Comments on: GM Considers Chevy Volt Plant in England http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/24/gm-considers-chevy-volt-plant-in-england/ Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:07:32 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Jack http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/24/gm-considers-chevy-volt-plant-in-england/#comment-55326 Jack Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:13:28 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1178#comment-55326 Four years ago when greyout Davis was Governer of California and screwing up utility cost I spent $20,000 for solar panels. My electric bills run me about $55.00 per YEAR and that is just for being hooked up to the grid, taxes and the electric company does not pay us for the excess. (this is supposed to change soon). I produce much more electricty than we use so the Volt would be perfect for us if I don't die of old age before it gets out. Four years ago when greyout Davis was Governer of California and screwing up utility cost I spent $20,000 for solar panels.
My electric bills run me about $55.00 per YEAR and that is just for being hooked up to the grid, taxes and the electric company does not pay us for the excess. (this is supposed to change soon).
I produce much more electricty than we use so the Volt would be perfect for us if I don’t die of old age before it gets out.

]]> By: Jeffhre http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/24/gm-considers-chevy-volt-plant-in-england/#comment-55167 Jeffhre Sat, 26 Jul 2008 07:03:21 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1178#comment-55167 Grizzly and Brad G I think that the EV revolution is a perceived boom in the eyes of many leaders in the Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf. Demand is going up in Asia and the developing world and the producers are finally able to call the shots with respect to price. They are however, tired of the US griping about raising production and wielding asymmetrical influence. As US oil purchases in the region fall from REEV and EV use they will be able to both extend the length of their livelihood/lifestyles. Producers will be able to lower production due to falling demand in and less interference by the US, and simultaneously raise prices at will due to rising demand outside of the US. In any case, energy independence is better than sending $700 Billion a year across the ocean for the energy to drive ICE's. Grizzly and Brad G
I think that the EV revolution is a perceived boom in the eyes of many leaders in the Arabian Peninsula/Persian Gulf. Demand is going up in Asia and the developing world and the producers are finally able to call the shots with respect to price. They are however, tired of the US griping about raising production and wielding asymmetrical influence. As US oil purchases in the region fall from REEV and EV use they will be able to both extend the length of their livelihood/lifestyles. Producers will be able to lower production due to falling demand in and less interference by the US, and simultaneously raise prices at will due to rising demand outside of the US. In any case, energy independence is better than sending $700 Billion a year across the ocean for the energy to drive ICE’s.

]]> By: Jim I http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/24/gm-considers-chevy-volt-plant-in-england/#comment-55115 Jim I Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:30:52 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1178#comment-55115 Statik #89: How did you know my uncle was retarded?????????? Actually, he will work pretty cheap............. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Thanks for the info. With costs that high, it is clearer now why products cost so much more.... GO GM VOLT TEAM!!! Jim I #1196 On The GM-Volt.com List Statik #89:

How did you know my uncle was retarded?????????? Actually, he will work pretty cheap………….

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Thanks for the info. With costs that high, it is clearer now why products cost so much more….

GO GM VOLT TEAM!!! Jim I #1196 On The GM-Volt.com List

]]> By: Jim I http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/24/gm-considers-chevy-volt-plant-in-england/#comment-55056 Jim I Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:21:17 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1178#comment-55056 Statik #92: I REALLY disagree with that statement! If the manufacturers quickly put out a vehicle that is under tested, unreliable and cheaply built, it will do massive harm to the electric vehicle movement. And I am afraid that then you will not see future generations of cars developed. As early adopters, we would put up with some bugs, but John and Mary Q. Public sure will not. The first time the car dies in traffic because of a failed battery pack, then 100 other people are going to hear about how these "new" cars are junk, and "boy I wish a had my old V-8 back, because it had 200K miles on it without a lick of a problem..." They have to do this right. It takes time to do that development and testing. But if the Volt is a winner out of the starting gate, you will see many other models on the road quickly, because they took the time to do the basic development of the battery pack, drive train, and other electronics and software. I am as anxious to get behind the wheel of a Volt as anyone else, but I am not willing to spend this kind of hard earned money on a klunker! So we wait until 2010-2011, as hard as that is to do! GO GM VOLT TEAM!!! - Get It Right!!! Statik #92: I REALLY disagree with that statement!

If the manufacturers quickly put out a vehicle that is under tested, unreliable and cheaply built, it will do massive harm to the electric vehicle movement. And I am afraid that then you will not see future generations of cars developed. As early adopters, we would put up with some bugs, but John and Mary Q. Public sure will not. The first time the car dies in traffic because of a failed battery pack, then 100 other people are going to hear about how these “new” cars are junk, and “boy I wish a had my old V-8 back, because it had 200K miles on it without a lick of a problem…”

They have to do this right. It takes time to do that development and testing. But if the Volt is a winner out of the starting gate, you will see many other models on the road quickly, because they took the time to do the basic development of the battery pack, drive train, and other electronics and software.

I am as anxious to get behind the wheel of a Volt as anyone else, but I am not willing to spend this kind of hard earned money on a klunker!

So we wait until 2010-2011, as hard as that is to do!

GO GM VOLT TEAM!!! – Get It Right!!!

]]> By: Jim http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/24/gm-considers-chevy-volt-plant-in-england/#comment-55055 Jim Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:14:44 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1178#comment-55055 #15 Rashiid Amul One advantage of a plant in England is that the brain trust for this new technology will be based almost exclusively in Michigan, and therefore there won't be a language barrier between engineers, managers, etc. in Michigan and England. Oh, and by the way, the new English Channel Tunnel ("Chunnel") takes freight trains as well as high-speed passenger rail. So the cars only need to be loaded once onto a train, and can then be distributed to various locations on the Continent. #15 Rashiid Amul

One advantage of a plant in England is that the brain trust for this new technology will be based almost exclusively in Michigan, and therefore there won’t be a language barrier between engineers, managers, etc. in Michigan and England.

Oh, and by the way, the new English Channel Tunnel (”Chunnel”) takes freight trains as well as high-speed passenger rail. So the cars only need to be loaded once onto a train, and can then be distributed to various locations on the Continent.

]]> By: Statik http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/24/gm-considers-chevy-volt-plant-in-england/#comment-55049 Statik Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:00:55 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1178#comment-55049 #91 N Riley I'm with you here I think. At this point, I really could care less what comes out right now. Lets just get any mass produced, road legal EV with 4 wheels in any variation whatsoever out to the public already. #91 N Riley

I’m with you here I think.

At this point, I really could care less what comes out right now. Lets just get any mass produced, road legal EV with 4 wheels in any variation whatsoever out to the public already.

]]> By: N Riley http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/24/gm-considers-chevy-volt-plant-in-england/#comment-55045 N Riley Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:40:28 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1178#comment-55045 #69 JEC I agree with you on the Smart EV. It would be a good option for many commuters. At that price point it would be easy to see a lot of Americans buy a Smart EV for commuting and running around town. They could keep their larger ICE vehicles for the times when they need to go out of town on an extended trip. Then when it comes time to buy another vehicle they could keep the Smart EV and purchase a Volt. I like these kind of options also. We need all kinds of vehicles to get us through and beyond the middle east oil. #69 JEC

I agree with you on the Smart EV. It would be a good option for many commuters. At that price point it would be easy to see a lot of Americans buy a Smart EV for commuting and running around town. They could keep their larger ICE vehicles for the times when they need to go out of town on an extended trip. Then when it comes time to buy another vehicle they could keep the Smart EV and purchase a Volt.

I like these kind of options also. We need all kinds of vehicles to get us through and beyond the middle east oil.

]]> By: N Riley http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/24/gm-considers-chevy-volt-plant-in-england/#comment-55023 N Riley Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:10:50 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1178#comment-55023 #58 Rob Thanks for the link. Enjoyed watching the electric Smart. #58 Rob

Thanks for the link. Enjoyed watching the electric Smart.

]]> By: Statik http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/24/gm-considers-chevy-volt-plant-in-england/#comment-55011 Statik Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:43:40 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1178#comment-55011 #87 Jim I "But my questions are still there. Does anyone actually know if the wages, materials, utilities, etc are that much higher in Europe as compared to the USA to cause such a price difference?" Yes, on all counts. It was terribly different 4-5 years ago...but one of the few advantages of a extremely weak dollar is that we (Americans) are "China-ing" produced goods in relation to their cost. I'll give you a example on wages: UK min wage 5.35 pounds ($10.70US). The minimum wage in the UK for full time is 1400 Euros (40 hours), as a comparison in the US it's 676 Euros (as @ Jan 2008) Additionally, you can't get your retarded uncle to work this cheap...the adoption rate of full-time minimum wage is 1.8%!!! Reference: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/364f799a-1e5b-11dc-bc22-000b5df10621.html #87 Jim I

“But my questions are still there. Does anyone actually know if the wages, materials, utilities, etc are that much higher in Europe as compared to the USA to cause such a price difference?”

Yes, on all counts. It was terribly different 4-5 years ago…but one of the few advantages of a extremely weak dollar is that we (Americans) are “China-ing” produced goods in relation to their cost.

I’ll give you a example on wages:

UK min wage 5.35 pounds ($10.70US). The minimum wage in the UK for full time is 1400 Euros (40 hours), as a comparison in the US it’s 676 Euros (as @ Jan 2008)

Additionally, you can’t get your retarded uncle to work this cheap…the adoption rate of full-time minimum wage is 1.8%!!!

Reference:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/364f799a-1e5b-11dc-bc22-000b5df10621.html

]]> By: N Riley http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/24/gm-considers-chevy-volt-plant-in-england/#comment-55005 N Riley Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:37:32 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1178#comment-55005 #42 Hype Master I take it from your post that you don't like American automakers, especially GM. I also assume from your post that you just love Toyota. That is good. Someone needs to love Toyota. They are a good company with long range plans. I agree the American automakers have been shortsighted and have a habit of making short-range plans. But, I guess Toyota had a wonderful plan all laid out for their Tundra pick-up truck. Looks like they are going to considered just as short-sighted as GM, Ford and Chrysler in making large pickup trucks when gas prices hit the roof. Plus, look at all the big SUV vehicles Toyota makes. Sure, the Tundra is a great truck, if only butt ugly. Toyota large vehicles usually get lower gas mileage numbers than even Ford. #42 Hype Master

I take it from your post that you don’t like American automakers, especially GM. I also assume from your post that you just love Toyota. That is good. Someone needs to love Toyota. They are a good company with long range plans. I agree the American automakers have been shortsighted and have a habit of making short-range plans.

But, I guess Toyota had a wonderful plan all laid out for their Tundra pick-up truck. Looks like they are going to considered just as short-sighted as GM, Ford and Chrysler in making large pickup trucks when gas prices hit the roof. Plus, look at all the big SUV vehicles Toyota makes. Sure, the Tundra is a great truck, if only butt ugly. Toyota large vehicles usually get lower gas mileage numbers than even Ford.

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