Your Questions Answered by Top Chevy Volt Executives, Part 4
Q: Will anyone have the chance to beta-test cars?
A: “We have not finalized any official plans around that. We are looking at and investigating various types of demonstration opportunities whether they involve formal agencies or get direct to customers that has not been determined yet.”..”From a selfish perspective this vehicle will behave a little differently Project Driveway will be a great learning experiences, and getting that feedback earlier with a small sample size, it’s something that we’re looking at but no definitive plans have been made.”
Q: Do you expect the Volt to be sold through conventional dealership channels, or could people buy it on the internet directly?
A:(TP) “All of the Chevy dealers will have experience with our Malibu hybrid (mild) our 2-mode hybrid (Tahoe) and that great leverage for us to build upon rather than create something new. Selling through the conventional channels will be particularly important for the peace of mind people will get for the service and the like”..”I don’t think were going to skip a step”
Q: How confident are you that the Volt will be produced by the end of 2010?
A: (TP) “Our confidence has grown over time. I wouldn’t care to put a number on it. I think Denise and I are of the same opinion, our confidence can grow much more dramatically once we begin working with the hardware.”..”Were at a point right now where our simulations, our studies can only take us so far, the next step is working with the hardware.”
(SF) “So these next few months could be a very interesting time?”
(DG) “Oh..Very”
(TP) “That’s one of the reason Denise and I are here, the next couple of months you wont see us, Denise will be in the lab and I will be on the grounds.”
Q: What is GM’s Global plan for E-Flex?
A: (TP) “With the first installment of the Chevy Volt..it has to be a planned cadence.”.. “We can’t be in every region right off the get-go. But with a planned cadence over a period of time we will reach out to a number of country. I can’t talk to the specifics because there’s a finalization from a corporate perspective that we’re doing, but I can fairly say ‘U.S. first’ followed by countries, plural, on more than two continents.”..”The versions of the vehicle will be fairly the same”
(SF) “Our Chairman Rock Wagoner and Larry Burns went into China in the end of October and made an announcement about a $250 million investment in an R&D center in China.”..”Keep your eye on that, because that’s an important important step.”..”they’re going to be selling more cars in China by 2020 than we do in the U.S.”..”It is important that the world get off oil”
Q: Will Canada get the Volt at the same time as the U.S
A: (TP) “Yes”..”all of North America together”…”other countries will get the Chevy Volt after that”
Q: Is there any debate about the brand being a Chevy or the car being called the Volt?
A: (SF) “No.”..”and that is an important point”..”We want to sell these cars into the millions, think about everywhere that Chevys are sold”..”We picked Chevy because that is our people’s car”
(TP) “It nearly has a global presence, there are only a few countries where it doesn’t exist.”
(DG)”We have a battery activity that’s not only confined to North America but distributed throughout the entire globe that sits to determine what my requirements are, so that we do not have to start all over once we go to another country.”..”That is the beauty of engineering structure the way we have it right now.”
Q: It seems like this effort is a tremendous risk to the company?
A: (TP)”Absolutely. No doubt about it.”..”But you know what would be riskier?…Doing nothing”
(DG) “I look at how different technologies have developed over the years and quite frankly I see battery technology getting a boost”..”We’ve got to get the battery on an exponential learning curve, and we can, it just required something behind it to push it.”
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75 Responses to “Your Questions Answered by Top Chevy Volt Executives, Part 4”
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November 20th, 2007 at 10:18 am
I like the sound of that, in the millions. I’m hoping that the PHEV is the main new car technology in the future.
November 20th, 2007 at 10:33 am
Lyle - thank you for establishing this sort of relationship with GM - finding out what’s happening on the inside. I am amazed and impressed that GM is being as transparent in their development as they are - and they will benefit from the feedback and exposure you are providing.
I keep looking at other EV sites, and other than the Volvo Recharge, I do not really see anything else that fits what I see as the market so well - unless your market is some Jetson’s type vehicle.
Thanks Lyle and Thanks GM for keeping us informed.
November 20th, 2007 at 11:13 am
Another very informative segment. Thank you to the folks at GM for discussing what is happening with us, and to Lyle for making it possible.
So now I am confused as to what E-flex is. Is it simply a concept, an idea, or a PR plan? Or is it a car, or car parts? “..the hardware..”? And if the latter, it seemed from the interview that it didn’t yet exist. Is that right?
And how does E-flex relate to the Cobalt (designated “least-attractive” car sold in the US, by consumer guide, and thus a strange platform on which to base E-flex, if that is the case.)
I’m not asking for specific plans, but I’d really like to have the right overall picture.
November 20th, 2007 at 11:31 am
Denise Gray said:
“”..”We’ve got to get the battery on an exponential learning curve, and we can, it just required something behind it to push it.”
Wow. This is what EV advocates have been saying for 20 years, and GM just acknowledged it: battery tech just need a powerful push. Wow.
November 20th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Thanks Lyle - great site.
November 20th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Thanks Lyle and GM.
Only 1,091 days and counting until I will own a Volt.
November 20th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Great Job Lyle & thanks GM
Question for all you battery experts. Here in S.Texas we do have to deal with some extreme heat and high driving speeds. My concern is I commute one way 18 miles at speeds of 65 to 75 mph. Is this going to reduce my battery range at these speeds? I do have a plugin at the office also.
Thanks,
Tom
November 20th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
After reading all 4 interviews I have come to the following conclusions…
Things to be excited about:
It will be branded as a Chevy (as opposed to the Cadillac rumors)
1) The car will be produced.
2) The car will almost certainly go 40 miles on a charge.
3) Both battery companies have produced a product that meets GM’s specifications and are nearly ready to be installed in test mules.
4) Aerodynamics are being taken seriously.
5) Swappable battery packs.
6) There are no production/development hangups as of today.
7) 220V charging capability.
Things to be worried about:
1) The production car will look almost nothing like the concept (this may excite a lot of you).
2) There’s still no commitment on wheter or not the batteries will be leased or owned. They seem interested in some sort of “gas equivalient” payment to pay for the battery.
3) No plans for a BEV version and the statement that the technology will probably never mature to better than 50 miles on a charge.
Things we just don’t know:
1) How much it costs.
2) When can we get one.
November 20th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
They have said all along that the production version WILL retain certain looks of the concept, and when you look at it, you will say to yourself “Yep, that’s a volt”. So just relax. We’re in hurry up and wait mode anyway.
November 20th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
It’s nice that they are becoming more confident about the schedule, but in the long run, the difference between Nov. 2010 and, say, June 2011 or between 35 mile and 40 mile range are not consequential. If they miss their targets by even that little, though, I bet you’ll see critics griping about another GM letdown.
November 20th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
I would assume, even if GM comes up with some sort of “gas equivalient” payment plan to keep the price of the car down, that customers could pay for it up front when they buy the car.
November 20th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Volt in 2010? “I wouldn’t care to put a number on it.”
Does the number rhyme with hero?
I know…I’m bitter. I want one in 2010, even early 2011. I just feel like our expectations over the past few months are being ‘managed’
If it’s not the delievery date, or the price, it is the slow transformation of the Volt in my mind to a Cobalt.
November 20th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
RE RB post #3.
The platform will be Chevy Colbalt, but you need to understand what “platform” means. Other than being a similar size, and having a Chevy badge outwardly there is no reason for it to share anything with the Colbalt.
My understanding is that “platform” includes a whole load of structural things like the belly pan, suspension, maybe axle(s), power steers, and various other common components. It is basically a base upon which to build on. It does not include the body panels that give the vehicle it’s own look.
It is certainly not a Colbalt with a battery!
November 20th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Good to hear my question about Canada was answered…
Guess I have 3 years to save up…
November 20th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
It all looks very promising.
Now, what do we know about Carbon Sequestration…
November 20th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Bruce g,
We can kill 2 birds with one stone by drinking more soda pop! When they build more soda pop plants to fill the demand, more Co2 will be “sequestrated” in fizzy soft drinks. Oh, and we need to outlaw beans and put a cork in those darn gassy cows. OH, and a $200.00 fine for burping because you’re causing global warming!
These ideas really make sense. After all we know for certain that the sun has nothing to do with “global warming” because it’s man’s (and cow’s) fault!
Peak Oil? Now, that’s a REAL problem!
November 20th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Tim,
I dont know I agree that Peak oil is a problem, I think it may be blessed relief for the Planet.
The sooner the better as far as I am concerned.
Now, regarding my sweeping claim that 50 mpg is no longer a challenge. This appears to be over optimistic.
It is the cars with common rail diesel engines that are achieving these figures, Peugeot, Renault,Ford has access to them.
I recomment the Peugeot 407, it will see you through until the Chevy Volt is available in your town.
And, you can always buy a Toyota or a Honda Hybrid…
November 20th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Neil Young to convert his car and rename it “Linc-Volt”.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/11/20/green.hummers/?iref=mpstoryview
November 20th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
GM’s Volt design has Chrysler thinking.
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071120/FREE/71120012/1023/FREE
November 20th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Thank you for answering my question about availability in Canada! It will be a huge success here, I’m sure.
That is, as long as the battery will still work when it’s -20 outside…
November 20th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Jimmy #19:
The Dodge Zeo looks a lot like the Chrysler Crossfire or Chrysler Firepower from the front.
But electric only, with a 250 mile range? I like the design parameters of the Volt better.
I don’t think any manufacturer has any choice except to get on the “Electric Bandwagon”. And I think that is wonderful.
Lets see how fast they can bring them into production! GM now has a solid lead and a pretty solid plan of action, so Chrysler LLC better get moving…
November 20th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
bruce g, #17:
If we could get the manufactureres of these common rail diesels to make them meet US emissions standards, and import them, then we’d have something.
Better yet, build one here. 50 mpg diesel Cobalt? I’m down with that. How about a 50 mpg common rail S-10 sized pickup? I’d buy one tomorrow. Even a Colorado, if it’s not too big, heavy and boxy to get the 50 mpg.
I don’t know where to buy a Peugeot 407 in Southern California.
November 20th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
I have hated GM for a couple of decades. I swore to never buy one again and I haven’t.
I am made a 100 percent turnaround.
These GM engineers have made me a believer in GM again. If I can change, I hope that most of the 60 percent of new car buyers (that won’t consider a GM) will change with me. This is such an important thing that GM is doing. I can’t wait for the Volt to be here. I may even buy two.
November 20th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
I dont understand the emissions standards for diesel..is there a fuss about NOx and sulfur?
Is that to do with US Diesel versus European Diesel?
Also ive been avoiding the issues of specific gravity of diesel compared to gasoline and the US Gallon versus the British Gallon.
But regardless the volt is a significant jump over hybrids and our best diesels, let alone the traditional gasoline ICE, because, it is becoming clear, it has a 40 mile electric range.
There is a possibility that Peugeot/Citroen have withdrawn from the US market.
November 20th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
Maybe these are the issues?
findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CYH/is_18_4/ai_66275902
November 20th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
http://www.autobloggreen.com/
News That GM will release 16 Two mode hybrids in the next 4 years including the volt.
November 20th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
# Scott Says:
November 20th, 2007 at 12:54 pm Quote
After reading all 4 interviews I have come to the following conclusions…
Things to be excited about:
1) The car will be produced.
.
.
.
3) No plans for a BEV version and the statement that the technology will probably never mature to better than 50 miles on a charge.
==========
I thought I kept up with the articles pretty well, but I don’t remember a statement like this.
It’s got me wondering, if it was made so as not to deter sales of the original release.
November 20th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Grizzly,
Good question..
and another..
“I look at how different technologies have developed over the years and quite frankly I see battery technology getting a boost”..”We’ve got to get the battery on an exponential learning curve, and we can, it just required something behind it to push it
…attributed to Denise
Now..what does that mean?
November 20th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
The Volt may be getting some competition from Chrysler who today announced a group of hybrid and plug-in vehicles to be shown at the January 2008 Detroit International Auto Show. Here’s a link to the Detroit News story: http://detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071120/UPDATE/711200444
November 21st, 2007 at 12:13 am
tim 16 and bruce g 17, long term peak oil is a
November 21st, 2007 at 12:14 am
tim 16 and bruce g 17, long term peak oil is a myth, the earth has so much oil under the oceans, seas, and ice packs, i.e. russia, canada, the poles, etc. that we really have no long term worries about oil. and at $100 to $200 a barrel, these new oil reserves will be found. however, we really need to shift from oil anyway, and
Short Term peak oil Is a problem, but i am fairly certain that we are on the right tracks with all of these new inovations coming out that will get us off of oil.
saw something on cnn about opec and south america today, some president down there would like to strangle the u.s. from oil, or something like that, and supposedly throw us into a depression. could happen, but i have no doubt that the same american faith and strength that made us the power of w.w.II would kick in, and we would see a Huge movement and cooperation of government and business forces, and the american people, to make things happen along the lines of solar, wind, wave power, and electric cars, as well as hydrogen and the like.
btw, your thoughts on global warming were funny and made good points. but,i still do think it would be better if we go with greener fuels. china really is causing a big problem with so many dirty coal burning plants for electricity. and if they can start using solar, then god bless ‘em, lol.
November 21st, 2007 at 12:26 am
jimmy 18 and 19, thanks for the link, did neil get it right when he said this new car would get the equivalent of 100 mpg? and yep, that’s how exponentiality works, snowball, gm does the volt, chrysler gets nervous and starts working on stuff too!
November 21st, 2007 at 12:30 am
bruce g 28 says; “I look at how different technologies have developed over the years and quite frankly I see battery technology getting a boost”..”We’ve got to get the battery on an exponential learning curve, and we can, it just required something behind it to push it
…attributed to Denise
Now..what does that mean?
as far as i can tell, it means that she has seen many great things develop over her lifetime, and that they always end up in an exponential curve, which is just another way of saying the snowball effect.
things start out as someone’s thought, she does something, someone else sees it and says i can improve on that, then ten people do that same thing, soon you have so much input that the thing just explodes (in a good way). computers and cell phones would be good examples, but now with everyone connected to the internet, the snowball effect on any project is unlimited. despite what pete k. might think, lol.
yesterday we had a lot of discussion about trains and batteries, here is some great stuff on a train that uses a massive salt battery. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/447556/general_electric_ge_releases_the_cleanest.html
as my good friend pete k. might say tootles for now yanks…
November 21st, 2007 at 2:54 am
To James, #31-
I believe the oil that you refer to in your comment is going to be found at far greater depth than current reserves; consequently, it will be far more expensive (atleast they’ll say it is)to bring to the wellhead. If you have the time, read “The Deep Hot Biosphere”, by Thomas Gould (Cornell University). The continuing myth that petroleum (fossil fuel) came from animals or plants is ridiculous-do the math. Can’t wait for the Volt-as long as I can get my 57 year old ,6′2″, body into it without a shoe horn
November 21st, 2007 at 3:27 am
randy 31, i think the volt will accomodate us older bigger guys, lol.
as far as the harder to find/deeper oil that i referred to, yes it will be far more expensive to get to, but at prices of $100 to $200 a barrel, i believe that will more than offset the added costs. and if, as some say, oil goes to $300 or more, bringing this now hard to get at oil, will be very affordable to go after.
however, i believe that the green energies will save us long before oil hits $300, and probably even long before it hits $200 per barrel.
if my ideas about oil in the frozen tundras of the earth and under the oceans are correct, then i would not at all be opposed to the idea that oil may or may not have come from animals/plants.
November 21st, 2007 at 4:27 am
Don’t give up your hatred of GM just yet. The Volt is all talk, no one has asked these dweebs the tough questions. Such as why they aren’t letting EV people look at their plans, why they only talk to bloggers who are newbies to EVs, why they don’t repair the bridges they burned just two years ago by crushing the EV1 club’s cars and obliterating the waiting lists.
Believe their lies and innuendos, there are no hard facts. Like what kind of charger, what kind of motor-controller, who will make the BMS and TMS, what will bring the cost of the batteries down from $200/kWh, and why Lutz still confuses kW with kWh.
GM has moved to get CARB to give ZEV credits for their 2-mode hybrid, means they have no need to do any more if it’s approved. That may be why GM is still fighting higher CAFE standards, because it knows it’s not going to have the Volt. Silly to think they would.
November 21st, 2007 at 6:06 am
amazing, trolls, trolls, everywhere…but we forgive you, you’re just stupid by payment…payment by toyota, lol…
November 21st, 2007 at 6:44 am
Doug #36,
You need to let go of your anger. It is really unhealthy for you. Peace and harmony through nature, my friend.
I let go of my anger, I have seen the light, there is a God, and it is GM. The Volt is our guardian angel and will guard against our future use of oil. The Volt is the only car that makes sense for today.
All electric is too limited.
I can’t buy hydrogen unless I live near it.
Natural Gas is a fossil fuel.
A Nuclear reactor in my car isn’t feasible.
The Tesla car is way too expensive for me.
THE VOLT IS THE ANSWER.
November 21st, 2007 at 9:21 am
The engineers have the sagacity
The batteries have the capacity
To end our useless toil for oil
Deliver the Volt
Don’t let the momentum spoil
November 21st, 2007 at 11:52 am
What did they say about the waiting list/deposits?
November 21st, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Doug #36, you need to get off this “GM is evil” nonsense. Several car companies crushed their EVs including Ford, Toyota and Honda among them. Those 90’s EVs came from a mandate, not the market and there appeared to be no profit potential in site regardless of how well EV enthusiasts liked them. You make money by selling to the general public, not “enthusiasts”, unless you’re Tesla and don’t have a choice.
You are counterproductive, and making silly comments based on limited knowledge isn’t helping anything.
November 21st, 2007 at 4:50 pm
well put grizzly!
November 21st, 2007 at 7:30 pm
The Volt is the best feasable concept available right now, according to GM that is. But test drives arent far away (March 08 I think they said) so we’ll see. If they can silence the test drive critics then Im down. And even if they dont its not like there is an alterantive untill 2010 anyway. At the mininum GM is pushing the envelope which is forcing the other MFGs to do the same (asides from the big T which is just trash talking). Kudos to them for even that (even if the Volt never sees the light of day).Like someone mentioned its the snow ball effect, and GM started it.
November 21st, 2007 at 8:55 pm
RE Mark #13
Thank you for the explanation of “platform”.
November 21st, 2007 at 10:04 pm
dg 43, yep, that’s good stuff. as you said, even if the volt doesn’t see the light of day, man it is pushing the others.
have you seen the new honda ads that are running on google mail?
exponentiality!
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:09 am
Grizzly, it’s YOU and the rest of the GM groupies who don’t know ANYTHING about EVs or the history of the mandate, the HondaEV, the Toyota RAV4-EV (328 were voluntarily sold by Toyota to the public, BTW) and who know nothing of how GM fought the mandate, how it lied that it was going to build the EV1, and how it fought us tooth and nail trying to kill the program, refusing to sell or even lease the EV1.
The problem is, no one here knows much about EVs or GM’s history, and you’re living in a world of illusion. GM is going to postpone, and, when they are ready, cancel the program based on cost and disinterest. All this excitement about EVs is fine, but you have to understand, GM will never sell you one.
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:45 am
Douglas “Mr. Toyota” Korthof,
Answer some basic questions:
1. What did GM do that was different than Ford , Nissan, or Honda WRT crushing 90s/2000s electric cars and refusing to sell you one? Please inform me.
2. Do you….or have you ever received support for the Rav4 EV that your beloved Toyota begrudgingly sold you some years ago for an outrageous $42k price? Would Nissan or Ford or Honda have sold you one?
3. All the GM stuff is nice, but one is left with the impression that you can currently buy a replacement or new Rav4 EV at any time…is that true?
Why on your ridiculous videos do you exploit innocent people like the hard working Toyota dealership salesman and his manger? Do they have anything to do with the decisions made at Toyota HQ in Japan?
Why do you exploit this site’s LD in another video as if whatever you’re dissatisfied with in life is HIS fault?
It appears you’ve got a false sense of power yielding that video camera of yours wherever you wish putting whoever you want on the spot for whatever reason you see fit.
You are not a well man. Please get some help, if not for yourself, but for those close to you.
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:47 am
thanks doug 46, but you are the misinformed, by your trolling paycheck from toyota.
keep up the good work, no one here believes your paid propaganda, and as dg 43 stated above, while it would be great to see the volt come to life, gm has at least started the snowball rolling, and all of the others are jumping on board.
so, if nothing else, there will be electric vehicles sooner and better, thanks to gm.
i, for one, am not living in an illusion, as i know that nanosolar is already up and running, and we will all make Free electricity sooner or later.
and that there are already electric vehicles out there.
btw, the tesla is an outstanding example of what is coming, even if too pricey for most now, it’s technology will help to move us into the electric car era, with free fuel provided by nanosolar and others like them.
god bless volt, god bless tesla, god bless nanosolar, and God Bless America.
(p.s. before you start ranting that i am paying homage to an english car, i already no that, and still lmao).
maybe i have been wrong about some of you trolls, maybe you don’t get paid by toyota, maybe you get paid by big oil.?!?
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:50 am
cheers to you grizzly 47!
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:53 am
p.s. it’s “know” not “no” in my 48 post…and still LMAO!
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:46 am
Let’s examine GM’s argument about why they had to destroy the EV1 instead of selling it to willing buyers. This is relevant to whether you believe GM is serious about selling the VOLT, about which there is serious doubt.
According to GM and Bob Lutz at the time, it was liability and maintenance costs that made it impossible to sell the EV1 to its own loving lessees.
But when you sell a car, its maintenance pertains to the buyer, not the seller. That’s what selling means.
Now let’s compare to a real car company that sold a real car to real buyers.
Toyota sold the last 300 Toyota RAV4-EV to willing buyers for $42,000 between Mar. and Nov. 2002, which was over-subscribed. It wasn’t until Sept., 2003, that the last one was scraped up and delivered.
What has Toyota had to pay for support of the Toyota RAV4-EV since then? Absolutely nothing.
It’s a commonly known fact that auto makers typically make more money on logistical support (parts and service) of cars they sell than they made on the original purchase.
Now why was it, then, that GM confiscated and crushed the EV1, and why did they then lie about the reason for doing so?
But of course, the well-intentioned “newbies” (and paid GM posters) don’t want to think about, or hear about, GM’s past history of deceit and lies.
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:48 am
It wasn’t GM that “started the ball rolling”, it was Chris Paine and the movie “Who Killed the Electric Car”. GM was going to ignore and pretend the EV had not been ever created.
It was only the existence and everyday use of the Toyota RAV4-EV, as shown on http://SealBeach.org which proves that GM’s original claim that EVs were no good was a lie.
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:51 am
Story of the HondaEV: Using Panasonic batteries, it proved that Nickel Metal Hydride batteries could power an EV routinely more than 100 miles.
Released in 1997, it proved that GM’s original battery on the 1996 EV1 was the problem, and forced GM to eventually (in Dec., 1999) release 200 of the Nickel Metal Hydride 160-mile-range EV1.
Honda took back and crushed all the HondaEV, just as GM took back and crushed all the EV1.
We drove ours to Eugene, OR, to Lake Tahoe, to SF, and every day to work for nearly 3 years, until Honda cancelled the lease and crushed it.
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:10 pm
GM is suing California to keep our air dirty. If GM were serious about building the VOLT, why would it be fighting higher Corporate Average Fuel Economy (”CAFE”, or mpg) standards, and why is it suing California to stop implementation of AB1473, the bill to stop polluting our air?
If GM succeeds in killing AB1473, and keeping our air dirty, then we will use AB32 to try to force GM to clean up its filthy, polluting cars.
A recent study by USC validates previous studies that auto emissions stunt lung growth in children, particularly during the 10-18 years of lung expansion and growth.
Kids raised .33 mile from a freeway have significantly more PERMANENT LUNG DAMAGE than those raised a mile away; both have permanent lung damage, both from the cars and from the refineries needed to make the oil for GM gas-guzzlers.
So why is GM fighting to keep our air dirty?
The legislature passed it, the people want it; the governor signed it, he didn’t veto it. It’s the law of the land, why is GM avoiding compliance with the law??
Why is GM fighting to kill kids lungs?
November 22nd, 2007 at 1:50 pm
doug 51 “But when you sell a car, its maintenance pertains to the buyer, not the seller. That’s what selling means.”
doug, you’re kidding us right? you ever heard of; product recalls? court suits against manufacturers? fines by all kinds of different government agencies?
there is no such thing as “let the buyer beware” anymore. product liability (and sueing)is big business. just check out the attorney ads plastering phone books, and all over the tv.
you really aren’t that stupid are you?
doug 53 “Honda took back and crushed all the HondaEV, just as GM took back and crushed all the EV1″. and your point is? honda’s as evil as gm? well whatever your point is, i will be ignoring you from this point on. you seem to have a problem with posting a lot of semi facts and half truths.
good bye doug.
happy thanksgiving to all!
November 22nd, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Hallo all,
The thing I don’t understand is that people seem to be fighting each other over green cars. Why not have all kinds off green cars? For example I really want to drive a BEV. Cars like the Loremo (www.loremo.com) and the Aptera (www.aptera.com) (The aptera does 120 MILES on 10kWh!!!) are cars I like. But also make PHEV’s and all other kinds of green cars that meet the demands of all kinds of different people.
One small thing I also do not understand is that GM claimes: “No plans for a BEV version and the statement that the technology will probably never mature to better than 50 miles on a charge.” This is just crazy! They made cars with 120 miles range 10 years ago! I can almost taste the oil free future made possible by oem’s!
November 22nd, 2007 at 3:21 pm
PS For me it’s about time to get EV’s on the road while gas is about 8 to 9 Dollars US a gallon! (In Amsterdam)
November 22nd, 2007 at 5:11 pm
James 55, I bet there’s a LOT of things you ignore.
Product recalls: are you saying that GM was afraid of product recalls??
Toyota sold their product, and that’s it.
Those who claim there’s a lingering product liabilty for cars that are sold have never been able to document this claim. Formerly, GM claimed that they had a “10 year parts requirement”. But we proved that false; when called on it, GM was unable to document any such requirement. It’s bogus, just like the claim “it’s the lawyers”.
Where’s the product liability? Are you claiming that GM had much to fear, but Toyota didn’t? Or are you just making things up out of whole cloth, like Bob Lutz, who claimed that Lithium was edible??
November 22nd, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Matthijs,
The problem pertains to GM. We were happy driving our oil-free cars; it was GM that would not let us have them.
And it’s an industry pattern; that’s why I brought up http://HondaEV.org
They don’t want ANY electric cars on the road.
When the Oldsmobile, Corvair, etc., were killed, GM felt no compulsion to take them off the road and crush them! Why the EV??
We don’t object to others driving gas-guzzlers; why should the refuse to allow even ONE EV??
What are they afraid of? If not for Toyota, we would have no proof that oil-free cars are possible. GM crushed them all, and wants still to claim some “liability” excuse that they can’t document.
November 22nd, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Doug,
The EV1 is in the past. I understand you are still bitter but GM is trying to rectify things by producting the Volt. GM has said it was one of the biggest public publicity mistakes they had ever made. Lets let try to focus on the future. GM is spending a bundle of money and taking a lot of risk with the Volt. We should suppont them in their efforts. The majority of the people posting on this site are positive about the Volt. You are free to buy any car you like and if you choose not to buy a GM product in the future because of a mistake they made over 10 years ago …”so be it”.
November 22nd, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Doug
As Ive said before you are welcome here, I support freedom of speech. As people know we have recently met in person, I allowed you to video interview me, and I’ve seen the highly edited post on youtube.
The way I see it, you and your colleagues are unhappy with GM and the EV-1 historic process. But now matter what, the point is it’s history and it’s time to move on. If we want to stay stuck in history the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor..but you drive one of their cars?
Let’s give GM a chance to produce the Volt..if they don’t, you can say I told you so, but until then lets try to keep positive and observe the process. There are other places on the web (the one’s you have created) to rant against them.
With due respect,
Lyle
November 22nd, 2007 at 7:15 pm
doug k. did you say something? sorry i have you on iggy (ignored and scrolled by).
i’m all for free speech, but i’m also for my happy right of freedom to listen or not listen to blowhards.
iggy doug k.!
god, that is soooo freakin’ petty, but pretty much fun, and is under my free speech protection.
good bye doug.
i’m guessing that soon enough, others will decide to give up on you and hopefully they too will start iggying you (ignore and scroll by). rotf lmao!
omg lyle! not pearl harbor and the japanese! you’ll have people on here screaming about the asian wwll, and sh*t i’ll need to start boning up on those facts, lol…
as i have said, god bless the chevy volt, god bless nanosolar, and God Bless the USA!
November 22nd, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Lyle Says:
November 22nd, 2007 at 6:10 pm Quote
Doug
….. If we want to stay stuck in history the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor..but you drive one of their cars?….
***
Excellent point, bravo!
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Jimmy 60,
The EV1 is NOT just in the past; it was barely two years ago that GM arrested would be cash buyers of it.
Do you think GM has changed so much that it now can be trusted? What evidence do you have?
GM is not “producing” the VOLT, it’s claiming that it WILL produce the VOLT some day.
The problem is, they don’t explain why they are postponing it; they already have the drivetrain (EV1 and S-10E), and the batteries (NiMH) exist.
It’s a species of unreality to claim that the NiMH batteries work fine for 140-mile EV1, 120-mile RAV4-EV, and 130-mile HondaEV, but won’t work for a 40 miles VOLT.
So why is GM postponing?? Why is GM refusing to talk to people who know anything about EVs? Why is GM engaging on a snipe hunt for Lithium, when NiMH and lead are proven??
There is no explanation. Except that GM is gaming you. Sorry.
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Lyle,
I don’t mind being censored here; a lot of people have their heads in the sand, from CARB to EPA and GM to your site.
Not being willing to argue issues raised by others who oppose your comfortable coccoon is not the best way to proceed, IMO.
JS Mill points out that knowledge is attained by synthesis in the clash of ideas, the free market in discussion, if you will.
Most of the GM-clones have just attacked me personally; that just shows that they have no response to the points I raised.
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Lyle (continued)
I edited out some of the less favorable things that came up, and left out some of my negative comments. I have the full video; if you’d like I’ll post it. As my disclaimer stated, the video was a bit unfair.
Those who come late to the EV movement don’t seem to understand. It isn’t bitterness at all, it’s just that we’ve seen GM’s perfidy before.
Why should we believe them now? Well, for you, this is the first time you were deceived, and you have no reason to distrust them (or to trust them, for that matter).
You say, “…give GM a chance to produce the Volt..until then lets try to keep positive and observe the process…”. But GM does have a chance, of course, to produce the VOLT; the big problem is, it’s not looking like it’s proceeding forward. It looks just like 1992 all over again, where GM claimed to be about to produce, but then sabotaged its own EV1, and was prepared even then to bury and forget it, never unveiling the Nickel batteries.
GM is not making the kinds of moves that would indicate they are serious about the VOLT. They would be using the NiMH batteries, if they were serious, and later upgrade to Lithium if and when it pans out.
But Lithium is 2 or 3 times the cost of Nickel, and lasts about a third as long, in our experience; so when GM says it needs Lithium for the VOLT, right away, the B.S. meter starts to bounce.
WHY would they be ignoring existing, proven NiMH batteries, the batteries which they controlled until Oct. 10, 2000?? Bet you didn’t even know that.
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Doug
There is really nothing to debate. GM is doing what they want to do. You and I cannot control that process. They are not the government, we do not elect them or impeach them.
GM is in business to make money and not to please you or me or necessarily any fringe group.
We’ve worked hard on this site and I do not wish it to lose focus.
Thank you.
November 22nd, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Doug,
With all due respect, you sound like you may have some sort of mental condition. You seem unable to process rational thoughts. You may want to consult with family members regarding seeking professional help. I wish you well.
November 23rd, 2007 at 12:06 am
jeese, is doug still on here? i guess since i started iggying (ignoring and scrolling by) him, i’ve noticed a Great improvement in the site! not to mention that i can read ideas on here, instead of getting dragged into Stupid debates, that are not about ideas, but about slander.
ah, life is good.
jimmy 68, i haven’t read doug k’s posts in a while, but if they are anything like his posts that i used to read, then cheers to your 68 statement!
November 23rd, 2007 at 3:36 am
Well, I think the coast is finally clear. One “loose screw” storm like that is enough. Really counterproductive to this site and the efforts of the Volt development team.
November 23rd, 2007 at 3:46 pm
67 Hi Lyle,
Here I think your statement is false. A good company makes product the customers want to buy. And it was clear there is a demand on EV’s or any other kind of car that is green.
If all consumers think the way you stated and would not demand innovation we would never see new products come to market.
I really hope the public pressure for green cars continuous and we will stop to buy gas cars asap.
PS can we please stop making these lame comments or I will have 2 do allot of iggying around here. Jeez.
November 23rd, 2007 at 6:31 pm
matt71, lyle’s statements were in reply to doug’s narrow minded and inflammatory posts.
we are all tired of the “doug” types. lyle just let it be known.
lyle’s statements were about gm and the volt and were (as far as i can tell) not meant to say other modes of transportation are not good, but that he believes (as do i and most on these boards) that the volt is the best so far.
h*ll if someone comes out with a car that runs on air, and mass produces it for a good price, i’ll buy that one.
as for iggying…the great thing about iggying, is that anyone can do it at anytime. but in our case we will be using it to bypass and ignore people who generally make idiotic posts.
sheeoooot, maybe you feel that you want to iggy my stuff, more power to you my friend, iggying is like freedom of speech, and you can iggy whatever posts/posters you like!
November 24th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
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November 25th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
James,
Your post No.73 here is the first one I have been able to agree with.
Recently I have watched you trampling others on this site whilst banging on about freedom of speech. Those people had viewpoints as valid as any, including your own, and seemed to be asking OK questions. Also, you (and others here) don’t know how to use an apostrophe (eg EVs not EV’s), so you see you aren’t correct about everything. Please try to be kinder to people.
November 25th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
kindtroll, i imagine that you are mostly talking about my pete k. posts, if you will go back and read his original posts, you will see that he is generally condesending and sarcastic. his main points have not been to help with the volt, but rather to slam the u.s.
pete has his right to free speech, as do you and i. but, i do not have to agree with his slams of the volt and the u.s.
and i do not have to let his comments stand without an answer by me.
as far as apostrope’s go, have you not noticed that i don’t even use capitol letters (and i probably spelled capitol wrong too). if you look through most of the posts on any of these gm sites, you will see many errors, it just happens when people type a lot.
and so, let me know, by copy and paste exactly what it is with my posts that you disagree with. but before you do that, make certain that you go back and read the person’s post that i reference in my post.
oh, one more thing kindtroll, this is not a site for debate, it is a site about the volt, and the advancement of the volt, and good ideas, it is not a place of slander and deception.
please feel free to disagree with me all you want, and then feel free to iggy me if you must, lol. i freely give the power of iggy to anyone who needs it.