Sales of the Chevrolet Volt fell off steeply in November, with dealers only moving 1,336 units, compared to 1,920 a year prior. This represents a sales slump of 30 percent, which could be attributed to falling gas prices and more media coverage surrounding the automaker’s all-new version of the extended range EV, set to be unveiled next month in Detroit.
As oil prices continue to plummet to their lowest levels in four years, automakers are finding it increasingly difficult to move electric, hybrid and other economically friendly vehicles. The result is an uptick in large vehicle sales, with models like the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado and Tahoe all experiencing a jump in sales.
Also contributing to consumer disinterest in the Volt may be the impending arrival of the all-new model in January. Some prospective Volt owners may be holding out for the new version, which has been touted as being more efficient and having a greater overall range by GM. The car is also expected to be lighter, quieter and more refined than the outgoing model.
In the first 11 months of 2014, Chevrolet moved 17,315 Volts. That represents a drop of about 16 percent when compared to the 20,702 units the automaker had sold by this time last year. Former GM CEO Dan Akerson said he’d like to sell 60,000 Volts per year in 2011, a target the company has yet to hit. GM expects greater consumer interest in the 2016 model, however falling gas prices could throw a wrench into that plan.
Comments
Who’d have thought The General would be struggling to sell a progressive, eco-friendly car due to the popularity of petrol-powered vehicles?
The people have spoken (although I’m always cheering for the Volt to sell).
GM management have clearly not read the Edsel case study and they sold 118K cars. And we all know the rest of that story.
Yeah, because the Edsel story was so obscure that nobody has ever heard of it.
At the least, the Volt brought a new powertrain to the forefront and its been approved for a second generation. You can’t really say the same of the Edsel; rebodied Fords and over hyped marketing campaign built on a car that was actively kept hidden up until launch day.
Why’d you want to compare a failed product launch from over 60 years ago against a battery-assisted hybrid is beyond me. You’re trying too hard.