tonybelding

AutobogGreen brought this to my attention. . .

http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/11/14/my...n-to-bob-lutz/

The funny part was the comment about aerodynamics.

The more important part was that GM is "fully committed" to Chevy Volt production and no longer sees much likelihood that battery technology will be a hindrance.

It's been great to see how GM's (particularly Lutz's) attitude has changed over a relatively short time. When they first showed the Chevy Volt, the talk was all about how this represented something they'd like to do someday but "the batteries don't exist yet". That brought forth a lot of skepticism and even ridicule.

After the huge public response, I think GM felt compelled to look closer at the idea, and the closer they looked the more doable it seemed to be. You can follow the changing attitude in their public comments, which started out very timid and full of caveats and disclaimers, but every new comment from GM has been more confident than the one before.

Now they've reached a point where batteries don't look like a problem, and Lutz is talking casually about producing up to 100,000 units in the first year. If it even hits a quarter of that production level it'll send a shock wave through the auto industry.

TEG

There are still many who are very skeptical about the Volt.
Don't forget that this is GM, and they could draw everyone into their "vision", then cancel it like they did with the EV-1.

Until they are mass producing Volts and offering them for sale, I will remain dubious.

Also, they better get much better MPG than a Prius...

DDB

Why? If you drive in all electric mode, you don't burn any gas? I could care less if it burned 20 MPG in gas mode if I get 40-45 miles EV range.

__________________
Dave

'05 Passat powered by Biodiesel
'54 Corvette

vfx

Wow this makes me optimistic.

Cautiously optimistic, but still optimistic.

Another comment of note is letting a civilian drive a Mule. Considering this person is a member of the press (a Blogger) that shows trust from GM.

I have not followed the auto world to know if there is any precedence for this. I would have to believe it's pretty rare.

Even Tesla did not have that kind of play in the public eye

__________________
.
.
.
.
.
.
The world loves to be deceived.

TEG

GM more or less said that the excitement from Tesla helped prompt them to put the Volt concept into the public space as a response.

I suspect that the Volt blogs are also a retort to the success of the Tesla blogs.

I am sorry, but personally, I don't find the Volt (in its' current form) exciting enough for me to want to join that community.

Someone will have to work up the numbers of real world plug-in usage combined with pure EV mileage equivalent and actual MPG when running on gas (factoring in how often the gas motor will be used on average). There will be some sort of "effective MPG" that results, and that is what I would hope/expect to be much better than a Prius for this to be worthwhile.

If it turns out that 90% of Volt customers never plug it in it might not be that great a concept...

tonybelding

I think Bob Lutz admitted that. I can't help thinking Toyota's much more low-key announcement that they were going to make a PHEV must have influenced GM's decision too. It didn't get much press at the time, but when Toyota makes a move other car makers take notice.


I don't know if "retort" is the word I'd choose. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Oddly, Tesla and GM (notably in the persons of Martin Eberhard and Bob Lutz) seem to have plenty of good things to say about one another. I sense that there is some mutual admiration and a sense that they're both on the same side of the revolution.

It's a contrast to the sniping that so often occurs between the various EV startups.


I personally don't have any interest in buying one. Also, I find the Volt's styling unattractive. However. . . I do believe it could appeal to a lot of people and be the start of something big.


I have a hard time believing in that scenario. If they didn't intend to plug it in, why buy a Volt in the first place? I'm confident plugging in will prove more convenient for most people (at least those who have a garage or carport) than going to a gas station. I'm also confident that many of them will become addicted to quiet battery-powered driving and will feel quite annoyed when the ICE fires up.

DDB

Supposedly Lutz gave a November 2010 production date with a 2011 model year:

http://www.gm-volt.com/

Pretty cool.

__________________
Dave

'05 Passat powered by Biodiesel
'54 Corvette

TEG

I will just have to reserve judgment and sit on the sidelines and see what happens. The whole EV1, & Cobasys situation has me questioning motives or at least resolve until proven otherwise.

Lets hope you are right. I do see silly things like people buying 4WD vehicles with large ground clearance and never driving them off road. Or buying a 5 passenger luxury sedan and only ever having one or two people in it.

vfx

"GM more or less said that the excitement from Tesla helped prompt them to put the Volt concept into the public space as a response"

I think we have to give credit to "Who Killed The Electric Car" for the Volt as well. I know that Bob has admitted that Tesla forced his hand with the Volt but WKTEC had to smart like a mutha.

Oh to be a fly on the hallowed walls of GM when WKTEC came out. Did they get a preview copy? Did the execs put on overcoats and hats and sneak into the theaters? Did any heads roll? We will probably never know.

I know I felt a lot of strong feelings about GM when I saw the film and now we know "Flea" and Jason were moved to buy a Tesla (and who knows how many more did the same). Jason went on to say he would never buy another GM product.

Lutz has said that crushing the cars was a bad PR mistake and I bet that started as a slow stew that rose to a boil as the film did better and better. 1.6M http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/...lectriccar.htm Then the DVD release saw another stinging wave into GM's offices.

The Volt might have been part of the healing salve that Bob needed to feel good again.

__________________
.
.
.
.
.
.
The world loves to be deceived.

vfx

Another comment on GM's transparency on the Volt.

Autoblog Green says they may get to drive the Mule. The ground breaking is so unheard of that AG even has to explain what a Mule is.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/11...n-cars-on-sma/


And this interview:
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/11...ate-of-charge/

Pre-Tesla this kind of access would either be a total fluff piece or would be a clandestine operation. I'm impressed.

__________________
.
.
.
.
.
.
The world loves to be deceived.