Why Was the Chevy Volt Discontinued?
The Chevy Volt was launched with much fanfare in 2010 as the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid car. It was widely considered to be a game-changer in the automotive industry, with its combination of electric and gasoline power that allowed it to travel further than any other electric car on the market.
However, despite its early success, the Volt was eventually discontinued in 2019. There were several reasons for this, which we’ll explore in this blog post.
Lack of Consumer Demand
One of the main reasons the Chevy Volt was discontinued was a lack of consumer demand. Despite receiving rave reviews from critics and being awarded numerous accolades, the Volt just wasn’t selling as well as GM had hoped. In fact, sales of the Volt never really took off, with only around 150,000 units sold over the nine years it was in production.
There were several factors that contributed to this lack of demand. For one, the Volt was expensive compared to other cars in its class, with a starting price of around $34,000. Additionally, there was a lot of competition in the EV market by the time the Volt launched, with many other car manufacturers introducing their own electric and hybrid vehicles.
Chevy’s Shift to SUVs and Trucks
Another reason the Volt was discontinued was Chevy’s shift towards SUVs and trucks. As consumer demand shifted towards larger vehicles, Chevy made the decision to focus more on their lineup of SUVs and trucks. They felt that this was where they could make the most profit, and as a result, they decided to discontinue the Volt.
The Rise of Tesla
Finally, the rise of Tesla and their dominance in the EV market also played a part in the discontinuation of the Volt. Tesla was able to create a brand identity around their electric cars, and this helped them to capture a large share of the market. Their focus on luxury and performance also appealed to consumers who were willing to pay a premium for an electric car.
Overall, the discontinuation of the Chevy Volt was a combination of factors. While it was an innovative car that received critical acclaim, it just wasn’t able to capture the imagination of consumers in the same way as other electric vehicles. With Chevy’s focus shifting towards larger vehicles and the rise of Tesla, the Volt’s time in the spotlight was ultimately cut short.
