1.  What is a hybrid vehicle?

2.  Why is GM halting production of their plug-in electric hybrid car (the Volt) for the next five weeks?

3.  When the Volt was launched in December 2010,  GM predicted selling 60,000 cars per year.  Less than 8,000 Volts were sold in all of 2011.  How does GM explain the low sales numbers?

4.  In addition to automakers, who has invested millions or more dollars into the development of electric cars and re-charging stations?

5.  What percent of vehicle sales is from the electric plug-in cars the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf?

6.  GM promoted the Volt for four years before it went on sale.  The Volt costs approximately $40,000.  In an attempt to persuade consumers to buy Volts, the Obama administration is giving purchasers a $7,500 tax credit.  In addition, in August 2010, DTE Energy said that it would pay up to $2,500 for the installation of a charging station in a purchasers home (it would be free) for the first 2,500 applicants. So far, only 260 have taken advantage of the offer.  Why do you think even with the promotion, a tax credit and a free re-charging station most consumers chose not to buy a car that will save them money on the gas?