Grab our RSS Feed
Follow us on:
   AND    

    

CEO of Compact Power Inc. on Timing of the GM Volt Battery Contract Announcement

September 4th, 2008 | Posted in: Battery, Production

GM first announced in June 2007 that they were going to choose from one of two lithium-ion battery pack suppliers for the Chevy Volt, either LG Chem/Compact Power or A123/Continental. The decision was to come by this summer.

GM vice chair Bob Lutz indeed recently noted that the prototype packs have been operating “flawlessly”, and that GM has already decided which supplier they would use.

I asked GM sources why they might delay making public or even notifying the supplier they chose, I was told “we’ll make this info available when the time is right, but not now.”

Previously Bob Lutz had said publicly that only one of the teams’ packs were being used in the running mules because that team offered “the least risk,” but wouldn’t say which. Shortly after we learned from Compact Power that it was indeed their packs which were running in the mules.

I just recently had the chance to interview the CEO of Compact Power, Dr. Prabhakar Patil, and asked him about contract timing.  We also had some other discussions which will be forthcoming.

GM said it would be in June 08 when they announced the supplier of choice. Can you say whether this has been delayed in some way, or do you not know when GM will announce their choice?
The only thing I can say is that I’m almost positive that the decision will be made this year, simply because of the timing that’s required to make the high volume manufacturing commitments, putting the lines in place and so forth to support the 2010 introduction. Beyond that its GM’s call regarding the pace and timing. So that’s a question better directed at them.

Will it require some time for a plant to be built on your end in order to roll out 10,000 packs?
I am doing my homework and doing the development that is necessary so that time doesn’t become our enemy if we are selected as the production supplier. That’s a conscious business decision.

What kind of capacity to you have right now to build those packs?
From a cell perspective, typically we will need about 12 to 18 months of lead time in order to set up a cell line and have it be “PPAP’d” (production part approval process). That’s all the way to a point where the line runs at full production speed, and what comes out meets all of the requirements.

That’s the reason why I know the decision will be made by the end of this year, because that’s simply the least time that we will need in order to be ready to go (by November 2010).

Posted by: Lyle

60 Responses to “CEO of Compact Power Inc. on Timing of the GM Volt Battery Contract Announcement”


  1. Gsned57
    Vote -1 Vote +1Gsned57     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 6:36 am

    Basically he’s saying GM had better hurry up and make their decision. From an outside perspective though I would guess that they are delaying so that they could test the A123 battery in the mules if in fact it was the continental battery that they had in the mules initially. They must really be fighting with this decision if it takes 18 months (without major problems) to ramp up production and they are 25 months away from product launch.  

    (Quote)


  2. Sentinel
    Vote -1 Vote +1Sentinel     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 6:50 am

    Hhhmmm… If A123 is going to have its IPO soon that could explain the delay too. I don’t think it would hurt the stock price if GM announced A123 as the supplier right around the IPO? Maybe a day or two before the IPO??? or maybe a day or two after???. Either way I’m picking up a few shares :)   

    (Quote)


  3. Rashiid Amul
    Vote -1 Vote +1Rashiid Amul     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 6:53 am

    12 – 18 months. If they start in January, that gives them to June 2010.
    Not a whole lot of room for issues to appear and get corrected.  

    (Quote)


  4. Len
    Vote -1 Vote +1Len     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 6:54 am

    The Prius will get the A123 batteries in their extender packs from Hymotion. We will find out which is the better battery. If I was a betting man, my money would be on A123. It would not suprise me that GM would choose the lesser battery, I am certain it was a management decision.  

    (Quote)


  5. Statik
    Vote -1 Vote +1Statik     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 6:55 am

    Now that sounds like one concerned CEO. Not that he isn’t getting the contract so much, but that he isn’t going to be able to get the job done when he does get it.

    He doesn’t want to come out and say, ‘keep dragging your feet GM and your not going to get what you want,’ because he is still in the ‘wooing’ part of the relationship.

    As long as GM keeps them both in perpetual flux like this, they/we will never get a straight answer of, ‘No/yes/maybe…but we aren’t going to hit the numbers you need unless you do/give us this’

    Commitment brings reality. Time to do some and show us some third party contracts.  

    (Quote)


  6. Tagamet
    Vote -1 Vote +1Tagamet     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 7:02 am

    In ANY case, we’ll know soon!
    Be well,
    Tag

    LJGTVWOTR!  

    (Quote)


  7. Tagamet
    Vote -1 Vote +1Tagamet     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 7:04 am

    PS No edit with IE default settings (lower than before) I’ll try Firefox now. /sigh  

    (Quote)


  8. Lunoir
    Vote -1 Vote +1Lunoir     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 7:11 am

    I don’t know for you but I think GM will try to secure the supplies before announcement… We should be looking at what stock GM is buying.

    P.S. Edits are working fine with firefox… I’ll try with Google’s Chrome next time just to see;-) (Post edited 5 times)  

    (Quote)


  9. RB
    Vote -1 Vote +1RB     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 7:28 am

    Speculatively, one wonders if there is politics here. That is, GM may be waiting for a government loan guarantee and using the unsigned battery contract as an example of why the feds need to act quickly to get the electric car’s “wheels on the road.”  

    (Quote)


  10. Spin
    Vote -1 Vote +1Spin     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 7:28 am

    I think that the company that is not chosen for the Volt, will be used for the next E-Flex vehicle to come out after the Volt. This will probably be in the 2011/12 time frame and probably be a SUV across several brands.  

    (Quote)


  11. Tagamet
    Vote -1 Vote +1Tagamet     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 7:33 am

    Lunior,
    Thanks – good idea.
    RB – good point. I hadn’t thought of that (but it’s early here).
    Be well,
    Tag
    LJGTVWOTR

    EDIT WORKS IN FIREFOX – YIPEEEEEE! (I don’t get out much)  

    (Quote)


  12. Rashiid Amul
    Vote -1 Vote +1Rashiid Amul     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 7:35 am

    Spin #10.

    I think who ever is not chosen will be chosen by other automakers.
    I don’t really see any losers here. Both battery manufacturers are in great shape to sell their product.  

    (Quote)


  13. Rashiid Amul
    Vote -1 Vote +1Rashiid Amul     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 7:36 am

    Tag,

    Firefox is really a great browser.
    I hope you enjoy it.  

    (Quote)


  14. Tagamet
    Vote -1 Vote +1Tagamet     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 7:44 am

    amul@13
    Yeah, I’d only changed while trying to get a home network going (just checking variables – like the browser). I especially like ( and need) the automatic spellchecker!
    Be well,
    Tag
    LJGTVWOTR  

    (Quote)


  15. Lunoir
    Vote -1 Vote +1Lunoir     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 7:57 am

    >>I am doing my homework and doing the development that is necessary so that time doesn’t become our enemy if we are selected as the production supplier. That’s a conscious business decision.

    From this I can understand he’s got some guarantees.  

    (Quote)


  16. Michael
    Vote -1 Vote +1Michael     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 8:07 am

    How about a little morning humor from Dagwood?

    http://www.blondie.com/dailies/index.asp?month=9&year=2008&comic=2008-9-4

    LJGTVWOTR!  

    (Quote)


  17. RB
    Vote -1 Vote +1RB     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 8:12 am

    #16 Michael — Thanks!  

    (Quote)


  18. psklenar
    Vote -1 Vote +1psklenar     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 8:16 am

    #16 Michael

    I saw that this morning .. definitely got a chuckle out of me. :)   

    (Quote)


  19. Lunoir
    Vote -1 Vote +1Lunoir     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 8:17 am

    Question by the blog illeterate I am, what does LJGTVWOTR stand for?
    Let’s Just Get The Volt “W” On The Road?

    BTW who said peer pressure was bad?

    Post edited 3 times with Google’s Chrome beta ;-)   

    (Quote)


  20. Gsned57
    Vote -1 Vote +1Gsned57     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 8:24 am

    Lunoir I was wondering the same thing about how a W got into Tag’s Mantra. Maybe he’s secretly trying to get a Volkswagen on the road. Personally I’d love an EREV VW Vanagon, but I’ll start with the Volt.  

    (Quote)


  21. Michael
    Vote -1 Vote +1Michael     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 8:28 am

    Everyone knows, it’s WHEELS on the road. ;-)   

    (Quote)


  22. Lunoir
    Vote -1 Vote +1Lunoir     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 8:33 am

    #20 Gsned57 I have nothing against volkwagen and like you everytime I see VW I can’t help myself not thinking about volks…

    #21 Michael I should have recalled that from a few article back…

    Thanks then I’ll take tag’s “tag” line too then…. The exclamation mark is mine. ;-)

    LJGTVWOTR !  

    (Quote)


  23. CheckItOut
    Vote -1 Vote +1CheckItOut     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 8:36 am

  24. RB
    Vote -1 Vote +1RB     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 8:43 am

    LJGTVWOTR

    Sung with the nodes, starting at middle C and always moving up,
    C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C–>G

    Have to be able to hit that higher G !
    (or even better, up to high C, for those few who can do it)  

    (Quote)


  25. LeoK
    Vote -1 Vote +1LeoK     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 8:59 am

    Based on GM’s history with suppliers, they would be foolish not to figure out a way to keep both companies in the fold. They absolutely need redundancy in the event of any type of supply chain upset.

    The longer they wait to make the announcement, the closer they are to being able to award a consolation prize…  

    (Quote)


  26. Tagamet
    Vote -1 Vote +1Tagamet     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 9:05 am

    RB@24 said:
    “LJGTVWOTR
    Sung with the nodes, starting at middle C and always moving up,
    C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C–>G
    Have to be able to hit that higher G !
    (or even better, up to high C, for those few who can do it)”

    Cool! The VOLT glee club. Now all we need is a nice group of cheerleaders! I’m thinking the USC cheerleaders would be about right. They are really, er, wholesome (checks pacemaker battery).
    Be well,
    Tag
    LJGTVWOTR!  

    (Quote)


  27. Johnny Appleseed
    Vote -1 Vote +1Johnny Appleseed     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 9:06 am

    FYI, major product announcement next Tuesday (Sept 9) by the technology masters at Apple Inc. Hope GM is coordinating because the pace of Apple innovation is about 5 times faster than anything GM is doing. By the time the Volt actually hits the showroom floors, the latest iPod will have enough power to drive and maintain the Volt by itself, no driver needed. LOL
    BTW, rumor is they will announce new improved iPods and maybe some other gear.  

    (Quote)


  28. Nick
    Vote -1 Vote +1Nick     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 9:10 am

    @ Lunoir

    Take a gander at All of Goggles applications EULAs. (End user Licience Agreement) and tell me if you like it now.

    How about it indexing your bank acct info? Id get rid of it for about 1 month and then try again. But you might not have a problem with it.

    http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/39176/108/  

    (Quote)


  29. RB
    Vote -1 Vote +1RB     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 9:22 am

    #26 Tag

    /First checks pacemaker

    “USC cheerleaders would be about right. ” LJGTVWOTR! (On the high C)

    Indeed perfect!  

    (Quote)


  30. Lunoir
    Vote -1 Vote +1Lunoir     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 9:29 am

    @28 Nick.

    Back with Firefox then.
    One would think SSL pages should be private and data not collectible… Why would I encrypt the content then if it’s to have it stored unencrypted elsewhere?

    @27 Johnny Appleseed From what you say when the volt will come out (for real) the ipodesque feeling will all be gone… Makes me hope GM will find it’s own design path.

    BTW I’ll let signing to professionals… I don’t want to get sued :P

    LJGTVWOTR !! < Second “!” is mine…  

    (Quote)


  31. Rashiid Amul
    Vote -1 Vote +1Rashiid Amul     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 10:05 am

    RB # 24 says,

    Have to be able to hit that higher G !
    (or even better, up to high C, for those few who can do it)

    ————–
    I can hit high C, but I need a pair of Vice Grips in one hand and the other
    end on ………………….oh, never mind.  

    (Quote)


  32. Tagamet
    Vote -1 Vote +1Tagamet     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 10:12 am

    Nick
    Thanks for the headsup on the Google browser – I just uninstalled it. Back to Firefox.

    RB I used to be able to hit that high C, but not since the surgery (g)

    Lunoir,
    Given GM’s financial status, maybe they could sell the rights to each “!”…. I’ll donate all the Initials (for the honor of buying a first run Volt).
    Be well,
    Tag
    /love those white sweaters….  

    (Quote)


  33. kent beuchert
    Vote -1 Vote +1kent beuchert     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 10:19 am

    The problem with Apple is that they always go for the profits – despite a profit margin that makes the oil companies look like pikers, Apple has chosen to put some pure junk components into its iphone these days and they are causing a lot of the 3G headaches – this from an expert yesterday on the causes of Apple’s iphone 3 G miseries.
    Time for Jobs to “retire” again so as not to tarnish his image, I suppose. He’ll return to save the day once Apple stock hits $10.  

    (Quote)


  34. noel park
    Vote -1 Vote +1noel park     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 10:41 am

    #6 Tagamet:

    Congratulations on achieving blogosphere fame. Your famous quote is now an official abbreviation, so proclaimed by the famous Volt Nation.

    LJGTVWOTR!

    #8 Lunoir:

    I dunno, with that tight of a schedule I dont see how they can hang about waiting for the Feds. Or maybe they slip the schedule and blame it on the Feds? Not a good option though, as the competition is hot on their heels.

    #16 Dagwood:

    Yeah thanks. Every little bit of humor helps in these troubled days. Truth to tell though, I think it’s more reality than humor. Gas mileage is about to overtake horsepower for cocktail party bragging rights, if it hasn’t already. My 28 year old son has been raised in as much of a gearhead family as any kid in the USA. He has firmly stated that his next car will be electric, and I believe him.  

    (Quote)


  35. DonC
    Vote -1 Vote +1DonC     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 10:43 am

    I’d really think the risk would be in using the Compact Power batteries. The A123 batteries have a track record. Those from Compact Power don’t. Perhaps he meant production risk or something like that.

    In any event, if the manganese spinel batteries work as well as the lithium phosphate that’s very good news for EVs generally.

    I’m more convinced than ever that both companies will be awarded contracts for something fairly large. GM has of course the VUE coming out in 2010, and that vehicle will need some form of Lithium batteries. In this regard, I’m surprised more people in this forum, especially those wanting to tow or climb large mountains or lug a lot of stuff around (or are worried about price), aren’t interested in the VUE.  

    (Quote)


  36. Tagamet
    Vote -1 Vote +1Tagamet     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 10:53 am

    Noel@34 said:
    “#6 Tagamet:
    Congratulations on achieving blogosphere fame. Your famous quote is now an official abbreviation, so proclaimed by the famous Volt Nation.
    LJGTVWOTR!

    Thanks, but it may be a teeny bit early for “fame”. Maybe “niche fame” (g) When we can Google it and it comes up, THEN we’ll have arrived (ALL of us).
    Be well,
    Tag
    Long live LJGTVWOTR!!  

    (Quote)


  37. cybereye
    Vote -1 Vote +1cybereye     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 11:18 am

    kent beuchert @ 33

    If Jobs retire at this point, Apple stock will fall very deep. Apple may never be the same as it use to be, if Jobs not running the show. Jobs does not seem to have a team to run without Jobs telling them how to be done.  

    (Quote)


  38. Tagamet
    Vote -1 Vote +1Tagamet     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 11:19 am

    I don’t understand how the Vue will be released before the Volt – unless my ever-present prediction of a 7/4 release of the Volt comes true. It seems like the Vue would have all the same hurdles that the Volt has. Just a shorter AER?
    Help me out here.
    Be well,
    Tag

    LJGTVWOTR !!
    Memory cue: My three initials (Well, **I** know them) TV as in TeleVision or TransVestite, WOTR How I spell Water.  

    (Quote)


  39. Lunoir
    Vote -1 Vote +1Lunoir     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 11:23 am

    Maybe someone should register LJGTVWOTR.com before it goes…
    ;-)

    LJGTVWOTR !!  

    (Quote)


  40. Aspherical
    Vote -1 Vote +1Aspherical     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 11:30 am

    #38 Tagment

    I would guess that the development of the plug-in Vue is not as detailed as the Volt program. The differences from a current parallel hybrid and the plug-in Vue are the battery chemistry and the plug-in capability, yet very similar test parameters and worst case scenarios exist currently. As for the Volt, the test parameters for the larger battery that will always be driving the vehicle would be drastically different. And the time and resources that go into software development should never be underestimated.  

    (Quote)


  41. Dave G
    Vote -1 Vote +1Dave G     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 11:37 am

    Maybe a bit off the subject, but:
    Honda unveils Prius-fighter
    money.cnn.com/2008/09/04/autos/honda_insight/index.htm  

    (Quote)


  42. DonC
    Vote -1 Vote +1DonC     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 11:44 am

    #38 Tagamet – “It seems like the Vue would have all the same hurdles that the Volt has. Just a shorter AER?”

    The hurdle for the Volt *is* the AER of 40 miles. If the AER was 20 miles GM would waltz through to the production date without breaking a sweat.

    Taking the AER from 20 to 40 isn’t twice as hard, it’s four or eight times as hard. To squeeze out extra range you have to re-engineer a lot of the systems. The longer AER is challenging because you are absolutely pushing the edge of the envelope of existing technology.

    The big deal for the AER of 40 miles, and the reason so many people are excited about it, is that at that point you have an electric car with an ICE range extender rather than an ICE car with a battery assist.  

    (Quote)


  43. N Riley
    Vote -1 Vote +1N Riley     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 11:55 am

    Maybe I am stupid, but if GM already knows which supplier it is going to use, why not tell them so they can get started. They could get the production facility built, the line established and tested. Maybe that could enable GM to put the Volt into the showrooms for sale earlier than November 2010, which would be great. Some of GM’s competitors are counting on GM staying with the November 2010 deadline or even hoping for some delays so they can beat GM to market with a PHEV.  

    (Quote)


  44. Dave G
    Vote -1 Vote +1Dave G     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 12:10 pm

    #40 Aspherical Says: “As for the Volt, the test parameters for the larger battery that will always be driving the vehicle would be drastically different. And the time and resources that go into software development should never be underestimated.”
    ————————————————————————————-
    Yep – you got that right!

    The induction motor control algorithm by itself is incredibly complex. Then you add in all the various driving scenarios and corner cases on top of that, and the motor controller gets really complex. Then, this has to work perfectly with the battery pack firmware, the ICE control firmware, HVAC, etc., etc.. All of these subsystems have to act together as 1 system.

    The only saving grace is that they can keep tweaking the firmware right up to the time the first Volt rolls off the assembly line. Perhaps even more with dealer updates, although that starts to get ugly.  

    (Quote)


  45. Estero
    Vote -1 Vote +1Estero     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 12:14 pm

    #43 N Riley said:

    Maybe I am stupid, but if GM already knows which supplier it is going to use, why not tell them so they can get started. They could get the production facility built, the line established and tested. Maybe that could enable GM to put the Volt into the showrooms for sale earlier than November 2010, which would be great. Some of GM’s competitors are counting on GM staying with the November 2010 deadline or even hoping for some delays so they can beat GM to market with a PHEV.
    _____

    You’re not stupid. Many others are asking the same questions. I’ve been wondering — Is it possible GM is testing something else which we have no knowledge? Probably not! But, this delay in making the announcement regarding the selected battery pack supplier makes one speculate as to the reason(s).  

    (Quote)


  46. Dave G
    Vote -1 Vote +1Dave G     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 12:16 pm

    #38 Tagamet Says: “It seems like the Vue would have all the same hurdles that the Volt has. Just a shorter AER?”
    ————————————————————————————-
    Uh – No. The Vue plug-in is basically just swapping a few parts on the existing Vue Hybrid. You can even do this modification yourself with the proper kit. Yes, GM will have to do a bit more testing than a home kit, but that’s like 10x less than the Volt.  

    (Quote)


  47. nasaman
    Vote -1 Vote +1nasaman     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 12:36 pm

    Tag #38….. You said”……I don’t understand how the Vue will be released before the Volt…..”
    ——————————————————–
    Hey Tag, you must have missed my post from a few days ago; here it is again………

    I’m a bit surprised no one’s mentioned GM’s “other plug-in”, a utility vehicle already in testing & due out perhaps even before the Volt …..the Saturn VUE Plug-in. GM expects this new CUV, with its newly-developed Li-Ion battery, to achieve overall mileage (local & highway) DOUBLE that of the 2-mode VUE that it’s derived from, which would make its overall mileage slightly higher than that for either a Prius or an average motorcycle! …..And it can haul plenty of stuff and tow 3,500lbs (probably comparable to, if not more than, the Tacuma will be able to either haul or tow)!

    I sometimes think our members/readers here think the Plug-in VUE is still only a concept, when in reality it’s likely to appear at dealerships even BEFORE the Volt, since….

    1) Plug-in VUE production model road testing is already underway

    2) The Plug-in VUE’s factory/assembly line is already in operation  

    (Quote)


  48. Tagamet
    Vote -1 Vote +1Tagamet     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 1:07 pm

    Nasaman
    Yep, I missed that post, but I was CONFIDENT that any mention of the Vue would yield info from yourself. It’s the Vue that you’ve been trumpeting to GM all this time, isn’t it? I sure hope that I can get from here to there without having to buy a bicycle. We have over a quarter million miles on our two cars (that’s what happens when your daughter competes for Olympic level soccer goalie..). But the Vue does have a plug, right?

    Re:Lunior
    “Maybe someone should register LJGTVWOTR.com before it goes… ;-) ”

    I’d hope that no one would ever draw people away from Lyle’s baby.

    Be well,
    Tag
    LJGTVWOTR!!  

    (Quote)


  49. nasaman
    Vote -1 Vote +1nasaman     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 1:37 pm

    48 Tag……. “But the Vue does have a plug, right?”
    —————————————————————————————–

    The 2-Mode Vue scheduled as a 2009 model does not have a plug, but the Plug-in Vue (as the name says) scheduled as a 2010 model does. And GM has recently said its Li-Ion battery is good for 20 electric-only miles (not 10 as they originally announced). (I’m still hopeful they’ll also offer a 40-mile AER version.)

    (I also hope no one would ever draw people away from Lyle’s baby, and that’s why I seldom mention the Plug-in Vue here unless someone else brings it up first, and only then because there are no other blogs about the Plug-in Vue so far as I’m aware.)

    LJGTV&TVWOTR!!! (Let’s Just Get The Volt’s & The Vue’s Wheels On The Road!!!) :)   

    (Quote)


  50. Jackson
    Vote -1 Vote +1Jackson     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 1:49 pm

    Yes, cybereye, that picture-icon-thing-y is much better than your old one.

    If I might suggest, use the the red eye of the HAL 9000 computer from 2001: A Space Odyssey to get across the idea of “cyber” as well as “eye.” ;-)   

    (Quote)


  51. noel park
    Vote -1 Vote +1noel park     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 2:45 pm

    #36 Tagamet:

    Google schmoogle. The Mighty Volt Nation Has Spoken (TMVNHS?? – LOL). Somebody, Andy Warhol if memory serves, said that everyone gets 15 minutes of fame. My life experience has lead me to believe that it’s more like 15 seconds, but enjoy anyway.

    #43 N Riley & #45 Estero:

    I hate to say it, but maybe it goes back to Lunoir’s comment about the Feds and the loan guarantees at #8. And/or the tax credits. Maybe they don’t have enough cash to go forward without one or both of the above. Or maybe they can’t make firm enough long term committments to the battery guys to justify their making huge capital expenditures for new plants, equipment, etc., until they know that one or both of the above are really going to happen.  

    (Quote)


  52. VancouverJon
    Vote -1 Vote +1VancouverJon     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 3:18 pm

    Nasaman #47: “GM expects this new CUV, with its newly-developed Li-Ion battery, to achieve overall mileage (local & highway) DOUBLE that of the 2-mode VUE that it’s derived from, which would make its overall mileage slightly higher than that for either a Prius or an average motorcycle!”

    Could you confirm this? A couple days ago, I read something that says the plug-in Vue may double the mpg of the non-hybird version. That’s a big difference. Which is it?

    I guess this just reinforces how bad journalists are at getting the right information…we see that in almost every Volt article…  

    (Quote)


  53. cybereye
    Vote -1 Vote +1cybereye     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 3:35 pm

    Jackson @ 50

    ummm, that a good idea.  

    (Quote)


  54. Jim I
    Vote -1 Vote +1Jim I     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 4:06 pm

    It could be that they both work equally well, and they can’t make up their minds!!!!!

    Or, they could be giving both companies the evil eye and waiting for one of them to break under the pressure and make a better pricing offer……

    But as with most of this project, we have no idea what is really going on………  

    (Quote)


  55. nasaman
    Vote -1 Vote +1nasaman     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 5:18 pm

    52 VancouverJon……… You asked, “A couple days ago, I read something that says the plug-in Vue may double the mpg of the non-hybrid version. That’s a big difference. Which is it?”
    ——————————————————————————————-

    The General Manager of the Saturn Division has said (in print) that the 2-Mode Vue should have ~50% higher overall mileage than its non-hybrid Vue equivalent, and that the Plug-in Vue should have DOUBLE the overall mileage of the 2-Mode hybrid Vue. Hope this is helpful.  

    (Quote)


  56. RichardG
    Vote -1 Vote +1RichardG     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 5:46 pm

    One thought; if A123 is going public soon they will be subject to a “blackout” period of several weeks where no material announcements are allowed (SEC). Perhaps GM has to wait for the IPO.  

    (Quote)


  57. Grizzly
    Vote -1 Vote +1Grizzly     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 7:40 pm

    I think what’s taking so long that GM is trying to decided how to award it to both and keep both companies happy and viable. I always found it peculiar that Patil stated months ago that the mules were in fact running with only his company’s packs. If GM has the packs and are testing both they wouldn’t disclose this to either company.  

    (Quote)


  58. Herm Perez
    Vote -1 Vote +1Herm Perez     Says:
    September 4th, 2008 at 11:14 pm

    I think GM should use both suppliers, it gives them a backup in case of spectacular failures after two years with one of the companies… and the other advantage is that both companies would compete with each other and lower the price..  

    (Quote)


  59. Grizzly
    Vote -1 Vote +1Grizzly     Says:
    September 5th, 2008 at 12:24 am

    Herm #58

    They indeed may be taking both down to the wire to sweat out the best possible contract price.  

    (Quote)


  60. Carcus
    Vote -1 Vote +1Carcus     Says:
    September 8th, 2008 at 9:09 am

    Dr. Patil’s interview does sound encouraging.

    Couple of related links,

    1. From the Oakland Business Review, a quick company profile for CPI and some info on their battery makeup. (Lithium-ion, manganese-ion spinel chemistry, flat-format cell not cylindrical, proprietary polyethylene-based high-strength separator).

    http://blog.mlive.com/oak_business_review/2008/02/volt_battery_efforts_roll_ahea.html

    2. From Battery University.com, how to prolong lithium-based batteries.

    http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm  

    (Quote)

Leave a Reply

You can add images to your comment by clicking here.

RSS Recent Posts

RSS Recent GM-Volt Forum Posts