General Motors is now taking orders for the new 2011 Chevy Volt which touts a price tag of $41,000 before the $7,500 tax credit which will only be paid to new buyers through their tax return. That makes the effective-purchase-price only $33,500. Those looking to hop in a new Volt will also get the option to enter into a 3-year lease for $350 a month.

For those looking to lease the 2011 Chevy Volt there will be a $2,500 down payment requirement which is $500 more than the Nissan Leaf’s lease program but Chevy will give customers the option to purchase the vehicle after the lease term.

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt comes well equipped which is something that may change in the near future to bring down the initial price. Currently it will come standard with a navigation system displayed on a 7-inch color screen, Bluetooth connectivity, Bose audio, five years of OnStar, heated leather seats, chrome wheels, rear park assist and most importantly, an eight-year/100,000 mile battery warranty.

It is expected that the Volt will retain its value very well for those who choose to purchase the vehicle after the 3-year lease term. For those who purchase the Volt, do not be surprised to see extra markups due to high demand at your local “Volt-approved” Chevy dealership. GM has discouraged dealerships from doing this but we are not sure if they can actually control any price markups.

Each new Volt customer will be taken through a survey to determine if they are eligible for a free Department of Energy-funded home charging units for the Volt supplied by either Coulomb Technologies or Ecotality. The standard 110-volt outlet can be utilized to charge the Volt’s 16 kilowatt-hour battery in about 8 to 10 hours. That may save some customers thousands in not optioning for a 220-volt charger.

You can locate the nearest Chevy dealership that will be selling the Volt at GetMyVolt.com. After locating the dealership, you can then start your ordering process.

2011 Chevrolet Volt Press Release

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price starts  at $41,000 ($33,500 net of full federal income tax credit, which ranges from $0 to $7,500); Lease payment on a 36-month lease at MSRP as low as $350 per month with $2,500 due at lease signing including security deposit

OnStar provides unprecedented connectivity through Volt mobile app; five years of OnStar (Directions and Connections)service standard

Volt’s eight-year/100,000-mile battery pack warranty provides added peace of mind

Volt can be your primary car; approximately 340 miles of total range provides freedom to drive wherever, whenever

SAN JOSE, CA – Starting today, participating Chevrolet dealers in launch markets will begin taking customer orders for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the industry’s first electric vehicle with extended-range capability.

Chevrolet is so confident in the overall value of the Volt that the brand will offer a lease program on the Volt with a monthly payment as low as $350 for 36 months at Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price with $2,500 due at lease signing, including security deposit based on current conditions, which could vary at time of delivery. The benefit of the $7,500 tax credit is included in the reduced lease payment, with the tax credit going to the lessor.  The Volt’s MSRP will start at $41,000 ($33,500 net of the full federal tax credit, which ranges from $0-$7,500) including a destination freight charge of $720. Customer deliveries of the Chevrolet Volt are scheduled to begin in launch markets late this year with initial production limited.

“The Chevrolet Volt will be the best vehicle in its class…because it’s in a class by itself,” said Joel Ewanick, vice president of U.S. marketing for General Motors, who made the announcement at the Plug-In 2010 conference. “No other automaker offers an electrically driven vehicle that can be your everyday driver, to take you wherever, whenever. The Volt will be packed with premium content and innovation, standard.”

The Volt will be initially available to Chevrolet customers in California, New York, Michigan, Connecticut, Texas, New Jersey and the Washington D.C. area. To be among the first to purchase a Volt, customers can visit their nearest participating Chevrolet Volt dealer. A Volt dealer locator will be available later today at //www.getmyvolt.com. The dealer will begin the order process, which will be followed up by contact from a dedicated Volt advisor who will be available to answer any questions and keep the customer apprised of the progress of their order. For customers needing general Volt information, Chevrolet will have a team of Volt advisors available to answer questions starting today at 1-888-VOLT-4-YOU (1-888-865-8496).

The Chevrolet Volt is the only electric vehicle that can operate under a range of weather climates and driving conditions with little concern of being stranded by a depleted battery. Volt has a total driving range of about 340 miles and is powered by electricity at all times. For up to the first 40 miles, the Volt drives gas- and tailpipe-emissions-free using electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas powered range-extending engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 300 miles on a full tank.

Depending on their tax situation, Volt owners can qualify for up to $7,500 in U.S. Federal income tax credit, as well as other potential state and local tax credits, depending on location. Owners in certain states may qualify for the added convenience of High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane access.

While the Chevrolet Volt will come standard with a 120-volt charge cord that will provide owners with the ability to charge their Volt directly from a standard home electrical outlet, a total of 4,400 Volt buyers in launch markets could be eligible for a free 240-volt charging station, including home installation.  The installations are part of a program developed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to install approximately 15,000 240-volt home charging stations across the U.S.

Technologies Keep Volt Customers Connected

When it comes to advanced technology, Volt customers are on the leading edge. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt has standard technology features that link and entertain in innovative ways, starting with standard seven-inch touch screen navigation and an energy-efficient Bose premium audio system.

The Volt is the first GM vehicle to offer five years of OnStar Directions and Connections service, which includes Automatic Crash Response, stolen vehicle assistance and connected navigation, all standard.  Volt will expand on OnStar’s foundation of leading-edge safety and security technology through the introduction of an OnStar-enabled mobile app that connects the vehicle to the owner’s smartphone.

“We wanted to make the Volt ownership experience unlike anything we’ve done at Chevrolet, because the Volt is unlike any vehicle we’ve offered,” said Tony DiSalle, director of Chevrolet Volt product marketing. “We want customers to fully enjoy the Volt lifestyle by providing unprecedented connectivity to their vehicle through the Volt mobile app.”

Unprecedented Warranties Bring Value and Peace of Mind

Volt owners will be provided outstanding battery and vehicle limited warranties. The Volt’s 16-kWh lithium-ion battery is covered by an industry-leading transferable warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles. In addition, Chevrolet will provide:

• 3-year / 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage
• 5-year / 100,000-mile roadside assistance and courtesy transportation
• 5-year/100,000-mile limited gas engine coverage
• 6-year/100,000-mile corrosion protection coverage

The Volt also has an array of standard safety features, including eight air bags — dual-stage frontal, side-impact, knee, and roof-rail side-impact – and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with Traction Control.  The Volt is constructed of 80 percent high-strength steel for additional safety and protection.

Chevrolet will also provide customer assistance via a Volt advisor available 24/7 by phone or Internet. Dealers will also provide on-site dedicated Volt service and sales experts who will be able to address inquiries.

NOTE: Later today, Volt marketing director Tony DiSalle and Volt vehicle line director Tony Posawatz will host a live video webchat at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT from Plug-In 2010 to answer consumer questions about Volt pricing.  Media and consumers can join the conversation on Chevrolet Voltage and the Chevrolet Volt Facebook page.

[source: GM]