Comments on: One-on-One with Jon Lauckner, VP of Global Program Management, Part 1 http://gm-volt.com/2008/01/22/one-on-one-with-jon-lauckner-vp-of-global-program-management-part-1/ Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:10:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Jason The Saj http://gm-volt.com/2008/01/22/one-on-one-with-jon-lauckner-vp-of-global-program-management-part-1/#comment-28611 Jason The Saj Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:08:36 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/01/22/one-on-one-with-jon-lauckner-vp-of-global-program-management-part-1/#comment-28611 I think Chevy should release two Volts... They should focus on the Chevy Volt production for 2010. But they should split off a side development of a Chevy Volt Amp (or high voltage Volt). Essentially, a $65,000+ variant based on the E-flex system. This would be geared more toward "muscle car". More limited range, bigger battery, bigger generator, two seater. This vehicle would be designed to actually compete with the Chevy Corvette. With a lower top speed but geared for very fast acceleration. Essentially, those who buy it would be buying a limited production technology tester. They would agree to allow GM to study various effects of the technology. GM should build 1,000 of these for the very late 2009 or beginning of 2010. With the commercial Volt being released in late 2010 with any final tweakings based on feedback. This high performance variant would eventually become the vehicle that the "electric drive Corvette". I think Chevy should release two Volts…

They should focus on the Chevy Volt production for 2010.

But they should split off a side development of a Chevy Volt Amp (or high voltage Volt). Essentially, a $65,000+ variant based on the E-flex system. This would be geared more toward “muscle car”. More limited range, bigger battery, bigger generator, two seater.

This vehicle would be designed to actually compete with the Chevy Corvette. With a lower top speed but geared for very fast acceleration. Essentially, those who buy it would be buying a limited production technology tester. They would agree to allow GM to study various effects of the technology.

GM should build 1,000 of these for the very late 2009 or beginning of 2010. With the commercial Volt being released in late 2010 with any final tweakings based on feedback.

This high performance variant would eventually become the vehicle that the “electric drive Corvette”.

]]> By: RB http://gm-volt.com/2008/01/22/one-on-one-with-jon-lauckner-vp-of-global-program-management-part-1/#comment-28505 RB Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:19:36 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/01/22/one-on-one-with-jon-lauckner-vp-of-global-program-management-part-1/#comment-28505 I think we should calm down some. I am not alone, I am sure, in being very interested in the Volt, but also wanting a good car that actually works in real life, not an interesting parts collection that doesn't quite come together. So, as much as I would like to have it today, I hope GM takes enough time to build a good car. I'm not asking for a perfect car, but I am asking for one that actually works. It seems to me that some production in 2010 is pushing things about as much as is possible, schedule-wise, to have not just testing but also correction of the rough spots. Really, the battery is fundamental, and when you don't have any (yet) there are a lot of things that will have to change, at least a little bit, in the production car. I think we should calm down some. I am not alone, I am sure, in being very interested in the Volt, but also wanting a good car that actually works in real life, not an interesting parts collection that doesn’t quite come together. So, as much as I would like to have it today, I hope GM takes enough time to build a good car. I’m not asking for a perfect car, but I am asking for one that actually works. It seems to me that some production in 2010 is pushing things about as much as is possible, schedule-wise, to have not just testing but also correction of the rough spots. Really, the battery is fundamental, and when you don’t have any (yet) there are a lot of things that will have to change, at least a little bit, in the production car.

]]> By: Mark Bartosik http://gm-volt.com/2008/01/22/one-on-one-with-jon-lauckner-vp-of-global-program-management-part-1/#comment-28497 Mark Bartosik Wed, 23 Jan 2008 08:25:37 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/01/22/one-on-one-with-jon-lauckner-vp-of-global-program-management-part-1/#comment-28497 Once the design is finalized I wonder if it is possible for GM to look at after market options. It would be even more attractive to have a bunch of after market options available at the launch. They don't have to be just after market options provided by GM. Some third parties could be given early access too. My favorite after market option would be a whole house generator (not V2G). Some really cool after market options possible with the Volt might also provide extra free publicity. Once the design is finalized I wonder if it is possible for GM to look at after market options. It would be even more attractive to have a bunch of after market options available at the launch.

They don’t have to be just after market options provided by GM. Some third parties could be given early access too.

My favorite after market option would be a whole house generator (not V2G).

Some really cool after market options possible with the Volt might also provide extra free publicity.

]]> By: Jean-Charles Jacquemin http://gm-volt.com/2008/01/22/one-on-one-with-jon-lauckner-vp-of-global-program-management-part-1/#comment-28495 Jean-Charles Jacquemin Wed, 23 Jan 2008 08:16:59 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/01/22/one-on-one-with-jon-lauckner-vp-of-global-program-management-part-1/#comment-28495 AES #32 and Jim #36 thanks for the videos. Jim #36 : It is difficult to comment more on the Flextreme, look at the answer I got from GM on the blog of GM Europe at : http://www.gmeurope.info/social_media_newsroom/archives/294-Chevrolet-Volt-development-moves-forward-with-focus-on-aerodynamics.html Another fact is that the Saturn Flextreme concept is being shown in Detroit. Is it good or bad news ? It seems that the only modification from Frankfurt is the swapping of badges from the Opel to the Saturn one. Luke #37 Perhaps the EcoVoyager of Chrysler with a clean diesel instead of a fuel cell could fulfil your needs. Seeing the video referenced by Jim I found that the Flextreme has a true twin with the Ecovoyager(compare the opposing doors, the cameras instead of rear view mirrors, the LCD flexible screen, the panoramic roof etc.) Dave B #47 I never went to India but long ago I bought a small trailer from East Germany and I rode a polish electric Melex golf cart. The Reva looks and feels just like the Melex and the trailer. AES #32 and Jim #36 thanks for the videos.

Jim #36 :

It is difficult to comment more on the Flextreme, look at the answer I got from GM on the blog of GM Europe at :
http://www.gmeurope.info/social_media_newsroom/archives/294-Chevrolet-Volt-development-moves-forward-with-focus-on-aerodynamics.html

Another fact is that the Saturn Flextreme concept is being shown in Detroit. Is it good or bad news ? It seems that the only modification from Frankfurt is the swapping of badges from the Opel to the Saturn one.

Luke #37
Perhaps the EcoVoyager of Chrysler with a clean diesel instead of a fuel cell could fulfil your needs. Seeing the video referenced by Jim I found that the Flextreme has a true twin with the Ecovoyager(compare the opposing doors, the cameras instead of rear view mirrors, the LCD flexible screen, the panoramic roof etc.)

Dave B #47
I never went to India but long ago I bought a small trailer from East Germany and I rode a polish electric Melex golf cart. The Reva looks and feels just like the Melex and the trailer.

]]> By: David L http://gm-volt.com/2008/01/22/one-on-one-with-jon-lauckner-vp-of-global-program-management-part-1/#comment-28493 David L Wed, 23 Jan 2008 07:29:32 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/01/22/one-on-one-with-jon-lauckner-vp-of-global-program-management-part-1/#comment-28493 <i>Ray Says: January 22nd, 2008 at 6:12 pm … I’m in Alberta Canada and in January, the Temperature has gone from + 2 Degrees C (35 F) to -26 C . What better place for Cold weather testing than here…</i> GM still operates their Cold Weather Development Centre at Kapuskasing, Ontario. I spent part of a winter in Kapuskasing in 1984 - the coldest I saw was -43 C (about the same in F). (I cross country skied at -35 C.) Freeking cold and lots of snow! http://www.gmcanada.com/inm/gmcanada/english/about/FeaturedStories/Story037.html Ray Says:
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:12 pm

… I’m in Alberta Canada and in January, the Temperature has gone from + 2 Degrees C (35 F) to -26 C . What better place for Cold weather testing than here…

GM still operates their Cold Weather Development Centre at Kapuskasing, Ontario. I spent part of a winter in Kapuskasing in 1984 – the coldest I saw was -43 C (about the same in F). (I cross country skied at -35 C.) Freeking cold and lots of snow!

http://www.gmcanada.com/inm/gmcanada/english/about/FeaturedStories/Story037.html

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