Chevy Volt scheduled for Canadian launch in August 2011
Click above for a high res image gallery of the 2011 Chevy Volt
General Motors has said time and again that it will not delay the introduction of the Chevy Volt here in the United States, despite growing concerns that the automaker's financial difficulties could put the project in danger. Barring any major problems with the vehicle's development, GM believes Volt sales should begin in November of 2010. Now, GM-Volt.com quotes Volt vehicle line director Tony Posawatz as saying the plug-in would be "rolled out 9 months later in Canada." Counting 9 months from November 2010 puts us at August of 2011.
Of course, it's cold up there in the Great White North, which brings up the question of how the Volt's huge lithium ion battery will function in frigid climates. Testing has been taking place in Kapuskasing, Ontario, and apparently the Volt's built-in battery heating measures have been working as designed. A little extra attention on the owner's part won't hurt, though. So, while the car might not post fuel mileage numbers that are as impressive as those in warmer areas, there shouldn't be any worries that the Volt won't function as a vehicle.
Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt
[Source: GM-Volt]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Stan 8:15AM (4/06/2009)
GM is certainly showing it's true dedication, despite it's financial troubles. The Volt is something the world needs. The future of land travel is electric and GM is putting a huge foot forward, which will continue to set them apart from the rest of the automakers.
http://www.eco-can.ca
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PeterG 9:27AM (4/06/2009)
I project at least $50K price tag based on the Dollar ( I think $.80 is stable point) and no big incentives here, so they probably won't sell very many here anyway.
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paulwesterberg 9:46AM (4/06/2009)
We get a lot of oil from canadian tar sands which will probably lead to parity between the Canadian & US dollar by late 2011.
PeterG 10:00AM (4/06/2009)
Parity was a blip brought on by market mania. It isn't sustainable as it damages the rest of the economy.
Sure Alberta does well with high oil/dollar, but the rest of our exports suffer from the dollar increasing their cost and lowering competetiveness. I think .80 -. 85 is sustainable.
Time will tell. I would certainly love a high dollar in 2011 though. I will be replacing my car by then if it doesn't die first (It's a '99).
Not replacing now, because everything is working fine and my job isn't stable. I will drive it till something major goes or 2010-11 if great deals are around and my job is stable.
ronEbear 9:24AM (4/06/2009)
Sure, it`ll work as a vehicle in the North. A 1988 Honda Civic works as a vehicle in the North. The question here, and it`s a big one, is weather or not the Volt will work as a Plug-In Hybrid vehicle in the North. Given the fact that the gas motor HAS to fire up on cold days, will it really work as a Plug-IN Hybrid vehicle in the north? Might as well just grab a diesel VW instead of a Volt if the concern is to save fuel in the north.
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KBH_Dino 1:53PM (4/06/2009)
Can it go more than 50 feet uphill yet?
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Sasparilla 1:57PM (4/06/2009)
Just as a reference for everyone, the Volt's design includes a daily "alarm" that, while plugged in and charging will "warm up" the battery before you go out for your morning commute no gas engine start needed - the other side of the coin will be the gas engine starting up and running till the battery gets warmed up if the on charge warmer isn't triggered or available (not plugged in).
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