Today's headline - from the Volt page:
Chevy Volt and the Electric Grid: Drive 15,000 Miles for $73 ... if this were true (which it isn't) the average buyer could save about $2,200 per year - if she never used the onboard engine (which is possible, but not likely). If the lease on the volt happened to be $340 month (guess) then the average cost per day of ownership would be about $5. This makes it affordable for almost anyone, no? I suppose that this is precisely how the Lutzs of the auto world mentally justify the high initial cost- since most customers will only look at the monthly tab. Indeed there are so many of us who do not want to seen GM fail finacnically, that we will probably buy every single one that they can push out the door, even at 40k a pop. Too bad for Pontiac and Olds - that they don't have a clone with in the works with an alternative mechanical configuration. Of course, covering that angle by GM would be asking for some real foresignt, so the other Marques will have to settle for slapping a different emblem on a slightly restyled version of the Volt. Not that anyone at Pontiac will read this, but here is a suggestion from an old admirer, one who 'remembers the day' (circa 1968): use the Chevy Volts mechanics, add some styling which is reminiscent of the old GTO, go for the lesser range (20 miles) and used advanced SLA batteries, price it accordingly, and voila - another winner (i.e. muscle car finally gets a degree).
