Already? GM Planning to Increase Chevy Volt Production by 50 Percent


The new Chevrolet Volt extended range electric vehicle won't go on sale before November - and only in seven States at launch, yet General Motors has already revealed plans to lift annual U.S. production capacity by 50 percent, from 30,000 units to 45,000 units, in 2012. The announcement on the production increase came as U.S. President Barack Obama toured the Detroit-Hamtramck facility, where the Volt is being built.

Earlier this week, GM put a price tag on the Volt that will sell for $41,000 before any tax deductions or subsidies. A $7,500 federal tax credit designed to speed up entry of electric vehicles into the market will reduce the cost of the car to $33,500.

In addition, GM said it will offer a lease program on the Volt with a monthly payment as low as $350 for 36 months plus $2,500 due at lease signing.

According to the U.S. automaker, in the past few weeks, more than 25,000 people have joined the Chevrolet Volt enthusiast list.