The scene at the Detroit Auto Show this year has been all about the revival of a struggling industry so when the Chevy Volt took Car of the Year, it’s further evidence that the tide has changed.
Detroit and the Big 3 have been hitting on all cylinders as they clean up this year with awards across the board, and the Volt is one that signifies the capability of a remerging GM.
GM, no doubt, took a huge risk with the new Volt as other manufacturers chose too take a slower and safer approach to this shift in demand. Pioneers in this industry can find that one small step towards having faith in the consumer interests can lead to great success.
The Volt represents much more than a new direction for the automobile, it marks a point in history where the corporate executives are finally forced to listen to the market as opposed to listening to their egos. It was do or die and in this case, GM chose to do what many wouldn’t, and now they are being rewarded for this leadership.
The Volt is an electric vehicle that can operate under a range of weather climates and driving conditions with little concern of being stranded by a depleted battery. The Volt has a total driving range of up to 379 miles, based on EPA estimates. For the first 35 miles, the Volt can drive gas- and tailpipe-emissions-free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full tank.
The Volt still has many hurdles before if finds itself as a common vehicle parked in many of the average American garages, paired with high voltage charging stations and surrounded by green walls, floors and lives.
The 2011 Chevy Volt suggested starting MSRP is $40,280
