GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Electric Car Site

In this video segment, I filmed at the Centennial last week, GM vice chair Bob Lutz talks about the origin of the Volt concept and how “vague” in their thinking GM initially was. He said there was nothing to prepare GM for the reaction it received. After that they told themselves that they have “stumbled on the mother load”.

Although apparently not planned from the start, it was the public reaction that led GM to pursue production.  Normally, he said GM concepts are very similar to production versions.

Lutz said GM knew “nothing” about the Volt when they got started, such as even the size of the battery pack.

He said normally the car would stay secretive from now on (after unveiling), but that GM decided early on the Volt development would be very open.  He explained the reason for doing this was because GM couldn’t discount the possibility of failure, and they wanted to maintain credibility should that occur.

He confirmed Chris Paine and several others got to drive the early Volt developmental vehicles.

He also said the newest crop of mules are in Chevy Cruze bodies, instead of Malibus, and that they are building 3 per week and will have 50 by the end of 2008.

He said next year they will build about 100 cars that actually look like the Volt, and in 2010 he says they will have Volts actually made by “manufacturing” and not “engineering”, and they will have “a pretty huge fleet.” Based on this schedule he said another car company might actually claim late 09 as start of production.

[flash http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUVOUs_dPN0]

In a major step forward towards production of the Chevy Volt, GM CEO Rick Wagoner today announced that GM will move ahead to open a new engine factory in Flint, Michigan, investing $370 million to do so.

This 552,000 square factory will be tooled to assemble the special 4-cylinder 1.4 L combustion engine that will turn the Chevy Volt’s generator. The plant will also produce the 1.4 L turbo version that will power the upcoming Cruze, expected to achieve over 40 mpg.

To help encourage GM to choose this location, the state of Michigan had granted GM $132 million in tax incentives.

GM has also requested further $136 million tax abatement from Detroit over 25 years in order for them to re-tool the Hamtramck plant to assemble the Volt.

Source (GM)

Times are getting tough all around. This has been true for US automakers in particular. GM has been working hard to shore up liquidity to ride the economic downturn, with the hopes of a 2010 recovery and the dawn of the Chevy Volt.

Today the US government gave them a boost.

The House of Representatives approved a measure which was part of a larger spending bill that included the $7.5 billion in appropriations required to allow a $25 billion loan for Detroit.

The low interest loan was authorized to assist automakers in retooling their plants to make more fuel efficient vehicles.

They could get the money early next year when at the same time a similar sized additional $25 billion dollar loan package is expected to be proposed. How and to whom the loan will be doled out won’t be decided until next year.

It is expected to pass the Senate and be signed by the President.

GM spokesperson Renee Rashid-Merem told GM-Volt.com:

“Although the Senate still needs to vote, we are pleased that it is likely the Congress has appropriated full funding for The Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program. Congress clearly recognizes the need to move forward at this critical time to make available this source of capital for automakers and suppliers. Authorized nearly a year ago, these direct, federal loans will support advanced technology development and implementation and will help speed the transition to cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles.”

Source (Forbes) (Reuters) (USA Today)

Continental Automotive, one of the two Chevy Volt pack-making team partners announced the opening of a new factory in Germany today. The plant is being billed as the first in the world to mass-manufacture lithium-ion battery packs for automotive use.

The plant has the capacity to produce 15,000 packs per year, which could be doubled at short notice. The 25 kg packs are actually for the Mercedes S400 Blue Hybrid which is slated to launch in mid-2009. These are non-plugin hybrid packs with a peak power of 19 kw. The packs include a battery management system to keep the cells in an optimum working environment from a charge and temperature perspective.

This event is a very significant milestone in the global drive towards electrification of the automobile.

Source (Continental Automotive)

US lawmakers certainly have their hands full these days.  Somehow in the midst of wrangling with the fed over the massive Wall Street bailout plan, the Senate managed to pass a wide-ranging tax bill on Tuesday.

Included in the package is a new tax credit for people who buy plug-in electric cars.  The credit starts at $2500 and ranges up to $7500.  The tax credit would only phase out after an automaker sold 250,000 vehicles.

Though it needs to be passed by the House and signed by the President, there appears to be a strong sentiment by congress to get this passed quickly, and the White House has already dropped objections.

This bill favors the Volt which is the only formally announced vehicle that would be eligible for the credits, something Toyota has complained about.

On a related note the $25 billion loan to the big-3 US automakers was included in a “must pass” spending bill that will keep the US government running through next March.  Voting is likely to take place on Wednesday.

Source (Automotive News, subscription) and (Reuters)

As you might have heard by now, Chrysler made an announcement today that they have three electric vehicles in running prototype form. These include the Dodge EV sportscar, the Jeep EV range-extended electric vehicle, and the Chrysler EV range-extended minivan.

Chrysler indicates that these vehicles are “production-intent” and that one of them will be produced for the North American market in 2010.

Two years ago Chrysler formed an internal organization for the development of electric vehicles called ENVI.

The Dodge EV sports car has a 200 kw motor producing a 0 to 60 of less than 5 seconds, and a 150-200 mile range, making it competitive with the Tesla roadster. The Jeep EV has a 200 kw motor, electric range of 40 miles and overall range of 400 miles. The Chrysler EV has a 190 kw motor, 40 mile EV range, and 400 mile total range.

Chrysler says it will be working with GE, who is a major investor in A123, on battery development.

It is unknown which of the 3 vehicles will be produced, and there is no word on price, except to say “competitive.”

In an obvious stab at GM Chrysler co-president Jim Press said “We are well ahead of where people think we are. Perhaps that’s because we haven’t tooted our horn up till now.”

Source (Chrylser) and (Bloomberg)

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