Production Volt

[toolatecrew]

A few cars do exist 
Chevy Volt Durability Testing: Potholes & Belgian Blocks

I wish all our potholes looked like the ones in those tests.

.

[Leviathan]

They don't exactly instill fear do they.

That Lyle Dennis guy is currently leasing a Mini E and it stopped dead after hitting a pothole due to some electronics controller crapping out. He posted this "MINI E Pothole Fail, GM Working Hard on Chevy Volt Quality" about it. Either it is coincidence or someone at GM was paying attention but this video came out a few days later.

[rrocket]

They don't exactly instill fear do they.

That Lyle Dennis guy is currently leasing a Mini E and it stopped dead after hitting a pothole due to some electronics controller crapping out. He posted this "MINI E Pothole Fail, GM Working Hard on Chevy Volt Quality" about it. Either it is coincidence or someone at GM was paying attention but this video came out a few days later.

Probably a coincidence.  GM knows exactly what they need to do quality wise and what's at stake.

[toolatecrew]

They don't exactly instill fear do they.

That Lyle Dennis guy is currently leasing a Mini E and it stopped dead after hitting a pothole due to some electronics controller crapping out. He posted this "MINI E Pothole Fail, GM Working Hard on Chevy Volt Quality" about it. Either it is coincidence or someone at GM was paying attention but this video came out a few days later.

Probably a coincidence.  GM knows exactly what they need to do quality wise and what's at stake.

Yeah they have proven time and time again that that know exactly what they are doing.

[Leviathan]

Noisy interview with Bob Lutz here. They talk of the Converj and Lutz says that:

progress in battery technology has been phenomenal in the 2 years we've been working on it

GM to put electric Cadillac Converj into production

Robert Snell / The Detroit News

General Motors Co. has decided to produce the Cadillac Converj, an extended-range electric car using the same technology as the Chevrolet Volt, The Detroit News has learned.

Cadillac included the Converj, a concept car that wowed industry critics and the public at the 2009 North American International Auto Show, in a presentation made to the automaker's board of directors Nov. 2, according to sources familiar with the production plan.

A production date has not been set, and it likely will be a few years before consumers can buy a Converj.

"Cadillac needs as much excitement in its portfolio as possible, so I think it's a good strategy for them," said Rebecca Lindland, director of auto industry research at IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Mass.

Cadillac sales have fallen 39.2 percent this year, the steepest decline among GM's four core brands.

A Cadillac spokesman declined comment.

Before GM emerged from bankruptcy July 10 with about $50 billion in federal aid, company executives said there were no plans to build the angular Converj.

At the auto show, Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said if the Converj was approved, the production model would resemble the concept, likening it to the Chevrolet Camaro's evolution from concept to production.

Lutz said it would have been easier financially to produce a Cadillac electric vehicle first because a premium brand would command a higher sticker price, which in turn would help defray the cost of lithium-ion batteries.

The Converj will expand the number of electric vehicles offered by GM and spread the technology's cost. GM is spending more than $1 billion on the Volt program alone and opening a battery pack assembly factory in Brownstown Township. GM's German carmaker Adam Opel GmbH will produce an Ampera model in 2011 that uses the same underpinnings.

The electrification of vehicles is seen as a growth area in the auto industry, and rival automakers have launched electric vehicle plans to cut the dependence on foreign oil.

The Volt, scheduled for production in November/December 2010, will let commuters travel up to 40 miles on electric power. The engine kicks in after its battery is drained by about 70 percent to sustain the battery's remaining charge to keep the car running for several hundred miles.

The decision to build the Converj excited dealers.

Cadillac sells a hybrid version of its Cadillac Escalade, but Scott Allen, a dealer in California, hears from customers who don't normally think of the large SUV as a traditional hybrid.

"A snazzy-looking little car like that would be cool," Allen said.

rsnell@detnews.com (313) 222-2028

[toolatecrew]

Cadillac sales have fallen 39.2 percent this year, the steepest decline among GM's four core brands.

SO sales have fallen 39 % and your plan is:

A production date has not been set, and it likely will be a few years before consumers can buy a Converj.

Sounds good to me. I mean if my sales were down 40% I'd look to solve it wioth a car that won't see production for "a few years" if at all.

I'm sure this is sure to help Cadillac. In fact I'm just as ecited about the whole thing as the Cadillac spoksperson who wouldn't even make a COMMENT.

[Erik]

Cadillac sales have fallen 39.2 percent this year, the steepest decline among GM's four core brands.

SO sales have fallen 39 % and your plan is:

A production date has not been set, and it likely will be a few years before consumers can buy a Converj.

Sounds good to me. I mean if my sales were down 40% I'd look to solve it wioth a car that won't see production for "a few years" if at all.

I'm sure this is sure to help Cadillac. In fact I'm just as ecited about the whole thing as the Cadillac spoksperson who wouldn't even make a COMMENT.

Of course he wouldn't comment, because GM has not announced the car yet. Probably a 3-4 year lead time on a new vehicle, if they move quickly.

I don't figure they will "save" themsleves with this car, but it is just another exciting vehicle in the lineup.

[toolatecrew]

Cadillac sales have fallen 39.2 percent this year, the steepest decline among GM's four core brands.

SO sales have fallen 39 % and your plan is:

A production date has not been set, and it likely will be a few years before consumers can buy a Converj.

Sounds good to me. I mean if my sales were down 40% I'd look to solve it wioth a car that won't see production for "a few years" if at all.

I'm sure this is sure to help Cadillac. In fact I'm just as ecited about the whole thing as the Cadillac spoksperson who wouldn't even make a COMMENT.

Of course he wouldn't comment, because GM has not announced the car yet. Probably a 3-4 year lead time on a new vehicle, if they move quickly.

I don't figure they will "save" themsleves with this car, but it is just another exciting vehicle in the lineup.

Its not IN the lineup. The Volt is not in the lineup.  At this point its not even vaporware becuase Cadillac has not even commented on it.

[Honda Owner]

The Volt indeed gets excellent mileage. That is because, even with all the hype, not a single car has been delivered, nor is there a date to do so.

Vapourware indeed!

[rrocket]

I don't figure they will "save" themsleves with this car, but it is just another exciting vehicle in the lineup.

Not just that, but to help spread around the high cost of the development of the Volt.  If they the technology in more than 1 car, it pays for itself much sooner.

[Erik]

The Volt indeed gets excellent mileage. That is because, even with all the hype, not a single car has been delivered, nor is there a date to do so.

Vapourware indeed!

Wow. Took you off ignore and found this gem.

So this car is vapourware too, right?

[rrocket]

^^^^Uh no.  You can actually go to their web-site and configure the car. Then place your order.  Unlike the Volt, every single car is being built to customer specs (trims, colours, etc..), which is why there is no true "production run".  Each one is essentially a one off and they will be built one at a time. I was at Meade Lexus in the USA on the weekend and they said they have already taken an order for one.  Obviously, I have no way of verifying that though.

[drederick]

The Volt indeed gets excellent mileage. That is because, even with all the hype, not a single car has been delivered, nor is there a date to do so.

Vapourware indeed!

artic honda owner why do you bother? you've shown time and time again in this very thread you haven't got a clue about the Volt, so why continue?

You have PROOF that the Volt won't be produced, right? That the vehicle is indeed 'Vapourware', right?

Please do provide it....... ha ha ha ha of course you can do that, right? ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

[rrocket]

The Volt indeed gets excellent mileage. That is because, even with all the hype, not a single car has been delivered, nor is there a date to do so.

Vapourware indeed!

artic honda owner why do you bother? you've shown time and time again in this very thread you haven't got a clue about the Volt, so why continue?

You have PROOF that the Volt won't be produced, right? That the vehicle is indeed 'Vapourware', right?

Please do provide it....... ha ha ha ha of course you can do that, right? ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

I suppose he has as much proof as the people who say it WILL be made.  I think it will be made.  But until you can actually buy one..or at least go and order one, or at least know what it will actually cost, it is sorta vaporware.  I mean..who knows what will happen to GM from now until late 2010/early 2011.  They could be bankrupt (again).

[drederick]

The Volt indeed gets excellent mileage. That is because, even with all the hype, not a single car has been delivered, nor is there a date to do so.

Vapourware indeed!

artic honda owner why do you bother? you've shown time and time again in this very thread you haven't got a clue about the Volt, so why continue?

You have PROOF that the Volt won't be produced, right? That the vehicle is indeed 'Vapourware', right?

Please do provide it....... ha ha ha ha of course you can do that, right? ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

I suppose he has as much proof as the people who say it WILL be made.  I think it will be made.  But until you can actually buy one..or at least go and order one, or at least know what it will actually cost, it is sorta vaporware.  I mean..who knows what will happen to GM from now until late 2010/early 2011.  They could be bankrupt (again).

Uh ok so now you can read his mind? I guess you can offer any proof it will not be made on his behalf then? LOL good luck with that one.

The Volt is not on SALE yet because it was not intended EVER to be on SALE at this time.

Why is that such a hard concept to grasp? I understand what is meant by 'sorta vaporware' but GM has only indicated the Volt WILL be produced so unless anyone, yourself or the artics can offer something other than that intention to build the Volt then offer it up. If that cannot be offered up, then, what does that mean? oh I know - the Volt will be produced.

GM is just letting everyone watch its development instead of the usual practice of keeping a new vehicle pretty much secret until launch. GM is doing a great job with this as it certainly is keeping the Volt in the news and alive in peoples minds the whole time it is being developed.....

[toolatecrew]

The Volt indeed gets excellent mileage. That is because, even with all the hype, not a single car has been delivered, nor is there a date to do so.

Vaporware indeed!

arctic honda owner why do you bother? you've shown time and time again in this very thread you haven't got a clue about the Volt, so why continue?

You have PROOF that the Volt won't be produced, right? That the vehicle is indeed 'Vaporware', right?

Please do provide it....... ha ha ha ha of course you can do that, right? ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

I suppose he has as much proof as the people who say it WILL be made.  I think it will be made.  But until you can actually buy one..or at least go and order one, or at least know what it will actually cost, it is sorta vaporware.  I mean..who knows what will happen to GM from now until late 2010/early 2011.  They could be bankrupt (again).

Uh ok so now you can read his mind? I guess you can offer any proof it will not be made on his behalf then? LOL good luck with that one.

The Volt is not on SALE yet because it was not intended EVER to be on SALE at this time.

Why is that such a hard concept to grasp? I understand what is meant by 'sorta vaporware' but GM has only indicated the Volt WILL be produced so unless anyone, yourself or the artist can offer something other than that intention to build the Volt then offer it up. If that cannot be offered up, then, what does that mean? oh I know - the Volt will be produced.

GM is just letting everyone watch its development instead of the usual practice of keeping a new vehicle pretty much secret until launch. GM is doing a great job with this as it certainly is keeping the Volt in the news and alive in peoples minds the whole time it is being developed.....

Announcements and even prototypes are guarantees of production right?  Tell that to Chrysler http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2009/11/chryslers-envi-electric-vehicle-program-is-dead.html
[

It trotted out prototypes for journalists to drive and told anyone who would listen that the vehicles were just around the corner.

Now the Envi program that was supposed to fast track all these vehicles to market has been completely dismantled by Fiat.

Is the Volt Vaporware? Depends on what the definition of Vaporware you choose to use. What we do know is that you can't buy one. You absolutley cannot buy one before Nov 2011 so as of now all we have is the possibility that you MIGHT be able to buy one. Not you can and it will be delivered later.

I for one think the Volt will eventually be delivered. If they meet their target date or if its delivered problem free is another matter.

My comment above regarding the Cadillac Converj, however stands. It vaporware pure and simple. No production dates are announced. Cadillac won't even comment on it. There are no prototypes no nothing. Announcing you will produce X car "in a few years" does not make it a product. There are countless examples of vehicles announced and killed long before they ever see the light of day.

[Honda Owner]

You have PROOF that the Volt won't be produced,

Nope, I do not, but neither do I have an intro or delivery date. Seeing is believing and if the Volt does reach production, I wish GM all the best with it.

[Leviathan]

You guys are killing me....

Volt Exec: EREV is a Hard Configuration to Make Work

November 11th, 2009

As the story goes, GM planned to leapfrog the Prius with what was called the ‘iCar’ in 2006.  Starting with Bob Lutz’ idea of a pure electric car, GM VP Jon Lauckner recommended adding a gas generator to eliminate issues of range limits and the Chevy Volt concept was born.  The resulting tremendous public interest caught GM by surprise and they had no choice but to produce the car.

Moving to production brought about many technical and engineering challenges, and few have followed in GM’s footsteps with most companies opting instead to go with simpler pure EVs.

Tony Posawatz is the Volt’s vehilce line engineer who has been involved in the Volt program since day one. Here’s how he answered the following question.

Does GM plan to offer a portfolio of electrical vehicles or just Voltec and its derivatives?

GM’s general position is going forward we will have a broad choice for customers. We see the option of a Voltec system continuing forward. How many alternatives off of that is interesting. Theoretically a pure battery electric vehicle would still be a Voltec. That’s one of the beauties of why we like the option we’ve taken, because it has that level of optionality.

This issue is now, for example, if you start with a pure EV there no place to put a range extender, or if you start with a hybrid that has at its roots an internal combustion engine, you take the engine out and it does nothing.

We will still do hybrid systems, further enhance them, get costs out because there are certain applications they work better in until we get further development on pure electric systems.

Many people ask us why there aren’t others following us in droves in developing EREVs. It’s a very hard configuration to make work. Once an engine is burning it changes the game, and we have non-intentionally thrown some agencies for a loop, like EPA and CARB, because their existing rules don’t apply. A lot of regulatory compliance stuff goes along with it not to mention the pleasability, the noise, the efficiency of the operation and the maintenance of it.

Therein lies the challenges associated with it and why maybe some companies never made the leap, because its hard.

In an absolute technical sense its hard because of its overall complexity, and the balance and interface and integration of all these things together add to the challenge.

It doesn’t mean the Volt can’t be a second or third car, but (if it is) you can never get to the volume we want, the building of interest to drive the cost down to get suppliers engaged and involved, and to get competitive bids for our components. This is the big picture. Everyone is so focused on the price of the car, but remember the price of the first cell phone.

We are in this for the long haul. There was a lot of deep thought in how to play the endgame here. Even there’s still debates such as shouldn’t it have been a Cadillac. Maybe in the near term it would have been great, because maybe we could have lost less money or even made money because we could have charged more.

/Special thanks to our Veterans today.

[rrocket]

You guys are killing me....

Are we offending your GM fan-boy love?   

[Leviathan]

You guys are killing me....

Are we offending your GM fan-boy love?