asg70 wrote:The narrative went up in smoke once lithium overtook NiMh and Chevy broke from its mustache-twisting role and introduced the Volt. Now nobody talks about Cobasys and NiMh anymore. But at the time, that narrative was extremely attractive to the leftie/greenie contingent who were feeling like they were under the heel of the Bush administration and his oil cronies.
OTOH, here we are with GM and a REAL, viable, practical, long range EV, which has gotten good reviews (even on reliablity via Consumer Reports -- a rarity for GM) -- via the Bolt.
BUT, per my observations and MANY from commenters on the web on EV articles that reference the Bolt -- GM is treating the Bolt like a compliance car. Low production. Low inventories. ZERO inventories in the vast majority of the US. (To the point there's plenty of web ads in red states claiming people should come on down and test drive a Bolt at a nearby dealer -- but of course, checking on inventories consistently yields ZERO Bolts on hand). Note to auto dealers -- blatantly lying to me, month after month via your ads makes the odds I'll want to deal with you ZERO.
So, while Tesla stumbles along with underproduction, no inexpensive version availability, reported fit and finish quality problems, etc. on the Model 3, GM does NOTHING to take advantage of their window of opportunity.
As much as I HATE GM re their durability and service reputation, I might even take a chance on a Bolt, just as a matter of principle since it meets my needs and nothing else readily available does -- except if I can't get one in KY and have NO confidence GM would service it competently (re their lack of interest) if I could -- why would I when I see GM as a third tier auto-maker anyway?
Meanwhile, demand for the Volt is slipping dramatically. Unlike the first version, Consumer Reports is panning its quality, and it's not looking so great vs. other HEV's and PHEV's as time goes on.
Either GM is as stupid and hapless as I think they are generally, or they truly don't want to undercut their traditional ICE high profit market in the short term (making them the subject of much future laughter (from me anyway) if the likes of VW, Volvo, Tesla, Toyota, Honda, etc. eat their lunch in the EV market over the coming decade and beyond.