GM expects Volt to cost less than $30,000

Posted Sat May 24 2008 7:21 AM by Ralph Hanson

With the announcement last week initial prototypes for the upcoming Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid have already met their target of 40 miles of electric-only driving, GM CEO Rick Wagoner is confident the car could be released earlier than first predicted and has told German media that it could even cost less than $30,000.

Speaking with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Wagoner said GM is aiming to launch the Volt by early 2010 and hopefully beat Toyota to become the first major carmaker with a volume plug-in hybrid for sale.

A price of less than $30,000 should see the Volt reach its production goals of 60,000 annual units and may even put to bed the rumors of a possible battery-rental scheme that GM was previously considering - although the scheme hasn't been completely ruled out yet.

GM is hoping that the new Chevy Volt will be its comeback car, its reclamation of power over its Japanese rivals who are winning the minds - and wallets - of Americans in light of the weak economy and high fuel prices, and with a sub $30,000 price tag it may just do that.

Gallery: 2007 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid concept

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Reader Comments

Sat May 24 2008 11:52 AM
chris says

wow... now there's news. ordinary pricing for an extraordinary car
Sat May 24 2008 1:46 PM
bambam says

yep its ordinary car performance, but today's tech.
unlike the current A to B cars.
you can't drive them and they won't last the distance either.
It feels alright to refuel the twin turbo's every week but not the standard A to B thing.
I don't know why I'm at the fuel station with my camry, every day.
Sat May 24 2008 2:41 PM
Gus says

bambam, if you are at the pump every day, you live too far from work...

But at $30,000, is this car going to be a loss for GM?
Sat May 24 2008 3:37 PM
amac says

Sorry folks, but this car is fugly,,, and what's up with those windows?
Sat May 24 2008 5:06 PM
InkMaster says

amac, in case you're new here I'll fill you in, what you're looking at is the concept from a year or two back, At this moment GM still didn't release any photos of how the final product will you except for one teaser. So there you have it... maybe they'll show it this year, maybe not, who knows...
Sun May 25 2008 12:18 AM
Gus says

Well, the Prius looks like a Hobbbit had sex with a dustbuster, so this is a big improvement for an eco-symbol...
Mon May 26 2008 11:42 AM
chris says

LOL GUS

yeah, amac, this is the concept and its going to be very different from this. the teaser is very aerodynamic looking,.. expect something to be bubbly like the camry, but sleek and stylish like the new malibu.

the concept is "ugly" because the concept was for the technology, not the design. the uglier the technology concept, the better, because people will tell their friends "LOOK AT THAT... HAHAHAHA... oh.. it goes 40 miles on electricity? yeah.. ok nevermind"

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