GM Taking Orders for 2012 Chevy Volt

Chevrolet dealers in all 50 states are taking orders for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt.

The suggested retail price for the Volt will start at $39,995, according to General Motors. (With the full federal tax credit of $7,500, it's $32,495.) The price, which includes an $850 destination freight charge but excludes tax, title and license fees, is more than $1,000 below the price of the 2011 base-model Volt, according to the automaker. "The lower base price is possible in part because of a wider range of options and configurations that come with the expansion of Volt production for sale nationally," GM said in a news release. The 2011 model was available in just seven states and the District of Columbia. GM has increased the number of option packages from three for the 2011 model to seven for the 2012 model. A loaded Volt, with leather appointments, backup camera, navigation system and premium paint and wheels, is priced at $46,265, including delivery. "We are giving consumers greater choice of content as the Volt becomes available nationwide by the end of this year," said Cristi Landy, Volt marketing director. "This gives us the opportunity to be more flexible in our pricing and still provide additional high-tech content to customers who want to purchase it." New features for 2012 include: standard keyless access with passive locking; OnStar turn-by-turn navigation standard for three years; and standard AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3 playback and 7-inch diagonal color touch-screen display. The Volt will be available in two additional interior accents (white and spiced red) and two new exterior colors (Summit White and Blue Topaz Metallic), according to GM. GM noted that "nationwide availability will initially be limited as deliveries will occur by phases." Customers with questions about the Volt can call 1-888-VOLT-4-YOU (1-888-865-8496). GM said it expects to build up to 45,000 Volts for retail and fleet customers in the United States during calendar-year 2012.