Toyota is known to be developing a strategy that uses the Prius name as a brand for an upcoming family of hybrid vehicles. It is believed a sports coupe and MPV will eventually be produced under the brand. Toyota hopes to profit by leveraging the popularity of the car and its recognition for fuel efficiency.
GM has a similar opportunity with the Volt, since it too is a name that has garnered a lot of attention and recognition. They could produce a line of Volts perhaps under different brands, different configurations, and different sizes that use the Voltec powertrain.
As interesting as it seems, that idea apparently isn’t in the plans according to Global Chevrolet Director Brent Dewar who was asked about it recently at a Reuters summit.
“Our thought is to take the Volt technology to other products,” he told the Reuters Autos Summit in Detroit. “The Volt was the original vehicle that we started, but I wouldn’t see that as a brand marketing direction for us.”
The only other Voltec products we know GM is considering producing is the sporty and stylish Cadillac Converj which would be tweaked for performance, yet offer the same 40 mile range, and an extended range electric version of the Chevy Orlando MPV which is expected to launch as a gas version.
Source (Reuters)
This entry was posted on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 9:25 pm and is filed under Brand. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
+2
Nov 6th, 2009 (9:38 pm)Toyota is talking of hybridizing ALL their vehicles, it makes sense to take advantage of the Prius name which is synonymous with electric….GM is nowhere near there yet, perhaps in the future if the Volt is a runaway hit.
If gas shoots up again, and batteries keep dropping in cost, you can expect all the manufacturers to follow suit.. hopefully GM will have a parts bin full of proven Volts tech.
-17
Nov 6th, 2009 (10:03 pm)(click to show comment)
+12
Nov 6th, 2009 (10:21 pm)An EREV Orlando would be perfect.
+16
Nov 6th, 2009 (10:22 pm)Don’t you have to get the first one out, make it a success before thinking about a line of volt branded vehicles ?
I think they should keep their heads down, concentrate and make this a success. Rest will follow.
+2
Nov 6th, 2009 (10:59 pm)I don’t think makes much difference. They can spread the Voltec moniker around the product lines. Now that I think about it, it’s a good move. Otherwise people will think “Chevy”.
+6
Nov 6th, 2009 (11:01 pm)I agree that the focus right now and in the immediate future HAS to be getting the Volt spot on perfect and ON THE ROAD. Down the line, we can worry about other flavors of voltec based vehicles. Given that the root word in voltec is obviously Volt, it’s a bit of a semantic exercise to worry about having a voltec Converge or a Converge model Volt. No?
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
+10
Nov 6th, 2009 (11:23 pm)I personally think that a Volt brand is a stupid idea.
The Volt is supposed to be about the reinvention of the automobile. The thought of creating a brand that is specific to this technology would only renforce the fact that they don’t plan a wide spread use of the technology.
Voltec shouldn’t be restricted to a brand. It should become the standard.
I agree that GM needs to focus on getting Voltec on the road. As costs come down and the technology matures then Voltec should spread across all brands.
+3
Nov 6th, 2009 (11:38 pm)I agree with not going with the lone brand. Why?
1) The Volt name is not even known yet. No proven record.
2) GM wants to eventually transition all brands to electrification. Better to start now. That way people get use to the idea that each brand has electric models.
+2
Nov 6th, 2009 (11:43 pm)Fine if Toyota uses the Prius name for other products. After the Volt hits the market, the Prius will lose its technological lead in the marketplace. Old and obsolete will be tags the Prius will be trying to dodge.
I think GM is better off letting the Volt be the Chevrolet Volt. It’s already established an image as a Chevy when considering how much bellyaching there has been about its 40K pricetag. Any future spinoffs ought to be free to create their own image – be that of luxury, of performance, of utility, etc.
Although I have to admit I wish Cadillac would dump the trendy ‘Converj’ name and replace it with another.
And while I am on Cadillac, I wish they’d also replace the wreath in their logo and go back to the V which they had until the end of the 1960′s – right about the time that Cadillac began its downward slide in prestige and luxury-class leadership. Every time I see that wreath logo I get chills of the sort that one gets walking into a funeral parlor.
+3
Nov 7th, 2009 (12:45 am)Yep. That tired old nameplate called “Camaro” has been the hottest selling car for the last 9 months. I’m sorry they brought it back…. NOT.!!!
+8
Nov 7th, 2009 (12:50 am)Agree +1
=D~
+1
Nov 7th, 2009 (1:11 am)No, this is not how large development groups work. It’s like a pipeline. Different people do different things. Right now, they are doing extensive testing and tuning the manufacturing process.
In other words, all the design engineers that developed the Volt are essentially done. It’s now in the hands of the test engineers and manufacturing engineers. The design engineers are already working on the next thing.
So the only question is: What are they working on? Is it EREVs or conventional ICE cars?
+3
Nov 7th, 2009 (3:00 am)“The only other Voltec products we know GM is considering producing is the sporty and stylish Cadillac Converj which would be tweaked for performance, yet offer the same 40 mile range, and an extended range electric version of the Chevy Orlando MPV which is expected to launch as a gas version”
We also know GM forcasted 2 other Voltec vehicles in their “loan application” (BBP – Bankruptcy Business Plan). They also promised 2 further Voltec vehicle concept announcements this year, I believe. One was the Converj, the other is still TBA.
Time to announce production plans for the Converj and the second concept, in this stakeholders opinion. Better yet, make the second announcement production intent of a Voltec Orlando or small pickup.
+1
Nov 7th, 2009 (3:32 am)I’ll definately agree!
+1
Nov 7th, 2009 (4:13 am)chevy orlando looks good but it is heavier than volt and other vehicles and what about a range extender in the camaro. i know this would sound funny but what if the most stylish car is green
Nov 7th, 2009 (6:03 am)Cost reduction.
Optimization is rarely a priority on first generation development. That is the inevitable next step for both hardware & software with many new products.
-9
Nov 7th, 2009 (6:21 am)If GM goes back to same old strategy of producing muscle cars, big cars with fat profits they will again go bankrupt ..They are good at it …Just look at Japanese, Korean car makers who continue to make better quality cars..After buying 2 GM cars in the 80 & 90 I will never buy GM again ..(quality problems, coninuous maintenance headaches) For the last 20 yrs I have bought Hondas …& super quality cars …very low maintenance ..
Nov 7th, 2009 (6:48 am)I wonder if there is some dealer issue. Would dealers then have to add Volt to their signs? Would there be new dealers of Volts only?
+1
Nov 7th, 2009 (7:24 am)Could the Volt become an option? Like the SS…
When GM deems fit the Voltec could be an option.
The choice could be HHR SS or HHR Voltec, for example.
For a while it would be top line, then common to all???
+6
Nov 7th, 2009 (7:33 am)I’m glad for you and me, because you’ll be one less Volt buyer which gives me a better chance of getting one sooner due to limited supply. Keep buying gas and funding terrorist.
NPNS!
Nov 7th, 2009 (7:44 am)There is an unknown part of the equation — How much of the future planning is being influenced/controlled by the car czars?
+1
Nov 7th, 2009 (7:47 am)This a perception held by many. That is why GM’s number one goal should be produce a quality car. GM needs not just the Volt, but its entire lineup, to start making the top of the list for best quality car.
I am not sure they can do it, but the Volt does give them an opportunity to show what they can do.
+1
Nov 7th, 2009 (7:48 am)Mr. Henderson is a much different thinker than the former CEO. He is taking slow careful steps toward his companies goal of profitability. Fritz is thinking more along a linear future. And less toward a wide base use of Voltec drive in the short term. The current plan is to make a high quality Volt car. NGMCO will make their stock public in 2010. Followed by a re-determining of the value of producing a high end luxury Voltek Cadillac and a versatile Voltek Orlando. He’s doing the right thing. NGMCO is fortunate to have a solid leader during this recovery process.
=D~
+5
Nov 7th, 2009 (8:17 am)I agree totally. It’s people like Pat that we need to draw BACK to GM by putting out vehicles of such good quality that they are drawn back. It’s not Pat’s fault, it’s GM’s and it’s theirs to undo. It’ll take a long time to rebuild a reputation for quality and reliability, but GM *has* to do it.
JMO,
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
+3
Nov 7th, 2009 (8:20 am)I understand the angst, but one less Volt buyer is one less GM customer. Without customers….. Well they need customers if the volt is to survive for all of us.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
+2
Nov 7th, 2009 (8:24 am)Working down through the last 40 years of learning and teaching GM designs in the independent servicing market, the best way to interpret the post is that GM takes the very best ideas and spreads them right across the board to as many other of its products as is possible and appropriate.
This is another way GM gets costs down for the new technologies. As always, great plan.
+2
Nov 7th, 2009 (8:26 am)This is the first thing I thought of when I read it too.
I don’t see this as a big deal.
+1
Nov 7th, 2009 (8:31 am)Tag,
I am in that group that is on the fence with GM. I really want them to succeed, but I will not fund a company that cannot meet or beat its competition.
One motto that I keep in mind when purchasing a car is “It”s better to overpay and get what you want, then underpay and get something you do not want”
I have done this (payed less, but got something I was unhappy with), and I will never follow this rabbit again. I am not saying that GM can charge anything they want for a vehicle, but I am willing to pay a little more (relative to the foreign competition), as long as I know I will get what I want.
So price is always important, but w/o the quality, they will never get my business.
+2
Nov 7th, 2009 (8:32 am)Amen!
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
Nov 7th, 2009 (8:35 am)Me too. Fingers crossed.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
Nov 7th, 2009 (8:37 am)Hey Tag,
Have you heard anything about the paint color naming contest lately? I tried to get to some poll results but my old computer (and old me) hadn’t gotten the right connection or the right link for it apparently.
Nov 7th, 2009 (8:38 am)Dan,
I respectfully have to disagree with your statement “As always,great plan.”
If this was true, then GM would never have needed a bailout. GM better start making better plans than they have in the past, or they will be the PAST.
I think using the Voltec technology will spread, if, and only if the Volt is a success. You do not need to use the Volt to create new class of vehicles.
God knows GM already has enough brands, and that was one of the things they have been trying to reduce after its bailout. Why would they start building another brand?
Nov 7th, 2009 (8:44 am)Nope, sorry. Haven’t heard a thing recently. Maybe Lyle can get us an update (in all his spare time).
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
+1
Nov 7th, 2009 (8:46 am)It *is* a great plan. It’s just that GM hasn’t always implemented it successfully. You’re both right.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
+1
Nov 7th, 2009 (8:54 am)Tag,
Your optimism never fades!
Have a great weekend.
You to Dan.
Nov 7th, 2009 (9:05 am)Hey JEC,
While I absolutely most clearly see, understand, and appreciate your perspectives, and, agree with them for your reasons clearly, what I needed to explain more in depth, (while I must try to not have long posts and my infamous “run-on” sentences), is that no one else is doing Voltec, and, from my perspective, this technology is the ONLY correct pathway. No longer does it matter the quality of other OEM’s for the vast technological advancement that Voltec represents from a deep daily understanding of GM designs.
What you do not see regarding all the other OEM’s is that when they ultimately fail (synergy drive, for instance), your used vehicle retained value goes from something like $15,000 to near zero as if the vehicle went over a cliff.
(I can fax you an “$8900. plus two more diagnostic hours needed after the $8900″ dealer “estimate” on one that failed if you like.)
Where entirely new technologies come into play, such as the traction battery, one thing GM does well is to work as hard as possible to get the ultimate replacement costs down as quickly as possible. The other OEM’s do not do this. Once their price is set high, it stays high for proprietary parts.
The market buys what it wants to buy when it wants to buy it. The main deal there, as we are all VERY clearly learning right here and right now, is that demand can be an impulse, demand can evaporate overnight due to national economics, demand can be out- competed against.
Therefore, demand must be enhanced (along all lines via Voltec), and, demand must be fulfilled from a quality perspective.
Risks are high enough as it is for the finicky and flaky and less-predictable attributes already ever-present in all markets. The cost of gas also worked against large vehicles (truck market) at GM in addition to the finicky market, but, now, it will ultimately work for GM in Voltec.
GM vehicles are made for you to be able to repair them more efficiently. This is why they are handed down within families to your sons and daughters, or, to do a poor neighbor a favor by selling them your nicely kept long-time-friend GM vehicle to them.
+3
Nov 7th, 2009 (9:23 am)GM Can beat its competition IMHO. They have turned this ship towards the right direction, product wise, as of a few years ago. Financially is another issue…..
I think the quality of the cars released in the past few years has been very good and they all compete very well with their Japenese competition. The Traverse family mover is a great vehicle. I have driven the Malibu and its a great sedan. I just took delivery of a 10 Equinox and it has far exceeded my expectations.
The problem is that some won’t give GM a second chance.
I have 3 engineering degrees, have built my own engines, and have been around for a whle so I know a little about cars. I can agree that Honda builds a great car.. However, I can also remember very well when Honda’s were Junk. Total crap. Car companies can change.
All of the Japenese only car buyers should consider buying a product developed by an American company again. Its worth a look.
Nov 7th, 2009 (9:26 am)I try.
Seriously, we have a lot to be optimistic *about*. The Volt is GOING to happen, it’s going to be a spot-on hit, and we have less than a year to wait to see those wheels on the road! Life is good.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
+1
Nov 7th, 2009 (9:28 am)ABSOLUTELY!
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The Volts’ Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
Nov 7th, 2009 (9:46 am)The Prius seems to have a very good long term reliability record.. perhaps so few spare parts are needed that when one breaks down it will be a special order item.. in other words you wont find the part in a local auto parts store. I think it is a good idea to get an extended warranty on any modern car.
I’m not too happy that GM integrated the motor/generator/differential all in the same housing.. I understand why they did it but I still dont like it. I hope they at least keep the inverters in a separate box.
Nov 7th, 2009 (10:03 am)+5
Nov 7th, 2009 (10:25 am)Pat @17 said : If GM goes back to same old strategy of producing muscle cars, big cars with fat profits they will again go bankrupt ..They are good at it …Just look at Japanese, Korean car makers who continue to make better quality cars..After buying 2 GM cars in the 80 & 90 I will never buy GM again ..(quality problems, coninuous maintenance headaches) For the last 20 yrs I have bought Hondas …& super quality cars …very low maintenance ..
—————————————————————————
Pat , too bad you’re stuck in the past. I invite you to come on up to the 21st century and the New Millenium, where BUICK is the highest quality vehicle on the planet (tied with Jaguar) according to JD Powers surveys.
Also, take a trip to China and see that they have made Buick the top selling vehicle in their country. Why? They recognize a quality vehicle when they see it, and do not have the emotional baggage that you have apparently dragged around with you for some time now.
Really, it’s a new world out there, and the AMERICAN brands – GM and Ford- are on top now.
-1
Nov 7th, 2009 (10:33 am)I think China recently bought the hummer brand. That gives them outlets in America. BYD is going to be selling an electric for $25k US. and they make their own batteries. Hmmm, Volt $32k to $40k or BYD $25k minus $7500k. I think our schools better start teaching chinese and quickly.
Nov 7th, 2009 (10:36 am)Yes, I’ll take one Volt for me and one EREV Orlando for the wife please!
Nov 7th, 2009 (10:38 am)Herm,
Certainly the inverter is a separate unit. Motors and powertrains gently driven can last 20 years easily.
Extended warranties on new techs are the only way to go.
But after that, if you really take great care of your stuff, you want to be in a situation where you can efficiently repair it. This is where I trust GM the best for when parts are needed in 15 to 20 years at really great prices.
Nov 7th, 2009 (11:06 am)Looks like the Volt has one less competitor…
Chrysler dismantles electric car plans under Fiat
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-Autos/idUSTRE5A605N20091107?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=11604
+2
Nov 7th, 2009 (11:19 am)My feelings about GM can be summed up in one statement.
“GM used to have a lot of cars that I wouldn’t consider buying, now with a reduced product line an concentration on better quality they have a lot of cars I would consider buying”
Yes, the Volt is at the top of my list.
1. Volt
2. Equinox
3. Malibu
4. Terrain
5. Orlando
6. Cruze
7. Impala
+1
Nov 7th, 2009 (11:25 am)All the Toyota hybrids have this “Hybrid Synergy Drive” emblem/logo on the vehicle.
I think GM should just do the same thing with some sort of “Voltec” emblem. That’ll catch people’s eyes without the need or perceived limitatoin of branding a line of Volts.
+1
Nov 7th, 2009 (11:26 am)PRIUS became a brand around 8 years after the lauch, It proved on the streets that its valuable to be a brand, GM first had to prove Volt on streets to customers and them only need to think of making it a brand. None of the GM hybrids proved they are worth to be a brand ,even some are failures ( ex: BAS )
There is an old saying : squrel should not open month seeing an elephant opening mouth. Elephant has a big mouth.
Prius is not at the place proving people that it will not break on a pothole and prius is on street with electronics running on street from 1997 ( yes thatz the time it was lauched )
I wonder the guys who just say management comments still exists in new GM with out any basic point for even considering volt for a brand.Prove on street and to customers its worth a brand else can have another A-Zteck ( i mean A-Z of TECHnology brand )
Nov 7th, 2009 (11:50 am)nuclearboy,
I will definitely give the GM’s and Fords a serious look. It is just difficult to shake that past stigmatism, that they have. I have owned both, and my opinion is that Honda makes a very reliable and competitive car in the Civic (Ok, I know you guys are going to flame me on this!).
It would be nice to see them start beating out the Honda/Toyota in consumer reports. I know some people believe the CR has its own bias, and tend to rank Honda and Toyota above the US counterparts. I am not sure I buy this, but I will do more of my own research before making my next purchase (which I expect to be next spring)
Nov 7th, 2009 (12:00 pm)#4
Amen.
LJGTVWOTR!!
+2
Nov 7th, 2009 (12:01 pm)BYD was founded in 1995 as a rechargeable battery factory. Later they branched into other mobile phone components. Naturally, the next step was to buy the Tsinchuan Automobile Company in 2002, and create the wholly owned subsidiary BYD Auto in 2003.
Why don’t you buy one of their plug-in cars, and see if they have better luck with batteries catching fire in their autos than their laptop batteries. Let me know how that works out for you; I might consider buying one of their cars in 10 or 20 years after they have established a track record and worked out quality control bugs. I like the idea of low paid human factory workers rather than expensive manufacturing robots as much as Warren Buffet does, but I still want to see the results.
Until then, I’ll trust my family’s life to a company like GM.
Nov 7th, 2009 (12:02 pm)#6
Amen to that too!
LJGTVWOTR!!
Nov 7th, 2009 (12:05 pm)#13
I’m for that!
+1
Nov 7th, 2009 (12:06 pm)You’ll stay with Honda even if their quality is less than GM’s? That would be foolish.
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
Nov 7th, 2009 (12:09 pm)#23
+1 for optimism, LOL. Man, I you’re hope you’re right.
Nov 7th, 2009 (12:11 pm)That’s an idea that i thought we all would see GM use. I agree.
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
+1
Nov 7th, 2009 (12:15 pm)#27
Me neither. It’s a TOYOTA Prius, isn’t it? Which you buy at a TOYOTA dealer. As far as I’m concerned there can be a Buick Volt Lacrosse, or a Buick Voltec Lacrosse, or whatever the marketing mavens conjure up. If it gets 40 miles AER and 50 mpg extended, I couldn’t care less what they call it.
Nov 7th, 2009 (12:19 pm)#36
I often wonder what my kids are going to do with the 1917 Chevy and the ’55 and ’58 Corvettes. One thing for sure, they’ll still be in the family when I pass on.
Nov 7th, 2009 (12:23 pm)#42
Our local (SoCal) school district just got a $12,4 million federal grant to upgrade its Mandarin Chinese language program. Do you think there’s a message there?
Nov 7th, 2009 (12:29 pm)Dr. Dennis:
The edit function is still not appearing here. HELP!!!
Nov 7th, 2009 (12:42 pm)Off topic, but my nearly 88 year-old grandfather just announced last night that he intends to buy a Volt in 2011. This coming from someone who was so disgusted by the American cars he drove in the 70s that he has never driven anything US-made since. He is really concerned about getting off oil and a big BEV proponent (he talks endlessly about his love for my uncle’s BEV RAV4). After researching the Volt he was very impressed and wants to buy one even though it is not a pure EV. He went to his local dealer a while ago but he said the dealer had no idea what the Volt was (not a good sign). Maybe I can get him to buy one at Corvetteguy’s dealership sometime when he visits my parents… but I thought this was pretty cool. Another convert to Voltec.
P.S. I don’t think I’ve really talked to him about the Volt much before so there is no bias!
Nov 7th, 2009 (1:07 pm)From the Shawshank Redemtion “Hope is a great thing”
I hope nuclearboy is right and people test drive a new GM car. I own a ’08 Malibu – best car for the money I have ever owned and am in the process of buying a 10 Equinox.
I hope GM builds more volts and converj and Orlando’s sooner than they have forcasted – or I might be driving a Tesla Model S.
I hope GM and Chrysler are successful as the jobs on our shores are important.
I hope my black volt is here tomorrow
-2
Nov 7th, 2009 (1:31 pm)Tone down on the BYD hatred.. The BYD CEO Wang proudly claims his batteries have never faced recalls, unlike Sony or Sanyo.. and I doubt top rate companies like Sony, Nokia, Motorola and Apple would use a low quality battery. The IPhone case is sealed, I dont really think they want the headaches a bad battery would cause.
No one has any idea how much (and when) BYD electrics will sold for. Wang has said he would drop the F3DM EREV down to $21k to promote sales in China.. you can bet that if the Volt is a success the BYD cars will be imported
+1
Nov 7th, 2009 (1:36 pm)From several of the comments here it seems that it took a long time for GM to lose people’s trust and it will likely take a long time to get it back, but hopefully they are on track to do so. Let’s hope this quotation from Max Planck (in the context of Physics) doesn’t apply.
A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it.
+1
Nov 7th, 2009 (1:56 pm)GM likes change its mind. Just look at the Opel fiasco, which may well motivate PP Nobel-Laureate to exercise U.S. 60% ownership and order GM back down. It doesn’t matter whether GM will or will not brand the VOLT outside of Chevy; what does matter is ensuring the VOLT is relevant in 2012-2013. If the stars align for VOLT, GM’s DNA controls – and will brand VOLT starting with the a latest-and-greatest Caddy Converj or equivalent. I would lobby on marketing grounds however for a now Converj.
Nov 7th, 2009 (2:28 pm)#64
Ain’t it the truth? +1
+2
Nov 7th, 2009 (2:31 pm)#63
I’m in with Geronimo. Except I’m not going to buy one in 10 or 20 years, or ever. Assuming I live that long, LOL.
+1
Nov 7th, 2009 (4:07 pm)Don’t get me wrong…I love the Volt….Sick and tired of ineptness at GM. Fresh out of bankruptcy and I’m not convinced they know how to market and sell vehicles successfully in the 21st century.
The Camaro is too little too late. Who needs a 500 hp Camaro? Had it come out 5 years ago when it was first shown it would have set sales records. Now, it’s selling well, but compared to a Malibu? Not so much.
There was pent up demand for the Camaro and it’s selling on pure nostalgia, but I would bet my house that in less than 5 years from now it will be out of production again.
Nov 7th, 2009 (4:31 pm)#68
Well I don’t think much of the looks of the Camaro, but i am glad of anything which the Chevy dealers can sell and make a few bucks on at this point in our lives. I hope that it will fill its niche, and that they will keep the design updated enough to keep it relevant to buyers in that niche into the future. I think that here is a niche for the Camaro, although how many thousand a year it is is anybody’s guess. I don’t assume that GM is planning on selling them in the millions.
Is it enough to save the company? Obviously not, but neither is the Volt, at the projected rates of production I’ve seen. Every little bit helps.
CorvetteGuy himself was pleading here the other day for a lot full of Volts, Cruzes and Sparks. He clearly knows what it is going to take to generate enough volume to keep both his dealership and GM afloat. It’s just that desperate times call for desperate measures. If they can sell a few Camaros when nothing else is moving, at least that’s something.
Nov 7th, 2009 (4:49 pm)Trust Toyota to do whatever. Next they’ll be into animal husbandry or is that Honda ?
Nov 7th, 2009 (5:07 pm)jscott1000 – Sick and tired of ineptness at GM.
Noel Park – It’s just that desperate times call for desperate measures.
There’s no doubt that GM product development has suffered the most due to the BK re-alignment. The current lineup of Chevys is sorely lacking in desirability, except for the Camaro and Equinox.
Even Corvette sales are lower than expected, (at least here) but I think that is mostly due to the slow economic recovery and not the styling of the car. (The new 2010 Corvette Grand Sport is sweet!)
We’ll hold out as best we can till the new models get here.
It’s not just the mileage ratings of the new cars people are waiting for… it’s the new styles we need. People just don’t get excited about an HHR or a Cobalt or an Aveo. And that is EXACTLY where we need the excitement to be.
Nov 7th, 2009 (5:56 pm)Hey Noel,
Can you post pictures of those? That would be really cool for us to see them!!
Nov 7th, 2009 (6:12 pm)And, as long as we seek contributory purpose in life, we are truly needed. I think that is one of the very important things needed for long(er) life.
(This “bankers” concept of “retirement” is sometimes laden with financial corruption as well as a “decline potential” against a person’s self worth. It can become depleted if we don’t stay out here “in the wild” being of service as best we can, and, as best we can learn we can).
Nov 7th, 2009 (6:39 pm)Why didn’t GM use $2 billion of it’s $60 billion surplus to bring a high quality Volt to the market in 2004? The first is battery technology. LG Chem had been in the business if using lithium in their batteries for just 6 years. A basic integrated maintenance system was still in the development stage.
http://www.compactpower.com/lithium.shtml
The second is the administration was flushed with profits from truck sales. Pump gas was running about $1.75 per gallon. And the much publicized amicable arrogance of GM management could care less about the sales numbers of Asian hybrid vehicles.
07/19/2004 “The national average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gas is nearly $1.93, the Energy Department reported Monday, about 40 cents higher than a year ago.”
=D~
Nov 7th, 2009 (7:09 pm)“GM Will Not Create a Line of Volt-Branded Vehicles”
That’s becasue you cannot copyright the word “Volt”
Nov 7th, 2009 (7:18 pm)Speaking of passing on I’ve got an old hearse you might like to see. Then again once is probably enough.
Nov 7th, 2009 (7:52 pm)I am spending my first full day with my 10 Equinox. I am very impressed. The initial quality is 100% perfect. I am also finding things that surprise me in the positive way.
Nov 7th, 2009 (9:52 pm)It’s moved to the top of comment.
Nov 8th, 2009 (12:13 am)Interesting. I will take a GMC Terrain with a little larger battery for 50 mile range and a decent size gas tank.
Go GM!
Thanks Lyle.
+2
Nov 8th, 2009 (12:38 am)If you want to risk your family’s life on a CEO’s “proud claims”, go ahead. He’ll thank you for it, indirectly, when he buys another jet.
Or, here’s a thought, use the Web for something more than Comments – do some research:
“…and I doubt top rate companies like Sony, Nokia, Motorola and Apple would use a low quality battery”
I guess you missed the whole laptops exploding into flames thing back in 2007, batteries manufactured by Sony.
http://www.switched.com/2007/07/20/laptop-battery-recall-are-you-affected/
And guess how BYD rechargeable battery factory got off to such a profitable, quick start in 1995 ?
Your proudly claiming Wang Chuanfu carefully studied the patents of Sony and Sanyo, and proceeded to give the greatest compliment by imitating them. Sony and Sanyo were not flattered, however, and sued Wang for multiple patent infringements. Since China is the Wild, Wild East of business practices, the Japanese patents were not honored, and Wang continued on his profitable way. But keep in mind BYD’s lithium-ion batteries are based on Sony’s design, which has burst into flames thousands of times in laptops.
Caveat emptor.
Oh, and look at this:
http://www.switched.com/2007/04/27/sony-battery-recall-extended-to-acer/
Nov 8th, 2009 (3:16 am)
Nov 8th, 2009 (8:11 am)Unless companies especially GM change their way of thinking & its management CEO (right at the top) focus more on engineering, quality than their millions in salary NOTHING will change at GM..Example like that start at the top ..Then the workers have to be made feel part of the quality process …Get rid of those who fail the tests ..as many in US are not concious of quality production they are thinking 8-5 & hit the bar next door or go fishing ..
I had worked with japanese workers many years ago their mamagement & workers work together like a close knit family & you cant beat that combination ..Good luck GM ..
+1
Nov 8th, 2009 (8:15 am)One wonders about the 6,831 laptop batteries in a Tesla, who makes them, who’s patent is involved, which chemistry is involved, and on and on. See picture inset of post number 81 above.
Nov 8th, 2009 (8:22 am)Ah ha I forgot one thing which I had mentioned in other posts ..GM is good at coming up with catchy Ads ..that is something they are good at ..Great ads but lousy & poorly made cars ..what a combination ..Ever see ads from Toyota/Honda very rarely they spend those millions on quality production rather than Ads …GM has long way to go …I hope they change but I doubt it ..
Nov 8th, 2009 (11:55 am)+1 Dave K. Says:
November 7th, 2009 at 7:48 am
Fritz must be reading these posts. I got a +1.
=D~
Nov 8th, 2009 (1:17 pm)Saturn was such a valuable asset that no one was willing to buy it in the end. Customer satisfaction is not, per se, a valuable asset since you can build that using any brand name as koreans are actually proving.
Volt is, for now and for most people, a vague concept. Only for us on this site is the Volt real. It’s way too soon to call that an asset.
Nov 8th, 2009 (3:10 pm)Hey Nuclearboy – what colors & model did you purchase?
Nov 8th, 2009 (5:22 pm)Lots of things can catch on fire.
GM recalls 1.5 million cars due to fire risk
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE53D31P20090414
Nov 8th, 2009 (9:15 pm)I sure hope they extend it to their mini-vans! Nobody makes a hybrid minivan and I’m in the market for one.
Nov 8th, 2009 (9:57 pm)I wish GM would use the Volt battery in the Yukon hybrid I would trade in my Yukon that I drive with E85 for it today. GM needs to incorporate the techonoligy in other platforms and move on. Ford is doing it witht the hybrid Fusion they will sell a plu in hybrid fusion in the 2012 model.
Nov 8th, 2009 (11:10 pm)True, that’s why I don’t want to see trucking adopt LNG tanks:
At *minus 260 deg F* the CH4 (methane) liquefies at regular atmospheric pressure. The volume compression is 600 to 1 – so in a highway accident, a tank of LNG becomes a huge cloud of methane vapor that can ignite with the smallest spark – these LNG fireballs are a common concern of every port city debating whether to site an LNG terminal in their territory.
Oh yeah, that will go over well on the Evening News…
Nov 8th, 2009 (11:19 pm)One of my favorites:
A cell phone and static electricity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gct1BmKNvU0&feature=related
Nov 9th, 2009 (9:32 am)Without reading hardly any of the comments, let me say that GM is just now in the process of shedding brands. Why add another brand name line. Just add the technology to the other brands as quickly as possible and get it done right.
Nov 9th, 2009 (1:33 pm)#79
Thanks. I’ll give it a try.
Nov 9th, 2009 (1:34 pm)#94
Absolutely right IMHO. +1
Nov 9th, 2009 (1:36 pm)Sorry to sound dumb, but I still don’t see it.
Nov 9th, 2009 (1:41 pm)Sorry to disappoint you, but that was me, LOL. See #56
Nov 9th, 2009 (2:42 pm)#73
I’m too far behind the technology curve at the moment, but there are some photos up on Google. If you put in Noel Park 1917 Chevrolet, and so on, and click images, they come up. Or at leat they did a couple of weeks ago. Thanks for asking.