From #138 Mikeinatl.

I do not work for GM or own any GM stock. In previous threads I have said things like, “There is not one car in the current GM line that I would like to own.”

In #138, I was simply stating my opinion that the production Volt was watered down to have a more universal appeal. It also had to meet some pretty stringent wind drag parameters.

But relax. Once the first Volt hits the street, GM will build many more versions on that platform, perhaps even one that looks like the Concept Volt, my personal favorite. That is what they have always done. Coupe deVilles, Impalas, Corvettes, Saturns, Suburbans and on and on.

This isn’t the end. This isn’t even the beginning yet.

Did you happen to notice the marketing director’s expression when she mentioned the internet?

I really don’t want to have negative things to say but sheesh, that was like watching a bad Ronco infomercial. I realize GM is a global company but perhaps there should have been several smaller celebrations targeted to more focused populations rather than risking alienating americans.

Or hell, maybe it’s just me.

Electric motors are less complex than gas engines. Since you would only use the internal combustion engine (ICE) during long trips, I can’t imagine the ICE needing much recurring maintenance. Plus, since the ICE is only generating electricity, the engine is not experiencing as much wear as one directly connected to a drive shaft. Additionally, the ICE doesn’t need to be complex to run at the constant RPM/load level required to turn a generator.

GM has to carefully weigh the maintenance and operation costs to make this vehicle worth its price. This platform is a revolutionary jump in automotive technology that will be eventually used in other vehicle models. GM is going to have to live with the Volt platform for a long time; they’d better do it right.

If the ongoing maintenance and operations costs are significantly lower, I don’t mind paying GM and the UAW workers a few thousand extra bucks on the initial purchase.. I don’t like paying OPEC; OPEC is pure evil.

When you buy OPEC products, you might as well write a check directly to Al-Qaeda.

Unfortunately, GM has a storied history of putting out a poor quality product on big projects like this one. I’m still traumatized by their first forays into fuel efficient cars in the 1980’s. I can’t forget the torque wrench left in the flywheel of my father’s car in 1983. Of course, the GM dealers didn’t “find” the real problem until the warranty ran out and, then, wanted to charge us $5000, in 1983 dollars, to remove the GM assembly line torque wrench.

My entire family has bought Fords and Toyotas for 25 years because of that incident. That’s about 10 cars GM lost to the competition over a wrench, then trying to cover up the real problem.

Today’s Chevy Colbat is OK, but it just doesn’t compare with a Japanese car in quality. GM (and the UAW) need to realize that the entire future of the company evolves around this car. If they put out a poorly assembled product after all the hype, the company is finished.

The original concept car, while cool, looked too much like an electric commuter vehicle. The production Volt looks like something very practical, yet very stylish.

If the Volt can bring electric propulsion to Middle America, it will be a huge victory for GM and the environment.

Clearly, the design of this car is awesome. If GM can keep its focus on quality, sign me up.

Simply, Don’t buy one! (And get the hell out of the line.)

You can go sign up and register some more cemetery headstones. Just like your anti-American, self-loathing hero used to do, as a “Chicago-machine Community Organizer”.

Remember… Vote Early. And Vote Often.