While it's not selling, the Volt has been a critical darling.

Since the debut of the Chevrolet Volt, car aficionados have been keen on the plug-in hybrid vehicle and the possibilities of a gas/electric hybrid car for commuters and city drivers.  In spite of some technical issues and general nervousness that comes along with any new technology, the Volt has been a critical darling for Chevy and its European subsidiary Opel.  How big is the Volt?  The Chevy Volt/Opel Ampera has been awarded European Car of the Year by judges at the Geneva, Switzerland auto show.  The Volt has previously been named the North American Car of the Year, Motor Trend Car of the Year, and Automobile Magazine Car of the Year.

Unfortunately for the Volt, Americans just aren’t buying it, literally.  In fact, GM recently closed down the Volt’s assembly line at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant in Hamtramck, Michigan.  GM had hoped to sell 45,000 Volts in 2012; they sold 603 in January and 1083 in February.

Whether it is doubt about the concept of a plug-in hybrid with limited driving range or simply the huge, huge price tag for the Volt, Americans aren’t biting on the power of the electric car.  Gas/electric hybrids like the Prius are more interesting, but plugging in a car at night might be a step too far, especially when you consider just how much it costs and how much more efficient a traditional gas engine with good mileage is for the sorts of drives Americans undertake (see also the Chevrolet Cruze).

Tags: Chevrolet, Chevy, Volt, hybrid cars, gas/electric hybrid, electric cars, Chevrolet Volt, Chevy Volt, Opel, Opel Ampera, Geneva, Switzerland, European Car of the Year,  Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant, Hamtramck, Michigan, Chevy Volt stops production, Volt production suspended, cars, automobiles, car awards, plug-in hybrids

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