Chevrolet Volt plant prepping for boost in Volt and Ampera production; exports to Canada, China and Europe this year
19 May 2011
General Motors’ Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant, home of the Chevrolet Volt, will close for four weeks beginning in June for planned upgrades to prepare for a significant increase in the rate of Volt production, along with assembly of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan.
Already in tight supply, the number of Volts available for delivery to retail customers will be further restricted over the next three months before production resumes and the Volt and the Opel Ampera begin being exported to Europe and China.
The 2011 Volt was launched in California, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington, DC. The Volt will be available nationwide and in Europe, China and Canada by the end of this year.
As a result of the plant upgrades, planned Volt and Ampera production capacity this year will increase to 16,000 units, including exports and a fleet of several hundred demonstration units sent to US dealers. In 2012, global production capacity is expected to be 60,000 vehicles with an estimated 45,000 to be delivered in the United States.
During the four-week shutdown the plant will complete some pre-scheduled upgrades, including the installation of new tools, equipment and overhead conveyor systems throughout the facility. This will prepare the plant for 2012 Volt and Ampera production and continue work on projects in preparation to launch the 2013 Malibu next year.
Coupled with already low dealer inventories and strong demand, the suspension of production, will result in limited availability and reduced sales in June and July.
Production of the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu will begin next year. The 2013 Malibu launch will be led by the Eco model, expected to achieve 38 mpg on the highway.
More of the same - American cars still depreciating at horrible rate...
Consumer Reports: Chevrolet Volt resale value after three years? $17,000
http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/05/cheverolet-volts-resale-value-after-three-years-17000.html
Posted by: ejj | 19 May 2011 at 06:13 AM
Consumer Reports was once a trusted source of product info. Now they are strictly a "$$$ for review" rag stuck in the 1970s... Along with People magazine and Readers Digest.
Congratulations to employees of Hamtramck plant who have added shifts to handle the new product builds.
Only way to make transition to electrification is to build the cars and sell em. Local gaz price in the North West today : $4.67 up 10% in 30 days.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 19 May 2011 at 06:42 AM
@Reel$$:
Consumer Reports remains a trusted source for unbiased product information. They don't take advertising, and no one pays them to review anything. They anonymously buy new cars for review off dealer lots.
You may be thinking of Consumers Digest.
Posted by: Nick Lyons | 19 May 2011 at 09:16 AM
You have a good point ReelSS but the price of e-cars have to come down closer to ICE units. The current premium (almost 100%) is much too high for most potential buyers. Renting the batteries (at the equivalent gasoline price) may be a worthwhile alternative. Many would have no objection the pay %50+/week for batteries instead of buying $50+ worth of gas.
Posted by: HarveyD | 19 May 2011 at 09:21 AM
I would have built a second line, brought it online and take the other down for retro fit. That way you can continue producing and selling non stop.
Posted by: SJC | 19 May 2011 at 10:24 AM
@ Nick Lyons,
CR and the Consumer Union behind it have long been accused of bias unfavorable to certain manufacturers. The problem arises in any single source organization claiming neutrality. Today opinion is made via community review and comment - no single "expert" entity can claim dominion over information.
"Consumer Reports' generally critical style of reporting, which we took as the baseline of our bias measure, is unfair to most other automobiles tested, by presenting results in terms worse than their ratings would justify.
But in reporting on cars by American Motors, Ford and General Motors combined, unfavorable distortions are far more severe than could be explained by this style. Thus we conclude that, also in absolute terms Consumer Reports clearly treats automobiles by Ford and General Motors most unfairly.
Krippendorf, Annenberg School, University Pennsylvania 1982
Posted by: Reel$$ | 21 May 2011 at 09:08 AM
I think it's really great news for Chevrolet, planned Volt and Ampera production capacity this year will increase to 16,000 unit and global production capacity is expected to be 60,000 vehicles with an estimated 45,000 to be delivered in the United States. Chevrolet is really well known manufacture company in automotive industry. It gives always advance technology in their cars.
Car Buying Tips
Posted by: Account Deleted | 30 January 2012 at 10:56 PM