AND 
Transition From Integration to Pre-Production Begins Now: Thousands of Chevy Volts to be Built Early Next Year
As was reported on Friday October 9, GM completed building the last of a total of 74 pre-production Chevy Volts, which were built in the modest-sized pre-production operations facility in GM’s Warren campus. I had the chance to discuss with Volt vehicle line engineer Tony Posawatz what happens now.
Now that these cars are finished what happens next?
Interestingly enough this is probably where the intense work begins. From a build perspective, we won’t build again until early next year in Hamtramck. What we do now is we take the production intent designs that were built up in the integration vehicles and we test the living daylights out of them and continue to do iterations and iterations. A lot of it is software. A lot of it is taking some of the crudeness in fit in the body fits and tighten them up. Although we do it on math, variations occur and flushness and fit come out a little differently then they do on paper.
So we’re now tuning it. And between that time from October of this year and March of next year, we test the vehicle to confirm the production design works, tweak and fix things, and as we tweak and fix things those changes have to be incorporated in the production tooling and those things typically have a longer lead time.
Then the production tooling is in place. Those are the big heavy expensive dyes to stamp the sheet metal. Those are more significant molds and cavities and processes to manufacture plastic parts in high volume. That’s kind of what happens right now. Right now is the testing, problem-solving, refining and putting all that learning into the production tools. Come the March timeframe and we’re running Volts with production tools. And that is still an iteration process or learning process to refine it for what’s going to happen later in the year.
Are you beginning to put hardware into the Hamtramck plant?
Oh yeah, the Hamtramck plant and the battery plant are on a project plan to upgrade themselves to be ready to build in the early 2010 timeframe. So right now there are tools in toolshops being produced and as we find out, we need this or that, we’ll change it on a production tool. That’s the process we’re in.
When you first start building in March what are those vehicles called?
We call them PPVs, pre-production vehicles or validations. We have a couple more “flavors” but those are all flavors of production vehicle that we work through. This is fairly state of the industry, our terminology is a little different, but every manufacturer does these iterations or flavors of vehicles that have the next phase of software.
At some point in time for example the interior parts have a certain graining to them that you do as one of the last things. You put in a little grain into the tool, but once the tool is grained and they have this nice little texture to the plastic parts it’s very hard to change the tool if you have any functional dimensional changes. Later in the Spring we’ll actually grain the parts so that they really look like production and piece the cars together.
Right now things are actually going pretty well. We have certainly a lot of issues but that’s standard for this type of project and where we are at in the program. Issues are actually a good thing. We know no one is that good to get it spot-on or if the issues don’t properly surface they somehow surface later. If you have a lot of variation in some of the parts, and you don’t see it early enough to try to control it, to get thefir finsihs and execution elements perfect.
PPVs are not saleable?
No, they’re not saleable yet.
So you will build a few hundred of those?
No we build in the two to three thousand range. We’re finalizing that number right now. A lot of that is practicing the processing of that. Ultimately their will be a line rate of many jobs per hour when we do this so you want to get the guys actually practicing in the production environment.
160 Responses to “Transition From Integration to Pre-Production Begins Now: Thousands of Chevy Volts to be Built Early Next Year”
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October 12th, 2009 at 6:38 am
Good morning, Lyle.
From the article:
What we do now is we take the production intent designs that were built up in the integration vehicles and we test the living daylights out of them and continue to do iterations and iterations.
Test, test, test, and test some more. Then please don’t put in a cheap door handle that breaks off in a few months.
Make the car the best built car you have ever produced.
Market the heck out of it. Stand up and be proud of this awesome accomplishment. Brag about what you are doing for this country and for this planet. I have no doubts you, GM, can pull this off. We can help. Please consider our “Want List”.
I can help. Please use me as a Project Driveway volunteer.
Please use Lyle as a Project Driveway volunteer also. Trust me, you will have no shortage of volunteers.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:48 am
Two to three thousand not to be sold? Where will they go? I thought the first 80 were for crash testing. They won’t need to crash test 3,000.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:48 am
WOO HOO!
‘Nuf said!
I’ll be AFK (away from keyboards) for about 2 weeks, so I’m not ignoring anyone. Should be back in Nov.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
October 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Rashiid,
Amen on all counts!
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
October 12th, 2009 at 6:51 am
Enjoy your break, Tagamet.
Stay safe.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:52 am
Crushed?
Ouch, I know. Cheap shot. Sorry.
I gave myself a-1 for this one.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:07 am
Thanks, Rashiid.
Will do.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
October 12th, 2009 at 7:08 am
I would imagine things like the battery pack and more expensive COTS (commercial off the shelf) components will be salvaged before they crush the cars.
Wouldn’t it be more fun to enter them into a demo derby? or possibly drive them off a jump or huge cliff for fun and profit? I don’t know why it all has to be so boring
October 12th, 2009 at 7:11 am
A demolition Derby would be awesome.
Do it for charity and get some good PR out of it.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:18 am
LD>”So you will build a few hundred of those?”
TP>”No we build in the two to three thousand range.”
First the Euro hood design change. Now thousands of PPV’s. Hints toward a worldwide test program. Good move…to maintain the worldwide continuity of NGMCO.
=D~
October 12th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Wow. In the last article, I asked about this. Thanks Lyle for such a quick reply. LOL
.
GM could use those 2,000 or so PPV in show rooms to advertise the heck out of the Volt. Put them in Malls throughout the country and let everyone get a good look at this fine looking car.
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:32 am
And if they start them in March, they can have them done by July 4th, 2010 – Independence (from oil) Day!
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
October 12th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Plus one for humor, Rashiid.
October 12th, 2009 at 9:49 am
In that case I’m taking a break as well. No point in being here with all those depressives! BTW, I’m thinking that 3000 test units for 10000 production units seems weird. Maybe they’re going to amp it up.
October 12th, 2009 at 9:50 am
So that’s what you meant by the July 4th date! Seriously, 3000 is a big number, way more than for example Tesla has sold, so it’s fair to count these as fulfilling your “prophesy”!
October 12th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Now wouldn’t that be impressive – a Volt on a dyno inside the sales area with, silent and no polution!
October 12th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Kudos to Lyle for a nice interview with a lot of new and interesting information. I haven’t seen this published anywhere else. No doubt this site will get a lot of links from the other EV web sites on this one. (Maybe even one from AllCarsElectric!)
October 12th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Wooooooooooooooooooooooooo Hoooooooooooooooooooooooo!! and Bbbbblllllllllllllleeeeeeeeehhhhhhhh! to the nay sayers!!!! If I sign a waiver will GM give me two or three??
October 12th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Maybe some of those will be part of the required Gov’t fleet.
October 12th, 2009 at 9:58 am
GM should immediately begin putting this tech into silverados,vans, and Suv,s you know cars and trucks people want to buy. THere are enough econo-boxes out there already with dozens on the drawing boards for 2010.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Truck buyers are already accustomed to paying $40000 + for their trucks,so lets economize the guzzlers first.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Right on Rashiid. The demographic for the Volt is going to be quite different than what the Chevy dealerships normally see. If you want to impress your new date best not do anything too off-putting. The Volt will get cut some slack on the technology front, but a cheap looking or ill-functioning interior is not something that will get a pass.
In this regard, I think the decision to make the interior different was a good one, though I would have preferred that they go the somewhat “retro” Mini route rather than the “button” route. The analog knobs really are more functional than the digital buttons.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:05 am
The sight of all those battery packs being beat up in the derby would bring tears to my eyes!
Hey GM – if you really are going to junk all those cars, I have a use for a set or two of battery packs – they would be great for backup of a solar system I may install on the roof of the house!!!!
Waste not, want not……………..
October 12th, 2009 at 10:05 am
>> test the living daylights out of them
Second what you said Rashiid, test-test-test-test-test-test some more! Now’s the time to get the wrinkles worked out.
>> we build in the two to three thousand range
Get outta here! That’s a fantastic number, and about 4-6x as many as I guessed we’d see during this phase. Anybody still think this is a greenwashing exercise?
October 12th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Has anyone ever heard of producing two to three THOUSAND pre production vehicles? That’s as much as 120 million dollars worth of unsellable volts. . . . But these days, who’s counting anyway?
/ Does the large number of PPV’s mean confidence is low, or confidence is high?
October 12th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Tag – Have fun!!!
Rashiid – I guess it is up to you and me to keep the spirits high around here………………..
DonC – We are not all like statik…………….
October 12th, 2009 at 10:08 am
>> I gave myself a-1 for this one.
Don’t know why you would. I believe this was the stated fate for which many, if not all, of the PPVs are destined.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:09 am
AFK for 2 weeks? The -new- American dream! We’ll see ya when you get back — ta ta, ’til then.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Rashiid:
You just pretty much said it all!
LJGTVWOTR!
October 12th, 2009 at 10:11 am
I agree. These are the posts we want to read and respond to! This one will probably get 300 responses, as compared to statik’s depresso posts that get about 80.
Lyle – keep up the great work!!!!! It will make the next 13 months fly by……………..
October 12th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Be Well Tag!
October 12th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Welcome.
There is a lot of sentiment here for electric trucks. Unfortunately, battery costs (primarily) mean that a fully electric-drive truck is probably still several years away. However, a plug-in two-mode may not be that far off (knock on simulated wood-grain particle board).
October 12th, 2009 at 10:15 am
BTW, how does one get your name in the “hat” to be considered a Volt Project Driveway volunteer? Is there a website where you can go enter your information, or is there a form you can download and fill out and mail to GM? Does anyone have any information they can share?
October 12th, 2009 at 10:18 am
The comment on “graining” of interior surfaces (as being one of the last things that’s done) may explain why many of the concept surfaces seemed so slick and cheap looking. Hopefully, the PPV and following Volts will look far better than anything we’ve seen.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:19 am
“This is fairly state of the industry”
“A lot of that is practicing the processing of that. Ultimately their will be a line rate of many jobs per hour when we do this so you want to get the guys actually practicing in the production environment.”
I wonder how Toyo gets ready for a new model on a new line, caucus1?
October 12th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Fantastic news! The 2-3,000 number is certainly impressive and forshadows a bright future for VOLT.
It is doubtful that GM will put any of these PPV’s on public display as the interiors will unlikely be finished (surfaces are likely to be flat with no texture). BUT, after testing, these units would certainly make for excellent technician training vehicles and could even be donated to Tech Schools around the country to help train a future crop of technicians. By showing off GM’s latest technology in classrooms around the country, GM would also begin the process of changing perception one student at a time and begin cultivating thousands of future GM customers.
Test, test, test…. only good can come out of it.
Go GM. Go VOLT. Bring it on….
October 12th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Wow, 2,000 – 3,000 sounds like a lot of them considering the first year run is supposed to be 10,000. What do you do with that many if you aren’t planning on selling them?
I suppose you could give them to GM employees, utilities, local / state / federal officials, etc. for evaluation.
Soon we will be lousy with Volts …
October 12th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Rashiid,
Great first post! Excellent points and well said.
Go GM. Go VOLT. Bring it on….
October 12th, 2009 at 10:30 am
I guess he is talking about EV1 …
October 12th, 2009 at 10:34 am
That is the price of doing buisiness in the automotive world these days. Some problems cannot be found until the routine of building these vehicles in a factory is studied.
Remember that GM has to be measured by many quality standards, suchs as J D Power and CR. Many times, good quality and bad is a small difference, but the damage cannot be undone.
I would read this as GM taking the quality of this product very seriously, and making sure that anything that can be corrected before production, will be.
Remember, Hope is not a plan.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:37 am
I’ll echo the Kudos to Lyle!
With 2-3,000 PPV’s built starting in March, maybe there is hope that GM will begin actual retail SOP (start of production for retail) by Aug/Sept and have actual units available for sale November 1, 2010! Heck, let’s go for SOP by Tagamet’s Independance Day 7/4/2010!
October 12th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Jackson, a Volt battery pack would be more than enough, you dont need 40 mile range in every vehicle. Pair it with a 2.4 liter Ecotec engine with a 100kw generator and lots of torque.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Crush??? I’ll buy one, and sign whatever releases they need. Or lease it the way Dr. D. is leasing the Mini.
I mean, they have built a lot less than 2 or 3K Minis. They are tool room, or “pre-production” specials for sure. And they have people paying $800/month to be, in effect, beta testers. I’d do it with one of these Volts.
Come to think of it, people’s willingness to participate in the Mini experiment bodes very well for acceptance of the Volt, IMHO.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:47 am
I vote for a sign of ‘high confidence’ and a total commitment by GM to ensure that the retail launch of VOLT is as smooth as possible. This is not just any new product launch – GM knows how to assemble a world-class quality vehicle (take a look at a new Malibu, CTS or Equinox). The biggest challenges with VOLT will involve the powertrain, software integration, battery packs, and overall integration of various electrical systems. Every PPV they can produce and test is one less vehicle that will be tested in the hands of a real world consumer.
It is remarkable that GM has kept this program on track and on time – and this dedication to testing PPV’s is a clear sign that the company is fully focused on delivering the highest quality VOLT v1 that they possible can. Any money spent on PPV’s could prove to be the best investment GM has ever made as this testing will go a long way towards silencing all the critics. Confidence is high!
Go GM. Go VOLT. Bring it on….
October 12th, 2009 at 10:48 am
That is what it takes to make a nearly perfect car in terms of fit and finish.. customers are very picky.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Jim I:
I really like statik’s stuff. I find it informative, educational, and totally germane to the future of the Volt. If you look back at his track record of predicting what was going to happen in the great GM soap opera/tragedy, it is nothing short of uncanny.
Thanks statik.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Agree 100% … the small truck (or crossover) will be a very high volume seller for NGMCO. Downscale the high tech Volt interior/ IPOD multiscreen. Price the truck at $34,500 or $27,000 after the ‘green’ adjustment. Who will be first? Nissan, Korea, or NGMCO?
=D~
October 12th, 2009 at 11:06 am
Oil jumps 2 percent on optimism
11:38 am EDT, Monday October 12, 2009
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Oil jumped more than 2 percent on Monday to touch a six-week high on optimism about the pace of global economic recovery and as cold weather across the United States boosted fuel demand.
U.S. crude rose $1.64 to $73.41 a barrel by 11:20 a.m. EDT, after earlier touching $73.84, the highest since August 25. Brent crude traded up $1.49 to $71.49 a barrel.
CHEVRON CORP (NYSE: CVX) UP 1.63%
EXXON MOBIL CP (NYSE: XOM) UP 1.35%
=D~
October 12th, 2009 at 11:07 am
DonC
I’ll humbly grin from here to eternity, when it comes true!
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
October 12th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Jackson,
Hence the phrase “good enough for govt work”. (g)
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
October 12th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Jim and Rashiid,
I leave the optimism/cheer leading in your capable hands.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
October 12th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Smeltz,
Thanks. Keep the place hoppin.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
October 12th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Tag
Hope this leave is a plesant one and be assured we will miss your upbeat post.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:31 am
The thing about this thread that pleases me is they will be doing months of test on all 74 of the first run of Volts.
To me it is very important that this car have as few as is posible of defects and no recalls.
Testing 74 should uncover any potential defects prior to the shipment of actual for sale Volts.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Very cool I wish them well.
I am very sure they have the right approach with this vehicle. (styling opinions and range wishes of the battery will always vary) with that in mind and looking at all the competition that said it was foolish or can’t be done and put GM down….
I would have to say this is a Walk Off Grand Slam. Bravo to everyone involved.
Add into the mix that all the New GM vehicles are getting beyond fantastic reviews….Nice
October 12th, 2009 at 11:35 am
it should not be an option of an existing ice vehicle such as an Equinox.. it must be a distinctive separate model (and that is expensive) such as a Volt, Prius or Leaf. Everyone remembers the Two-Mode and Malibu Hybrid disasters?. No need to refine the experience like a Volt, it is ok to make it a little rough.
My idea is a full sized crew cab pick up truck, call it the Contractor.. with full access to the 100kw genset to provide power to the worksite.. something that no other work truck can do. Lots and lots of torque to tow heavy loads. It will also appeal to homeowners that desire to have alternate emergency power generation for their homes. Perhaps offer a dual motor 4WD version.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Like I said, a lot of sentiment …
October 12th, 2009 at 11:47 am
This is really getting exciting! It has always seemed like a distant dream but for once this dream is coming true before our very eyes. I can’t wait to start seeing photos of the real cars in lots of different colors running aroung the country being tested. I really feel Volt will end up beingthe game changing home run for GM that GM hopes it will be. All of the testing and thought that has gone into this car will truely make it the new standard of the industry and catch a lot of people (Toyota) off guard. I think they really have thought of everything. The best part is that they have had almost no set backs or surprises during the development and Volt is actually doing every thing they said it would do. Now I’m really hoping that sometime in early 2010 we’ll get an announcement on Converj and even perhaps an announcement for a Buick version. GM needs to get this car out there into as many hands as possible!
This was a great article! Keep posting lots of Photos of Volt
October 12th, 2009 at 11:54 am
The problem is when they change something tiny and inconsequential in this next run and it gives you big problems later on.. tiny little things such as a lack of rug hooks can be nasty.
October 12th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
So Lyle,
When are you going to get to experience the Volt in the “extended range” mode?
Seems like GM just wants to keep this cat in the bag. Well, is it not time to let it out?
/just wondering…
October 12th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
We are not all like statik
Since we’re talking about production and stamping, let’s keep to the spirit of the topic and say “of course no one is like statik — that’s a make one and then break the mold deal”.
But you know all things are relative. Compared to Tag we may all be depressives.
October 12th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
The one yesterday was straight down the middle and it was very informative. Seemed like a great summary of a long press conference that many would not want to sit through.
October 12th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Excellent news!
Now, if only the economy improves so more people can get back to work so they can buy a new Chevrolet!
October 12th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Does the large number of PPV’s mean confidence is low, or confidence is high?
Probably high. But the issue really is commitment. Nissan is going “all in” with the Leaf and BEVs, and the 2k-3k PPVs demonstrates that GM is doing the same with the Volt and E-REVs. I alluded to this before, but if GM was adopting a “wait and see” approach they’d be selling the PPVs and then evaluating, which is more or less what happened with the EV1.
I’m hoping that they’re re-evaluating the first year run of 10k and are considering the possibility of adjusting it upwards if demand warrants.
October 12th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Soon we will be lousy with Volts …
If only Jason.
October 12th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
I’m in Jim I. I will do my best.
October 12th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
I don’t think any of us know the answer to that one, Rooster.
October 12th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
“Nissan is going ‘all in’ with the Leaf and BEVs”
Even if the BEV turns out to be unexpectedly popular, it ought to be much simpler for GM to bend it’s EREV efforts to cranking out one of their own than it would be for Nissan to try building up it’s BEV program to produce a real EREV (should Volt become the smash hit we all think it will be).
October 12th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Increasing petro prices will be important for EVs moving forward, but we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that the people most interested right now in purchasing the vehicles don’t really care what the pump price of gas is — because they’re new, they’re cool, they’re green (etc).
October 12th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Speaking cars and the economy, has the government made any improvement in payments to dealers from “Cash for Clunkers?” It’s been weeks since I heard anything, which was that only 2% of claims had been paid.
October 12th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Who are you and what have you done with DonC’s body?
October 12th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Hey, is anyone having problems with this site today?
I am getting Database connectivity errors.
October 12th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
“I wonder how Toyo gets ready for a new model…”
———————-
I’m guessing 2 or 3 thousand practice cars is not part of the “getting ready for a new model” routine at Toyota, or at any other OEM.
Perhaps an “old head” who’s been around the auto industry for some time could chime in here. Just what is a typical pre production run when you’re launching a new model?
October 12th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Like I said in an earlier post, for GM to build 300 cars (as many as Tesla’s yearly production) is a one-hour thing. When GM says ‘production’ they mean high-speed high-volume production.
Two-to-three thousand for testing is over the top. However, they will eventually build millions of these things, so, maybe it’s normal.
Still hoping to be an early adopter
October 12th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
All of yesterdays posts fail to load a few minutes ago at 1:55pm.
This morning, the site also failed to load posts for about an hour.
Hope that there has not been some virus happening to the site.
Although it’s difficult sometimes to know if it is something on my end of the internet, I think it is all happening at the site end, because the posts from the day before yesterday load ok.
Maybe it is something I said yesterday about being interested in learning a lot about Volt, but I hope not.
I hope I’m not making someone at GM or anywhere else nervous about really wanting to learn everything about Volt. (Someone’s got to learn this stuff from the beginning to end, even if it is *only* for an independent support *viewpoint* (for multiple reasons) for GM, it seems to me.)
October 12th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
They added a significant number of people to review the applications and it made a dramatic impact – I believe over 95% are now paid, leaving dealers a short window to clean-up any rejected applications. I believe most of the rejections were due to the trade-in not being registered or insured for the full 12 months prior to C4C.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Rashiid – I’ve gotten the same errors – just have to keep trying!
October 12th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
All of the “clunkers” have been paid at the dealer where the wife works.
She was the one who had to submit the paperwork.
It took a few iterations, but its all behind her now.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Same here, but I think Lyle must have it fixed.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Thanks for the update, all.
“Now, if only the economy improves so more people can get back to work so they can buy a new Chevrolet!”
I never dreamed when I read it how quickly this comment would become relevant to me, personally.
The economic downturn has hit home; I’ve been laid off. We had already been taking a day off every two weeks as a cost-saving measure.
We can talk about optimism and upturns all we want; but when it comes to jobs, the economy has not finished bottoming out.
I have no idea what I’ll be doing, or what my commute may be like by the time a Volt is available.
Good luck, all.
Now, what could I usefully do which has application in the electrification of the automobile? Preferably from Atlanta?
October 12th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Add,
My WAG on the abnormally high volume of PPV’s is that they’re looking at software programming vs. battery life/failure. (NOT “graining” on the glove box).
For a lot of the battery life/ durability issues there will be no lab substitute. Real world odd combinations of inactivity, temperature, use, abuse, etc may result in unexpected/mis-analyzed charging (from the genset) scenarios. Only a short period of improper charging (lack of charging) could very well result in a $8,000 (?) sudden death for the battery. GM probably needs aaaaaaaall the data it can get in this area before committing to warranteed production.
If there are excessive problems in this area, it will certainly delay the sale of Gen 1 volts to the public.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
… Love that word, lousy, when properly applied …
October 12th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
That’s rough news. Sorry about your job.
I watched a couple of my neighbors lose their jobs and search for an equal or better job over the last year. It didn’t work out well for either one (both had to sell their homes).
A lesser/lower paying job can put you in a sustainable or at least a “slow bleed” situation. A slow bleed can keep you alive for a long time. A no income “gusher” will deplete everything rapidly.
Not trying to be a downer here as you start your job search. I’m just saying that without an economic turnaround, it might be prudent to set up contingency plans if that next good job doesn’t surface right away.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
___________________________________________________
Voltec Team,
Keep up the good work…there are a lot of people watching and cheering you guys on…Lyle’s above photo of those PP Volts being assembled is very exciting!
GM Volt Marketing Team,
Here is an out-of-the-box Volt marketing idea:
Set up live (real-time) webcams in a dozen of the PP fleet Volts (ignore the GM lawyers telling you why you can’t do this) and make those live video feeds available for sites like GM-Volt.com. I’m talking about webcams that get turned on and stay turned on until the end of the Volt validation period. That would be an industry first and get mega PR mileage. Voltec Heads would be Tweeting each time a PP Volt hits the road for a test run. Is GM progressive/brave enough to do something that cool?
_____________________________________________________
October 12th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
wow, i actually got an email telling me to check out this post… must be important. now i just need to find a job before i graduate so i can afford one of these babies
October 12th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Man, I hope the Volt design team gets the quality and reliability for the Volt as good as possible. I want the Volt to get rave reviews from the automotive press. It would be nice if GM got their production processes so optimal that they can price the Volt for less than people have been saying …. i.e. $40,000 before the tax credits.
The first production Volts are driving off the assembly line in just over a year from now. Christmas 2010 ought to be a good one for the lucky folks that manage to grab one then. Those people will be like the first people to get a Model T in 1908. I think the Volt will end up being called the first mainstream electric drive automobile. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt …. the car that kicked off the revolution in electric drive transportation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Model_T
October 12th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Granted the fit and finish issues will be refined and perfected. The software will be modified for maximum performance. The result will be a 2011 VOLT that is the best it can be.
It’s those nagging questions about having enough generator power for the acceleration up a hill, battery weight and the effect on road handling, or any other major issue that may appear during the next few months.
The number one question is if the new GM will spend the money to solve major issues now OR will they ignore the engineers requests to fix it now and delay the redesign for the 2012 or 2013 VOLT?
Just like any other vehicle, the road test publications will publish the results and the future purchasers can decide to buy now or wait for an improved make or model.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Sorry about your job.
Half a trillion in stimulus money has been spent already on things that don’t have a multiplier effect. It is very sad how we are all suffereing because of incompetents in government. But I guess we voted for them (not me).
Example is cash for clunkers. A tax break for folks that were going to trade in their old cars most likely in next 6-12 months anyways.
No multiplier effect.
Stimulus money should be invested in things with the biggest payback.
Wind farms on Lake Erie, Nuclear power plants, drilling in Alaska, bulding out the Electric Grid to where wind power is abundant.
A 10 year plan to replace all imported oil and build a 100% domestic energy economy would have been the best stimulus possible. Make is so we don’t need to defend those Oil Lanes, and make it so we aren’t at risk of oil price spikes.
Also another promise broken by Obama was taking away tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas. Company I work for outsources its employoees to foreign company who then does the hatchet work to replace americans with workers from India, Brazil, Spain, Phillipines.
We have 8 million aliens in this country taking jobs. In October congress approved another 65,000 H1b work visa for foreign workers.
Our government is ruining the country, and making the majority eventually cry for our government to take care of us. Then we’ll be made over into a european style Socialist country.
Very Sad. When we could turn this around overnight if we had any real leadership. But our government is sold out to the folks that put them in power.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
First thing this morning I could not get to the site but have had no trouble since late morning. My guess is Lyle was working on it and had it off line for a while.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
CDAVIS
Wow!! What a great idea. The only possible down side I can think of is the competition watching and downloading everything.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
carcus1 says: “Has anyone ever heard of producing two to three THOUSAND pre production vehicles? That’s as much as 120 million dollars worth of unsellable volts. . . .”
====================
Maybe that is another one of the reasons the first gen Volt will cost $40K, and still not make a profit…. Over one billion dollars in R & D, 74 IVER’s, gear up two new plants for manufacturing, and 3,000 PPV’s, all have significant cost that has to be recovered at some point.
I have to give GM real credit here for taking the very expensive chance on this new vehicle!
I can’t wait for the test drive of my sky blue metallic, fully loaded Volt….
Go GM! Go GM Volt Team!!!
NPNS
October 12th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
For a truck, wheel motors would be a good way to go. The unsprung weight is already up there.
I am thinking more of a mid-size (smaller than Silverado, but, larger than S-10) kind of like a Dakota quad-cab but with the ground clearance and towing of a full size.
- AWD w/ hardened under-carriage for off-road use
- V-6 or small V-8 Genset > 100Kw (can run a small farm/large house or work site) with built-in air compressor
- 110v and 220v outlets and air outlets
- Ability to tie into the grid more closely. (hand back electrons to the power company for credit)
- 4-door with seats for 6 adults
- Genset plus battery ability for max power (1000 foot-lbs would be enough. 250-per-wheel)
- Integrated bed (ala Avalanche)
- Diesel or CNG options
The mind boggles.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
I looked at the black accent around the back door and the black handles in the picture and have to say “I like it” Can’t think of any other time I have said that about an open door. Always befor it was not something that was particularly good or bad to look at.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Had problems posting earlier. It’s cleared up now.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Jackson,
I am really sorry to hear this.
I hope you can rapidly land back on your feet.
If not, use the government assistance system.
You have been paying taxes for years. You’re due for a return.
Unfortunately, unemployment is expected to get worse before it gets better.
Good luck, my friend. I feel for you.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
No doubt EREV is harder to execute. But look at it from Nissan’s position. They’re way behind in hybrids. They’re behind GM on EREV. But they have a chance to be top dog in BEVs. Better to have 10X more mindshare in a 10X smaller market than 10X less in a 10X larger one.
It’s a ballsy move which for the sake of the electrification of transportation will hopefully pay off, thereby moving things along.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Sadly, I think most are crushed. Sometimes, they find other uses. I know Car and Driver has used a few preproduction vehicles for races or modifications or whatever (but are usually just borrowed for awhile before being returned for crushing, unless dismantled for parts).
I also have a huge suspicion that those small-car soccer and hockey games on Top Gear must be pre-production vehicles…
But there is an overwhelming fear in car companies that anything that is not intended for production that “slips out” might someday turn up and cause them a huge liability.
Even in the case of cars that were intended for production but somehow become “compromised” (as the now infamous Cougar Ace incident did to ~4000 new Mazdas last year) the cars are recycled. From an article in Car & Driver:
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/08q4/cougar_ace_the_great_103_million_snafu_at_sea-feature
“There were dozens of ideas of what to do with the cars. Filmmakers wanted to wreck them in movies. Trade schools wanted them for service training. Fire departments wanted them to practice extractions. Many thought at least the MX-5s and RX-8s could go racing.
But those suggestions might have eventually put some of the Mazdas back out on public roads with their potential defects and potential for liability.
[...]
Except for about a dozen drivetrain components sent to trade schools, not a single part would escape destruction.”
Anyway, I vote for a Top Gear Volt soccer game with some of the preproduction units before they’re crushed.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Jackson:
I’m so sorry for your troubles. Any one of us could be next. Keep in touch.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
The Lads and I have taken the Saturn Vue Hy-Brid twice in for battery failure and also for a wiring harness replacement all within 54k miles. Watching the Dobermans frolic with the sales guys was right goode quality entertainment for my time dedicated to having these “little” issues resolved. They can’t wait for the next visit, can you Boys? Perhaps the Vue hy-brid was not as fully vetted. Nice graining on the glove box however.
Now it could be that so many thousands of Volts could be headed for the US Government as I understand there is something of a “special” relationship going on between these two entities. Government workers as test drivers? Humm, as Government and Real World are not connected, who knows how long the wait could be.
More quinine needed.
Regards!——Higgins and the Lads, Zeus & Apollo
October 12th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Rashiid:
I don’t think it’s necessarily just this site. I have been trying to access the news page off of MSN.com all day. Nothing happens.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Hard to believe there will be several thousand PPVs. I would bet about 200 and if they check out, start the acceleration plan.
Reach volume????? in 90 to 120 days. If the plan is 10,000 in 2011, why would they use Hamtramck?
That volume can be done in a boutique plant like Bowling Green.
At Ham, you are looking at 60JPH or about 225,000 per year.
Lyle—It would be great if you could
verify—
+Line rate capable on body shop
tooling
+ Acceleration days and learning
curve
October 12th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Half a trillion in stimulus money has been spent already on things that don’t have a multiplier effect.
Actually it’s really only starting to be spent now. Also, way too much went to tax cuts which were simply turned into a higher savings rate.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
LeoK–Good post.
They could be giving the old head fake and releasing sooner.
They could have an agreement with the Feds for 500 or 1000 because they would still be driven by employees. The Feds could cover the liability.
Or they could be just hyping it.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
I am so sorry to hear about our job loss. That’s a big bummer and other than to say sorry there isn’t much that can be said. It’s really going around. Just last week I ordered some socks from a company I’ve been buying from for years — they’ve been in business for almost a hundred years — and they were having a “going out of business sale”. Very sad.
However, the timing may work out OK for you. The recession is over, which sounds good in theory, but employment is a lagging indicator, meaning that net job losses always continue in the initial stages of the recovery. It’s not until the recovery is well under way that job gains show up.
There is a split as to how fast the jobs will come back. The macro guys say the recovery will be long and slow. Not good. But the micro guys say the recovery will be faster, primarily because they see a backlog of orders which are not being filled. Sort of like GM adding shifts to make more LaCrosses and Malibus. If the micro guys are right, you might have your job back faster than many think. I hope this is true if that’s what you’d like. As Carcus mentioned, it’s been really hard for people who lost their jobs when the recession started in 2007. If you have to lose a job, it’s far better to lose it later than earlier in the cycle. Best of luck.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Jackson
Sorry for your misfortune.
From your statement, I can see you are a positive person and will be OK.
I will be praying for you and your family.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Hey Higgins,
Can you train the lads to vault the customer service counter and devour the obligatory “you want it when?” cartoon before any terms of service are discussed?
I think this would improve your bargaining position substantially. . . . “set the tone”, if you will.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
You can’t save anything.
Play acting—-I am a lawyer and I have GM on the stand. “so you are telling me that this part has been used on a prototype and is now being reused on the vehicle my client died in????
Probably $40,000,000 at that point.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
I would just like to know how many people have commited to purchase a Volt when it comes out?
October 12th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Jackson,
To quote Nick Rivers (Val Kilmer) in the movie Top Secret, …. “That sucks!”
Hope you land on your feet right quick-like, chief.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
OMG! Is it December 21st, 2012 already??!?
</panicmode!>
October 12th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Jackson,
We all hope for a rapid turn-around for you.
You are in our prayers.
Happier trails to you!
October 12th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
This article claims that prices for oil may not skyrocket as anticapated. Engineers have performed their magic once again. The world is not going to run short of energy as soon as feared.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/6299291/Energy-crisis-is-postponed-as-new-gas-rescues-the-world.html
October 12th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
So you will build a few hundred of those?
No we build in the two to three thousand range. We’re finalizing that number right now
—————————————————————————–
Nice…except it would be more nice if the vehicles could be sold. Hopefully everyone of these vehicles will have rigorous and productive test cases. If possible, I volunteer to help with the test one or more of them.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
I read a couple weeks back that Sth Australian premiere was in talks with GM to get voltec production in Australia with either a voltec type Cruze or a Holden Volt. Does anyone have more info?
October 12th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
The VOLT is neet idea, but will not sell to the masses at the price GM will be listing it at 40 grand and then dealers will mark them up to 45 or 50 for a elec. Cobolt??#!@# The Volt will be a rare to see by the avg. guy, that does not live in LA or DC, as seeing a Enzo or F40. IF they sold for more than a hybrid, like 27 or even 30 grand GM would have a winner, but if I was shopping for a 45 thousand dollar car I dont care about mpg.
Also long will GM warr. it for? Once it out of warr. the value will be about nothing. I want not want to pay to fix it at the dealer only shop. I am sure no one else will touch it.
So, you have to think real hard if this is a good car for you. Not me I can by a 15,000 dollar car and burn many years of gas for the cost of the VOLT.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
nuclearboy:
Thanks for this outstanding link. If this can be done without creating some sort of environmental horror shows, it would seem to be potentially a huge game changer. Although we clearly do need to be extremely careful about injecting “toxic” chemicals and acid into the ground (!), and about depleting scarce water resources. For example, we are on the cusp of a true water crisis here in CA. One more dry year, and the politics of water are going to become very strident.
I wonder if it’s too late to save the Honda Civic NGV? Even GM used to offer a CNG powered Caprice Classic some years ago, if memory serves.
Or do we think it’s cleaner to use the NG to generate electricity to power our Volts? Or will this give more impetus to, dare I say it, the fuel cell movement? I’ve always had a problem with the idea of using NG to create hydrogen for fuel cells but maybe, if it is going to be a highly available commodity, it will make some kind of sense.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Rashiid:
Come to think of it, maybe it’s the trolls. After they stole my name yesterday I asked what’s next – would they start jamming the blog? I was only kidding, but…………………??
October 12th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Dave
For me it is not about the money saved on gas.
I want to get in a Volt so I can get out of oil. I want the world to be energy independent so as to cut off money to terrorist.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
hi Jackson … I was in your shoes just 4 years ago. My company collapsed under the overhead weight of rising oil prices. My 65k per year foreman job went away.
Here’s my advice:
1>Do not act in desperation. The first several jobs that pass your way may be headache discards from other people.
2>Whatever your strength, seek employment in the health care industry. Half of the jobs in larger hospitals are not directly medical related. A good maintenance worker can start at $16 per hour. Safety test inspector, human resources coordinator, hospitality services, even image tech require very little class time if any at all.
I found a job in the health care industry and am doing well. Work around professional people and have very good family health care coverage. They even have “green” benefits for those who will walk, moped, or motorcycle to work. Gym benefit as well. Get a full year membership for under $100 with the hospital throwing in $350. Discount food to eat. And a stable industry (baby boomers) to grow in.
Consider this route. You will do well.
=D~
October 12th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Makes sense to me.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
This is great…
Great seeing the progress of the next generation of cars… been waiting for this ever since I drove a EV1… GO GM…. IT LOOKS GOOD!! Can’t wait to see the CUV versions!! Make mine all electric leave out the ICE for me.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Gosh Noel. I had no idea you had your name stolen.
All the more reason why you don’t give out your email address.
But we know you so well, if the comment is way out of character, we’d know.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I just went to AllCarsElectric and Subaru is going to show a CONCEPT EV. I have to say gull doors really look cool but I can’t be in the minority when I see them and soon start thinking about a cold rain and hard blowing wind. Bet a 30 mph wind would really rock that bad boy.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
I think this type of news is great to here too. I am a general skeptic, however, and have seen things hyped out of proportions many times by the press.
Hopefully in this case, there is a kernel of truth in the news. We live in interesting times.
The thought of the US becoming somewhat energy independent would be one of the best things that could happen to our country. Perhaps we could pull out of the middle east for a while.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Jackson,
Keep your hopes up and good luck. I know that many here are behind you in thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery for you.
Godspeed
October 12th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
I say, start taking deposits. You will get an indication of who is really interested. If you don’t get enough firm orders, then you know you have to advertise. Why pay to advertise what you don’t have for sale?
October 12th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
“This is fairly state of the industry, our terminology is a little different, but every manufacturer does these iterations or flavors of vehicles that have the next phase of software.”
I have mixed feeling about that comment. One side of me thinks it’s great that GM is getting into the grove building Volts. On the other hand I wonder. Do you think Tesla put out 80 test vehicles? Do you think Fisker will make 80 PPV’s of the Karma?
Maybe it’s “fairly state of the industry” for companies who waist money like there is no tomorrow.
Some things haven’t changed. Guess that’s why the Volt is slated to cost $40K, GM has to recover the cost of all those PPV’s. I would probably be singing a different tune if I were selected for the Volt project driveway.
NPNS!
October 12th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Good point.
NPNS!
October 12th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
DonC,
I’ll take one of theose 3000. Tesla used what about 6 or 7 cars to get into production!
Tag, be well yourself…
October 12th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
I’ve never paid near 40 K for any of the trucks I have owned.
October 12th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Crushed?
Ouch Rashid, too soon, too soon!
October 12th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Many thanks to all of you! This means a lot, seriously. I especially appreciate the offers of prayer.
I know some people in health care, Dave K; thanks for the advice.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Well said. This is right and awesome, now to get more of the public educated and excited…
Lyle, I love everything you do here, but the lack of simple editing may not be helping our cause while thousands more start viewing this site! A spell check and grammar check can do wonders.
Let’s Just Get The Volt Wheels On The Road!
October 12th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
“This is right and awesome, now to get more….”
______________
Comma splice / run on sentence: -1/2 point
October 12th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Thank you for your humor and for pointing that out. 5 Points for being astute.
October 13th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Perhaps Tesla should have. Here’s Top Gear’s test driving of two teslas. At about 6:40, you learn that the grey one overheated and the brakes on the silver one broke (due to a blown fuse, no less):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7×73Z6ndtjE
There’s also some controversy about the review because people thought that it was implied that the silver one’s battery had drained dead on the track, but it didn’t, and the BBC says they didn’t actually say that. Only that it would only go about 50 miles on their track before needing recharging:
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/25/clarkson-fires-back-over-top-gear-tesla-controversy/
October 13th, 2009 at 2:50 am
To Dave;
You clearly don’t understand the philosophy behind the concept. It’s the same concept that was applied to hybrids, yet they sell in high numbers. Think about it, the Prius is in no way, shape or form a car that cost 30k looking from the out side. The thing looks terrible, it’s small and has low power. That wasn’t the selling point, it was extremely fuel efficient and revolutionary, even though you could buy a 15k vehicle of similar qualities.
The Volt is taking it one step further and completely changing the dynamics of the automobile world.
Don’t worry, there were many people like you that said the same thing about the Prius when it first came out, and shall we say the rest is history.
October 13th, 2009 at 4:17 am
Well said, old man.
October 13th, 2009 at 4:38 am
A generic $5000 deposit on a “Voltec” vehicle sounds like a great idea. My guess is about 1/3 of folks that frequent this site are looking more toward Voltec truck ownership.
=D~
October 13th, 2009 at 4:57 am
Obama okay’s 13,000 more troops for deployment in the Middle East. North Korea talking about more missile tests.
Oil prices will be headed North on this news.
=D~
October 13th, 2009 at 5:57 am
Hey Lyle- could you ask the folks at GM a question? As volumes get very large, in say 15-20 years+, do the GM engineers think the electric motors will be cheaper than gas engines to build (assuming we no longer need range extenders for a moment)? It seems to me that an electric powertrain would be much cheaper than a gas engine/transmission to build because it has far fewer moving parts. Perhaps electric cars will be 10 or 20% cheaper in fifty years’ time than gas cars, because they will be much simpler. No engine, no transmission, no other things like distributors etc etc etc. And much cheaper to run too!
Interesting to me at least…
October 13th, 2009 at 6:15 am
GM took too long. while I hemmed and hawwed over a loaded 2009 prius, I ended up getting an 08 saturn vue Hybrid…I could not go from a minivan to a compact in one step…
October 13th, 2009 at 7:16 am
Seriously 74 pre-production vehciles just to do mostly software iterations? Are they really confused as to why they are now Bankrupt?????
October 13th, 2009 at 7:52 am
Jackson,
Find out about all the area utilities. Find out first what each is beginning to do regarding “green” programs. Specific directions of each organization count very most. Compile all of your favorite topics that matter to you and them, and write up several drafts of these different categories.
Don’t “apply” to anyone yet. First, find out who is highly influential in all of these organizations if you can. Then, ask what sort of “new energy” that organization is seeking.
Finalize at least three entirely different drafts sets containing your interests and drive (you do a terrific job here so relentlessly, you are bound to be picked up soon if there is any “meeting of the minds” of your giftedness and talents with influential persons).
Three or four paragraphs containing new ideas to share with that organization that are different, yet can be simple, written with lots of energetic technical concepts that are carefully distilled down to only what that organization would be interested in. Leave general statements at the end about “liking to think about and offer ideas regarding many new kinds of approaches within the group”.
Applications are almost the second step as a formality, and, you might be directed firstly by that influential person with some critical extra modifying details as well as timing for your efforts.
I hope this helps.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:25 am
Loboc, that sounds like a $80k pickup truck..
October 13th, 2009 at 8:27 am
I suspect that people that have paid near $40k for a truck have really only leased it, and it was leased by a company at that.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:37 am
______________________________________________________
I believe the very little additional information that the competition may gain is more than out weighed by the benefits.
______________________________________________________
October 13th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Ditto that one, why only a micro people hauler. I need to haul cargo,perhaps thats why pickups are 51% of the market.
Make something that a dozen other car companies are not currently working on. Make a truck and stand alone at the top. GM is not historically great competing in the small car segment anyway.
Give us an electric suburban,silverado,hummer,SUV ect.ect.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Great suggestion! The Lads are already whining for a go at said cartoon. Goode boys! Certainly would, “set the tone” so to speak. If I know Jana’s Vue, it will be needing another battery in 25K miles. Enough time to teach some memorable Doberman theatrics.
Reminds me of a time right after the Nipponese surrendered…
Regards! Higgins and Furry Company
October 13th, 2009 at 9:37 am
So sorry to hear about this Jackson. Best wishes!
Higgins and the Lads, Zeus & Apollo
October 13th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Nelson:
It’s because startup companies like Tesla and Fisker can’t afford to do proper testing, so they dump the finding of the bugs onto the early adopters. Mybe they can get away with it, but GM sure couldn’t.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:57 am
storm:
People have been suggesting that here for well over a year. No response. I’m ready!
I’ll write them a check, or give them a credit card # right now, this minute. Come on GM, I double dawg dare ya!
October 13th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Welcome to the lid there is hope for GM’s Volt to the car got an amazing range. By GM began producing the first of those cars, the Volt would then not have batteries or charging stations in the cities, whether in homes, possessed its own power system, which itself would generate power for an electric motor, for America was the hope to move away from oil, reflecting the from the bottom of the Volt would be the driving force for boosting the U.S. economy, this device can power not only cars but also houses the American 20 KW unit will heat up dowoli not become independent from oil and gas. The device does not use terrestrial minerals is not complicated design, just three minutes and the name of the man whom he knows physics is a letter to the steel-pass energy, many doubts in our success, but we put a new energy for Opel in Gliwice, we can discuss, what’s next. The group are Poles is our offer for GM’s Volt are responsible for the content of
bjpost@web.de Group Jurgen Kassel
On Thursday the signing of the sale of GM OPEL
October 13th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
An almost completely silent demolition derby. That would be surreal.
The angle on the Volts in the photo is, to me, eerily reminiscent of a MKIV Jetta — which is fine with me. And the Volt has no transmission! Other than the transmission (small detail…) that Jetta was a really good car.
October 13th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Thanks for that info, Dave.
It makes you realize what a world of difference there is between a GM and a Tesla. GM’s overhead is astronomical! GM will use 2 to 3 THOUSAND vehicles to help them “tweek” the final production models then crush them! Unbelievable! These tweekers will be more than Tesla will build and sell for years!
GM needs to change how they build cars. That much effort seems unbelievably wasteful.
October 13th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
I would be the guy the VOLT is made for , I drive about 11 miles round trip to work. I could drive a close to a week and not put gas in it. Sounds good to me, but not that cost. My toyota gets 31 in mixed driving as does other small cars, and some even better. The VOLT will be EV1 of this era. If you want off oil great me too, but again its not good sense to do that at double ot triple the cost, That you will never get back.
If you want a VOLT great I dont care, but its just a car to tell your friends look at what I drive, not to save any $$$
October 13th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Its that bats that cost SOOO much money not the rest of the car. The kicker is that the lithium used in these bats or most of it comes from China. China has the biggest supply, so if its not the middle east and oil it will be China. China has all ready slowed exports of lithium, they will be the next OPEC if elec. stay.
October 13th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
I find I don’t have much time lately to post here much, but I just had to put my 2 cents in here.
I must congratulate GM on being able to stick to the VOLT program and keeping it on track to what seems like a certainty. In early 2007, when I starting keeping track of the Volt development here, I, like some others here, I was both mad at GM for squashing the EV1, and at the same time, rooting for it to keep going with the Volt.
Now it seems the volt has reached a critical mass, whereby it very likey won’t be stopped. And for that, (and frankly, the EV’s that have been inspired by it at other companies), I am glad. Here in Ontario Canada, our government seems to be making friendly noises towards the introduction of EV’s. I’ve recently purchased a Toyota Yaris, as a stop gap until a car like the Volt is available for a reasonable cost (I needed a cheap new car), and I look forward to the day, when I can replace it with a volt.
October 13th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Jackson – sorry to hear the job news… its not easy anywhere and this economic crush has no favorites – it has affected everyone in one way or another. I was actually hoping this post was not true but rather a Troll injected joke. Unfortunately based on all the replies, it was not.
Keep your head up and good things will happen. I was in Columbia, SC last week and the economy there seems to be fairly stable. Columbia is actually making some significant investments in city infrastructure to become more energy independant. They were moving toward Hydrogen, but now seem to be embracing all alternative energy.
Any city with a major university is typically youthful, vibrant, and full of new ideas. Try to find out what’s going on at colleges and universities in Atlanta. I wish you all the best….
And suggest that GM gets you a VOLT to drive around to your interviews – at least you can promote the car for them!
October 14th, 2009 at 12:50 am
GM should get some new ideas….they should take those 74 cars and crush them…..opps I guess they did that before….sorry