The Volt has gone out of production, temporarily and planned, in order to build a batch of Impalas. They use the same line apparently. Sales have been lower than projected, as have those of the Leaf. In France at least, the new Valenciennes, Paris, plant is running flat out making the EU version of the Prius 'C', with 6 months waiting lists - could be a reflection of sky high fuel tax here- but French buyers are fiercly patriotic and will buy the most awful cans of nails as long as there's a PSA badge on it, or it's made in France. This week my Doc and I spent more time talking new cars than on my blood pressure and chlolesterol level, so it is a hot topic. Toyota have indicated that they intend to put hybrid electric-auto transmissions with regen. brakes in most of their cars in the next few years. In theory, it's a simpler more economic transmission that has now proved its long life and there is no reason why sport and ute vehicles can't benefit. This has all happened just as cheap fracked fuel is coming on line that may prove the undoing of 'green' autos.
