GM charges up Volt production

DETROIT, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Automaker General Motors said it would pick up the pace with deliveries of the Chevrolet Volt, which is increasing traffic in U.S. showrooms.

GM previously stated it would have the hybrid Volt available in all 50 states by mid-2012, the Detroit Free Press reported Thursday. The new plan is to have it available nationwide by the end of the year.

Currently, the Volt is available in five states – California, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Texas – and Washington, D.C.

Next month, it will be available in Michigan. By the end of the third quarter, 11 more states will have the Volt in showrooms, the company said.

GM Chief Executive Officer Dan Akerson said GM would ramp up production from a previously announced 10,000 Volts this year to 25,000. In future years, the automaker is expected to build 120,000 per year, said Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., forwarding the number after a conversation with Akerson, the newspaper said.