Comments on: Lutz: Dynamometer Tests on First Volt Prototype Proving Successful

By: Kevin R

Kevin R — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:55:36 +0000

#84 J. Cassidy
II for one can’t wait to buy my Volt. However, the Volt is but one answer to our transportation dilemma. Mass transit and light rail is the other. However, we wouldn’t be in this mess had there not been company’s who colluded together to dismantle the nations light rail systems.

It will cost billions to redo what was undone. But as gas goes up it is more attractive to live in urban centers and it stops urban sprawl.

http://www.intransitionmag.org/documents/scandal.html

http://www.baycrossings.com/Archives/2003/03_April/paving_the_way_for_buses_the_great_gm_streetcar_conspiracy.htm

By: Jonathan Cassidy

Jonathan Cassidy — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:53:48 +0000

If the Volt is not out on time I will be changed over to mass transit. This will happen for others like me. There is a point at which the buyer will change life style and commit to transit rather than personal vehicle. This can often work for one of a working couple.

I am selling this as a concept in the real estate market. There are many acres of available building sites along current transit lines.

I live in Troy, NY, own a Prius. I take local mass transit when ever I can and am probably the only realtor with a bus pass in my pocket at all times.

Jonathan Cassidy, associate broker
Prudential Manor Homes, REALTORS
518.423.3510

By: N Riley

N Riley — Mon, 12 May 2008 20:35:18 +0000

We sure are a complicated lot. I have been reading this post to catch up since I last was on it late Friday. You guys made me laugh and feel good at times and wish I could have been around to respond timely to some of them. Many good points were made. Both sides of our political spectrum seems to be well represented here. If we have just two sides. I suspect we are all alot closer to each other except for a few nitty points, than most of would expect.

Keep up the good commentary. I am looking forward to reading it and understanding all of you a little better.

Go GM-Volt!

Good work Lyle.

By: noel park

noel park — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:35:18 +0000

George Soros was interviewed on NPR this morning. He said that oil producing nations have learned that, rather than holding huge currency reserves of dollars, they are much better off to hold reserves of oil in the ground. The dollar has declined dramatically in value in the past few years, while the value of crude has done the opposite. Don’t look for them to increase production any time soon to help us to ower the price of gas.

And/or, as Kevin Phillips warns, they will begin to demand payment in euros, rubles, pounds, yen, yuan, or whatever other currency, or basket of currencies, appears to be appreciating instead of tanking. The economic and geopolitical impacts of such a move will be profound. Wait for it.

By: Ed M

Ed M — Mon, 12 May 2008 05:00:19 +0000

As I understand this article, the prototype is ready to go; why does it take untill 2012 to reach the public ?

By: Jim I

Jim I — Sun, 11 May 2008 11:35:12 +0000

Tape flashlights on the hood, and leave your headlights off.

You should be able to get a few more miles of AER………..

By: Tagamet

Tagamet — Sun, 11 May 2008 02:59:17 +0000

Fred,
Maybe the instrument panel could be mechanical and analogue. At least the odometer/speedometer could be. With them, if you drive backwards, the odometer spins backwards, so you’d never hit the warranty mileage….
And if they really get serious about a “minimum noise level” you could clip a baseball card to hit the spokes of the wheels.

By: fred

fred — Sun, 11 May 2008 01:31:19 +0000

YES! A squeeze horn would be fine with me. What else do i want to be a VOLT hypermiler?

By: John

John — Sat, 10 May 2008 17:05:37 +0000

Jason ;
Not sure if your post was a response to the stinker I rolled into the room , but if it was , I too want the price to stay high until debt is reduced / eliminated .
Jim I ;
I agree : less is more regarding government . Stay out of refining , delivery and all production except for 1 limited lifespan production facility .
Tagamet ;
Hope we could vote on any such undertaking . 27 Amendments now. Maybe I ‘ m getting too worked up about our debt and reaching too far , but I see a real threat .

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 10 May 2008 16:07:51 +0000

While I am opposed to more drilling in this country, especially in protected land in Alaska, I do agree that it could temporarily lower gas prices. What would be the point of that? People would start to lose interest in hybrid and electric cars, as would manufacturers because the business case changes. What no one has mentioned is that oil is a finite resource anyway. It is not a question of if we will run out of oil it is when. Most experts predict it will happen between 20 and 40 years on our current trajectory. I think it will be closer to 20 with MILLLIONs of poeple in China and India buying cars for the first time. Personally I think skyrocketing oil prices are great. Sure it is financially painful right now, but look at how fast the auto industry is changing. If gas was under $2 a gallon there would be no Volt or Karma and the Prius would probably fade away after all the greenies got one. I am all for being an environmentalist, but like most people I am not willing to pay a large penalty for it. Hybrids or electrics at least need to have comparale if not better operating costs compared to ICE cars. Now, thanks to skyrocketing gas prices they do.