AND 
Results of Preference Poll and My Production Volt Unveiling Video
I had the chance last week to watch live and in person as the production version Chevy Volt broke out onto the stage in front of thousands of journalists packed into an arena at GM headquarters, at the cue of CEO Rick Wagoner and driven by none other than GM vice chair Bob Lutz himself.
It was an experience I wont soon forget. I have included the video I shot of that moment below to share it with you.
After the unveiling we ran a poll to see if GM-Volt.com readers preferred the production or concept model.
Of 2468 unique respondents, 48% preferred the production version and 40% preferred the concept version, and 11% preferred both models equally.
It is good to see more people prefer the production model to the concept, and I’d like to say a final goodbye to that concept and thanks to GM for making it happen.
The photo above shows the swarm that immediately occurred after the car rolled out. It is the official GM shot, and it was fun to discover myself standing right in the middle of it all (arrow).
[flash http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKW2hvIKF8o]
49 Responses to “Results of Preference Poll and My Production Volt Unveiling Video”
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September 20th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Good Job Lyle! Yeah…still talking about the long past Volt Nation event at the NY Autoshow…I think folks in my shop are getting tired of me telling the story…the heck with them…by far the best time I’ve had in years!!! Thank you for inviting me to the event and keep up the great posts! Wish I could have been there for the production unveiling! The car looks sharp!
Chris
USAF
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September 20th, 2008 at 9:19 am
So why are you the only one looking at the Volt lol
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September 20th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Third one lol. I will repeat what I said in a previous post.
I like the production model but… Hopefully the chevy volt will be made 100% in USA. Big manufactering states such as Michigan and Ohio were left to rot when the big 3 left to produce on a ‘Global Market’
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September 20th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Once again I’ll say… the poll was flawed! Where was the choice for “none of the above”? What are you afraid of Lyle, that “none of the above” would get more votes than the other so called “choices”
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September 20th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Love the production version.
So, Doc, how about the answers to all our questions? We know you asked!
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September 20th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Congrats, Lyle! When will we have VoltNation II ?
Late 2010 seems to be the event horizon for the beginning of the electrification of personal transportation in the USA. Granted, it’ll take a couple of decades to make a significant difference, but it’s going to happen.
Be well,
Tag
LJGTVWOTR!!! NPNS!
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September 20th, 2008 at 9:41 am
were you holding the video camera in that photo? if so where’s the video of you walking around the volt?
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September 20th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Lyle, thank you for keeping this site going as well as the daily updates. The production Volt looks awsome!! I can’t wait to get one!
Regards,
PS – Is the charge port still located next to the side mirror?
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September 20th, 2008 at 9:43 am
#2 he’s not the only one looking at the volt. there’s the guy with huge video camera close to him at the driver door.
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September 20th, 2008 at 10:07 am
“It was an experience I wont soon forget. I have included the video I shot of that moment below to share it with you.”
——-
I’m glad to see that you are getting some payback out of running this site. Keep taking time to really enjoy the moments where you get a front row seat of something you are passionate about.
To be involved in your dreams is what it is all about, and something we could all use more of.
/have a good one
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September 20th, 2008 at 10:13 am
#4 Jeff M,
I don’t think “None of the above” is really a valid option in the pole Lyle offered. Even if you hate both cars, surely there must be one that you dislike slightly less (i.e. prefer) than the other. And if you hate them both equally, well then that’s the same as prefering them both equally.
The pole was fine. If someone hates both cars and really doesn’t prefer one to the other, why would they even be here? Let’s not forget that these poles are far from scientific anyway, but it does still show GM that there’s a fan base here that is still standing behind their product.
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September 20th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Looks like you had a great time Lyle! You’ve come a long way since the days of starting a simple blog. You’ve been on TV, radio and the executives at GM know you by name. Do they get sick of you calling them or do they appreciate the interest? This website gets so much traffic that you’re probably generating some good income on the side with all the advertising. Congratulations on a job well done!
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September 20th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Thanks again for allyour good work on this site. I’m glad you got to be at the unveiling and I hope y ou get to drive the Volt soon. We want your report. It looks GREAT! I can hardly wait to get one.
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September 20th, 2008 at 10:33 am
PS) You get my vote for ‘best hair’ at the event… alot of male pattern baldness going on there.
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September 20th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Congrats Lyle on the front row seat.
I hate to say this, since it’s obviously a sensitive point, but Interestingly enough your video shows the Volt from a slightly different angle, more from the front at ground level, and from this angle it does seem to take some cues from the concept (may it RIP). I couldn’t see that on the front before.
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September 20th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I don’t know if you just got there early, or if GM put you in the front row (Enquiring Minds Want to Know), but that was a great seat!
Did you get a chance to share our questions with the movers and shakers? The answers ought to provide at least a week’s worth of posts (especially sprinkled in with the announcements of other plugins in the works)!
Congrats again,
Tag
LJGTVWOTR!! NPNS
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September 20th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Lyle, you keep saying Goodbye to the Concept, but you keep having the Concept displayed, rather than the production model, on the Banner that tops each page (except the Forum page) of this site. What is the hold up of putting the Forum page banner atop all pages?
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September 20th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Some Canadian Volt news:
Bob Lutz visits and speaks at GM Canada in Toronto after the unvaling in Detroit on Tuesday Sept 17th:
http://www.cleanbreak.ca/2008/09/17/gms-bob-lutz-doesnt-like-better-place-model/
Windsor Ontario annouces plans to study public charging stations for Volt and other electric cars:
http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=aeb1347c-a392-4a13-a9d5-cbf4b0ba5c9f
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September 20th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Van #17-
Clear your browser’s cache and you will see the Concept be replaced. RIP
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September 20th, 2008 at 11:40 am
I think that the view from above gives a very good perspective on the overall shape of the car. One of the most interesting photos of the Volt I have seen, and very encouraging IMHO.
LJGTVWOTR!! NPNS!
PS: It’s one thing when I say NPNS. It’s quite another when my 28 year old son says it, and he actually said it before I did. It’s a new generation with a new environmental awareness. Whoever wants to survive another 100 years in the car business had better get ahead of the curve.
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September 20th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Thank you, Lyle! I shared the video with my friends. The car
looks awesome, and I am so excited to get one in my Colorado
garage!
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September 20th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Peaking In PHX #2
“So why are you the only one looking at the Volt lol”
Those are journalists and they need to talk to, and get answers from the executives on hand much more than check the car itself. Let’s face it, it’s not that much to look at anyways.
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September 20th, 2008 at 11:54 am
So Lyle, when do you get to drive the thing?
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September 20th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Lyle, you’ve done such a great job with this whole thing, I think we all appreciate what your doing keeping us all involved with the Volt, none of us would be part of this without you, It’s not getting enough TV coverage, so far I’ve only seen it on CNN on the Lou Dobbs show, GM or somebody needs to get a commercial going to inform more people, it looks like Pelosi is going to give them about 25 billion dollars (some of it my money) they could run some ads—–NO PLUG NO SALE
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September 20th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
PS # 21 Noel Park, please use — No Plug No Sale– NPNS is only good for us insiders, you and I both want the world to use it. I think its great, and tell your son THANK YOU very much
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September 20th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
In this video clip, it have shown the car’s plug port. It not like the Concept’s plugin port. The car plugin port start at 1:18.
I like the way it open, but it sure would show finger marks on that door. I wish it have some kind of protection to redue the scratch from the power cord.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVk_j7dqcCY&eurl=http://gm-volt.com/2008/09/20/results-of-preference-poll-and-my-production-volt-unveiling-video/
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September 20th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
It was interesting to note that Mr. Lutz made SURE that the volt was locked before the media was allowed on the stage.
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September 20th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Masterful videography & reporting, Lyle!
I LOVE the final design, ….and as I said on an earlier thread, I’m sure almost everyone else will too after a while! Remember how Ford’s 1st Taurus was so disliked at first (writers called it “jelly bean styling” after Reagan’s love for jelly beans)? After a few months, nearly everyone (even Taurus’ detractors) got accustomed to and actually liked the design of this first Taurus design and it became one of the most successful new models Ford had ever introduced!
LONG LIVE THE VOLT!
PS: Lyle, did anyone at GM comment about the ECON/SPRT switch?
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September 20th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
#19 I checked out the link and found it interesting. But the Volt looked like it was only going about 15 mph. That seemed odd to me. Another thing I noticed was this paragraph which I will copy and paste. Does this mean no GOV incentive no volt?????
The Chevrolet Volt is expected to be built at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck manufacturing facility, subject to GM successfully negotiating satisfactory government incentives. Production is scheduled to begin late 2010 for models in the United States. Pricing has not been announced. Visit media.gm.com/volt for more information.
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September 20th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
#18 Mark C
Good post! Alot of interesthing points in their from Mr. Lutz, although alot of them seem very lucid and coherent for a casual interview.
——–
http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/501213
Interesting Q&A too:
Q: The initial cost of the Volt has been reported in the range of $30,000 (U.S.) to $40,000. Is GM comfortable with that price point?
A: It’s clear the thing is going to cost many thousand dollars more than we had hoped for the first generation technology. So what do we do about that?
Initially there will be enough demand from rich people, so there won’t be a worry for the first year or two. But if we want to generalize the technology the price has to come down.
———–
“…many thousand dollars more”
“…initially enough demand from rich people”
I think that about sums up it up if you have expectations of affordability if your on a budget…or that the ‘gov’t rebate’ is going to bring it back down into your range.
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September 20th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
27 cybereye…..
Thanks for this link, the best overview of the car I’ve seen so far (and the only one showing the plug-in receptacle) — well worth 2 1/2 minutes!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVk_j7dqcCY&eurl=http://gm-volt.com/2008/09/20/results-of-preference-poll-and-my-production-volt-unveiling-video/
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September 20th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Yes, Lyle there’s a certain sadness to leaving the concept behind. For quite a while it was the only thing we had to cling to. But your video makes the production Volt look unique and wonderful. A person can look at all the photos but there’s nothing like a video.
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September 20th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
The EV-2 looks great. Nice job, designers.
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September 20th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
______________________________________________________
WOW…what a photo!
The above photo captures a defining moment in American automotive history.
The photo most perfectly captures the purpose of the VOLT and the mission of Lyle’s GM-VOLT blog site .…getting people excited about the VOLT and the obtainable benefit realities the VOLT represents; the VOLT Revolution!
The photo is further significant beyond my talents to coherently express in words…a picture is sometimes worth more than a thousand words.
I’m going to frame this photo and put it on my desk because it well represents the positive confidence I have for America’s future.
Well done Lyle and the GM VOLT Team!
______________________________________________________
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September 20th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Thanks for all your work Lyle. However, you flawed the pole again, even after you were asked, if you really want to know, it should have only two choices, concept or production. And to state that 48%, less than half represents a majority prefer the production version over the concept model id just plain silly. Every time you’ve been asked to do a new pole, you choose to flaw it, by having 3 choices, 4 choices or more. What are you afraid of? Or is it GM behind your flawed poles?
A True pole is simple, 2 choices only, Concept or Production. It’s not rocket science, any third option no mater what it is flaws the results.
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September 20th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Looks like an awesome event to be at. Congrats on going!
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September 20th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
#37
I always thought a true pole held up the electrical lines.
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September 20th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Might as well just keep taking polls until you get the answer you want.
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September 20th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I suspect that JeffM is a troll, here to criticize any and everything American. He is only happy running his own country into the ground as he extols the greatness of foreign products from some other countries.
Or he is a firm believer that only he should have a driver, and wishes the proletarian masses were banned from the roads as the Soviets used to do, to allow their “betters” exclusive driving lanes for their government furnished limousines, as they think deep thoughts, and emit so much hot air and that is indeed very hard to do.
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September 20th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Bravo! I thought the concept version at last year’s Auto Show was UUUGGLY! The production version is something I would be happy to drive. Get the price under $30K and you can can add me to list of interested buyers.
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September 20th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
This video shows the car in the best light.
No question that the production body is FAR superior to the goofy concept.
It could be a lot more interesting, but GM had 12 months to produce the design and kudos to GM.
The real question is how will they compete with Chinese (and Indian) EREVs (serial BEVs) in the long run?
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September 20th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
what was wrong with the EV-1 again?
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September 20th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
I thought a pole was someone from Poland.
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September 20th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
I wonder who will kill it this time… This company has no integrity.
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September 21st, 2008 at 1:13 am
Waiting for the Volt price to come down ($27,000) or for gas to go up. $40,000 just won’t do for me when gas is $4.00/gal. I would rather have three Fiestas.
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September 21st, 2008 at 10:45 am
I voted for the concept version but understand that the need to get the aerodynamics right is more important than the look.
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September 21st, 2008 at 12:38 pm
She’s a beauty! I bet the follow-on year has no grill, just a smooth front curving down to the real scoop at the bottom. Reduced drag!
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September 21st, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Wonderful job, LYLE.
NOW LJGTVWOTR! NP-NS
Take Care,
TED
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September 23rd, 2008 at 3:49 pm
nice poll..lol lets poll after 75% say they like the concept car and dont like the production (then quickly delete it) better until those people give up and stop coming to the site because they realize what a let down it is.. then have another poll after they have all left and say oh yeah.. see everyone like the volt better.. sure…that works… dodge EV looks sweet.. gonna pick me up one if its released
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