General Motors stock has seen a decline over the last year which might not come as much of a surprise for the company who’s most notably associated with the Hummer and the Cadillac Escalade. As the consumer market increasingly turns towards smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles, GM is hoping to corner a piece of the market with the 100% electric Chevy Volt. Consumer interest is already at fever pitch for the Volt, which is tentatively scheduled for a 2010 release. GM has done a great deal to produce an air of mystique around the Volt, going so far as releasing photos of the vehicle in piecemeal and only then showing small portions of the final product. From these photos it can be incurred that the car resembles something of a cross between the redesigned Dodge Charger, and the Saturn SKY.

GM’s hype just might be working too. The passion among the general public for the Volt inspired a neurologist by the name of Lyle Dennis, who runs GM-Volt.com, to compile a list of prospective buyers for the car. The tally of Mr. Dennis’ list is already impressively past the 33,000 mark. While this number might seem encouraging on the surface, consumers have also stated that $31,261 is the price they would be willing to pay for a Volt, a figure well below the $40,000 mark GM has claimed first production vehicles will cost. Further complicating matters is the fact that the Volt is totally electric: if you drive less than 40 miles a day. After the 40 mile mark traditional fuel sources will kick in to recharge the Volt’s huge lithium battery pack. Will the Volt do whole sale business and turn GM into a viable competitor in the fuel efficiency market? If GM delivers on time we should know in two years.

Tags: Auto Transportation //