Comments on: GM Q&A: Volt Vehicle Line Executive Frank Weber on the Current Chevy Volt Mules

By: WILLIAM HUSAR

WILLIAM HUSAR — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:47:27 +0000

DELETE THE GAS ENGINE INSTALL RING GEAR ON REAR WHEEL RIM PINION ON GENERATOR SHAFT WHEEL ROTATION CHARGES BATTERY OPTIMUM GEAR RATIOS REQED CONSIDER FULL CHARGE AFTER 20 TRAVEL MILES AND 20 MPH THE GEN KICKS IN KEEPING BATTERY CHARGED FOR EXTENDED RANGE CARS MOMENTUM AT 20 MPH + KINETIC ENERY AT WORK

By: NZDavid

NZDavid — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:31:05 +0000

#13 Grant
Unless we have a REALLY big computer issue…
“Open the blasted door!”
“I’m sorry, Dave. I can’t do that…”

Don’t worry Grant, that only happened because the government got involved and issued a separate set of instructions to HAL and . . .

/Oh boy, we’re so screwed.

By: owen

owen — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:39:22 +0000

Too bad GM was playing around with Hummer instead of thinking of the future. Now they are begging to congress for money. What a bunch of losers!

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:29:53 +0000

Maybe I am missing something, but…

Instead of testing in actual winters and summers, couldn’t GM just adjust the indoor climate of the development room. I don’t think it would be too expensive. Perhaps the concern is whether you could recreate realistic winter and summer conditions?

By: RB

RB — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:31:55 +0000

WSJ now says

[GM] burned through $6.9 billion in cash during the quarter and said estimated liquidity the rest of the year “will approach the minimum amount necessary to operate.” GM, even with its latest planned restructuring efforts, estimated liquidity is seen falling “significantly short” of those levels.

Significantly short, in 2008, I think.

There is discussion of cutbacks in NA, but Volt is not directly mentioned.

By: RB

RB — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:25:01 +0000

#59 Mitch “finally”… “finely”
===========================

Yes, I saw that too. LOL.

By: Alex Williams

Alex Williams — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:13:40 +0000

BobC #60 said:

“Having a do-or-die deadline focuses the mind like no other motivator can!”

That’s true but those were different times, the manufacturers didn’t have to worry about multi-billion dollar lawsuits if .01 percent of their planes caught on fire after an accident or multi-million dollar lawsuits if their coffee cup holders were used improperly .

I note, in case anyone is interested, that estimates for torts litigation in the US were as high as $260billion per annum (in 2005), or around 2% of GDP (Tillinghast Towers Perrin, 2005 update – interestingly but not surprisingly, this study was referred to as a “phoney” study by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America). Other comprehensive estimates, inclusive of social (and accounting costs) place the true cost at more than three times this amount ($865billion; Pacific Research Institute – see Jackpot Justice – study available for down load at http://www.legalreforminthenews.com/PRI_JJ/07PRI_JackpotJustice_Launch.html ).

This stuff will be seen by history as one of the nails in the coffin of American productivity and industrial leadership – what a waste.

By: Mitch

Mitch — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:53:44 +0000

Wow.

Just read that Toyota stock has dropped to about $39.00 a share (3810 Yen right now, from the high near $75.

I know it is better than GM, but shows how bad the market is right now, add the fact that Toy is extending 0% financing…man..401k plans are at a point where we may owe it money…

By: Mitch

Mitch — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:25:24 +0000

IN other news,, the Tesla was ranked as the number 2 invention for 2008,and the Chevy Volt #7

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,,1852747,00.html

By: BobC

BobC — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:14:31 +0000

In the early days of WWII, aircraft like the P-51 Mustang were built on the assembly line as it was in the final stages of design. They would bolt in an engine and fly it. Note the deficiencies, tweak the other planes on the line, then fly the next one. Once they had confidence it could perform close to spec, they cranked-up the assembly line. The early planes were underpowered and had their engines updated and replaced later. Having a do-or-die deadline focuses the mind like no other motivator can! I think GM’s burn rate of cash is forcing that focus even sharper than before. Even if GM goes under, there are great deal of assets (and IP) to be put to use. At this point, if GM goes under before the Volt is released, someone will snatch-up the assets and intellectual property for pennies on the dollar and make it happen. I think the Volt will happen with or without the existing GM.