2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
Chevrolet will launch the electric car Volt in 2011 in Germany. In an interview with Autogazette, European boss Wayne Brannon speaks about electromobility and his expectations of the German market.
Chevrolet European boss Wayne Brannon expects a market share of one to one and a half percent in Germany in the next two to three years. In an interview with Autogazette, Brannon is confident about 2010 despite the end of the scrapping premium.
The Spark is our answer
“It was great that we had this stimulus from the environmental bonus on the German market. But now our dealers see that they can sell our products to a wide audience. It is an important factor to see many of our cars on the road and to have the feedback from customers who are happy with the design and quality,”said Brannon.
Autogazette: The IAA was all about sustainable mobility and electric cars. Why didn't you get an answer at the Chevrolet stand?
Wayne Brannon: The Spark is our answer to the topic of sustainable mobility. It will have excellent consumption figures in this segment.
Autogazette:That remains at the market launch of the Chevrolet Volt in 2010 in the USA and 2011 in Germany.
Brannon: We will be launching the Volt in the USA in 2010 and I am assuming that the vehicle will also be launched in Europe in mid-2011, including Germany.
Autogazette: Is it a problem for you that you will probably be coming onto the market at the same time as the Opel Ampera, which is identical to the Volt?
Brannon: No, I don't think so. They are different brands with different customers and different goals. In the start-up phase, I assume that the number of units will be small; the main aim is to gain further experience with the efficiency of such a vehicle.
«Price will be announced in 2011»
Autogazette: Where will the Volt be, around $ 40,000?
Brannon: We haven't fixed the price yet. We will announce it for Europe in 2011.
Autogazette: How important are incentive systems for an electric car so that it can assert itself on the market?
Brannon: In the start-up phase, the costs for such a car are of course higher. Only when we produce a larger number of items will this also be reflected in the price. Support from the government is without question important, it helps to stimulate sales. I hope that governments around the world will support these technologies with incentive systems.
Autogazette:Is the combination of electric drive and combustion engine the answer that consumers expect?
Brannon: That is exactly the answer the customer expects. If you talk to him about electric mobility, it's about performance and range. He doesn't want a limited range. He doesn't want to feel like he's stuck in an electric car and won't come back home. It's not a good feeling.
Great Stimulus
Autogazette: What do you expect from the German market in the coming year? Do you already have nightmares?
Brannon: No, not at all. It was great that we had this stimulus from the environmental bonus on the German market. But now our dealers see that they can sell our products to a wide audience. It is an important factor to see many of our cars on the road and to have the feedback from the customer who is happy with the design and quality.
Autogazette: What sales do you expect in Germany next year? Are 22,000 vehicles realistic?
Brannon:It depends on the economic development. Above all, I expect that we will continue to increase our market share. The Cruze is doing well and we had expected 11,000 sales for the first six months in Europe excluding Russia. It has now grown to 19,000. Now comes the Spark. With its design, dimensions and engines, it has good market opportunities.
Market share up to one and a half percent
Autogazette: What market share do you expect in Germany in the next one to two years?
Brannon: I expect a market share of one to one and a half percent in Germany in the next two to three years. In the next four years we will bring further models onto the market, for example a Camaro, a Volt or a compact class model.
The interview with Wayne Brannon was conducted by Frank Mertens
