Is the Chevy Volt for Idiots?

There's been quite a kerfuffle made over comments concerning the upcoming Chevy Volt as made by Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen in a recent interview:

Adding that they're too expensive and, "No one is going to pay a $15,000 premium for a car that competes with a (Toyota) Corolla. So there are not enough idiots who will buy it." He predicted that the Volt will fall flat, which will cause the federal government to step in and subsidize the Volt in order to save face and boost sales.

With its $40,000 price tag, the electric-with-a-gasoline-mileage-extended-engine Volt might get up to 230 miles per gallon, but tops out at 40 miles on a single electric charge alone. That's a pretty steep price, unless gasoline prices return to the $4 per gallon range in 2010.

I certainly hope that the Volt succeeds, but I can think of about fifty cars, and 20 hybrid models, that I could purchase for under $40K. And I certainly hope that the Obama administration does not get placed in a position where it needs to step in and subsidize the Volt. I can hear the right-wing shrieking already.

Image via Wikimedia Commons