General Motors has made the most of the Los Angeles Auto Show as the perfect platform to announce the grand launch of the Chevy Volt, the company's eagerly awaited offering which is reportedly a plug-in hybrid vehicle, which is expected to hit showrooms across California by the end of 2010.

The Volt's most interesting and touted feature is its capability to go as much as 300 miles before requiring a refuel, a feature which has made in one the most awaited vehicle of the present times. Although no official confirmation has been made on the price front, estimates have been made that GM would probably price the Volt at around $40,000.

"California has long been a leader in environmental change, and we at GM are very excited to offer the Volt's unique technology to consumers who have demonstrated a keen interest in putting it to use. Initially as we ramp up production, we'll offer the Volt to customers on a market-by-market basis", said Bob Lutz, GM Vice Chairman of Marketing.

In its first year of production, GM has announced plans of manufacturing around 8,000 to 10,000 units of the Volt, slowly taking the manufacturing to 50,000 to 60,000 units a year.