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Chevrolet Volt Sales Decrease 74 Percent To 1,146 Units In Q2 2019

Chevrolet Volt sales decreased in the United States, Canada, South Korea, and in Mexico during the second quarter of 2019. The circumstance is expected given that the model was discontinued earlier this year.

Chevrolet Volt Sales - Q2 2019 - United States

In the United States, Chevrolet Volt deliveries totaled 1,146 units in Q2 2019, a decrease of about 74 percent compared to 4,336 units sold in Q2 2018.

In the first six months of the year, Volt sales decreased about 53 percent to 3,666 units.
MODEL Q2 2019 / Q2 2018 Q2 2019 Q2 2018YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 YTD 2019 YTD 2018
VOLT -73.57% 1,146 4,336 -53.08% 3,666 7,814

Chevrolet Volt Sales - Q2 2019 - Canada

In Canada, Chevrolet Volt deliveries totaled 1,295 units in Q2 2019, a decrease of about 21 percent compared to 1,643 units sold in Q2 2018.

In the first six months of the year, Volt sales decreased about 37 percent to 1,723 units.
MODEL Q2 2019 / Q2 2018 Q2 2019 Q2 2018YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 YTD 2019 YTD 2018
VOLT -21.18% 1,295 1,643 -36.86% 1,723 2,729

Chevrolet Volt Sales - Q2 2019 - Mexico

In Mexico, Chevrolet Volt deliveries totaled 3 units in Q2 2019, a decrease of about 77 percent compared to 13 units sold in Q2 2018.

In the first six months of the year, Volt sales decreased about 40 percent to 15 units.
MODEL Q2 2019 / Q2 2018 Q2 2019 Q2 2018YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 YTD 2019 YTD 2018
VOLT -76.92% 3 13 -40.00% 15 25

Chevrolet Volt Sales - Q2 2019 - South Korea

In South Korea, Chevrolet Volt deliveries totaled 0 units in Q2 2019, a decrease of about 100 percent compared to 37 units sold in Q2 2018.

In the first six months of the year, Volt sales were flat at 0 units.
MODEL Q2 2019 / Q2 2018 Q2 2019 Q2 2018YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 YTD 2019 YTD 2018
VOLT -100.00% 0 37 * 0 0

2019 Chevrolet Volt - Exterior - First Drive - September 2018 012

Competitive Sales Comparison

Chevy Volt sales performance during Q2 2019 puts it in eighth place among its competitive set, falling from seventh place in Q1 2019. The Volt ranked behind the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, Hyundai Ioniq, its corporate stablemate – the Chevy Bolt EV, Nissan Leaf, Honda Clarity, and BMW i3. That said, the Volt did manage to outsell the Volkswagen e-Golf and Toyota Mirai.

It’s important to note that the Toyota Prius and Honda Clarity have notably broader lineups than the Volt, as such:

  • Toyota Prius is offered in two body styles as well as a traditional, non-pluggable hybrid as well as a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV)
  • Honda Clarity is offered in one body style but with plug-in hybrid, pure electric and fuel cell powertrains.

The circumstance naturally causes higher sales volumes. As such, some of these models are equipped with lesser powertrains, and therefore have prices that are roughly $10,000 lower than those of the Volt.

Sales Numbers - Mainstream Alternative Energy Vehicles - Q2 2019 - United States

MODEL Q2 19 / Q2 18 Q2 19 Q2 18 Q2 19 SHARE Q2 18 SHARE YTD 19 / YTD 18 YTD 19 YTD 18
TOYOTA PRIUS -28.21% 17,183 23,936 40% 50% -36.67% 29,241 46,171
HONDA INSIGHT +2,472.26% 7,048 274 16% 1% +4,479.56% 12,548 274
HYUNDAI IONIQ -10.66% 4,289 4,801 10% 10% -11.63% 7,599 8,599
CHEVROLET BOLT EV +13.84% 3,965 3,483 9% 7% +5.38% 8,281 7,858
NISSAN LEAF -19.23% 3,323 4,114 8% 9% -9.78% 6,008 6,659
HONDA CLARITY -31.52% 3,077 4,493 7% 9% -9.80% 7,045 7,810
BMW I3 -17.52% 1,243 1,507 3% 3% -37.01% 2,207 3,504
CHEVROLET VOLT -73.57% 1,146 4,336 3% 9% -53.08% 3,666 7,814
VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF +336.44% 1,030 236 2% 0% +143.94% 1,893 776
TOYOTA MIRAI +119.22% 616 281 1% 1% +29.61% 963 743
TOTAL -9.57% 42,920 47,461 -11.92% 79,451 90,208

The overall sales volume of mainstream alternative energy vehicles decreased 10 percent in Q2 2019. The meager sales volume and adoption rate of new energy vehicles is concerning to many automakers, suppliers and industry observers – as projections for their sales have not correlated with real-world sales performance.

2019 Chevrolet Volt - Exterior - First Drive - September 2018 008

The GM Authority Take

Chevrolet Volt sales results during the second quarter are not surprising given that the model has been discontinued. The circumstance has had many fans and observers puzzled, given just how great the Voltec powertrain is, and how relevant it remains in today’s world of automobile powertrain electrification.

Here’s to hoping that The General brings back the Voltec powertrain in another body style in the near future. After all, Hyundai somehow managed to bring an entire alternative vehicle range to market with the Ioniq, and it appears to be doing relatively well in the marketplace.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Volt Q2 2018 sales
  • In the United States, there were 77 selling days in Q2 2019 and 77 selling days in Q2 2018
  • South Korea sales figures reflect actual vehicle registrations rather than wholesales
  • China sales figures represent retail deliveries and not wholesales
  • Toyota Prius sales include Prius C, Prius and Prius Prime
  • Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell
  • Hyundai Ioniq sales include Ioniq Electric, Ioniq Hybrid and Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid
  • Honda Clarity sales include Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, Clarity Electric and Clarity Fuel Cell
  • Honda Insight sales Insight Hybrid
  • Tesla sales numbers unavailable, since the automaker does not share sales figures
General Motors Q2 2019 sales numbers:

2017 Chevrolet Volt Autocross3

About Chevrolet Volt

The Chevrolet Volt is an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV). The first-generation model was introduced for the 2011 model year. It rode on a variant of the GM Delta II platform shared with the first-generation Chevrolet Cruze and Buick Verano (sold in Europe as the Opel/Vauxhall Astra J) and was powered by the first-generation Voltec propulsion system, consisting of a 5.5-foot, 435-pound (198.1 kg) T-shaped, 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that sends energy to an advanced 111-kW (149-hp) electric drive unit to propel the vehicle.

This delivered a pure electric driving range of between 25 and 50 miles, depending on terrain, driving techniques and temperature. When the battery energy is depleted, the Volt seamlessly transitions to extended-range mode. Power is inverted from a 1.4L 63 kW (84 horsepower) gasoline-powered onboard engine to the electric drive unit to provide up to 344 additional miles of range, for a total range of 379 miles. The first-generation model ended production for the 2015 model year, at which point it was replaced by the current, second-generation model starting with the 2016 model year.

Riding on the GM D2 platform, the second-generation Volt is powered by the second-generation Voltec electric drive system that consists of an 18.4-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an Ecotec 1.5L gas-powered range extender that delivers 53 miles of EV range and 420 miles total driving range.

2018 Chevrolet Volt in Jet Black leather interior with Brandy accents H83

The 2018 Chevy Volt represents the third model year of the second-generation Volt. It gets three new colors, the replacement of leather for vinyl on the steering wheel and shift knob cover on the LT model (leather-wrapped versions are optional), and the introduction of a new optional Driver Confidence Package on the LT trim level that consists of Rear Park Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert.

For the 2019 model year, the Volt receives several notable changes, including two new exterior colors, improvements to the interior in the form of new infotainment systems, better power seat adjusters, new patterns for cloth seat fabrics, and - perhaps most notably - a new 7.2 kW high-voltage charger.

Both generation of the Chevrolet Volt have been built exclusively at the GM Detroit-Hamtramck factory operated by GM USA. Starting in 2017, the second-generation model is sold in China as the Buick Velite 5.

Industry rumblings have suggested that the Volt will exit production in 2022 and be replaced by a crossover utility vehicle with the Voltec powertrain. Then, in November 2018, GM announced plans to discontinue the Volt and shutter the Detroit-Hamtramck plant where it is built.

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Comments

  1. Bought my 2019 Volt LT with Black Out Package in July to replace my 2017. I love it!

    Reply
    1. Isn’t it amazing how people who own or have driven a Volt (including me) just love it, but people who are ignorant in regards to the excellence of the Voltec technology have nothing good to say about it.

      Thanks GMA for an honest appraisal and presentation of the Volt in this article. I share your hope that GM will wake up and give Voltec another try in the future, but this time actually market it!

      Reply
    2. How much more does the black out option cost? I like my 19 Cruze just fine without it.

      Reply
      1. It was a 2k option. Basically new Wheels, badges. and sport pedals.

        You can get the option installed by the dealer through the Chevy Accessories website, but at a higher cost.

        Reply
  2. How people take GM serious these days is beyond me. One of their 3 “Zeros” is zero emissions. Their statement says they are committed to an “all electric future “. I guess the Volt didn’t fit in? The Blazer, new Cadillac SUV’s, Silverado, full size SUV’s, 800hp Corvette and many others must fit their “all electric future” much better. When are people going to wake up to this crap? Manufacturers build what people want and im sorry to burst anyone’s bubble, but nobody is buying into this electrified future. Not even the company themselves. GM talks out of both sides of their mouth non stop

    Reply
    1. Awesome post and I could not say it better myself. The “Triple Zeros” and “All electric future” slogan is simply myopic PR Window dressing to appease Wall Street. An “all electric” future would mean that GM is competing with Tesla and leaving 98 percent of the market behind. Bullcrap. Even if all other automakers believe in an “all electric future” it would take to the middle of the century to achieve- best case scenario. In that time, a lot can change. ECE breakthroughs that dramatically increase fuel economy and reduce emissions, fuel cells, or some other propulsion means that the public cannot even think of yet.

      Reply
      1. As i said in my previous post: people who are ignorant in regards to the excellence of the Voltec technology have nothing good to say about it.

        I currently have an “all electric present” with my Volt; I literally go months without buying gasoline unless I choose to take a road trip, which I can do with ZERO range anxiety. Not only could the Volt have competed with Tesla, they could have beaten in it the market of people who wanted the joy and economy of electric driving, not ego gratification. And the PHEV’s then (and perhaps now) on the market didn’t even come close to Voltec’s EREV technology. To me, comments like the above speak to GM’s abject failure to adequately market Voltec technology.

        Reply
  3. We bought at 2017 Volt that came off lease in California. Got it for about half its retail price with about 30,000 miles on it. Wife loves it. We don’t buy any gas for in-town driving and we have taken longer trips running off the power generated by the gas engine. I am puzzled that they didn’t sell everyone of these they make. Maybe price was too high?

    Reply
    1. Marc: Was it really too high or did most potential buyers think it was an overpriced Prius? GM’s lack of marketing support and the Dealerships’ lack of sales enthusiasm (again poor GM marketing) doomed the Volt from the start. With the $7500 tax rebate, it really was a good value, if the true value was explained to potential buyers. Even without the full tax rebate, it’s still a good value. No, GM had a winning product, especially in suburban USA, and as usual for GM management, decided to throw it away.

      Reply
      1. I don’t think GM did a very good job of selling these cars to the driving public, so it probably looked like a more expensive Prius. When I show the car to friends, they are always surprised at how the gas engine generates electricity when needed, eliminating range anxiety.

        Reply
      2. SuzyQ: Absolutely correct.

        Reply
  4. I have to wonder how they sold as many as they did given the dealer sales support that we experienced. They knew so little and cared less.

    PS: the car has been great.

    Reply
    1. Bruce: Yes we had a similar experience when we bought our 2018. They were polite enough, gave us a pretty good deal in the end, but no real excitement in selling us our Volt, which we love. But it sometimes seemed like we had to push them to sell us one.

      Reply
  5. I was going to buy a 2017 volt but the dealership didn’t want to make a deal. They didn’t negotiate the price price at all really. I took my business to another dealer and got a 2017 Passat instead.

    Reply
  6. I think you can’t announce you’re discontinuing the vehicle and still expect good sales to the end. I’ve owned 2 of them, and I was poised to buy a third. I won’t buy another due to their all electric stance, and I probably won’t buy any all electric, until they figure out recharging. Our family just needs too much range.

    Reply
  7. Gm never ever promoted the Volt . Greatest commuter car ever. It also went across country ,without having to stop and waste time charging it so you could get someplace during the day when traveling . In the winter when temps get cold and you only have half the battery life you don’t get stranded. This loss of battery lif loss occurs in over half of this country in the winter,and these great minds that are getting behind all electric are just plain nuts.You have a great car already with room for added improvement and you throw it all away. Also I will never understand who is holding you back from putting alternators on the back axles to charge the battery while going down the road. So totally wrong ,Mary has lost her charm!

    Reply
    1. @Patrick: Good post, almost all true; my only comment is that conservation of energy would seem to say you would not get a long term gain from the back axle alternators since the drag that they would put on the back axles would have to be overcome by the front motors which would drain the battery as fast as the rear alternators would try to charge it.

      Nice idea but I don’t see how it would really work to your advantage? Am I missing something?

      Reply

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