Abbett.org

Dammit, wake up, GM!

I'm delighted to hear that 10,000 Chevrolet Volts will be rolled out this year, but their 20th-century reliance on dealers for sales disappoints me.

Direct quotes from my 2004 Chevrolet purchase:

• "I'm not going to sell you the car you want, I'm going to sell you the car I have on the lot."
• "How much is it? Well, how much do you want to pay?"
• "Let me check with my manager."
• "For only $400 more, you can get clear-coat protectant."

Over 52,000 people (myself included) have signed up on an unofficial Volt waiting list—and GM won't be doing a thing with it.

I doubt every single signatory would be ready to fork over the MSRP on day one, but it represents serious demand. Any behavioral economist would insist that the manufacturer capitalize on their desire for instant gratification, i.e. let your forward-thinking early adopters buy direct.

Think about it, GM – you have serious prospects who have probably been following the progress of the Volt for three years. These are your most enthusiastic grass-roots spokespeople — and you're going to force them through the highly variable customer experience of a Chevrolet dealership? (With all due respect to hardworking Chevy dealers: Apple Stores you're not.)

This has "wet towel" written all over it.

I want to go to a website, pick my Volt's color, click "Buy," and have my new car delivered exhaust-free to my door.