Volt continues to be top-selling plug-in in US; Prius PHV #2, LEAF #3
04 July 2012
The Chevrolet Volt was the top-selling plug-in vehicle (PEs) in the US in June 2012, posting 1,760 units, up 213.7% by volume from the 561 units in June 2011. For the first six months of the year, Volt sales reached 8,817 units, up 221.2% from 2,745 units in the first half of 2011.
The Toyota Prius PHV posted 695 units, representing 3.6% of the 19,150 units of Prius family sales in June, and taking second place for PEV sales for the month. The Prius sedan posted 11,514 units (60.1% of family sales); the Prius C, 3,657 units (19.1%); and the Prius V, 3,284 units (17.1%).
Nissan’s LEAF came in third for the month with 535 units sold, down 68.7% from the 1,708 units sold in June 2011. For the first six months of the year, the LEAF has sold 3,148 units, down 18.8% from the 3,875 units sold in June 2011.
Overall, GM sales were up 16% year-on-year in June to 248,750 vehicle—the company’s highest sales since September 2008. GM passenger car sales were up 12% year over year, due to a 32% increase in Chevrolet Malibu sales (31,402 units) and a 21% increase in Buick LaCrosse sales (7,206 units). Sales of the Cruze were down 23.8% to 18,983 units.
Combined sales of all seven Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac crossovers were up 30 % versus a year ago. Truck sales were up 11%, with all pickup, van and SUV segments up year over year.
Toyota Motor Sales saw its June sales in the US increase more than 60.3% by volume year-on-year to 177,795 units. TMS posted June sales of 25,776 hybrid vehicles, an increase of 335.2% compared to the same period last year. Toyota Division posted June sales of 23,105 hybrids, while Lexus Division reported sales of 2,671 hybrids for the month.
Nissan reported June US sales of 92,237 units versus 71,940 units a year earlier, up 28.2%. Nissan Division sales increased 24.6% for the month at 81,801 units. Sales of Infiniti vehicles were up 66.1 percent over the prior year, to 10,436 units.
Nissan Altima sales of 21,812 increased 11.7% from a year ago. All vehicles in Nissan’s truck, SUV and crossover lineup posted sales increases, with trucks collectively posting a 38% rise in June from a year ago.
I think that the volt is the best actual green car on the market and pure bev don't stand a chance.
Posted by: A D | 04 July 2012 at 07:16 AM
One size does not fit all. If a driver does not need 70+ mile range for the great majority of his/her driving (which is most drivers), a BEV is a simpler, cheaper, more reliable alternative. A Volt is not a good vehicle to haul 5+ passengers or a ton of sand.
Posted by: John McAvoy | 04 July 2012 at 11:09 AM
The Volt is also the highest selling BEV in the market.. yes I know its a BEV for the first 40 miles only.
Posted by: Herm | 04 July 2012 at 07:05 PM
Sad news. Volt is missing 45 000 unit anual target due to suprisingly bad publicity and vague marketing. On other hand on electric market Volt is the superior altrnative for today and figures demonstrate that. Pure BEV not a real altetnative for ICE vehicles and without 300 miles AER will never be only family car.
Posted by: Darius | 04 July 2012 at 11:47 PM
PHEVs like the Volt are good transition vehicles away from fossil fuels.
Once EV range exceeds 150 miles and enough rapid charge stations are in place we should see a shift toward EVs.
It's just so much cheaper to 'fuel up' with electricity.
PHEVs in the forms of 4wd SUVs/pickups might be with us for a long time. For those who really do get beyond the paved road they would offer a lot of utility.
Posted by: Bob Wallace | 05 July 2012 at 10:13 AM
still waiting for a bargin volt on the used market =]
Posted by: philmcneal | 05 July 2012 at 02:47 PM
No ability to start a topic on this site, so permit me to go off topic...
--------------------------
"MyCar" is launching their neighborhood EV this week.
Look at the small difference in price between the lead-acid and lithium battery pack option. And the fact that the lithium gives a bit more than twice the range of the lead-acid.
"The model comes with a choice of two battery packs; one lithium ion giving the car a driving range of 115 miles, the other, lead acid with a range of 51 miles.
The lithium ion car will cost $18,000 or $10,000 with a battery lease contract. The lead acid model will cost $15,000."
http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/index.php/2012/07/06/bill-clinton-to-attend-launch-of-new-electric-car/
I read a post about the company (Flux Power) that is making the batteries which stated that they had figured out how to make the batteries for about half the cost of other lithium-ion batteries, but it gave no numbers.
From another site...
"We have developed a 7, 15, and 23KWh pack with GTA and have already delivered the first several hundred vehicles worth of battery packs to them for production."
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/05/4611091/flux-flux-powers-mycar-as-greentech.html#storylink=cpy
$10k without a battery.
$5k for a 51 mile lead-acid pack. $98 per range mile.
$8k for a 115 mile lithium-ion pack. $69 per range mile. 30% cheaper.
Company site - http://fluxpwr.com/
But $8k for a 23kW pack would mean about $350/kW. Lead acid batteries are that much more expensive?
What's wrong with this picture?
Posted by: Bob Wallace | 06 July 2012 at 02:42 PM
If the price for PHEV and BEV is essentially the same, then PHEV should compete well. The 4K difference between the Volt and the Leaf does not give the Leaf enough advantage. When they get serious and lower the prices, they'll all sell many more vehicles. I suspect they are all trying to stall this. Once the average person gets used to having EVs around they won't be as easily brainwashed on this particular product as they are now.
I mean, it looks from a great deal of the press as if EVs and plug ins are antiamerican socialist environment killers that will destroy our economy and our american way of life. Oil on the other hand is what everyone loves and it has given us the american dream, is less polluting, better for our economy and given us greater national security and freedom.
Posted by: Brotherkenny4 | 09 July 2012 at 10:21 AM
@Darius I'm surprised 45k was their yearly sales target for the Volt. That was way too high. I wouldn't have targeted more than 10k in the first 12 months for a 2 shift factory (can go to 15k with a third shift).
Posted by: NewtonPulsifer | 13 July 2012 at 11:48 AM