GM increases production capacity of Chevy Volt by 50 percent

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GM increases production capacity of Chevy Volt by 50 percent

22:39 August 2, 2010

The first pre-production Chevrolet Volt (pictured here) moves along the assembly line at the Detroit-Hamtramck manufacturing plant (Image: John F. Martin for Chevrolet)

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It looks like orders for the Chevrolet Volt have been flowing in since GM announced it was taking orders just last week. The auto-maker has now announced it will increase U.S. production capacity of its “extended range electric vehicle” by 50 percent, from 30,000 units to 45,000 units, in 2012. The announcement came as U.S. President Barack Obama toured the Detroit-Hamtramck facility, where the Volt is being produced for sale later this year.

The announcement of increased production is the latest in a line of announcements that bode well for the success of the Volt. Last week, participating Chevrolet dealers in launch markets began taking customer orders for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, following the release of retail and lease pricing. The company also recently announced an eight year or 100,000 mile warranty on all the vehicle’s battery components and the number of U.S. launch markets for the vehicle was recently raised from three to seven.

On his tour President Obama had the opportunity to test drive a Volt off the production line. The test drive was only about 40 feet but that was apparently enough to impress the President who said, “pretty smooth,” as he stepped out of the vehicle.

GM says that in the past few weeks, more than 25,000 people have joined the Chevrolet Volt enthusiast list. Maybe the U.S. President is one of them.

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User Comments (6)

Saying they're going to increase production by 50% some time in the future doesn't mean that they sell any? Shouldn't they see how sales go first?

mrhuckfin - August 3, 2010 @ 04:19 am PDT

It is innovative technologies such as this that are going to help us break our addiction to fossil fuels.

Lawrence Weisdorn - August 3, 2010 @ 06:43 am PDT

What a waste! The *VAST* majority of people in the united states cannot afford this vehicle...and most people don't even live in an area where they will even see on of these things. Oh well...I guess GM's gotta do *SOMETHING* with that stimulus money we gave them.

Ed - August 3, 2010 @ 02:22 pm PDT

Companies can get a feel for sales based upon pre-orders. Not guaranteed, but sure beats NO ONE pre-ordering the Volt.

I even have friends pre-ordering them based upon the favorable lease rates, which are far below what a car payment would be if they bought.

My brother would save about $150 a month in fuel costs because of his long commute (even if he had to dip into using gas everyday). His old clunker is costing him an annualized average of $150 a month in repairs, too.. Not having airbags is also a problem of safety for my brother, and the Volt has a great airbag arrangement for safety.

matthew.rings - August 3, 2010 @ 04:25 pm PDT

Most of the Volt buyers will probably Govt. agencies and General Electric Co. ( Now located in China )...The Volt is an overpriced DUD built by labor unions..

bgstrong - October 13, 2011 @ 01:57 pm PDT

obama drives it 40 feet and says 'smooth'? Gimmee a break!!

Richard C. Edmonds - October 13, 2011 @ 09:09 pm PDT