Comments on: Lutz: Chevy Volt Production to Begin November 2010

By: Jeff M

Jeff M — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:28:06 +0000

Watching CNBC today… GM’s stock price is down today, with the reason cited being GM’s Wagner saying something about the Volt not likely to start production in 2010

Could be a good chance to buy the stock on the dip

fwiw, this came out today when December car sales numbers came out, pushing Ford down to #3 and Toyota up to #2. Toyota was also the only one with sales up for 2007 (up 2.something%, GM sales down 6%+, and Ford a whopping down 12%+)

By: noel park

noel park — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 20:47:37 +0000

wirenutjd, #45:

Ouch! Don’t tell my wife! If it at least has 4 doors, I think I can sell it, even if the back seat is a little skimpy.

D.J., #45:

Alas, there is a lot in what you say. I was just thinking this morning, for about the 1000th time, that, if GM doesn’t come up with some higher mileage options to bridge the gap until the Volt arrives, they may not be around to see it.

If I could buy an Aveo or a Cobalt with the same combined city/highway mileage as a Versa or a Fit, I would do it right now, and drive it until the Volt gets here.

I’ll be darned, however, if I’ll buy a 25 mpg combined Aveo. Back when I used to pay attention to Fastlane, I used to suggest all the time that they tweak the driveline, weight and aero of the Aveo and/or the Cobalt to make a high mileage special. The Aveo is actually lighter than the Yaris or the Fit, so what’s the problem? Maybe the 2009? Rick Lupori on the Fastlane blog famously said that the Aveo was a good car in search of a driveline.

I keep offering to put down a deposit because I am willing to take the risk to do a tiny bit to help GM survive as a viable entity. It’s that important to me. If they fold up in the meantime, at least I will have the satisfaction of knowing that I did my best.

I think that’s what this whole blog is about at the end of the day.

By: bruce g

bruce g — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 10:07:02 +0000

Dj,
I had wondered who will beat GM to the market with a 40 mile plugin.
The only one I can find is the Henry Ford(Volvo) C30. Many manufacturers will put out a 20 mile plugin but their range is too small to dominate the market. Or alternatively they dont have the production capacity.
Henry appears to be ahead but still hasnt demonstrated a prototype Please tell me if Im wrong.

By: D.J.

D.J. — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 05:00:09 +0000

Haha. I knew the Volt wasn’t coming out until 2011. As much as I would like GM to get their heads pulled out, they are miserably failing again. I swear some of the comments that are typed on here, you would swear people are right out of GM’s PR camp or there are some seriously misguided souls. It’s hard for me to believe that there are people who are willing to put down a deposit on a vehicle that they have no idea what the real specs. are and one that is not going to be out for 3 YEARS!! In 3 years, there are going to be a number of hybrid/plug-in/electric vehicle available, the Volt will be forgotten and GM will have gone bankrupt. 2011 is too late GM. Why don’t you just sell the Hummer plant and get back to producing the EVs? That would be a real “green” car company that would have soaring stock prices.

By: wirenutjd

wirenutjd — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 04:56:25 +0000

I saw both cars today at the L.A. Auto show and both have very small back seats. The Volt did have four doors but not really made for adults, mainly kids or anyone under 5 1/2 feet tall is my guess.

By: noel park

noel park — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 16:23:31 +0000

Jeff M., #43:

Yeah, I think Chevy is on the right track with the 4 door configuration. I really doubt that I could sell a 2 door at home. I guess there’s a weight penalty, but part of the purpose of the whole hybrid thing is to tap dance around the weight issue.

The Insight was an engineering jewel, but the Prius, 1000 pounds heavier, sells.

By: Jeff M

Jeff M — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 05:06:57 +0000

Regarding Volvo C30… see http://tinyurl.com/3atvsk and http://www.edmunds.com/volvo/c30/2008/index.html for pricing of the 2008 gasoline (with the smaller engine)… base MSRP is $23.5k.

So I would expect the series hybrid version with 4 in wheel hub electric motors and a big enough battery for 60 mile electric only range, maybe it will be priced around $30k?

Note that the C30 is a 2 door hatchback, so my guess is it’s also going to be smaller than the 4-door Chevy Volt?

I love my current Volvo (S70 T5), but I don’t think I want to drive a car that I may not be able to fit in the back seat myself. Will have to wait and see I guess (or go sit in the current C30 now at a dealership)

By: Nofriendofopec

Nofriendofopec — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 04:19:39 +0000

The norm used to be five years to bring a new vehicle to market.

I’m willing to wait the three years – for the opportunity to reallocate my cash flow (from the Middle East) and for a greener Earth.

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 22:41:27 +0000

kent,

I may not always agree with your comments …but I really get a kick out of some of them like #40.

Thanks

By: kent beuchert

kent beuchert — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 21:50:17 +0000

I characterized Toyota as a dysfunctional company a month ago, and if it is true that they are claiming that the VOLT will only have a 10 mile range, they are either confusing the VOLT with the 2009 Saturn Vue Greenline plug-in, or have completely flipped their septenagerian wigs. A bit of advice to Toyota execs : stop and think before opening mouth; better yet, keep mouth closed and foot on ground. You are embarrassing everyone.