GM CEO Rick Wagoner on the Chevy Volt
Yesterday, GM hosted what it called GMnext to celebrate it’s 100 year anniversary as a company. For the event, myself and other journalists and bloggers were given the chance for a web chat with executives, including CEO Rick Wagoner.
What did I ask Mr. Wagoner? Well about the Volt of course!:
How important is the Chevy Volt E-Flex program to GM’s future, and how confident are you that the car will hit the road in 2010?
The Chevy Volt, and the E-Flex system, are really important for GM’s, and I think the whole industry’s, future. With the growing demand for oil, we need to diversify the sources of power for autos, away from our traditional 98% reliance on oil.
As to when the Volt will hit the road, we continue to put massive resources into production as soon as possible. 2010 would be great, but can’t guarantee that at this time. We’ll keep you posted regularly on our progress.
[UPDATE: Mr. Wagoner's response is spreading around the internet rapidly and has even been blamed for a drop in GM's share price! - but now you know who asked the question :)]
Popularity: 2%
Related posts:
- GM CEO Rick Wagoner Now Says 2010 a “Stretch” for Chevy Volt Production but he is Optimistic
- GM CEO Rick Wagoner on Chevy Volt Risk
- Did GM CEO Rick Wagoner Really Change Anything about the Volt’s Release Date?
- GM CEO Rick Wagoner Tells Obama About the Chevy Volt and Gives Financial Assurances
- GM CEO Rick Wagoner Dispels Bankruptcy Rumors and Talks Volt
(12 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5) 
Loading ...
58 Responses to “GM CEO Rick Wagoner on the Chevy Volt”
Leave a Reply
Recent Posts
- The 2009 Detroit Auto Show Should be Electrifying
- Chevy Volt Battery Temperature Control
- EEStor Gets a Trademark Patent on EESU and Provides Specs for a 24V EESU
- More Future Volt Competition?: Lotus E-REVs and Solar-Powered Toyotas
- Poll: Which 2010 Hybrid Would You Buy?
- Happy New Year From GM-Volt.com
- 10,000 Camaros Have Been Pre-Ordered, How Many Volts Will Be?
- How Will Air Conditioning Affect the Chevy Volt’s Electric Range?
- Volt Chief Designer on the Public Reaction to Chevy Volt Redesign
- US Battery Companies Seek Government Funds to Establish US-Based Lithium-ion Production Capacity
January 4th, 2008 at 1:20 am
Ha! I was going to send this to you earlier today but I figured you probably already saw it…
January 4th, 2008 at 1:25 am
So does everybody think they will make 2010, or is that timeline going to slip into mid 2011 or later?
I hope this is a smoke screen for the competition………..
January 4th, 2008 at 1:53 am
Good news: we have it from the top that they are committed production. I don’t think 2011 is a big deal if it comes to that.
January 4th, 2008 at 2:37 am
So you were partly to blame for the slide in GM’s stock today
At least according to CNBC they were blaming today’s slide on Rick saying the Volt would not be in production by 2010 as expected (though it sounds like Rick didn’t actually say that but infered).
January 4th, 2008 at 4:38 am
Considering that Toyota has now overtaken Ford to become #2, right behind GM, I have no doubt he believes the Volt/E-Flex is the future of the company!
I just sold a Toyota Tacoma which I bought new in 1997, and put 240,000 miles on (I drive a LOT for work). It had the original alternator, water pump, air conditioning clutch, and brake master cylinder. Wow.
GM has a very serious threat nipping at their heels.
I hope my next vehicle is a Volt, and I hope its quality is somewhere near that of Toyota.
January 4th, 2008 at 5:05 am
I don’t mind waiting until 2011. Nov. 2010 is really close to it anyway. The important thing is to make this car extremely reliable and nearly perfect mechanically and electronically.
Nice question Lyle. It doesn’t sound like he pulled any punches to me.
January 4th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Regarding the reliability of the Volt:
To me, reliability is not, in itself, a huge factor. The main factor is convenience and residual value. If GM releases the Volt with 2 or 3 serious latent defects, that would be OK — as long as they get them totally fixed in the cars on the road, and as long as they fix them with minimal hassle.
For example, suppose the original battery pack has defective software. Well, they could recall the cars and force every Volt owner to come to the dealer, wait for the car to be repaired, find alternative transportation that day, etc. Or, GM could create a novel program where technicians meet you at your home or your place of work and flash the ROM for the battery controller on site — or wherever you want — in 90 seconds.
Or, suppose that internal mechanical components of the electric motor are found to be defective. GM could give loaner Volts to every dealer so that they could give customers Volts while theirs are being repaired. Ideally, a driver at the dealer would come and get your Volt, give you a loaner Volt, take your Volt to the shop, and bring you back your Volt when done. With everyone having cell phones and GPS these days, it is really easy to do this sort of thing!
Anyway, my point is that initial reliability is not a crucial factor (within reason). What counts for me is how the dealer network minimizes inconvenience and that the GM engineering team comes up with robust solutions so that the eventual total overall residual value of the car remains high (which will be based on the car’s longterm reputation for reliability after all problems are solved).
January 4th, 2008 at 8:10 am
For me, reliability is a huge factor. Dealing with repairs is a hassle, no matter how you handle it. It’s much better if the car just works and you don’t have to worry about it. This is a major reason Toyota is so successful.
I really hope the Volt is reliable. Given that the E-REV is in many ways much simpler than a normal car (e.g. no transmission), it certainly has the capability to be more reliable.
If the Volt is really reliable, that alone will help GM’s image tremendously. This will be a flagship car for GM. Everyone will be looking at it. For many, the reliability of the Volt will reflect on GM’s entire line.
January 4th, 2008 at 8:13 am
[quote comment="24294"]Regarding the reliability of the Volt:
o.Jeff #7
For example, suppose the original battery pack has defective software. Well, they could recall the cars and force every Volt owner to come to the dealer, wait for the car to be repaired, find alternative transportation that day, etc. Or, GM could create a novel program where technicians meet you at your home or your place of work and flash the ROM for the battery controller on site — or wherever you want — in 90 seconds.[/quote]
How about simply dowloading the fix from the internet while the Volt is parked in your own garage?
[quote comment="24294"]
Anyway, my point is that initial reliability is not a crucial factor (within reason). What counts for me is how the dealer network minimizes inconvenience and that the GM engineering team comes up with robust solutions so that the eventual total overall residual value of the car remains high (which will be based on the car’s longterm reputation for reliability after all problems are solved).[/quote]
Initial reliability is very crucial. Bad news travels fast. 60% of new car buyers won’t buy American. If the Volt is not reliable and gets a bad reputation quickly,
the Volt and GM will be sunk. It needs to be top notch right out of the factory, perhaps with very minor and very minimal problems.
January 4th, 2008 at 9:52 am
[quote comment="24297"]Initial reliability is very crucial. Bad news travels fast. 60% of new car buyers won’t buy American. If the Volt is not reliable and gets a bad reputation quickly, the Volt and GM will be sunk.[/quote]
Yes. Lyle did an artcile on the 60% thing a while back. Here’s the link if anyone hasn’t seen it.
http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/11/13/60-of-new-us-car-buyers-are-against-buying-american-brands/
January 4th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Guys. There are no guarantees. Why is everyone so suprised that noone at GM will guarantee 2010. They have an agressive schedule and things happen.
January 4th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Reliability is obviously very important but when you have a revolutionary new car that is both very unique and very desirable sometimes “out-of-the-box” issues can be forgiven as long as they correct them in a timely manner and take care of their customers. Case in point, the MINI Cooper. When it first came out the reliability record was not very good but through the years it improved greatly to the point where it was listed as one of the top European cars for reliability according to Consumer’s Reports. Even with the early teething problems it remains a wildly popular car.
January 4th, 2008 at 9:57 am
So, does this constitute an off the cuff statement that is not accurate, or a soft announcement that GM won’t be able to sell the Volt in 2010?
January 4th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Reliability is very important to me. It was a major factor when I bought my new Toyota Sienna. Had I felt that there was a worthy domestic product, I would have preferred that.
Getting the car out ASAP is important too. I am hoping that I can keep my 14 year old Saturn going long enough to meet the Volt release. It seems that there are many here that are holding their breath (that is, the purchase of a new car) for 11/2010. The longer it takes, the more attrition there will be.
January 4th, 2008 at 10:29 am
I haven’t heard much buzz about Detroit’s auto show. I don’t suppose we have any hot announcements regarding the Volt this year, do we?
January 4th, 2008 at 10:37 am
My guess is that the Volt will be the most software intensive car GM has produced for public use. I am sure they have done many military projects that are extremely software intensive. I would expect their biggest problems would be software issues rather than hardware design flaws. Therefore let’s hope GM plans on the most intensive software test program they have ever done.
But software bugs do happen, so they should develop an easy way to upgrade their software in the field without a lot of hassle. It should be as easy as plugging in an updated memory stick/USB flash drive that contains the new code.
January 4th, 2008 at 10:43 am
This is a new technology. To expect perfection with the first production run would be naive. Then again, many Americans act and think like spoiled rotten children who demand to be coddled from the cradle to grave instead of them taking care of themselves (I couldn’t resist since it’s an election year) so GM must TRY to pull off the miracle of perfection.
AND
o.jeff #7 is absolutely correct! Since perfection is an unattainable GOAL, GM had better offer EXCELLENT customer service when dealing with their new baby’s inevitable teething problems. They can use this opportunities to make lemonade or to sour and curdle their milk.
It’s GM’s choice! Who here remembers how GM dealt with the Vega’s many problems? They can NOT afford another EV-1 black eye! Let’s hope they’ve grown wiser.
January 4th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Eco #13,
The extremely sure-sounding remarks we have heard so far are almost all off-the-cuff remarks from Lutz.
Uncertainty seems more accurate in this case than certainty.
January 4th, 2008 at 11:14 am
[quote comment="24259"]Rick Wagoner Said:
As to when the Volt will hit the road, we continue to put massive resources into production as soon as possible. 2010 would be great, but we can’t guarantee that at this time. We’ll keep you posted regularly on our progress.
[/quote]
Rick, if you put the same production resources into the Volt as you did the Hummer there is no doubt in my mind it will be ready by 2010.
January 4th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Of course, everyone on this site would like to be driving the Volt now, but whether it comes out in Oct 2010 or Feb 2011 is not a big difference for me. I would be willing to wait a few months if it means better reliability. So I have no problems when GM execs wont guarantee 2010.
If it starts to slip more than 1 or 2 quarters, like July 2011, then I would start to worry.
January 4th, 2008 at 11:25 am
[quote comment="24294"]Regarding the reliability of the Volt:
For example, suppose the original battery pack has defective software. Well, they could recall the cars and force every Volt owner to come to the dealer, wait for the car to be repaired, find alternative transportation that day, etc. Or, GM could create a novel program where technicians meet you at your home or your place of work and flash the ROM for the battery controller on site — or wherever you want — in 90 seconds.
[/quote]
Why not have a usb port, and connect to the internet, and do a firmware upgrade online?
January 4th, 2008 at 11:30 am
[quote comment="24310"]Guys. There are no guarantees. Why is everyone so suprised that noone at GM will guarantee 2010. They have an agressive schedule and things happen.[/quote]
I think they know they must get it ready asap, as the competition is coming. Sounds like Toyota may have something sooner, I read somewhere, although it was not clear what. LiIon on some type of Hybrid, which is not what I want. I think comments that it may not make 2010 are just honestly conservative. Something might happen [to the battery development]. Im sure that is where much of the risk avoidance activity is focused.
January 4th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Quite a non-story to be occupying anyone’s attention. Wagoner said the same thing Lutz has been saying lately, but included the phrase “cannot guarantee” which Lutz’s words clearly implied. AP apparently is either ignorant concerning the VOLT’s history, or mistakenly believes that Wagoner’s words represent some change. I’d advise Wagoner to rephrase his comment except that the odds of it being misinterpreted a second time are probably
the same as the first. Best advice to avoid the media from screwing up a comment? Don’t provide them with one. They’ve all morphed in National Enquirers - they’ve even sunk to repeating internet rumors, the world’s least credible source for news about anything.
January 4th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
The longer GM waits to release the Volt, the more time Toyota will have to make something comparable (or better).
I don’t mind waiting until 2011, but any longer than that and I will be buying a plug-in Prius - even if that means only a 9-mile electric range and a parallel hybrid. I am ready to go electric _now_ and be atleast partially free from the shackles of imported oil.
It’s all up to GM where my $30k goes.
Death to oil.
January 4th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Lets also not forget that if the price for gasoline goes above $4.00 or even higher, then this three year plus wait is going to start looking VVVVVVEEEEEERRRRRRRRYYYYYY LLLLLLOOOOOOONNNNNNGGGGGGG!
January 4th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
[quote comment="24321"]Who here remembers how GM dealt with the Vega’s many problems?/quote]
When I went looking to buy my first used car as a teenager, the Vega was on the short list of models I could afford. If I remember correctly, the Vega had an aluminum block with no steel sleeve for the cylinders, so they all burned oil and wore out quickly. At the time I was buying, GM wasn’t offering any fix for this. I ended up buying a used Pinto wagon.
January 4th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
RE #23 kent beuchert
Quite a non-story to be occupying anyone’s attention. Wagoner said the same thing Lutz has been saying lately, but included the phrase “cannot guarantee” which Lutz’s words clearly implied. AP apparently is either ignorant concerning the VOLT’s history, or mistakenly believes that Wagoner’s words represent some change.
The reporter would have been better off asking Lyle if he/she could just reprint something from here.
Kent I absolutely agree. As for the press not being clued up on what they write about, this is too often the case for the general press, specialist press may be different (e.g. this blog).
I’ve had (national) press speak to me about things write down numbers and then print numbers that were off by 30%. I’ve read reports in national press about court cases and out of interest used the Internet to get the actual complaints filed with the court, and found the press reports to be utterly wrong. The problem is when you see glaring mistakes and misunderstanding in issues that you know about, then you treat skeptically everything that comes from the press.
I’ll get my news here!
January 4th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
[quote comment="24321"]Tim # 17:
This is a new technology. To expect perfection with the first production run would be naive. Then again, many Americans act and think like spoiled rotten children who demand to be coddled from the cradle to grave instead of them taking care of themselves (I couldn’t resist since it’s an election year) so GM must TRY to pull off the miracle of perfection.
AND
o.jeff #7 is absolutely correct! Since perfection is an unattainable GOAL, GM had better offer EXCELLENT customer service when dealing with their new baby’s inevitable teething problems. They can use this opportunities to make lemonade or to sour and curdle their milk.
It’s GM’s choice! Who here remembers how GM dealt with the Vega’s many problems? They can NOT afford another EV-1 black eye! Let’s hope they’ve grown wiser.[/quote]
I think the point is missed. Although perfection is unattainable, near perfection is not. Remember that most car buyers think American cars are crap. (approx 60%). My point is this: GM does not want the Volt to have a bad reputation right of the the starting gate. Great customer service is one thing (which GM doesn’t have), but the web can be used to spread all the bad things about teh Volt and give it a bad reputation quickly. It must be mechanically and electronically sound. It must get mostly great reviews. It must be reliable. Too many Americans think American cars are not worth buying. GM needs to prove them wrong.
My Subaru Outback is turning into a pile of junk. Keeps blowing head gaskets. Subaru has a design flaw in their engine, but has left me to keep paying to fix it. Subaru’s customer service sucks royally. So GM is not the only one with poor customer service.
Personally, I would like to see GM be number 1 for many years to come. To become the shining beacon for the type of car company we need…….green, reliable, customer friendly, and easy to deal with. Perhaps the masses when that happens.
January 4th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I just hope they make it, I’ll deal with the issues. I have own, a SAAB(pre-GM days), VOLVO(pre-FORD days), HONDA, and NISSAN. From my what has happen to me in dealing with problem issues, it was never the auto make, but the dealership, that had the issues. And further more, HONDA, once had a case werer there transmissions fail, and it was covered up becasue they were HONDA and everybody is into USA bashing. The NISSAN was ok, but no better then my GTP (PONTIAC), I had the NISSAN 3yrs and it hadd issues, I had the GTP 5 yrs, and not one issue. IT’s a grap shoot. But since we bash AMERICA, we look for the issues and hilite them more then the forgien maker. This is how I feel and therefore will wait for the car to be build and then bash if it is required, but why start now.
January 4th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Sorry, my last line should have read
“Perhaps the masses will return when that happens.”
January 4th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
This is the same guy who was equivocating about whether the Camaro would be built after it won best car in show. He always talks like that, because if he makes a guarantee, it has to taken by all investors as 100% golden. Contrast that with Hillary Clinton, who said she has never even thought about the possibility of losing, or Colin Powell guaranteeing before the UN body that WMD would be found in Iraq. At least he is being circumspect about the thing you don’t know can sometimes get you. As an example, look at Tesla Motors and their problems with the transmission delaying the scheduled rollout.
January 4th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
http://money.cnn.com/2008/01/04/autos/volt/
January 4th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
My friends,
There are commitments and there are “commitments”. Bob Lutz wants this car built, just like he wanted the Solstice/Sky built. Wagoner wants it built as well, but I do believe that due to the fact that the Volt is far and beyond ANY other car they’ve ever done (sans EV-1). I think that good customer service is a lost art and yes, GM must have that with their dealerships and service departments. However, it is crucial to their continued success that the Volt be as “perfect” as possible. It must not only work, but GM has given many projections as to what it should and would do. Fear of having to eat those words (ads) as well as Toyota giving them the finger and an “I told you so…” is an unacceptable outcome. As I posted a while before, I want my Volt to do at least what GM promised. In the past, German automakers have had a non-descript habit of over-engineering a car. I feel that GM should over-engineer the Volt. Set benchmarks for your vendors to meet. I promise-no one will gripe when they buy a Volt promised 40 mile range and end up with a 48 mile range. But to do that, if it must get pushed to early 2011 then so be it. Just don’t take too long.
Many of you pointed out that 60% of people won’t buy American, and while that is a sad thing, I am constantly reminding people that many of the “foreign” cars they buy are in point of fact, domestic. For example, I live in Alabama and know with absolute certainty that many so-called non-domestics are really American made. In the southeast here we have Chevy in Louisiana, Nissan in Mississippi, Kia in Georgia, and Honda, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz here. Having worked with the metals industry for 13 years, I also know that many of the stampings and engine parts are forged here in Alabama (US Steel) and certain Honda S2000 and other parts are stamped here (Cullman, Alabama) and shipped to various plants around the country. Technically speaking the Accord is no less American than the Volt will be. Shows how ignorant a lot of rant and ravers are…
January 4th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
May I remind you, the parts or autos may be made here, but the profits go abroad. Last year 13.4 billion whent back to Japan alone. We cannot continue to bleed and hope to maintain a free country.
This project ( VOLT ) is very important to the health and wellfair of America.
Please have patience and let’s get it done right.
January 4th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Rashiid Amul - I’m simply saying the GM must put out the very best products that they possibly can for the intended price point AND drastically improve customer service in order to compete.
People will buy what they can afford but ALL customers deserve excellent service. This is even more acute with respects to an all new type of vehicle.
Will there be problems with the Volt like any other new car? Absolutely!
However, customers will forgive much when they are SHOWN “We’re sorry for your inconvenience and we’ll make it right.” Manufacturers who give more than expected build “goodwill” and that’s priceless!
What if the quality Volt was available late in 2009? People would then say:
“WOW, GM produced miracles!!!”
January 4th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
GM has started a new video blog
http://gmnext.com/Videos.aspx
January 4th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
[quote]NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — General Motors might not be able to hit its target to have its breakthrough electric-powered car the Chevrolet Volt in production by 2010, according to comments made by CEO Rick Wagoner during an online chat.[/quote]
Lyle, your question made it on cnn.com - congrats! How cool is that? Thank you for all that you do for this cause. You are making it happen man.
January 4th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
[quote comment="24382"] Tim # 35:
Rashiid Amul - I’m simply saying the GM must put out the very best products that they possibly can for the intended price point AND drastically improve customer service in order to compete.[/quote]
There is no argument here, my friend.
That was my point. The best product. To me that means very reliable with a very good reputation. I strongly believe it is very important for all of us here that GM succeeds and succeeds BIG TIME with the Volt.
Firefly # 33: [quote comment="24380"]
Many of you pointed out that 60% of people won’t buy American, and while that is a sad thing, I am constantly reminding people that many of the “foreign” cars they buy are in point of fact, domestic. [/quote]
I understand that. When I say American I mean the GM, Ford, and Chrysler. I don’t think anyone here really misunderstands the meaning of “American car”
January 4th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
There is another story out on GM that they decided to cancel one of their proposed V8 engines; that might have something to do with the stock price. I think it is a good sign that they are committed to raising fuel efficiency.
http://i-r-squared.blogspot.com/
January 4th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
[quote comment="24362"]
(…)
I think the point is missed. Although perfection is unattainable, near perfection is not. Remember that most car buyers think American cars are crap. (approx 60%). My point is this: GM does not want the Volt to have a bad reputation right of the the starting gate. Great customer service is one thing (which GM doesn’t have), but the web can be used to spread all the bad things about teh Volt and give it a bad reputation quickly. It must be mechanically and electronically sound. It must get mostly great reviews. It must be reliable. Too many Americans think American cars are not worth buying. GM needs to prove them wrong.
(…) So GM is not the only one with poor customer service.
Personally, I would like to see GM be number 1 for many years to come. To become the shining beacon for the type of car company we need…….green, reliable, customer friendly, and easy to deal with. Perhaps the masses when that happens.[/quote]
Dear Rachiid,
I must just say that GM - Opel in my case - has a great customer service here in Europe.
I have nothing to complain about the service I get at my Opel garage (I suscribe on the Opel all-in-one service (”Tout-compris” in french, if you are interested look on http://www.opel.be, and click on Opel services)), so if the Opel Flextreme makes it in 2010 as it was announced, it is without any doubt on Opel (GM) reliability and customer service that I would buy one.
January 4th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Jean-Charles Jacquemin # 40,
My British friend tells me the same thing about Opel. Maybe it is this country only?
I don’t know.
January 4th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
There is a new car being developed by an indian company using Compressed Air.
if you are intrested you can look at the following news article.
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Air_car_runs_on_compressed_air_0104.html
January 4th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Cool air car. I would take one. It doesn’t look sharp, but it doesn’t look stupid either.
I wonder if it would sell here in the USA?
January 4th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
[quote comment="24362"]My Subaru Outback is turning into a pile of junk. Keeps blowing head gaskets. [/quote]
Same thing happened to us. When the head gasket blew the 2nd time, we traded the Outback for a Honda CR-V. No problems so far. We’re also surprised how much better the gas milage is on the CR-V.
January 4th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
[quote comment="24363"]I just hope they make it, I’ll deal with the issues. I have own, a SAAB(pre-GM days), VOLVO(pre-FORD days), HONDA, and NISSAN. From my what has happen to me in dealing with problem issues, it was never the auto make, but the dealership, that had the issues. And further more, HONDA, once had a case werer there transmissions fail, and it was covered up becasue they were HONDA and everybody is into USA bashing. The NISSAN was ok, but no better then my GTP (PONTIAC), I had the NISSAN 3yrs and it hadd issues, I had the GTP 5 yrs, and not one issue. IT’s a grap shoot. But since we bash AMERICA, we look for the issues and hilite them more then the forgien maker. This is how I feel and therefore will wait for the car to be build and then bash if it is required, but why start now.[/quote]
Not much has changed with saab being owned by GM. It was only a few years ago GM bought the rest of saab. I love saabs, i want an old ugly green one….
Every car company will have issues. I think the one fact that quality can be based on is warranty costs, which Toyota has higher warranty costs than GM.
January 4th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
[quote comment="24400"]There is a new car being developed by an indian company using Compressed Air.
if you are intrested you can look at the following news article.
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Air_car_runs_on_compressed_air_0104.html/quote
There has always been air powered cars. 5 years ago i made an air engine from scratch. when we were doing the write up i saw some companies making them. the problem is storage, either large tanks or very high pressures which are not safe.
January 4th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
So far the quality discussion has been about glaring problems with obvious solutions (firmware bugs, busted clutches, etc.).
Actually, in my experience, GM gets the big things right, like powertrains.
My problem is that many of the small things are done wrong. I know of many American cars that are 5-10 years old with paint/rust problems, various leaks when it rains, buttons that have fallen off the dash, power windows that get slightly derailed, shocks that make squeaking and grinding noises, electrical systems that don’t always turn on with the rest of the car, etc.
In short, the car still gets you from point A to point B and you don’t want to fix these problems because each one would cost hundreds of dollars and is just an annoyance, but it definitely gives you the impression that you’re riding around in a big pile of junk instead of a nice automobile.
January 4th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
I know I have been pounding on this for months, but I have always felt like we are being managed with expectations. (and honestly if I was GM I would do this too…anything new and hot is under alot of demand).
I will say that when GM infers they might miss 2010. That probably doesn’t mean February 2011 is how they will miss. If they thought they were going to be that close they would keep saying 2010..and say, ‘oops, a couple months off…that is pretty good’
It is more likely a ‘miss’ for this ‘2010 goal’ is more like actual production rolling in mid to late 2011. (not counting the first car that gets a bow on it’s hood)
January 4th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
I don’t mind them missing a little on the delivery date so long as the intent to deliver doesn’t come unplugged.
We also know that the batts are going to be 3rd party for at least a few generations, but I’d like to see GM work toward developing their own. This would be a GOOD investment in their future.
January 5th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Lyle’s question and the “wiggle room” on the 2010 launch date is news all over the web. Just saw it on DailyTech (i.e. AnandTech). Of course, it inevitably comes packaged with a narrative about how GM is “rolling the dice” with lithium-ion batteries (sorry, couldn’t resist, election year…
January 5th, 2008 at 1:24 am
It takes a min of 3 years to develop a new car. The batt’s gen op specs won’t change between now and then, but while the car is being developed there are 3 years to tweak the packs and BMS.
If you believe A123, their chem will have no problems delivering and is already in DeWalt premium hand tools. If the scale up of the batts is successful, they could very well land this vehicle in 2010.
January 5th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Now it’s getting absurd : the Indianapolis Star just published a story headlined with the title : “GM says Volt may be delayed.” Of course, Rick Wagoner did NOT come before the press to say the Volt may be delayed, at all. In additiion the Star claims the Volt “still requires a breakthru in lithium ion technology.” Now, how many errors can a newspaper fit into such a small space? The media. What a bunch of yazoos. I feel so superior.
January 5th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Well I think Jim I said it all at #25.
After seeing this post, I started trying to talk my wife into trading her SS for a Cobalt to get a little better mileage and bridge over to the Volt, whenever it finally appears. No deal! She says that she either wants a Prius, or she will just drive her Impala for 3+ more years, $4 gas or no.
I am not buying a Toyota, so there you are.
BTW, we have had this 95 Impala since new. It has been dead reliable. We have replaced the !@#$%^ LT-1 water pump once, and that’s about it. It is starting to develop a few rattles in the doors, but what do you want after 12.5 years?
W have bought 3 more Chevrolt vehicles since we bought the Impala, all of which we still have. The few minor warranty claims and recalls we have experienced have been handled with total professionalism and courtesy. Actually, it has been amazing. It really does build loyalty when these little issues are handled promptly and cheerfully.
Having said all that, three years is indeed going to be a LOOOONNNGG TIIIIMME!
January 5th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Just thought it was interesting how a Detroit press site covered the same story… see http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080104/AUTO01/801040361
January 17th, 2008 at 1:29 am
I want a flex fuel, plug in vehicle.
I am putting a large array of solar panels on my roof and will charge my car (and power my house) with it. I have extensive experience with solar and love it - no moving parts!
Secondly, I live in an agricultural area of California (coastal). I plan to collect free agricultural waste (parts of plants such as brussel sprouts, strawberries, etc. that are thrown out) and produce bio fuel in a small home bio fuel production device.
Free battery charge. Free fuel. (except for infrastructure).
BG
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:24 pm
I don’t particulary care when this auto comes out, I would
like to have a car period! This car may be just what the country needs. I’d like to see the car succeed, and the auto
maker succeed!
There are a lot of people who volunteer that do not have a
car. I’d like to be the first disaster volunteer to try out the
car.
Ike C. , Mira Loma, California
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:20 pm
georgia used car dealer…
The main benefit of Diesels are a 50% fuel burn efficiency compared with 27%[18] in the best gasoline engines.[15] Germany’s first mass-manufactured…
December 3rd, 2008 at 12:10 pm
A hydrogen economy’s viability has been challenged around a “chicken-or-egg” dilemma; where to start: hydrogen powered fuel cell cars with no fuel dealers, or fuel dealers with no market?
Marketing? At first: for gas cooking/heating. Many of these now use bottled propane delivered to large white tanks near consumers. Heating-hydrogen’s transportation need only be, like other heating-gas now, from local fuel dealer to consumer.
For early evolution toward cars, heating-gas trucks, and other applications, existing gasoline or diesel engines could use the fuel. Kits: with small pressure tanks, ignition timing adaptation (if needed), tubing, fittings, instructions, etc., could eventually permit it.
Adverous, pioneering “garage engineer” tinkerers would find fuel at these heating hydrogen suppliers. This could eventually begin gently establishing hydrogen fueling stations for new, plug in free, fuel cell electric cars, like General Motors’, series electric “Sequel” concept car.
Further evolution could move toward, more convenient, roadside locations, that gasoline and diesel now use.
Some say electrolytically separating hydrogen from water requires fossil fueled electric grid reinforcement, and still more fossil fuel to transport it to fueling stations/dealers, adding CO2 from every stage, just to use a fuel that, itself, burns without making CO2, effectively eliminates hydrogen’s atmospheric CO2 reduction.
Does it?
Can’t photovoltaics (PV) power electrolysis – off-grid? PV’s unchanged direct current powers electrolysis without expensive, power-losing electronics to adapt gridpower’s alternating current. Storing hydrogen in pressurized tanks, makes production after dark unneeded.
Why transport motor fuel, when made from energy produced where sold?
Gridpower could continue supplying the station’s lights, tools, etc.
Offering standard, inexpensive kits of:: PV panels, electrolyzers, a compressor, instructions, etc., hydrogen infrastructure could be established, station by station; if desired, even at home.
The “chicken-or-egg” question needn’t delay introducing hydrogen powered fuel cell cars.