General Motors said Monday that it will deploy more Chevrolet Volt extended range electric vehicles as test models in a move to gain exposure for the vehicle and to boost brand perception.
Chevrolet dealerships in the initial launch markets of California, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C. have taken delivery of more than 550 dedicated Volt demonstration vehicles for customer test drives.
By the end of the year, more than 2,500 U.S. dealers will receive a dedicated Volt demo.
GM expects to deliver Chevrolet Volts in all 50 states by the end of 2011. Deliveries begin in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii in the third quarter.
In all, GM has sold 1,210 Chevrolet Volts in 2011 or 1,536 units since launching late last year, including 608 deliveries in March. The company expects to sell between 400 and 500 Volt cars in April.
In related news, GM Canada announced that it has started taking orders for Chevy Volt in seven key regions across the country, with prices starting from at CA$41,545 (equal to US$43,780).
The Volt will initially be available to retail customers in the marketing areas for Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto, Oshawa, Ottawa-Gatineau, Montreal, and Quebec City, with first deliveries for these areas set for the third quarter of this year.
It will be offered in one very well-equipped standard trim level, along with two option packages: a Premium Trim Package and a Rear Camera and Park Assist Package.
