Comments on: Clarification: Chevy Volt Will Not be Based on Malibu

By: John

John — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 07:17:14 +0000

Do you think blogging just has to be about writing? Reason I ask is I want to start a photography blog, but I feel I am better at expressing myself with photos rather than write. Should I even start it? With your experience could it work, more pictures, less words?

By: תוכנה לסוכני ביטוח

Mon, 04 May 2009 15:42:36 +0000

Great article, thank you very much.

By: Jim G

Jim G — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 13:56:26 +0000

I understand that the Volt needs work on the Cd, but GM better not close in the wheel wells. (e.g. EV1, Insight) Nothing goes further in wrecking the look of a car – especially if you are going to use at least 18″ wheels!

By: Don

Don — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 05:43:23 +0000

I’d drive a RxEV boxfish but then I am known to be weird. I like it. It would be a niche product with the best range for the least batteries around. But the Volt? It needs a wide appeal. Low Cd yes but they can and will only so far “out there” to get it. Maybe a pure low Cd play a few years later. Meanwhile DaV8or is right … looks that the masses can see themselves in have to take precedence over having the best possible Cd.

From what I’ve been able to gather the CBAK A123 break-up was CBAK instigated … allegedly over concerns of longstanding and still pending litigation over intellectual property rights on A123’s technology with Hydro-Quebec. That may be cover for … who knows? Margins too narrow, having enough other for sure business, other EV developments in China to come on board, a better sub relationship with someone else? Maybe it’s a contracting ploy to make A123 sweat and sweeten CBAK’s pot even. But A123 will be in a tight spot to deliver on time without their only sub I think.

The batteries won’t be made here. Sorry but that’s the way of the world’s economy today. The IDEAS are often made here. The MARKETING is often done here. And with both of those come the biggest PROFITS that are made here. The PARTS sre most often not made here. Think of the iPod for an example. Most of its parts are made in China but almost all of the profit, very substantial profit, goes to Apple for the intellectual property and the marketing acumen. So far it works for all involved. American know how isn’t in the engineering, it’s in the creativity.

By: LyleL

LyleL — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 02:18:04 +0000

“Bob Lutz, GM’s vice chairman for product development, told a group of automotive journalists that the feasibility of the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid concept will be proven by next Easter”

http://www.hybridcars.com/news2/lutz-volt-easter-bunny.html

By: bruce g

bruce g — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 22:48:22 +0000

Gossip,
The Volvo C30 hybrid was meant to go to the Michelin Bibendum in Shanghai this week.
I cant see it in the list of participants.
Ford and GM entered Hydrogen fueled vehicles.

By: bruce g

bruce g — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 22:33:07 +0000

Noel,
Im not a lawyer but it looked like a penalty clause was invoked and CBAK issued them shares, I guess that was the penalty agreed.
They are doing the De Walt batteries as well as the GM batteries.

Dont know.

By: Dave G

Dave G — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 22:22:04 +0000

Lyle – thanks for a great site. Also thanks for all the clarifications. It seems thare are many newcomers to this site, and you make things great for all of us.

By: noel park

noel park — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 22:22:03 +0000

You don’t think that that CBAK thing is just some kind of normal course of business? Maybe the original contract had a term, which is up, and they will re-up or renegotiate? It didn’t look that confrontational to me.

God forbid that we should make the batteries here!

By: DaV8or

DaV8or — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 22:20:40 +0000

Please GM, just make it a good looking car. The idea is to get as many people in them as possible. Don’t go “fishing” for ideas.