GM built zero Chevrolet Volts in June, but don’t worry, the stoppage was planned, says company spokesman Robert Peterson.
Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly, where the Volt is built, is currently undergoing upgrades for the model-year changeover, which adds new features to the Volt at a reduced price. Volt production will begin again in mid-July, Peterson says.The stoppage means the Volt will have extremely limited availability until August. Currently there are about 200 units available nationwide, he says.
The Volt took an early lead in the EV race at the beginning of 2011 — outselling the Nissan Leaf as Nissan struggled to recover from the earthquake and tsunami in Japan – but now those roles have reversed. Chevrolet has sold 2,745 Volts so far this year, while Nissan has sold 3,875 Leafs. Peterson says the automaker still expects to deliver 16,000 Volts by the end of the year — 10,000 into the hands of American customers, 3,500 for export and 2,500 to be used as demonstration cars at Chevy dealerships. Nissan hopes to deliver 6,000 to 7,000 Leafs by the end of the summer.
