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Should your next vehicle be electric?
Volt Continued
Some Americans certainly would not buy a Prius (if they could get one) because Toyota is not an American brand. As General Motors integrates Volt technology into other models, more Americans will enter the pool of possible hybrid buyers. This marketing potential will help plug-ins become acceptable to American buyers. Volt's first 40 miles of all-electric driving should ease American's into seeing all-electric vehicles as an option.

By expanding the market for plug-in, clean running machines, and with the manufacturing might to eventually turn out millions of such cars, General Motors and Volt technology can make a significant difference in oil consumption and an impact on our environment.

General Motors announced plans to send Volt technology to foreign markets. Europe may be especially ready for Volt-style hybrids. Foreign owners keep cars much longer than Americans and pay higher fuel prices. Hybrid initial costs would be easier to amortize. An important benefit of exporting the high tech cars might be a better impression of America. A chance to reduce the carbon footprint of drivers around the world could only help make the United States seem part of the solution for a change.

Perhaps the greatest impetus for the Volt's success swells from the frustration and anger of the American people. An open ear at water coolers from coast to coast burns with talk of high gas prices and few alternatives. Whether they blame politicians, car companies or OPEC, people are fed up with a lack of leadership. They want to make a difference and don't know how.

General Motors, if it keeps the Volt promise, could benefit from a watershed moment in American automotive history. If the car doesn't appear in 2010 or soon after, beware the backlash. GM must realize this opportunity to atone for the public relations disaster depicted in the movie, "Who Killed the Electric Car." If the, "in two more years," ploy is dusted off again, no matter the reason, people will loose what little faith they have left.

Plug-in hybrid gas-electric cars and trucks, like Volt, will not solve all the problems caused by internal combustion engines. In fact, the complex machines suffer the liabilities gas powered cars always had, along with the problems of electric cars, including expensive batteries. Volt however, can help with foreign oil consumption and prepare the car market for all-electric vehicles.

Volt also offers hope for General Motors. Hybrid technology can help the automotive giant meet new C.A.F.E. standards and almost certainly enable GM to dip into government coffers. Volt's opportunity won't last. Tesla delivers battery all-electric cars now. Chinese and some international companies have simple electric machines. Global competition makes it unlikely GM will be permitted to hide behind excuses any longer. Volt offers a chance to use marketing and engineering expertise to bolster a sagging international image.

Failure or success for Volt may be as important to the United States as it is for General Motors. Americans want solutions for fuel costs and environmental concerns. Middle class workers need better jobs. World class products, like the Volt, could revive manufacturing in this country. American consumers hold the cards to make the changes necessary. Car companies go where profits are. If buyers inform Detroit that they want efficient cars, those cars will be built. Legislators respond to demands of voters. Speak up with actions and most importantly, dollars! It might be a beginning.

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