Ever since GM-Volt.com started one of the most common comments people make, either on the site or via email is that they would like to sign up to be an early Volt “beta tester.”
BMW has such a program with its not-ready-for-prime-time MINI E that I’ve been driving, but GM has never confirmed such an option will be the case for the Volt.
Indeed as we recently learned there is a lot of push and pull within GM regarding launching an early imperfect consumer test fleet versus waiting to launch a perfect production model in November.
Most recently Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman of product development weighed in publicly with his own thoughts.
He does see some value in an early consumer test fleet. “We might be using those to get additional customer input,” he said.
There will be a captured test fleet driven by GM employees, which is typical for all new GM cars. The final decision on whether to let consumers participate in that has not been made.
“We’re actually building more vehicles in that fleet than we would otherwise build. The potential exists that we could get additional people evaluating those types of vehicles or working with us to evaluate those types of vehicles,” Stephens told the Free Press. “I would say the decision still needs to be made (on) if we’re going to put the vehicles in some of the other hands or not.”
Rightly so, Stephens is more concerned about the car being perfect than getting it into consumers hands early.
“I’m much more worried about making sure that we have a totally bulletproof launch at the start of regular production,” he said. “I think it is so critical for this vehicle to come out and be a smash hit, and I think it’s got all of the makings of being able to do that.”
Source (Detroit Free Press)
Should GM let consumers participate in an early Volt fleet?
This entry was posted on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 9:19 am and is filed under Prototypes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
+16
Mar 5th, 2010 (9:28 am)NO!
Do it the proper way with consumer panel studies and so on.. let professionals do the testing.
Can you imagine Tagamet doing some testing?.. it would be all roses and cat hair everywhere
+11
Mar 5th, 2010 (9:29 am)I would just do the testing with employees. They will get plenty of feed back that way.
Myself I would not pay $800+ per month to test a volt like the mini-E. But I am sure many would.
+11
Mar 5th, 2010 (9:39 am)Absolutely!!!!
If the testers are properly selected and agree to what I would assume to be an iron clad NDA, there is no reason to let the car go out for some real world testing.
As a programmer, I test the heck out of the code we write, but within a week of letting it out to our end users, many changes are requested, and bugs crop up under circumstances we never would have thought of. The reason is simple. We are programmers, not end users. And end users will think differently….
JMHO
EDIT: I almost forgot to put in my usual request to be one of those Beta testers, or Project Driveway users, or whatever name GM decides to give to this program!!!
NPNS
+5
Mar 5th, 2010 (9:43 am)I think that if GM REALLY wanted to ring out any “bugs”, it would be good to let various consumers test drive and report their impressions only to GM. Make the agreement legally binding. There needs to be some test drives by those less close to the product for a more honest impression. GM could then “fix” any potentially unknown issues before launch. I would love (as many here would) to read those impressions, however I understand why GM would not want to risk any bad press at this time. The bad press (if any) would come after launch, so why not nip that in the bud if possible?
+2
Mar 5th, 2010 (9:53 am)President Obama Drives Across America – With the family in a Chevy Volt.
They can surround him with his security detail in other vehicles, but he can drive them from DC to Chicago, then down Route 66.
He’s got time for this. For cripes sake the US Taxpayer owns the company. Shouldn’t “we” get the first real test?
Give him a new one in every state, and the one they get out of-goes to someone in the test fleet.
GM can announce that these are “beta” vehicles that are going through final testing.
PLEASE HEED MY CALL. There is no way on earth that GM will escape that first ax-grinding reporter/hack that writes drivel about “GM fails again with short-circuting volt” no matter how untrue, unfounded, and un-informed. I would bet my mortgage that some moron somewhere is going to try to earn his fortune being the first to denigrate the project, which will be picked up by every single media outlet around the country. The idiot has probably already written it, and is waiting for his chance to hit the “send to cable news show” key on the keyboard.
Sad, but both true and inevitable.
GM has to EXTEND the launch project through enough daily news cycles for the media to get BORED with the story. Once it’s OLD NEWS even a hack-driven story won’t gain enough traction to matter.
It would also be a good idea to crash one on video against an SUV. On Mythbusters, not 20/20.
+6
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:01 am)It would be benifical to GM I think if they find the right type of test drivers, in different selected areas of the country and there is a strict NDA. Even if its only for a few months. How could that hurt?
BTW, add me to the volunteer list. I live in Texas, let me drive it in July/August and that should be a good test under extreme conditions.
+2
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:02 am)For me its not that big of an issue. GM has made thousands of different cars over the years. How many have gone out to the public for “testing” before the launch? I would guess none. Does anybody know about that? The people doing the testing are end users just like us. They are probably even more picky than we would be. I personaly have no doubt the Volt will not only be the best car GM ever built but also the best car anyone has ever built.
+2
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:03 am)I think there is definitely some real value in an ‘external’ test fleet.
I’m thinking use as a taxi or courier where it would really get a solid beating.
There are a LOT of Prius and Escape hybrid taxi’s out there, this is a very real scenario.
Unfortunately even if they rolled this out today they have missed most of the Winter for cold weather real world testing. Drive to work, park outside unplugged for 8 or 9 hours at -20 and THEN start, defrost and drive home day after day.
+3
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:06 am)In my recent test drive of a new Malibu. I noticed one small thing that could be much improved. It was a quality issue. Just saying, people who test GM cars are used to driving GM cars. Better to have owners of BMW, Honda, Ford, and Nissan get behind the wheel for true comparison feedback.
The recent relocation of the driver/passenger cup holders is well done. Very interested in seeing the texture and surface treatment options for the Volt. Still hope to see a marbling effect on the center control panel.
=D-Volt
How cool will this gray marbling look on the capacitive panel?
-4
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:12 am)Not only should they, but a case could be made that GM is obligated to share the fun, by way of the ownership that tax payers have in the company.
+1
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:13 am)I believe it is too late in the game for changes that some consumers might want for Gen. I. Fine tuning and tooling up for this new kind of platform need to be the focus at this point, not issues that require redesign.
However, if GM is wanting feedback from potential buyers on their likes, disslikes and wants for Gen. II or III then some early consumer input would be great if it’s not too much of a logistical nightmare. The bottom line should be: GM needs to do whatever is best for GM to put out a winner. I think alot of people on this want list would appreciate some kind of reward for their invaluable daily input here. Thank You!
+3
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:14 am)Considering how software-intensive the car is, this would not be a bad idea. They need to test it using some of us who are too lazy to read the manuals! I’m mainly thinking of all the GUI stuff here. I also have written a lot of software over the years, and when someone else uses it they use it in ways you never imagined, or do things in a different order than you intended, sometimes leading to “unexpected results”.
Hey, I’m a EE, am familiar with lithium batteries, live a couple miles from the GM Tech Center, work next to it, and have a house/garage. The only negative is that I don’t have 240V in the garage.
Heck, I suppose I’d even be willing to pay for this, a Volt would be a cool toy for the summer. The issue would be in returning the car after 6 months or whatever, would we then get a good deal on “our” brand new Volt? That in itself would be worth something.
Eco is so right about the media wanting to pounce on any flaw, real or not. Scandals sell (ask Tiger). Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
+2
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:15 am)That’s exactly what I was thinking. I’m sure the employees have already signed a Nondisclosure agreement when they got hired. I’m an engineer and I don’t care how good you test in a lab there’s no accounting for how people will end up using your product. Designing equipment for the military you assume everything under 20 lbs will either be used as a hammer or hit with a hammer and everything over 20 lbs is going to be used as a sledge hammer or hit with a sledge hammer. Oh yeah and please let me be one of the testers.
How flippen sweet would it be if they let the 10 of us that win the essay/cutest video contest be 10 of those beta testers. Won’t find out till we hit New York. Sorry to the guys who said they were too busy or too far away to make it to New York.
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:16 am)Zero benefit to GM, the feedback is way to late in the cycle to make any changing to the inital production cars. Any change takes months to engineer and validate, the time for beta testers was last year, not 4-6 months before things show up on the dealers lots
+2
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:18 am)I voted yes. I feel like the more people, especially the uninformed public, who get to drive the Volt around, day-in, day-out, and provide invaluable feedback at just the right time for GM to incorporate the findings, the better chance they’ll have to ensure a “bulletproff” launch of the Volt. Even if some of the feedback is negative, there’s plenty to be learned from good or bad reviews.
Would I like to be one of those beta-testers…you betchya! But, even if I weren’t allowed or able to participate, I think it’s just good common sense to get as many different viewpoints as possible when you’re putting the finishing touches on a car you hope will transform the way the world moves.
LJGTVWOTR!
+1
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:20 am)The bottom line if GM really wants to release the Volt with no problems, they must get external testers. The GM employees will follow the correct operating procedure. The non-GM employee will do things that the GM employee would not consider. The Volt is more computerized than any car in the market and how bugs are worked out in software is with extensive end users that have no restrictions on how things should or should not behave. I work in the software industry and after 20 years I am always surprised on what some end users try to do.
+1
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:20 am)I think a limited test fleet for customers based off of applicants from this site would be a big advantage to GM. But lets face it, there running low on time if they have any serious intentions of doing this.
Glad to see they appear serious about getting the Volt as perfect as possible.
+5
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:21 am)I put UNCERTAIN.
It depends on who the consumers are. A pro Toyota, anti GM consumer would be a a terrible choice.
I say pick me. I will be able to give precise feedback to GM while keeping the whole thing quiet.
It is extremely important to me and the Nation that GM succeeds.
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:28 am)I notice this GM has been really quiet as of late on details or sharing development.
It will be exciting to see if any new developments come out in the next few months.
I am excited about the volt. Killing the cadillac was a mistake I think but I am a cadillac fan.
Hybrids are really old technology now and full electric is the way to go.
GM would be better off investing the research dolars in better battries and working with A123 than trying to re-invent a older hybrid system.
Bill
+1
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:28 am)I notice this GM has been really quiet as of late on details or sharing development that is most likely for the best
It will be exciting to see if any new developments come out in the next few months.
I am excited about the volt. Killing the Cadillac was a mistake, but I am a Cadillac fan.
Hybrids are really old technology now and full electric is the way to go. GM could be spending dollars on new engine technology for Voltech that would take the place of extra costly batteries?
GM would be better off investing the research dollars in better batteries and working with A123 than trying to re-invent a older hybrid system.
Bill
+2
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:29 am)Very true for hardware, not as true for software. Of course there still should be a lot of internal testing and validation for any software updates.
If, for example, a certain weird order of keypresses causes the GUI to crash, this is a showstopper and must be fixed before November. Remember how rare and unlikely the Pentium III FDIV bug was, but once people knew a calculation which demonstrated it, then everybody saw the bug and wanted a replacement chip. GM can’t have a fiasco like that with the Volt, even though updating its software will be fairly painless (a few minutes at the dealership).
+2
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:37 am)As I have said many times now… GM .. Central Alberta Canada. Ideal testing ground…
Temperatures go from -40C to + 28C in the course of a year…. Roads from interstate highways to pot hole filled gravel roads not to mention horrible parking lots and alleyways.
I could do side by side comparisons with my 2010 Fusion Hybrid….
I know it is too late now but I am just saying……
+3
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:40 am)It would show that the “new GM” is at least moving into the 21st Century, albeit with trepidation. Testing using actual users has become standard practice for a host of industries. For example, a huge beta worked out well for Microsoft with Windows 7. The key is that the test group fully understands it’s a test group. Note that this is in addition to, not in lieu of, the “professional” testing some have referred to.
The fact is that your internal test group will never be representative of what you’ll find among general users. It’s just too limited and, given the fact these people are employees, they simply won’t behave like a consumer because they have a vested interest in not finding problems. (This is why software coders are terrible at testing their own code — they don’t want to find problems).
General consumers are just different. This point was driven home for me a few years ago when a customer complained that the laptop computers we had recommended were failing at a high rate. We were using them and hadn’t had any problems. Out of curiosity more than anything else, I went to meeting with the customer a day early so I could watch the sales people and see if I could figure out what the deal was. It didn’t take long. My first stop was one of the salespeople, a very nice and personable woman, who treated the laptop like a punching bag. She just pounded on the keys and, then said, “hey we should go to lunch”, at which point she grabbed the electrical cord in her hand and violently yanked the plug from the wall. It truly would have never occurred to me that anyone would do anything like this.
Lesson: If you’re going to sell products to all kinds you need to test with all kinds. Limiting tests to an internal group is necessary but, if you can, testing among a wider group will yield better data. Seems like GM can. If they go ahead and use a larger group they may find it so superior that they incorporate it into their standard testing procedures. If nothing else, using testers who are not employees would be an approach well worth a try.
+1
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:41 am)After thought to post 11. If GM is looking for something to do with these pre production Volts, then I think they would be great advertiseing for GM to spread them out all over the U.S.. Alot of people on the Forum have more knowledge about the Volt then most Dealers [with the exception of Corvette Guy, who knows the Volt well]. These Volt ambassadors would be bubbling with excitement and praise for this new electric vehicle! Spread the word, “The Volt Is Coming!”
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:50 am)The difference between the Mini E and the Volt is that the Mini E isn’t production intent. It’s a rolling data gathering platform for BMW to use in the development of its real car. I’m pretty certain that when BMW gets around to designing, building, testing, and manufacturing thier real electric car, there won’t be a Mini E / project driveway. It will be designed, tested, and built in house and sold as a complete retail package. Same for the Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicle. It’s not production intent, just a data gathering platform.
Mar 5th, 2010 (11:05 am)OT but here is an update on the hydrogen splitting technology that Dan Nocerra from MIT announced last year. It was discussed at some length here because it was so revolutionary. The update is really exciting. Nocerra, who is very well respected and not at all prone to hyperbole, claims that a 3 kWh solar array, four hours of sunlight, and a bottle of water would be sufficient to produce 30 kWh of energy in the form of hydrogen — enough to power your house and to fill your Volt (or two) WOW!
You still have the cost of the fuel cell but supposedly that is coming down.
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-03/video-artificial-photosynthesis-produces-enough-energy-power-house-one-bottle-water
+1
Mar 5th, 2010 (11:05 am)This is not a fair statement. I am a lifelong software developer. Under normal circumstances I know how to break code better than anyone that did not work on the code. That being said, users have an uncanny knack of finding logic paths that were not anticipated. Some professional testers come close to this. There is just NO substitute for testing by engineers, professional testers, and end users. In this context GM employees are probably not “professional testers”, but they are also not quite the general public. I favor ALL of these testing methods. I would not favor putting Volts in the hands of the general public at the expense of any of the other testing, but I don’t think that is what is proposed here.
Mar 5th, 2010 (11:07 am)Yes, sign me up. I’ll even sign a non-disclosure agreement with regard to any problems or bad issues which most likely won’t happen.
Mar 5th, 2010 (11:09 am)I also voted yes. And I strongly suggest to GM that at least some significant fraction of the consumer participants they select be people with the experience and/or training to accurately scrutinize the Volt’s design in terms of performance, driveability, comfort, handling and overall user friendliness. In fact, many GM-Volt.com members would be excellent candidates.
ATTN GM: I will gladly volunteer as a consumer participant and as an electrical engineer & astrophysicist who’s contributed to, critiqued, as well as chaired countless detailed reviews of sophisticated spacecraft designs in my long career in the US space program. I’ve also recorded innumerable test data/results on almost every performance aspect of spacecraft plus their subsystems and components, as well as agreed to (and fully conformed with) countless NDAs from DOE, NASA and their contractors. Importantly, I have extensive experience with long-life (20 yr+) batteries, ruggedized microprocessors and electronic/electrical control systems. Lastly, I’m a “car guy”!
Mar 5th, 2010 (11:28 am)While the Volt is a software heavy car, I would point out that there is a difference between software testing and mechanical testing. User inputs in software are much more varied and complex than a car. Cars are more complicated mechanical and electrical systems. There are physical parameters that need extensive testing that have little to do with the person in the driver’s seat. Besides, I would be confident that, after a hundred years or so, any major auto manufacturer knows how to test a car to the mechanical extremes any person could put it through. They also know what to look for when testing internally, because the range of possible inputs is limited and they’ve been at it for so long. Cars haven’t changed THAT much over the years, and neither have drivers. That doesn’t mean they will design every car to be a tank, because it’s not cost effective to do so. The question is whether or not they ultimately engineer and create a successful balance between cost, quality, reliability, efficiency, and performance. A lot of that has nothing to do with the driver. Cars are tested physically and mechanically to extremes of temperature, shock and vibration, and many other parameters beyond driver input. Considering that many reliable cars are released regularly from all global auto manufacturers, without external testing, I would guess that there is little to be gained from testing externally from a mechanical perspective. It’s more a matter of good, thoughtful engineering and proper, thorough testing than getting cars in the hands of Joe Public.
+6
Mar 5th, 2010 (11:38 am)President Obama can’t do that, Volts don’t come with ashtrays, or teleprompters.
Mar 5th, 2010 (11:50 am)Nasaman #28
You are the one!!! Your post on #28 would get my vote to be one of the ten.
In my opinion, anyone from NASA who performed the same function as you would have the ability to place their personal opinions aside and give a fact based test.
Thanks!
-2
Mar 5th, 2010 (11:57 am)Don’t take this wrong. Just an observation.
Anyone remember the headline: “Booster insulating foam falls off Space Shuttle at launch. Astronauts lives potentially in danger.”
I believe this happened 3 times.
=D-Volt
BTW: Anyone in NY in early April should get out to the car show. The Volt looks great close up. Really has the BMW vibe going.
http://www.autoshowny.com/show/schedule/
Mar 5th, 2010 (12:05 pm)I think our votes might be driven by our political view. If we are on the left, we believe in elitists who know best, guided by access to special knowledge, and then the dictatorial elite tell us how we should live our lives. So no need to seek the wisdom of the “unwashed masses.” On the other hand, those that believe in the utility of freedom, that folks of any pedigree can and do come up with insights that improve the lot of all mankind, would want “beta” testing.
Looking at it from the other direction, those that do not want “beta test input” fear that “ignorant” appraisals of an unfinished product would damage acceptance by the masses. Whereas those pushing for beta testing want the rigor of independent and unprogramed testing and evaluation to ensure reaching the goal of a “finished product.”
Mar 5th, 2010 (12:13 pm)I would love to provide additional input to GM if they allowed such a test. I have two degrees in engineering, so I don’t think I’d have much trouble pushing past bugs that I could then report to them.
If they have a controled consumer test environment with people who are familiar with the technology at some level, I think it will only help to ensure their official launch goes that much more smoothly.
+2
Mar 5th, 2010 (12:15 pm)Photos from 09′.
=D-Volt
+1
Mar 5th, 2010 (12:26 pm)I voted yes. Every project that I’ve ever participated in was used somewhat differently by its ultimate users than it was by the developers. Even if not much can be changed in the short time available, it is helpful to know what seemed to the non-developer user to be a bump or glitch or failure.
Sometimes what is wanted or needed is already there, but needs a better explanation. Other times nothing can be changed, but you can smooth over the bump by knowing that it is coming up, under what circumstances, and giving some advice or warning. That makes you seem smarter
But it has always been better to know about any issues or problems while things were still at a formative scale.
Mar 5th, 2010 (12:37 pm)===================================
Actually, I would just like to play around with a Volt for a few months. If GM took any of my suggestions, fine. If not, that is cool also, but at least they would know what I had to think….
+1
Mar 5th, 2010 (12:44 pm)YES. Indeed.
I agree with those who mentioned Windows 7. Out here in Seattle we were apprised often of how beta testing was proceeding – and I have to tell you, I’m now using Windows 7 and they got it right this time – it’s faster, cleaner and you notice the big ad campaign using people who claimed the improvements were their idea – SMART MARKETING!
Count my vote – and regional testers – yes – I concur as well with those stating how end-users seem to find details engineers tend to miss. It’s the minutae…The impressions of the common man.
One detail I’ll toss in for comment: What do you all think of the shiney plastic silver door panels with the ….um….splashy graphics? Not my taste-in fact, when I get my Volt I’ll be looking for aftermarket door panels to tone down the look. Notice the Ampera carries this over but at least they match the interior contrast colors. I’d say a nice carbon fiber look or a textured door panel- leatherette, or….?
I’d like to see it in person, but my preference would be to match the console with the door panels, and make the backseat area look ( a bit ) less, cost-cuttingly shabby plastic monotone. Cost is a big big factor,yes, but possibly an interior trim upgrade could make the final cut?
RECHARGE! James
+3
Mar 5th, 2010 (1:02 pm)Off track here but I read an interesting article about GM IPO and in it was this gem.
“Investors can play GM via some $27 billion (face value) of debt of the old GM, which trades around 30 cents on the dollar and is due to be exchanged for a mix of stock and warrants in the new GM. These are no longer conventional bonds that pay interest and principal; they simply will give holders equity in the company. “
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/the-hottest-ipo-of-2010-gm.aspx
Maybe there’s hope for all the poor retirees that held countless of common shares of GM in their IRA’s.
It would be a smart move for GM to offer old GM common share holders some sort of bone.
NPNS!
+1
Mar 5th, 2010 (1:19 pm)HEY! I resemble that remark!
Seriously though, It’s *because* I want the Volt to be spot-on perfect, that I would be *highly* critical of any existing flaws. It’s the same principle as “Do you want to be a friend to your child, or do you want to be a good parent”?
Sure, I’d report the positives, but I’d invest *far* more effort into finding anything that isn’t ready for Prime-time. In fact, I’d try to “channel” john1701, and give HIS views! Admittedly a stretch for *anyone* (allowed out in public), but that’s the route I’d go.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
PS Our cats are indoor animals, so no rides in any car – let alone a VOLT! (lol). I’d only let my wife ride, in order to test the “passenger weight” variable (ducks and covers).
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Mar 5th, 2010 (1:29 pm)============================
Tag:
Are you kidding? Cat hair would be a great test of the electronics.
Nothing can screw up a CD player like a big ole hairball!!!!
And channeling john1701a is just too scary to comprehend…………….
Mar 5th, 2010 (1:32 pm)It’s probably too late to have a Volt version of Project Driveway, but they should at least have some focus groups come in. No, not PR stunts, but get a cross section, taxi drivers, luxury drivers, college students, soccer moms etc. etc. who qualify as discerning through a qualification questionnaire and then have them completely scrutinize everything from top to bottom. What can’t be implemented in Gen 1, can fixed in Gen 2. We know GM has already started on Gen 2 so they’d better start working on this NOW. It just seems silly that most auto makers rely more on what they think the consumer wants instead of just starting a website where people can submit what they want changed in a vehicle, when they get enough of a certain complaint, they’d better figure it out. This reminds me of Apple. The reason the iPhone sells so well is because people have full control over their iPhone experience because they can design their own apps, or go and download whatever they apps they want. It just blows me away that morons getting paid $20,000,000/year think they can just tell people what they want because if it were as simple as just asking them, they and their “vision” wouldn’t be needed, or certainly wouldn’t be worth tens of millions to the company.
Mar 5th, 2010 (1:40 pm)Totally disagree. There is *so* much software involved in this vehicle, that any *necessary* changes (and the point is, that there WILL be necessary changes) could be done without effecting the physical production process. Physical changes in the Volt, will need to wait until Gen II. I seriously doubt that the feedback from the GM workers will result in physical changes in the vehicle at this point.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Mar 5th, 2010 (1:45 pm)Well said and well reasoned. ++1
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Mar 5th, 2010 (1:51 pm)I think it’d be best to include a good mix of *exactly* those folks AND people from the site. GM NEEDS the criticism, in order to address problems. I trust that they will be able to sort out the issues that do need to be addressed, but they should look at data from all sorts of folks.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
+1
Mar 5th, 2010 (2:00 pm)I can sympathize with the egalitarian instincts of those who voted “yes”, but in the real world this is too important to leave to chance. Invariably flaws will be discovered and corrected during this period: that’s what it’s for. Given the killer instincts of the press any publicly exposed problem will be made to look like the end of civilization as we know it. Those flaws have to be corrected as privately as possible, because, dear friends, if this electric vehicle fails then you can write-off the possibility of another major manufacturer investing in one until we’re down to the last drop of oil our hostile foreign suppliers will give us. GM has to get this right; let’s not give them grief for doing it right.
Mar 5th, 2010 (2:00 pm)I agree with everything you’ve said here. My one quibble is that I’d disagree on how well coders break their own code (substitute engineers or whatever). You’re right that people who are creating have the best understanding of how to break what they’ve created — they know the weak points. The problem is that human nature doesn’t allow people to want to break their creations. As a result, even unconsciously they tend to tread lightly in those areas they know to be problematic.
I’d extend this to GM employees. They don’t want to break the car their company is introducing. They want it to be perfect. The best testers plain won’t care and they will have those “unanticipated logic paths” you referred to. They’ll just drive the thing. The downside of this of course is that they probably won’t have enough self-awareness to figure out how they broke it.
+2
Mar 5th, 2010 (2:05 pm)Attn GM!
Uncontested! Of course, I’d add that *I* can add that “what goes on *between the ears*” data, to the scientific approach/data collection approach (which I also own, ahem). nasaman and I would both make extraordinary candidates! Of course, you’d probably want to add a few “normal” folks too (g). (I hope that immodesty doesn’t rule anyone out)(lol)
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
+2
Mar 5th, 2010 (2:06 pm)No ash tray needed when the wife and kids are in the car. Michelle will see to that.
And I’ll bet OnStar can turn that console screen into a teleprompter. 
+1
Mar 5th, 2010 (2:06 pm)As a beta testing process, its too late. There is not time for such a program to impact the Volt in any meaningful way before November. The program would take months to setup, need months to actually run, and then take time to sort through the results and decide if any changes are warranted. We are 9 months from Volts in the showrooms and they will start down the assembly line much sooner.
As a PR stunt, this would be OK but it would get more attention if you gave the cars to hollywood types or some other celebrities so that the PR impact could be maximized. It’s not much of a story if I get a Volt before November but if 20 celebrities get one, that could be a story.
PS. I consider Lyle a celebrity so of course he should get one early.
+1
Mar 5th, 2010 (2:08 pm)Hand up! Pick me, pick me! Oh yeah, now you know better. Well the wife is normal.
Believe and be well,
Michael
Mar 5th, 2010 (2:12 pm)Being highly competent does not mean infallible. Just an observation.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Mar 5th, 2010 (2:20 pm)Good point about the cat hair. I’d be willing to train a couple of ours. (g)
And yes, it’s a frightening concept re channeling john1701, but I’m not only a trained professional – I slept at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Mar 5th, 2010 (2:23 pm)LOL, that was pretty much our assessment too.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Mar 5th, 2010 (2:25 pm)It’s hard to imagine how getting a group of people to give opinions after spending a few weeks with the car, doing their normal everyday routines, would not be helpful and insightful. Eventually having different software choices available will probably be as important as having a choice of paint color. The thoughts of a test group could help offer those choices. Post purchase sales of different software packages could become a big source of additional revenue for GM. Input from a random sampling of testers would help develop those. Like what would you like to do while waiting for the kids to come out of school, etc. I imagine this car has more display capability than any car has had before.
+1
Mar 5th, 2010 (3:05 pm)_____________________________
NASA as a body does pretty well. The example I mention confirms that even with the best think tank engineers at the helm simple consequences are often overlooked. For example: I wouldn’t expect Andrew Farah to slap the capacitive display as a four your old is sure to do. I wouldn’t expect Frank Weber to throw the Volt into reverse then power shift to low and stomp on it.
Wonder what Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell is up to? Maybe a little Volt pallet skiing?
=D-Volt
Mar 5th, 2010 (3:19 pm)Exactly ha ha. I am trying to imagine Weber treating a PP Volt like a rich frat boy trying to impress some chick so he can get laid.
Mar 5th, 2010 (3:28 pm)hee hee
Kidding aside. Farah and Weber are both AAA.
=D-Volt
The new pink tie guy?
Mar 5th, 2010 (3:48 pm)Friday March 5, 2010, 3:32 pm
GM to reinstate 600 dealerships slated to be cut
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/GM-to-reinstate-600-apf-831839859.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=7&asset=&ccode=
=D-Volt
-1
Mar 5th, 2010 (4:05 pm)Best to keep it in the captured test fleet. They will get the same info they would get with the general public (the public provides no gain of information really over the captured test fleet). The disadvantage is only the loss of publicity but it’s not worth the risk. Stick with what is tried and true. Play it safe.
Mar 5th, 2010 (4:33 pm)I vote No. With information being so viral these days it is imperative that GM gets this one right. There is going to be flaws that need to be corrected, so keep this vehicle cloak close to the vest, test it retest it pull it apart put it back together again tested again get it right. When a new customer is perusing the Internet the last thing they need to come across is test comments by the actual public about test fleet vehicles. The chance for damaging media is way too great. The launch of this vehicle is still only months away.
Mar 5th, 2010 (4:52 pm)Hey guys and gals,
A question on a different topic…
Any divorces or marital problems on this blog (with so many engaging discussions), due to too much time spent on the GM-Volt.com daily?
Please advise.
Thx, Eugene
Mar 5th, 2010 (5:16 pm)I voted ‘yes’. It can’t hurt to have a few select individuals see what they can break. Even if you can’t change Gen1, you can use the data for Gen2.
If I were GM, I’d make an agreement with a rental agency and rent some out for a while. Rental cars get abused in ways that nobody would ever do to their own car. Plus you get a new driver every couple days which would test things like adjustments to seats, mirrors, etc. that a normal driver just sets once and forgets.
Mar 5th, 2010 (5:16 pm)Tag,
I won’t argue your point, just make mine more understandable.
My concern is the bad press they would spew. The “I told you so”s that could hurt GM.
Where as I would quietly give them any negative feedback I might had.
+2
Mar 5th, 2010 (5:17 pm)This site (conceived and administered by Lyle) is quite addicting… (good articles and interesting topics for the EV lovers)
Eugene
+3
Mar 5th, 2010 (5:22 pm)Since this would probably be more about late-in-the-game software debugging, how about a compromise?
Maybe select a large group of GM dealers all around the country to do beta testing for GM. They are real people who defintely understand new car introduction and they would be operating the Volts in very diverse environments. Obviously they would need to be restricted from giving consumers test drives as that would not be the purpose. But they could at least SHOW these beta Volts to the public.
And GM could get some real data back while creating some major buzz by deploying Volts in a lower risk fashion all around the country several months early.
And in the unlikely event a Volt needed a tow-truck, it could be done more discretely using car covers and such.
Protecting the brand while getting some very good test data.
There are some really beat-up GM Dealerships around the country that could use a lift.
How about ads that say “Come in and see our Test-Version Volt, months before its launched!”
Hey Corvette Guy, good idea or not?
Mar 5th, 2010 (5:30 pm)I understand your point. I was just thinking that non-disclosure meant non-disclosure and would be vigorously enforced. I probably shouldn’t have used john1701…
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
+1
Mar 5th, 2010 (5:30 pm)Off Topic: Car & Driver Reviews Chevy Spark
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/10q1/2010_2012_chevrolet_spark-first_drive_review
It’s not as ‘sporty’ looking as the one shown in the Transformers 2 movie, but has 46 mpg (European EPA).
Mar 5th, 2010 (5:31 pm)I really did not expect to be entrusted with a million dollar Volt prototype, but then, hey why not. I have been entrusted with much more expensive machines, unsupervised. If I were to do something really stupid OnStar and the black box would take care of it. I am a bit of a motorhead and travel on a rough road. So mainstream usage would be more fully tested than some fringe back road types. So I volunteer for the back road tester. I would be thrilled to try the Volt Farah got stuck. I would fully expect the Volt to at least live up to the standards my three current rides, the HHR, Colorado and Prius. Plus my first thought when I saw this thread was, if I were to be entrusted with a Volt and it came in some weird color, it would wind up red!
+2
Mar 5th, 2010 (5:32 pm)I keep asking… but I have yet to hear anybody say, “Sure. We’ll be right over with one.”
(sigh…)
Mar 5th, 2010 (5:35 pm)Oooooohhh, and you were *SO* close……(lol)
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Mar 5th, 2010 (5:46 pm)Well I do know how to make the Prius brake do the funky thing. Definitely a benchmark to be compared.
Cheers
+1
Mar 5th, 2010 (5:51 pm)You better believe I would stop at my GM dealer, I would probably even let him “borrow” it. As long as it came back red.
Mar 5th, 2010 (6:21 pm)Non Disclosure Agreement? Haha. Has anyone ever seen a news report based an “anonymous source not authorized to speak on the subject”? NDA’s are not worth much. The reason an outside tester *can* be helpful is they may do something unexpected or outside the norm. Something the software developer or engineer would simply not have thought of doing. In my experience, the people who are generally (but not always) the worst testers are those that flaunt their diploma’s, degrees, pedigree and vast expert knowledge. Besides, GM already has plenty of those. The geeks, gearheads, and pom pom squad fanboys on this site (that includes me), are already believers. So if GM get’s testers, they should get average people who don’t even understand what the Volt is or how it works, they should get Soccer mom’s, commuters, etc. “Regular Folk” as they say. After all, that’s who they want to buy the car, yes?
+1
Mar 5th, 2010 (6:21 pm)I still maintain that a vehicle that will do most of your everyday driving, maybe all of it, without needing to buy a lot of gas, will sell itself. I think people will notice that they aren’t having to buy gas nearly as often as before. Now, if the Volt doesn’t do that, then no amount of advertising will make up for it. Because otherwise it is just an average, at best, hatchback.
Mar 5th, 2010 (7:40 pm)“I’m much more worried about making sure that we have a totally bulletproof launch at the start of regular production,” he said. “I think it is so critical for this vehicle to come out and be a smash hit, and I think it’s got all of the makings of being able to do that.”
You are the professionals.
Whatever it takes, man.
Whatever it takes…
If we could help GM, by all means. If we hinder or get in the way, no problem…
Make it happen and make it happen big time.
Mar 5th, 2010 (7:50 pm)The review seemed fair-handed to me. I was more than a bit surprised that a 6′ 4″ person would have adequate head-room in the back seat! Sounds like the Spark could use a bit bigger “spark” (power), but will be a “good city car” (if that’s not an oxymoron).
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Mar 5th, 2010 (8:02 pm)I agree that data gathered with Gen #1 would likely also be very useful for other Gen’s, but I’m curious about how GM would gather *user* information from the people who *rented* the Volts. Granted that they could gather a lot of data from OnStar, but that wouldn’t reflect consumer feedback.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Mar 5th, 2010 (8:05 pm)I haven’t noticed a post from Dan P the last couple of threads. Did I just miss them? Just hoping he’s ok.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Mar 5th, 2010 (9:03 pm)Tagamet, you are correct, but he posted this at 8:00am March 1st.
“March 1, today, is the beginning of my new business year. I have to re-purpose this computer for the exclusive task of doing the 2010 field updates for about 38 shops for their scanners, so, I will be off line for quite a while. (May stop by the library to use their computer for the allowed 15 minutes to stop in here to say “hi” every once in a while.)
Take care everyone.” – Dan.
-3
Mar 5th, 2010 (9:19 pm)I can’t even imagine anyone on this site being allowed to participate in a serious test of the Volt. Not the brightest people judging by most of the comments i have read over the last couple of years anyway. I say leave it to the professional engineers.
Mar 5th, 2010 (9:52 pm)I’d give it a whirl. Sounds like fun.
+2
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:17 pm)GM volt dot com. Home of the all inclusive snark. You work for Audi?
=D-Volt
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:22 pm)Thanks, Michael! I (obviously) missed that comment, but that’s a relief.
Thanks again,
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
+1
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:26 pm)Wow, it looks like the spark and the leaf will be competing for the c&d award for ugliest new car. French cars need to stay in France.
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:28 pm)Actually, I think *your* comment is an example of exactly what’s great about the site. Elsewhere, snarky remarks just breed more snarky remarks, and the topic is lost in all the dust.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
+2
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:30 pm)Absolutely not. It would be nothing more than a publicity stunt. I don’t want GM to waste a second bringing the Volt to market and this would just be a waste of time and energy.
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:53 pm)You’re a good egg Tag. I still harbor a paranoia that the Volt will not be for sale. The Chevy Chief could do us a favor by confirming the Volt will not be lease only. Guess we’ll have to hang with the comment from CEO Whitacre that Lyle is on his list to get one. Can’t wait for the Volt Nation Ten (VNT) to report back.
Ford has been mighty quiet. Wonder what they are up to? NY Auto Show starts April 2nd. The web page mentions on site test drives of EV’s.
Saturday April 3rd (all day)
“EV Pavilion Indoor Ride & Drive. Experience Non-emission vehicles.”
=D-Volt
+1
Mar 5th, 2010 (10:59 pm)Problem with employees doing the testing is group think. The same reason testers shouldn’t all be from gm-volt. Give some of us – some to regular folks.
Mar 5th, 2010 (11:06 pm)VNT, I like it!
Yeah, I saw those all day indoor drive days – every day of the show! How cool is that?
Don’t worry about the paranoia. It’s from the people who stole your meds. (g).
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Mar 5th, 2010 (11:12 pm)That’s what I said! Some of us, and also some normal people. (lol)
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
+2
Mar 5th, 2010 (11:23 pm)I don’t indulge in the customary California street meds. When people ask me about it. I tell them I don’t have the free time to be altered. Life is just fine without drugs. Fresh air, RC planes and trucks, Amtrak rides for fun, golf, the gym, Little League activities and occasional weekends in Vegas. Was right next to a pro on the driving range today.
Here’s a photo of a solar grid here in Carpinteria. Santa Barbara is 10 minutes North on 101. The mayor is very “green” and has done well to keep the air clean with electric city shuttles and hybrid bus service. It’s a great place to vacation. My son graduates high school this year. The dance will be held on a large jet boat called the Condor. The Condor routinely commutes to the Channel Islands and also offers whale watching tours. I have golfed with the Captain of the Condor, nice guy.
Solar grid in Carpinteria California.
The Condor
=D-Volt
Mar 5th, 2010 (11:34 pm)Sounds like a great life! I knew that you were one of those left coast radicals (wait, that’s redundant).
The paranoia/meds comment was an old Shrink joke (and told by an old Shrink).
Thanks especially, for sharing a bit about your life. I think I enjoy that even more than sharing views/info about the Volt.
Congrats to you and your son!
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
/the sun gets here earlier than there. Turning in early.
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
+2
Mar 5th, 2010 (11:54 pm)A fellow walks into a psychiatrist office with a complaint that he is being ignored. “Everyone seems to look right through me”. The receptionist asks him to take a seat as she intercoms the doctor.
Receptionist> Doctor, there is a man here with a complaint of invisibility.
Psychiatrist> Tell him I can’t see him right now.
=D-Volt
Mar 6th, 2010 (12:02 am)Lol, good joke Dave. I’m starting to turn to gm volt.Com for my late nite comedy lately.
Mar 6th, 2010 (8:07 am)I 100% agree to that point. I develop GUI applications for automated test equipment, deployed around the world. I use to think I knew what and how the operators would use the interface, and would stubbornly “do it my way”.
I have come to realize the value of VOC (voice of the customer), and now I always ask the users how THEY want the interface to function. Amazing how, small changes in the operation can make or break the acceptance of my applicatins. These are usually things I consider irrelevant, such as text fonts, background colors, and aesthetic issues.
Mar 6th, 2010 (8:12 am)…Two atoms walk into a bar.
The first atom says to the second “Hey, I think I lost an electron?”
The second atom says “Are you sure?”
The first atom replies “No, I am positive!”
I tell this joke to all my kids and my kids friends. I get the same “rolling eye” reaction. “Damn it Jim, I’m and engineer, not a comedian!”
Mar 6th, 2010 (8:23 am)Loved it, Dave. I like the cartoon where a guy is sitting in a waiting room of a shrink’s office and a nurse is standing in the doorway with a paper in hand. On either side of the nurse (and out of sight from the patient) are 2 armed guards with guns drawn. The caption reads: “Dave, we have your test results…” (g).
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
+1
Mar 6th, 2010 (8:27 am)Please feel free to contribute to this site.
This site is a dialogue, not a monologue.
We would like to know how the Volt is being viewed from the younger crowd. Do you guys talk about EV’s and EREV’s during lunch, or is it still all about the hot engineering girl in class?
+1
Mar 6th, 2010 (8:45 am)Just noticed that the caption of the picture leading this thread implies that that is the GM volt capture fleet. Seven cars and an all male cast of drivers (hesitate to call them “testers” – that’d make the cars testes) ??? I guess “fleet” calls to mind something more ambitious in my little mind. If the number is this low for security reasons/fears, there’s little hope for a consumer test fleet. And yes, that’s not a very positive post. Just (possibly) a little disappointed. If this is the total fleet, I have real concerns.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
PS Herm, you *killed* me on post #1 (groan) Congrats on the “greenie” though. I guess people agree (or liked the humor)
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Mar 6th, 2010 (8:48 am)Nicely said! +1.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Mar 6th, 2010 (8:54 am)I guess I was being presumptuous that engineering student is male, but being an ex-EE student, I would say my odds are pretty good that my assumption was correct.
+1
Mar 6th, 2010 (9:07 am)Exactly my point! Specifically, are they field testing with seasoned citizens? Baby Boomers (I hope) are part of the demographic. Are the font SIZES adjustable? Volume?, etc. . I just replaced a (cheap) watch. I tried for one with the same functions. Then, if possible, the buttons had to follow the same pattern to call up the features (cognitive), I had to be able to SEE the numerals (visual), and I get one that I could HEAR the alarm going off (auditory). Believe it or not, I got one that fit those needs – it just took some patience. If I was plopping down tens of thousands of dollars for a car, these things count. Is GM aware of them? JMO.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Mar 6th, 2010 (9:16 am)These days, it could be read as a male OR a female saying it…. (lol).
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Mar 6th, 2010 (12:16 pm)#51
Alas, I have to agree. I have been beating the drums and volunteering for “beta testing” since I got involved here, but I have sort of given up now, for all of the reason you cite. Now, IMHO, it’s simply time for:
LJGTVWOTR!! NMST!
Mar 6th, 2010 (12:28 pm)#69
Thanks for the very informative link. 2300#? 46 mpg on the European combined cycle with a gas engine, no hybridization and no turbo? Very encouraging, IMHO. +1
Mar 6th, 2010 (12:30 pm)#60
Dumb, IMHO.
Mar 6th, 2010 (12:43 pm)Amen on all counts.
Be well,
Tagamet
Mar 6th, 2010 (12:48 pm)Hi Noel,
The # I saw was 660 to be restored. Why do you think that that is a bad thing? I’ve seen so many people posting about how far away the nearest dealer would be after the cuts were made.
Just interested in your view.
Be well,
Tagamet
PS A new thread is up.
Mar 7th, 2010 (7:21 am)Great idea and I want to be one of the beta testers.
Take Care,
TED
Mar 7th, 2010 (7:28 pm)Voted yes.
Wih appropriate communication of the test’s purposes and risks, explanation of the expectations, waivers, etc IMO something like this could work.
What varietyof use patterns would GM be looking for among such a group? If the decison is to go ahead and volunteers are needed, I would do so assuming the costs are similar to the ownership / operating costs of other newe vehicles in a similar size / equipment class.
My round trip commute is 42 miles, mostly highway driving over a range of speeds (suburban to urban commute) from 70 to 30 with some urban street driving in 20s for a couple of miles each way. During the day I park in a parking structure – so far no charging stations installed,buut Nissan is working with city officials on that. The parking structure I use also services city and state employees.
So if that use pattern works for GM, I’d be interested in participating.
Mar 7th, 2010 (10:57 pm)Personally I think it may have been neat to be involved in a early Volt fleet and to provide feedback and feel involved in the product we’re all so passionate about. However (and this may seem counterintuitive) I don’t think it would be in GM’s best interest to have such a project for an eventual mass-market product like the Volt. I think bad news and feedback from early test fleets might be easily forgiven in a niche product with passionate early adopters but any negative news will eventually hurt the prospects for any mass market product — and the Voltec drivetrain needs to eventually become a mass market product.
I think GM is bringing the right type of product (a mass market branded EREV) to market the right way.
(I think the Mini E may not yet be planned as a mass market product since the mini itself is somewhat of a niche car with a passionate owner base. I’m glad that GM has jumped in with both feet and committed the investment costs to execute a flawless introduction.)
Mar 8th, 2010 (7:56 am)I’ll volunteer to be a ‘regular’ driver and test out the Chevy Volt before launch. Then when it launches, I’ll buy it, preferably in black.
Mar 8th, 2010 (12:36 pm)Agreed, and now that this thread is pretty much dead, here is another dumb example –
As mentioned in other posts, I do electric r/c aircraft as a hobby/addiction. The best-known radio manufacturer, Futaba recently came out with a new generation of 2.4 GHz radios. After enough of them got into the public’s hands, a weird problem occurred where the radio would lose (sorry folks, not “loose”) its unique ID code and go back to an ID of 0. If two people with 0 IDs tried to fly at the same time bad things could happen (crashes).
What it turned out to be was if the radio was turned on and then quickly turned off without completing its boot-up process, the unique ID code stored in the radio might be lost. Apparently this had made it through all of the testing performed by this experienced, reputable company. So there were multiple bugs, really –
- the power switch should perhaps have been more like a shutdown request and not a simple power disconnect (hardware issue)
- the GUID code should have been in non-volatile, or at least less-volatile memory (hardware)
- a GUID code of 0 should have been ignored as an illegal value by their receivers, a dead radio is better than crashing (software)
Hopefully nobody got hurt as a result of this bug. Their initial “fix” was simply a sticker to put on the radio saying, “Don’t turn on then off right away”, but hopefully it has been truly fixed in the firmware since then.
So again, the point is that dumb, untrained users will use/abuse your software in ways never expected.
So, GM, when can I pick up my Volt? Do we get a choice of color?
Mar 10th, 2010 (4:48 pm)I participated in Project Driveway and it was a amazing experience. What was interesting was commonality of many comments, suggestions, concerns and then those that were unique. I am sure the info gathered by GM from this program has been ground breaking. But due to the schedule for the Volt, a “project driveway” experience would have to be short, ie drive the car for a couple of weeks vs. 3 months. Project Driveway members would make a great target as they are up to speed on the reporting requirements
Mar 11th, 2010 (12:41 pm)GM should look into what Ford did with the Fiesta Movement. They put the cars on the streets ahead of schedule driven by normal people who were very active in blogging / youtube. Drivers were required to do ‘missions’ with their Fiesta, and in doing so, they showed the car off. The purpose was, essentially, free advertising and free feedback by actual potential customers, not just employees who have to drive the car because it’s their job.
Mar 11th, 2010 (4:16 pm)YUSH