Many here will recall the recent debacle that happened two weeks ago when Tesla CEO Elon Musk was on the David Letterman show. Letterman essentially bashed the Volt in what appeared an uninformed manner, calling its range “crap” and “insane”, and saying “the Volt has a range of 40 miles, that’ll get you down the driveway and back.” He appeared to be unfamiliar with the fact that the Volt has a range-extender.
I quickly published a video response and soon thereafter former GM vice chairman Bob Lutz wrote a blog about it calling it Letterman’s own “Stupid Human Trick” and offered to go on the show.
Guess what? Letterman accepted.
Father of the Volt Bob Lutz himself will appear on the show this coming Wednesday night, May 20th!
It is my understanding Letterman found out he was wrong in what he said about the Volt, and may publicly announce it. The car, of course, is supposed to be on the show too.
Don’t forget to set your TiVos this ought to be a good one.
Source (GM)
This entry was posted on Friday, May 15th, 2009 at 11:32 am and is filed under Public Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
May 15th, 2009 (11:37 am)May have to suspend my vow to never watch Letterman again.
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May 15th, 2009 (11:39 am)Beautiful! Set the record straight Bob!!
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May 15th, 2009 (11:40 am)Awesome! I’m looking forward to it.
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May 15th, 2009 (11:44 am)Maybe Bob will take his pet swan on the show, after training it to bite Dave!
Looking forward to seeing the segment with Bob, and wonder how Dave will handle his trashing of the Volt.
I just hope Bob doesn’t start talking about his opinions on global warming, that would just be a distraction, and talk show hosts like distractions.
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May 15th, 2009 (11:46 am)Looking forward to watching on Wednesday
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May 15th, 2009 (11:47 am)I think this is the right and proper thing to do on Letterman’s behalf. I hope the segment clears the misconceptions and doesn’t make things worse!
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May 15th, 2009 (11:52 am)Somehow I don’t think an old, retired GM exec will bring in the same ratings as Musk did. Outside of this site, there are probably 10 other people in the country who know who this guy is.
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May 15th, 2009 (11:52 am)Lutz is welcome to take his chances. I think he’ll do about as well as Joaquin Phoenix.
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May 15th, 2009 (11:53 am)David Letterman should learn to do his homework before he opens his dumb mouth. Give him hell Bob!
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May 15th, 2009 (11:53 am)Yeah Bob, set Letterman right about the Volt.
Make sure he understands the Volt is the next Generation of Hybrids.
That this Next Generation are Serial Plug-In Hybrids, a technological step in the direction of vehicles like the Tesla, the Pure Battery Electric Vehicle.
That Letterman understands that you cannot compare the Volt to a Tesla because of this.
But most of all Bob, don’t let Letterman cut you off in mid-sentence like he did Elon Musk.
Tell him to shut up if you have to, don’t let him cut you off
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May 15th, 2009 (11:54 am)I still think Letterman is an idiot.
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May 15th, 2009 (11:56 am)Lutz is smart and speaks well. He will be a big positive for the Volt. He surely comes across as more intelegent than Dave.
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May 15th, 2009 (11:57 am)Dave: Here is a pre-emptive (premature?) thanks for manning up to your mistake.
Bob: Please don’t mention global warming or women with hairy legs. Use your airtime to unite, not divide!
After you’re done with the technical sales pitch, launch into the emotional sales pitch. Emphasize that the Volt is the ultimate “All American car” with appeal across the entire political spectrum. It is attractive to those who support domestic manufacturing, those who want to decrease emissions, and those who want to minimize the purchase of oil and indirect financing of hostile nations and terrorist groups. It is a car that both conservatives and liberals can love. THAT is the sales pitch.
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May 15th, 2009 (12:02 pm)Please no pink tie…. please no pink tie…. please no pink tie….
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May 15th, 2009 (12:05 pm)#8 charlie h – LMAO. Let’s hope Lutz isn’t sporting the Joaquin Phoenix / Al Gore retirement beard. The good news is that it’s only been a few weeks. It’s hard to grow a full squirrel’s nest in that short time.
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May 15th, 2009 (12:05 pm)I’m guessing this appearance is a product of GM’s advertising/marketing guys not so happy about the ‘injustice’ served up on them…and probably brought this up when talking about running future ‘Volt’ (or any other adds).
Good on them too…I would rake them over the coals on it. (get some freebies)
It is one thing to be a pessimist or not believe. But NBC aired something completely false…and worse still, they have a working relationships with GM as a advertisers.
/nightmare scenario for NBC
I’m sure there will be lots of ‘mock’ grovelling…although Letterman is hard to control, he ha been around forever and is what they consider a ‘institution’
Can’t wait to see if the ‘tie’ makes a appearance. (I’m still willing to pay good money for it..autographed of course, lol)
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May 15th, 2009 (12:08 pm)#14 Jim in PA says:
May 15th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Please no pink tie…. please no pink tie…. please no pink tie….
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Gah, you got me by…that…much, on the tie joke.
+1 to you
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May 15th, 2009 (12:09 pm)Don’t vote against the pink tie. That thing’s worth more than GM right now!
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May 15th, 2009 (12:11 pm)Please tell Dave he is NOT as funny and smart as Jay Leno!
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May 15th, 2009 (12:17 pm)I think he should say that it was totally worth TIVOing Leno for one night to clear up any misunderstandings Dave might have.
Then he can say let’s come back in 10 years and bust on General Electric like you used to do.
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May 15th, 2009 (12:26 pm)#16 Statik said:
I’m guessing this appearance is a product of GM’s advertising/marketing guys not so happy about the ‘injustice’ served up on them…and probably brought this up when talking about running future ‘Volt’ (or any other adds).
Good on them too…I would rake them over the coals on it. (get some freebies)
It is one thing to be a pessimist or not believe. But NBC aired something completely false…and worse still, they have a working relationships with GM as a advertisers.
/nightmare scenario for NBC
I’m sure there will be lots of ‘mock’ grovelling…although Letterman is hard to control, he ha been around forever and is what they consider a ‘institution’
Can’t wait to see if the ‘tie’ makes a appearance. (I’m still willing to pay good money for it..autographed of course, lol)
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Ok, there is a pantload of errors, both in spelling and grammar in that post, but I did it on a itouch (and was on the fly so didn’t check it)….so leave me alone about it already, lol.
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May 15th, 2009 (12:34 pm)Good move … can’t wait to see it. I wonder if Bob will reveal any clue to the final cost of the Volt. It wouldn’t shock me if he said something he wasn’t supposed to say
I was thinking if they should take the Converj as well on the set. It will carry the same presence as the Tesla S that the audience was enraptured by. However, it would be a better move to focus on the Volt, and its every-man aspirations.
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May 15th, 2009 (12:36 pm)I think Bob needs to state that Dave had it right except that the ELECTRIC VOLT can not only make it up and down the driveway but can cross the U.S.A. with nothing but electrical power. Then explain that the engine is directly connected to an electric generator to keep the ELECTRIC MOTOR powered as electricity is the only way for the Volt to move. I would then challenge Dave to follow me as I drive a Volt and he drives a Tesla up and down that driveway he mentioned and see who has to stop first.
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May 15th, 2009 (12:47 pm)Off topic –> Now that I understand that GM is not going to tell us which dealers it is closing today, I think they have injected another level of uncertainty into every potential GM purchase. Well intended, I suppose, but not wise.
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May 15th, 2009 (12:51 pm)Wow.
That’s this coming Wednesday, or Wednesday week?
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May 15th, 2009 (1:08 pm)OMG, 2 loose cannons on the same gundeck. I wonder if Dave will zing him about his recent stock sales? Naaaaahh!!
Still, any ink is good ink.
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May 15th, 2009 (1:17 pm)Just be careful, Bob.
I’m not sure Dave will be allotting a great deal of time for you to talk about the Volt. It seems as though he prefers to dominate the conversation. As User Name # 10 states “Don’t let him cut you off!”
Be brief and to the point, show the data from Peter Savagian’s report on CA driving trends, and the Volt’s fuel and emissions reductions.
Tell him that GM has completed (my guess) between 100,000 and a million hours of battery testing (you know the real number) since November 2007 to develop a reliable, robust battery that is designed to last for the lifetime of the vehicle; And that has been the real challenge for making the electric car.
And don’t forget to tell Dave about the Volt’s special De-Gaussing feature that will de-magnetize his balls!
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May 15th, 2009 (1:24 pm)Perfect!
Hey Bob…please tell GM the Z/28 Camaro must be built… Phalleeeze !
Kick Ass Bob ! Bring the VOLT and the CONVERJ on the show.
Perhaps a chart showing all the Toyota Automatic Transmissions blowing up in the Camry’s !
Educate and tell us how many gallons are burned after 10, 20 and 30 miles after battery depletion. It’s got to be 100 mpg.
AND total range before Fuel is totally spent on the generator.
If you need a good project manager get my e mail from Lyle.
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May 15th, 2009 (1:46 pm)Wow! I haven’t watched Letterman since, well, ever–other than the McCain interview that wasn’t. But I’m going to make an exception for this.
I’m glad GM is getting a chance to set the record straight. I just hope Bob can keep his mouth shut about his more controversial opinions. I also hope Letterman will be apologetic at least long enough to let Lutz explain about the range extender. And that he won’t try to make Lutz (and GM) look completely out of touch on global warming.
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May 15th, 2009 (1:57 pm)Dave- be sure to ask him about how in his dream world, billions of tons of CO2 emitted by cars have no effect whatsover on the climate. We’d all love to hear that answer.
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May 15th, 2009 (1:58 pm)@#11 JB,
>> I still think Letterman is an idiot.
I still think you’re correct!
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@ #16 Statik,
>> [Letterman...] been around forever and is what they consider a ‘institution’
Better yet, put him IN one!
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OK, OK…. </Bitter_Rant>
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May 15th, 2009 (2:07 pm)I think that using Maximum Bob Lutz to talk to Dave Letterman is exactly the right person to use.
Bob will not let Dave cut him off like he did to Elon.
I think the Converj display along with the Volt is a great one!
charlie #7: And how many people really know who Elon Musk is???
Get get em Bob!!!!
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May 15th, 2009 (2:18 pm)Charlie @ 7 says…
Somehow I don’t think an old, retired GM exec will bring in the same ratings as Musk did. Outside of this site, there are probably 10 other people in the country who know who this guy is.
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I don’t know about that…
I remember he was on 60 minutes this past fall.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4502675n%3fsource=search_video
Also, I remember him being somewhat complementary toward Elon Musk.
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May 15th, 2009 (2:24 pm)This is GM’s own fault and I’m not talking about the whole EV-1 bullcrap. Their own ads for the Volt talk about a 40 mile range, which if it were true would be insane.
What they need to be saying is that the Volt is a future car with NO Sacrifices. There is no more range limit than there is with your Grandfathers Oldsmobile. Instead of focusing on that magical electric range they should be promoting that you could run the Volt and never use a drop of gasoline, and that you could drive the Volt across the country non-stop except for gasoline.
They should be driving home, convenience, performance, safety and they should show charts showing how much gasoline could be saved on average.
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May 15th, 2009 (2:28 pm)I do not want to tell you how to run your business but here is a storie for you .
In 1970 cessna had 2000 dealerships and sold 1000 aircraft at 10 times the price of a car . The decided that they wanted to sell more aircraft . So they raised the number a dealer had to sell to one a year .
This caused them to loose 1000 dealers . That caused the sales to fall to 500 per year plus parts sales fell . So they demanded dealers have more parts on hand and keep an excessive stock .
In 1982 Cessna shut down production with 2000 aircraft unsold .
Simple anolagy the dealers are the bread for your butter .
The local advertizing the demonstration that will sell something next year . Your primary parts sales .
With out the little guy there is NO BIG GUY .
God Bless
From Tiger
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May 15th, 2009 (2:33 pm)Has there been any kind of discussion about making a version the Volt range-extending motor that is natural gas powered? Seems like there might be a market for that, seeing as a lot of people would like to stop using gasoline altogether.
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May 15th, 2009 (2:38 pm)Man… i’m 50/50 on this one. On the plus side, Lutz is a tough straight talker. On the minus side, Lutz is a tough straight talker.
If Dave gets a quick comical jab in there, Lutz will get tongue tied and come off like an old senile man. I hope Dave shows him more respect than he did Musk, and anctually lets Bob Lutz finish a thought.
IMO, the Converj would blow the Tesla S away. That would be sweet to have it on the set, along w/the Volt.
(I think GM should have sent Denise Gray instead of Lutz though)
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May 15th, 2009 (2:42 pm)#34:
Good idea, but maybe don’t mention Oldsmobile.
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May 15th, 2009 (2:56 pm)#36
Mark
Has there been any kind of discussion about making a version the Volt range-extending motor that is natural gas powered? Seems like there might be a market for that, seeing as a lot of people would like to stop using gasoline altogether.
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Yup, there was. I thought it was a great idea except for the part about paying 5 grand to add a compressed gas filling system to your home; to tide you over until the corner gas stations decide it’s worthwhile to make the investment for their own facilities.
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May 15th, 2009 (3:01 pm)#37
IMO, the Converj would blow the Tesla S away. That would be sweet to have it on the set, along w/the Volt.
(I think GM should have sent Denise Gray instead of Lutz though)
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Two great ideas. I especially like the one about Denise Gray, because I cringe thinking about the affect on public Volt acceptance when Bob strikes out at the twin offenses global warming theory and girls with hairy legs. I don’t have any problems with the pink tie though!
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May 15th, 2009 (3:03 pm)A fool proves he is one by opening his mouth to speak the first time and is dead wrong with just about everything.
A fool is confirmed by all of society that he is one if he hasn’t learned anything or studied anything for when he opens his mouth for the second time.
CBS is the hall that is rented.
I imagine that the ratings will skyrocket for that one show.
We will again “see” if CBS means C ……… BS.
Dan Petit Austin TX.
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May 15th, 2009 (3:08 pm)#32
Jim I
I think that using Maximum Bob Lutz to talk to Dave Letterman is exactly the right person to use.
Bob will not let Dave cut him off like he did to Elon.
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Um, It’s Letterman’s show, it’s comedy, it’s short bits – it’s definitely not guys in business suits take over and lecture the audience night at CBS.
Yes it would be great to see the Converj there. I think that’s how they spelled it?
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May 15th, 2009 (3:25 pm)#41 Dan Petit:
My Dad frequently used to quote the old maxim:
“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.”
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May 15th, 2009 (3:42 pm)jeffhre #42 Says: “Um, It’s Letterman’s show, it’s comedy, it’s short bits – it’s definitely not guys in business suits take over and lecture the audience night at CBS.”
I don’t argue that, but on the other hand, Bob will not just sit there like Elon did. He will at least respond, or take issue with completely incorrect statements. Bob is old school, and obviously not very politically correct, and I can’t imagine him taking much bull crap from Dave.
I think it will be a very interesting interview…..
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May 15th, 2009 (3:47 pm)______________________________________________________
Take The High Road:
Lutz will do well on Letterman. Lutz will probably take a higher road than Elon by on one hand stating the benefits of the Volt (pure electric most of the time w/ no range anxiety) and also being positive about the Tesla (a good EV car for those not requiring extended range). The thing that will irk Elon the most is if Lutz complements Elon & Tesla on Letterman because it will make Lutz appear the better man.
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May 15th, 2009 (4:00 pm)Back when Letterman was on NBC (in the dim early mists of time when I was young enough to stay up that late), Dave had a quip in his monologue about a, shall we say, overweight Braves pitcher. He called him “A Fat Tub of Goo,” on national television.
To make a long story short, Dave eventually invited the pitcher onto the show, was extremely apologetic (the baseball player took the whole thing good-naturedly), and even allowed him a few extra minutes of fame (allowing the pitcher to sing “Fat is Cool,” a self-written attempt to cross over into pop music?).
If Letterman truly recognizes the error of his ways, you may actually see a pretty effective platform for Mr. Lutz and the Volt.
Then again, time may turn grape juice into wine; but it can also turn wine into vinegar.
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May 15th, 2009 (4:06 pm)Charles Says:
May 15th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Somehow I don’t think an old, retired GM exec will bring in the same ratings as Musk did. Outside of this site, there are probably 10 other people in the country who know who this guy is
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What an ignorant remark. Bob Lutz is highly respected and regarded across much of the automotive industry. Not a hero to all, perhaps, but they loved him at GM and Chrysler. I can’t wait to hear gigundous-head Letterman try to pull a veil of comedy over his hateful ignorance. He’s just not too bright, and it’s been a long time since I thought he was funny.
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May 15th, 2009 (4:07 pm)Noel,
I completely agree!!
The sad thing about media, is that buffoonery is rewarded with tens of millions of dollars, while the intellectual-tech in this country is just underpaid entirely. I am talking about all this automotive software-loss
BS (from non-backed-up memory processors) which is now causing ALL KINDS OF SEVERE HOURS-LOSSES TO THE HARD-WORKING INDEPENDENT SHOP TECHNICIAN, and which situation that has been
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crookedly
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designed that way into just about every vehicle nowadays. This situation is causing massive losses in time and money to the independent shop. But that is another topic for later that I will prove to everyone as these horror stories accumulate very shortly.
I do not like CBS. I have my concrete professional reasons for this from a very very dishonest situation regarding CBS and my intellectual property.
So, if Letterman comes out with more of his dead-wrong BS, then I just might expose something.
While I distrust CBS greatly, it would be helpful if they got their head out of where the sun does not shine and get technically-informed
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REALLY QUICKLY.
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I doubt CBS wants to have the severest critique coming their way for two incompetent interviews by an “asleep at the wheel” interviewer, as well as from late night bimbo-show buffoonery.
The environment has no time for it, and I hope that the public will learn to have no tolerance of it, as the vast technical advancements and environmentally-preserving capabilities of the Voltec technologies deserve
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proper and lengthy
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recognition, and that the 400 or so talented engineers of GM are the ones who are bringing Voltec out for us. (In addition to showing the remainder of the OEM’s “how it is done”, which I happen to know that many of them are already greatly appreciating.)
Dan Petit Austin TX.
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May 15th, 2009 (4:08 pm)I sure hope Lutz is very complimentary about Tesla…or at least restricts himself to backhanded compliments like “it is a great car for the very wealthy”. Lutz needs to behave himself while showing spunk and avoiding controversial statements. Not an easy balance.
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May 15th, 2009 (4:51 pm)Will Letterman ask if Lutz still thinks global warming is a crock? Will he have his top ten aimed at the Volt? Will this be yet another disaster?
How many gallons of gas does the Volt hold?
At 65 MPH, how far can the Volt go before the ICE starts up to sustain battery charge?
How long does it take to for the Volt to accelerate from zero to 60 MPH?
Is the reason Letterman did not know the Volt extended range, is that GM has been too clever by half at hiding its actual performance?
Time will tell.
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May 15th, 2009 (4:51 pm)40 miles a day will get me to and from work and save me from purchasing and burning 300 gallons of gas a year. Eventually, this car will be cheaper to buy and maintain than current cars. If we want to pay people to drill oil and work on inferior cars, we should bury the volt. This is good for the environment, good for the US economy and good for my pocketbook.
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May 15th, 2009 (4:58 pm)Kick his butt Bob!
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May 15th, 2009 (5:10 pm)Dave: So, Bob, when did you first start to work for GM?
Bob: 2002.
Dave: And how much money have they lost since?
Bob: Uhhh… I really don’t keep track.
Dave: So, this Volt thing, can you build it at a profit? Is this the answer to the Prius that’s going to turn the company around? Toyota makes about a half milliion Priuses per year and they sell them at a $3100 profit. Is the Volt going to earn that sort of revenue and profit for GM?
Bob: Dave, making money isn’t important at this stage, you must understand that this is vital to the future…
Dave: You don’t have a future if you don’t survive the present. I understand you have a lot of preorders for the Camaro?
Bob: Yes! 16,000 of them! And we…
Dave: Did you know Toyota has 75,000 preorders for the Prius?
Bob: That’s an entirely…
Dave: And, like I said, they make money on them? And the dealers can sell them for a profit, too. Did you know this isn’t a losing program and they have real economies of scale?
Bob: Sure but initially, they had to take it in the shorts on each one…
Dave: Yes, but initially was 13 years ago. You were dissing the Prius in 2005 when there were waiting lines for it. Do you remember that?
Bob: Well, but…
Dave: Let’s discuss the preorders for the Camaro.
Bob: Yes!
Dave: I see that many – MANY – people have dropped by FastLane to complain that you’re shipping regular allocations of Camaros to dealers, who then stick another $5K on the sticker and the people who ordered Camaros back in October and November and put down money are still waiting for their cars. Is that embarassing in any way to GM?
Bob: Well… Vehicle supply is complciated. That was a marketing program to determine interest…
Dave: And they sure did have interest, and put down hard money on those cars up to 7 months ago and you’re letting them twist in the wind. I’d think that if I put down hard money on, say, one of these mythical Volts that you’ve been talking up for a couple of years, that I’d expect to be the first one on my block to drive around in it, that there would be something in this for me putting down a deposit way in advance. That’s sure not the kind of thing that’s happening with the Camaro. Is this the sort of treatment you’re going to give people who sign up early for the Volt?
Bob: Can I have a drink of water?
Dave: No. I notice you’ve been talking up GM incessantly for years but you just dumped a bunch of stock. Why is that? Is your GM pension bankruptcy-proof?
Oh, yes, this will be a triumph of public relations for GM marketing.
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May 15th, 2009 (6:01 pm)#53 charlie h
Yes. He could do that. And CBS could thank Letterman for losing the GM advertising account. (Which will stay in existence at least as long as the government still continues to support GM–which could be a long time.) One thing we learn in business–don’t tick off customers. Regardless of their financial situations.
But let’s run over that conversation–with different responses…
Dave: So, Bob, when did you first start to work for GM?
Bob: 2002.
Dave: And how much money have they lost since?
Bob: We had pre-existing health care and pension liabilities that escalated. Life-expectancy and health care costs has increased dramatically over the past 30 years…
Dave (cuts him off): So, this Volt thing, can you build it at a profit? Is this the answer to the Prius that’s going to turn the company around? Toyota makes about a half milliion Priuses per year and they sell them at a $3100 profit. Is the Volt going to earn that sort of revenue and profit for GM?
Bob: We hope it will. We will lose money on the first generation Volt, but much less than we did on the EV1. And we’re building a cadillac version on which we will make money right away.
Dave: You don’t have a future if you don’t survive the present. I understand you have a lot of preorders for the Camaro?
Bob: Yes! 16,000 of them! And we…
Dave: Did you know Toyota has 75,000 preorders for the Prius?
Bob: We haven’t even started taking orders for the Volt, but I believe there’s already almost 50,000 people on an informal waiting list…
Dave: And, like I said, they make money on them? And the dealers can sell them for a profit, too. Did you know this isn’t a losing program and they have real economies of scale?
Bob: And we hope to do the same a few years down the line. IN the meantime, we’ll save money on cafe costs, and make money on the converj.
Dave: Yes, but initially was 13 years ago. You were dissing the Prius in 2005 when there were waiting lines for it. Do you remember that?
Bob: I still think it’s an impractical design. It just shows how much people want to reduce their gasoline use. And once the Volt is available as an alternative, they’ll flock to it.
Dave: Let’s discuss the preorders for the Camaro.
Bob: Yes!
Dave: I see that many – MANY – people have dropped by FastLane to complain that you’re shipping regular allocations of Camaros to dealers, who then stick another $5K on the sticker and the people who ordered Camaros back in October and November and put down money are still waiting for their cars. Is that embarassing in any way to GM?
Bob: State franchise laws..
Dave (cuts him off): And they sure did have interest, and put down hard money on those cars up to 7 months ago and you’re letting them twist in the wind. I’d think that if I put down hard money on, say, one of these mythical Volts that you’ve been talking up for a couple of years, that I’d expect to be the first one on my block to drive around in it, that there would be something in this for me putting down a deposit way in advance. That’s sure not the kind of thing that’s happening with the Camaro. Is this the sort of treatment you’re going to give people who sign up early for the Volt?
Bob: My specialty is product development, not distribution. But I can assure you that the distribution people are doing their best to get Camaros to as many people as they can as fast as they can. Our dealer distribution system is mandated by state franchise law.
Dave: No. I notice you’ve been talking up GM incessantly for years but you just dumped a bunch of stock. Why is that? Is your GM pension bankruptcy-proof?
Bob: And how is your CBS stock going for you Dave? Or don’t you own any? And how has losing advertising revenue affected your income?
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May 15th, 2009 (6:33 pm)LauraM,
It’s only going to go the way you suggest if Letterman has taken a sedative. A big one. CBS, for example, still makes money. Your counter-question for Lutz about stock price is not appropriate to the situation. Letterman is not one of CBS’ execs, his production company sells Late Night to CBS and makes money doing it.
This I liked:
Bob: We haven’t even started taking orders for the Volt, but I believe there’s already almost 50,000 people on an informal waiting list…
Dave: That waiting list, there’s no money involved, is that right? No actual down payment? And the median price the people on that list say they’ll pay is $32K? And GM is careful never to reveal the exact price of the Volt? So, this list could be mostly people who would refuse to pay what you intend to charge for the Volt? And many may not have the wherewithal to pay, anyway? And the Camaro pre-orders, the dealers actually took money, didn’t they?
And on Camaro distribution…
Bob: My specialty is product development, not distribution. But I can assure you that the distribution people are doing their best to get Camaros to as many people as they can as fast as they can. Our dealer distribution system is mandated by state franchise law.
Hahahah. Nice try. Go over to FastLane, yourself and read Fritz’ non-answer on this. It’s good for a laugh.
Anyway, responding to that, Dave might say: Product development? What’s happened to GM’s market share since 2002? Up? Down? Way, down, isn’t it? How does that refelct on product development? And as a key executive – you are or were vice-chair, isn’t the company’s overall reputation for dealing with its customers part of your purview? Remarks were published about this situation on FastLane. Isn’t that your signature blog? You were happy to put up a note there and hammer away at us about Elon Musk’s appearance on our show a few weeks ago. Did you bother to take a look at what else is going on around the company? FastLane is proclaimed to be a two-way conversation. Aren’t you listening? Isn’t anybody at GM listening? Hasn’t that sort of been GM’s problem for about 3 decades, now?
Lutz is one of GM’s biggest liabilities.
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May 15th, 2009 (6:49 pm)#54 LauraM,
Touche!
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May 15th, 2009 (6:59 pm)I just hope that Letterman does this seriously and lets Bob Lutz do a serious monologue on the volt and its advanced technology .
This is history in the making and it is very important history , we just don’t realize it right now because we are living it as it is happening .
In years to come we will be able to look back and realize just how important it was .
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May 15th, 2009 (7:20 pm)“We haven’t even started taking orders for the Volt, but I believe there’s already almost 50,000 people on an informal waiting list…”
A list on a unaffiliated blog is quite different than an actual deposit on car (like Tesla takes on the model S) . From my experience, I would guess 50K people on an interest list would convert to about 2,000-3,000 actual deposits on the Volt.
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May 15th, 2009 (7:27 pm)______________________________________________________
#55 charlie h Said:
“…Lutz is one of GM’s biggest liabilities.”
——
No Lutz = No Voltec Program.
No Voltec Program = No Lyle Volt Blog Site.
No Lyle Volt Blog Site = No You and Others Chatting About Chevy Volt
No You and Others Chatting About Chevy Volt = No Chevy Volt Grass Roots Movement
No Chevy Volt Grass Roots Movement = No 2010 Scheduled Production of Chevy Volt
No 2010 Scheduled Production Chevy Volt = No Competing EV/EREV Car Push by the Car Majors
No Competing EV/EREV Car Push by the Car Majors = No Electric Car Revolution.
No Electric Car Revolution = Continued Hostage to Petrol ICE Cars
Continued Hostage to Petrol ICE Cars = Continued Hostage to OPEC
Continued Hostage to OPEC = Continued American Massive Export of Energy Dollars + More Young American’s Killed in Foreign Lands to Secure American’s Energy Needs
Therefore explain to me exactly how Lutz is a liability other than a liability to OPEC?
______________________________________________________
Electric Cars + Nuclear Energy = American Energy Independence!
______________________________________________________
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May 15th, 2009 (7:40 pm)#55 charlie h
OK–let’s take this one at a time:
“It’s only going to go the way you suggest if Letterman has taken a sedative. A big one. CBS, for example, still makes money. Your counter-question for Lutz about stock price is not appropriate to the situation. Letterman is not one of CBS’ execs, his production company sells Late Night to CBS and makes money doing it.”
Or Letterman actually cares about CBS’s customers? I notice you didn’t respond to that portion of my comment. And CBS still makes money? Not last quarter they didn’t. True, they probably will in the future, but they’re also on a downtrend long term that is not due to the recession. And Luz may be an exec, but he’s in charge or product development. He’s not CEO or CFO, or in the accounting department. And most reviews I’ve read says he’s done a pretty good job improving GM’s product line-up. They’re still suffering from the bad product they had pre-Lutz, but that’s not his fault. (And considering it takes three-five years to produce a new car, 2002 isn’t so long ago.)
“This I liked:
Bob: We haven’t even started taking orders for the Volt, but I believe there’s already almost 50,000 people on an informal waiting list…
Dave: That waiting list, there’s no money involved, is that right? No actual down payment? And the median price the people on that list say they’ll pay is $32K? And GM is careful never to reveal the exact price of the Volt? So, this list could be mostly people who would refuse to pay what you intend to charge for the Volt? And many may not have the wherewithal to pay, anyway? And the Camaro pre-orders, the dealers actually took money, didn’t they?”
Do you really think that GM will have trouble selling their first year Volts? And GM hasn’t decided on the price of the Volt yet. They’ve admitted it depends on the price of gasoline, which is actually a good business decision. You know, basing the price on projected demand. (Although it’s not terribly good PR to actually admit it.)
“And on Camaro distribution…
Bob: My specialty is product development, not distribution. But I can assure you that the distribution people are doing their best to get Camaros to as many people as they can as fast as they can. Our dealer distribution system is mandated by state franchise law.
Hahahah. Nice try. Go over to FastLane, yourself and read Fritz’ non-answer on this. It’s good for a laugh.”
Link please? I went over and I couldn’t find any discussion of the camaro. I actually checked a couple of camaro sites and I couldn’t find anything about this…
“Anyway, responding to that, Dave might say: Product development? What’s happened to GM’s market share since 2002? Up? Down? Way, down, isn’t it? How does that refelct on product development?”
Again, that’s not his fault. It takes time to redo a product line. Cars have a long product development cycle. And he was stuck with the existing technologically out-dated factories that the unions wouldn’t let GM update when they had the money to do it.
And it takes even longer to rebuild a tainted reputation. The Malibu is a hit, and by all accounts is a much better car than the Camry or the Accord. But it doesn’t sell nearly as well.
“And as a key executive – you are or were vice-chair, isn’t the company’s overall reputation for dealing with its customers part of your purview?”
Um. No. And, anyway, see previous comment.
“Remarks were published about this situation on FastLane. Isn’t that your signature blog? You were happy to put up a note there and hammer away at us about Elon Musk’s appearance on our show a few weeks ago. Did you bother to take a look at what else is going on around the company? FastLane is proclaimed to be a two-way conversation. Aren’t you listening? Isn’t anybody at GM listening? Hasn’t that sort of been GM’s problem for about 3 decades, now?”
So you admit GM’s problem’s pre-date Lutz? Isn’t it a little ridiculous to blame them all on him? And he hammered away at Letterman (Although I actually thought his response was perfectly polite) for spreading misleading information on his project. And take a look around the rest of the company? That would be like blaming the guy who developed the xbox at Microsoft because you don’t like the zune. Its called division of labor?
“Lutz is one of GM’s biggest liabilities”
Um. No. He’s had his gaffs. But on the list of who’s hurt GM the most, I don’t think Lutz would even make the top 50.
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May 15th, 2009 (7:41 pm)I like sex.
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May 15th, 2009 (7:46 pm)#58 Jerry says:
“A list on a unaffiliated blog is quite different than an actual deposit on car (like Tesla takes on the model S) . From my experience, I would guess 50K people on an interest list would convert to about 2,000-3,000 actual deposits on the Volt.”
You’re right. However, given the interest in Prius’s, etc., I find it hard to believe that GM would have any trouble selling the Volt. It’s a much superior technology. I’m not saying they could expect 50,000 pre-orders for gen one. But once people become accustomed to the idea (which admittedly will take a few years) they won’t be able to make them fast enough.
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May 15th, 2009 (7:58 pm)#62
” But once people become accustomed to the idea (which admittedly will take a few years) they won’t be able to make them fast enough.”
I hope for everyone’s sake you are right. But you have to also consider than by a few years after 2011, which puts us in the 2013-2014 range every other manufacturer will have a similar car. They might be better or worse, but probably cheaper. GM will still be in the same position they are in now, with most people choosing imports. Think a sub $20k E-REV Hyundai with 10 yr warranty. If they can’t compete now, how will they compete then?
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May 15th, 2009 (8:35 pm)This is off-topic, but I just read an excellent article on the Volt’s history within GM, discussions with the key execs, and a chronology of the problems, successes, worries, etc.
I think most will find it very interesting.
http://www.jonathanrauch.com/jrauch_articles/gms-electric-shock-therapy/
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May 15th, 2009 (8:48 pm)Just think if 1000 dealers bought $32,000.00 of GM stock on monday . That would give them 51% and control . GM has 610million shares out at $1.09 per share .
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May 15th, 2009 (9:15 pm)I hope for three things:
1. Letterman gets to drive the Volt in generator mode….if not, then it’s only been demonstrated in EV mode — supporting Dave’s accusation of only a 40 mile range.
2. Letterman gets a price. I’m pretty sick of people spewing cost numbers like they’re the gospel truth. Let’s hear it from the horse’s mouth.
3. Letterman gets an answer to what the mpg is while in generator mode….not some namby pamby answer about a ‘combined cycle’.
As much as I’d enjoy seeing things come to fisticuffs with this interview, I’m sure it will be fairly civil and we (as Volt followers) won’t glean any new information from this media event. It will be a lot of Sunshine and Roses from Lutz and Dave will feign interest and make a joke (or two) that will infuriate a lot of fanboys and fangirls on this board. I’ll definitely watch the episode, but I fully expect to be disappointed.
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May 15th, 2009 (9:20 pm)#65 Edwin….um…Bankruptcy is around the corner…who wants 51% if that? Right after the BK buy some GM stock.
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May 15th, 2009 (9:27 pm)Lyle, you are the Man!
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May 15th, 2009 (9:56 pm)I don’t know how David Letterman could be misinformed about the volts range extender.
Neil Young already told him about this concept awhile back!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_vzNH0nkX4
here is the song Neil was talking about
http://www.blender.com/video/music-videos/77120/neil-young-just-singing-song-exclusive.html
Maybe it’s his old age, or maybe he is looking for a response from mr. Lutz. Well I’m glad he got it!
This should be an interesting interview
Here is some more info about the amazing LincVolt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVUIpLYsgIo&feature=related
http://www.lincvolt.com/
Enjoy! Way to go Neil and John,… and Mr. Lutz
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May 15th, 2009 (10:06 pm)#12 nuclearboy
“Lutz is smart and speaks well”
Are we talking about the same Bob Lutz?
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May 15th, 2009 (10:18 pm)Note to Mr. Lutz;
Don’t leave out the part on how the Volt technology is just the first step in the development of an entire line of new GM cars, i.e. Converj, Cruze, Orlando, Spark, and more…
GM is not betting the farm on just one single car. That’s the point the American people needs to hear.
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May 15th, 2009 (10:46 pm)You’re right. However, given the interest in Prius’s, etc., I find it hard to believe that GM would have any trouble selling the Volt. It’s a much superior technology.
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The key to being “much superior” is having a similar price; otherwise, it’s just a premium model.
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May 15th, 2009 (10:50 pm)GM is not betting the farm on just one single car.
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Two-Mode and BAS are still being invested in.
Knowing timeframe and volume paint an interesting picture.
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May 15th, 2009 (11:05 pm)Laura M,
Here you go…
http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2009/04/a_tour_of_the_new_chevy_camaro.html
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May 16th, 2009 (12:03 am)#63 Jerry says:
“I hope for everyone’s sake you are right. But you have to also consider than by a few years after 2011, which puts us in the 2013-2014 range every other manufacturer will have a similar car. They might be better or worse, but probably cheaper. GM will still be in the same position they are in now, with most people choosing imports. Think a sub $20k E-REV Hyundai with 10 yr warranty. If they can’t compete now, how will they compete then?”
—————–
First of all, that’s the whole point of the government sponsored bankruptcy. To redo GM’s cost structure so it can compete.
Second, GM has probably filed a number of patents associated with the EREV. Although Fisker Karma’s also doing one, so I’m not sure how extensive they are. But they should still either delay anyone who wants to copy GM, or at least get them to come to a liscensing arrangement. (Like Toyota with the Prius, and hybrids.).
Third, there’s no reason to think another manufacturer would find it quicker or easier to develop an EREV than GM. They came into this with a lead because they had already spent a billion dollars developing the EV1. And right now, the other manufacturers are still working on an updated version of the EV1. GM is the only one working on the (more complicated) EREV. That I know of. Of course, it’s always possible that Toyota and/or Honda are developing a competitor quietly, but I tend to doubt it.
So, that gives them at least a three year lead. And there’s no reason they can’t keep it. That means that the other manufacturer’s versions will be at a disadvantage. GM will have gen three, while other manufacturers are still ironing out gen one. If the GM volt is bigger, and significantly cheaper than the Toyota version, most people will go with the Volt.
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May 16th, 2009 (12:30 am)#76 charlie h
OK. I read through all the replies. And the marketing guy said what I said. They are bound by state franchise rules and their dealership agreements. They can’t choose who gets the cars first. They have to allocate according to dealership priority.
I agree that this was handled badly, but, as far as I can, most of this was the dealers’ fault. They should have been clearer with their customers about the pre-orders. That Avis and “dealer cars” come first. And what it means it terms of priority. Pre-ordering will get you priority in terms of that dealer’s allocation. But that’s it.
Also, I would guess (just by reading the Camaro sites) that most cars being built are pre-orders.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=2
I wouldn’t put it past dealers to a)sell their dealer cars (the ones they were sent so people could test drive) and b)put in false pre-orders. And, in fairness, I’m sure there are people who changed their minds. And some dealers didn’t have pre-orders for their initial allocation. (And I’m sure there’s a required order even among so called “initial allocation.”) So, there are some on the lots. But GM can’t stop that.
And the people in the 2000s? Seriously, GM spotted a problem with a brand new car at the beginning of the production line. Rather than ship the car, they want to deal with it in the factory. These things happen. If you want a car right away, you shouldn’t buy something that hasn’t yet been released.
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May 16th, 2009 (12:47 am)I just hope it doesn’t go down like the movie, A Few Good Men. We wouldn’t enjoy Lutz getting upset with Dave and doing the whole, “I’ll rip off your head and puke in your skull.” Routine.
Then again…
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May 16th, 2009 (2:25 am)Texas #77
Or:
Letterman, Tell me the truth.
Lutz, You don’t want the truth. I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly imagine! It’s men like me that stand at the front lines and do the job that no one else is willing to do, so that you have the freedom to take your leisurely Sunday drives in a new electric car.
You have that luxury. You don’t want to know the truth because deep down inside at places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that (VOLT) line, you need me on that (Volt) line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man that rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom of mobility that I provide.
Letterman. Did you order the 40 mile range?
Lutz. I did the job I was assigned.
Letterman. angrily – Did you order the 40 mile range?
Lutz. yelling – You’re D#$n right I did, for all the right reasons you and your namby pamby global warming pals could never understand!
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May 16th, 2009 (6:55 am)People build EREV in their garages, its not complicated technology (and that is why the chinese car makers are flocking to it).. most of the “secrets” have already been discussed in this blog.
The enabling tech is the cheap and durable battery, and that belongs to LG.
Motors, generators and inverters?.. everyone knows how to make those.
GM has had no trouble designing the Volt, nevermind all the tech worrywarts in this blog.. genset problems? ..please. The only issue about the Volt has always been the cost and battery warranty.
The other manufacturers will probably start with a 10 mile EREV, just to keep the cost of the cars down. Assuming they are not completely scared off by GM’s success with the Volt.
……………….
#75 LauraM Says:
Third, there’s no reason to think another manufacturer would find it quicker or easier to develop an EREV than GM. They came into this with a lead because they had already spent a billion dollars developing the EV1.
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May 16th, 2009 (7:26 am)Ecogeek #66
“3. Letterman gets an answer to what the mpg is while in generator mode….not some namby pamby answer about a ‘combined cycle’.”
—————————
http://gm-volt.com/page/3/
Both City and Highway EPA cycle ranges are at least 40 and are within about 1 mile of one another. What is namby pamby about that. If you are looking for real world, then the only number of relevence will be what you get when you drive it since everybody’s “real world” is different. The EPA cycles are standardized tests. Find out what your current car does on the same tests, determine your current “real world” mileage, and apply your real world to EPA mileage ratios to 40 miles. This will get to within a mile or two of the Volt’s AER for similar driving conditions.
From my comment on the linked thread:
“my expectations of AER to 36 miles hwy (72mph, A/C, light traffic) and 38 miles city (<2 mile ave trip, A/C, med acceleration).”
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May 16th, 2009 (7:51 am)Re: Letterman and Lutz exchange:
I really don’t think you are going to have a heated exchange, and I don’t think Letterman is going to go all 360 on him (Anderson Cooper).
Letterman clearly has a thing against GM, but this is about client and advertiser. Late Night isn’t a news show. He wasn’t on MSNBC….he was on NBC. Dave’s Worldwide Pants makes money having people watch, and then monetizing that viewship into advertising dollars.
He made a mistake going after GM like that. A) they are a big advertisers, and B) he made a major factual error/misrepresented GM’s halo vehicle. In all likelyhood he will fall on the sword, and they will have a flippant 10 minutes of banter with some Volt face time littered throughout.
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May 16th, 2009 (8:21 am)#72 The key to being “much superior” is having a similar price; otherwise, it’s just a premium model.
In a word….No….
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May 16th, 2009 (9:09 am)#76 LauraM noted to charlie h in discussion about the long delays in delivering pre-ordered Camaros (later than Avis and walk-in customeres)
I agree that this was handled badly, but, as far as I can, most of this was the dealers’ fault. They should have been clearer with their customers about the pre-orders. That Avis and “dealer cars” come first. And what it means it terms of priority. Pre-ordering will get you priority in terms of that dealer’s allocation. But that’s it.
———————————————————
So in terms of the Volt we have to learn from the Camaro fiasco. The obvious lesson is do not pre-order. If you do, you will not get your car earlier, but you lose the possibility of shopping around at other dealers.
Conversely, just save your money. If, as, when the car appears for sale, look around and be ready to buy it if you like it.
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May 16th, 2009 (9:18 am)1>volt = 300 miles
2>smooth, quiet, less maintenance
3>solar blanket recharge option
4>Converj and other new models
5>”available the end of 2010″.
bonus point:
6>Fuel prices will rise 20% per year as the economy recovers.
Bob will in effect have about a minute to talk during the entire interview. Dave will run with his answers turning them into 1 minute jokes. I believe Dave will burn two minutes of the interview with a joke about driving an electric car in the rain.
Bob should avoid battery talk. Simply turn the battery question into an opportunity to present one of the above 5 listed points.
Dave: So this new Volt car has a battery in it? Do I need to charge this each day?
Bob: Many of our new models including the Converj will offer electric drive. You can charge the Volt or put gasoline in it for a range of 300 miles.
Dave: If I drive this car in the rain will it spark?
Bob: No, the Volt is smooth and quiet offering the driver 6 cylinder performance.
Dave: Because if it sparks I’m thinking I’ll need fire insurance.
Bob: (laughs) You can hide under the optional solar recharge blanket if you feel that way about it.
Dave: So can I buy one of these right now?
Bob: No, the final product, along with it’s close relative The Cruze, will be available in November of 2010.
=D~
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May 16th, 2009 (9:20 am)I guess it’s an “Any port in a storm” type thing, but Leno would be the goto guy for cars. And I thought the pink tie was Bob’s lucky one.
I do agree that Bob has to show SOME uncharacteristic restraint about the topics he comments on. As long as he stays “Voltcentric” I think he’ll be great.
Be well,
Tag
LJGTVWOTR!!********NPNS
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May 16th, 2009 (9:31 am)Every person who reads this blog needs to go back up to #74 charlie h and read through the comments in the link he provides. The comments are about the (lack of) deliveries of pre-ordered Camaros. Essentially they are in practice in line behind various walk-up customers. There are obviously many many frustrated people out there who have committed real money for a Camaro to be delivered who knows when.
There is nothing we can do about the chaotic Camaro situation except sympathize with those involved and learn from it as regards the Volt. But “a ship on the beach is a lighthouse to the sea”, and it is our own fault if we do not learn the Camaro lesson.
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May 16th, 2009 (10:06 am)The only thing that was false was not mentioning the range extender.
Hearing Letterman I get the impression he was one of those EV1 drivers GM decided to alienate on March 14 2005. If he wasn’t one he probably knows one like Alexandra Paul who was arrested trying to save the EV1.
Gm forgot the most important rule of business “Never go around deliberately alienating customers!” One dissatisfied customer is worth more than 10 lost sales. In this case it’s more like 100 lost sales. Now GM has to spend billions to make up the bad karma.
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May 16th, 2009 (10:36 am)GM standing up for them self, SHOCK HORROR!
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May 16th, 2009 (11:00 am)I hope Mr. Lutz does point out the huge gasoline engine in the Volt. This car is very very far from environmentally friendly.
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May 16th, 2009 (12:28 pm)The Camaro fiasco is just an instant replay of the scenarios which have surrounded the introduction of every red hot desirable new car in my lifetime.
The 1984 Corvette, the first (1989?) Corvette ZR-1, the current ZR-1, and the Viper, just to name a few.
It’s just the nature of the system, probably made that much worse by the current condition of the dealer body. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’ll just wait however long it takes until the feeding frenzy is over and I can buy one for sticker. Not to worry, that day will come soon enough.
If it happens, the good news will be that GM has survived long enough for such a thing to come to pass. That would be a good thing. I can deal with the rest.
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May 16th, 2009 (12:45 pm)LauraM, [It's like I said,] “They are bound by state franchise rules and their dealership agreements. They can’t choose who gets the cars first. They have to allocate according to dealership priority.”
Then you’re saying the bonehead move was up at Corporate, to allow pre-orders that they wouldn’t fill?
For the moment, this is a hot car. If putting down money on this doesn’t get you the hot car while it’s hot, then it’s going to alienate customers. You can shift some of the blame to the dealers, if you like, but the best case for GM is that they get to share a black eye, not avoid one.
And there’s no reason to believe this has anything to do with allocation, it looks, by some of the comments, that the same dealer who took an order has another Camaro to sell to someone else. At a markup. That tells you why this is happening… GM’s giving the dealers a little sugar and the existing orders are getting trampled.
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May 16th, 2009 (2:10 pm)#91 charlie h
Pre-ordering makes sense if you want to be first in line for a given dealership’s allocation. It’s not like none of the pre-orders have been filled. Many of them have.
And there are over 15,000 pre-orders. They can’t build and deliver that many in a two months. How long did some people have to wait for the Prius?
As far as the dealers selling at a mark-ups–GM wants each dealer to have a car so that people will be able to test drive the car. They are also hoping it will serve as a “halo” car, and people will go in to look at the camaro, and walk away with a Malibu. Some dealers are selling the cars at mark-ups. How is that GM’s fault?
Regardless, this will be less of an issue with the Volt because there will be many fewer dealers. .
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May 16th, 2009 (2:43 pm)LauraM: “Regardless, this will be less of an issue with the Volt because there will be many fewer dealers.”
And many fewer Volts. First year run is 10K. If it is a desireable car (a big if, that), there will be a very long line. And plenty of time for people to think they’ve gotten the short end of the stick.
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May 16th, 2009 (4:27 pm)In a word….No….
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After over 2 years of blogs here, that’s the best anyone can come up with!
No wonder y’all are still depending on support of Volt from Lutz.
When will those here finally step up to the plate?
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May 16th, 2009 (4:29 pm)Seriously, the argument for Volt must be much, much better.
Other GM hybrid technologies will be getting funding. They offer a far more compelling business case for sales & profit.
What will YOU do to encourage investement in Volt?
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May 16th, 2009 (5:45 pm)Looks like CBS pulled all the vids of Musk on Letterman off of youtube.
There won’t be any hard questions asked of Lutz because Dave’s been reminded where his bread is buttered.
Letterman’s going to roll over and Bob’s bringing an 18 oz tub of Country “Crock”.
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May 16th, 2009 (6:41 pm)Appease a bankrupt company? Why? And Lutz’ influence is on the wane, too. Letterman could be a nice fellow and avoid use of the phrase ‘welfare queen” and GM should thank him for it.
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May 17th, 2009 (8:09 am)Fortunately Lutz is not a child. I doubt very much that he will ‘give Dave Hell’. I expect he will simply offer an explanation of the Volt concept that will make sense. Hopefully, some real enthusiasm will also shine through. Dave Letterman is quite intelligent and I’m sure he will give Lutz plenty of opportunity to respond. Dave will work in some humor of course, hopefully around why Musk, who knows better, would go along—maybe because he is a competitor? I suspect there will also be some joke around global warming (has Bob done any more research on this and changed his mind?).
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May 17th, 2009 (8:45 am)I’ll be watching but fully expect to be disapointed. I think GM is on to something here with this technology but we have yet to get clear answers as to what kind of milege we can expect from genorater mode. I also fully expect to be floored when GM finaly announce the price of this technology. I don’t know how much the annual income is for most of you but I know I can’t afford a new $40,000 vehicle that will probably carry a hefty wallop when it comes to up keep and maintainence. I just don’t see the volt as the “every mans” vehicle, but it does give some hope for the future.
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May 18th, 2009 (8:22 am)
May 18th, 2009 (8:44 am)So how will the coward Lutz answer Dave’s first question–So Bob I hear you dumped your GM stock it really looks like you are betting on the VOLT.
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May 18th, 2009 (12:51 pm)The EV-1 is a better car built decades ago with better mileage and no gasoline.
There is no argument for a hybrid that’s taken FOREVER to develop with inferior to technology available 20 years ago.
Gbye you worthless car execs
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May 18th, 2009 (10:22 pm)#101
Robert Parks Says:
May 18th, 2009 at 8:44 am
So how will the coward Lutz…
______________________
Do you actually know anything at all about Lutz?
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May 19th, 2009 (7:24 am)Mr. Lutz,
Tell the buffoon Letterman that the very people who watch his program believe in America, much unlike him.
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May 19th, 2009 (4:03 pm)#89 Dan Heggem
It’s a 1.4litre engine, hardly a monster!
The Prius has a 1.5 by the way…
(Damn fuel sucking big block!)
I am kidding of course, although I want a Volt I still give Toyota kudos for going first.
While confirming I had the right displacement for the Prius I found this web site… wanna hop up your Prius???
http://srmotorsports.net/
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May 19th, 2009 (4:27 pm)The Volt needs to be promoted and GM needs to stand by their commitment unlike they have in the past. The Volt is a great idea and letterman is just down right “Stupid”. I guess he is another who talks without reading first. I thought at least a few of us Indiana boys could read! GM needs to get their act together and this is a good start. NO MORE BIG GAS HOGS. Let the workers build something that we need and they will be working for a long time.
There is NO question that GM has built some very good vehicles in the past but that is just it, “The Past”. GM needs to build for the future. With the Volt, they can make the future providing they don’t start their iniative because “They don’t think they can make money from the venture”. GM needs to be brave and not worry about the loss of money, hell they have already loss billions on those vehicles that they said that was their bread and butter.
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May 19th, 2009 (4:44 pm)I agree with my husband who was brought up in the GM family. Many times in the years watching GM function with their many changes and many strikes for different benefits did we ever see or hear that they were interested in building a functional vehicle that could be somewhat practical and cheap to operate. The Volt is a wonderful idea that seems to get whacko’s like Letterman wrapped around Rush’s big gas hoggin SUV. However, GM does need to lead the way and they have already gotten themselves in a bind with the stuff that they thought was going to last forever.
It appears at times as if the Petrol Industry brings down the prices so they can get guys like Letterman to help keep the big fuel pumpers on the road. It sounds as if GM is getting a little weak in the knees about the Volt. We sure are not getting any information on it and the last was “We need better battery Technology”. OK, I gues that’s a good excuse! Go for it!!! and you’ll never build the vehicle.
Let us hope that we can soon buy a Chevy Volt and that it is within a reasonable price range that even the laborers that build them can afford. I know many that would love to buy one and drive it everyday to their good General Motors job, if they just can keep it. If they are lucky, maybe the Union will fill up their tanks to get to work so they can make the Union some more money. Isn’t that fair?
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