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. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:46:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 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.

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