General Motors has launched a new YouTube video they are calling How the Volt Works.
It is the latest effort in a series of short and simple videos that attempt to explain the virtues and values of the Chevy Volt to people new to the idea.
A previous video showed a cut out paper Volt travelling though a cartoon landscape, and tried to explain why an extended-range electric vehicle was better than a pure EV.
The Chevy Volt song and dance, as it came to be known thanks to, well this site, was a simple yet catchy tune and acompanying remarkably absurd dance routine targeted ast school age kids and played in the LA Auto Show.
So poorly received universally, that act will surely never be seen again, and it is speculated may have led to the re-assignment of the Volt marketing director who was responsible for it.
Now we have another neat 2:47 clean, simple and spartan video, showing the car and a cheerful clear-speaking female narrator. The basics of the car is explained.
Certainly for the regular GM-Volt.com reader the content of this video is nothing new, but we can analyze the effort. Though we realize the value of the Volt, it is critically important that GM succesfully explain this unique variety of vehicle to the average consumer suich that they can distinguish why it is superior to both hybrids and pure EVs. This education may be essential in enabling the mass adoption of EREVs.
Do you think this video achieves its goal?
This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 7:23 am and is filed under Video. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
+5
Feb 2nd, 2010 (7:32 am)Thanks Lyle, the more the people are educated, the more we will be on a sustainable mobilty model.
JC NPNS
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-8
Feb 2nd, 2010 (7:34 am)First year’s production of @10,000 Volts and Volts in showrooms will do a far better job of educating consumers. Nobody is going to remember this video or what it showed 2 years from now when production can be high enough to benefit from it. There are better ways for GM to spend its precious cash IMO.
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+3
Feb 2nd, 2010 (7:41 am)“When you’re driving in electric mode, you use no fuel”.
Neat!
????
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+11
Feb 2nd, 2010 (7:44 am)This one is really getting the messages accross nicely. My favorite part was about range depletion at the point where it is going through
“gambling” Las Vegas (LOL/smile), really perfect yet sufficiently subtle.
I think both Lyle’s “Drive Volt” video and this one ought to go on TV.
(So much for my achieving the ‘over ten’ vote today. (lol)).
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-17
Feb 2nd, 2010 (7:46 am)(click to show comment)
+3
Feb 2nd, 2010 (7:48 am)The more education the better.
There are tons of people that are unaware of the Volt and what it can do. I don’t know about the rest you, but I talk about this car a lot. All of my family and friends know about the Volt because I am constantly talking about it to them.
I talk about it to strangers whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Educate, educate, educate. Then sell, sell, sell.
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+5
Feb 2nd, 2010 (7:52 am)It’s definately getting better.
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+12
Feb 2nd, 2010 (7:59 am)We knew this 2 years ago. Ramping up production like this is standard for any new car design.
But I agree with your basic point. GM is seriously under-estimating demand. They believe initial demand will be high, but that will fade as the market saturates. The market will be much larger than they expect.
So the real questions are:
1) How many Volts will GM produce in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th production years?
2) When will GM start making other EREVs (e.g. Converj and Orlando)?
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+13
Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:04 am)I think this as well. But saturation will take years. If the market is saturated with anything, it is the ICE vehicles. I think the more people are educated, the more they will buy into these EVs.
This is why the early ones must really be good. Bad reviews for any of them, can spell doom for the rest.
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+5
Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:05 am)“No Compromises” hits the nail on the head IMO. Good to hit those points about the car.
The only thing lacking was a hot break dance routine or acrobats with elephants as a nice touch at the end. Get with the program GM!
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+3
Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:12 am)I like it.
GM should have considered Super Bowl commercial time for this.
Consumers need to educated. Can’t start too early.
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+5
Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:14 am)Good video. It conveys an important message in very simple terms.
The video showed a combined (battery + range extender) range of 300 miles although the words spoken mentioned over 300 miles. The 1st 40 miles will be all electric, leaving 260+ miles in range extender mode. What does that tell us about the size of the gas tank. Has GM ever told us how large it will be? Or, is that something yet to be determined?
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+19
Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:14 am)My only problem with this video was this line:
“The Volt is ready when you are.”
To try to ramp up demand, before you ramp up product availability, could be a mistake, IMHO. This November, if people see this and go into their local Chevy dealership, and get told they have to wait 2+ years before a Volt is available it is not going to sit well, don’t you think?
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I sure don’t plan to buy a Cruze while waiting for a Volt…..
Education is important, but it must be put in place at a time when it will generate sales for the company.
JMHO
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:21 am)Nice video. Keeping it simple is the way to go.
The video can be updated when fuel tank size and CS mpg are finalized.
=D~
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:25 am)It mentions that the genset will turn on to assist under high load (shows car going up a hill).. this is new I think, previously the genset only turns on in the CS mode.
This probably requires approval from CARB. It will also increase the CD mode all-electric-range if the genset occasionally assists.
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+13
Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:27 am)I just hope and pray that the MSRP will not be raised at point-of-sale for as hard as GM is working to get it down as best they possibly can.
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+7
Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:28 am)_____________________________________________________
I thought the video was good informational wise and OK (needs to be kicked up a notch) production wise. What’s up with that background funeral parlor music?
I did learn something new from the video…
I had previously thought that the Volt only used the ICE:
1) To warm the battery in a very cold start situation.
2) Ocassionaly to stir gas & lubricate ICE.
3) When SOC below ~30% SOC while driving.
The video mentions:
“…When peek performance is needed like during high-speed acceleration and steep inclines, the engine generator and battery work together to deliver the electric power required…”
I guess I find that above quote from the video perplexing because it seems to contradict those times that I’ve heard GM say that if you drive less than 40 miles a day you may never need to use the ICE except for occasional ICE starts to stir the gas tank and lubricate the engine.
______________________________________________________
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+5
Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:29 am)Q>When will a Voltec vehicle need load assist?
A>When it’s a truck.
=D~
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:30 am)Well I am not sure if it is necessary to worry that much about how to explain the Volt’s concept. After all, it is not that hard to understand…
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:34 am)Right Herm, this struck me too, but disappointed me too ,I live in a region where steep hills are the common lot and I imagined I could do my day trip to and from work without using gas at all … Time and a real world trial with the Volt or the Ampera in my neighborhood will tell.
JC NPNS
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:43 am)I think the reference to ready when you are is to the idea if it is not fully charged it is still ready to go because of the generator c/s mode.
Tom C
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:51 am)Interesting promotion. GM is taking the “not a SERIES hybrid” much further than expected. Volt is portrayed as traditional vehicle when not in “EV mode”, not setting a MPG expectation of any kind anymore.
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+24
Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:52 am)I showed this too my wife, who has significant ‘range anxiety’ about electric cars and is most decidedly ‘technology challenged’. She zones out as soon as you start talking asbout anything technical. It explains the Volt at a high enough level that she doesn’t get confused. She is now a Volt enthusiast and wants to get one as soon as we can.
Well done.
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:55 am)I think the background music needed to be subdued because when needing to be educational, the sound component ought not be distracting, it seems to me. Visual input for the open chassis battery picture needed priority at that point, and, it might have been more difficult for viewers to switch from a more stronger, primarily auditory sensed focus, with, say, stronger sound beat for instance, (which worked well in Lyle’s video for non-technical pictures very easily registered), as opposed to a needed visual-input-focus toward the chassis battery for that most important visual point of all, to register.
It’s just like when I burst out in a laugh, when, in a shop training techs, there is the sound of Rush Limbaugh or some other talk radio influence in the background not exactly talking about visual waveforms on the scan tool. (LOL).
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+5
Feb 2nd, 2010 (9:04 am)Finally some advertising.
Now GM, take this vid and start showing it on television and we’re on our way.
I know many of you think of me as a bitter cynical troll, but I can honestly say that with this vid, I am happy.
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-46
Feb 2nd, 2010 (9:28 am)(click to show comment)
-50
Feb 2nd, 2010 (9:30 am)(click to show comment)
+3
Feb 2nd, 2010 (9:30 am)I like it. It’s simple and goes right to the point.
I hope GM has many more like it in the future.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (9:31 am)Agreed, a spot on the Super Bowl would be a good way to spread the word. But the problem is, people’s expectations for Super Bowl spots are so high for “blow away” humor or entertainment. The pressure is so high to hit a home run with that spot. At the same time, is the size of the audience not a bad way to create some awareness of the vehicle.
BTW, the shape of the spinning Volt at the end of the video reminded me more of the concept than the prod version.
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-59
Feb 2nd, 2010 (9:32 am)(click to show comment)
+3
Feb 2nd, 2010 (9:36 am)At 1:32 in the Video “When peak performance is needed, such as high speed acceleration or a steep inclines, the engine generator and battery work together to deliver the electric power required.”
This was new to me. I thought the generator would never come on until the CDP was reached?
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+9
Feb 2nd, 2010 (9:36 am)I thought it was a great video except for 2 things. 1 major and 1 minor. I’ll start with the minor problem. That was towards the end when all of a sudden words start flashing around in the video changing the tempo out of nowhere and disappearing just as fast and back to the relaxed pace of the video. What was that? This was a relaxing informative video and all of a sudden I’m fighting off an epileptic attack from the video flashing! I would like to see a more energetic hip (can it even be hip if you use the word hip?) video in addition to this one but let the relaxed one be relaxed and the energetic one be more up tempo but don’t mix the two.
My major complaint was the comparision of the cost of charging the Volt to the cost of cell phone plans which also came towards the end of the video. I was watching thinking this is a really well done piece and then that came along. What? My charging costs are going to vary depending upon how much I drive and this is going to confuse some into thinking it is some sort of monthly charge. Also some, make that most, cell phone plans are quite a bit more expensive then charging the volt will be. Using their data from the video 8 hours of charging on a 120V circuit lets say at 15A would be 14.4KWh of electricity. At our local rate (.085) here in Minnesota that would be $1.22 per day or about $40 per month. But that assumes a complete and full charge each and every day of the month including Saturday and Sunday. So avid Volt fans will note something wrong with my calculations. It is estimated that the usable range of the battery is only 8 KWh so that would change the cost to only 68 cents a day or $20.40 / month. Does anyone get by with only that much for their cell phone? How about if you and the misses have one? Do you have a smart phone? I would be willing to bet that 90+% of people pay far more than that for their cell phone(s) than what the Volt recharging could possibly cost them. That is an incredibly dumb comparision to compare the Volt cost of operation to your cell phone bill.
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+3
Feb 2nd, 2010 (9:37 am)Remember folks, this video is not for us. The VoltNation already knows all this stuff.
It is for new eyes. Its for people who don’t yet know the Volt. Imagine this video is your first exposure to Volt.
And from that perspective, it does a very good job of accentuating the Volts strongest features of eliminating Range Anxiety and allowing us to drive gasoline-free most of the time.
I find it interesting that the video downplays the Volt’s appearance by portraying it as a generic little gray car while most of us know the Volt to have a very pleasing appearance. Perhaps this is done to reassure people that it is indeed a “normal” car in most respects and not some glitzy gizmo you have to change your lifestyle to own.
I think the video could prove quite valuable in educating and converting the masses.
Seeing this pretty lady and her presentation reminded me of the time long ago when new cars were introduced by shapely young ladies in evening gowns gently stroking their long hoods to the sound of “See the USA in your Chevrolet”.
We have come a long way since then. And that’s a good thing.
Go Volt!
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (9:42 am)I dont have time right now to find them, but most of the references i’ve seen are 40miles electric, then 300miles in RE mode. I think whenever they show the total range, its 300+ because they don’t know what kind of AER people will get (depends on driving style)
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (9:42 am)It may not have been presented clearly but I believe they are referring to when it is operating in charge sustaining mode that the battery and generator can be combined to meet high power demands that go beyond the generator’s ~50kw capacity.
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (9:45 am)This prob depends on battery costs dropping and/or gas prices increasing (and government incentives)
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+4
Feb 2nd, 2010 (9:49 am)The portion of the video that talks about the ICE and the battery working together is talking about the battery supplying the extra energy needed for hills and passing. During AER, is suspect that the electric motor and battery are enough for hills and passing. Since the motor is the only drive force, it has to be enough for any driving condition. You just have to pull down the battery more when on a hill. The Genset alone does not have enough power for all driving conditions so the battery has to help out.
I think that the production quality of this video is more in keeping with the sort of video that is running continuously in a loop at the dealership. I just doesn’t look and sound like a broadcast ad. Compare this with the ad they played during the 2008 Olympics where we watch a gas station go through its evolution only to be turning into a park because the Volt has changed everything. That was a great ad.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (9:52 am)I like it!
Nice to hear that the VOLT will protect the batteries from extended periods of high current draw (me) by starting the generator. So when I am driving aggressively (evading pursuit) I don’t have to worry about a battery meltdown. I wonder how many Amps that motor pulls! COOL!
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+4
Feb 2nd, 2010 (9:54 am)Clear and concise. I give them a B+ on this… it does a good job with conveying a complicated idea at a level that can be quickly absorbed by the general public without talking down to them.
It does lack that bit of pizazz that would get it an A.
To GM: Not bad at all… you can do better though.
Harrier1970
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (9:54 am)Much better then the song we got a few months ago
Perfect for Mr. Everybody
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (9:57 am)That’s a lot of information packed into a 2:47 video. Purely an educational approach. Now, if there was a way to package this information into a shorter, glitzier commercial that added fun, then that would be a winner. But for now, it is very good.
For #2 koz: this video took almost no money to produce and is on You Tube – free! and is being virally disiminated by web sites like gm-volt.com. What’s to complain about from a $ perspective? Nothing.
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (9:58 am)My wife liked it too! All that’s left is verifying that the seats are nice and comfortable. If it passes that test, the checkbook will open.
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (10:14 am)Lyle: It is the latest effort in a series of short and simple videos that attempt to explain the virtues and values of the Chevy Volt to people new to the idea.
Then: Do you think this video achieves its goal?
maharguitar says: I think that the production quality of this video is more in keeping with the sort of video that is running continuously in a loop at the dealership.
I tend to agree with maharguitar, so if that is the goal, then “yes.” I don’t think we should bash everything they do because it doesn’t do everything. Three minute videos don’t work for 30 second commercials, but most people wouldn’t mind watching a 3 minute video at a dealer or an auto show.
I’ll have my wife watch it when she gets up (we’re in a different time zone here).
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (10:18 am)I just passed this video on to everyone in my contacts. It’s a great little educational spot. Thanks Lyle.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (10:21 am)Very Good! To the point, no BS. I liked it and I think it would help most people understand the Volt better. This could be broken up into parts and would make a great group of ads all played on the same show.
I still think the Volt is going to help sell the Cruze big time. GM should have a Volt at each dealer to test drive. I think a lot of people who come in to drive the Volt will buy the Cruze. Not because they like it better then the Volt. Because they don’t want to wait for the Volt and/or the price.
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (10:21 am)I will not buy another car until I can get an affordable EREV/BEV.
The Volt is NOT ‘ready when I am’. I’ll wait until second half 2012, doubt I can wait longer. Hopefully the Volt will be available for me.
I’ll drive a Leaf if I have to.
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (10:23 am)In fact bought a SUV in 2009, no EREV/BEV was ready when I was.
Can wait at most until 2H 2012 to replace my other car, we’ll see what is ready when I am.
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+4
Feb 2nd, 2010 (10:26 am)Suuweeete, got my first srunched comment for saying basically the same thing albeit in a little harsher tone.
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (10:36 am)I’m considering getting solar panels on my roof and it would be nice if there was a way to charge the Volt from these panels using DC direct from the panels to the Volt battery, thereby bypassing the inverters and the loss of efficiency associated with them?
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (10:39 am)Agreed kdawg, see my comment # 20 and a bit disappointed.
JC NPNS
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (10:44 am)Bigger than a bread box. Who cares? Most of the driving is done within AER. CS mode appears to be the most important and least interesting part of this vehicle.
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+3
Feb 2nd, 2010 (10:47 am)GM can’t come out too strong with the message, Buy the Volt and get off that imported OIL, because if we stopped importing OIL many of our problems would go away.
GM doesn’t want people to think that because people might start buying fewer ICE cars and driving less.
I wish the government would have the balls to pass a law mandating a transition to EVs. Make the law new cars/small trucks/SUVs must have minimum 12 mile AER with something like
>10% sold in 2012
>25% sold in 2013
>50% sold in 2014
>75% sold in 2015
>90% sold in 2016
Government wants to spend a trillion dollars a year to create a few jobs.
They could just pass the law above, throw in maybe $10 billion more in credits for these cars, and then just get out of the way.
GM would be the leader in these cars and that would create zillions of jobs. Money that is going to import oil now would go into our economy instead. Trillions of dollars would be invested in our economy instead of for oil in a few years, creating hundreds of billions of tax revenue as well. Plus the government could downsize the military and Naval forces if we didn’t have to protect the oil lanes.
The other FREE thing government could do is maybe bring back a million high paying IT jobs by giving credits to companies that hire american IT people and pay for that by a tax on companies that export IT jobs (keeps companies on a level playing field and brings back jobs).
The company I work for has about 5,000 IT professionals in India, Phillipines, Brazil, Portugal. They have to do it to compete with all the other companies sending their jobs overseas. But Then all these companies wonder why no one has any money to buy their products.
Thats just 2 ideas that combined will create millions of jobs without government spending.
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (10:58 am)This is really going to confuse you, then:
After I got my on/off road EV, my electric bill went down.
Why?
Because I changed to being out hooning it up on single track trails near my development instead of couch potatoeing in front of the big screen with the lights on, heat turned up, and kitchen in use. My two wheeled hooning uses less power, more than offsetting my slightly increased laundry load.
p.s. This result was completely counter to my expectations and logical calculations. I underestimated how fun and efficient an on/off road EV is.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (11:15 am)I read your comment and tried to unscrunch you by a thumbs up vote.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’** * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+10
Feb 2nd, 2010 (11:17 am)#25
Sorry Guy, but we have professional trolls here, and none of your comments have ever approached that level, IMHO. In fact I resemble that remark, considering how many times I have publicly agreed with you over the months. I look forward to your continued thoughtful and constructive comments in the future.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (11:19 am)Thaaanks Tag, it worked. My words of fury are flying for all to see once again.
xxxxxoooo
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (11:23 am)Now that is one fine-looking model! I could watch that all day.
The spokeswoman ain’t bad either …*rimshot*
In all seriousness though, with a few tweaks in mind*, I think it’s their best “explanatory” video about the Volt to date. Minor quibbles aside, I like it!!
* pt.1 = “uses no fuel”… Seriously? Should be “uses no liquid fuel’ or some such.
* pt.2 = “ready when you are” Ouch, that hurts, because I was ready back in 1998!! And worse, there won’t be enough to go around for years. Yeah, I understand what they meant by that, it’s still an unfortunate word selection.
EDIT: On second watching, I noticed they did put a “no gasoline” graphic to the left of the car. That does somewhat counter my point.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (11:26 am)As someone else said, “I like it!” It is definitely not a marketing spot, because it does not explain the rational for limited availability in November 2010, nor does it explain when essentially unlimited availability will commence, i.e November 2011. I was also disheartened with the “300 miles” vice “400″ miles, pointing to a tiny gas tank and or unimpressive mileage in range extending mode.
But the bottom line is it does an excellent job in my opinion explaining the concept and it mentions foreign oil, so I think they hit it out of the ballpark. GCUAPO
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+3
Feb 2nd, 2010 (11:29 am)Given that this video is aimed at the HUGE audience that know nothing about the Volt, I think that it does it’s job pretty well. I agree that the tempo is really slow (and I mean REALLY slow), but for learning quite a few facts and concepts, that’s necessary.
I think we need some clarification on the point mentioned several times already that the engine will be kicking in to help the battery on hills – even during the first 40 miles. It doesn’t matter much to me in the greater scheme of things, but I don’t want to be telling people about AER 40, if that’s not quite right.
It also sounds like the total miles per tankful/charge of 300, that some here thought had been a safe bet may actually exceed this. Is that really the case? (wink).
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’** * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+3
Feb 2nd, 2010 (11:34 am)#54
Me too. Evidently along with several of our friends. I guess it worked, because his comment is now “back on the island” at -8, when I just checked. I also gave a +1 to KenEE at #5, because I thought that his comment was fair as well. Couldn’t quite get it done in his case however. +1
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (11:35 am)No problem! I was surprised to see a post from you knocked out. Maybe it was just voted on “pre-coffee”.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’** * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+6
Feb 2nd, 2010 (11:36 am)GM needs to put together a 30 minute info-mercial and roll it out. People need to get as much exposure to the Volts technology as possible. The population needs to be engaged. Get the test mules out in major population centers and set up test drives. If GM hasn’t purchased a 30 second time slot during the super bowl they’ve missed a great opportunity. Believe me, any good PR group would be all over this opportunity.
Hell, give me a shot and I know I could get people buzzing about this car and technology. Everyone at work including my supervisor has added this wesite to his/her favorites and we talk about it probally more than we should.
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (11:41 am)Sheesh, KenEE was up to -15 when I went back. His comment – to my reading – is really, really minor negative point ! I “+”d it, but he’s still in the hole. I don’t know what’s up with the negative votes today.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’** * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (11:46 am)The trolls are here because they want Volts. Demo drives for everyone. Yes, the trolls as well.
=D~
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (11:48 am)I think this is a good intro video for the Volt. All major technical points were covered fairly well. Technical points are probably not good for 30-second commercials. The smooth-as-glass acceleration and operation would be a better choice.
I don’t agree with some that the comparison to a cell plan is necessarily a bad thing. This gives you an idea of the cost for electricity without being overly picky that some are below or above average. Cell plans vary as well. It think this is a much better comparison than, say, to a refrigerator. I have no idea what my refrigerator costs per month as it is rolled in with everything else.
That’s an interesting concept #53 EVO. If I go out and drive just for the heck of it, maybe the other electrical usage would actually go down. I’m sure a bunch of us will be in the Volt working with all the neat-o screens rather than watching the big screen in the house. Or at least on the smart phone playing around with the data.
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (11:48 am)Dear GM marketing -
A couple of questions/comments……
1) If this video (or a sequel) were used at dealerships, customers may protest that in the “cover shot” above (and on each occasion the Volt is plugged in) the power cord is shown connecting only on the passenger side
2) As others here have also commented, comparing the cost of a cell phone contract to the cost of operation may be confusing —why not compare its cost of daily operation to that of an average refrigerator?
3) Some time ago Bob Lutz publicly commented that the Volt would use a “transmission unlike any other” (paraphrasing) —should we assume that the Volt’s generator functions as an additional traction motor during brief periods of rapid acceleration or heavy loads such as for passing or climbing steep hills?
Otherwise, the video simply & effectively explains how the Volt operates!
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (11:48 am)I think you’re reading too much into this. The narrative was that you use the battery in EV mode then the genset in CS mode. The part about the battery and genset working together came after the video was describing the operation in CS mode, so I assumed it was describing the battery and genset working together in CS mode.
It’s difficult to have the video be simple and complete in all details.
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (11:57 am)I tried to unscrunch you too but someone else canceled my vote so you were still stuck at -10. But really, there is often no accounting for the votes sometimes.
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:01 pm)Lyle – can you follow up w/your “GM Inside people”, and get clarification on this?
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:04 pm)Overly simplistic sales pitch on K-12 level. I would have preferred to better educate. Anyways as success depends on range-let’s talk range.
300 doesn’t do it. Never will. And at $30+k the buyer is entitled to better. Moreover, GM can bump up range first by standardizing a 12 gal. tank just like it announced at the Jan 2007 NAIAS. Did you know GM actually specified a 600 mile range? Yes. So what’s happened? Could be bean-counters. Former CEO FH was a bean-counter – so’s Whitacre in a way. And secondly give the driver the option to ER charge (SOC) beyond 50%. It just escapes me why a great breakout concept is subject to that sort of brand limitation.
Catch some time the B-J collector car auctions. Its just amazing what GM put in its specials. I mean a 1969 Pontiac with factory aluminium engine block! Fuel injectors! That era Detroit ignored criticisms of lagging behind BMW, Mercedes and so forth. And all the time there’s the technology sitting on the shelf. Know what … GM market share dived.
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+3
Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:04 pm)I’m with CDAVIS on this one — the content is better than the production. But no big deal. It does a nice job of introducing the idea of how the Volt would operate. On a 1-10 scale I’d give it a 7 rather than a 9 or a 10 only because of the production quality and because of the confusion created by not being specific about the genset and battery working together in CS Mode (I’m assuming this is the case and it’s not anything new).
I particularly liked that they *finally* talked about foreign oil along with the environmental benefits during the summation.
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+3
Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:07 pm)“You can drive free of foreign oil.” Excellent line.
I think this is great. I’m amazed at how many people still don’t get the concept.
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:08 pm)I agree on the infomercial, and disagree on the Superbowl ad. Last thing GM needs is ppl pointing fingers at the x-million spent for 30 seconds during the Superbore. (which I think are inneffective anyway).
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:10 pm)Absolutely! This is an *excellent* example of why an OCCASIONAL negative vote count shouldn’t be taken personally.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’** * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:14 pm)Nasaman,
I’ve been trying to find out as much as I can about the Volt’s “transmission”, and have posted something in the forum.
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?p=36228#post36228
It’s not the politically correct answer on this website, but the patent application, if you study it in detail, gives the hints as to what makes sense to me for the Volt.
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:18 pm)From a company like GM, i will give this video a C. Not because of the content, which most of you have focused on, but because of the delivery. For a company the size of GM, with a marketing budget the size of GMs, with supposedly professional and experienced video marketing gurus on staff, this is a disappointing video. Here’s the major points i have to make – it’s all basic presentation 101 stuff.
1. They should not have the woman standing there. It takes the focus away from the rest of whats going on in the video.
2. The woman is not a good presenter. Too much hand movement, too much lip smacking, too much general “fidgeting” around.
3. Tell them what you’re going to tell them, tell them, tell them what you told them. That’s the cardinal rule when presenting material. They instead just launch into the presentation, and it becomes a fairly dry, monotonous presentation, with no real beginning or end.
That’s it….i hope they do better next time.
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+5
Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:22 pm)In the 12/29/09 Jay Leno demo drive video. Listened for an ICE-on sound when the sport mode button is depressed. Didn’t hear it. As Jay accelerated away from the corner. He mentioned that he didn’t hear ANY sound.
The Jay Leno demo drive video stands on it’s own as a terrific ad.
=D~
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:24 pm)I just found out that two Volts will be coming to Vancouver Canada for the Winter Olympics!! GM is supplying several thousand vehicles and two of them are going to be Volts. I cant wait to see one whipping down the street….
They will also be parked throughout for people to view.
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:27 pm)My last full gasser pickup truck had a real world range of 200 miles and I never, ever had range anxiety with it. What’s the big deal?
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:37 pm)I understand what you state above. BUT no where have I read that the ‘generator’ portion of the “Genset” is ever detached via a clutch or whatever. This leads me to believe that during the moment of hard accel or steep climbing the ICE will actually be used for additional power.
There has never been a statement (that I have read/heard) where the physical generator is decoupled from the ICE and for them to say that the generator is coupled for more drive power to get you to ~111KW of max power means it’s a Parallel Hybrid for that instance.
Did I make any sense? I think carcus1 knows what I am talking about.
carcus1, what say YOU!
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:39 pm)I totally agree!!
+1 there bro!
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:40 pm)Thanks for this comment, Bill! You’re probably right that it’s not the politically correct answer on this website, but I have also long believed the FWD 2-mode transmission was the basis for the Volt’s twin motor/generator requirement. Everything points to it —in Lyle’s last interview with Alex (the lady drive train engineer on the Volt), she made obvious references to the FWD 2-Mode without mentioning it by name. And the recent announcement that the Volt’s motors will be manufactured in Baltimore (where the 2-Mode is made), as well as the news that they’ll use the 2-mode’s control electronics essentially unchanged, make it a highly likely supposition.
Also thanks for posting your excellent technical treatise about this on the forum here. I highly recommend any other “gearheads” have a close look at your superb overview of the subject at…..
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?p=36228#post36228
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:42 pm)I should also add that its the coldest time of the year here durring the Olympics and the whole word will be watching so GM must be confident w/the Volt to be putting it on display for the world to see… in a climate like ours. Li-on batteries don’t like Canadians (or our winters) ha-ha
Plus the company doing the chargers for Nissan just installed 4 units in Whistler.. and I believe the Volt will be able to take advantage of them
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:43 pm)“nasaman: Volt’s generator functions as an additional traction motor during brief periods of rapid acceleration or heavy loads such as for passing or climbing steep hills?”
See my post 82 above, Captain —& the link to BillR’s excellent explanation below it
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:48 pm)It jumped into its message very quickly, perhaps too much info compressed for one not familiar with the Volt, but it gained momentum and finished strong and clear.
A missing point in the video which I feel is of extreme importance is the fact that behind the wheel the Volt is a very familiar to operate automobile – there won’t be any ‘fear factor’ which many people have when faced with new technology.
I felt the very first words the narrator spoke – “the Volt is an electric vehicle with extended range capability …” actually could stoke that ‘fear factor’. IMO it would have been better to have a prelude to that point which would have introduced the Volt as something that would be familiar and as easy to live with. i.e….. “the Volt is an automobile that you’ll be able to get behind the wheel of and drive away just like the car you own today.” Then define it as the electric vehicle that it is.
The point is to make the viewer comfortable first, and then tell them the things that might otherwise make them squirm with wonder.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:52 pm)#64
Amen. 1
Maybe they’re just trying to get us so discouraged that we drop out, giving them our spots on the waiting list, LOL.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (12:54 pm)#67
Makes sense to me. +1
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:00 pm)Overall a great video that I think clearly explains the basic workings of the Volt to the average consumer, but I have two nitpicks:
1) Should they show the battery icon recharging when the Volt stops at the gas station? Isn’t that a little confusing?
2) It’s “Less than most plans” not “Less then most plans” when comparing the monthly cost to charge the Volt to the monthly cost of cell phone plans.
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:01 pm)Ditto with my ‘70 454 ‘Vette. It only had a range of 150 miles or so if I got into it. There were Sunoco stations on every corner, so, no biggie.
The thing with a 12 gallon tank is that I never would use the gas. I would probably keep a gallon or two in it for when I ran out of battery (not often) so I wouldn’t be hauling around 10 gal x 6.5 lbs = 65 pounds of extra cargo.
Bottom line is that I rarely drive over 50 miles per day and those times are on road trips that are more than 600 miles. I gotta fill up anyway (and pee), so, anything around 300 miles range (like my current pickup) is good enough for me.
Ya gotta remember that in ‘normal’ use you would be using electricity most of the time. That’s the whole point. If you regularly drive more than 300 miles per day, a Volt is probably not the best choice.
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:01 pm)#79
Ditto our ‘95 Impala. +1
It has a range of about 300 city and maybe 350 highway. It’s fine. It’s been said here about 100 times, but I can’t drive over 300 miles without stopping anyway, so what’s the big deal? I would much rather have the smaller tank, less weight, and more room for other stuff.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:02 pm)hmmm, compare to these descriptions of AER and CS:
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/green/Review__Chevy_Volt_to_hit_the_roads_soon-83235917.html
More multiple behavior options coming?
The Volt is starting to become a tuner’s wet dream.
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+3
Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:02 pm)As wonderful as that would be to put up soar panels and plug it in directly to the battery it simply isn’t viable. First off you would have to charge during the day or have a massive battery bank to store the energy till you got home at night. You don’t get all the energy out of a battery that you put into charging it, so there would be inefficiencies there. Most good inverters average about 90% efficiency which is pretty. Solar panels have variable output, both voltage and wattage depending on the time of day. Batteries are best charged at a constant rate and near their rated voltage. So even if you wanted to go directly DC to DC there would need to be some controling circuitry to maintain a constant voltage and prevent it from discharging the battery on a cloudy day or at night, meaning there are almost equivalant efficiencies with both methods.
IMHO, a grid-tied inverter is the best option for a residential installation in a place were net metering is allowed. You put power into the grid during the day, and put it into your car at night.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:04 pm)I just finished Billr’s post.
Big props to BillR!!!
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:05 pm)Yet another Thread-Jack…. And yes, I’m the one that complained about the Statik’s Toyota thread…
But.. Even given the accelerator problems, and given that this is by Woz, and he says that’s its repeatable, and that his car is not on the recall list. And given the discussion about “drive by wire” controls – I thought this merited a note..
So, enjoy…
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10445564-64.html?tag=newsLatestHeadlinesArea.0
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:06 pm)#24
When I walk in the door and Rush Limbaugh is on, I do a 180, walk back out, and never return.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:06 pm)Anytime GM hits a home run the trolls start posting! When full production costs are given an ok, the lady could be shown driving the car and plugging it in for that wonderful 50’s commercial feel that really sells cars. Kudos to GM for a great informative video.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:07 pm)Whew, the linked post is quite a dissertation. Thanks for the info!
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’** * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:13 pm)I don’t know, airtime for infomercials can be costly, and lead to too MUCH exposure. Trust me on this, I ought to know!
Sincerely,
Vince
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:16 pm)@ #64… Don’t look now, but I think this might be photoshopped!!
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:19 pm)I think the Troll learned how to vote. I’m seeing lots of reasonable comments (even completely innocuous, lighthearted ones) at -1.
PS. I countered the -1 balance on your comment, with my own +1
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:19 pm)All advertising contains grammar and spelling errors. The infomercial for the painting pad spells ‘pole adapter’ as ‘poll adapter’. It’s quite amusing and a great real-world 10-year-old learning opportunity. With full-time DVR to reverse/replay it’s even better.
As far as polish… this is a youtube production. Shaky cameras and unintelligible audio are par. They are supposed to be clunky to target the expected audience. Replay is a click away.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:26 pm)OT, well not really but….
Doesn’t she look like Chelsea Sexton (evchels)?
/back to Kahlua ‘n’ Coffee for a meeting….
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:37 pm)Thanks Mike. I guess some folks have way too much time on their hands AND are very easily amused. Frankly, I didn’t even Know I had a neg vote, because I don’t follow them. I’d hope that when a “regular” shows a high negative count that folks will read the post anyway and decide if it was a prankster being childish. All of us policing the voting would quickly take the “fun” out of it for the troll.
Thanks again.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’** * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:41 pm)Well, this is so much better and pleasing then the first one.
The music is a non issue, though I still say they should have used the “Electric Slide” softly, to drive the point home.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8228911904900983082&ei=7mQpS-rpMKCOqwLn9eXWBQ&q=music+electric+slide+dance&hl=en#
=D~~~
Hey, Tag, just saw ya pop up! 9 months til Wheels On The Ground!
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:45 pm)Two confusing sections:
When the Volt was at a gas station, they showed the battery graphic being refilled. WRONG!
First they make a big effort to show 4 quarters to indicate $1.00 per charge, which is an easy-to-understand $30/month. Then they muck up the issue by saying “cheaper than most cell-phone plans.” Really? Why would you muddy the waters of a very clear statement by bringing up cell phone plans with their fine print and byzantine complexity?
When communicating to the public, Keep It Simple Stupid.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:49 pm)Or even LESS! LOL.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’** * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:50 pm)It’s not so much a concept as just one person’s actual lessons learned from experience. I’m not sure that my moto experience would translate to the same result with a mainstream midsize family sedan in this case. It depends on what you and your family do instead of driving/riding, that’s for sure. Once again, user behavior is the biggest factor in real world results.
Sometimes my real world experience with a two wheeler performance EV doesn’t seem to add any value to understanding expectations and realities for the Volt.
I’m glad that there’s agreement that silky smooth near linear acceleration is the bees knees. It’s something that even DSG and seven gears or cutting edge CVTs and boatloads of programming just can’t capture, while it comes naturally to electric drive.
Part of why I regularly rack up negatives here is that some of what I say is true (often in a single instance), but not very helpful. Also, I can be really snippy at people when their sloppy thinking is misleading (or countered by reality).
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:52 pm)Maybe it was a battery recharging station?
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:59 pm)AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
That was a good watch. But I have to say, the first thing that came to mind was to have some playboy models doing the electric slide, but then realuty set in and I thought, wouldn’t it be funny as hell if Lutz, Whittacre and all the Volt staff involved grouped up to do this? Then lift the back curtain to reveal the Volt and Lyle standing next to it with his super model date?
Aw man that would be great and funny as hell.
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (1:59 pm)#13
Well I dunno, we actually might. My wife is starting to make noises about wanting a smaller car, for reasons I won’t go into here. I figure that we sure won’t get a 2011 Volt out of the 10K produced. I am thinking that even the supposedly 60K in 2012 will still be subject to “dealer markups” and various other games, which I am not going to play. So we are probably actually looking at 2013. I could easily run out of options by then. When we buy a car, we keep it until there’s nothing left, typically 10-15 years. It’ll be too bad if things drag on until the potential early adopters like us start to drop out.
Your points are well taken, IMHO. It looks like at least 10 others agree. +1
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (2:13 pm)Great video. We must remember that not everyone is as up to speed on the Volt as this group. To enhance it’s marketability GM will need to do some education of potential customers. This concise, pleasant and informative video is a great start. Certainly a hands down winner over the song etc.
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (2:14 pm)I like it. It looks professional like you would see at a car show. I like the woman and how she talks. She’ll be good for not scaring off people that might be intimidated by all the new technology that the Volt has. Not everyone is going to know all the stuff we’ve picked up over the past couple years of the Volt’s development.
Let’s face it, some people are going to be confused about the Volt and how it works and how it compares to hybrids and pure EVs. Sometimes, you see cable TV news reporters that haven’t done their homework saying things about the Volt that are just plain wrong. Those guys need all the education they can get before they do stories about the Volt.
GM should send them videos and other marketing materials or something. I wonder if some of them just pretend to not know how the Volt works … because they like their gas guzzling SUV or whatever and they think that GM will somehow force them to buy a Volt. Maybe they’re just intimidated by new technology like other people are. Plenty of people are like this. They’re set in their ways and don’t really like big changes.
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (2:15 pm)I agree, but think that it’d be in Lyle’s best interest for him to be accompanied by his dear wife! She’s been the (tolerant) woman behind the man for all of these years, but tolerance has its limits!
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’** * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (2:20 pm)I agree, but this is pretty much “normal” human behavior. As several people have noted, a comforting presentation will likely be necessary to help assuage those fears. JMO.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’** * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (2:20 pm)You’ve been on this track for a while and it makes a lot of sense. It fits all the information we have as well as the comments from a number of people, including Lutz, Alex, and, perhaps most on point, Jon Bereisa. He says more or less flat out that the motors come from the two mode:
[Comment From Rick Hearn: ]
The motor housing of the Volt looks very related to the 2 mode hybrid FWD tranny housing. Is that just a coincidence?
[Jon Bereisa:]
It is darn deliberate.
Hard to get more direct than that.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (2:21 pm)Noel #110:
I know what you mean, but I intend to stick to my mantra of NPNS.
At least my 2004 Crossfire is still in good shape, so that is really not that much of a concern. I have always kept my cars for 8-10 years as well.
I am usually an early adopter of new technology, but if I have to wait until 2013 or 2014 for a Volt, then it is not really new anymore. And there may be other choices by then to consider. I just think it would be a shame that GM will start to lose sales because of availability issues.
IMHO, the whole limited release idea, and only 10K cars for the first year’s production is just dumb. If GM is testing this car the way they say they are, then why appear to be afraid to sell the latest and greatest triumph of your engineering and manufacturing????
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-3
Feb 2nd, 2010 (2:23 pm)I’m sorry, what? I fell asleep about ten seconds into the video. GM was the largest purchaser of ads in America before their bankruptcy. Apparently they laid off any competent ad people. Did engineers make this video? (No disrespect intended).
If simple information was intended to be conveyed it was competent but there was one misleading image. When the Volt was at the gas station it showed the battery charge icon “filling up” as well as the gas gauge. It should have shown just the gas gauge changing.
Oh, well. More taxpayer dollars going toward busy work at GM. Spend the money on the paperwork getting Lyle the first Volt. Lyle blogging about his experience will do more for GM and the Volt and the electrification of the automobile than any YouTube video every will!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (2:36 pm)PERFECT video!
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (2:38 pm)Hoo-Rah!!!
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+3
Feb 2nd, 2010 (2:40 pm)A serviceable promo for Volt. Not flashy or gimmicky and it did not attempt to play the “climate change” card. For that alone I give them an A+ grade.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (2:50 pm)Maybe it was a battery recharging station?
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (2:52 pm)Or maybe just Lutz with the Volt and the super models.
Oh ya the super models would all have hairry legs. ;>)
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+3
Feb 2nd, 2010 (3:12 pm)This 260+ mile thing really gets my feathers ruffled.
This car will suck on a long distance trip. Since I do drive from CT to CO, I cover over 1200 miles. I will not appreciate stopping every 3 hours or so for gas. I sincerely hope GM puts a bigger gas tank in the car. A second gas tank would be better. I can leave that one empty most of the time.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (3:15 pm)The generator and battery work together on sustained acceleration on an upgrade? That’s news, and perhaps indicative of some test results (like at Pike’s Peak last year).
Video is a step in the right direction. Let the evolution continue.
Kudos for no AGW mention. GM should make it clear what the Volt does, and let the believers connect the dots for themselves, if they will. Don’t open the ‘can of worms’ yourselves.
JMO, no need to open the GW ‘can of worms’ here (we pretty much know what different ones of us think; especially after the last week).
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (3:24 pm)Hey, I’ve got an idea. If Gary Kelly, the CEO of Southwest can dress up like Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, so can Whitacre (hey, he’s from Texas too).
http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2008/10/31/southwest-ceo-dresses-sharp-for-halloween/tab/article/
So we have a cast of characters from GM, Lyle as the help at the greasy spoon, and we can have the Volt in bright red painted like “The Eliminator”.
http://music.aol.com/video/zz-top-legs/zz-top/1128164
Hairy legs optional.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (3:27 pm)What I got out of the video is some insight into the demographics of the part of the population that gm thinks will be the buyers of the Volt –> similar to the speaker in age, nice hair, nice shoes, carefully coffed, and female. These are young professional women. The speaker is addressing each person who is or wants to be in that group.
That’s not to say that other buyers are to be excluded, but generally ads have main figures who will be similar to and admired by the people thought to be customers.
As a contrast, we do not see the men with cowboy hats who are in the truck commercials.
It is not a good ad for the super bowl — wrong audience — but an excellent ad for many other TV programs.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (3:27 pm)It sounds like the Volt isn’t a good fit for your needs.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’** * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (3:34 pm)_____________________________________________________
#75 BillR Said:
“I’ve been trying to find out as much as I can about the Volt’s “transmission”, and have posted something in the forum.
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?p=36228#post36228
It’s not the politically correct answer on this website, but the patent application, if you study it in detail, gives the hints as to what makes sense to me for the Volt…”
————
Wow that’s one heck of a forum post from BillR…Hmmmmmmm…..very well reasoned…..I can’t punch a hole in it…
I also found it interesting (perhaps telling?) that the 2Mode presentation link http://www.che.ncsu.edu/ILEET/phevs/plug-in_2008/1A-1_GM%202-ModePHEV%20VUE.pdf provided in BillR’s forum post shows (1st and last page of the presentation) a clear graphic of not only the Saturn 2Mode VUE but also the Chevy Volt!
Is the GM explanation that the ICE is not mechanically linked to the wheels a nuanced/conditional explanation because a mechanical link (vis-à-vis the power split gearing) is established under certain conditions?
Back to the quote of the above video:
“…When peek performance is needed like during high-speed acceleration and steep inclines, the engine generator and battery work together to deliver the electric power required…”
Is that quote from the video out of context (was meant to mean when in CS Mode) or is that quote correct suggesting BillR’s 2mode Hypothesis may be correct?
______________________________________________________
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (3:36 pm)With greatest respect, I thought of it differently. True, it is not directed toward you, or me, or people like us. Rather, GM is trying to get the attention of a particular segment of the car-buying public that so far has not been paying much attention (younger female buyers). This segment is a remarkably large fraction of today’s buyers, possibly more than half. To me it seems wise to begin now to get their attention and to explain why the Volt is of interest.
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (3:37 pm)Although I think that you’re right about the speaker being the target, isn’t the *actual* target the one that carries the checkbook? It may be splitting hairs, but it seems like most of the folks here are male. Maybe we should look at the target as those you mention *and* those that may be their significant other (us).
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’** * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (3:39 pm)So you like (bio)diesel Jetta TDIs. We get it.
http://www.biodieselresource.com/new-diesel-cars
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (3:47 pm)Yes Tag. I bow my head and give myself a minus 1.
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (3:57 pm)LOL, seriously, the Volt *isn’t* going to meet everyone’s needs! Nothing negative about it, it’s just a fact. I don’t think that the long trip driving you do is typical of the majority of people, but most folks will do well with a Volt or it’s siblings. JMO.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’** * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (4:12 pm)Thanks for bringing me back Tag, Noel, and DonC. It’s all good. People should feel free to express their mind even if it leaves me scrunched and scratching my head.
My main point was that I believe they are too far from wide availability to gain any meaningful benefit from this effort at this point in time. I’ld rather seem them trying to embed Voltec in the consumer’s consciousness for all it means and all it can do for us, then tie it back to Chevy. Raising the awareness of the brand for sales now and setting the table for Voltec sales (including Volt) later on. For people that don’t have a Volt enthusiast around them, I just see this video having an effect on them 2 years from now regardless of how well the information was presented.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (4:21 pm)I agree that they should consider the non-enthusiasts’ attention for the Volt (perhaps the Voltec more so) and prefer I’m wrong and this does benefit the Volt’s sales someday.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (4:26 pm)You must really love driving. I might drive that route once only, then it’s planes, buses or trains for me. I take my nap time seriously.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (4:29 pm)I dunno. I think the Prius does pretty well with this demographic and it makes sense for GM to target them too. IMO, it will be an easy sell for those in this demographic that can afford the Volt. They may or may not understand or care about the inner workings but will understand that the end result will be much, much less gas consumed (*except under the extremely rare 120+ mile daily driving scenarious as often reminded by the current mileage champion’s champions).
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (4:35 pm)Sometimes and old well understood metaphor is simpler than a brand new concept that is presented in a crystal clear manner. I agree that adding it can muddy the waters though. Like if someone with a data plan they are tired of says of one more ripoff from association with their wireless carrier.
Educators say people need to be exposed to someting eight times before it’s actually learned. Explaining the process and giving a corresponding metaphor could be helpful for some people to understand and rememer.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (4:48 pm)The way it take the GM Video is for hi-speed accellerations, meaning passing on the expressway. I think if you are going 70mph and need to go 80mph, stomping on the gas pedal may make the ICE com on. At low speed accelerations, the battery could provide enough power.
I’d really like GM to clarify this.
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (4:51 pm)Tag, Definitely the actual target does carry the checkbook, and as Koz notes the younger female professional demographic does seem to have the funds to write checks for the Prius, so maybe they are a good target for Volt ads. I think the “no gas station” aspect has particular appeal.
I agree that the composition of gm-volt seems mostly male and mostly reflecting a technical interest, but gm may be right that another large group of people, maybe even a larger one, can be excited by the Volt.
No doubt gm will be happy to have customers of any sort if they have the interest and money to buy Volts, but this particular video seems to me to be targeted to a particular demographic group, and it is not us.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (5:08 pm)120 miles – 40 miles = 80 miles
80 miles at 37 mpg = 2.162 gal
120 miles / 2.162 gal = 55.5 mpg
With a 40 mile charge at work, it would be 111 mpg not factoring for the grid electricity use. If the Volt has higher mileage than 37 mpg then the calculations will give you correspondingly higher mpg and as always your mileage will vary depending on driving style and conditions…should be said with a modulated baritone voice which will impress friends family and random passers by – or put them to sleep with boredom
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (5:13 pm)Wouldn’t change a word. +1
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’** * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (5:17 pm)Koz
I think Rashiid Amul has said his commute is over 100 miles – one way!!!
…And uphill each way, in the snow, all year round!
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (5:29 pm)I think the video’s a decent idea in principle, as if they can get it out virally the costs are small.
However I’m a bit concerned about a couple of things:
1: that the production quality of the video may reflect badly on all the sterling effort that we’re told is going into the volt (many other comments here fill in the detail on this concern)!
2: it seems to present the idea that the ICE has to cut in & help the battery under high power demand (again mentioned by others above)…
… this second one is a bit of a killer for me. I enjoy “exploring the power envelope” and it would seem a bit of a killjoy if the ICE fires up every time I accelerate out of a bend, up a sliproad, up a hill, etc.
Hopefully it’s not as bad as it sounds. I offer two alternative hypotheses here. Either way I’d like to believe you’d never need the ICE to kick in for a short burst of acceleration while in CD mode (I hope I’m right there!) For me I’m hoping that 150bhp power capability was design input (along with, or even ahead of, the 40mile range) to select battery size for a given chemistry.
Hypothesis a) This is simply a miscommunication on the part of the video – the battery can indeed happily feed the 150bhp motor at max power for an arbitrary period. Depending on battery chemistry (I’ve searched but can’t find it) this is not unlikely… assuming 200Wh / kg means a 16kWh battery is 80kg. And 1500W/kg means an 80kg battery can deliver 120kW = 161bhp power delivery capability. Ok that’s probably a little low by the time you account for motor efficiency, but I’m just guessing the figures! That 1500W/kg figure assumes a 20sec max burst – but for an actively cooled battery pack perhaps that period becomes arbitrarily large – i.e. longer than it’ll ever take to get from 0-80 up a long steep hill.
Hyp. b) Based on the figures above but assuming that the pack cooling isn’t a silver bullet, it still doesn’t seem unlikely that whilst short bursts at full power are ICE free, it may need to step in when e.g. kicking it from 0-80 up a hill – e.g. off a roundabout at the bottom of a hill in Wales (my home country!)
Make any sense to anyone? Does anyone have the battery chemistry – or, better, specs?
Cheers,
M
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (5:32 pm)Rashiid,
I don’t know the size of the gas tank, but at least in this video you can get a general idea of its size. Pause the video at about 2 sec. and 11 sec. I think the gas tank is directly behind the battery pack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7T0m1Z2FO4
Some other interesting components shown in this assembly process as well.
Maybe GM is being conservative with the 300 mile number. Yesterday we heard that most drivers could get more that 40 miles AER, (versus the standard “up to 40 miles electric” line). So perhaps the same will be true for the CS mileage. We can only hope.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (5:33 pm)A bit off-topic but has there been any talk (torque?) of a rear driven Voltec? For example, does the assumed use of a modified 2-mode transaxle rule that out?
I’m a sucker for rear drive handling, that’s all… though I don’t expect it to match a BMW 330Ci for handling! And there’s no way I can afford a Fisker :-/
M
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (5:38 pm)Not too bad. I agree with the comments about the odd soundtrack and the flashy flashy text at the end, but overall, that’s not too bad. I’ll have to show it around to friends and see what their response is.
Sadly, I’ve probably exceeded my allotment of Volt ranting for the month and may have to wait awhile before showing it around.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (5:41 pm)But how many of those young professional women are early adopters of new technology??? My wife would still not own a DVD player, if I didn’t go out and buy one years ago….
GM need to get these on the road with people like us, to show the others that the technology works. Then they will go looking to buy.
JMHO
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (5:44 pm)A lot of people have expressed concern about the generator kicking in to help the battery in charge depletion mode. This would be extremely shocking and completely against everything GM has said up to this point. I may be wrong but I see no credibility in this. It is simply a poor conveyance of the Volt’s control strategy in this one innocuous marketing piece. Believe the GM engineers (and everyone else from GM) and the fact that the battery pack is rated for 150KW or so. The video was just trying to convey that the battery pack can help the 50KW genset to provide full power when needed in charge sustaining mode.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (5:47 pm)No doubt. Just trying to diffuse the Prius faithfull’s silly bombs in advance.
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (5:47 pm)We should all watch the Super Bowl game just to see what GM advertises even if we aren’t football fans.
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
P.S. Or wait for the comments here after the game!
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (5:49 pm)Perhaps some would like a 12 gallon tank. But for me it be be much more likely that I’d get 12 gallons of stale gas instead of six.
…Nicely done.
Yes, it’s for Youtube right, not an Academy Award clip?
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (5:53 pm)http://wot.motortrend.com/6618161/industry-news/january-2010-sales-gm-continues-to-rebound-with-core-brand-sales-up-30/index.html
GM sales up 14% in Jan from dismal 2009 but core brands up 30%. GM was still shedding fleet sales, which makes the numbers look even better.
Toyota down 16%. Le ouch!
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (5:55 pm)OH Crap!
my bad…..
(
/ok, I feel like a jerk. Normal, but more so.
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (6:01 pm)#140
No doubt but, if my family is any indicator, the wife still has a veto over any purchase as significant to the family budget as a car. And rightly so, IMHO. So all the better to help that 51% of the population to understand the value of the Volt. Sometimes the argument is better made by someone outside of the family circle, if you know what I mean.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (6:10 pm)Hmmmmm! Comment #13. Oh Well.
Your hooked! You wonder what the true CS mpg of the ICE is. You guess and then you find out whether or not your right of wrong. It could be 300 or it could be 300+. You’ll just have to wait to find out.
The video is good in that it does a great job in telling how the Volt works. They accentuate the no gas and no tail pipe emissions without mentioning Global warming or the foreign oil issue. Just the plain facts about the Volt – the savings issue and pollution issue. GM has found a great way to avoid the touchy issues but leaves the interpretation of the issue to the listener.
I like the way they have presented these issues. Let the consumer decide why he/she should purchase an EREV like the Volt: Buy the Volt to save on the cost of gasoline; Buy the Volt to eliminate polluting exhaust; Buy the Volt to prevent green house gases; Buy the Volt to prevent global warming; Buy the Volt to save on money going abroad so it can be used the improve our economy and nation; Buy the Volt to stop money going to terrorists through Arab countries. Buy the Volt for whatever reason you choose!
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (6:17 pm)Please don’t remind me this guy endorsed the Volt. I’m trying to avoid Leno at all costs!
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (6:30 pm)Hmmmmmmmmm! comment #13! This comment which I made is my comment to #12 must have been foreshadowing.
I point of the comment “The Volt is ready when you are” was given in the context of no need to worry that you can’t use the Volt because your out of battery power! You can take it out of context if you like and many people will do that just because too many people think negatively. So your point has merit. GM most likely has considered the high and low range of anticipated customers; I hope that they will have a contingency plan in place to increase production with increased demand and not cause us to wait until the second year. All said the issue of grid demand is still an issue and may be the reason for limited production the first year. I certainly hope the GM will have other EV models available by the second year; i.e., the Converj, Orlando(?), etc. . In time all these questions will be answered! Patience is a virtue!
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (7:29 pm)I’ve been waiting for those, the silence is strange. Maybe comment @ 153 is just too humbling an issue for today.
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (7:29 pm)I think they should call them … BATTERY MODE and GENERATOR MODE.
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (7:32 pm)near 1:15 the car fuels (at a gas station) the graphic then shows a green battery, I think this is misleading …
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (7:36 pm)again at 1:48 ‘no fuel in EV mode’ I think this is misleading, in EV mode you are using electricity as your ‘fuel’ …
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (7:54 pm)see comment #3 (yes, they’re invented a car that USES NO FUEL!!!)
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:04 pm)No need to feel bad. I didn’t meet her, but I saw her at VN I. With all those brand new cars surrounding us, I think that Lyle was lucky to escape without buying her one (lol).
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’** * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:09 pm)Kent,
Won’t you feel foolish when a Volt driver pulls into a station to fill his/her gasoline tank and also plugs in to charge up the battery, what seems to me the logical thing to do. On long trips I often stop and get something to eat or drink. Most filing stations today offer these amenities. While I’m eating and driving a coke, I’ll have the Volt plugged in to get the most out the stop.
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:13 pm)This is what I was referring to when I spoke of the “one with the checkbook” (often the wife) as the target population for some of the advertising/education.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’** * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+2
Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:23 pm)I share that hope, but I’m guessing that they may stick to their planned production numbers through 2011, just to make sure that the ghosts are all out of the machine before ramping up. In my heart I hope I’m wrong, but in my head, I think that’s correct. Of course the optimist in me says that given the first 6 months with only minor hiccups, they may ramp up sooner.
Naturally, a Project Driveway THIS year would find the ghosts sooner!
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’** * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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+1
Feb 2nd, 2010 (8:27 pm)More often than not, I drive the car and DRINK the Pepsi, but maybe I’ve really been missing something exciting (lol). Just teasing – you’re just WAY into the Volt-Zone!
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’** * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
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