







Source: Fortune

Comments     Threshold


RE: Bailout Mentality
By lelias2k on 5/3/2013 11:21:47 AM , Rating: 2
No, GM is developing something that is light years ahead of a freaking Prius. I worked at a GM dealership and was a Volt specialist. There is not comparison between the two cars.

I am not talking about features, nor MPG, but driving experience.

Just do one quick test: put a Prius through a mild uphill and then take the Volt on the same path. Try increasing the speed on both.

Then come back and tell me they are competing vehicles.

The only people bashing the Volt are the ones who haven't tried it.

Is it a vehicles for everyone? Of course not, as that doesn't exist. But it is the first step in a very different direction.

RE: Bailout Mentality
By 91TTZ on 5/3/13, Rating: -1
RE: Bailout Mentality
By jimbojimbo on 5/3/2013 12:01:44 PM , Rating: 2
37MPG? Where have you been? You do know that you can plug in the Volt and charge it right?

RE: Bailout Mentality
By theapparition on 5/3/13, Rating: 0
RE: Bailout Mentality
By Dr of crap on 5/3/2013 12:53:21 PM , Rating: 1
AND yes the Volt will go all of 35 miles on a charge. Yahooo, 35 MILES, THEN it uses gas.

IF YOU live in the city, you probably don't need a $40,000 Volt anyway!

RE: Bailout Mentality
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/3/2013 12:56:36 PM , Rating: 2
Honda for me as well. I miss my 05 SI Hatch :(

RE: Bailout Mentality
By BRB29 on 5/3/2013 1:20:47 PM , Rating: 1
I live in the city and I wish I have a Volt. Both prius and volt are great city cars as idling won't use up gas. I save a lot of money as my ICE car right now average 15mpg because I shit in traffic all day.

The Prius blows balls on the highway while the Volt cruises much better.

RE: Bailout Mentality
By 91TTZ on 5/3/2013 2:09:00 PM , Rating: 2

Why don't you buy a Volt, then?

I suspect the main reason is the same reason that I and most other people don't buy them- they're too expensive for what you get.

Sure, the Volt looks like a very nice car. I'd like to have one, too. But they're almost $40,000. Even if someone gave me $40,000, there would be more practical uses for the money. I could buy a less expensive car and use the extra money to pay down my mortgage.

My main point of contention isn't the quality of the Volt, it's the practicality of the Volt when you consider the price. The Volt would be an awesome $25k car. It's a lackluster $39,145 car.

It's the same problem that plagues the Mazda 2. I've driven one and it's a great little car. But they priced it almost the same as the Mazda 3. Hardly anyone would buy an awesome "budget" car like the Mazda 2 when it's priced the same as a higher end car like the Mazda 3. It's a sales failure and I wouldn't be surprised if it was discontinued.

RE: Bailout Mentality
By Mint on 5/3/2013 5:11:57 PM , Rating: 2
Price will come down, as evidenced by this article.

Plug-in hybrids are basically hybrids with a larger battery and a charger. The C-Max Energy is only a few grand more than the equivalently equipped C-Max SEL Hybrid. You can make up the cost difference in a few years.

However, it clear that in these early stages some manufacturers want higher margins on plugins, e.g. the Fusion Energi. It has the same powertrain as the C-Max, but the price premium for the plugin is way higher.

This'll go away with more competition, once again highlighting the importance of getting the ball rolling.

RE: Bailout Mentality
By 91TTZ on 5/3/2013 1:54:15 PM , Rating: 2
Don't bust his bubble. It takes a lot of effort to only present the facts that support your argument.

I was clear in the context of my post. The other poster had to go out of their way to pick it apart. They made huge leaps in logic to do so, including completely disregarding key words in my post. It was really just poor reading comprehension and reasoning ability.

It does cost more, and would take a long while to earn the cost difference back,

Which is a huge problem when your main selling point is its efficiency.

but a 25mpg Mercedes also costs more than a 25mpg Honda. Guess which one most people would pick if they had the choice.

I would pick the Honda. Until automakers start giving away cars for free, price is going to be a huge factor in a purchase. You get a lot for your money with a Honda. The build quality is excellent, they're comfortable, they're reliable, and they're priced right.

RE: Bailout Mentality
By 91TTZ on 5/3/2013 1:35:27 PM , Rating: 1
How poor is your reading comprehension? Do I have to circle key words in crayon?

Here's what I said:

and gets 37 MPG on average using its hybrid powertrain

Now let's head over to and look at the official rating for its hybrid powertrain:

You'll see that when running on gas using its hybrid powertrain it gets 37 Combined (35 City, 40 Highway)

Reading is fundamental, kid.

RE: Bailout Mentality
By BRB29 on 5/3/2013 1:18:33 PM , Rating: 4
Your comparison is whacked. The Prius was funded by both Canada and Japan. The Prius had also been on market for a long time so it is in its profitable stage.

The volt weighs ~3.7k lbs
The Prius weighs ~3k lbs

The volt drives much better
The Prius drives like a boat

The volt can charge and go up to 40 miles in full EV
The Prius can't even get 5 miles

The Volt cost more
The Prius cost less

The volt has just recently been debuted and sold
The Prius has been sold since 97

The Volt has tax credit
The Prius also had tax credit

Conclusion: The volt is a better car but it cost more. It is a compromised evolution to become a full EV.

GM is approaching a practical EV starting from a hybrid. Tesla is approaching a practical EV starting from a luxury high tech EV.

We will get an EV either from Tesla or GM that can get 200 mile range in less than a decade that cost less than 40k. Eventually, we will get full EV with 300 mile range for 30k but don't expect it this decade.

RE: Bailout Mentality
By 91TTZ on 5/3/2013 1:45:33 PM , Rating: 1
As I clearly said in my initial post the Volt is probably a nicer car but it comes at a really steep price.

The problem is that they're selling the Volt at a premium price but they're marketing it as a "practical" car. You market fuel efficient econoboxes as "practical" cars. When you're trying to sell a $40k car you better have a better selling point than "it gets good fuel economy".

As a product goes, it's in "no-man's land". It's too expensive for the "practical" market they're targeting, but too bland for the luxury range in which it's priced.

RE: Bailout Mentality
By BillyBatson on 5/3/2013 11:52:56 AM , Rating: 2
So the volt is better than the Prius just because it has more available torque? Yes the Prius is underpowered but this one positive the Volt has over the Prius doesn't make the volt a better car.
I will not be considered a hybrid for another 10+ years because the technology, actual fuel savings, and cost just aren't there yet I'm saving more $ driving a 4 banger. That and both these cars are ugly as all hell!

RE: Bailout Mentality
By Spuke on 5/3/2013 1:03:05 PM , Rating: 2
Better driveability does make for a better overall driving experience IMO. My Solstice ultimately is quicker, better handling, and has better brakes than my wife's Bimmer but her cars a much better driver than mine. Steering is better, brake FEEL is nicer, and steering is quicker/sharper. All that says better car to me.

RE: Bailout Mentality
By BillyBatson on 5/3/2013 2:28:20 PM , Rating: 2
it really depends on what you consider to be "better" for some people the way a car drives has nothing to do with what makes a better car some people prefer interior comfort to anything to do with the engine etc. "All that says better car to me." yes all that would make for a better car but we weren't talking about all that we were talking about just torque, for me if a car only had better toque over another I wouldn't say that it's the better car.


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