AND 
Rumor: New E-Flex Cadillac to Debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January
These last weeks have been very difficult for GM, as they have skidded impossibly close to bankruptcy. Aside from VOLT and Cruze, most future planning has had to come to a halt, and even the Volt’s engine factory construction has shut down.
President Bush is soon to make an announcement about whether GM will get government loans or possibly have to endure a pre-packaged bankruptcy.
Regardless of the timing there is a rumor brewing.
Sources have told GM-Volt.com that GM has a brand new E-Flex extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) under wraps and have been hoping to unveil it in January at the Detroit Auto Show.
We have known previously that other E-Flex cars were being designed. The last time I spoke to E-Flex Design Chief Bob Boniface he acknowledged that was true. Although he didn’t say exactly what it would be he did say it wouldn’t be a “four door Chevy”
Since about four GM brands are on the chopping block, and we’ve heard rumors of such in the past, Ill go out on a line and predict the car will be a Cadillac. Indeed previous reports have stated the next E-Flex car would be a Cadillac, and vice-chairman Bob Lutz has gone on record stating “there’s going to have to be some kind of dramatic environmental statement from Cadillac.”
Sources indicate that the new car will illustrate just how far one can go technologically in advancing the driver machine interface under the unique circumstance of the car being electrically driven. Considering how costly such an interface might be, it would logically have to be a luxury car.
Furthermore, GM unveiled a Cadillac Provoq crossover concept with an E-Flex drivetrain and fuel cell last year. This same design is to be launched as the Cadillac SRX crossover. It is unknown whether this new car will be an E-Flex SRX with a gas generator, or whether GM has a totally new design.
Thus it looks like we have yet another reason for being excited about GM’s survival and success, one more route away from oil dependence, and one more reason for the Bush administration to give them another chance.
Stay tuned.
105 Responses to “Rumor: New E-Flex Cadillac to Debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January”
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December 18th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
If it is true, an E-Flex Cadillac is a great idea.
It is where the E-Flex line is best introduced, so that a top-level aura spreads over the lower line models. E-Flex is expensive, so it needs to be upscale first, and of course successful there (meaning nice cars).
December 18th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
This is great news. A very good point about it being easier to enter at the higher end of the market given the expense of new technology. Very consumer electronic like …
Bob Lutz has been very high on the idea of the Fisker Karma. He really got excited when it was brought up on the video from last summer. He just thought that the price was going to have to go up, making it a very niche vehicle. During that discussion he coyly mentioned the possibility of a E-REV Caddy.
Personally I’d go for more performance and some more range in a higher quality car for more dollars. But the Volt is really the more important car for the country.
December 18th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Why don’t the come out with an E-Flex Escalade? We are all loaded with plenty of money!!!!
December 18th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
More vaporware from Detroit.
December 18th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Right on DonC. This is a perfect market for the EFlex. This type of buyer cares more about image and EFLEX would be excellent for image. Just like the electronics industry. Differentiate your customers and extract more value from them.
Though I think automotive does have a history of rolling out innovations in higher end cars and then moving them downstream. No backup for this.
December 18th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
news outlets are saying Bush will announce his plan tomorrow, it’s like Christmas Eve
December 18th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Couldn’t they just rebadge the Volt? Price is about right.
December 18th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
When the Fisker Karma is debuted at Detroit its expected to steal the show. Thats the buzz I am hearing.
December 18th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I wonder if this will use the A123 batteries giving GM a good in with either company and giving them a chance to test how each battery producer’s technology compares. If this is their future market plan at all, they would be to keep the battery technology diversified. This is also a good idea in case working solely with Korean companies starts to give them too much heat in light of tax dollars being the primary funding for this at this point.
December 18th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
That is just fine with me. The more E-Flex vehicles produced the better for our nation. I just wish GM could install very strong hybrids in every vehicle sold as a non-E-Flex vehicle. And, might I also state, I want GM to produce a BEV as soon as possible. Like next year.
December 18th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
#8 – Good point. Considering the use of American workers’ hard-earned tax dollars, I for one will be red-assed if a major chunk of that money gets spent overseas while US unemployment goes nuts.
December 18th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
10-88. Ditto for the Fisker.
LJGTVWOTR!!
December 18th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
The picture above is of a nice looking car. Looks like it is based on the Saturn Vue with a lower and sleeker rear roof line. Cadillac owners can afford the luxury cost involved in this vehicle, but I would not think sales volumes would be very high. How many Cadillac E-Flex vehicles do you think could be sold per year? 10,000, 20,000 or so?
December 18th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
10-88. Ditto for the Fisker.
LJGTVWOTR!!
#10 DB Cooper:
Amen.
December 18th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
The Fisker is a great looking car. Too bad the Volt could not look similar.
December 18th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Are we equating E-Flex with E-REV? Are these two terms now meaning the same thing?
December 18th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Of course the Caddy version would be higher end. It will have all the cool stuff originally designed for the Volt, until they started working on the costs…… I don’t really like the Provoq for Caddy. The crossover E-REV should be a Saturn or a Buick. But a Caddy E-REV CTS-V Series or an XLR would be incredible!!! But then it will depend on the pricing structure they put in place.
I truly hope that GM can adapt and survive as an automobile manufacturer. What they are working on will change the personal transportation industry as we now know it!
I am ready to buy when they are available, but it is truly “No Plug, No Sale” for me. My Crossfire will be good until the end of 2011. I sure hope there is something I can buy in the showrooms by then…….
December 18th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
GM’s next production move should be decidedly sport or small SUV.
http://garfwod.250free.com/Photos/volt%202010a.jpg
=D~
December 18th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I was trying to wait for a Volt, but I could not hold out, and so bought a Lincoln MKZ (I looked at the CTS but it’s too expensive). Since I can only buy a car about every ten years, looks like Chevy lost me for now with their endless screwing around. I was at the LA car show and Chrysler had a concept jeep they claimed got 100 mpg. If that’s the case why aren’t they selling it now?!? I think it really is all vaporware…
December 18th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
hi Rusty Austin #16,
I may have seen this same Renegade.
http://garfwod.250free.com/Photos/LA%20Renegade.jpg
=D~
December 18th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Hey GM will be bankrupt soon…SHAME on them for lousy management . VERY SPOILED.. and I have never owned anything but GM?????
December 18th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I have always thought buying foreign cars was unpatriotic and bad for our economy.. BUT…what choice are we going to have? If a worker is laid off they still get 95% of their wage??? WHO agreed to this???? MANAGEMENT???? WHY WORK??? BUILD JUNK AND GET LAID OFF… Either give concessions or be at 0..ZERO without a job at all???
December 18th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I have a great idea, UAW union buy out chrysler (probably pretty cheap) then all the workers can do what ever they want to, the work force at Ford and GM can be unionized. The UAW can make any arrangement they want on their own cars, even charge any price they want, give the retirees anything they want, just do what they want. Gettelfinger can become the new CEO and they will make a fortune
STATIK….That’s great news, hope you all have a great Christmas.
NO PLUG NO SALE, LJGsomethingEVOTR(my house)=D~~~~~(my ev)
December 18th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Cadillac!?!?
Well, this will most likely be priced way out of my Joe the plumber butt wage.
Just give me a Volt or even better, one with no extended range, just the 40miles will work for me. This should drop the price by at least $9500.
December 18th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Do not count on Bush to come up with a solution, has he done one thing right during his Presidency. They are talking about a controlled bankruptcy for GM, another republican joke and besides they hate the working class period, they can give billions to the financial companies and the banks no questions asked and what do the banks due sit on the money, the only hope GM has is to shut down until after Obama gets in or better yet merge with a car company that is partially state owned from China, the free market is dead in America anyway thanks to our worthless politicians on both sides of the aisle and by the way they are going to give themselves a raise, what a sad joke this country has become.
December 18th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I like it. More products like this and faster will help keep our domestic auto industry competitive. GM’s dumping the EV1 cost us a decade of innovation and acceptance. Ford’s stopping Volvo’s plug in hybrid research at that time of that acquisition allowed Toyota a clear jump in this area.
We are at a time of reckoning, and the Volt and Provoq (notwithstanding the name) are what I hope will see us through it.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
#21 chevonly says “Do not count on Bush to come up with a solution, has he done one thing right during his Presidency.”
Just in the last month he has been beyond fantastic with the transition, which is very important given how many outstanding issues there are. Has there ever been a president who has handled this better at such a critical time?
December 18th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
The more E-Flex, E REV vehicles the better.
I have been reflecting on some posts from a few weeks ago about how the auto industry resists change and the plane industry embraces change.
It occurs to me that the main difference is the auto industry is pretty focused on purchase price. the plane industry is focused on whole of life costs. The biggest difference between the two, is the requirement for every moving part, in a plane, to be inspected after xxxx hours (differs depending on the part). I am sure if you had to disassemble the engine every 10,000 (engine) hours, E-REV’s, BEV’s would be all the rage.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Lutz and Wagoner, which one of you wants to take credit for this one?
I don’t get this joke.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
#8 omnimoeish says “I wonder if this will use the A123 batteries giving GM a good in with either company and giving them a chance to test how each battery producer’s technology compares.”
Interesting point. You’d have to think that an A123 battery pack would perform better and be safer and longer-lasting than what the Volt will be using. (Altairnano could do some interesting things as well.) Anyway, getting back to your question about A123, here is an interesting bit from their prospectus:
“For example, we are engaged in design and development efforts with several passenger vehicle manufacturers and tier 1 suppliers, including General Motors Corporation, or General Motors, and Think Global AS, or Think Global, relating to the design and development of batteries and battery systems for eleven passenger vehicle power train programs that can be applied to 19 vehicle models.”
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1167178/000104746908008964/a2186822zs-1.htm
Nineteen vehicle models a fairly large number. With only eleven platforms, seems like there would be room for at least three or four GM vehicles in there.
#24 NZDavid says “I am sure if you had to disassemble the engine every 10,000 (engine) hours, E-REV’s, BEV’s would be all the rage.”
You do realize that in fact you do have to do something like this in Japan.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
More E-FLEX!
I’m in for that caddy! As long as it’s under 65,000.00
That’s it GM, keep them coming, more models!
GO EV, GO VOLT, BYD, ETC !
December 18th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Th!nk does list A123 as one of their bat providers….
http://www.think.no/think/TH!NK-city/Specifications/Technical-data
Now if Th!nk or GM don’t go under then A123 is the company to invest in, IMHO for whatever its worth.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
America and GM have it all wrong. Instead of realising the addiction to big cars is a legacy the country is hooked on.. like herion, the car industry (and the market) is looking to break all the rules (again). The big car is the WRONG way to go to conserve, talk of E-Flex Escalades and Cadillacs is just absurd.
The idea of going electric is to CONSERVE. The biggest part of conservation in the electric car debate is weight -GVM: It has to be as low as possible.
Now then, do you still agree a big car is the right approach. If you have your conserving head screwed on right, you will say NO!
December 18th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Once again GM shows how out of touch they are. We need green for the masses. Maybe a nice reasonably priced small FAMILY friendly gas electric vehicle. Oh wait Toyota has already done this several years ago. Oh well GM, you’ve FAILED again. What a SURPRISE!
December 18th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Well, I have been priced out of the VOLT @ 40+ now we will have the Caddy at what 50 to 80 grand? This is just great news.
I just want the ev1 to go back and forth to work. (15 miles each way)
Can I get one? Or do I have to settle on the electric smart car in 2011?
December 18th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Amen 30 …and for that matter # 10 also.
GM… take a hike. You fired me in 2004 and sent my job to the Philippines; Now you want my tax dollar, without change the management at the top, AND you want to sell me an over priced electric car. YOU PEOPLE ARE OUT OF YOUR MINDS!!!
And maybe out of work. hahahaha… GO FORD!!!
December 18th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Howard Buckalew@34 said:
“Well, I have been priced out of the VOLT @ 40+ now we will have the Caddy at what 50 to 80 grand? This is just great news.
I just want the ev1 to go back and forth to work. (15 miles each way)
Can I get one? Or do I have to settle on the electric smart car in 2011?”
I’m guessing that you have no idea how much an EV1 cost to build (think 6 digits).
All the alternative fuel vehicles help though, so I hope you do get something electric.
Be well,
Tag
PS Lyle, when is VoltNation II ???
LJGTVWOTR!! NPNS
December 18th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Amen Ian (#32), Mitsubishi (iMiev) = small car, Mini Cooper (electric) = small car, Toyota Prius = small / medium car, Honda Civics or Insights = small car, ZENN = small car, Aptera (electric) = small / medium trike, All of these cars are LESS THAN 30 grand. Do you really think building a Cadillac E-REV for 60 grand is going to do the trick, I think not. American Auto Industry really needs to be broken, as in there backs, then rebuilt with NEW ideas. Come on…they wont even build the plant that is going to supply the 1.4L motor, wake up people!!
December 18th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I don’t fully get the ‘the more models the better’ thought. There are NO models at the moment, how about ‘one model the better.’
How about we just get a single Volt, Think City, BYD, or SOMETHING on the market – then we can worry about more models.
I’m feeling frustrated by all the uncertainty, but absolutely standing firm – I will not buy another gas powered car, period.
Stew
December 18th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I’m glad my comment at the top of this thread finally got out of moderation. It seemed to me innocent enough. If any of you can figure out what put it in limbo, please advise.
December 18th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I have always had used Caddy’s as primary vehicles until now.Caddy’s were always cutting edge.1962 (4speed auto tranny)electric windows ,air cond.,standard equip etc,etc This just fills the gap till the Volt for the masses
December 18th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Listen Up Folks. This GM needs to shut’er DOWN.
They had a good run of a 100 years of so.
It’s time the Feds start funding newer more nimble startups like Tesla to take the reigns of the Auto Industry. The Big 3 have been caught totally flat-footed in this here economy deal and it is NOT the reason they are failing. They are failing because of their past misdeeds which have just been illuminated by the economic slowdown.
TURN OUT THE LIGHTS…THIS PARTY IS OVER.
-Leroy
December 18th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Can I trade my #6222 volt reservation number for the #1 on the E-Rev Caddy?
December 18th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
#32, #33, #37
“Amen Ian (#32), Mitsubishi (iMiev) = small car, Mini Cooper (electric) = small car, Toyota Prius = small / medium car, Honda Civics or Insights = small car, ZENN = small car, Aptera (electric) = small / medium trike, All of these cars are LESS THAN 30 grand. Do you really think building a Cadillac E-REV for 60 grand is going to do the trick, I think not. American Auto Industry really needs to be broken, as in there backs, then rebuilt with NEW ideas. Come on…they wont even build the plant that is going to supply the 1.4L motor, wake up people!!”
______________________________________________________________
I think you have just illustrated the very reason why GM is going in this direction. I would say the majority of Americans want a decent size vehicle. Many have been spoiled by SUVs (especially those with liquid cash) and seeings how everyone else has got the market for smaller cars, GM is going with what they accel at and what’s made them the top selling auto maker in the world, and that’s building larger, more luxurious and expensive cars.
Besides, these cars are not going to burn any gas anyway 95% of the time so it doesn’t really matter how big they are, you might as well take advantage of the technology, right? As these cars get out on the market, the price will come down, there will eventually be used ones out there as these age that will be priced reasonably.
This technology is in its infancy, GM’s opportunity to turn over a new leaf. GM doesn’t want to be cutting corners to save a few hundred dollars and have it end up biting them in the butt when they start another perpetual consumer reports hatred for their brand no matter what quality improvements they make, again.
Bottom line, if you want to go with a cheaper car, buy one from one of the 10 other car makers making smaller ones. GM will have the larger car market all to themselves.
December 18th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Ian Porter Perth Australia Says:
December 18th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
you got it right. The real problem of American car makers, and many on this forum, is that they are still hooked in the old fashioned, bulky and ugly cars to our eyes. However, for them, those massive, monster cars are beautiful American artwork.
Let’s see how they do. Instead of sticking to nice, stylish and slim cars which happen to the most fuel economy, these skull head want to keep that freaking ugly Cadillac, Jeeps and other monstruosities running. Let’s see how they do.
December 18th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
They are NUTS.
Let me see. They have STOPPED the retooling of the Chevy Volt production line, and they are announcing E-Flex Cadillacs. CADILLACS! They just cannot keep Cadillacs off their brains!
It is thinking like that which is leading them to bankruptcy, and which will plunge them into bankruptcy.
Why does Detroit/GM insist on producing high-end vehincles? Don’t they get the fact that it is the Prius that is eating their cake?
December 18th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
I don’t know why with a large electric motor and a range extender like an RV generator we couldn’t have any size EV we wanted.
What needs to be done is get like the volt mass produced and let technology do its thing, Henry Ford started out with a basic model and evolved from there, can’t be done overnight.
Another way to get it started, STOP BUYING NEW GAS CARS
NO PLUG NO SALE, DBANGCMEMEV, LJGTVWOTR,(my house)=D~~~~(my volt)
December 18th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
“I would say the majority of Americans want a decent size vehicle.”
This does not actually seem to be true. It may be what you wish was true, but the facts suggest otherwise. Look at which cars are stacked up on the dealer’s lots.
—–
“GM is going with what they accel at and what’s made them the top selling auto maker in the world”
Um, in case you haven’t noticed, GM hasn’t been the top selling auto maker in the world for a few years now. GM isn’t even close anymore. I know that many Americans live in a complete vacuum, but I didn’t think that were unaware that the Detroit vision is not in touch with that of the US or world.
“larger, more luxurious and expensive cars”
I can afford to frive any car in the world. I would like a Volt. I would like a small, safe, fun, environmentally friendly car.
December 18th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
What’s wrong with Detroit? The Volt tells a good story. GM is shutting down production of the factory for them. Confused? JHere are the links:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28279245/
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10126166-48.html
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/12/gm-puts-volt-engine-factory-plant-on-hold-plug-in-hybrid.php
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10126166-54.html
http://gm-volt.com/2008/12/17/chevy-volt-generator-engine-plant-construction-placed-on-hold/
http://cnet.nytimes.com/8301-13746_7-10126166-48.html
December 18th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
To Kovanen #47,
The fact that trucks and large SUVs (this is definitely no where near a Large SUV) are stacking up on dealer’s lots is just showing that GM has been over producing big vehicles up until now and gas prices have popped the large SUV bubble. Gas prices really don’t matter in this situation, electricity is practically free, you are talking about 1 cent per mile vs. 20 cents per mile with gas) If you look around, most cars are bigger than a Toyota Corolla. I’ve recently talked to people at dealerships and they say people want cross overs. That is the big thing right now. This Cadillac really isn’t THAT big. It’s a cross over as far as I can tell. This is a good marketing move.
By the way, you’re wrong, GM did (barely) outsell Toyota in 2007, Toyota just built more cars last year. I’m not sure what the figures are so far for 2008, but the point is that GM is still one of the highest, if not the highest selling automaker.
BTW, that picture above is probably not even the real production vehicle.
December 18th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Ian Porter Perth Australia
My former supervisor has six kids and they like to go camping. I’m sure if you have a great and affordable high mileage solution for them they would be happy to hear about it.
December 18th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
#45 Kovanen
A popular high end vehicle that validates green credentials can make money for automakers faster than a Prius type vehicle if it can sell in large numbers (for a topline brand) . Toyota didn’t profit for about a decade on the Prius and it took a sudden doubling of US gas prices, discussions of spending hundreds of billions for imported oil, global warming and an unpopular war in Iraq to even realize that gain. And after all of this,Toyota says they are barely making money with the Prius for all of their “pioneering efforts”.
December 18th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
“[Bush] has been beyond fantastic with the transition” – Ah, NO! Obama asked to move into the guest house – Bush said no. Bush=A$$Hole
December 18th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
It’s a Great Idea! Go Cadilac… I’ll buy one.
December 18th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
That would be awsome! The Volt itself would be cool but a Cadillac, even better!
December 19th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Plug in hybrid from china:
http://grist.org/news/2008/12/15/Chinacar/
December 19th, 2008 at 12:32 am
I still like the Volt. And will never get tired of the humming electric sound on acceleration. GM just needs to get the software right and this should be a very solid daily driver.
=D~
December 19th, 2008 at 12:34 am
49. omnimoeish Says: “. . .I’m not sure what the figures are so far for 2008, but the point is that GM is still one of the highest, if not the highest selling automaker.”
Now if they will quit giving all their money to the UAW maybe then they can turn a profit. I wonder what would happen if they did Chapter 11, moved their plants to “right to work” states and hired non-union workers to build their new cars?
December 19th, 2008 at 12:39 am
And after all of this,Toyota says they are barely making money with the Prius for all of their “pioneering efforts”.
____________________________________________
Rather than stuffing their pockets with profit, they reinvested that money into further advancement of the technology.
The current Prius already makes GM uncompetitive. Just imagine what the next generation model will do… sometime next year.
December 19th, 2008 at 12:43 am
jeffhre #51:
The crossover officially happened in early 2007, and for all practical purposes included all of 2007 and 2008. Toyota didn’t press the point hard, but you might look at http://www.cioinsight.com/c/a/Past-News/Toyota-Claims-Title-as-Worlds-Largest-Automaker/
In fact, a strong argument can be made that it really happened in 2006 if you cound cars selling through the retail channel.
Whether it is 2006 or 2008, it is more noteworthy that the conventional Detroit wisdom is that you can’t make money on small cars and that you must produce “tanks” to make money.
This “wisdom” fails when you look at the numbers: Toyota has been consistently profitable this Decade and Gm has not.
Even if this wisdom were true, the mainstream market is not Cadillacs.
I know this cannot be argued with those who actually think that plastic burled wood dashboards are “classy”. (Not that you are in this camp, but Detroit seems to not-get-it in a bad way.)
—–
There has been a similar contest for production in China. Once again, ego and vanity has gotten the better of GM. GM cars have been produced in abundance but they are NOT selling through the retail channels. The dealers are howling at all of the Cadillacs that just don’t sell there, despite GM telling the dealers that Cadillacs are more profitable.
—–
Yes, Toyota has a long head start on the Prius and yes it took a while to become profitable. But GM still has the entire learning curve to climb.
Perhaps I am a bit synical. You see, I was one of those people who worked very very hard to purchase an “Impact” which became the EV-1. While the EV-1 sat on the dealer’s lots I was jumping up and down screaming that I wanted to buy/rent/lease one and was not allowed to. Many think “Who killed the electric car?” is fiction. In fact, I was one who did remarkable things to actually purcase one and learned it could not be done.
I happen to think that GM management is arrogant. They simply do not make the necessary, difficult decisions. They need to start making GOOD decisions, and the Volt is along the lines of what could be a good decision.
I have heard that people will not purchase cars from a bankrupt car company. Well, people FLY on bankrupt airlines. It is vanity and arrogance that prolongs going into bankruptcy and then making the difficult restructurings so that the Volt can become real.
Meanwhile, we sit on the sidelines only hoping to someday purchase something. I wonder if Toyota will have a Volt-like car before GM does? Probably.
December 19th, 2008 at 12:48 am
Very beautiful car, and quite an image remaker for GM. Much needed. It’s just a matter of time before oil is up in price again.
December 19th, 2008 at 12:51 am
wwskinn3 #57:
“I wonder what would happen if they did Chapter 11, moved their plants to “right to work” states and hired non-union workers to build their new cars?”
It’s not necessary to move the plants. It IS necessary to go through bankruptcy and to rip up the current labor contracts. GM can survive just fine if they just have comparable labor costs. Go bankrupt, tear up the labor agreements, adjust the wages to what the real market is at, and get back to making cars.
It makes no sense to have a loaded cost of $180,000 a year for a factory worker. It makes no sense to pay $150,000 for a laid-off factory worker.
Management simply will not make the necessary decisions.
IDEA: Sell GM to the union pension funds. Then, labor can pay themselves whatever they desire! The cost to buy GM is under $3 Billion. (Yes, you can purchase GM for under $3 Billion! Think about that.)
December 19th, 2008 at 1:01 am
omnimoeish #49 says: “By the way, you’re wrong, GM did (barely) outsell Toyota in 2007…I’m not sure what the figures are so far for 2008…GM is still…the highest selling automaker.”
Um, No. Your facts are wrong…
Toyota outsold GM in 2006, and 2007, and 2008. Three years in a row.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:World_motor_vehicle_production_by_manufacturer_in_2006
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:World_motor_vehicle_production_by_manufacturer_in_2007
The “myth” that GM was just overtaken in 2008 is politely tolerated by the Japanese auto industry because they understand the need to “save face.” But it is simply a self-dilusion and not fact.
There is some slight evidence that it actually happened in 2005.
December 19th, 2008 at 1:29 am
#62
Ah the good ol’ Wikipedia for ya! We all know that Wikipedia is completely reliable right?
December 19th, 2008 at 1:58 am
#57 says “I wonder what would happen if they did Chapter 11, moved their plants to “right to work” states and hired non-union workers to build their new cars?”
That’s an easy question to answer: Nothing. Notta. Zip. Zilch. The difference is $300/vehicle (wage and benefit gap is $10 per hour — Bloomberg says $9 but close enough — if you think it’s more you’re watching too much Fox TV or listening to too much talk radio). That’s an insignificant amount, especially since GM has to sell its vehicles at a $2500 discount.
Basically GM is hurting because it’s not making cars people are willing to pay top dollar for. Doesn’t matter who makes them or where they’re made. The Volt and E-REV is supposed to help with that. Thinking that GM can turn things around by cutting worker pay and benefits is an illusion.
December 19th, 2008 at 2:08 am
Is this more trash from GM? I don’t want to pay for some fat-ass, worthless, UAW pensioner.
December 19th, 2008 at 2:31 am
[...] Since about four GM brands are on the chopping block, and we’ve heard rumors of such in the past, Ill go out on a line and predict the car will be a Cadillac. Indeed previous reports have stated the next E-Flex car would be a Cadillac, and vice-chairman Bob Lutz has gone on record stating “there’s going to have to be some kind of dramatic environmental statement from Cadillac.”[From Rumor: New E-Flex Cadillac to Debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January | GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Elect...] [...]
December 19th, 2008 at 4:18 am
Great idea
Lexus has there terrible hybrids that get 10 mpg
This will wipe Lexus off the map
Toyota is a fake company saying they are green making 400 hp hybrid lexus?
GM please make this cadillac …
Cadillac is considered standard of the world. This will be the new standard
December 19th, 2008 at 4:35 am
[...] New E-Flex Cadillac to Debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January Rumor: New E-Flex Cadillac to Debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January | GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Elect… [...]
December 19th, 2008 at 5:24 am
From the article:
Sources have told GM-Volt.com that GM has a brand new E-Flex extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) under wraps and have been hoping to unveil it in January at the Detroit Auto Show.
—————
This is good news. I believe all the vehicles they make should be
E-Flex extended-range electric vehicles
December 19th, 2008 at 6:37 am
This is just grandstanding by GM to sway the congressional masses. Gm can strut around like a peacock showing all these neat new e-rev e-flex, concepts, but while they are saying this, did you guys miss the last line in the first paragraph….
even the Volt’s engine factory construction has shut down.
every day the factory is closed just adds another date to the volts release…
My uncles Buick Pontiac Cadillac GMC dealership sold 1 car last week….a $40K or a $60K electric Cadillac that are 2 years away won’t save GM….
December 19th, 2008 at 6:42 am
Makes a lot of sense, take a company that is going down the tubes, and instead of creating a electric vehicle that the masses can afford (and don’t tell me about the $40,000 Volt) GM wants to invest in Electric Cadillacs (WTF)!!!!! We are in a RECESSSION!! People don’t want $80,000 novelty Cadillacs, they want Quality, Dependability, and VALUE. GM Wake-Up!
December 19th, 2008 at 6:53 am
For those worried GM will build this instead of the Volt, stop fretting. If they are in a position to build any EREVs in 2010 it will be the Volt. I do like the Provoq. It looks like a Cadillac Vibe. This is a very practical car for me. I wish they could build an EREV Vibe for $30k or some other low cost EREV for the masses but that is just not possible yet. Everyone wishing this should applaud and encourage any and every EREV (or BEV) model. The sooner they hit the road, the sooner an affordable one for the masses will arrive.
For me, I’ld prefer a 25 AER Provoq with a 130KW traction motor for $44K ($17k for Vibe + $12k for Cadillac fit & finish & ride + $15k for EREV).
It may not matter anyway because this may just be “loanwashing”. I’ld have to see some real progress toward production to believe it is a real plan of theirs.
December 19th, 2008 at 7:08 am
It makes absolutely no sense to build a new vehicle and market it under your most expensive model/brand. This is an old American paradigm that GM should have left years ago. GM’s Asian competition did not reach their level of success by creating overpriced luxury cars for the few; they created dependable, efficient, and affordable cars for the masses. Lexus wasn’t their first model, it was their last. The German’s revolutionized the car industry the same way with the Volkswagen years ago. GM needs to wake-up and revolutionize the American car market by putting quality and value into cars that the average American can afford, and in a style they would like to buy. GM will never recover by trying to produce a green luxury vehicle over an affordable vehicle. Their is just too much competition in the Luxury market that laughs in the face of GM (Mercedes, BMW, Audi…..). Just give Americans good American cars that can ACTUALLY compete with the international competition. Otherwise, I will continue to drive my $19,000 Honda Hybrid (40+ mpg).
December 19th, 2008 at 7:17 am
#29 DonC
#24 NZDavid says “I am sure if you had to disassemble the engine every 10,000 (engine) hours, E-REV’s, BEV’s would be all the rage.”
You do realize that in fact you do have to do something like this in Japan.
Yes, you’re right, that’s the 9 year service check. Currently they just export all the second hand cars, so they still have value.
December 19th, 2008 at 8:37 am
With the Cadillac, there will be 4 unveilings of cars wtih electric components in the drivetrain at the Detroit Auto Show:
- The Cadillac E-flex (looks to me like a warmed-over Vue, I’ll bet it has a two-mode hybrid setup)
- The Fisker Karma
- The Honda Insight II
- The Toyota Prius III
Which two of those will be selling in serious quantity by June? And which two of those are really entirely irrelevant?
December 19th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Why don’t they get into a cheaper model too? How about a Geo like electric/gas type for under $20k? Maybe even under $15k??? That car is sadly missing from the market.
December 19th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Obviously the Honda and Toyota are going to be the bigger sellers of the group. I suspect the Honda Insight will do well. With MPG in the are of 60mpg and a pricetag of $17,000 plus, this vehicle seems well designed for the not only the commuter market, but also main street (as much as I hate that overused term). I thought the Volt would be in this group, but GM obviously tanked any change of that with the inflated price tag and inferior performance.
December 19th, 2008 at 9:42 am
I thought the angular shape of the orignal Volt concept couldn’t be done because of the bad drag coefficent…so much for that…add it to all the other lies GM puts out. With the original concept GM almost had me back as a customer..after their Volt model switch to a Scion Prius hybrid look alike…I’m gone for good. Let the market take care of them, just like Pan Am. I’ll keep on shopping for a new Acura this week.
December 19th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Instead of wasting billions of taxpayer dollars on ridiculous research projects on space exploration, why not have the innovative minds at JPL develop an alternate fuel driven car that most middle class folks can afford? They work a whole lot cheaper than the folks at the big 3, and have a lot more on the ball.
December 19th, 2008 at 10:30 am
My wife and I go with only one car….thus it can’t be a small car…..a Caddy CUV would be perfect for us…..and 99% of our driving is less than 40 miles/day. I’m also interested in what the Lincoln hybrid CUV is going to be like except its all-electric mode will be limited.
December 19th, 2008 at 10:41 am
At this point, I’ll never buy American again. I wish they would hold their hand out to me so I could crap in it. I was excited at the original Volt. I was disappointed at the “Malibu screwed a Prius” version. Now, I’m completely disgustipated with these idiots. I will spend my money supporting Toyota or Nissan plants elsewhere in the USA.
December 19th, 2008 at 11:11 am
“I have heard that people will not purchase cars from a bankrupt car company. Well, people FLY on bankrupt airlines”
Would you fly a bankrupt airline if you had to pay 30-40,000 dollars and that was to be your seat for 5 years?
A seat on a plane for a trip is a tad bit smaller of a comittment than a new car…
That aurgument shows a first hand live look at the inside of your colon..
Get yer head out for that aurgument…
Jesus…what a stupid aurgument
December 19th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Finally got on this web site, GO VOLT GO CHEVY! Bushes approval means Detroit carries on.
December 19th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
It is a great look. Will it sell? I believe GM is on target that the up scale consumer is the best target for new tech. They have the money and the urgency to create an image to go green and help the US market place.
December 19th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Hopefully the production of the Volt can get going soon, can’t wait for it… This Cadillac will probably be on the luxury range, 60k+
December 19th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Dear GM,
After so many years of making such nasty cars to the environment, why don’t you just go bankrupt and disappear?
Now you come with all this bla bla bla about electric cars and want our money to save you from your mistakes?
What are these emails as if it was not made by your marketing dept. ? It sounds like a lie to stupid ignorant consumers who would take pity on you, poor GM…almost dead but palying the good enterprise to get in to public pockets…!!!
GM is past, let the new era start without them, it will be a better world for sure.
Die General Motors!
December 19th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
NO PLUG… NO BUY!
December 19th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Amen to comments #79 and #81
December 19th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Too little too late.. Oh, and thanks for delivering another eco-option for the wealthy. I too am waiting for a plug in and won’t buy a new car until there is an affordable option.
So what about the guy converting muscle cars for Niel Young? His conversions are about 100K per vehicle and are done one at at time.
How about instead of loaning dough to the BIG 3, clear out the factories and put his work into mass production mode utilizing the Total Quality model developed in the 80’s during the last Car maker restructure? Lee Iococca ring a bell?
This is not a new situation for the American auto industry. Keep the UAW, put them to work delivering what the American Consumer is looking for. Primarily, an affordable, reliable car that does not require gasoline.
Let’s see some real innovation for a change.
December 19th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Further proof that either the car companies, or Americans generally, just don’t get it!
If an electric Sprint is the ideal car (seats 4, no pollution, a minimum amount of metal to be transported wherever the driver goes), then this insane insistence on massive size by Americans (assuming the car companies know their market) or the car companies (grinding out travelling commodes for current Pharoahs – i don’t know whether to drive the machine or worship it) means that nothing has been learned.
As GM has stopped production on the Chevy Volt motor, the sooner that GM goes bankrupt the better.
Let whatever new company that buys the assets produce the cars that are needed, otherwise I will be buying an electric car from Japan.
December 19th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
so they keep postponing the release of the gm volt, but they are going to showcase another electric car…… hm… sounds like they want a little popularity since it may never be sold. but best of luck that it will come to market.
December 19th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
[...] Volt Newsletter…news that Caddy will unveil a new e-flex vehicle at the Detroit auto show… Rumor: New E-Flex Cadillac to Debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January | GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Elect… GA_googleFillSlot(“Forum_Rectangle”); (Support Ecomodder.com & get rid of these annoying [...]
December 19th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
interesting that while the line in the story clearly states “There is a RUMOUR..”
All of a sudden whamo..every one think introducing expensive technology via the caddy line is an excellent idea..are also the ones that slammed them for doing it in a 2 mode hybrid..
and so many other people that deride this..totally ignore it is a RUMOUR…
fer crying out oud people….make up yer minds…
December 19th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
An E-Flex minivan woulda been a more logical choice, IMHO. Estima was Toyota’s second hybrid vehicle built in Japan. Still not even a hybrid minivan here in the states from any carmaker.
December 19th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
They had a chance in the 90’s … and they killed the elcetric car. The US Auto industry should be allowed to crumble due to it’s own bumbling
December 19th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
chrysler has the evmini van in the works. GM will be showing off the caddy concept next month, and the Chinese cell phone company, which Warren Buffett bought 9% of in sept. has started selling a four door plug in with a one liter engine. the battery range is 60 miles, and with a souped up charging station, can charge up in 10 minutes. I hope the volt will add these changes before it hits the show room floor. Oh, the chinese car will sell for around 23,000.
the volt will get 40 miles at 40,000. If Warren Buffett gets his way, this little cell phone company who has been building cars for four years will be selling this car, and others in the very near future. Look ofr it in 2011. check out BYD. The race is on, and its a green one.
December 19th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Charlie H #79
“Which two of those will be selling in serious quantity by June? And which two of those are really entirely irrelevant?”
I’ll take the bait. To answer the first, as you lobbed it up, Prius and Insight. The real answer to your second question is a two parter: 1) Prius and Insight for the first couple of years, 2) Fisker and Provoq for the long term.
Only plug-ins can take us where we want to go. Only EREVs are on a path to great improvement.
December 20th, 2008 at 12:27 am
#97, koz,
Do you really think Toyota couldn’t build an EREV, if they wanted to? An EREV Prius is a Prius with a bigger battery, fewer parts and, more than likely, simpler software. They’ve got a partial EREV on the road, today. You can build your own partial EREV with a stock Prius and parts from Hymotion.
Toyota has pointed out the problems with an EREV and why they aren’t doing it: 1) Expensive battery; 2) Unproven battery.
However, as soon as the batteries are proven and cost-effective, Toyota is free to build whatever it wants. There is no strategic advantage for GM in building a $40K EREV, only tactical disadvantage and high expenses.
This is the end result of failing to keep up your technological edge. Its extremely difficult to win it back.
December 20th, 2008 at 9:41 am
That’s real smart, because times are tough, they shut down construction of the factory that produces the engine for the one thing that’s going to contribute the most to the future of the company! Yeah, I’d say GM needs new leadership!!!
December 20th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I think GM is missing the mark (again). I am saving now for the volt, hopfully I will be able to afford it. The Cadillac is way out of my league. I make above average income and have a fairly secure job. GM has to build cars that people, including their workers, can afford.
December 20th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Chevy is just taking too long. Meanwhile, I finally received my smart cabriolet and for the past 16,500 miles have averaged 43mpg. By the time the Volt is (ever) here, my smart will be due replacement. Looks like a 3rd generation Prius will be my best bet. I have said a plug-in gas/electric hybrid is the future for years, but unfortunately no one will build them.
December 21st, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Just when you think GM cant do anying more stupid boom there it is..
Put the volt out already!!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:04 am
I’m glad that GM’s Flagship Cadillac is getting with it’s act together with an electic car. However I’m dispointed that GM is has taken the Chevy Volt and removed or altered the original muscular characteristics of the Chevy Volt making it look more like the traditional view that electric cars have to look dull whimpy and boring. Cadillacs E-Flex looks about as exciting, boring and whimpy as a Japanese Subaru. Cadillac once made some rather exciting looking concept cars like the 1953 fiberglass two-seater Cadillac Lemans but never put them into production for reasons I’ll never understand. I know that Cadillac can make and design fine and exciting looking cars, If any of you GM exuctives are reading this comment please make the production Chevy Volt look like the original musular version of the Volt that reminds me of the planned 2010 Camaro and if Cadillac plans to produce the E-Flex Cadillac make it stand out from the rest of the pack like the 1953 Cadilac Lemans. If I wanted dull boring and whimpy I’d buy Japanese
December 26th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Can we get a good looking basic transportation electric car that can get me to work twenty miles away for a reasonable price? This car is not about the price of gas, we need an alternative to gasoline and all air polluting fuels for our kids, air and climate. We need to kick foreign oil’s ass and this is one way to do it, unless you want to give us the hydrogen technology we’ve been told doesn’t exist.