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The Volt Goes To Washington
By Mary Lide
GM CIC Intern
I think the Volt did more by visiting the streets of DC in a week than a year of testifying on the Hill could ever do. That’s just my take though, not GM’s!
It went everywhere, saw everything, and all it had to do was look cool. Its story tells itself. We, on the other hand, had some work to do.
I went with the Volt for an evening out at Georgetown Harbor, a concert at Wolf Trap, a visit with commuters at Union Station, and a stop with legislators on Capitol Hill. My job was to talk to people and share some of the amazing facts about the technology. What surprised me is that it wasn’t a sell. Most people came to me, wanted to know more and were just positively curious. Each event had a different audience. We had a young crowd enjoying one of the nicest nights of the summer in Georgetown. We had Baby Boomers out for a great concert at Wolf Trap. We had people going to their offices as they exited the Metro. We had tourists next to members of Congress. The one thing they all had in common was that the response was overwhelmingly positive.
A lot of people wanted to know, “Why is it here?” There were looks of incredulity, as if something this futuristic could never be in our city. Most were excited to learn that GM is committed to making the technology viable for car buyers in a few years.
Even though I don’t know a lot about cars, I found myself quite enamored with the Volt. It’s good looking, environmentally friendly, and affordable. On the last point, people had a hard time believing that the vehicle will be priced to fit into the Chevy line-up – that is, affordable to most car buyers.
Who wouldn’t fall in love? A lot of fellow Washingtonians shared my sentiment. “I’d buy one right now” was a phrase I heard a lot. Many people walked right past me as I extended some literature to them, only to glance back and do a double take at the car. Then they would meekly ask for a brochure. I loved that! The Volt spoke for itself.
I also heard cries of “This is a Chevy?” ringing throughout the crowds, as hundreds upon hundreds of people reached for the cellphone to send pictures to their friends. Luxurious and Chevrolet might not be synonymous to a lot of people, but I think their minds will change after seeing the Volt. Its design and overall look got the most raves, even more than its environmentally-friendly assets. To a good portion of the crowd, being green came as an afterthought. It’s just an added plus. That’s what GM is trying to do, make being green affordable, but also highly coveted because of its beautiful design.
The Volt definitely made its mark on DC. I’m sure people went home and looked it up on the web, interested to find out more. I’m also sure that they told two friends, who then told two friends, who then told two friends…until the city was buzzing with conversations about the Volt. It was certainly popular wherever it went. It’s like GM’s iPhone on wheels.
To check out photos from this event, make sure to check out Flickr.
Posted by Editor on July 27, 2007 11:54 AM
Comments
Ah, the Volt, the car that will never exist, on its dog & pony show in Washington. Okay, GM--here's the challenge for you re: the Volt. If you live in an apartment building (and many of us do--but I guess we don't count in GM's eyes), where are you supposed to plug it in? Sorry, last I looked there were no plugs on my street. No battery fill-it-ups around the corner. No "Plug it in here" stations on the highway. Arrogance, arrogance, all is arrogance with GM.
Posted by: Michael on July 29, 2007 11:54 AM
Michael it sounds to me as if the real arrogance is yours. As for living in an apartment building: it has no external outlets? Even with that in mind, I'd be willing to run an extension cable out of my third story window and stretch it across the lawn if it saved me from ever having to buy a drop of gas for my daily commuter.
Keep it up GM.
Posted by: Wayne on August 1, 2007 11:43 AM
@michael
arrogance? is it possible that YOU are the one being arrogant, mr. this won't work for me so it's a ridiculous idea?
last time i checked there were plenty of garages across the country... even if the all important michael doesn't have one. arrogance, arrogance, all is arrogance with michael.
Posted by: alex on August 1, 2007 12:41 PM
