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Archive for October, 2008

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The Volt Will be a Global Vehicle

October 21st, 2008 | Posted in: Production with 112 Comments

Recent reports have noted the Volt will be sold in Europe, Australia, and China. An important message from GM is that they are highly focused on developing the Chevy Volt for the whole planet. According to GM VP of global program management, Jon Lauckner, the Volt will indeed be a global vehicle. [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 112 Comments

Contract Awarded For the Chevy Volt’s Water Pump System

October 20th, 2008 | Posted in: Engineering, Production with 97 Comments

A key unique element in the Chevy Volt is the liquid-cooling system for the lithium ion battery pack.  It is  critically important for maintaining the battery cells close to their ideal operating (room) temperature.
Although which company has gotten the actual pack contract has not been made public yet, LG Chem/CPI or A123/Conti, GM has internally [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 97 Comments

The Hows and Whys of the Volt Concept Redesign

October 19th, 2008 | Posted in: Design with 125 Comments

Its very common knowledge around here that the original Volt concept was considerably redesigned for production, and was unveiled on September 16th.
The Ohio Plain Dealer has a discussion of that process as it was explained members the Volts designs team, including design chief Bob Boniface.
Boniface indicates the car doesn’t look like the “electric camaro” some [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 125 Comments

The Race is On: GM Chrysler Merger Accelerating

October 18th, 2008 | Posted in: Financial with 86 Comments

The shocking merger of two of the big three US automakers continues to move forward, and could even be completed by the end of October. Cerberus, the private equity firm that owns 80.1% of Chrysler and 51% of GMAC is pushing for the deal as reportedly is Rick Wagoner, GMs CEO.
The main problem is [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 86 Comments

Car and Driver on the Volt: Tens of Thousands in First Year, Generation Two After 5 Years

October 17th, 2008 | Posted in: Production with 105 Comments

Car and Driver just published a Volt review called “Running on Empty: Is the 2011 Volt Hype or Hope”. The authors had interviews with GM vice chairman Bob Lutz, GM VP John Lauckner and GM Volt executive Frank
The article noted that the final production Volt will look the same as the production version which [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 105 Comments

2010 Toyota Prius Images Leaked

October 17th, 2008 | Posted in: Competitors, Images with 145 Comments

Without the emotional response of the Volt’s leaked pics (at least for me), Toyota’s next generation Prius pictures have too leaked to the web.
Expected to have a larger combustion engine, and larger size, there are reports the fuel efficiency will be improved as well.  The car is slated for reveal at the Detroit Auto Show [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 145 Comments

Chevy Volt HVAC Development: ICE Will Run From the Start at Less Than 40 Below Zero

October 16th, 2008 | Posted in: Engineering, Features with 122 Comments

In the Chevy Volt, there is a special need to run necessary hardware using electric power only and not from the combustion engine. Also to keep range adequate, there is a need to keep electric draw low. As such, the HVAC system might need special engineering. I asked GM hybrid vehicle integration [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 122 Comments

Is Tesla Running out of Juice?

October 15th, 2008 | Posted in: Competitors, General with 88 Comments

Tesla motors of course is the silicon Valley startup that has begun low volume production of the Roadster, a $100,000 2-seater pure electric car with over 200 miles of range.  Despite the car being so expensive, the company had plans to build a more reasonably priced $60,000 sedan called the Model S in 2010.
The company [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 88 Comments

Video: Bob Lutz Discusses Production Chevy Volt Design

October 15th, 2008 | Posted in: Design, Original GM-Volt Interviews, Video with 121 Comments

In this video segment GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz noted that he didn’t think the previously leaked photos would ruin the public’s acceptance of the Volt in production form. He felt however that even if people didn’t like it, it wouldn’t matter because as he puts it “this is a case where handsome is as [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 121 Comments

GM May Develop Other Than T-Shaped Lithium-ion Battery Packs

October 14th, 2008 | Posted in: Battery, Engineering with 107 Comments

The Chevy Volt, as did the EV-1, uses a T shaped battery pack. The stem of the T runs from front to back down the center of the car and the bar of the T is beneath and behind the rear seats. Because it cuts through the rear seat is  why the car is [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 107 Comments

Next Generation Chevy Volt Might Have 80 Mile Electric Range With Same Size Battery

October 13th, 2008 | Posted in: Battery, Research with 135 Comments

Two Ohio companies reportedly are working on next generation carbon anode materials for the Chevy Volt’s lithium-ion batteries.
The companies, Applied Sciences Inc. and Pyrograf Products Inc., are already on GM’s payroll to the tune of $500,000. They are partnering on the fabrication of new carbon nanofibers that will be used in place of [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 135 Comments

EPA Closer to Giving the Chevy Volt at Least a 100 mpg Rating

October 13th, 2008 | Posted in: Efficiency with 78 Comments

Previously we heard that The California Air Resources Board (CARB) had reached a preliminary agreement with GM giving the Volt a unique classification with regard to fuel economy, but the EPA had not finalized a decision.  An article from the Seattle Times indicates the EPA has moved closer.
Per GM Volt vehicle line director Tony Pozawatz, [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 78 Comments

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