Michigan Chevrolet Dealers Seeing More Electric Traffic

Nov. 12, 2011 - PRLog -- DETROIT, M.I. – Michigan Chevrolet dealers may have seen a slow start to their vehicle sales of the Chevrolet Volt, but, the tides may be shifting in a more profitable direction, even if it’s not from the direct sale of a Chevrolet Volt.
According to the Detroit Free Press, it’s all about the curiosity factor. Because Michigan Chevrolet dealers have these vehicles in their showrooms, they are drawing in new and current Chevrolet customers just so they can see the Volt for themselves. Though the Volt price tag may turn some people away, those who don’t want to make the Volt investment are then purchasing other vehicles on the lot.
It’s not just Chevrolet customers who are attracted to Michigan Chevrolet dealers and other dealerships across the nation. Other fans of foreign-makes and other domestic brands are coming too.
Barbara Keys, a Polk consultant, was quoted by the Detroit Free Press as saying, “About 78% of Volt buyers -- based on data from the first half of this year -- didn't own a Chevrolet at the time of the purchase.”
Even better news for GM is last month’s Volt sales numbers. The total number of Volts sold in October was 1,108, which is almost a 50 percent increase over September’s 723 units. The Nissan Leaf was outsold by the Volt by 259 vehicles, an event that hasn’t happened for six months. The total sales goal set by GM for annual Volt units sold for 2011 is 10,000, and GM says it’s sticking to that number even with the pressure to sell approximately 5,000 Volts in the next two months, or half the total sales goal.
The Detroit News reports more Volt dealers have been added to the roster with the total number of Volt dealers numbering 2,200 across 27 states. GM plans to increase that number to 2,400 dealers in all 50 states by the end of the year.
Nissan is also aiming for the 10,000 vehicle sales goal and expects to hit that number in the beginning of 2012. Both automakers are planning some changes in the price of these two vehicles for 2012.
2012 Nissan Leaf price changes:
•   Price increase on base models to $35,200, an increase of $2,420 over the 2011 base model
•   Lease pricing will start at $369 per month, a $20 increase over the 2011 base lease price
2012 Chevrolet Volt price changes:
•   Price reduction for 2012 base model by $1,005
•   Base lease price increase of $49 per month to $399 per month for 2012 models
MI Auto Times will continue to follow these two models to see how these vehicles have changed the market and what their final outcomes are for 2011.

[Source(s): Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News]
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