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Akerson: New Volt Ad Campaign To Feature The Facts

In an interview earlier this week, GM CEO Dan Akerson touched upon the company’s upcoming ad campaign for the Chevy Volt. The commercials will be “more interesting” and will feature “the facts”, said the CEO about the forthcoming series of ads for the car that has become the subject of many a political parley.

The campaign, which was previewed by a commercial released late February, will also contain testimonials from Volt owners who are “real people, not actors,” added Akerson. One of the commercials will feature Jay Leno.

The GM Authority Take

What we find ironic is the mainstream media’s laser-like focus on the Volt, which represents less than half of one percent of GM’s annual vehicle production for North America. With all the turmoil surrounding the Volt, you’d think it would be GM’s best-seller. Nevertheless, we’re glad that GM will aggressively address “the facts” in the upcoming series and can’t wait to see more. But isn’t Jay Leno, ironically, more of an “actor” than a “real person”?

Oh how we wish everyone thought this way about the Volt… rather than adopting a rather twisted opinion of the vehicle. But we digress, for now.

GM Authority Executive Editor with a passion for business strategy and fast cars.

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Comments

  1. This all reeks of the “Peoples Car” under Hitler’s rule.

    Reply
    1. The people’s car is still around and had a profit over 20 billon dollars last year.

      Reply
    2. Hitler and his actions didn’t stop the Beetle from becoming the most iconic car in human history.

      But if you like, find all the bloodshed and destruction that you can link to Obama and then try to link that to the Volt.

      Reply
  2. Testimonials from owners are a good way to combat all the negative thrown around by the pols and media about the Volt. And Jay Leno is and was a car guy before doing his standup routine, so I say real person more than actor in this case.

    Reply
  3. Here’s a fact: For me, no need for an ad campaign. Make one in a wagon or small CUV and we have a deal. Availability must be announced by end of 2012, and the car must be at the dealership within 2 years of today. Offer void where prohibited by law.

    Reply
  4. And I am being completely serious here. Lower the price. Take a loss like they did with the Prius (hate saying that. Hate the Prius) and grow your investment. Take $5,000 off the top and with the proposed $10,000 rebate from the Govt. this should be a winner. The price is simply too high. Even for early adopters. The car is great but no one will ever know.

    Reply
    1. GM already most likely already loses money on the Volt, the car is full featured and unique which commands a premium, and you shouldn’t buy it anyhow (even though at $32500 after tax credit it’s really not too high. GM IS incentivizing the lease at $349/month plus tax with a couple grand down. That’s not much more than comparably equipped and sized vehicles lease for. With owners averaging 900 miles between fillups and 35 miles of electric range at $1.65 you can actually make a payback pencil depending on driving and charging habits.

      Reply
      1. I agree with you. I just think that the public reception would have been better had they not been required to do the math (not everyone owes that much in taxes either. It is not currently a rebate.) and were better educated on what makes the VOLT special and what features it is packed with. The sheeple are lazy and need to be spoon fed.

        Reply
        1. “Not everyone owes that much in taxes”, true, which makes the lease an even better way to drive it. And as for “doing the math”, maybe if they offered it $100 lower per month and buyers had to share their fuel cost savings with GM (lol)

          Reply
          1. Oh good God. haha. That would be rich. See what I did there? The lease is definitely the way to go. I wonder, though, how many miles per year you can get on that. Typically lease’s are low mileage and I do anything but low mileage. (I get it, this is probably not the car for me) It would, however, still benefit my fuel savings greatly.

            Reply
            1. I’ll give you a thumb up for this, now I’ll make it happen-

              http://www.chevrolet.com/volt-electric-car/

              Stop your $210.00 a month gas cost and your Net Cost To Drive is —-$139.00 a month- CRAZY Cheep!!

              Google This—- Volt NCD

              Thanks for reading! The Amazing Chevy Volt EREV- Facts Guy

              Reply
  5. Do what I did – lease, with intent to buy. With the current deal, USBank tossed in almost $2400 in a rebate, low (1.3%) finance charge (.00055 money factor) so minimal finance charges. After the 3 years, keep it, and finance the $24K over 5-7 years, depending on your situation, and you’re good. at 23,000 miles, get a GMPP Major protection plan, and you’re good for up to 84mos/84,000 mi for like $1.5-2K. That’s my plan, as my Volt is saving me $220-250/mo in fuel expenses alone. Since I barely use the gas engine, you’re talking 1 oil change per 12-18mos on top of that, instead of one every 3-4mos with a gas car. If you do the math, the Volt is an excellent value.

    Reply
  6. This is my 21st vehicle. I LOVE my Volt. Over 500 miles and 1 gallon of gas, yes 1. @Mercury, the only thing “reeking” is your tailpipe. I will never buy another vehicle without batter assist again EVER

    Reply
    1. Thank you and Bobo Farquart for the ‘Owner’s’ perspective. It is refreshing to get that side of this argument. I want one so bad but I just can’t afford one right now and even though my commute is 80 miles round trip it would still just about cut my fuel bill in half.

      Reply

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