Formula for success = Good looks + Incredible gas mileage + Affordability

2 out of 3 is set up for failure

 

Out of your 3 steps, 1 is completely opinion based so I disagree.


To make a hot selling car right now, IMO you would need:

1: Great mileage capabilities (high fuel mileage, or long travel distances if electric)

2: Affordable pricing ($30,000 or less)

3: A great warranty, like the 10yr/100,000mi that hyundai and kia offer

4: Versatility. It has to have more functionality than the smartcar. Room to seat 4+, and carry more than a gallon of milk.

 

The Volt is the winner.

Its an upscale hybrid. For lots of people driving a hybrid it isn't about saving $ at the pump, its about the perceived notion that they care to save money at the pump or to save the environment. There are shit-tons of celebrities and rich business people driving the Prius that can afford gas right now.

So, where do you go from there when you are ready to trade up? Well there's the Lexus "h" vehicles, but that would be too pretentious for someone trying to appear humble. So in comes the Volt.

So from a marketing standpoint, these Volts have already won. Lots of people will gladly shell out the premium cash for a Volt to say they care about saving money...and the environment of course.

 

I believe it's based on the amount of fossil fuel necessary to generate the electricity to charge the car completely. The car can travel x distance using utility electric consumption y.