After originally announcing that the amazing 2011 Chevrolet Volt would launch later this year in three locations across the country—Michigan, California and Washington, D.C.—General Motors has now scheduled coming-out parties for its extended-range electric vehicle in four more states: Customers in New York City and Austin, Texas, will be able to get their hands on the Volt before the end of 2010, with retail sales in the rest of New York and the Lonestar State, along with New Jersey and Connecticut, scheduled to begin in early 2011.
“We can add markets as diverse as Texas and New York because the Chevrolet Volt can handle both urban commuting and longer trips, in Austin summers and Manhattan winters,” said GM CEO Ed Whitacre. “The Volt can be your primary vehicle, giving you the freedom to drive gas-free without the stress of planning every trip around the battery’s charge level.”
And to put that boast to the test, as well as to celebrate the Volt’s expanded launch plans, Team Chevrolet took the Volt on a 1,776-mile “Freedom Drive” from Austin to the Big Apple over the Fourth of July weekend, with stops in Little Rock, Ark., Nashville, Tenn., Roanoke, Va., Washington, D.C., Frederick, Md., and Philadelphia. The trip led to plenty of customer interest on the way, and that high customer demand has made its mark at GM. Months before the car actually goes on sale, General Motors has already had to up its production plans and now expects to build 10,000 Volts through 2011 as well as another 30,000 units during 2012.
The Volt’s ability to eliminate “range anxiety” is a key part of all this excitement. Not only does it provide customers with the ability to enjoy emissions-free, all electric driving for up to 40 miles—further than the average person in the U.S. commutes each day—but it’s also capable of another 300 miles of driving when using electricity from its efficient onboard generator, powered by regular gasoline.
The bottom line from Tony DiSalle, director of product marketing for the Volt: “Whether you are driving 50 miles or 1,750 miles, the Volt is the only electric vehicle that can be a family’s primary car.”
And it will only be available at your local Chevrolet dealership.
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