Comments on: GM May Backpedal on Push to Release Volts Early

By: Steverino

Steverino — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:42:28 +0000

GM should wait until they are 100% ready before releasing this critical — and some might say radical — new platform. This is their shot to redeem themselves and a lot is riding on it. The public is largely uneducated about most things, especially what a Volt is, how it works, what makes it different. All it would take is one cable news talking head bashing GM (“government motors” to some) based on a sensationalized, half-true rumor of a test car’s performance to put a serious dent in the public perception of the Volt. Better they get it right than risk giving the nay-sayers ammunition. I would like one of these right now too, but I can wait.

P.S. My wife was not sure what made the Volt different than a Prius. She also had no idea what a “range extender” or “Extended Range Electric Vehicle” was. She does know what a “gas powered electric generator” is. We bought one at Home Depot! Also, “extended range” made the car sound very limited to her, whereas she does not think a “traditional” ICE powered car is limited at all. GM has some customer education issues to overcome I think.

By: JohnK

JohnK — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:56:07 +0000

I’m surprised that no one has brought up the obvious problems- that the first production Volt has not come off the assembly line yet. You HAVE to appreciate that there can be any number of problems associated with startup of manufacturing. This would not be a problem with the car, but with making the car. I can easily picture also that even after the first 2oo come off, that at least 3 months of additional testing is needed before releasing any to the public.

By: lektriktadpole

lektriktadpole — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:10:54 +0000

Can anyone spell “TOYOTA”? Do you think that maybe their recent troubles with the very simple issues of “drive by wire” accelerators in plain old ICE cars might be raising some caution flags with GMs engineers. The Volt is to a Camry about like a 767 is to a Sopwith Camel. They have an awful lot of software to verify and now a lot of very nervous lawyers that weren’t nearly so nervous two months ago.

By: DonC

DonC — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:14:33 +0000

Van: I have not read all the comments so if this is redundant, sorry. HybridCars is reporting from unnamed sources that GM has dropped the Voltec Caddy, and in the same story indicates the Volt might have too big a battery.

Nice catch! I doubt the battery is too small, meaning too energy limited. I'd suspect what they're saying is that the battery needed to produce the acceleration times they'd want would be too expensive. I'm fine with the decision to cancel. I'd rather GM concentrate on a more affordable EV than on a high priced low volume Caddy. Fisker and Audi can do the high cost low volume thing. Liked the design though.

By: Crookieda

Crookieda — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:18:19 +0000

Tagamet: Harm?What harm? (g)I’m hoping that Bob feels that way too! Be well, Tagamet

Lol you could ask bob if he needs any ointment for that BURN