Comments on: Interview with Frank Weber, E-Flex/Chevy Volt Vehicle Line Executive, Part I http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/ Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:07:32 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: lean manufacturing software http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-29206 lean manufacturing software Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:01:05 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-29206 <strong>lean manufacturing software...</strong> We have very much promoted this type of business practice ourselves and am glad I came across your blog again. I have added you to our digg bookmarking account. Thanks!... lean manufacturing software…

We have very much promoted this type of business practice ourselves and am glad I came across your blog again. I have added you to our digg bookmarking account. Thanks!…

]]> By: Howard D. in the OC http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-24002 Howard D. in the OC Thu, 03 Jan 2008 02:17:40 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-24002 Please design the production Volt to fit tall people! I'm 6'6" (hardly a giant by today's standards) and you'd be surprised at how many cars I cannot fit in comfortably. That means adequate headroom as well as legroom. And watch out for center consoles, low projections from the dashboard, knee bolsters, and the like which make it impossible to fit one's legs where they have to go. Please design the production Volt to fit tall people! I’m 6′6″ (hardly a giant by today’s standards) and you’d be surprised at how many cars I cannot fit in comfortably. That means adequate headroom as well as legroom. And watch out for center consoles, low projections from the dashboard, knee bolsters, and the like which make it impossible to fit one’s legs where they have to go.

]]> By: RB http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-20829 RB Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:31:19 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-20829 It's very disappointing that the Volt will be built on the cobalt platform. The cobalt is a turkey with a bad reputation. The cobalt heritage will cause people to never even consider the Volt. Yes, it is good not to re-invent everything, but that does not mean you use parts you otherwise can't get rid of. It’s very disappointing that the Volt will be built on the cobalt platform. The cobalt is a turkey with a bad reputation. The cobalt heritage will cause people to never even consider the Volt. Yes, it is good not to re-invent everything, but that does not mean you use parts you otherwise can’t get rid of.

]]> By: Brian M http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-20458 Brian M Wed, 19 Dec 2007 02:29:05 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-20458 [quote comment="20430"][quote comment="20417"] The beauty of electric cars is that they can be fast AND efficient, at least moreso than gas cars. There doesn't seem to be much of a disadvantage to making a fast Volt so I don't know why GM is downplaying the performance aspect...[/quote]You're right, Tom. How about seeing if Ford or Ohio State would sell the 770HP electric motor they used in a Ford Fusion at Bonneville recently to set a new land speed record? That beast might be a little hard to retrofit into a Chevy Volt and a heavy drain on the battery, but (if it held together) it sure would blow the doors off a Tesla! :) :) :)[/quote] Don't forget that if you want to have a larger motor than was originally designed, you also need a larger inverter with altered software, bigger cables to carry the higher current, more cooling capacity to take away the heat, and enough room to fit all of that stuff. [quote comment="20430"][quote comment="20417"]
The beauty of electric cars is that they can be fast AND efficient, at least moreso than gas cars. There doesn’t seem to be much of a disadvantage to making a fast Volt so I don’t know why GM is downplaying the performance aspect…[/quote]You’re right, Tom. How about seeing if Ford or Ohio State would sell the 770HP electric motor they used in a Ford Fusion at Bonneville recently to set a new land speed record? That beast might be a little hard to retrofit into a Chevy Volt and a heavy drain on the battery, but (if it held together) it sure would blow the doors off a Tesla! :) :) :) [/quote]

Don’t forget that if you want to have a larger motor than was originally designed, you also need a larger inverter with altered software, bigger cables to carry the higher current, more cooling capacity to take away the heat, and enough room to fit all of that stuff.

]]> By: Tom http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-20432 Tom Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:45:32 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-20432 noel, #57: A few points. First, how could the Volt *not* outdo the Prius in terms of MPG? For noel, #57:

A few points.

First, how could the Volt *not* outdo the Prius in terms of MPG? For

]]> By: nasaman http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-20430 nasaman Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:11:10 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-20430 [quote comment="20417"] The beauty of electric cars is that they can be fast AND efficient, at least moreso than gas cars. There doesn't seem to be much of a disadvantage to making a fast Volt so I don't know why GM is downplaying the performance aspect...[/quote]You're right, Tom. How about seeing if Ford or Ohio State would sell the 770HP electric motor they used in a Ford Fusion at Bonneville recently to set a new land speed record? That beast might be a little hard to retrofit into a Chevy Volt and a heavy drain on the battery, but (if it held together) it sure would blow the doors off a Tesla! :) :) :) [quote comment="20417"]
The beauty of electric cars is that they can be fast AND efficient, at least moreso than gas cars. There doesn’t seem to be much of a disadvantage to making a fast Volt so I don’t know why GM is downplaying the performance aspect…[/quote]You’re right, Tom. How about seeing if Ford or Ohio State would sell the 770HP electric motor they used in a Ford Fusion at Bonneville recently to set a new land speed record? That beast might be a little hard to retrofit into a Chevy Volt and a heavy drain on the battery, but (if it held together) it sure would blow the doors off a Tesla! :) :) :)

]]> By: Luke http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-20428 Luke Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:44:18 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-20428 [quote comment="20339"]My suggestion for battery pack form factor in future Volt generations is a flat shape stretched over much of footprint between the wheel wells.[/quote] That sounds a lot like the "Skateboard" concept: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=E7k&q=skateboard+vehicle+concept&btnG=Search [quote comment="20339"]My suggestion for battery pack form factor in future Volt generations is a flat shape stretched over much of footprint between the wheel wells.[/quote]

That sounds a lot like the “Skateboard” concept:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=E7k&q=skateboard+vehicle+concept&btnG=Search

]]> By: noel park http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-20422 noel park Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:19:02 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-20422 Tom, #56: Well maybe they can give us the ultra high mileage first generation and then branch out into high performance, SUV, "crossover" and other variants along the way. I myself, along with others, have asked for an e-flex small pickup truck, which would be perfect for my business driving. I am sure that GM must have some pretty sophisticated market research to guide them in the development of this leap forward. Who am I to argue with that. I wonder if they have any numbers on the sales of the Ford and Toyota hybrid SUVs? Totally irrelevant vehicles in my opinion, but what do I know. How about the ridiculous "high performance" Lexus(s?). All I know is, if it doesn't out do the Prius in fuel economy, I'm not buying it. Tom, #56:

Well maybe they can give us the ultra high mileage first generation and then branch out into high performance, SUV, “crossover” and other variants along the way. I myself, along with others, have asked for an e-flex small pickup truck, which would be perfect for my business driving.

I am sure that GM must have some pretty sophisticated market research to guide them in the development of this leap forward.
Who am I to argue with that.

I wonder if they have any numbers on the sales of the Ford and Toyota hybrid SUVs? Totally irrelevant vehicles in my opinion, but what do I know. How about the ridiculous “high performance” Lexus(s?).

All I know is, if it doesn’t out do the Prius in fuel economy, I’m not buying it.

]]> By: Tom http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-20417 Tom Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:53:11 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-20417 noel, it is pretty narrow-minded of you to think that just because _you_ are "past" your hot-car/aggressive-driving phase, that everybody else either is or should be. The beauty of electric cars is that they can be fast AND efficient, at least moreso than gas cars. There doesn't seem to be much of a disadvantage to making a fast Volt so I don't know why GM is downplaying the performance aspect. You'd think the least they could do is make it as fast as their 1997 electric car but there's no indication that they're even going to do that. noel, it is pretty narrow-minded of you to think that just because _you_ are “past” your hot-car/aggressive-driving phase, that everybody else either is or should be.

The beauty of electric cars is that they can be fast AND efficient, at least moreso than gas cars. There doesn’t seem to be much of a disadvantage to making a fast Volt so I don’t know why GM is downplaying the performance aspect. You’d think the least they could do is make it as fast as their 1997 electric car but there’s no indication that they’re even going to do that.

]]> By: noel park http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-20408 noel park Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:34:59 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/17/interview-with-frank-weber-e-flexchevy-volt-vehicle-line-executive-part-i/#comment-20408 The market segment is far from saturated. Soon enough, as gas prices continue to climb, it will be even bigger. As I have said here before, we drive a 1995 Impala SS, with the 260 hp LT1 engine. 260 hp may not be a big deal now, but it was hot stuff in 1995. The car gets to wide open throttle about once a year. The power is basically useless in highway driving. I have the tickets and the insurance debacles behind me to show for many years of "aggressive" driving on the street. It does not work for me. When gas gets to $4.00, or $5.00, or $6.00, or wherever it is going, the car with the best mileage numbers will rule. The market segment is far from saturated. Soon enough, as gas prices continue to climb, it will be even bigger.

As I have said here before, we drive a 1995 Impala SS, with the 260 hp LT1 engine. 260 hp may not be a big deal now, but it was hot stuff in 1995. The car gets to wide open throttle about once a year. The power is basically useless in highway driving.

I have the tickets and the insurance debacles behind me to show for many years of “aggressive” driving on the street. It does not work for me.

When gas gets to $4.00, or $5.00, or $6.00, or wherever it is going, the car with the best mileage numbers will rule.

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