The Christian Science Monitor is the latest to weigh on the perceived “success” or “failure” of the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in hybrid, and we can now add that publication to the list of those that consider the car a “success.”
Truth be told, the CSM had a tailwind here, as its editorial was written by John Voelcker of Green Car Reports, who called out some other publications, notably Forbes, for blasting the vehicle and the way General Motors promotes it.
As was pointed out by an AutoblogGreen reader recently, through August, the Volt has outsold about half of the approximately 260 light-duty vehicle models available in the U.S., including the BMW 7-series, Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the Lexus RX 400h and CT 200h hybrids. In fact, the Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry Hybrid and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid were the only alt-fuel vehicles to outsell the Volt. So, if the Volt is a flop, then so are half the vehicles on dealers lots right now.
Last week, a Forbes piece said GM is manipulating its sales numbers. Forbes contributor Patrick Michaels accused GM of “giving away rent-a-Volts” to inflate the Volt’s sales numbers to a record high 2,831 units last month. Michaels also alluded to recent reports that the Department of Defense will buy 1,500 Volts, calling such a purchase a “scam” by the U.S. government.
We breathlessly await GM’s September sales figures for the Volt, which is due out next week. And the ensuing rhetoric, of course.
