Chevrolet says the new 2016 Volt incorporates many improvements that were suggested by owners of the current generation model.
That’s because input from loyal owners was included in the 2016 Chevrolet Volt’s engineering phase. After launching the first-generation Volt, Chevrolet started holding monthly meetings with a customer advisory board of 12 owners from across the country to understand how consumers were operating their Volts.
“We began asking simple questions like how and when the owners plugged in their Volt, which directly impacted the development of the next generation,” said Darin Gesse, Volt product manager. The Volt team also did some research about what Volt features owners liked and what features might need improvement. They kept in touch with Volt owners though social media, plug-in events and Internet panels.
Most owners pushed for more EV range and improved fuel economy in extended range, but many of them also expressed a strong desire for a fifth seating position for short trips. All those requests turned into reality with the 2016 Volt. Chevrolet also learned customers wanted a more intuitive vehicle interface, hence the 2016 Volt’s easier to use center stack.
Other features demanded by Volt users included a quieter engine at lower speeds, LED headlamps, heated steering wheel, Regen on Demand, customization of vehicle information depending on driver’s preference, location-based charging selection, more discrete charging notifications, charge door open reminder, illuminated charge port and an available spare tire.
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