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View Full Version : Holden pulls Plug on Volt Electric Car



Ausmartin1
26-04-2015, 08:28 PM
As I predicted ..... on the Volt forum.

GM Holden gives up on electric cars in Australia ! After selling only 250 Volts
So my Volt I dearly love is a rare classic now.

They will NOT be importing V2 (thank goodness - dam common ugly) ironically because GM can't make RHD! - WHAT ?

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/companies/holden-pulls-the-plug-on-its-volt-electric-car/story-fnkjkh02-1227321791823

I was at both Toyota and Mazda in Japan the other week and funny enough they run LH / RH Mixed model and specific country versions down the same line and What GM can't ? after spending years copying the Toyota production system in Californian's NUMMI plant for years.

GM get it together will you !
Ford will have a RHD Mustang shortly in Australia and GM will have crickets chirping in the gravel car parks !

It wasn't for the fact I so dearly love the way my Volt drives / works and looks & reasonable servicing, I would have sold it at a loss and bought some Japanese or German hybrid instead.

Just sad that GM had a world leading / futuristic car in the Volt and can't make a go of it outside of North America.

So when I go to buy my next vehicle I wonder what brand it will be?
Will GM be relevant at all in Australia in the future ?

Interesting times indeed - how companies with a brilliant new innovative product line can make a hash of it so quickly.

I do so wish there was more support for electric vehicles in Australia and around the globe, but fear Hydrogen fuel will be the only place where both governments and fuel companies can both keep & make a killing of the average motorists wallet.

Wonder why all the Japanese vehicle manufactures I visited have already in production or have advanced plans for fuel cell vehicles?
Japanese government has already called it, watch the hydrogen BS spread to keep the status quo system happy.

We need advanced batteries with higher densities now - before we all taken for an energy inefficient and expensive Hydrogen fuel ride in the future.

I call it how I see it - oh an Electric vehicles can provide such intense acceleration no fear if V8's won't be available.... Tesla Model S Duel Motor is very good example of future amazing off the line performance.
Don't fear the future if you like rapid acceleration it is /will be available better than ever!

Jag530G
27-04-2015, 09:38 AM
Last November I saw a Volt for the first and only time on the road north west of Brisbane. A few weeks ago, and again last week, I saw a white Tesla here in Noosa. Both a striking looking cars although I thought the Tesla was a Jag XF until I got closer, very similar looking cars.

I think its a shame the Cadillac ELR has been a flop. Gorgeous looking car, best execution of the "Art and Science" styling motif. GM ruined it by pricing it way to high, basically double a Volt's price for the same platform underneath.

Cheers, Matthew

Woodchukka
28-04-2015, 01:11 PM
Electric cars will never get up an running properly until battery technology improves.

seldo
03-05-2015, 07:21 PM
Well - I'm a convert!
I drove a Tesla last year and raved about it so much my mate bought one and took delivery about Easter - that might be his you saw in Noosa Matthew.
I'm currently in Europe and have the use of a new Golf E, which is very impressive except it lacks the range of the Tesla - only about 160 km vs 500.
performance is excellent, although again, not in the Tesla's league.
I'm sorry guys, but the writing is on the wall -like it or not electric cars are coming, and you won't be disappointed. ��
GM only have themselves to blame for the failure of Volt in the market. Nothing wrong with the product, but no marketing, and pricing was a a bit suss.

Woodchukka
03-05-2015, 09:56 PM
100% torque from zero RPM. No complaints here other than the limited range and the prohibitive purchase price. The electric cars time will come it is just not now. For me any way. Will always have a soft spot for the noise of an IC engine though.

Jag530G
05-05-2015, 10:41 AM
I drove a Tesla last year and raved about it so much my mate bought one and took delivery about Easter - that might be his you saw in Noosa Matthew.

Funny coincidence, after reading your post yesterday I went to pick up my daughter from school and driving towards Noosa Civic saw the white Tesla turn into the shopping centre there.

Cheers, Matthew