Bob Lutz: Chevy Volt Mules Will Be Old Malibus
Apparently GM invited a group of bloggers to a round-table sit down with GM Vice-Chairman Bob Lutz. Some of the interview is reported on Jalopnik (link) and includes some Volt-talk.
I wasn’t invited, but since it took place on the West Coast and I’m on the East Coast, perhaps that is why? Maybe next time.
Here’s what Jalopnik (who was represented there) quoted Mr. Lutz saying about the Volt:
“The beginning of the next year, we’ll take some cut up old Malibus, slap the battery packs in…we’ll invite you people [auto journalists / bloggers / random people on the street] out there, so you’ll know when we’re testing them [the Volt], because we want the entire development process to be transparent.”
I am particularly struck by this statement for two reasons.
The first is that Mr. Lutz indicates his desire to keep the process of Volt development transparent. Indeed that is among the reasons for this website, to help keep the transparency publicly available for all to see. This has been true all along, and so it seems will continue to be. They are making up for EV-1 mistakes.
Second issue is mention of the fact that the Volt mules will be old Malibus. We have previously heard the idea floated of making an E-Flex Malibu as the first car, instead of moving the Volt from concept to production.(see previous post)
We also discussed and agreed that the Volt name and new design were important for the success of the car.
I remain hopeful the old Malibus will just be used as the mules, but when E-Flex hits the street it will be in the form of a production Volt.
I’ve asked if GM will show us the mules. According to Tony Posawatz they are already in existence, running in some preliminary tests and without a production battery pack inside. So far, no images provided..but time will tell.
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16 Responses to “Bob Lutz: Chevy Volt Mules Will Be Old Malibus”
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September 20th, 2007 at 11:00 am
I like the concept as much as you Lyle, but I have no doubt that they will sell a bunch more if the first production model is more practical (like a Malibu).
September 20th, 2007 at 11:51 am
Can I be a random person on the street?
September 20th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Wow, I really don’t like the Malibu. It is one fugly car.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
I believe the “Flextreme” crossover would make a better intro E-Flex platform than a “sporty” type vehicle.
It may not be as exciting but, will be more practical and have a higher demand.
Saturn anyone ?
September 20th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Thank god. Who would want to drive around in anything that looked remotely like that ridiculous concept car? The Malibu is still not good looking, but until American designers can catch up with the Japanese, it’ll have to do.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
[quote comment="8165"]The Malibu is still not good looking, but until American designers can catch up with the Japanese, it’ll have to do.[/quote]
You are entitled to your opinion of course, but how can you say this design isn’t better than (or at least equal to) the Camry and Accord?
[url]http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2007/01/04-chevrolet-malibu/Chevrolet-Malibu-3-lg.jpg[/url]
September 20th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
well i couldn’t get the link to work. Just search for “2008 Chevy Malibu” and you’ll see it.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
I for one, think the existing design of the Volt is very sharp looking. But then again, there isn\’t any accounting for taste, is there? The 2008 Chevy Malibu looks like any other small production car on the road. Just plain average. The Volt really sticks out and in a good way.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
They might be using “cut up old malibus” (key words, cut up, and old) because they are cheap, big, and relatively disposable. They’re also based on the epsilon platform, which is FWD and bigger than the Delta platform the Volt concept was based on. Meaning that there’s plenty of room to stick in the battery pack, motor, loads of wiring and monitoring equipment, test engineers, and maybe a few journalists. The pack might go into a smaller car once all the bugs are worked out.
Testing the pack with the new Delta platform might have to wait until the platform is actually finished being designed in Germany by the folks at Opel/GM Europe.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
I think the Malibu is just being used as a quick and easy way to start testing E-Flex in a real car. I don’t think they will come out with an E-Flex Malibu production car right away.
I really don’t care so much what the first E-Flex car will be, I just hope a small crossover (e.g. Honda CR-V) or station wagon (e.g. Subaru Outback) will come very soon after.
September 20th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
In mules, only the functionality counts. I don’t care if they stick it in a shopping cart and strap on a seat.
Just do it already! I want my damn E-Flex, I want it NOW, I don’t want to pay more than $25K, I want it to last 10 years or 250K miles and I don’t want to lease ANY part of it.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
I want my Volt too! I’d be interested in a new-gen Malibu E-flex if it’s the first to market, but I’d much, much rather prefer the Volt as it has been introduced thus far. I like the compact, sporty, sexy model that is the VOLT! I don’t think that the new Malibu is ugly, regardless of what anyone else thinks, but then again I didn’t dislike the plain vanilla recent Malibu design either, so maybe I just have bad taste. I don’t know. But I love the Volt!
September 20th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
I wont be buying the first Volts that are produced so I don’t care what it looks like. The car will sell simply for what is inside regardless of how ugly or pretty it is.
The mule cars are just that, and will certainly not be what is put out as the first GM serial hybrid in America.
The volt looks awesome to me. I would never own a sports car but as sports cars go it looks pretty freaking good too me. Sort of like the bat mobile from the front.
I am going to get a serial hybrid truck one day.
September 20th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Don’t forget, Lutz also said that this vehicle will have to look unique. Why do you think the Prius out sells the Camry Hybrid. People want to be seen in this new technology and not simply blend in with everyone else. Volt will lead the charge. As this new technology becomes widely accepted, I can see them applying it accross their portfolio of other vehicles, but not until then.
September 20th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
I just need the production car to have enough space for me to put a few rifle cases in it somehow. I have one that’s 62 inches long just for one rifle. I have to leave that one at home on range trips because it won’t fit in my Boxster!
September 20th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Why can’t an environmentally friendly car look sporty too? Answer: it can and it will if they stay true to the concept! GM is on-board with the idea that GREEN does NOT have to be a frumpy European econo box. Many Americans think (1) Price (2) Sexy (3) Safe/Reliable (4) Environmentally friendly… in that order. Give them all four!
I’m trading in my 2000 Mustang (click my name above for pics) for a new 2010 Volt – so PLEASE make it sexy!!! I’m really sold on the LARGE wheel wells for the big rims (deluxe package maybe?). I heard the Chrysler 300 sells well because of the room to add big rims! Large wheels give an aggressive, fast, powerful look… as opposed to the small GOLF-CART looking tires on that fugly Prius. The world aleady has the Prius.
The EV-1 engineers covered the rear wheel wells for less wind drag, but that took a big toll on the sex appeal of the car. When “Who Killed the Electric Car” was filmed - most camera angles where low and from the front to hide the car’s frumpy wheel covers.
To me the Volt concept looks like a smaller, sleeker, newer Chrysler 300… boy is it hot hot hot!