For June 2014, Chevrolet sold more Volts than Toyota Prius Plug-in hybrids, reports The Washington Post. With 1,777 Volts sold, Chevrolet topped its Japanese rival by 206 units.
While the Volt may be poised to topple the Prius Plug-in in overall sales (9,300 sales compared to Chevy’s 8,615), it’s still a far way from overtaking Nissan Leaf’s sales crown. Despite its limited range, Nissan managed to sell 2,347 Leafs in June and 12,736 for the year.
The Volt isn’t Chevy’s only EV, though. The company also offers the Spark EV, which sold 85 units in June and 454 units so far in 2014. Though not large in number, the fact that the Spark EV is currently only available in California and Oregon makes the little EV’s sales noteworthy.
Though General Motors would surely like to see the Volt beat the Leaf in the sales race, a lifelong total of 63,167 Volt sales is nothing to scoff at. Hopefully the new model will address the three main improvements Volt owners want to see: a lower price, greater EV range, and an additional seat.
Comments
Nice to see decent sales. That said, those three thongs are bang on what needs to be addressed in the next one.
I do not understand the need for the center rear seat.
Seems like that is used very rarely, especially in a compact vehicle. If you have 3 kids you get a minivan or CUV.
It is like the third row in a SUV and AWD for many people they think they need it but yet it remains unused.
Though the argument for the center seat is a little more likely to be used vs. other perceived needs.
It’s really a marketing and PR tool that overcomes buyer and reviewer objections, as well as the need to get the extended range mpg to 45+. The all electric range is the real value proposition, as Volt drivers already know. So bring that also close to 50, with the higher mpg and 5th seat, and Volt 2 will have the potential for a market coup over the Prius, etcetera.
We have two homes, one in AZ, and one in Seattle. Currently we’re at the latter. This is the land of the Leaf — apparently more Leafs (Leaves?) are sold here than anywhere else in the country (cheap electric rates plus high gas rates). What amazes me, though, is how few Volts I see. I’ve told my wife that if they made a CUV or even a luxo sedan/wagon/hatchback ala Volt, we’d buy it. Most of our trips are <10 miles — and the Volt would be perfect for this. But, we only have one car, and a Leaf isn't practical.
I do understand that Caddy makes an ELR, and even at it's inflated prices, I'd get one. But, at those inflated prices, I want (a) heated steering wheel, (b) ventilated seats, (c) 360 degree camera.
I’m sure glad Chevrolet didn’t sell more Prius Plug-ins than its own Volt! 😉
(The headline would be better as: June Chevrolet Volt Outsells Toyota Prius Plug-In This June.)