It may seem sometimes that I am down on Detroit and the big 3 auto makers. So when I read this article over at Newsweek, I had to stop and check my prejudices at the door. It seems that after we gave these folks bail out money up the wazoo, they still do not get the big picture. The big 3 seem to think that the American car buyer is an idiot. What else could explain this statement at the end of the Newsweek article:

Maria Rohrer, GM’s director of marketing for the Chevy Volt, says there’s great enthusiasm for GM’s electric car, even though it will retail for $40,000.

Maria, I don’t know what your smoking but it is still illegal in most states with the exception of California. How can you say that the Volt has ‘great enthusiasm’ with a $40,000 price tag? Great enthusiasm by whom? The bonus babies on Wall Street?

Here how this is going to play out at your local Chevy dealer. The Volt will have a starting price of $39,999 + $800 for shipping and handling. But you won’t be able to buy one at that price, because there will be none available at the dealership. If you can get a Volt out the door for $45,000 you will pat yourself on the back for getting a ‘deal’ LOL

So how many Volts will you be buying?

Comments welcome.

Source – Newsweek article here