GM Building New Design Center For Upcoming E-Flex Fleet

15 Responses to “GM Building New Design Center For Upcoming E-Flex Fleet”

1. 
   
   Estero Says:
   September 11th, 2007 at 10:27 am

   There is no question in my mind that GM is serious about bringing the VOLT to production.

   I can visualize the day not too far in the future when all GM cars will be based upon the E-Flex design.

2. 
   
   Steven B Says:
   September 11th, 2007 at 11:33 am

   So what’s the deal on the projected release date? In 2010, January to December, or towards the end of ‘09? Anybody know if actual projections have been reported beyond “by 2010?”

3. 
   
   Tim Says:
   September 11th, 2007 at 1:46 pm

   Damn this is exciting stuff!

   Thanks Lyle!

4. 
   
   Estero Says:
   September 11th, 2007 at 2:11 pm

   It has been reported that “In 2010″ means the latter part of 2010, perhaps with a 2011 model designation. It doesn’t matter at all to me if it is late 2009, early 2010 or late 2010. I just want GM to get it right. If that means I have to wait a few extra months, so be it!

   The big deal about all this is we are seeing the beginnings of a auto revolution that has the potential to stagger our wildest imaginations.

   GM is serious about bringing the Volt to market. But, that is just the beginning. It will soon to be followed by other models.

   Toyota, Volvo, Opel and a host of other car companies will be right on GM’s heels.

   I dare say it will be sooner than some believe when every car manufacturer in the world will offer Volt-like cars ranging from the sporty to the luxury. We’ll see the E-Flex design in pickup trucks, vans and perhaps SUV’s; who knows!

   I could care less about the “global warming issue” surrounding electric cars because I haven’t bought into their arguments. My issue is “energy independence” and the sooner it comes is just fine with me!

   I’m just excited beyond belief at the prospects of getting my hands on a Volt!

5. 
   
   kent beuchert Says:
   September 11th, 2007 at 5:31 pm

   GM head of Europe two weeks ago said that the Opel Flextreme would launch late 2010.
   Lutz I believe said that the VOLT will launch first, which means sometime before late 2010, as in early 2010, conceivably late 2009 as another Lutz bombshell move.
   To me, once they have the battery pack, they pretty much have done all the heavy
   lifting. One thing’s for sure. Once they have one finished, those that follow will be mostly sheetmetal(well, composite) jobs that can be whipped out pretty fast. I foresee Saturn crossover akin to Flextreme and Pontiac sporty coupe, perhaps roadster version, with emphasis on performance.

6. 
   
   Dave G Says:
   September 11th, 2007 at 6:03 pm

   I am very encouraged by this. A dedicated development team is a big deal. It means nobody will get yanked to work on other projects. I’ve seen many development projects staffed by engineers who are supposedly 70% on the new project and 30% on other projects, only to find that 95% of their time is spent on the other projects. So a dedicated development team is a big deal.

   Also, the fact that they are fine tuning things means that they are serious about moving toward production.

   In addition, the mention of “futher projects beyond the Volt” is extremely positive. It means that the marketing folks realize E-Flex will have mass appeal.

   The only reason for caution is to remind ourselves that GM is a big company, and big companies sometimes cancel big projects. No matter how much E-Flex marketing zeal and engineering vigor exists within GM, a decision from the top can change things overnight. Let’s hope the GM board continues to back a gas/electric E-Flex vehicle.

7. 
   
   John Says:
   September 12th, 2007 at 7:40 am

   [quote comment="7181"]There is no question in my mind that GM is serious about bringing the VOLT to production.

   I can visualize the day not too far in the future when all GM cars will be based upon the E-Flex design.[/quote]
   Please don’t.

   The ICE is a masterpiece of engineering (as evidenced by its longevity) and has its uses.
   It is not the cause of world evil.

8. 
   
   John Says:
   September 12th, 2007 at 7:44 am

   [quote comment="7232"]GM head of Europe two weeks ago said that the Opel Flextreme would launch late 2010.
   Lutz I believe said that the VOLT will launch first, which means sometime before late 2010, as in early 2010, conceivably late 2009 as another Lutz bombshell move.
   To me, once they have the battery pack, they pretty much have done all the heavy
   lifting. One thing’s for sure. Once they have one finished, those that follow will be mostly sheetmetal(well, composite) jobs that can be whipped out pretty fast. I foresee Saturn crossover akin to Flextreme and Pontiac sporty coupe, perhaps roadster version, with emphasis on performance.[/quote]
   Don’t count on composite. That is expensive and difficult to mass-produce (especially by 2010.
   It will be metal–and we can only hope for aluminum (which would also raise the price considerably).

9. 
   
   Dave G Says:
   September 12th, 2007 at 12:33 pm

   John - Yes, the ICE is a masterpiece of engineering, and definately has its uses. That’s why an ICE is part of the E-Flex design.

   But the ICE also has some drawbacks:

   1) ICE power and torque are high only for a limited range of RPMs. That’s why ICEs require a transmission. Electric motors have high power and torque over much wider range - no transmission required.

   2) A larger ICE will have more available power, but will be less efficient for the same size vehicle. Larger electric motors are both more powerful and more efficient.

   So what if you could take the best of both worlds - combine what’s best about ICE and electric motors, and get rid of what sucks about each of them. That’s what E-Flex is all about.

10. 
    
    Howard Buckalew Says:
    September 12th, 2007 at 7:10 pm

    I just hope the I will be able to fit in the Volt. I am 6 ft 3 inches. I weigh 250 lbs. I have bought about 10 gm cars, trucks, and vans. (Chevy, Pontiac, and Saturn.) My pickup (HD2500 duramax) will be paid of in 16 months. We are going to hold off to buy another car, and give the volt a try. If I can fit in it. I travel 12 miles one way to work. If I go to the gym, I’ll travel an extra 5 miles. The volt could cut my gas consumption to zero. And wit hflex fuel, I can shop for the cheapest price, gas or desiel. What a hoot!!! I just hope the design will take into consideration the larger American consumer.

11. 
    
    BUCKY MAYO Says:
    October 25th, 2007 at 8:31 pm

    MR LUTZ
    As i said before old timer s made gm what it is and you need to build some of our designs like a smaller new 55 56 and 57 BIO-DESEL hybrd built one year to see how much money rolls in from the old timer s and put chevy and gm back at the Head of the class
    OH thank you mr lutz you know what for

12. 
    
    BUCK MAYO Says:
    January 15th, 2008 at 7:51 pm

    I DRIVE EVERY CHEVY OR GM THAT GOES OVER SEAS AND THE KING OF GM IS THE 6.6 DIESEL DOULLY NOW i LOVE THIS TRUCK AND ENG PUT A BORG/WOGNER OVERDRIVE IN IT AND MAKE IT BIO AND YOU GOT SOMETHING NEXT ADD SOLOR TO IT MAKE IT THE SIZE OF THE ACADA OR S10

13. 
    
    BUCK MAYO Says:
    January 15th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

    MR WELBURN PUT SMALLER 6.6 IN CAMARO BIO DIESEL

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