The Chevrolet Volt may have become a ‘political punchbag’ (see story) in its native US but over here in the UK, Chevrolet dealers are expecting that demand will far outstrip supply.
According to Headlineauto.co.uk, Chevrolet UK has already been contacted by over 2,500 people interested in the Volt, before the model has even arrived on UK shores.
In an effort to meet demand, the UK arm of car maker is ‘fighting for production every month’ Chevrolet UK’s boss Mark Terry told the news agency.
The Volt goes on sale this spring, alongside its twin, the Vauxhall Ampera, but will have some different specifications and pricing than its sibling range-extended model. Terry said that people ‘who just won’t buy a Vauxhall’ but want the innovative petrol-electric technology, will turn to Chevrolet.
He is encouraged also by evidence that the famous US brand still has a cachet for UK buyers. "To put a Chevy on your drive is saying something," he said citing evidence that people downsizing from premium brands will chose Chevrolet over South Korean rivals Hyundai and Kia because "they want to go for a brand that says something."
Despite that evidence, Terry admits that the brand still needs some work. "Customers are beginning to understand it but there’s still a lot of work to do to show them it’s not a US gas guzzler."
Capable of recharging from mains electricity for emission-free electric-only driving, the Volt also features a petrol engine which can generate power for the battery, to extend the vehicle’s range to over 300 miles.
