Chevy Volt gets bigger crossover sibling, the MPV5

The original Chevy Volt isn’t yet rolling out of the production lines yet with any sort of sizeable volume and GM is already introducing a bigger crossover sibling: the Chevy Volt MPV5. There are a couple of differences between the original Volt and it’s new sibling, but the underlying PHEV technology will be the same.

The Chevy Volt MPV5 is overall larger and looks a tad boxier. The same Voltec technology powers it, but is only capable of electric only driving for 32 miles versus the original Chevy Volt’s promise of 40 miles on a full charge. This is further evidence of GM’s plans to develop a family of vehicles based on the Chevy Volt’s plugin hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) capabilities.

That’s an important strategy because of the huge investment GM has made in getting the technology this far. Multiple vehicles piggybacking on it theoretically should multiple sales.

The MPV5 seems to have a more family friendly appeal to it, with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. It’s a throwback to GM’s successful days of marketing and selling large SUVs but with a greener twist.

Doug Parks, Global Vehicle Line Executive and Global Vehicle Chief Engineer for Electric Vehicles at GM says:

The Volt MPV5 concept demonstrates the flexibility of the Voltec propulsion system, which can produce enough electric power to propel a range of vehicles. from a compact sedan like the Volt to a crossover like the Volt MPV5 concept.

It looks like GM is actively campaigning to earn trust from consumers again. The Chevy Volt is one example of that, and another is a banner spread on their front page announcing that they’ve paid back their government loan in full, plus interest, 5 years early.

That seems to be a nod over to Ford, which has in recent months taken the social networking scene by storm. Let the good strategy decisions continue!