It’s no secret that the Volt had a slow start winning favor from consumers and critics, but it’s the latter who have gone overboard over the years with their criticism. Is it a symbol of the ineptitude of a committee-designed car by Government Motors? Hardly. As the 2016 Volt teaser has just been announced, AutoblogGreen decided to compile some of the more idiotic criticisms over the past few years.
- GM Is Going To Stop Making The Volt In The US
Due to a comment by a General Motors executive, critics twisted it into “the government saves GM and GM gives thanks by sending Volt production to China.” This was never true, and even now some of the Volt’s production components are being transferred to the great manufacturing state of Michigan. Of course, Chinese production could be in the Volt’s future, but unlikely at the expense of American production.
- The Volt Is A Fire Trap
There’s been a lot of misinformed fear about hybrids − especially plug-in ones − that get in accidents and catch on fire. Sure, this has happened, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claims that it “does not believe that Chevy Volts or other electric vehicles pose a greater risk of fire than gasoline-powered vehicles.”
- The Volt Will Destroy Your Marriage
A head-scratcher, to be sure. Apparently started by Fox Business‘ Neil Cavuto, he said the Volt would cause spouses to fight over “you forgot to plug in the Volt!” and ruin the relationship.
- The Volt Is Obama’s Failure
The Volt concept car debuted before Obama’s presidency. The recession-era bailout of GM happened on Bush’s watch. The Volt’s introduction coincided with Obama’s presidency, which made haters link the Volt to the President. A shame that a car is being falsely used as political football.
- The Volt Is Dying As A Model
Sure, the Volt hasn’t sold as much as GM would like, but it’s hardly dying. This week’s announcement of the January 2015’s debut of the 2016 Volt is proof of this.
Comments
So you are saying the volt is a success because of BUSH.
No. President Bush signed into law the Federal tax rebate of up to $7,500 (according to battery size) for every EV (plugin hybrids and BEV) that sells in the U.S. until the funds run out or the manufacturer has produced 10,000 vehicles. Nissan was the very first manufacturer to gain access to those funds with the Leaf in 2010, but the Volt, which is a GM product (helped out of bankruptcy by the Bush Administration) also used that rebate, had the most complaints for “using my tax money” , and so had the most enemies. Obama just appeared at the plant, drove a Volt, gave his approval, and promised to buy one when he left office (we will see that he fulfills his promise in 2017). The very first Volt buyers are the true heroes that made it a success!