Chevrolet had high hopes for the Volt when it first hit the market. The hybrid vehicle was supposed to have massive sales for the manufacturer, and while that may not have come to fruition, there is some good news on the horizon. According to Bloomberg via The Washington Post, General Motors (GM) is anticipating a 20 percent increase in the production of Volts for a total of around 36,000 cars.
Last year was a record period for brands like the Toyota Prius, which sold more than 890,000 models across the world, and Chevrolet hopes to boost its Volt sales up to a more modest - but still large - 36,000 units. It will have to rebound from some production stoppages and other external problems first.
"We had some on and off starts with the assembly plant," Cristi Landy, GM's marketing director, told Bloomberg. "California, which was our strongest market, was selling great then they would have no products. They've run out of products probably three or four times in the last 12 months, it's been very frustrating."
Sales of many plug-in hybrid vehicles are poised for rapid growth, Torque News reports. With longer driving ranges, lower fuel costs, strong vehicle maintenance and a message of environmental awareness, these automobiles are quickly becoming the most sought-after in the U.S., and manufacturers are doing what they can to capitalize on this demand.