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Tuesday Humor: GM Announces It Is Losing Money On Every Volt Sold, Will Make Up For It With More Losses

Tyler Durden's picture




 

In what should not come as a major surprise to anyone, GM just announced that:

  • GM SAYS LOSING MONEY ON EVERY VOLT SOLD

There is good news: being implicitly funded by the US taxpayer means never admitting failure. In fact, the faster one fails, the faster one gets bailed out.

  • GM SAYS NOT GIVING UP ON VOLT

And when failure is not an option, the only other option is even greater failure. And even bigger losses.

  • GM SAYS NEXT GEN VOLT WILL BE $7,000 TO $10,000 CHEAPER

Slowly but surely everyone is figuring out that in the USSA, where making a profit is becoming increasingly impossible, the only credible business model is that of Amazon: lose lots of money but make up for it in volume.

 

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Tue, 04/30/2013 - 14:50 | 3514888 IndicaTive
IndicaTive's picture

Shocking

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 14:50 | 3514900 The Gooch
The Gooch's picture

TOMORROW- Buy some silver!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGZ5f1G1Ep0

 

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:01 | 3514934 francis_sawyer
francis_sawyer's picture

Calling DC Fusor... Calling DC Fusor... Please share your 'Smores' recipe here...

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:03 | 3514946 redpill
redpill's picture

'GM SAYS NEXT GEN VOLT WILL BE $7,000 TO $10,000 CHEAPER'

 

Well, that certainly makes you want to go out and buy one of the overpriced ones now, doesn't it?

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:02 | 3514954 machineh
machineh's picture

Frank Roosevelt knew how to take care of deflationist rabble trying to destroy America. /sarc

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:09 | 3514976 redpill
redpill's picture

So you have an overpriced car that you still have to take to the gas station, but you also have to plug it in, successfully merging the worst of both worlds.  At least with a pure electric you don't have to get gas, and you have the simplicity of the drivetrain.  At least with a non-plug-in hybrid you don't have to plug the thing in at night.  Oh but not on the Volt!  You get hybrid gas mileage, plug in hassle, complexity of having both batteries and internal combustion on board, you still have to buy gas, and suffer the humiliation of driving a bailout-on-wheels.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:11 | 3514982 Stackers
Stackers's picture

Volt production cost = $80,000

Volt sales price = $40,000

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:14 | 3515004 krispkritter
krispkritter's picture

What a re-Volting development this is! http://www.stuporduck.com/sounds/DS174.wav

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:20 | 3515027 Citxmech
Citxmech's picture

So, will they be losing $47k on each of the new ones instead of $40k?

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:45 | 3515117 Rick Blaine
Rick Blaine's picture

LOL

A few years back my dad had a similar situation...

His company was losing like $100 on every "widget" they sold...

...and I shit you not, several of his employees, who were all over the age of 35, and some of them being in "management" level positions, suggested that they figure out a way to sell more of them.

 

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 17:49 | 3515595 11b40
11b40's picture

Reminds me of the pair of good ole boys who decided to go in the Water Melon hauling bidness.  They were buying melons at the Farmer's Market in Columbia, SC, for a buck a piece, and taking them up to Charlotte to sell them....for a buck a piece.

They quickly secured several good accounts and were very busy, but soon noticed they were running out of money.  After putting their head's together to figure this out, they came up with a solution.  Buy a bigger truck.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:12 | 3514985 McMolotov
McMolotov's picture

IT'S FOR THE CHILDREN!!1!!!1!

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:25 | 3515033 knukles
knukles's picture

WHOSE FUCKING CHILDREN?
ANSWER ME THAT ONE DC?

On second thought, save me the pabulum

Biden's next assignment... Volter in Chief

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:36 | 3515087 McMolotov
McMolotov's picture

IT'S FOR [ENSLAVING] THE CHILDREN!!1!!!1!

Sorry, left out a word. Should make more sense now.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 16:10 | 3515207 Jekyll_n_Hyde_Island
Jekyll_n_Hyde_Island's picture

Time to put the 'ol bullshit filter spectacles on.  Lets use the ZH decoder ring to see what GM is really saying:

  Losing Money = profit margin per vehicle isn't high enough to pay back unmentioned bailout funds still outstanding, labor unions are still kicking us in the balls daily.

  Not giving up on Volt = Please give us more time to pay you back, FED -- we promise to keep on building this crayon-drawn, middleschool-shop-engineered 150cc shriner go-cart.

  Next Volt will be 7-10k cheaper.  = Oh yeah, we're gonna need more money if we're going to keep on building this hot piece of shit.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 23:45 | 3516668 wee-weed up
wee-weed up's picture

All hail the Obamamobile!

Just like it's namesake - a failure in every way!

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:14 | 3514989 Sach Mahoney
Sach Mahoney's picture

Honestly with stupid statements coming out of General Motoers like this, we can clearly see the heavy dumbing-down Government effect on this once thriving private enterprise.  Wait, don't buy now, we're lowering the price "at some point"  MORONS

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:43 | 3515114 AnonymousCitizen
AnonymousCitizen's picture

No, it's genius. If they are losing money on each sale, preventing sales will increase profit margin. Duh.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 17:47 | 3515588 lunaticfringe
lunaticfringe's picture

Two laughably insane things come to mind. You just killed existing sales by telling potential buyers you are lowering the price 7-10k until you actually do.

Anyone already owning a volt has to be kicking themselves in the balls with that residual NADA haircut where the newer used Volts will be cheaper than an older one. Fortunately, that is only 16 men and and a Cuban hooker in Miami.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:20 | 3515014 insanelysane
insanelysane's picture

$7-$10k needs to be the price, not the discount.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:31 | 3515063 Dr. Richard Head
Dr. Richard Head's picture

I'll grab one if they GIVE ME $7-10K.  Otherwise, fuck it.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:37 | 3515092 Agent P
Agent P's picture

Where's your sense of patriotism, redpill?  Buying the over-priced, money losing model is the right choice for America!  

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:39 | 3515108 AnonymousCitizen
AnonymousCitizen's picture

But if they're losing money on every sale, preventing sales is a good thing (tm), right?

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 16:11 | 3515245 booboo
booboo's picture

The faster I go the behinder I get

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 16:45 | 3515372 Zymurguy
Zymurguy's picture

Correction:

'GM says next gen' Volt will be $7000 to $10,000 subsidised more than it is currently (pun) in order to bring the price down'

 

There, fixed it for ya.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 17:48 | 3515594 DCFusor
DCFusor's picture

Gm's marketing dept needs to be shot, along with whoever does their websites - they utterly suck.

  I actually told some of their engineers this - they came for a visit to see how my Volt was doing, and to see why I liked it in the mountains - a use-case they did NOT have in mind at design time.  It was fun making them piss their pants on the hairpins around here...Sadly, I have no connections higher up than those guys, who are just grunt engineers, and this wasn't a truly official visit, though GM did buy their plane tickets.

This vid was shot by one of them in the passenger seat.  It's hard to tell from this, but we entered a 15 mph rated hairpin at 65 and floored it into the turn...no over or understeer, but a couple sets of pants got wet.  Not mine, this was *slow* compared to what I've tried.  You'll notice the cameraman is bouncing his head off the liner as we trip down the straight after that at 70-80, it's bumpy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk6106_9IrE

No, I'm not officially associated with GM in any way at the moment, but they are thinking about using me as a consultant for Volt 2.0, since it was obvious to all of them that I'm a better engineer than any they now have.  And more of a "car guy" on top.

Of course, here, where it seems everyone hates GM (even if they have had good luck with them) and some have a reason - they stupidly held bonds or GM stock when it was, well, obviously stupid (I shorted enough to pay for a new Camaro, BTW, and did it *after* they announced they were going bankrupt.  Damn, if for no other reason, I now like them).

All new cars, especially those in low volume niches, lose money the first few years.  By that I mean all mass produced cars - not things like Ferraris etc that price that in - any new, small volume car would be priced like a Ferrari if they expected to make money the first year.

Tyler, and you guys probably don't want to hear that - you only want to hear the truth when it fits your particular model.  In science, we call that "selecting from random data to prove a point" and it's a sign of utter incompetance, but...this is fight club I suppose, not truth or science.

Volts, like any other car, are getting cheaper to make.  The lack of detail in the above Tyler post of course allows for that ignorant spin.  All the individual parts are getting cheaper, they are always refining build costs, despite blood sucking unions...they'll make money on this just like they do with most of their line, and at around the same serial number of build as all the others.  If you dig deep enough into publicly available info (or ask Bob Lutz) you'd know that.  Lutz is a "car guy" who wrote a book about what's wrong with GM (as a member of the board) - and is an AGW denier, as well as a horsepower lover.  Yet he more or less forced GM down this road, around the Bush (not obummer) admin.

But you can lead a horse to water, or a ZH poster to data and facts, and they still won't drink it.  It's not my fault if you don't want the truth - it's yours.  If you cover your eyes, it's the same as being blind.

Mine charged up fine on my solar system today...and I'm at 182 mpg lifetime, since I sometimes take a long trip that burns some gasoline.  After two years, my oil life meter says "78% remaining".

I regularly get 50 miles on a charge, even though its rated at 35.  And I don't drive like granny.

If you think *I* was stupid to take advantage of a gov subsidized near-miracle of a cool vehicle, then I hold no hope for you - you'll make stupid decisions for the rest of your life, and eventually pay for them, karma is a bitch. 

We all paid for GM - but only the smart ones got the benefit.  Is that why you all whine about GM, Volts, "Channel stuffing" (for which Cisco was far more famous in the .crash, and which every maker of seasonal sales items is standard practice)? 

Just sour grapes you didn't score the great deal?  I don't get it.  People here are as irrational about the Volt as the Pope used to be about Copernicus.  We know how that turned out.

My youtube channel has fun stuff on it:

https://www.youtube.com/user/DCFusor

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 18:42 | 3515734 toys for tits
toys for tits's picture

Liked your video and only have one question.

Did you miss a spot shaving?

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 18:50 | 3515762 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

I am really hoping that we can convince the Koreans to stuff our channels full of bearings, so far they cannot get us a couple of items we could sell BIG TIME.

In our case it's better to have big inventories rather than be "stocked-out".

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 23:15 | 3516563 MilleniumJane
MilleniumJane's picture

You know, you really got me thinking more deeply about this.  Thank you for your comment and giving some in-depth perception to this.  I still don't agree that government should give bailouts to private companies, but your argument is definitely having me rethink the Volt.

Wed, 05/01/2013 - 01:34 | 3516841 J in Vegas
J in Vegas's picture

Don't always buy what the ZH crew has to say on the VOLT. Read my post below for more info. It's a good car. There is just some serious haters on this site. And to match DC's post above, I'm at 250+ MPG. But I have only had two long trips snowboarding to Mt. Charleston in the winter. All of my driving is city driving in Las Vegas. Its closer to 370MPG.

J in Vegas

Wed, 05/01/2013 - 01:38 | 3516842 J in Vegas
J in Vegas's picture

DP

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 23:44 | 3516666 post turtle saver
post turtle saver's picture

The Volt is actually a great car, I've seen several of them here in action and they make a much better impression in person than they do in the news. They had them side-by-side with the Tesla S at the last car show I attended, honestly I'd go with the Volt (people think a Volt is expensive? sheeeeeyit).

Wed, 05/01/2013 - 04:01 | 3516947 dunce
dunce's picture

Nissan's electric gets the same $7,000 rebate deal and was advertised today in the low twenties. I do not want either one at half the price. I am still waiting for thousands of UAW workers to buy Volts, or even hundreds, or as Maxwell Smart might say would you believe dozens. They build them but will not buy them. Might they have inside information?

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:03 | 3514948 I think I need ...
I think I need to buy a gun's picture

.....and how much more is your ceo making than you?????????

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:32 | 3515066 Dr. Richard Head
Dr. Richard Head's picture

Only a multiple of 3.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:06 | 3514959 Hippocratic Oaf
Hippocratic Oaf's picture

DC Fusor in 3,2,1...........

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:42 | 3515119 StychoKiller
StychoKiller's picture

Fusor owes some folks around here some munny! :>D

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 18:05 | 3515633 DCFusor
DCFusor's picture

Nice to be remembered I suppose even if in a negative way - since it's by negative people.  Look guys, I'm only here because ZH is reliably first with any hint of bad news.  I keep a lot at-risk, so it's nice to have this info source.  But if you drink this kool-ade, you're losing your ass.  Sure, things will eventually turn out right as predicted here - but the key thing is *when*, and it ain't tomorrow.

This stopped-clock shit is getting pretty old.  Humans are remarkable at finding ways to mostly survive and "muddle through" despite ignorant leaders - who else would want to be in charge of this country of apparent complete idiots (search youtube for george carlin stupid people)?

A whole lot of very powerful people have a huge stake in the status quo, and many of them are only stupid for public consumption, not actually stupid - it's an act, you fools.  They can keep this irrationality up longer than you can stay short...this I already know from experience.

Whatever you think about me, I'm one of the better traders out there....usually long...but not always.  Yes, I really did sell quite near the top before the crash, and went full in right on march 9, 2009.  And have been in and out a few times since - check the price of BTE for the first year or two after that for example.  How many 6-baggers has Tyler given you?  Check my website for the call on the silver spike I got both sides of - to the minute for another.  I do fine at this, manipulation included.

It's just plain stupid to run your whole plan on a single idea, the world is just more complex than that.

Guys, don't buy it - they cheat me anyway (hollywood accounting) and it's out of date, but I literally wrote one of the first popular books on how to program digital signal processing, and let me tell you - the losers who program these algos have a LOT to learn, they are just discovering the step function, much less anything truly effective.  Any human can outsmart them easily if you know the real deal.  You can't move as fast, but when something like Knight gets out there, or that hacked AP tweet the other day, man can you make out on that, and you only need human speeds to do it.  All motion is money if you're on the right side of it, and these guys write such stupid code that is so predictable it's not hard to be on the right side of it if you know the basics of how things with gain and phase shift work, and how stupid these programmers (usually PhD's who couldn't get a real job in physics because they aren't that smart) are.  Stock prices are just another signal.

These clown programmers couldn't make an amplifier with a gain of 10 without having it oscillate and go generally divergent.  If you know that, and the nature and phasing of their over-reactions, trading this market is a piece of cake.  If not, my lazy stupid ass wouldn't have doubled my money a couple of times since 2006...

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 19:01 | 3515814 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

Then I guess you would not be interested in Peruvian corporate bonds at 5%...?

 

;>)

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:01 | 3514937 knukles
knukles's picture

And even better, they bought/brought back the finance arm and are making 7 year auto loans and ninja/low down/no down like mortgages.

Whata buncha losers.
The only thing the bailout did was eradicate the debt and give equity to the union.
They're still a buncha fuck-ups

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:21 | 3515021 insanelysane
insanelysane's picture

7 year auto loans in an industry where they need you to get a new one every 4 years.  bullish

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 17:25 | 3515122 Pure Evil
Pure Evil's picture

Actually brilliant. Especially for those stupid enough to believe that they need a new vehicle every four years. Anything you haven't paid off on the now depreciated vehicle is rolled over into the new loan.

I see lots of car ads saying that you can get a new car or even a new used car even if you currently owe money on a car you purchased a few years ago. They promise to pay off your old loan, but don't mention in the ad how they go about doing this until your knee deep in the dirty details when signing the loan for your new vehicle down at the dealers lot.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:33 | 3515083 Overfed
Overfed's picture

7 years? I thought they were up to 8.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 14:54 | 3514905 xtop23
xtop23's picture

"Go, go, gadget subsidy!"

Destroy Capitalism to save it, my ass. Total clown shoes.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:20 | 3515030 Hippocratic Oaf
Hippocratic Oaf's picture

Saw one last week that had a combination sticker on the bumper as follows:

 

Obama 2012

Michelle 2016

 

I made a concentrated effort to stare this tool down. Damn near lost my shit!

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:45 | 3515137 Pure Evil
Pure Evil's picture

Well, at least it didn't say Hillary 2016.

Wouldn't matter anyway, Obama is using every dirty trick to destroy Hillary's political career with the Bengahzi hearings.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 21:19 | 3516202 Transformer
Transformer's picture

So that's what Bengahzi was about.  And Hillary quit right afterwards.  HA

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 21:45 | 3516277 xtop23
xtop23's picture

Bengahzi was about covering up America's shipment of arms to Al-Qaieda to promote regime change.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 14:51 | 3514908 McMolotov
McMolotov's picture

We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue, and then we'll catch on fire.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:01 | 3514935 Ness.
Ness.'s picture
+ 1 POMO for the Eddie Grant reference.
Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:05 | 3514957 CloseToTheEdge
CloseToTheEdge's picture

where's the fire when the engine lands 'in' your piss soaked lap

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kePfjYQjZPM

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:13 | 3514999 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

I believe that's known as a "feature."

Know of any other cars that will press your slacks?

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:20 | 3515029 CloseToTheEdge
CloseToTheEdge's picture

gotchya +100

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 14:54 | 3514909 FEDbuster
FEDbuster's picture

To increase the chances of the Volt's success, maybe GM can buy Fisker with a government backed loan?

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:04 | 3514950 knukles
knukles's picture

Using the example of how they fucked up Saturn as a business model

 

PS. Know why there was female DNA of the Boston pressure cooker?  Because a woman woulda done the dish washing in a Muzzie house.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:06 | 3514962 machineh
machineh's picture

Time to badge it with the next planet out -- Uranus (accent on the middle syllable).

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:51 | 3515146 Pure Evil
Pure Evil's picture

Actually, they should name it myAnus as in, while sitting in stopped traffic on the interstate, how do you like looking up myAnus.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 19:09 | 3515841 Diogenes
Diogenes's picture

Good idea, let the GM fans rent a Hertz Uranus.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:29 | 3515052 Headbanger
Headbanger's picture

Nah.  That could make too much sense so it could never happoen.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:03 | 3514960 King of Ping
King of Ping's picture

Known up here in Maine as "The Levinsky Method"; they drove themselves out of business selling blue jeans with this strategery.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:29 | 3515049 williambanzai7
williambanzai7's picture

VOLT!

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:31 | 3515060 Headbanger
Headbanger's picture

AWESOME!!  I WANT ONE!!

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:37 | 3515095 IridiumRebel
IridiumRebel's picture

I'll take ya down to the junkya...errr...dealership to pick one out.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:52 | 3515150 Agent P
Agent P's picture

Me too, as long as she doesn't come with the car.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:33 | 3515072 azzhatter
azzhatter's picture

I like the nice pointy tits on that one

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 16:23 | 3515302 bankonzhongguo
bankonzhongguo's picture

There is some junk in that babushka's trunk.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:32 | 3515067 azzhatter
azzhatter's picture

Didn't even know that turd was still around

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 20:50 | 3516131 Slightly Insane
Slightly Insane's picture

Is this what they refer to New Math?  I only hope none of these geniuses decide to become engineers.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 14:50 | 3514889 Manthong
Manthong's picture

at least the union workers retirement plans are completely funded

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 14:53 | 3514912 xtop23
xtop23's picture

Dude. You can't post shit like that. I almost lost bladder control laughing.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:17 | 3515005 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

With GM stock and bonds, why they can't lose!

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:51 | 3515156 Pure Evil
Pure Evil's picture

Well, anyone financing through Ally is definitely funding someone's pension.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 14:51 | 3514894 mjorden
mjorden's picture

you want to know what Amazon's problem is (one of many) ... "oh you aren't satisfied with this electronic device or video game that you used for the past 90 days? here is a full refund plus shipping costs, thanks for being a customer".

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:57 | 3515166 Agent P
Agent P's picture

700x trailing P/Es and 0.6% operating margins don't just grow on trees you know...

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 14:49 | 3514895 ali-ali-al-qomfri
ali-ali-al-qomfri's picture

....GM to issue Volt-bonds

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 14:52 | 3514898 Tsar Pointless
Tsar Pointless's picture

In Fascist Amerikkka, electric car buys you.

Greatest Country in the World!TM

My country, right or wrong!

America: Love it or leave it!

Freedom isn't free! (But it's more expensive than the Chevrolet Volt, apparently.)

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 14:53 | 3514902 IridiumRebel
IridiumRebel's picture

Voltron, the Galaxy Alliance's home planets have become overcrowded, and a fleet of explorers has been sent to search for new planets to colonize. 

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 14:53 | 3514903 The Dancer
The Dancer's picture

Reminds me of my sister...buys volumes of stuff that she doesn't need, but can't resist the great deal...lol

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 14:57 | 3514927 Anglo Hondo
Anglo Hondo's picture

Hi, brother-in-law!  Didn't even know we were related.

 

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:14 | 3514987 Alpha Monkey
Alpha Monkey's picture

The more you buy the more you "save" mantra has bamboozled many a simple minds. 

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:32 | 3515069 mademesmile
mademesmile's picture

Everytime a sales rep tries that line just reply, " Really? How many do I need to buy before you pay me?"

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:19 | 3515012 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

Reminds me of a friend who brags about saving $40, on a $225 purse.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 14:57 | 3514916 Commander Cody
Commander Cody's picture

Umm.  Let me see if I have this straight: Lose on every Volt sold; therefore, sell more to lose more.  I think that's right.  Insane.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:09 | 3514969 RSBriggs
RSBriggs's picture

Almost.  Lose on every volt sold; therefore, drop the price by $7,000 to $10,000 and THEN sell even more.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:10 | 3514977 edifice
edifice's picture

They should just drive 'em straight into the compactor, from the factory (as another ZH'er whittingly quipped, several months ago).

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:13 | 3515003 thelibcentury
thelibcentury's picture

Wood carving and jokes never mix well...

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:21 | 3515019 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

No, no, no. They have to sit on a lot first, that way they can be counted as new sales, then 30 days later, they are "sold" again as used to a wholesaler (who then sells it to the scrapper).

GDP multiplier, FTMFW!

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:29 | 3515054 knukles
knukles's picture

Sounds like a program for SuperKrug

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 14:55 | 3514918 yogibear
yogibear's picture

No problem. With Bubble Bernanke and the Fed buying infinite US debt GM can receive 10's of billions more in bailouts.

Bernanke, Evans, Dudley and Yellen love to print and buy US treasures.  The Fed will print to infinity and trash the US dollar.

Banks and other companies take all you can from the US government  bailouts and convert to overseas before the US dollar crashes and the US looses it's reserve currency status. 

 

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:02 | 3514920 Kirk2NCC1701
Kirk2NCC1701's picture

"Make up for it in volume".  How?  By...

 

1. Operating on the same point of the price-volume curve as now (to 'buy' market share and Dem votes)? 

2. Improved profit/loss margin, i.e. at at a less "lossy" point on the curve (with Gov.aid)?

3. Getting to 'profitable' point on price-volume curve (after TaxBreaks.IRS.gov)?

4. Having it 'Made in China'.  Made by GM-China or licensed to Cherry?

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:00 | 3514944 Go Tribe
Go Tribe's picture

You're overthinking this. In fact, stop thinking and you'll understand. Sort of a zen economy in that respect.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:06 | 3514972 machineh
machineh's picture

Cash for clunkers, comrades.

It sure worked last time!

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:12 | 3514984 knukles
knukles's picture

I think the following are correct, but I could be mistaken as I don't follow the company at all.
Why bother?
China is now GM's biggest market
China now hosts GM's worldwide HQ
No?
Who cares, anyway?

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:03 | 3514961 NoWayJose
NoWayJose's picture

If the Chinese cannot create a profitable electric vehicle (Warren Buffett tried) - then there is NO WAY that GM is going to achieve this with a car built in the United States...

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 14:59 | 3514923 Commander Cody
Commander Cody's picture

I saw my first Volt in person today.  In the parking lot of my electric company.  Ahh, I work for them too, but it wasn't mine.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:15 | 3514998 knukles
knukles's picture

The one running about my little village has a Big Ass Obama 21012 sticker on the body.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:43 | 3515124 J in Vegas
J in Vegas's picture

Well knukles you will never see an ObaMAO sticker on mine. EVER! I don't know where DCfusor man is, but since I'm the only other poster that has a Volt on ZH, I will step into the fight club ring. I could care less if GM is losing money on each one. Just as a poster stated earlier, its a 80k car being sold for 40k. Why would I not want to buy a car that is half priced. I also have driven the car 6700 milies and used 17.5 gallons. And when I feel like burning gas, I drive my paid off 2002 Wrx around town to go golfing on my days off. The Wrx is such a fun car to drive. But for my daily commute of 27 miles round trip to work, the Volt makes perfect sense.

I got a feeling one of the Tylers has a serious problem with GM (with all the VOLT posts), and I really don't blame them. The company is ran piss poor and should of went bankrupt in 2008/2009. The Volt is a nice trial car for me to see if I like an electric car, and how it holds up. I am really eyeing one of those TELSA sedans. Those cars are bad ass!. Kinda pricey, but I'll see where I am at in 3 years and go from there. I hope to have the solar installed by then, and then the power is free.(minus the the $8 a month service fee from Nevada Energy)

J in Vegas

P.S. ..... go ahead.... bring on the junks!

 

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 16:05 | 3515185 PrintemDano
PrintemDano's picture

You claim you bought an $80k car for $40k, and who wouldn't take that deal??  Find someone to give you $80k, or $70k or $60k, or even 40K for it.....good luck.  

Power is free?  LMAO. Your solar is undoubtedly subsidized by the rest of the ratepayers in your area.  You're nothing but a welfare queen.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 18:38 | 3515707 SamuelMaverick
SamuelMaverick's picture

Wait until they have to replace the battery - it is a $6000 to $8000 replacement item.  Go figure that into your cost per mile. GM Volt = a big joke, but a nice toy if you have disposable money that you want to piss away. 

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:45 | 3515125 J in Vegas
J in Vegas's picture

DP

 

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:01 | 3514933 mayhem_korner
mayhem_korner's picture

 

 

Fire sale on Volts.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:14 | 3514958 Kirk2NCC1701
Kirk2NCC1701's picture

Hyannis, MA and area summer residents want to know how it handles if accidently driven into water.  Will it sink?  Will they get a charge out of it?

And Kennenbunkport, Maine summer residents want to know about its cargo capacity:  How many sculls on the roof & bones in the trunk can it store?

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:23 | 3515038 insanelysane
insanelysane's picture

I believe Massachusetts has a ban on electric vehicles because blind people can't hear them coming.  

The real reason is that they'll lose on the gas tax after the Gov's plan to tax miles failed a couple of years ago.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:31 | 3515059 knukles
knukles's picture

Just need Mrs K in the passenger seat with the windows open.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:33 | 3515073 Headbanger
Headbanger's picture

Quit it!  You're killing me!!

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:34 | 3515086 akak
akak's picture

ANYTHING but that supremely offensive thumping rap crap!

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 21:04 | 3516177 Umh
Umh's picture

Attach cards to rub against spokes....

 

It's all funny if you look at it from the right angle.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:01 | 3514938 Major Major Major
Major Major Major's picture

Yesterday I was at the local Wal-Mart. Now I was only in there for about 5 minutes and when I came out, there he was - a damn Motorcycle cop writing a parking ticket ...

So, I went to him and said: "Come on Buddy, how about giving a guy a break?"

He simply ignored me and continued writing the ticket.

So, I called him a pencil necked Nazi. He then glared at me and started writing another ticket for having bald tires!

So, I called him a sorry excuse for a human being. He then finished the second ticket and put it on the car with the first. Then he started to write a third ticket!

This went on for about 25 minutes ... the more I abused and hurled insults at him, the more tickets he wrote ...

But hey, I didn't give a damn. My car was parked around the corner ...

Wed, 05/01/2013 - 08:14 | 3517192 Aegelis
Aegelis's picture

Epic, and Facebook shared.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:00 | 3514945 Inthemix96
Inthemix96's picture

Now thats a fucking suprise.

I am fucking shocked at this news.  Whocouldaknown????

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:00 | 3514947 Headbanger
Headbanger's picture

I'm waiting for GM to come out with the "Amp" and the "Ohm" models before I buy.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:10 | 3514986 pods
pods's picture

I'll wait till they make the mho.  

It costs mho money, and has mho problems.

pods

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:13 | 3514997 Sach Mahoney
Sach Mahoney's picture

more like static and cling

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:18 | 3515011 knukles
knukles's picture

Be funny if everybody in a Volt's hair stuck straight out...
Look cool with the Birkenstocks

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:30 | 3515070 FrankDrakman
FrankDrakman's picture

I'm waiting for GM to come out with the "Amp" and the "Ohm" models before I buy.

Watt are you saying?

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 19:41 | 3515938 JuliaS
JuliaS's picture

That's an awesome suggestion!

GM Ohm: "Pure resistance!"

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:04 | 3514952 CaptainSpaulding
CaptainSpaulding's picture

iVolt 5s

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:02 | 3514955 Everybodys All ...
Everybodys All American's picture

Sounds like Pelosi is the CFO.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 20:55 | 3516146 massbytes
massbytes's picture

I thought she was still out crying for the children?

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:09 | 3514971 Sach Mahoney
Sach Mahoney's picture

GM will make it back on volume. You'll see.  Go taxpayers.  

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:12 | 3514973 Bam_Man
Bam_Man's picture

"If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years there would be a shortage of sand."

- Milton Friedman

Needless to say, their results running a car company won't be any better.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:11 | 3514988 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

Dcfusor in 5......4....3...2....1

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:20 | 3515016 knukles
knukles's picture

Some dickwad on BBG or CNBS the other day said that the reason that there's plenty of oil in the US is because of electric cars.

I shit you not.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:15 | 3514996 Seasmoke
Seasmoke's picture

That joke isn't funny any more.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:14 | 3515002 Silverhog
Silverhog's picture

A smart investor would buy several new Volts, put them in a garage somewhere for 20 years. Finally, take them out and look like dumbest fuck on the planet and loose your shirt.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:17 | 3515007 orangegeek
orangegeek's picture

That's no problem.

If they can get their sales going, GM can make it up in volume.

LMFAO!!

 

Better call Ben and Barry for some more charity.

 

PS:  Dow Jones up 9, NASDAQ100 up 18 - everything's fine in the markets too.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:29 | 3515009 Smegley Wanxalot
Smegley Wanxalot's picture

I don't have to worry about funding shit like this.  My money is safe and sound in my 401K.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 16:10 | 3515227 insanelysane
insanelysane's picture

They are going to start calling them 802k's as part of Ben the Banksta's Wealth Effect initiative.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:18 | 3515010 Spastica Rex
Spastica Rex's picture

I'd rather have an AMC Gremlin. Or better yet, a Pacer.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:21 | 3515023 knukles
knukles's picture

Razzist.  What's wrong with Pintos?

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:25 | 3515034 Spastica Rex
Spastica Rex's picture

TARGET: 1972 PINTO

Impalas kick ass.

edit: The French loved Pacers, I guess cuz they looked like ass.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:24 | 3515043 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

Back in the 80's, my USMC recruiter had a lime green pacer. It was fuckin' classic! Once he slammed the door, window shatters and falls out. Another time he's trying to get back to his office, and it dies completely, and I had to give him a ride (50 mi. one way).

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:26 | 3515032 bnbdnb
bnbdnb's picture

Can I collateralize my poop? I'll make more if you need me to.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:28 | 3515044 TrumpXVI
TrumpXVI's picture

Too late, it's already been rehypothecated.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:25 | 3515036 FieldingMellish
FieldingMellish's picture

They will probably do like other manufacturers and start destroying lease returns to keep new sales high(er).

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:24 | 3515039 TrumpXVI
TrumpXVI's picture

I commute 72 miles every work day (in my '06 Prius).

So far, I have seen exzackitickly ONE Chevy Volt.  It was a white one.  I spotted it on I-95(PA), heading toward DE.

I rank that sighting as one of the all time high points on my fourteen year long commute.  It is sort of like spotting a Yeti, a Big Foot, or an Ivory Billed Woodpecker or a flying saucer.

 

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:31 | 3515074 knukles
knukles's picture

Just from a credibility standpoint let me point out that I've seen more UFOs than Volts.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 21:10 | 3516193 Umh
Umh's picture

When is your  payback on the Prius coming in?

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:27 | 3515041 Fuku Ben
Fuku Ben's picture

VW Bug > GM Volt

75 years later and America is still working on getting fascism right 

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:24 | 3515042 Seasmoke
Seasmoke's picture

If they ever make a Cars3. The bad guys can be a Volt and a Fisker.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:28 | 3515046 Kirk2NCC1701
Kirk2NCC1701's picture

If I'm a Westchester county or Long Island resident and want to fit in, how am I supposed to customize it by cutting off an inch from the tailpipe, if it doesn't have a tailpipe?

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:30 | 3515055 Yen Cross
Yen Cross's picture

     What can go wrong? The Dow is on it's way to another green close for the 16th day in a row.  BTFD

     Dow Jones Longest Streak of Daily Increases

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:32 | 3515080 Homernomics
Homernomics's picture

This is where infrastructure projects come in.  The 50's saw the beginning of 42,000 miles of Interstate Highway, funded by the Federal Aid Highway Act.

To achieve a usable range, electric cars are saddled with excessive battery volume, weight and expense.   The electric car needs an electrified interstate project to run on and make it an affordable and viable form of transportation.  If the government is going to piss my money away on projects, at least I would like to end up  with something useful.  Not subsidized failures, or cash for clunkers.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:35 | 3515082 azzhatter
azzhatter's picture

Didn't that cockbreath Immelt buy some of these for that other ward of the state GE?

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:42 | 3515120 Overfed
Overfed's picture

Two words: Nissan Leaf.

Two more words: Toyota Prius.

Both are (ten) thousands of dollars cheaper and infinitely more reliable. Fuck it. If you wanna save money on fuel, buy a scooter.

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