Some motoring enthusiasts would wonder how a 2017 Chevrolet Volt came out in February this year when it was only in October last year when the 2016 Chevrolet Volt was officially rolled out in the United States.
There is no big mystery involved at all. The American car manufacturer only did what it thinks is right and appropriate given the truncated market of its 2016 Chevrolet Volt.
It can be recalled that the 2016 model was launched in October 2015 but it suffered a major blow when it was approved to be sold in only 11 states in the US. So what GM did is to complete all the compliance requirements and paperwork in the next couple of months. When it was sure to have taken care of all the compliance requirements, it eventually re-launched the second-generation Chevrolet Volt as a 2017 model in February this year.
Based on the testimonials of those who were able to buy the 2016 Chevrolet Volt from October last year to January this year, the vehicle is a handsome, enjoyable, efficient, and comfortable plug-in hybrid hatchback, notes Green Car Reports.
In fact, the hatchback has been adjudged as the Best Car to Buy for 2016 by a group of car reviewers across the spectrum.
Breaking out to new highs
The sales of the 2016 Chevrolet Volt were only limited to 11 states which follow California zero emission rules. Despite its slower sales for the first two months of this year, supporters were still hopeful that the Volt will break out to new highs when the rest of the country comes online, details Hybrid Cars.
True enough, the time has come for the 2017 Chevrolet Volt. Following its re-launching in February, the 2017 Chevrolet Volt started shipping from its assembly line at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant to dealers all over the country.
Chevrolet Communications Representative Michelle Malcho said that all 50 states are now eligible for shipping of the 2017 Volt based on dealer allocation.
She added that the allocation and orders determine what locations the Volts are distributed to certified dealers.
A change of plan
It can be recalled that the release date of the 2016 Volt had been postponed last year after the carmaker told its dealers that it would only be available in 11 states and that the vehicle would be fully rolled out by December 2015.
The change of plans to begin sales in the 11 states and hold back in 39 states made some enthusiasts to take pause, as though they were witnessing a vote of less than full confidence.
GM has since said that it shall be taking a different approach to selling the 2017 Volt, which became the first version of the new model rolled out nationwide after a truncated 2016 model year with limited distribution in California and just 10 other states.
The 2017 Volt is rated by the EPA at 53 miles of electric range, and 42 mpg combined when operating in conventional hybrid mode after its 18.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack has been depleted.
Its starting price of about $34,000 is lower than that of the 2016 Volt, and it comes with more standard equipment.
The vehicle also has a fifth seating position, effectively a padded cover on the battery pack under the rear seat, for short use by agile passengers, which is one of the most-requested features by owners of the first-generation Volt.
In terms of looks, the 2017 Chevrolet Volt cannot simply be ignored. Unlike the earlier editions of the Volt, the current model is bound to become everyone’s cup of tea because of its excellent design.
The 2017 Volt is much more mainstream and it is something that a lot of people could see themselves driving. GM officials say that it is always important for them when they try to market these kinds of cars.