In preparation for the all-new 2016 Chevrolet Volt, the last of the first-generation Volts->ke2721 was produced this week at GM’s->ke1024 Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant. As much publicity that surrounded the Volt when it first went into production in 2010 (shown above), the final car – a white 2015 Chevy Volt – rolled off the line with little fanfare.

Over its five years of production, Chevrolet->ke199 sold 76,136 Volts (through April), and that doesn’t include export versions of the car like the Opel Ampera->ke3351 for Europe and the Holden Volt for Australia. The Volt’s sales peaked in 2012 with Chevy selling 23,461 Volts, but last year just 18,805 units were sold.

The first-gen Chevy Volt was a true innovator with its range-extended electric drivetrain that allowed 38 miles of all-electric driving with the added benefit of a gasoline engine that provided an extra 350 miles of range. Similar powertrain technologies have since been used by other automakers, including the BMW i->ke3915 cars.

Chevrolet has not said when production of the more advanced second-gen Volt will commence, but the car will be in dealerships sometime during the second half of this year. Even though production of the Chevrolet Volt is off-line, the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly still builds the Cadillac ELR,->ke4346 Chevrolet Malibu->ke1034 and Chevrolet Impala.->ke1792

Continue reading to learn more about the Chevrolet Volt.

Why it matters

The Chevrolet Volt may have been the most important and high-profile vehicle for General Motors coming out of its 2009 bankruptcy, introducing a technology that is perhaps the best option for green cars->ke3234 as the U.S. continues to ramp up its EV->ke1030 charging infrastructure.

2016 Chevrolet Volt

Read our full review of the 2016 Chevrolet Volt here.