Forbes Claims Finding a Better Value Than Chevy Volt Is One Easy Task
By Scott Doggett August 3, 2010
But That's Mainly If Concern Is Cost, Not Efficiency or Environmental Friendliness
Forbes, which recently predicted the Nissan Leaf EV will be a sales failure, has just published a list of what it describes as "20 better values than a Chevy Volt."
The article, with which we have issues, notes that the extended-range plug-in hybrid will carry a U.S. MSRP of $41,000 before tax breaks and for a time will cost $33,500 with the federal incentive. And, really, there's no denying that the Volt is an expensive sedan.
Forbes states "there are plenty of great cars" one can buy for less than $41,000 or even less than $33,500," and then provides the following lists:
"This list doesn't even touch the rich recession market of slightly used cars," Forbes concludes.
Given that Forbes has no idea how well the Volt will hold up, nor does it know what kind of fuel economy it will achieve overall - after traveling the first 40 miles or so on electrons only - we really wonder how the publication came up with this list.
It certainly didn't do it on the basis of fuel economy, which is Volt's key selling point - most analysts expect it to get at least 60 mpg on a full charge and tank - otherwise the first three models listed wouldn't be listed. That's because: The Audi Q5 gets only 20 mpg combined, the BMW 3-Series about 24 mpg, and the Cadillac CTS Sports Wagon also about 24 mpg.
We can go on and on about Forbes' list, which seems to compare apples to oranges to pears, but one thing that must be noted is that most Volt drivers will likely be leasing their vehicles, given the attractive Volt leases Chevrolet will be offering. Forbes made no mention of them.
Scott Doggett, Contributing Editor
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Forbes avoided rating the Volt according to it's lease price, which compared to the buy price is the obvious way of getting one.
I don't much like the Volt, but this is a hatchet job.
$350/month is a good lease deal for the Volt -- *if* you can find a dealer who will give it to you!
Apparently GM get the $7,500 from the Government if you lease, which accounts for the lower price.
God knows what they will do with all the cars they are left with when the leases expire.
Except the Volt is a different kind of vehicle than all those they list.
I would say that finding an equivalent vehicle for a lower price is an impossible task, as none exist.
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