Bait and Switch?

Sept. 13 - That's what a number of GM Volt enthusiasts feel General Motors has done after they saw accidentally released photos of the final production car. The Volt concept (right) was first shown at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. A poll conducted by fan site GM-Volt.com found that among 1388 respondents have seen, that 57% preferred the concept, 32% preferred the production model.

GM is expected to release intentional, official photos next week, but even the most skillful photography is not going to hide the differences from concept to production vehicles. Another GM-Volt web survey indicated that, among 2252 respondents, 65% said that driving the car without using gasoline was most important. Another 32% said that having good looks was equally important.

GM has said it expects to ship the Volt at the end of 2010. It will be able to drive 40 miles on its lithium ion batteries and have a gasoline engine that will give the car a 400-mile range. Strategically, GM is committed to the Volt, seeking to reduce dependence on sports utility vehicles and trucks at a time when gasoline prices and a green-tech vogue are pushing consumers to more fuel-efficient cars.