In the Loop: September 18, 2008 Archive

Case you missed it: GM unveils a car you can't buy

Posted at 11:50 AM on September 18, 2008 by Jeff Horwich (2 Comments)

What does it say about the US auto industry when their most hyped product is one you can't buy for at least two years?

(Credit: China Photos/Stringer)

Amid the tanking markets and receding waters dominating the news this week, GM had the umpteenth "unveiling" of the Chevrolet Volt, the much-touted electric car that they hope to debut with the 2011 model year. (Apparently this unveiling is the real one. Until they actually unveil it. For purchase. If they can work out the kinks with suppliers and start actually making the thing en masse.) This unveiling happened in China...just to mix it up a bit?

And they now say the Chevy Volt might cost upwards of $40,000 once it actually hits showrooms. And the design is scaled back from the concept model to look more like...an Impala? NYT says it looks like a Saturn.

Didn't GM already have an expensive electric car like, 12 years ago?

Beating on the US auto industry is like kicking someone when they're down, I know. And all those jobs are vital to the US economy, especially here in the Midwest. But seriously, what are you doing for me now? The Volt saga is almost a parody of itself.

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