New Details on Chevy Volt Management and Production
Frank Weber
A new detail-rich article has been published in Automotive Design and Production by senior editor Kevin Kelly in which the current the Chevy Volt management team and some production facts are summarized.
Key to the report are quotes from Frank Weber who is the E-Flex global vehicle line executive and chief engineer, appointed as such in March and taking the position this August. Kelly writes “Weber’s responsibility is to make sure both the Volt and E-Flex become a reality under the tight timeframe GM product boss Bob Lutz has demanded—late 2010.”
Weber’s team is also charged with developing global recharging infrastructure and he states that GM is “beginning to establish cooperation with utility suppliers in various regions of the world to support vehicle recharging at shopping malls, municipal parking facilities and office buildings.”
Weber’s team is also developing the supply base for Volt parts and in a new fact tells us that Behr has been contracted to supply the Volt’s electric HVAC system.
Much of the Volt’s structure will be based on the already existent global compact architecture , Weber states that for the Volt, “we carryover the front rails intact, and keep the dash layout, steering, instrument panel structure and the chassis components”
Weber also goes on to say he “expects final design freeze to happen within the next several months”, and that aerodynamics are as important as looks.
The article also describes the senior management process. Weber’s E-Flex team consists of 20 members, and receives unprecedented support from the company. Each month the team meets with Bob Lutz, engineering VP Steve Queen, and Powertrain VP Tom Stephens. Also updated are GM Chairman Rick Wagoner, global design leader Ed Welburn, CFO Fritz Henderson, and manufacturing guru Gary Cowger.
Source: (Automotive Design and Production)
Popularity: 1%
Related posts:
- Tour of Volt Design Lab and More Production Volt Details
- Lutz Details Volt’s New Design and Production Plans
- Get Blown Away: First Peek at Production Chevy Volt!
- One-on-One with Jon Lauckner, GM VP of Global Program Management, Part 5
- Production Chevy Volt in late 2009?
(No Ratings Yet) 
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40 Responses to “New Details on Chevy Volt Management and Production”
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November 8th, 2007 at 12:15 am
This was an especially interesting piece, at least for me, because given the time line for this vehicle, at some point a roughly final version would need be in place so that AT LEAST a year of rigorous testing and cert. w/ only minor adjustments could take place.
I’m guessing that even though the batt. isn’t finalized, they are working with a target figure for it’s output and operation characteristics and working within that framework.
M.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:34 am
“we carryover the front rails intact, and keep the dash layout, steering, instrument panel structure and the chassis components”
I sure hope they keep the instruments simple, and don’t use that ridiculous, energy-wasting animation screen that the Prius uses. I like my traditional layout. Maybe add more gadgets as an optional package, but PLEASE keep the base price down.
November 8th, 2007 at 7:49 am
I am looking forward to seeing how that “final design freeze” version ends up!
November 8th, 2007 at 9:37 am
AES, good point. Too many bells and whistles and it is going to scare the crap out of the older generations–new technology will require new maintenance so let’s limit the differences. Moreover, you are correct that it will be more expensive as well. Keep this as conventional as you can!
November 8th, 2007 at 9:46 am
I hope they really do work on the aerodynamics of the car. My Honda Civic Hybrid has horrible aerodynamics and the mileage suffers noticeably.
November 8th, 2007 at 11:07 am
I disagree that the “older generations” will be scared. The baby boomers are the people that have the available cash, and are hardly considered as the bingo players anymore…..
I am 54. My current vehicle is a Chrysler Crossfire. I, for one, hope they do make all those bells and whistles available as options!!
The last thing I am looking for is an electric Cobalt.
November 8th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Good to see Mr. Weber is not too shaken from the crazy lady who managed to interview him a few weeks ago.
Gas prices are up above $4 and $5 today here in California. It’s getting pretty insane. This car can’t come soon enough. If we continue to rely on oil at these prices for the coming decades it’s going to be a fight to the death.
November 8th, 2007 at 11:25 am
Instrumentation has to be a balance. Personally, I loathe idiot lights and I really want to know what’s going on with my car.
If you’re under 40, then you’re part of the video game / computer generation and tech is your friend. K.I.S.S. will FULL instrumentation is a tough but necessary design balance. BMW got it wrong with “I-Drive” as it will drive you crazy.
http://cartalk.com/content/features/goodbadugly/bad.html
“Windows Mobile for Automotive” may a pretty good idea as many people are used to the interface and it is an “Open Architecture” that OEMs can tweak for their specific product requirements.
http://www.windowsfordevices.com/news/NS4639651446.html
They must keep the retail cost well under $30K and this will place limits on the tech.
November 8th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Jim #6
I have you beat at 71 I’m really looking forward to this vehicle. I’ll take all the bells and whistles they can throw at us. I also hope they don’t change the looks too much, I think the car is very cool.
Buy America !!!!
November 8th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Tim #8: I agree. I loathe idiot lights as well. I am 43 and very technical being a computer programmer and all. I want gauges without those stupid lights. The more info the better.
Knowing how stable Windows is, “Windows Mobile for Automotive” does not give me a warm fuzzy.
I would hate to have to reboot my car
November 8th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
I also like some bells and whistles. At 74, I am looking forward to this ‘game-changer’. If Mr. Weber is hesitant to use that term I am not. It will revolutionize the auto industry. In 10-15 years almost all cars will be electric drive.
I hope GM designs in this idea of 4-5 levels of speed/cruise control for down hill travel without applying brakes, i.e. use regenerative braking or acceleration as required. The driver should just select from the control panel which setting you want to be traveling. I also suggest that you let the driver set the 4-5 speed/cruise controls and have the computer remember those speeds after the car is turned off or until reset by the driver.
This feature would also be good for transitioning from highway speeds to in town driving and vise-versa.
November 8th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Future options packages and platform variations can, and I’m sure will, come quickly when the buying public see’s a successful initial offering. The keys to this program are going to be getting a reliable and affordable product to market ASAP. $100 a barrel oil is only days away.
Another HUGE plus for advertising and our national economy/pride would be to have this line be produced 100% American.
November 8th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
#12 Nice thought but a pipe dream about 100% made in USA, nothing is 100% made in the USA anymore, not even the prenatal vitamins! We are in a global economy that is why all my stock is currently in foreign markets. Investors are hoarding & “daisey chaining” does anyone remember the previous daisey chaining that raised the price of gas through the roof & they thought we forgot!Seems those in Government that are suppose to protect us have too, after all it is their friends who are reaming us. When all the storage tanks are full there will be a collapse of the market & many will lose their shirts except for Bush insiders who will be tipped off just before Saudi kicks up production enough to start the collapse. Big oil sees the writing on the wall so they are going bend us over as long & hard & as often as they can while they can & do not expect any help from Uncle Oil/Sam. Whats is with all these bells & whistles I thought this was suppose to be a quite car? They can post possible concepts on this site we have nothing but advise here.
November 8th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Told you so, Told you so!!
At last my precient view is validated. LAst year I was telling my acquaintences that after plug-ins hit the streets, you’ll see
electrical receptacles popping up whereever
one might expect to see cars parked for more than an hour : office buildings, worksites, shopping malls, theaters, parking lots, etc. This will not only allow those without a place to recharge at home the ability to profit from electric plug-ins, but will effectively double the range for commuters who can plug-in at work. The silly claims that the oil companies could torpedo public recharging facilities is now plainly seen for what it always was - pure BS. Utility companies have a long reach and lots of capital to invest in recharging facilities where it makes sense. Gasoline stations are not required, although when fast recharging comes along, I’m sure some will offer high powered recharging capabilities. If they won’t, then the utilities will.
November 8th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Tim #8,
I wouldnt want to have to be concerned about endless patching and protection against spyware and viruses, let alone the endless cycle of making operating systems obsolete.
But and Ipod interface style may be nice..
November 8th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Rejoice in the wisdom of Allah.
Praise Allah.
Praise high oil prices, for they shall provide motivation to develop alternatives.
The death of oil is beginning.
Let us seek a minimum price for gas and diesel, so oil can not retaliate when demand for it decreases in the future.
Join the Jihad against oil: http://www.oiljihad.org
November 8th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Oil Jihadi,
Allah is indeed kind, but I dont understand what would happen if we fix a minimum price?
Bemused.
November 8th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
bruce g,
A minimum price set by government would keep the oil cartels from temporally dumping oil on the market at an artificially reduced price in order to make alternative sources non-competitive and thus bankrupting them.
Once the competition has been destroyed, the oil cartels quickly raise prices to increase profits. This was the tactic has been used many times by the cartels since the ‘70 to kill off all competitors and keep us addicted to oil.
Unfortunately, I doubt that the spineless pandering career blood-sucking attorney politicians have the courage to set a minimum price. They can’t even control their own spending. It’s war! We need term limits and a law that keeps politicians from becoming lobbyists after they are thrown out of office.
November 8th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
I agree with the Keep It Simple Stupid approach. Control the price! All this gee whiz stuff can come as options later.
If I could buy an electric Cobalt that got 40 miles on batteries and 50 mpg on the “range extender”, I would be driving one right now.
Will they sell more if it is a more aerodynamic stand alone car? Sure - look again at Prius vs. Civic Hybrid. But it’s about fuel economy first.
November 8th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Tim, #18:
Right.
And every time we start buying too many small, high mileage, cars, they drop the price back for a while. We go back to sleep and run out and buy another generation of pickups and SUVs. Then they ratchet the price back up to a bit higher than it was to start with, and the cycle goes on.
They do it in Europe. It’s called extremely high gas taxes. It’s public policy to encourage fuel economy, so they tax the heck out of it and use the money for infrastructure and/or public transit (I hope).
November 8th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Noel #19:
I disagree completely.
It has to be the “gee whiz” car first. The people on this forum will be willing to tolerate a few initial bugs in the system, as we understand that a new vehicle with new technologies will not be perfect upon release. We understand and accept what it is to be a part of the “bleeding edge” of technology. But part of that is the expectation of a unique and special vehicle.
But the average Joe, that just thinks it is a replacement Cobalt with better milage will not be willing to put up with those frustrations, and will trash the reputation of the entire breed of vehicles, dooming it to failure.
And as far as the oil companies:
As soon as big oil sees the future, they will provide or buy up all the battery manufacturers, charging stations, and or electric generating facilities. What else are they going to do with all those billions they are taking in every month?
Government and fixed pricing:
As soon as the revenues start to go away from gasoline taxes, I am sure they will figure out a way to tax us (excuse me - add revenue enhancements) for electricity used to charge the vehicles. They are very clever in their abilities to part us from our incomes…..
November 8th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
I think that once we have enough domestic production to make it happen, we start boycotting OPEC and Russian oil. That’ll keep the domestic petroleum prices high enough, and make it law that biofuels go into a futures market and placed by government mandate into our domestic motor fuel supply. That’ll encourage expanded adoption of PHEVs and RxEVs, as well as maintain the market for ethanol (including cellulosic), and will put a huge dent in the face of our oil enemies. Once the Oil Majors (the big oil companies that are secretly NOT OUR ENEMY) start investing heavily in advanced clean electric generation technologies, as well as biofuels, the way that BP and Chevron have started, then we can finally progress into a clean energy future without foreign oil.
And I wouldn’t mind my Volt really just being an E-flex Cobalt with a different name and slightly different design. Don’t knock the Cobalt unless you’ve driven one yourself.
November 8th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
I don’t believe a word of what Weber, Zielinsky, and the other clowns are saying.
They can’t even make a viable EV drive train prototype! The pathetic golf-cart drivetrain, which they had the temerity to “demonstrate”, limped along, whining, and you see what they are trying to do: discredit the idea of EVs.
Just as they did in 1996, when they tried to kill the EV1 with bad batteries. It was only Toyota, coming out of nowhere, that produced a Nickel Metal Hydride EV that went over 100 miles, and drove like a normal car. The HondaEV, which used the same batteries, proved GM was stonewalling, having purchased control of the batteries in 1994 and attempted to suppress them.
The two Japanese EVs forced GM to lower their price to $499/month, and, kicking and screaming, to eventually release the 160-mile-range 1999 EV1. And to upgrade the faulty Delco batteries to good Panasonic lead-acid batteries.
November 8th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Actually, a low cost E-Flex Colbalt wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
A car for the masses…
November 8th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Bruce G #17:
According to divine intuition, the law of supply and demand would dictate the following scenario:
1. The gap between demand of and supply of oil widens, thus the price of oil rises. This has already occurred with China and India accounting for most of the rise in demand.
2. Alternatives to oil are created because of financial motivation. This is happening now, the Volt is only being developed by GM because the predictions are that high oil prices are now permanent.
3. Because of #2, demand for oil decreases. If I drive a Volt, I will hardly ever have to use gasoline, because most of my driving is to my local camel race, flea market, mosque, and hookah bar.
4. Because of #3, the price of oil decreases.
Thus oil can retaliate by lowering its price when demand for it decreases. However, if we were to have a minimum gas and diesel price of, let’s say, $2.75, which adjusts (rises) with inflation, then we will have artificially manipulated the free market to keep oil’s alternatives desirable, thus ensured the eventual demise of oil.
Because making oil obsolete should be the policy of most nations of Allah’s blessed planet earth, those nations must adopt a minimum price for oil and diesel. By doing so, it will help to kill oil. Only we the people can make this happen by demanding this policy be implemented by our elected officials / unelected mullahs / unelected dictators.
My Jihad involves educating the world of Allah’s wish for a minimum gas and diesel resale price. I urge others to write their representatives and repeat this demand.
Tim #18:
You are wise, and well qualified to join the Jihad. I must add that educating our local elected officials and local mullahs on the foreign policy benefits of destroying the market for oil, plus the environmental benefits of electric vehicles powered by nuclear energy and ethanal, etc, we may bring about a successful Jihad.
The oil companies have much power, but they are not invincible. The publics perception of global warming only strengthens our power. We must recruit the environmental tribe to join our Jihad. We must also recruit the hawkish foreign policy tribe, to which I belong, which wishes to see Iran unable (too poor) to develop nuclear weapons.
President Bush himself has said America is addicted to oil, and as a former oil man himself, this is a great step forward. I have no doubt Bush and Cheney would sacrifice the oil companies in order to bankrupt Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Venezuela. They are Americans first, oil men second.
If the cigarette companies can be defeated, so can the oil companies.
Steven B #22:
We would also have to outlaw the export of oil, which would be very difficult since we have such a free market economy.
http://www.oiljihad.org - Write your declaration of Jihad today!
November 8th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
I apologize if it seems like I am beating up on the Cobalt. It is a great car for it’s market demographic. And I live within 30 miles of where it is produced in Lordstown, Ohio.
I think that “Version 2″ should and hopefully will be implemented into that or a similar design vehicle with a price tag to match.
But almost all new technology has a higher price tag when it is initially released. As its value and success become more well known, and battery manufacturing ramps up, the prices will drop quickly.
In reality, if we demand that GM put the first units out the door at pricing that is in line with the current Cobalts etc., then we are giving them a good reason to simply give up on the project. As will all business, they are not doing this for fun or a magnanimous gesture. They are doing it to be a market leader and make a profit for the company and their shareholders.
November 8th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
“As soon as big oil sees the future, they will provide or buy up all the battery manufacturers, charging stations, and or electric generating facilities. What else are they going to do with all those billions they are taking in every month?”
Big Oil has to realize, their only product (oil) can’t be renewed. Once it is gone, it is gone. It is stupid to think that they will allow the world’s economy to crash in on itself because oil has run out and no one can produce anything to go anywhere. If no one has jobs, they can’t afford oil. Big Oil’s lifeline is us, and if we can’t afford it, those profits sink.
November 8th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Oil’s expensive because it’s becoming harder to get. The days of the market being flooded with cheap oil are over. Price fixing is as stupid as it is just plain silly.
Steve B. #22 - Boycotting foreign oil? Take an Econ class, please.
Everyone else - There’s really no use debating what level of bells and wistles the volt should have. It is America, this car will probably come with multiple trim levels to satisfy a range of consumers.
November 8th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
I glanced at the Department of Energy’s web site that has liquid fuels production predictions to 2030.
The future production growth doesnt match the historic demand growth.
Production appears flat except for the OPEC states.
And then there is the problem of diminishing supplies of sweet crude from Opec.
Just a quick glance but I would think high liquid fuel prices are here to stay…unless we reduce demand .
Roll on the Volt..
November 8th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
First off Big Oil knows what’s coming. They have heavily invested in alternative energy and alternative fuels. Whatever the pie is , they’ll have a piece of it. See http://www.bp.com/modularhome.do?categoryId=7010&contentId=7026283 for example.
Secondly, weaqning off oil will be a prolonged process exactly because of those laws of supply and demand. Currently increased demand beginning to outpace increased supplies and the cost of battery technology is decreasing. The curves will soon intersect. But decrease demand more than the ability to keep supply up decreases and the price will decrease … unless it is taxed to keep it from dropping. The money can go to offset some of the tax credits for buying these things. Such an action would be politically unpopular but be far from stupid.
November 8th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
[quote comment="13754"]I don’t believe a word of what Weber, Zielinsky, and the other clowns are saying.
They can’t even make a viable EV drive train prototype! The pathetic golf-cart drivetrain, which they had the temerity to “demonstrate”, limped along, whining, and you see what they are trying to do: discredit the idea of EVs.
Just as they did in 1996, when they tried to kill the EV1 with bad batteries. It was only Toyota, coming out of nowhere, that produced a Nickel Metal Hydride EV that went over 100 miles, and drove like a normal car. The HondaEV, which used the same batteries, proved GM was stonewalling, having purchased control of the batteries in 1994 and attempted to suppress them.
The two Japanese EVs forced GM to lower their price to $499/month, and, kicking and screaming, to eventually release the 160-mile-range 1999 EV1. And to upgrade the faulty Delco batteries to good Panasonic lead-acid batteries.[/quote]
Doug-
Again, a completely off-target, misinformed comment on your part.
The “Volt in motion” video was NOT a drivetrain prototype. It was a concept model for the car’s design and image- essentially just a rolling statue to spread awareness. Putting a golf cart motor in it was just a simple way to move it off a trailer and onto a podium or stage. It has NOTHING to do with discrediting EV’s, or anything of the sort.
re:the whole sordid GM EV1 history -> That was the past. This is now. MOVE ON and accept that lithium ion is the future.
November 8th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Oil Jihadi
I want the Volt because it reduces our dependence on oil, but I don’t think oil is going away any time soon. Have you read the NPC’s “Facing Hard Truths about Energy”?
November 8th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
I hope the change the seating in the volt a little bit. I hope they change the back seat from a two seater to a three seater back because if it stays at two seats then i cant get it because we will have three kids by then and I cant put three kids in the back seat when there is only two seats. So I hope GM changes the back seat to seat three but please keep everything else the same.
November 8th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Oil Jihadi,
I do enjoy you posts.
I do agree that we need a minimum price of oil. Taxing the *** out it like they do in the United Kingdom is a good idea. At today’s prices:
Exchange rate 2.085 USD for 1 GBP
3.8 liters to US gallon
1.01 GBP for a liter of unleaded
That’s exactly $8.00 per US gallon.
Long term, if enough people use EV vehicles Uncle Sam will look to tax it. Good, he might introduce a carbon tax then too. Thus causing a minimum price for other carbon based fuels too, encouraging renewable sources.
I’ll be tempted to have a celebration when oil hits $100 a barrel.
Unfortunately, by the time we have politicians prepared to raise fuel taxes, it will be likely warm enough, due to global warming, that I’ll have a pet camel in my back yard (in New York).
November 8th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
Don #30:
First off Big Oil knows what’s coming. They have heavily invested in alternative energy and alternative fuels. Whatever the pie is , they’ll have a piece of it. See http://www.bp.com/modularhome.do?categoryId=7010&contentId=7026283 for example.
Agreed.
Here is similar info from the Chevron site:
http://chevron.com/globalissues/emergingenergy/
And if you go to the Chevron home page, it lists their NET income for the third quarter at $3.7 Billion.
With those kinds of numbers, they will have a pretty nice reserve of cash to transition into whatever the next energy supply is.
November 8th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
I thought 10 yrs ago that we would have electric cars now. Too bad it will take another 10 yrs to get there. I really wish that the EV-1 was not canceled and that they kept it going in the dark, so they could have already deployed it.
November 9th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Jim, #21:
I don’t think that we basically disagree. I, along with many others, have repeatedly pointed out that one reason for the much better sales of the Prius over the Civic Hybrid is that it is a stand alone car, which makes a strong statement. Even Honda has said that.
I am just saying that we need to get a product into the market sooner, not later. Many have warned not to let the perfect become the enemy of the good. Also, as someone pointed out here this morning, the $30,000 Volt is going to be a tough enough sell to the “average joe” against the $20,000 Prius. Yes, you can buy one for $20K in LA.
My dad used to say “What ain’t there don’t give you no trouble”. As a long time Corvette enthusiast, I am taken back to’84 and ‘85. Those Corvettes were an order of magnitude more complex (especially in their electrical and electronic systems), and thus more capable, than their immediate predecessors. Alas, this leap of technology was accompanied by massive reliability problems. This, in turn, lost Corvette, and GM in general, a lot of customers.
My brother in law bought an ‘85. He had so much trouble with it he dumped it for a loss, and has never bought another GM car. This, we do not need.
The basic drive train of the Volt will be even more of a leap forward. I just fear that all sorts of fancy electronic bells and whistles will add even more opportunities for problems.
Of course, I am a guy who uses about 5% of the capabilities of my cell phone!
November 9th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Mike756 #32:
That was a good website, I’m reading it now. Thank you kindly for your contribution to the Jihad.
Noel #37:
“the $30,000 Volt is going to be a tough enough sell to the “average joe” against the $20,000 Prius.”
You are assuming gas prices will remain constant. I believe Allah will bless military action against Iran, which will cause gas prices to rise considerably. Thus the market can change quickly, and did so during the Arab oil embargo of the 70’s.
November 9th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
“# Oil Jihadi Says:
November 9th, 2007 at 1:06 pm Quote
……
You are assuming gas prices will remain constant. I believe Allah will bless military action against Iran, which will cause gas prices to rise considerably. Thus the market can change quickly, and did so during the Arab oil embargo of the 70’s.”
====
We’ll we’re still addicted despite the 70’s push for Ethanol. They dropped the bottom out again like a yo-yo and could do so again if they feel the PEV pressure. We can’t let that happen again.
I’m all for the Gov’t in cases like this stepping in and adding a fuel tax, whatever it takes to keep the push on.
M.
February 9th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
In this day and age they should give the best of both worlds. They should make the instrument panel completely operator configurable. Give the simpletons some standard instrumentation templates ie: speed, simple diagnostics, and fuel capacity/battery charge. Give the technos full instrumentation customization capability ie: graphics, diagnostics, speed, gps, etc. This could all be done with the same screen. Making it really a one piece fits all instrumentation panel.
Also if they gave the owner a device to search through the diagnostics a person could troubleshoot problems for themselves. I mean a touch pad rather than one of those plug in programmer pieces of crap.