What is GM going to do to make the Volt an affordable alternative to the gasoline/diesel/alternative fuel/hybrid auto industry?
The Volt is a completely different vehicle from any existing hybrid on the market today. The Toyota Prius, which gets the best gas mileage of any vehicle on the market in the U.S., and which is the best selling and best regarded hybrid on the market, should not be compared to the Volt. They are different classes of vehicle. A Li-ion battery powered PHEV Prius would be the most likely direct competitor to the Volt. If both are priced around $30K to $35K, deliver 40 miles of electric only highway speed driving, and average 100+ MPG, then it’s going to be a close fight. However, demand for existing hybrids is so great today that the vehicles are commanding MSRP or more. Increased battery supplies, more battery factories, more HEVs, better HEVs, the introduction of PHEVs and E-REVs, et. al. will only serve to give the consumer more choices and more affordable choices. Whether the Volt or PHEV Prius gets to market first, truly does not matter. Demand is so great, and supplies are so small,
