Weak Voltage

Chevy Pauses Hybrid's Production

Environment – General Motors has announced that it will temporarily suspend production of Chevrolet’s plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the Volt, for five weeks this spring following poor sales.

Sales for the Chevy Volt have not met expectations domestically or abroad. GM had hoped to sell 10,000 cars in its first year, but only moved 8,000. Even in Europe, the Opel Ampera equivalent was met with lukewarm sales, so beginning March 19, GM will pause manufacturing of the Volt, temporarily cutting work for 1,300 people. The company hopes to resume production on April 23.

Michelle Krebs, senior analyst for Edmunds.com, surmised that the cost of the vehicle and its brand name could be contributing to the poor sales. She said, “This period of high gas prices should have given sales of the Volt and other hybrids and electric cars a lift. Instead, there’s a wide selection of 30mpg and even 40mpg cars that don’t carry the hefty premium of vehicles like the Volt so the Volt, Nissan Leaf and others are up against stiff competition.”

Additionally, GM spokesperson Chris Lee noted that even though the sales for the Volt increased in February as compared to January, the supply still outweighed demand. He also stated that GM would try to rebuild their market presence and interest during the time of halted production.

Read more at the Guardian.

Photo Credit to Darren Brode.