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Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf sales show big drops in September

As most readers likely know, it's not just lower gas prices that are affecting plug-in vehicle sales. The two long-time sales leaders in the US - the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt - are getting long in the tooth. First introduced in late 2010, the vehicles have been updated here and there since then, but recent sales figures have been lagging behind where they were in 2014. This trend continued in September, with sales of both vehicles down in a big way compared to last year. Sales of Nissan Leaf totaled 1,247 for the month of September. This is down a whopping 56.7 percent from September 2014, but thankfully the year-to-date sales are not quite as negative. So far this year, Nissan has sold 13,630 Leafs, which is "just" 37.5 percent lower tan the YTD total at this point in 2014 (21,822). This decrease swims against the overall direction of Nissan's September sales, which were up 18 percent over last year and set a new September record. The Volt sold 949 units last month, down 31.9 percent from last September. Year to date, the Volt has sold 9,264 units, which is 36.3 percent lower than the number of Volts that were sold in the first nine months of 2014 (14,540). This downward trend might be coming to an end soon. The new Chevy Volt will go on sale in 11 US states later this fall, and the 2017 model will be available nationwide next spring. An updated Leaf for the 2016 model year also offers more miles – 107, vs 84 in the 2015 version – so potential customers who have been waiting for the latest and greatest will soon not have any excuses. We'll have our broader look at green car sales in the US up soon. Green Chevrolet Nissan Electric Hybrid ev sales hybrid sales volt

Domino's reveals Chevy Spark-based delivery car

Next time you order from Domino's Pizza, check out the delivery car. In an effort to get hot and fresh pizzas to hungry customers, the company is creating a small run of custom vehicles that are tailored for the job. Dubbed the Domino's Delivery Expert (DXP), these 2015 Chevrolet Spark-based hatchbacks pack a plethora of features to provide the perfect pie. When the DXP's on delivery duty, every order should arrive steaming hot thanks to the hatchback's biggest custom upgrade – a warming oven right behind the driver. Accessible from outside, it can keep pizzas at the perfect temperature on the way to your house and hold two of Domino's Heatwave bags. Other than the driver's seat, the rest of the interior also gets replaced with bountiful storage and non-slip surfaces. According to the company, as many as 80 pizzas could conceivably fit inside, and that would be quite a party. The exterior is still clearly derived from the Spark but with some clever additions. An illuminated "Out for Delivery" sign is on the roof, and a puddle light shoots the Domino's logo on the ground. Plus, the company's red-and-blue color scheme is emblazoned over the hood, pillars, and hatch. Underneath all the pizza-related mods, power comes from a 1.2-liter four-cylinder and CVT. Rather than just a one-off stunt, Domino's is working with Roush Enterprises and former General Motors exec Kenneth R. Baker to build 100 DXPs. They're hitting the streets in 25 US cities, and you can check if your locale is included on the project's website. The seed of this idea came from a partnership with Local Motors to crowdsource the ultimate pizza delivery platform. Domino's Launches Purpose-Built Pizza Delivery Vehicle Domino's Innovative DXP™ Created by Three Great Michigan Brands and an International Crowdsourcing Design Competition Ann Arbor, Mich., Oct. 21, 2015 -- In its latest innovation as the recognized world leader in pizza delivery, Domino's (NYSE:DPZ) is launching the Domino's DXP™ (Delivery Expert), a specially designed and built pizza delivery vehicle. The DXP is the combined brainchild of former GM R&D executive Kenneth R. Baker, Michigan-based Roush Enterprises and Domino's. To also include consumers' input, hundreds of concepts were initially identified in an online crowdsourcing design competition hosted by Local Motors. "The Domino's DXP is the first purpose-built vehicle aimed at revolutionizing pizza delivery," said Russell Weiner, president of Domino's USA.

EV tax credits: Here's every electric car or plug-in hybrid that qualifies

Starting on April 18, the Internal Revenue Service released new guidance for U.S. buyers shopping for a new electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle. On April 18th, the IRS showed only six fully electric vehicles on the qualified list, but a day later Volkswagen confirmed its U.S.-built ID.4 also qualifies. That means right now, seven fully electric vehicles qualify for the full $7,500 EV tax credit, with three more from Chevrolet coming for the 2024 model year (we would expect these 2024 models to roll out slowly and be difficult to find for at least the first few months they are on the market). In addition to those seven fully electric cars, two plug-in hybrids also qualify for the full $7,500 credit. To qualify, a vehicle must be assembled in North America and must meet a strict set of guidelines that cover where battery materials were sourced. If any battery materials come from certain countries (importantly including China), the vehicle's tax credit is automatically cut in half. Further, according to the IRS, the vehicle's manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) can't exceed $80,000 for vans, sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks or $55,000 for any other type of vehicle (basically meaning sedans). Electric vehicles that qualify for the full $7,500 EV tax credit: Cadillac Lyriq (2023-2024) Chevrolet Blazer EV (2024) Chevrolet Bolt EV (2023-2024) Chevrolet Bolt EUV (2023-2024) Chevrolet Equinox (2024) Chevrolet Silverado (2024) Ford F-150 Lightning — all models (2022-2023) Tesla Model 3 Performance (2022-2023) Tesla Model Y — all models (2022-2023) Volkswagen ID.4 — U.S.-built models (2022-2023) Plug-in hybrid cars that qualify for the full $7,500 EV tax credit: Chrysler Pacifica PHEV (2022-2023) Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring (2022-2023) A smaller credit is offered on fully electric cars and plug-in hybrids that are assembled in North America but have batteries with materials sourced from unqualified countries (mostly China).