2016 Chevy Volt Priced At $33,995, $1,175 Less Than 2015 Model

GM has released a ton of technical information on the 2016 Chevy Volt, but it’s kept the price of the all-new plug-in hybrid (or “extended range electric car” as GM calls it) a closely-guarded secret. This led some to speculate the price might be higher than the outgoing model, especially given all the improvement. Surprisingly, the MSRP for the 2016 Chevy Volt is just $33,995, which is $1,175 less than the outgoing model.

The actual MSRP is $33,170, plus a $825 destination fee, compared to the $34,345 (plus destination) of the 2015 model. If you factor the $7,500 federal tax rebate into the equation, the 2016 Volt could be had for as little as $26,495. While you still have to lease the full purchase price, even at $33,170 the 2016 Volt has a much more competitive price than its predecessor. The 2016 model also adds a 50-mile all-electric driving range, a 41 MPG rating, and a (small) fifth seat; it’s also a much nicer looking and feeling car, especially the interior, all the way around.

How can GM do it? Lower battery costs likely play a big factor, as GM is finally making good use of the battery factory they built with partner LG Chem. The Voltec technology is also being homogenized across GM’s lineup in vehicles like the new Chevy Malibu Hybrid with a claimed 48 MPG. The Volt’s corporate cousin, the Cadillac ELR, also received a (much larger) price cut recently, along with a bevy of improvements that aimed to make it a more appealing and competitive vehicle. The 2016 Cadillac ELR is an all-around much better car than the car it replaces.

GM’s second (third?) generation of electrified vehicles is ready to hit the mainstream, and the 2016 Chevy Volt is leading the way with a greater emphasis on value and efficiency. If GM can keep its promise about pricing the all-electric Chevy Bolt at around $37,500 before the tax rebate, it could have the one-two punch needed to compete with Nissan and Tesla as the electrification leader.

2014 Cadillac ELR Leases at $699 Per Month

GM’s first luxury plug-in hybrid, the Cadillac ELR, has set a lease price $699 per month, which is a lot more palatable to many pocketbooks than the $75,000 MSRP.

Winner of the 2014 Green Car Technology Award, the Cadillac ELR costs between $75,000 and $82,135. For current owners and lessees of any GM vehicles from 1999 or newer, Cadillac is offering a special deal of $699 per month for 39 months, plus $4,999 due at signing, for a total of $27,261 over the lease period. Tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment will add a bit more upfront, but still not a bad price for a brand new Caddy.

However, there are some things to think about with this offer. Mileage must be less than 32,500 for the 39 months of the lease. Every mile over 32,500 incurs a mileage charge of $0.25/mile. The average American driver covers 13,476 miles per year in a car, so if you’re an average driver (and with a car this luxurious and fun to drive, that would be difficult), that would add another $2,824.25 to the total cost.

Another thing to think about is the balloon payment at the end. It will be well over $50,000, should you choose to buy the Cadillac ELR, though refinancing in three years is an option as well. Trading the car in for a newer model is another option. When I had a balloon payment waiting for me at the end a lease, it always felt like something ominous looming in the distance.

If you might want in on the Cadillac ELR, you better hurry as this deal ends at the end of January.  You have just over a week to think about it.

With a range of 35 miles from electricity stored in the battery and a total range of 340 miles on electricity stored in the battery plus electricity produced by the generator, the Cadillac ELR can get you around town or on a road trip with no problem. The Cadillac ELR makes more horsepower and is slightly faster than its cousin, the Chevy Volt, though numerous outlets have called the Cadillac hybrid overpriced, especially compared with the similarly-priced Tesla Model S.

Maybe this lease offer will convince some would-be Tesla buyers to give the green Caddy a chance instead.

Source: Cadillac

2014 Chevrolet Volt Priced From $34,995

2014 Chevrolet Volt, Now Priced From $34,995

General Motors has announced that the 2014 model year of the Chevrolet Volt will come with more than just some new color choices (Ashen Gray Metallic and Brownstone Metallic), it will also come with a significiant MSRP reduction of $5,000, putting the rest of the plug-in competition on notice that GM is serious about being the best selling plug-in for America.

2014 Chevrolet Volt Interior – Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel Anyone?

The 2014 Chevrolet Volt starts $34,995 , which includesthe $810 destination fee.

“The lower price and cost savings from driving on electricity provide Volt owners an unmatched balance of technology, capability and cost of ownership.  The 2014 Volt will offer the same impressive list of features, but for $5,000 less.” – Don Johnson (yes that is his real name), U.S. vice president, Chevrolet sales and service.

GM also notes that with the federal government’s plug-in credit program, the Volt could cost as low as $27,495.

In a GM statement, Johnson said, “We have made great strides in reducing costs as we gain experience with electric vehicles and their components.  In fact, the Volt has seen an increase in battery range and the addition of creature comforts, such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and MyLink, since its launch in 2010.”

New Color Choices For 2014 Volt – Ashen Gray Metallic and Brownstone Metallic

Previously this year, GM had effectively cut the 2013 MY Volt’s MSRP by $4,000 through rebate programs, perhaps in response to the new entry level 2013 Nissan LEAF, which started at $28,800.  A reduction in 2014 pricing was expected, but not to this magnitude.

Without the price drop, GM perhaps would have faced some pricing pressure from BMW, whose i3 started from $41,350, and from $45,200 with range extended option, only about $6,000 more.  Now, that potential issue has beenput to bed.

2014 Chevy Volt – HOV Sticker Eligible In California

We feel confident that this significant reduction will cement the Chevrolet Volt’s “best seller” status in the United States for the remainder of the year and throughout 2014.

The 2013 Chevrolet Volt saw a battery capacity increase from 16 kWh to 16.5 kWh, as well as some great efficiencies that lead to the EPA revising its all electric range from 35 miles to 38 miles.  Total range of the plug-in extended range remains at 380 miles for 2014.

The Volt is also still eligible for the “green” California HOV stickers through its low emissions package.  That program is capped at 40,000 stickers and should remain available for the bulk of the 2014 MY Volt selling program.

At time of press no revised national lease deal/rates have been made available.

Next Chevy Volt To Cost “Thousands” Less

While electric vehicle sales haven’t been exactly inspiring, the Chevy Volt has managed to pick up some serious steam among consumers despite its $39,995 MSRP. With a next-generation Volt already under development, GM’s President of North America Mark Reuss has said that they will shave “thousands of dollars” from the price. But is it enough to make the Volt a true mass-market competitor?

It really depends on just how much money Reuss and GM think they can cut from the cost of the Volt. Right now, there is a lot of room for improvement, as even with the $7,500 Federal tax credit, the Volt still rings in at $32,495, a substantial sum for a vehicle based on the Chevy Cruze. But if GM could get the after-rebate price below $30,000, that could open up the market to more consumers.

And it can be done. Nissan just announced a huge, $6,400 price cut for the Nissan Leaf. When combined with certain state and Federal rebates, the Leaf can be had for around $20,000 or less. While we don’t expect as large a price cut to the next-gen Volt, refinements in battery and motor technology could see substantial savings over the current model.

Reuss goes on to say that GM still believes in EVs, and that the eulogy for the electric car that some outlets are singing is premature. Fair enough, but with sales of most EVs stagnant at best, it is hard to trumpet the success of electric vehicles either. Can the Chevy Spark EV reignite the public’s passion for electric cars? GM is hoping so…though right now, the Volt seems like a better bet.

Source: Automotive News

Chevrolet Volt MSRP Officially Announced - $41,000

GM has done it again. They have sabotaged their official entry into the world of electric vehicles by pricing the Volt way too high. Most were betting on a MSRP between 32K and 35K but setting the bar at 41K will put this vehicle out of the reach of the masses. Even with the $7,500 federal tax rebate, which buyers will not see until the year after they purchase, this car is simply too expensive.

Now we know why GM is only going to manufacture so few Volts. Demand will be non-existent.

A travesty, really.