Comments on: Your Questions Answered by Top Chevy Volt Executives, Part 5

By: Dorp

Dorp — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:47:12 +0000

Good discussion. I like the idea of upgradeble software, as well as collecting performance data in “real time” via internet updates. I think GM would benefit by allowing 3rd party software developers come up with different user interfaces for different customers.

By: LB

LB — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:14:28 +0000

Lots of questions about the dash and great ideas. I like the ideas of a LCD where the entire dash can be updated or changed at a later date. Very cool.

How about heads up display? Will that be an option on the Volt?

My Dad’s Pontiac Grand Prix has it and I’ve test driven a couple of ‘Vettes and the heads up display is great in that you don’t have to take your eyes off the road to see dash info and the HUD is not blocked by the steering wheel. I found that after a while of driving, it was a chore to look at the conventional dash board. When I got back into my own car with no HUD, I found that I was missing the HUD and not liking the dash board at all.

By: james

james — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 07:33:07 +0000

brian 77 “I’m all for the solar panel on the roof. The Nanosolar product makes that possible and more cost-effective. Just think – you could run out of juice and gas, but just let it sit long enough and you are back on the road!”
i never thought of that one brian, that would def. kick ass!

By: Brian Geppert

Brian Geppert — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 04:55:58 +0000

Electricity saving idea for electric cars in general: If you are using headlights and the car is stopped, dim the lights. Regardless of saving electricity, it would be beneficial to the folks on the other side of the traffic light staring at your lights.

Meanwhile, being able to obtain upgrades to the instrument panel would be a big selling point. On the one end of the spectrum – open source, anyone can upload the new software. On the other end, only allow dealers to do it. Just make sure it is available.

I’m all for the solar panel on the roof. The Nanosolar product makes that possible and more cost-effective. Just think – you could run out of juice and gas, but just let it sit long enough and you are back on the road!

By: james

james — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 08:05:08 +0000

75 vette-good practical points, let’s hope gm is watching. : )

By: 2000Vette

2000Vette — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 07:01:15 +0000

Ideas to made the Volt better:
1. Include a lay flat charge cable that can be locked to the car. 12 gauge wire is expensive, make it hard to steal if parked and charging outside.
2. Include a bin in the car to store the cable.
3. Allow the charge cable to be plugged in at any corner of the car.
4. A small cheap solar panel to run the fan while parked on hot days would help cool the car.
5. A remote and/or timer to cool or heat the car when it is plugged in would be great.
6. Make the first one so simple my old mother can drive it without worry – no BMW like computer. Moving from a Malibu to a Volt should be seamless.
7. Bring it out sooner.

By: banjoez

banjoez — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:17:36 +0000

[quote comment="16627"][quote comment="16354"]I love everything about the Volt concept, especially the possibility of being able to do modular upgrades (both software and hardware)to various systems as they become available. However, I wonder how GM expects to make the shift from planned obsolescence in today’s cars vs. being able to simply replace battery packs and other components with newer, more efficient (and perhaps cheaper)ones down the line and have a car that can run for decades instead of years with the latest technology. I certainly hope this is the plan but since GM is in it for the money I wonder if it will actually become a reality.[/quote]
“Planned obsolescence” is a myth spread by cynical fear mongers. In reality, technology DOES really advance that fast.[/quote]

Huh?

Looks like this poster has ALL the answers. No need to ask GM anymore questions Lyle.

By: John

John — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:29:16 +0000

[quote comment="16474"]Does GM design Volt as a stand-alone model or a platform? I mean, if you guys are talking about dozens of thousands in production, do you honestly believe there is a market for, say 50,000 two-door sports cars, considering there is still much competition in the niche from every car manufacturer out there? No matter how revolutionary the design and lofty energy savings goals, what on Earth made GM pick such as tiny niche of the automotive market to build a plug-in hybrid for?

Who said that people who usually drive sports cars even care a bit about fuel consumption? Most sports cars are only driven over the weekend and to the nearest golf course (my exaggeration, of course). I have driven 38,000 miles in the first year of owning a Toyota Prius. Is there a sane person out there that would drive their sports car 38,000 miles in a year?

Why did they not pick the minivan category for cry sake? Larger chassis would afford more battery capacity and muted acceleration expectations would make it possible to let it run longer on electric propulsion.

So, here is my 2 cents: GM, retire the current Volt concept and concentrate your diminishing resources on a car that would be more relevant for the average American family and a car that you would sell more of should it enter production. Looks like you only got one shot at it. Good luck![/quote]
Here is a man talking about “relevance” and yet touting the MINIVAN as the way forward–America’s fastest-declining vehicle segment!

I usually post on a car forum, so maybe I am not used to such rampant ignorance about the automobile industry as I see here sometimes?

And that is not the most egregious error in your post.
Please, Sir, do tell us WHICH Chevrolet Volt you have seen with two doors (and a “sports car” setup)?

By: John

John — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:25:05 +0000

[quote comment="16466"]I don’t have a question so much as a suggestion – GM needs to make an outreach effort to Daily Kos. The vitriol against GM over there is intense, largely due to the EV1 debacle. Yesterday one of the frontpagers ran an article on “The Surging American Auto Industry:”

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/11/25/16832/841

featuring a few electric vehicles slightly less likely to be produced than the Volt, but no Volt.

Someone needs to arrange for Markos to have a tour and a test drive of whatever Volt parts will roll.[/quote]The Daily Kos cannot be pacified because of their politics–the center of their being.

They love to doubt, and otherwise downgrade and second-guess America (worse yet American COMPANIES!!!, capitalism + America is TOO much for them).

They will always hate GM BECAUSE it is American (and that is in vogue and h as always been in their circles). NO amount of outreach will reach those people–none.

JFK leftists (the near-extinct breed) might be more promising.

By: John

John — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:20:25 +0000

[quote comment="16451"]I don’t think that anything but the fact that the primary drive will be “electric” has been set in stone yet. Design specifications will probably remain fluid for at least another 12-18 months. As we’ve seen, much can and will happen between now and then.

I believe the real key to the Volt is functionality combined with stand-out styling at a price of say $25K that the “average” driver can afford. That’s why I want a 5-door hatch back with fold flat rear seats and a removable “trunk” privacy screen.

It would be a huge selling point if the primary controls of gen-1 could be software upgraded to subsequent generations as this technology will grow, change and mature very quickly. Nobody wants to buy a rapidly obsolescing car.

Just think of the after-market possibilities.

The Volt will be a customizer’s dream![/quote]
I expect that only a very basic Volt will be $25,000 an dpeople need to stop saying this number.

As people pointed out, it is likely to be closer to $27,000 for any average model (who wants to bet?) with many more coming in near $28,000 and up.
I am pretty confident that a fully loaded car may break $30,000.