Comments on: More with Contintenal EV Director on the A123/Conti Chevy Volt Battery Pack Development http://gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/ Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:55:54 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Storm Connors http://gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32780 Storm Connors Sat, 15 Mar 2008 05:11:17 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32780 This affair has all the earmarks of not turning out well. GM would have been smarter, in my opinion, to have produced an electric car- or a series hybrid- by adapting the drive to an existing car. (Much as they will do to create the mules.) Then they could undertake an iterative refinement with subsequent models. They would have learned the electric car business and  customer needs without playing "you bet your company" and would have had income to support the development. The Toyota Rav 4 electrics were developed on a shoestring and they are still pleasing their owners. There are going to be a lot of disappointed people before this affair is over. 2015 would be a fair bet for when the folks who are ready to buy a Volt now will actually be able to get one; and this is assuming that the initial 2010 date is met, which is unlikely. This affair has all the earmarks of not turning out well. GM would have been smarter, in my opinion, to have produced an electric car- or a series hybrid- by adapting the drive to an existing car. (Much as they will do to create the mules.) Then they could undertake an iterative refinement with subsequent models. They would have learned the electric car business and  customer needs without playing "you bet your company" and would have had income to support the development.

The Toyota Rav 4 electrics were developed on a shoestring and they are still pleasing their owners.

There are going to be a lot of disappointed people before this affair is over. 2015 would be a fair bet for when the folks who are ready to buy a Volt now will actually be able to get one; and this is assuming that the initial 2010 date is met, which is unlikely.

]]> By: Ron http://gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32684 Ron Fri, 14 Mar 2008 04:07:35 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32684 If my Volt required a 4-hour tow trip for repairs, I'd have no problem winching it onto my trailer, buying $120 worth of diesel fuel, and setting out on a road trip. I'd MUCH rather not have to, but I would if that's what it takes! If my Volt required a 4-hour tow trip for repairs, I’d have no problem winching it onto my trailer, buying $120 worth of diesel fuel, and setting out on a road trip. I’d MUCH rather not have to, but I would if that’s what it takes!

]]> By: Tagamet http://gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32683 Tagamet Fri, 14 Mar 2008 03:56:57 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32683 GM may end up with the best of all problems: a great car and a greater demand. It's going  to take the wisdom of Solomon to not end up pi$$ing off <strong>substantial</strong> numbers of potential customers (myself included). A month ago, I wasn't nearly as apprehensive as I am tonight. I'm hoping that the folks at the Javitz Center are candid, and don't try a Dog and Pony show. In any case, I think I'll know more on the ride home from NYC on the 19th. Like they say on the local news: Film at 11..... GM may end up with the best of all problems: a great car and a greater demand. It’s going  to take the wisdom of Solomon to not end up pi$$ing off substantial numbers of potential customers (myself included). A month ago, I wasn’t nearly as apprehensive as I am tonight.
I’m hoping that the folks at the Javitz Center are candid, and don’t try a Dog and Pony show. In any case, I think I’ll know more on the ride home from NYC on the 19th.
Like they say on the local news: Film at 11…..

]]> By: john1701a http://gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32669 john1701a Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:26:29 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32669 <em>>> It’s almost certain that Toyota will have a PHEV, but it will be a parallel car with less battery life and a lower pure electric range after the first 6 months. </em>No plug-in configuration will allow discharging beyond the long-life threshold, so that claim is pointless. >> It’s almost certain that Toyota will have a PHEV, but it will be a parallel car with less battery life and a lower pure electric range after the first 6 months.

No plug-in configuration will allow discharging beyond the long-life threshold, so that claim is pointless.

]]> By: john1701a http://gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32668 john1701a Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:18:16 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32668 <em>>> You know, Toyota didn’t roll out the first iteration of the Prius nationwide.  Those hit California first.  I lived in Pensacola FL at the time, and didn’t see a single Prius for about 5 years after they were first sold in Cali.  </em> No, nationwide availability was immediate. I got mine in Minnesota on 9/9/00. >> You know, Toyota didn’t roll out the first iteration of the Prius nationwide.  Those hit California first.  I lived in Pensacola FL at the time, and didn’t see a single Prius for about 5 years after they were first sold in Cali. 

No, nationwide availability was immediate.

I got mine in Minnesota on 9/9/00.

]]> By: Jean-Charles Jacquemin http://gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32632 Jean-Charles Jacquemin Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:50:50 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32632 Ooops it seems my previous post had some problems, sorry JC Ooops it seems my previous post had some problems, sorry

JC

]]> By: Jean-Charles Jacquemin http://gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32631 Jean-Charles Jacquemin Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:48:37 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32631 Found a post dated march 12th , it may be that Exxon-Mobil become a major player in the big game of battery market we see developing every day,  see :http://www.motorauthority.com/news/news/oil-company-helping-to-develop-electric-cars/One excerpt from the source :"<em>One of the first cars equipped with the Exxon Mobil-improved batteries is the new Electrovaya Maya-300 electric vehicle. The car has a range of about 120 miles and is set to go on sale by the middle of the year. An inside source has revealed to the Wall Street Journal that Exxon Mobil has plans to build a new $300 million plant in South Korea to manufacture the film as well as hire 14 scientists Japan, New Jersey and Texas to improve the technology further. Eventually, it wants to supply the component to carmakers like Toyota, Ford and GM and is estimating that the market for the film could be more than $1 billion within the next ten years.</em>"What do you think ? <!-- if (!document.phpAds_used) document.phpAds_used = ','; phpAds_random = new String (Math.random()); phpAds_random = phpAds_random.substring(2,11); document.write (""); //--> <!-- FM Medium Rectangle Zone --> var federated_media_section = ''; <!-- BEGIN RICH-MEDIA Burst Network CODE --> Found a post dated march 12th , it may be that Exxon-Mobil become a major player in the big game of battery market we see developing every day,  see :http://www.motorauthority.com/news/news/oil-company-helping-to-develop-electric-cars/One excerpt from the source :"One of the first cars equipped with the Exxon Mobil-improved batteries is the new Electrovaya Maya-300 electric vehicle. The car has a range of about 120 miles and is set to go on sale by the middle of the year. An inside source has revealed to the Wall Street Journal that Exxon Mobil has plans to build a new $300 million plant in South Korea to manufacture the film as well as hire 14 scientists Japan, New Jersey and Texas to improve the technology further. Eventually, it wants to supply the component to carmakers like Toyota, Ford and GM and is estimating that the market for the film could be more than $1 billion within the next ten years."What do you think ?
<!– if (!document.phpAds_used) document.phpAds_used = ‘,’; phpAds_random = new String (Math.random()); phpAds_random = phpAds_random.substring(2,11); document.write (”"); //–> var federated_media_section = ”;

]]> By: Jeff J http://gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32630 Jeff J Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:18:18 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32630 Sorry for the off subect rant!! Sorry for the off subect rant!!

]]> By: Jeff J http://gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32629 Jeff J Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:15:21 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32629 statik , I think GM is right about the  away they are going about the launch of the Volt , As a ASE tech with 12years under my belt I would not touch this car with a ten foot pole , as JeffM pointed out this car can kill you if you were to cross or probe the wrong wire, I can just imagine someone pulling into a local Tire store for a tune-up or any problem for that matter & that mim-wage tire changer poking around that 16kilowatt engine for the first and last time and the owner looking down at the chard remains of is faithful yet dimwitted employee . The reason I say this everyday one of the many so called auto techs working at a quick lube or tire shop calls us for help , shop owners seam to think anybody can do diagnostic work . And one more bit of bad news Unless this car is ordered from GM and pickup at the factory and by-pass the dealers ( highly unlikely ) there no way that you will pay the MSRP price of 35,000 K if you are lucky you will likely see a 10,000K dealership screwing until the production is ramped up & the other company’s start flooding the market. . To back up this opinion I picked one of the best 10 hybrid cars at random , the Ford Escape hybrid the MSRP for this suv is 26,670 couldn’t find a Escape anywhere around this area (three Ford Dealers) all out with no date or promise on delivery . So I have gone the e-bay and the asking price is 35,000 for every Escape listed . Now it would appear that in this down ecom-market that Greenwood Ford would have 20 of these SUV available for sale and the salesman I spoke to said that they have told Corp. HQ to send a many as possible and still as of today not one Escape is sitting on their lot. Can you image the rush of people as the volt gets hyped as a car that 85% of the people almost never have to pay for GAS !!! Folks its going to get CRAZY just like the ladies at Wall-mart the day after Thanksgiving .LOLAS always just MO. statik , I think GM is right about the  away they are going about the launch of the Volt , As a ASE tech with 12years under my belt I would not touch this car with a ten foot pole , as JeffM pointed out this car can kill you if you were to cross or probe the wrong wire, I can just imagine someone pulling into a local Tire store for a tune-up or any problem for that matter & that mim-wage tire changer poking around that 16kilowatt engine for the first and last time and the owner looking down at the chard remains of is faithful yet dimwitted employee . The reason I say this everyday one of the many so called auto techs working at a quick lube or tire shop calls us for help , shop owners seam to think anybody can do diagnostic work . And one more bit of bad news Unless this car is ordered from GM and pickup at the factory and by-pass the dealers ( highly unlikely ) there no way that you will pay the MSRP price of 35,000 K if you are lucky you will likely see a 10,000K dealership screwing until the production is ramped up & the other company’s start flooding the market. . To back up this opinion I picked one of the best 10 hybrid cars at random , the Ford Escape hybrid the MSRP for this suv is 26,670 couldn’t find a Escape anywhere around this area (three Ford Dealers) all out with no date or promise on delivery . So I have gone the e-bay and the asking price is 35,000 for every Escape listed . Now it would appear that in this down ecom-market that Greenwood Ford would have 20 of these SUV available for sale and the salesman I spoke to said that they have told Corp. HQ to send a many as possible and still as of today not one Escape is sitting on their lot. Can you image the rush of people as the volt gets hyped as a car that 85% of the people almost never have to pay for GAS !!! Folks its going to get CRAZY just like the ladies at Wall-mart the day after Thanksgiving .LOLAS always just MO.

]]> By: Jeff M http://gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32628 Jeff M Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:03:54 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/03/13/more-with-contintenal-ev-director-on-the-a123conti-chevy-volt-battery-pack-development/#comment-32628 Opps, forgot the link for the Fisker http://tinyurl.com/yq33pt Opps, forgot the link for the Fisker http://tinyurl.com/yq33pt

]]>