Comments on: Bob Lutz Insists Chevy Volt is Not a Plug-in Hybrid

By: Zobeid

Zobeid — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 13:21:56 +0000

I know why GM (and other car makers) are so uptight about CAFE standards. Sure they can meet a 35 MPG standard. . . But if they admit that publicly, then Congress will demand 45 MPG or more. That’s how the game is played in Washington DC.

All the car makers now understand they have to move toward more efficiency, but they want to go there on their own schedule, in response to the marketplace. They don’t want to be strong-armed by the government. That’s human nature. So, they fight against CAFE and tell congressmen “we can’t do it”, but meanwhile they are gearing up to do it. Some might call that dishonest, but they are highly motivated to behave this way.

By: Storm Connors

Storm Connors — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 04:38:33 +0000

I don’t know why GM is so uptight about CAFE standards. If they build enough Volts, they can keep selling Hummers and still meet the standards. If the CAFE was restrictive enough, then other mfgs wouldn’t be able to meet them at all!

By: Guy Incognito

Guy Incognito — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 01:18:47 +0000

I don’t care what Bob Lutz or Lyle or the rest of them say what the Volt is defined as.
The Chevy Volt is, in fact, a ‘serial plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.
My advice to the good folks at GM would be to stop trying to define the Volt in their own terms.

By: GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Concept Site » GM Calls the Volt an E-REV

GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Concept Site » GM Calls the Volt an E-REV — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 15:32:35 +0000

[...] We have had spirited discussion along the way about exactly what the Volt is. Common misrepresentations have included calling it a hybrid or series hybrid, or more commonly a plug-in hybrid. Bob Lutz has specifically said the Volt is not a hybrid (see post). [...]

By: noel park

noel park — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:29:36 +0000

Szyszek, #30:

Amen.

Dude it up with some special styling cues and wheels to differentiate it from the base Cobalt, and get on with it.

Honda has done a poor job of this with the Civic hybrid, which is not enough different from the base Civic, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.

As I keep saying, we are babying our 1995 Impala SS along until GM comes up with a car with enough better mileage to make it worth switching. The 1994-96 SS is a perfect example of making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. The base Caprice Classic was a styling disaster but, with a minimum of expensive changes, Jon Moss, et al, turned it into an effective buzz generating enthusiast car. I know, I know, too many doors and too big and heavy, but the Chevy faithful were desparate, and it really caused a stir.

They are still popular in LA. You should see the homeboys shake their heads when they see my wife drive by in her SS.

As I have said 1000 times, where is Jon Moss, now that we need him?