Vice Chairman Bob Lutz took the time out to write a thank-you note to all of us who attended the Volt Nation event in New York City.
You can read his blog post here .
The event was indeed unprecedented in that a social media resource (this site) was able to gain the attention of, recognition by, and direct access to a major automaker. Also unprecedented is the intense enthusiasm and sheer size of a group of enthusiasts (us) for a car that doesn’t even exist yet.
We wish to thank you Mr. Lutz, for making the event possible, for directly meeting with us and taking our questions, and most of all for envisioning and giving rise to the Chevy Volt and making it a reality for the world.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008 at 9:24 am and is filed under Volt Nation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Apr 2nd, 2008 (9:40 am)You are quite welcome, Mr. Lutz. It was a pleasure to meet you and the other Volt engineers. In my opinion, listening to your customers never hurts. Thank you for taking the time to attend and realizing how important the Volt Nation event was.
Apr 2nd, 2008 (10:08 am)The biggest risk of all is not taking any risks. Look where it has gotten GM. I devoutly hope that Mr. Lutz’s brave words will become reality. May the Volt arrive on schedule, at a price the likes of us can afford to pay.
Apr 2nd, 2008 (10:09 am)I will whole-heartedly agree with Rashiid #1.
Many of us feel that automotive history is in the making, and it’s exciting to be a part of it, even in the smallest way.
Apr 2nd, 2008 (10:35 am)yes, thank you, not just to Mr. Lutz but to all the GM execs that attended. The enthusiasm flowed in both directions, and so did the questions.
Apr 2nd, 2008 (10:37 am)You’re welcome, Mr. Lutz, but the pleasure was all ours. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the event. Everything went by so fast. One of the best things we heard was that you are 94.5% confident that the Nov. 2010 date is still “go!”. I can’t wait to drive my Volt!
After Volt Nation, we toured Manhattan: Central Park, Time Square, Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, heavy traffic, and honking. We especially enjoyed the sign when arriving via the Lincoln Tunnel, “$350 fine for honking”!
Like to thank you again, Lyle, for making this historic event happen!!!
Apr 2nd, 2008 (11:10 am)Honestly, I am glad that GM didn’t tool up with a dead end configuration like the Prius. By waiting, GM came up with the E-REV configuration, and will leapfrog Toyota.
Apr 2nd, 2008 (12:00 pm)Thank you Mr. Lutz for getting involved with this Volt program like you have.
If all goes well, you’ll be remembered for a long time in the history of the auto industry. You’ll be one of the main guys who brought the new electric car technology to the masses. You’ll be kind of legendary like Carroll Shelby who everyone liked for his Mustang designs and engines back in the 60s and 70s … even if they were gas guzzling, monster sized IC engine cars.
No doubt about it, the automobile is about to make a quantum leap in evolution in the next few years. I bet electric cars (and trucks) in 10 years will have all the performance and features that people could want. Only difference is they’ll be MUCH more energy efficient and environmentally friendly because of electric motors and high tech batteries that hopefully will give us all the range we need and charge up quickly … at home or at quick charging stations everywhere.
Apr 2nd, 2008 (12:10 pm)I really appreciate the course that the Volt project’s implementation is taking. It is considerate to be considered on such a considerable level. However, at the risk of sounding ungracious, the real exchanging of thankses will occur when I can purchase a Volt that comes close to fulfilling the original concept; a 40-mile plug-in with a range extender, five seats, decent appearance, average comforts/conveniences, and under $30k. When that happens, I’ll be happy and GM will be happy. Until then, let’s work with GM as a well-oiled machine (using renewable oil or frictionless technology!) towards a mutually beneficial automobile transaction.
Apr 2nd, 2008 (1:12 pm)Thank you Mr. Lutz!
The Volt will be the next Model T. A flying car is about the only thing more revolutionary. Soon Petrol only cars will look like dinosaurs compared to the EREVs of the future.
Apr 2nd, 2008 (1:43 pm)OIl is an old technology and tired. Electric cars are the future and our kids future. Lets quit living in the past.
Apr 2nd, 2008 (1:59 pm)Mr. Lutz,
Thank you for all the hope you have given us. And thank you from my son for trying to help create a better future for him.
Plus we get to kick toyota in the teeth
Jon
Apr 2nd, 2008 (2:04 pm)Check out this report called “Plugged In: The End of the Oil Age” that I just found about an hour ago. Everyone ought to read it. I’m actually listening to it with my Adobe Reader software with a good Neospeech voice. Even better. I love all this new technology these days. We live in interesting times.
http://assets.panda.org/downloads/plugged_in_full_report___final.pdf
I got it from a good electric car website:
http://www.evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=17893&url=http://assets.panda.org/downloads/plugged_in_full_report___final.pdf
This report looks VERY interesting so far. It confirms what we already know. Plug-in (PHEV/E-REV) hybrids and 100% electric (BEV) cars ARE the future. I’m sure OPEC and the oil companies will be horrified if the general public knew all the cool electric car technology that is coming in the next 10 years or so.
They want to KEEP us addicted to oil and liquid fuels you know. They’re terrified of the electrification of the automobile. They can’t play games with supplies of electricity as much … especially if there are some huge breakthroughs in solar power technology that make it very cheap, efficient and scalable to high power output levels.
Al Gore and other environmentalists are going to love plug-ins and 100% electric cars. Heck, everyone will except the fossil fuel oriented companies. The fossil fuel oriented companies better change with the times. The “oil age” is going to wind down just like it happened with steam engines fired by coal. Hopefully the “oil age” will wind down much faster than people think.
Electricity rules! Electricity from “clean energy” sources that is. Companies like GE and Westinghouse have a VERY bright future. GM will too because of the Volt and the hybrids and electric cars they have on their drawing boards these days.
Apr 2nd, 2008 (2:05 pm)I hope GM will also invite members of gm-volt.com to the initial rollout of this vehicle as well.
I would get to that one, no matter what is going on at work!!!!
Apr 2nd, 2008 (2:29 pm)Sometimes an opportunity presents itself and you sit back and you miss it. Later you realize it was a good idea and wish you had taken the chance.
But it takes a special kind of thought process to think that the lesson learned is to take the wildest chance you can… especially if it is the wrong goal necessitated by taking action at the wrong time.
Apr 2nd, 2008 (2:29 pm)Mr. Lutz:
Thanks for your time to address our audience of enthusiasts here at GM-Volt.com, but also thanks for your unwavering enthusiasm and support of this extremely important vehicle program. Don’t lose focus by the comments of the negative nellies you encounter from time to time. Keep your eye on the ball, build world class products, and the rest will take care of itself.
Thanks again, and best regards!
Apr 2nd, 2008 (3:09 pm)FINAL REMINDER: TODAY (BY 6PM ET) IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO RANK THE 20 “LUTZ LIST” QUESTIONS!
Go to….. http://www.gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=175
PS: I’ll email the consolidated ranked questions to Lyle, who will hopefully be able to ask and/or submit them while at GM’s Tech Center
Apr 2nd, 2008 (3:52 pm)I also want to thank Lyle for having the imagination to create this site and the persistence and energy to keep it going. It has just the right balance of courtesy and at the same time honesty to make it valuable for everyone.
Apr 2nd, 2008 (4:32 pm)“leapfrog Toyota.”
I think the jubilation on GM leapfrogging toyota is a little bit premature. Sure I agree the Volt is a leapfrog in technology over what the competition has right now. But GM has given Toyota and Honda and everyone else a heads up on their timeline. In other words Honda could press forward with their own line of Prius beaters and they have the deadline in black and white.
This might be bad for GM but the good news is it might bring in more volt competition out of the blue by 2010 or 2011!
Apr 2nd, 2008 (6:15 pm)“Its not real. It doesn’t have a real engine. The technology doesn’t exist and its going to be developed, never. ”
Justin Berkowitz from TTAC on the Chevy Volt
Apr 2nd, 2008 (6:32 pm)#18 Peteski:
WADR, I just think that ‘s BS. The engine does exist. The rest of it is not science fiction. It just takes resources and good solid engineering and design.
I have said from the beginning that GM clearly has the people with the talent to make it happen. If you can win your class at Le Mans, you can do anything.
The open question has always been one of management. Does GM’s management have the vision and the strength to make it happen? Mr. Lutz’s comments about the absolute necessity of regaining a position of powerful technological leadership give me reason for cautious optimism. He is speaking the absolute truth on that score. It is a bottom line existential issue for GM, IMHO.
Time will tell if the rest of them can grasp the life or death importance of pushing this project through to a successful conclusion. Many here have said here that the only way GM is going to prosper, or even survive, in the future is to build products which people absolutely cannot resist buying. Amen.
At the moment, I am allowing myself to believe that it just may in fact happen.
Apr 2nd, 2008 (6:44 pm)#18 peteski
The technology has been around for 30 years. Only the batteries are new.
Take Care
Arch
Apr 2nd, 2008 (7:01 pm)>> Honestly, I am glad that GM didn’t tool up with a dead end configuration like the Prius.
That is in error on so many levels I don’t know where to begin…
GM did. It’s called Two-Mode.
As for all the misinformation about FULL hybrids, I suggest you check out the Prius driving with combustion engines converted to use hydrogen, the Prius driving around with fuel-cells instead of an engine, and the Prius augmented with greater battery-capacity driving at 62 MPH with the engine stopped.
Volt will not replace FULL hybrids. It will coexist.
The automotive market will be diverse. Get used to that.
Apr 2nd, 2008 (8:13 pm)The Volt is obviously feasible in some respects; the only question is can GM achieve it’s projected 40 mile range with a 10 year Lithium ion battery pack at a marketable price. If it does get to market with it before others, it’ll be a stone cold blockbuster. They are giving away a lot of strategic information – not sure that’s wise but it has people like me waiting for a Volt. I have a 99 Astro at 105k.
GM has made some very good products for a very long time that get no play in the American car press. The Buicks in particular were very good, highly reliable family sedans that got great gas mileage. Years ago I rode in a LeSabre from Hagerstown, MD to Oregon Inlet,NC with 4 other big guys in the car and we got over 30 mpg. GM can do very good work.
Apr 2nd, 2008 (8:28 pm)I want to thank Mr. Lutz for pushing the Volt into reality. I am ready to buy a Volt now. My 2000 Pontiac can last at least the next two years at which point I’ll need to buy my Volt or look to the competition if forced to. Either way, I will not buy another gas burning vehicle other than an electric like the Volt.
Push, push, push and surprise the world with a Volt roll-out months before the competition thinks you were going to. That would be fantastic, much like what GM and others were doing during WWII to get new planes in the air, ships in the water, and armaments to the boys on the front.
Apr 2nd, 2008 (8:39 pm)john1701a
I do not know what you are calling a"full hybrid." There are two types of hybrids—-serial and parallel. In theory a serialhybrid should be able to get much better mileage than a parallel. The parallel hybrid is much cheaper to build. I think that is why the first hybrids were all parallel systems. We should see soon from the mule tests. JMHO
Take Care
Arch
Apr 2nd, 2008 (10:15 pm)Why do some here know so little about what the rest of GM is doing?
BAS, Two-Mode, and E-Flex.
3 very distinct types of hybrid which everyone should understand the differences of.
Apr 2nd, 2008 (10:50 pm)Peteski #18:
Berkowitz at TTAC would not say anything good about GM, even if they produced the Volt, meeting all the specs and warranty goals, and sold it for $10K…………………
Apr 3rd, 2008 (4:44 am)Thanks Mr Lutz for listening to us. Now for the question of a full battery electric auto…… And some small engine hybrid trucks. Let’s see that full size 4 cylinder hybrid 35 MPG Sierra.
Apr 3rd, 2008 (6:42 am)UPDATE on Lyle’s trips and final design for Volt:
“Larry Burns, GM’s vice president for research and development, said that aspect of the vehicle’s development is officially complete. But a group of reporters and analysts from around the country who will converge in Warren today won’t likely get to actually see the car’s design, even though they’re in town for the latest news on GM’s ambitious attempt to build an electrically driven car for the masses.”
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080403/AUTO01/804030340/1001/BIZ
Apr 3rd, 2008 (7:02 am)@#18 Peteski
TTAC are haters, plain and simple. They have made fun of this site on a few occassions, and Lutz is probably the biggest target for chastising, bar none. If there ever was a bunch of negative nellies, they are it.
Apr 3rd, 2008 (1:15 pm)#23 Kevin R:
Yeah, I was reading just last night about GM’s involvement witht eh M1 Carbine in WWII.
Inland Division of GM produced over 2,600,000 carbines, and Saginaw Steering Gear around another 300,000. If memory serves, the got a contract in 1942, geared up and built essentially 3 million carbines by late 1944, and shut the operation down, never to build another firearm (they had never built any before either). This is in addition to tanks, 6×6 trucks, and who knows what else.
Pretty impressive. Kind of makes your point, I think.
Apr 3rd, 2008 (1:27 pm)#29 Noel Park:
Exactly…that’s just my point. If GM or any other company really, really wants to get something done, and puts the resources behind the endeavor, a project can come from drawing board to full fledged product in just a handful of months. American companies have done it time and again. For the Apollo program we created the technology, the means, and got to the moon in less than a decade. That was not building an electric car!!!
What would tickle me to death would be if GM announced next year the sale of the Volt, way ahead of what everyone thought. That would be WWII vintage brinkmanship…….and blow the competition away.
Apr 3rd, 2008 (3:31 pm)#30 Kevin R:
“or any other company really” is a good point too. A total of 6 million carbines were manufactured in a bit over 2 years. Many companies were mobilized, few of which had ever built firearms, or would ever again.
Underwood Typewriter made something around a million. US Postal Meter made several hundred thousand. Mine was made by Rock-Ola jukebox company!
Apr 3rd, 2008 (11:25 pm)Mr Lutz,
You’re welcome and thank you for taking the time with us as well. It was truly a great event in NY and of course piles of thanks to Lyle, our fearless leader. Various people have said it (or something like it) on this web site and I agree, we’d all like to see Lyle get the first Volt (or at least one from the first batch).
This car – or really – this technology, is way past it’s due date. For so many reasons as stated here on this web site as you probably already know, not just for the price of gasoline, but for the environmental impact. We’ll all be driving the same car – but it may be powered by coal, hydro, or nuclear, depending on where we get our electricity from and hopefully, in the near future, wind and solar. Imagine going to the Javits center in NYC in the future for a car show and the entire city is quiet from the sound of Volt technology cars, trucks and buses driving around town. Solar panels on the roofs of garages powering up Volts for our daily commutes and grocery store trips. No more worries about supporting corrupt governments in the Middle East as we are held hostage to their oil. Cleaner air to breathe. Fun cars to drive with full torque all the time! This is an amazing great step into the future. We’re all counting on you to follow through on this – not just the people on this web site – because the entire world needs this even if they haven’t found out about the Volt yet (or Lyle’s web site!). With all of the people in China and India now trying to get an automobile, if this isn’t done, we’re all going to suffocate in the fossil fuel smog and when the oil runs out, we’ll be in the dark ages. The world is in your hands. Hurry up before more of Antarctica falls into the sea!
P.S. Make it affordable for the average car owner. You’ll eventually make up the losses and finally make huge profits in quantity. If it’s unaffordable – people will buy what they can afford and it just may be your competitor’s car or it may be likely they’ll buy another gasoline car that’s cheaper.
Thanks again for listening to us and taking our thoughts and ideas into consideration!
LB
Apr 4th, 2008 (12:02 am)“The finished Volt will bear a ‘clear family resemblance’ to the sporty vehicle initially shown at last year’s Detroit auto show, Burns said. ‘But it won’t be a twin.’”
Larry Burns, GM’s vice president for research and development
So it won’t happen and when it doesn’t it will NOT look like the show car still trotted-out at auto shows and featured heavily in GM’s ads.
Apr 5th, 2008 (4:08 am)“Mr Lutz,
…The world is in your hands. Hurry up before more of Antarctica falls into the sea!”
Dear LB,
Stop trying to position me as a savior of the world from the ravages of [quote] Global Warming [unquote]. Didn’t you hear me the first time? Global warming is a crock! And like I said memorably in a prior video segment, “I don’t owe you anything!!” We’ve got plenty of reasons to make the Volt, but it’s not for the environment. If that were the case, why would be wasting our time hybridizing Tahoes? I realize a lot of people looking forward to the Chevy Volt are pansy ass librulz who worship Al Gore’s nail clippings, but just do us all a favor, shut your granola-holes and meditate patiently until you can save the world with your Volt purchase, that is, whenver we get around to selling them in your state.
Sincerely,
Bob Lutz
P.S. I realize some of you people are masochistic fanoys so I’ve included an autographed press photo of myself in case you still want to worship me. Maybe keep it under your pillow at night and dream that I actually give a crap about the environment. Meanwhile, I’ve got to visit my accountant to go over how to spend my raise. In Detroit, political incorrectness still pays.
Apr 5th, 2008 (4:58 am)Dear Mr. Think-you’re-intelligent-Bob-Lutz-wannabe-poser,
You’re totally right! Why position you as the savior of ‘so-called global warming’? Oh, wait…perhaps because you’ve staked you’re reputation on it and already buried countless dollars into R&D while sticking your neck on the line to the board of directors (who truly make the decisions within any major company)? Maybe it was by being willing to front the idea of this project at major shows, and you totally had us fooled by being willing to take time out of your hectic schedule to talk with everyday fans willing to travel across the U.S. to speak with you and your design team about a project that they are excited about? Who knows, perhaps you feel a desire to push GM to meet the upcoming fuel-economy requirements while still providing purpose-built vehicles for those Americans who aren’t pansy @$$ liberals who worship Al Gore’s nail clippings? Maybe you have taken into account that many on here desire this car for financial freedom from gas prices while we all travel to and from our ‘Kill the Loggers’ rallies? I mean, that’s crazy talk….what were we thinking???
Oh, and I totally agree with your views on the Hybrid Tahoe! Who’s idea was that…really? I mean, nothing screams ‘Hey, I’m comfortable with purchasing two Prius Hybrids because I have more than 4 people in my family’ quite like the excitement of taking my current Tahoe and hitting the gas station every couple of days to indulge myself. Heck, I bet those Tahoe owners even bathe in it 91 octane when they feel the urge! I also feel it’s completely impractical to designe a Hybrid that might actually meet the needs of a family with 4 people over 6’3″ tall, right? I mean, anyone stupid enough to allow themselves (or their kids) to grow that tall don’t deserve a hybrid vehicle anyway!
Sincerely,
T. Hugger
P.S. Thanks sooooo much for your autographed photo! I’ll put it on the dashboard of my classic Chevy, right between my photo of Zora Duntov and my mural to the spotted owl!
Apr 5th, 2008 (5:35 pm)…on a more positive note: A sincere thank you to the REAL Mr. Lutz for his time spent recognizing the buyers in this process, and not just the advertisers/media folks. I can’t speak for everyone else, but I appreciate the straight approach you and your team have taken in providing timely details of successes and setbacks in this process. I also appreciate the effort introduced into this undertaking, and the desire you (and your staff) have injected into this project to make this a reality.
I feel confident that this can and will be a success… and we look forward to reaping the rewards of a job well done.
Thank you!
Apr 11th, 2008 (5:00 pm)First, I am most definitely a “buy American” type.
I just cannot believe what I have read here !
Thanking Mr. Lutz for GM spending the last 30 years avoiding/subverting attempts to improve CAFE standards as “too difficult”. Now you all thank GM for another future “wait until we get there” product.
Why do you believe that GM will bring this car to market? Advertising does not a product make. A cynic might ask if there really is a Volt program? GM could have a “wag the dog” scheme, spend millions, get Congress to back off on the CAFE/emissions, save billions. I do have to say though that if GM does produce this car, the full time electric drive could simplify the drive train. Will the simplicity translate to any better reliability than GM currently sells?
How come you all did not thank the competition when they brought out a really useful vehicle? That we can buy today. Still way too expensive for most of us. Oh that I had money.
Apr 12th, 2008 (6:21 am)Mr. Lutz sucks… look at his evil face. Deep inside he knows… yes he knows.
Heself doesn’t like the VOLT at all..
to green GM’s name…
The volt is just a greenwasher…
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/02/13/gms-bob-lutz-global-warming-is-a-total-crock-of-sh-t/