiors and white and blue topaz exteriors.
Drivers will be able to add warranty coverage to the 2012 Chevy Volt that is comparable to the earlier Volt. The standard eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty on the battery pack remains the same as the 2011 model. GM allows Volt owners to add a three-year, 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty as well as a five-year, 100,000-mile roadside assistance package. These warranties can be augmented with a five-year, 100,000-mile engine warranty and six years of corrosion protection. Based on last week’s announcement, GM is combining a downward price trajectory with more customization options to build on the Volt’s considerable buzz.
