Long-awaited GM Chevy Volt

The Chevy Volt's claim to fame in the electric-auto world is that it's an extended-range electric vehicle. That means that it will drive 40 miles on its batteries and then its gasoline engine will fuel a generator to keep the batteries charged, allowing for longer range than its all-electric competitors. Final pricing has not been announced but it's expected to be in the $40,000 range before rebates and incentives.

Will the Volt alone return GM to auto dominance? That's unlikely. The car has generated a huge amount of buzz around GM and the underlying electric powertrain technology can be used on other GM models. But initial volumes of the Volt are relatively low, which means GM's near-term finances are tied more to the rest of its fleet. The company plans to have nationwide availability of the car within 12 months of its launch later this year.