1. Jim I.
I spent $425.00 and 16 hours to get 12 minutes inside a Volt. Was it worth it?
In one word – ABSOLUTELY!!!
All of the pictures I had seen of the production Volt do not do it any justice. The actual car is really quite well done, both inside and out. Walking around the car, there was not a single angle where I did not like the look of the car. Inside, the controls were all well placed and fit and finish were excellent. The front seats were quite roomy. The rear seats are a bit cramped, when the front seat is pushed back, but if it is moved forward, the leg room is fine. The rear seats fold down flat, giving a lot of space to haul things. All of the concerns we have discussed about the center console touch sensitive buttons being hard to manipulate, will be a non-issue IMHO. Forward and rear vision is quite good, and the backup camera is really a nice touch. There are also radar sensors on both the front and rear bumpers, which will help avoid those nasty scrapes when getting too close to a wall, etc. The two display screens had lots of information, but quite honestly, there was just not enough time to get to play around with all of them.
The test drives, were really amazing. I was able to get two runs around the track driving, and twice I rode in the back seat. We had a chance to test the difference between regular and sport mode, as well as re-gen braking. Handling was really good, since the weight of the battery pack lowers the center of gravity. Steering was tight. Unless you are expecting a race car, you will be very happy with the acceleration. And it is so very quiet! This is just a fun car to drive!
The only thing I would have liked to experience was the transfer to CS mode with the engine, but with the charge remaining in the battery pack, there was no way to try that.
I met and talked for quite a while with Jim Campbell, Bob Boniface, and Dave Darovitz. You can very quickly sense the pride they all have in this vehicle. They were very forthcoming with answers they were allowed to discuss, and they were quite honest to say that there are some things they would not be able to talk about. I think they really wanted to, but just could not. It was also very apparent that everyone from GM was very interested in our opinions of the vehicle. They also seemed very impressed that we came in from all over the country just to give this car a test for a few minutes.
Here were some of my questions:
Will the next E-REV be a smaller or a larger vehicle? Bob smiled and said “It will be different from the Volt, that is all I can say at this point”.
I was told that the gas tank in the cut away demonstration unit is not the tank in the production vehicle, so those that think they have figured it out by the size are probably wrong. And I could not get an answer out of them on the final size of the tank. Nor could I get a firm answer on CS mode MPG. Basically, they feel that it will depend on the driving style of the operator and conditions it will be driven in, and I can agree with that.
I asked about the reasons for the slow ramp up. I was given a reason that it was a battery production issue for the first year, but it was also mentioned that management still has a concern that some hidden problem that may crop up, and if it should happen they do not want it to destroy the entire program. They were quite emphatic that they have had no real problem in any of their testing to date, but they are going to play it safe. I understand the position, although it means I most likely will not be able to get a Volt in the first year in Youngstown. All of us were unanimous in telling the GM reps that we believed they were underestimating the demand for this
vehicle.
All of them felt that pricing was going to be the deciding factor on how many units would be sold long term. And for that we will just have to wait.
It was also interesting to put faces to the other gm-volt members.
Finally, I just wanted to say “Thank You” to both Lyle and GM for this opportunity!
2. J Jackson Callan, Jr (aka Jackson)
Entry was easy, and the seat comfortable. All controls fell within easy reach, and visibility was excellent. I was told to put my foot on the brake and press the Power button; the moment my finger went in, the brake sank about a half inch; somehow this conveyed to me that I was ready to go. I put the Volt into “gear” with the big shifter, and when I lifted my foot off the brake, the Volt crept forward; just like a normal automatic. It followed the wheel easily and precisely.
After a lifetime of driving straight-shift I still run into trouble “second-guessing” what an automatic transmission is going to do with my foot input. There was absolutely no ambiguity with the Volt; response was instant, but never unexpected. I hadn’t driven far before feeling completely at ease, it seemed almost incredibly sure-footed.
It didn’t seem to “feel” the ramp upgrade, it just silently and obediently climbed. There wasn’t a trace of lean or top-heaviness, with 4 passengers.
Accelerating on the longest straightaway, I reminded myself that I would normally hear the loud drone of a four-cylinder winding up. Instead, there was impressive silence; with no pauses for shifting. It seemed like as much power as I would ever need. When the GM engineer pressed a button to engage “Sport Mode,” the Volt suddenly grew a pair. No, an extra pair of cylinders, what did you think I meant? There was an amazing push which felt as though it would continue as long as I held the pedal down.
The windshield wipers haven’t escaped special attention. They hide behind a fairing when not in use, for aerodynamics; but do a remarkable job of clearing the glass. Wider than ordinary wipers, they operate from a ‘hands-folded’ attitude at the base of the windshield; rise to the sides, then fold down again.
After so much anticipation, encountering the real thing is supposed to be an eye-opener. The greatest surprise of my drive was how little of a surprise it really was; the Volt did what it was supposed to do, with great quality. It was both a real electric car, and a real car. Ma and Pa back home would have no problem whatever driving it.
When I later mentioned my impressions to Bob Boniface, he quoted Andrew Farrah’s “Remarkably unremarkable;” which is really true. That is, if you also add “Amazing.”
3. Larry G. (Tagamet)
It’s 3 AM as I slide into the seat of my Jeep Grand Cherokee for the trip to NYC. By 7-ish the sun is rising to reveal a beautiful pre-Spring morning, with the temperature well over a dozen degrees above freezing. Although the skies are a bright Robin’s-egg blue, the clouds today are remarkably low, so the wipers regularly whisk them from the windshield. Having stabled my steed in a NYC sub-terrainean shelter, I journeyed a short distance on foot to the site of the event. The two fine women who helped me register, suggested (in whispered tones) that I might want to “blend in” with the first group to take test drives, rather than wait 3 hours for “my“ group. Somewhat magically, I became a NJ Electric Car Club attendee. Unfortunately, that meant forfeiting my chance to actually meet some of our people. 
The early arrival allowed me plenty of time to mingle with the other devotees and the GM team. As a totally subjective observation, I felt myself drawn to, or aligned with, the Volt team members. Although I got a lot of “We can’t talk about that yet” replies from the Volt Team, it was (almost) always with a smile. Chats with the NJ club members often wandered to their other favorite electric vehicles, (which, in itself, might explain the difference). With uncharacteristic foresight, I’d brought one of my Volt T-shirts and a Sharpie marker. With the help of a very kind Britta Gross, I was able to secure a personalized “Volt Team Signature” souvenir of the occasion!
Each of the three short presentations by Team members was followed by questions from the attendees. I’d love to have heard the questions from our group. I know that there is some “overlap” in people who were there from the Car Club and those here at gm-volt.com, but I suspect that the questions may have differed just a bit. In very broad brush strokes, if the question was actually answered (and many were), I knew the answer. And if *I* knew the answer, well, you know….
By this point, I’m getting anxious to get to the car – a little like a pregnant lady whose water has broken and is still at home (I’m told). The group is finally directed to the front of the building and the two waiting Volts.
Following a short “Please don’t drive off the pier” speech by an authoritarian dude, I found myself in the driver’s seat of the silver Volt! FIRST DRIVER! With Trent – our “handler”, riding shotgun, and Mr. Rolex and Mr. Stude “E” Baker in the back seats, off we went. Some of my thoughts about the drive have already been immortalized by our own Brian Thompson (BT) in the article and news video. Being the savvy newsman that he is, he left a great deal of my stream of consciousness babbling on the editing room floor. Initially, I spoke passionately about “the quiet”. I’m sure that he didn’t have a question completed and I was rambling about THE QUIET, IT WAS THE QUIET! I *think* that that’s where I said “Quiet as a church mouse!” The “Softer than a butterfly’s kiss” referred to the exquisitely soft ride experience. How can a ride be that soft and yet that stable? Travelling up and down serpentine ramps and navigating “S-Pattern” cones, and yet *absolutely* level. Zero lean or sway. Yes, the instant torque was remarkable. And yes, the “Boost Mode” was even more remarkable. Oh, but did I mention the quiet?
+3
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:48 am)and the great reviews keep coming in.. apparently we have a sports car here, even loaded with 4 adults you get great performance.
+3
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:59 am)Marvelous well written writeup and good video guys. Pier 92 will never be the same. Next E-REV will be different, stay tuned(g).
The Beauty of a Volt…
Silence
+5
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:04 am)More excellent reports.
I’m more at ease about not being able to attend this year’s show. Even if I were fortunate enough to earn a top ten spot and a Volt ride, my prose would have certainly “dragged” the team’s overall quality down.
Jackson, those were stop signs you blew through that evryone else had to stop for.
+5
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:06 am)“With uncharacteristic foresight, I’d brought one of my Volt T-shirts and a Sharpie marker. With the help of a very kind Britta Gross, I was able to secure a personalized “Volt Team Signature” souvenir of the occasion!”
Way to go Tag! That will really be worth big bucks some day.
I can just see my grandkids watching Antiques Road show and one of your grandkids bringing the shirt in along with something about “church mouse” and “butterfly kiss.” 
+2
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:11 am)All well written reports. Kudos to all of you lucky individuals. Makes me wish I had submitted an entry and won.
The details in your reports covers most of what I was looking forward to reading. Hopefully, I will get a chance to test drive the Volt at the Austin Auto show.
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:12 am)Great information guys.
Thanks for taking the time to write up the reviews. Your making us all drool for our first drive in the Volt.
+2
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:15 am)…and I keep re-living those brief hours at Pier 92 as I read them all! So far, every contest-winner’s driving review has both reinforced and added important details I had omitted in mine. But one thing we all express in one way or another is the remarkable driveability, performance and refinement the Volt surprisingly exudes —it’s almost as if GM has found a way to offer the world an ideal combination of a Corvette (responsive, thrilling to drive) and a Rolls (hushed softness) in a single vehicle —one that runs with NO gas and at about 1/5th the cost of fuel needed for an average car!
PS: And for lots less than a ‘Vette or Rolls cost. Happy Easter, everyone!
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:19 am)It’s clear we are consistently paraphrasing the exact same sensations in the most superlative of meanings. This sensational (literal & figurative) consistency ought to be perceived universally with new test drivers and potential new Volt sales prospects.
Now, it is all about the logistics of paying for a Volt if the purchase opportunity presents itself.
It will be a critical benchmark for the purchase when we know the MSRP of course, but, my other concern is that there may not be enough logistical lead time to make an “in and out” “passthrough” to arrange with a buyer for my current vehicle to save some sales tax and have a better down payment.
It would be really nice in this particular case, if there could be some planning help from the Chevy Store for when our sign-up number is about to come up (40 to 60 days advance advisory would help greatly, and, we could know if we can comfortably buy it well beforehand).
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:22 am)Thank – You
Very much .
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:37 am)It would be interesting if you guys went out and test drove a comparable BMW compact while the experience was still fresh. Perhaps we have been worrying too much about the $40k cost.
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:56 am)I had the assumption that EVs will be quiet compared to our current ICE cars from the beginning when GM and others announced their plans to build EV or E-REV. Now this has been confirmed by all lucky ones which had the chance to drive this sexy thing. This is like you drive in a luxury Rolls-Royce or Mercedes car where you just feel the power but you hear hardly any sound from the engine. So this luxury will be affordable to a lot more people very soon. Great!!
But it would be *really* interesting to me how quiet is quit when the range extender kicks in. Will this be a sound of a motor turning at constant speed which has a good acoustic insulation to the inside of the car ?
Was there any occasion where the range extender was turned on ?
So please ask the next time to get a sound sample of such range extender start and operation.
Apr 4th, 2010 (9:09 am)Ken and Baltimore, I replied your questions at the end of the prior thread.
Be well,
Tagamet
+3
Apr 4th, 2010 (9:13 am)I’ve driven just about all makes while scanning them with their OEM access software.
While BMW makes very high tech vehicles, and, generally because of this, their costs
are commensurately high…,
The Volt is a breathtaking “light year” ahead of everything else as measurable in technology, quality, sports-wise, and, of course, luxury-wise.
The Volt is worth whatever GM decides to price it at. I just hope I can afford the most
basic model of one. I am hoping the most basic MSRP to be less than $33,000, but we will have to see what GM needs to get for a very basic MSRP next month.
After driving a Volt, you will become completely disinterested in driving anything else. Period.
+3
Apr 4th, 2010 (9:19 am)Dan,
(and I say this with love in my heart)
SHUT UP! They READ this site! (LOL).(just kidding about the shut up part).
Be well,
Tagamet
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (9:26 am)Gee, if I’d have thought THAT far ahead, I’d have washed it first (g).
Happy Easter!
Tagamet
Apr 4th, 2010 (9:32 am)HAAA!!,
I knew I could get you to finally say that (so well) one day!!
I have complete confidence that GM wants to be our National Industrial Heroes again. (“What is good for GM, is good for America” [once again].). I think Ed Whitacre knows that the Volt price **will** very easily do this.
So extreme is the goodwill that the Volt will bring forward to GM, that I think that all other GM models for their various differing applications will, as a result of “value and technological superiority of Volt”, the other types of model sales be given the “first look” by buyers for those other types of model purposes, such as trucks, SUV’s, etc.
If a very basic Volt MSRP can be set under $33,000, it is “all over” for the competition.
Apr 4th, 2010 (9:52 am)I wish I knew more about the realities of marketing. I know that the Prius seems of have really helped Toyota with their other vehicles, but weren’t the others all along the same hybrid tech lines? Did their truck sales go up, just because their small cars were fuel efficient, or was it “I’d buy another (different) Toyota, because that Prius was a high QUALITY car? Maybe it *is* as Max Bob has been saying and there are already very good cars in the GM showroom and that they just need a magnet vehicle to get people to test drive them. If that’s the case, I could see the broader effect of the Volt. If the Volt is a “one trick pony” (ouch, that came out harsh), then waiting to roll out other Gens won’t do the job for GM. I guess I need some help here (ok, I KNOW I need help, but I mean about the marketing stuff).
Be well,
Tagamet
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (10:09 am)The following duplicates a post I just made on yesterday’s thread; I decided to bring it forward for readers here because it’s an important detail regarding harsh speed bumps/seams on the Pier 92 course…
You’re right. The Pier 92 parking garage had many, many short, harsh speed bumps/seams. I mounted my HD video camera on the Volt’s dash aimed forward, just behind and thru the windshield (because I felt there had been enough other videos made of the driver, etc inside the Volt —but few, if any, that recorded what the road looked like and what the driver saw). There was an added unexpected bonus to this —the camera’s sensitive, wide-range stereo mikes accurately captured the sounds thru the windshield (as well as inside the car). In replaying that video/audio, the unusually narrow, harsh speed bumps were VERY apparent as an audible “thump” (and an accompanying visual “bump”) each time I encountered one. But my brain almost subconsciously ignored them, largely, I believe, because the Volt’s suspension absorbed them so well and because the subsequent pavement between these harsh little devils always seemed so silky quiet.
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (10:15 am)“I can help you with that” (lol).
The market looks at how design-thorough and advanced an OEM is, and rightfully generalizes that impression across the many other lines of products.
There is always a “goodwill” factor in all marketing that initiates and carries other kinds of sales, always. People listen for that “glowing tone of voice” when a Volt is described, then they smile with conviction themselves, to go check it out for themselves.
Voltec is most certainly not a “one trick pony”, because it solves so very many social, technical, environmental, and security problems. Volt is actually a holistic new philosophy so very far beyond just the vehicle itself.
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Watch components that have yet to be assembled are just an array of small parts. Once assembled, it does very important things for us.
Volt is an assemblage of solutions that will tackle all manner of problems. Society will see this once they are out here. (I would expect a third of my workday to be tasked in just answering Volt questions, so, my purchase of a Volt would be a useful and natural daily promotion for GM.) (Perhaps some recognition for that might reflect with a “flexible field contract’ of some sort with GM within my normal daily business activities.)
Apr 4th, 2010 (10:29 am)As Ronald Reagan might say, “there you go again, Dan”. But because I have to really struggle with my own desire to describe my driving experience in almost religious-sounding terms (and because it’s Easter Sunday, so I’m reminded to be forgiving —& because today my worshipful inclinations are directed elsewhere) I’ll forgive you. JK!
PS: Happy Easter!
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (10:30 am)Note to self: Call audiologist re hearing aide.
Seriously, I do know that I have some hearing loss, but hate the idea of a hearing aide (and people are still willing to repeat things for me), BUT I have zero memory trace of the sound of the bumps. Yes, I know my memory is failing too (lol), but I’m leaning toward the theory that I was SOOO zoned in to the drive, that I MAY have screened out the bump noises. When I rerun the drive experience through my mind, it’s as if the audio is turned off. I know that I didn’t speak to Trent or the other folks in the car. Mr. Rolex only talked while HE was driving (he blew through the stop sign too – Trent grabbed the dash and said “You HAVE to stop at the top of the ramp!(g)), and Mr. Stude E Baker (he restores old electric cars and drove like my deceased grandmother) talked incessantly AFTER the ride, but while I was driving *or* riding, I don’t remember hearing bump noises. Obviously, if they were picked up electronically, they existed in *it’s* Universe (g). Hmmm, “If a Volt hits a bump in the city and no one chooses to hear it, did it make a sound?”
Be well,
Tagamet
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (10:37 am)Wow. You guys rock!
I can read this over and over and over and never get tired of it and always find some little thing that I missed.
It will be very interesting to see what the car magazine boys have to say about it come September or so.
I will also go to Austin as well if they have test drives. I was emailed that there will be some test drives during the Texas State Fair, but, the Volt will be in dealer’s showrooms shortly after that.
Apr 4th, 2010 (10:38 am)Actually, I was being technically impressed. You’ll see I’m not exaggerating when Volts start getting sold out here, and how it immediately translates market wise for GM.
Apr 4th, 2010 (10:42 am)Re: Post #21: Tag, the “thumps” are clearly audible in Jackson’s YouTube video above. ‘course, if you (like me) were so “spaced out” during your own drive, you probably won’t hear them —as you know, sound isn’t transmitted thru empty space. JK!
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (10:42 am)Interesting that it’s finally confirmed what many of us have surmised. The low roll out is due to battery production bottlenecks AND it’s in an effort to limit any recalls to small numbers instead of opening the spigot and have it all crash down around them when they find out there are problems with the brakes.
Apr 4th, 2010 (10:45 am)OK, Dan and Nasaman,
How about we split the difference and look at the Volt as similar to the space program. Tons and tons of new technologies spun off from a single goal. We’re still at the initial “Let’s try to get a guy back alive from sub-orbit” stage, but eventually all of the “small” (read HUGE) steps to get there count!
Be well,
Tagamet
Apr 4th, 2010 (10:51 am)LOL, I *know* that nm, I was just waxing philosophical (but I do think that we can be very selective in our perceptions and screen out “real” sensory input).
OOPS! Our posts crossed. Didn’t see your #24. That “fits”.
Be well,
BBL
Tagamet
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (11:01 am)Awesome, guys!
Here’s hoping that GM becomes the next Apple (the Volt is the Macintosh of cars).
Apr 4th, 2010 (11:03 am)Possibly active noise cancellation?
Also, in my above post, I meant to type wholistic (not holistic) in my above post, the spell-check didn’t work on that one.
In nutrition and preventive medicine, wholistic medicine, for example, means an overall attention to many potential interrelated needs. I attempted to relate that as an analogy (with my misspelling) to mean a philosophical synergy to address very many potential solutions.
Apr 4th, 2010 (11:04 am)One thing that I noticed, that I haven’t seen mentioned, is the automatic transmission creep that is programed in to the drive. When you let off the brake, the car creeps forward at a slow pace. This should be very handy for moving the last few inches into a parking space, etc, and it also gave the car a more normal feel compared to tha Mini-E I drove, which didn’t have that feature.
Apr 4th, 2010 (11:36 am)Great reports! As more people report the reports are changing — more personal color in with the actual test drive report. You gotta love it! Jim, Jackson and Tag really did it up well.
Apr 4th, 2010 (11:54 am)All the posts were extremely well written. I think we would be safe at this point in saying—
+ This car is quite!!
+ This thing can go!!
+ The fit and finish is perfect!!!
+ This car is a technological marvel!!!!!
Those are the impressions I got from reading the posts.
These are the impressions and reputations that will sell the car.
Apr 4th, 2010 (11:56 am)Thanks JohnK,
The more I think about the drive (and I do a *lot*), the more I wonder if given a month or so of “settling”, I got another opportunity to drive it, would I feel the same? Granted, that sounds like I’m lobbying for another ride, because that would be correct (lol). Seriously, the experience was pretty dramatic for me, so how much of the experience was “shock and awe”? Under stress (good OR bad) humans tend to get very focused to the exclusion of other things. As a poor example, a horrible part of my job used to be sharing the news with parents that their child was retarded. Even though most of them, on some level, knew that already, they all were hoping not to hear the “R Word”. As soon as I said that word, I knew that they would hear little else that I said. Well, once our butts were *finally* in the Volts’ seat, each of us brought a different unique set of emotions to the experience. Having said that, I know that pre-drive, I was focused on the “instant torque”, simply because I’d never experienced it. Almost immediately, I was blown away by the QUIET. In my experience, things that are that quiet, are not bumpy. It’s possible that given a “second” ride, that I’d experience many things that I’d missed. I was very glad that I got to ride with other drivers, because the one drove like a madman. He blew the stop sign and took the S-curves really fast, so I got to experience how stable the Volt is (as opposed to that driver).
Well, GM, if you are reading this, how about testing the construct? You buy, and I’ll fly!
Be well,
Tagamet
LJGTVWOTR! NPNS!
Apr 4th, 2010 (11:57 am)Sorry about the misspelled word in #32. That is the penalty for being a slow typer.
Apr 4th, 2010 (12:07 pm)Thanks, DonC,
By the time I got around to struggling with mine (read yesterday) much of the “factual experience” data had been reported (very well). So I went off on a novella torquing (pun intended) the dismal weather and then focusing on the emotionality of the experience. Oh, and did I mention the Quiet?
Be well,
Tagamet
Apr 4th, 2010 (12:13 pm)Update: Found one Report about Volt in range-extender-mode. At this time (late 2009) the operations characteristic of the range-extender was not optimal yet. Maybe they have to optimize this further until they want test drivers to have the range-extender experience.
Report: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/volt-birth-watch-173-generator-mode-revealed/
+5
Apr 4th, 2010 (12:14 pm)Complicated question. To some extent the answer would be how much Corvettes help sell Malibus. Obviously the “bleed over” from one model to another will vary.
My concern with GM is that they’re concept of the Volt as a halo car is hidebound. Originally marketing consisted of creating and delivering a message to an undistinguished mass of prospective buyers. Then it moved to demographics along factors such as age, sex, and income. Then it moved to niches, whereby individuals became members of a small sub group. (Soccer moms, Caffeine Crazies, etc.). The new insight in marketing is that — duh — people influence each other. This is why you see a lot of attention being paid to product placement and/or Facebook. Essentially marketeers are recognizing that marketing is mostly about social networking. Taken to its logical conclusion, this learning predicts that if you went into a zip code with few Chevy owners, identified the more upscale houses, and parked a Chevy in their driveway, you’d find more and more people in that neighborhood looking at and then buying a Chevy.
The disconnect between what marketing currently understands and what GM is doing with the Volt is simple — production numbers. In order for Volt owners to influence others you have to have Volt owners. Sounds simple, yet by limiting production so severely GM management is missing this ever so obvious point. What people will hear is that their bosses boss bought a Nissan Leaf. They won’t hear that their bosses boss would have preferred a Volt but couldn’t get one and, as a substitute, bought a Leaf.
This entire process is just turning out to be sad. GM comes up with a revolutionary car and then management gets cold feet and tries to tip toe into the marketplace. Won’t work. If you have the greatest car since the Model T you ought to have some faith in the product. But this would assume that management at GM can remotely sense the pulse of America, which it doesn’t seem able to do. Jim and everyone else may be “unanimous in telling the GM reps that we believed they were underestimating the demand for this vehicle,” but at the end of the day all the managment guys can remember is how many HP the new Ford Mustang has. Bob Lutz famously said that people on the Coasts live in their own little worlds. Well I have news for Bob, the Detroit car guys live in their own little world, populated by other car guys, and their little “Detroit” world is a heck of a lot smaller than the West and East Coasts (and everything in between).
Living in the past is not a recipe for success in the future.
Apr 4th, 2010 (12:14 pm)The reports and videos being shared by longtime Volt Nation members are encouraging. With the Volt only a few months away from public sale I hope GM’s marketing team will finally be allowed to share more detailed technical information about the performance and pricing.
When public sales begin in the fall the Volt’s technical features will be evaluated by buyers as well as other auto makers. At this point sharing more answers to technical questions about the car would be welcome by potential consumers and should make little difference since the Volt’s already so close to distribution. Staying optimistic.
Apr 4th, 2010 (12:22 pm)Man, I’m loving these reports. With each one, new small details come to light, and it all really gives me a solid idea of what the car is like before they are finally rolled out. It’s disappointing that the rollout will be a small ramp-up, but in reality, that’s probably a good thing, at least for me. It’ll give me time to save up and pay down my current car, and gives GM time to hammer out all of the gremlins!
I’m really wondering how dealers will handle test drives when Volts finally hit the showrooms. Around here, the salespeople like to take a very short (1 mile at most) jog around a loop behind the dealership. Such a short drive would not even be close to representative of the Volt’s capabilities. Of course, I’m sure many folks will buy “sight-unseen”, but I for one like to really put a car through its paces before I purchase.
Apr 4th, 2010 (12:23 pm)Ah, the triumph of the effective techniques of “New Journalism”! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Journalism
BTW I LOVED the signed T-shirt. That was inspired.
Apr 4th, 2010 (12:33 pm)Thanks, DonC,
So which are you saying? GM knows that there will be huge demand and is too timid to roll large numbers of Volts, or GM is in it’s own little world and isn’t aware of the potential?
Personally (although I don’t LIKE it), I understand the hesitance to roll out huge numbers of possibly problematic vehicles in the first year. This isn’t just a new car, it’s a whole new transportation paradigm. There’s an awful lot of “moving parts” and we *can’t* know what we don’t know, until a fleet of them are on the roads. This is why I was/am so disappointed that they didn’t roll out a pre-production fleet to gather data. If they HAD, they could go full-bore in November.
Maybe it will boil down to whether the competition can blow away the Volt within that first year, and I agree that word of mouth is enormously powerful, but that brings me back to them missing the boat on a demo fleet. We could have already seeded the field.
Be well,
Tagamet
Apr 4th, 2010 (12:52 pm)Wow, I didn’t think that there would be a wiki entry about MOI! I’ve never pretended to have anything other than a “reporting of generally acknowledged subjectivity”. But hey, ain’t we all? (lol).
Along those anecdotal lines, the team really seemed to enjoy the “Rock Star” status of signing the shirt.
This is cut from an email I sent to a close friend after the trip:
It was a good trip and a great Volt ride, but WAY too short (of course). *Naturally* I made the news (see link below)(LOL). It was borderline hysterical at the meeting with the folks and the GM big wigs. Lots of hand-shaking and introductions (and the usual glaze in the eyes when they hear “Geguzis”), but when I’d say “I’m Tagamet” *everyone* (even the VP of GM) said OHHHHH I know you! or I *go* to the site to read your posts! or something else very nice. It turned out that when we were outside getting “driving directions” pre- drive, everyone was in a semi-circle listening, but when the guy started to say it was time for the rides, I BOLTED for the car. Got the first ride (lol). And it was after the TV interview that the reporter asked for id info, I tacked on “I’m Tagamet” and the REPORTER said Ohhhh, I KNOW YOU (lol). So he put that in the article too. Now people on the site are razzing me about being a celebrity. Such is the price of fame, I guess.
Now that’s New Journalism (g).
Be well,
Tagamet
Apr 4th, 2010 (12:54 pm)GM are you listening? I sincerely hope this is not true. I hope that your statements about extremely slow ramp up are deliberately intended to throw off your competition.
Apr 4th, 2010 (1:04 pm)BUT would you feel the same if they put tens of thousands of Volt’s on the road that have to be recalled almost immediately because of some unforeseen problem?
Be well,
Tagamet
Apr 4th, 2010 (1:25 pm)Who’s said that they won’t speed up production once the price is anounce?
Apr 4th, 2010 (1:28 pm)Thank you.
Apr 4th, 2010 (1:37 pm)Something I haven’t seen mentioned in the drive reports was any discussion of the CS mode mileage. When I asked our handler about it during the ride, he said that the testing hadn’t been done yet because “They haven’t decided how to do that, and they need to do it like NOW!” Anyone else hear anything?
Be well,
Tagamet
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (1:42 pm)Definitely the latter and to some extent some of the former. I don’t think GM management has a clue about the potential demand for the Volt and other E-REV vehicles. They like the tried and true. EVs are to ICE vehicles as the iPod was to CD players. You don’t have a history to tell you what demand to expect. You have to guess. If you’re confident you guess. If you’re not you say “we’ll build a few and see what happens.” Bad idea. In this day and age that never works because every day they’re waiting to see what happens they are losing their current edge. If Apple followed this model it would announce the iPad, sell 100,000, and then wait a year or two to see how it worked. By that time there would be way too many competitors with similar competing products. In today’s economy there are huge benefits to being first in class as opposed to second or third (how far ahead is the Prius?), but to be first you have to move. You can’t wait.
But even beyond this GM management is very timid. How else to account for the problem with the Equinox where they are now making bodies at CAMI and shipping them to Oshawa for assembly — not exactly a great way to build a car with minimal defects. They are so worried about the downside that they’re not worried sufficiently about the upside. Both are important. GM has been too worried about the downside for too long. It needs two things if it’s going to really thrive, and one of those things is bolder management (the other is more reliable cars — not better cars, they’re turning out great cars — but they’re working on that).
FWIW I don’t buy the concern about the technology. I’m one of those who believe that the Volt will have some problems. What car doesn’t? But that doesn’t mean you keep production so low. First year maybe. But subsequent years? No way. The Volt won’t have any more problems than any other new car model, and, generally speaking, people willing to pay through the nose for new technology are more forgiving than most. If you think otherwise, you’ll have to explain all the mini-E drivers who are paying $850/month to drive what amounts to an Alpha test vehicle. And they love it!
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (1:48 pm)Wow! What an Easter treat. Many thanks for some more great reviews. My thinking on this whole idea of GM’s plan for the rollout of the Volt is that it is basically impossible to know what the perfect plan should be. There are too many variables. One thing I have felt for a long time is that the electric car is an idea whose time has come. And if that is the case, nothing can stop it from becoming a huge success. And GM has done the most important thing in that regard by coming out with this remarkable car that everyone will love. Its obvious based on the reviews that it will sell itself very quickly. And the reality is that GM is a business that has to be concerned with the bottom line which means they have to sell a lot of cars and most of them will be ICE’s for quite some time. I just hope that the Volt and other electrics will be such a huge success that the time frame for the ICE era is greatly reduced.
+5
Apr 4th, 2010 (1:49 pm)2 days or reading your reviews and the only negative is rear seat legroom. I am hoping the Orlando gets a big green light and our heroes (read ‘Engineers’) at GM will add 4 to 6 inches of wheelbase to the Voltec chassis. That would make it more than a sedan but still less than an suv.
I like the Equinox, but it’s too big for my needs, and a smaller, sportier, ‘cooler-looking’ Orlando would have a bigger audience, I believe.
Apr 4th, 2010 (1:54 pm)#37
And they aren’t really “car guys” as I understand the term.
+2
Apr 4th, 2010 (1:57 pm)I’d also like to make a point about costs. When manufacturing cars it’s all about volume. When a manufacturer goes to a supplier and asks for a quote about pricing the first question from the supplier will be “How many do you plan to order?”. The more you order the less each part costs.
GM is prone to say things like “We don’t want to lose money on this project forever”. But then they say that they don’t want to make many units. Guess what guys, you can’t make money unless you drive the unit costs down, and you can’t drive the unit cost down unless you get the volume up. It’s a chicken and egg problem. And AFAIK GM management is just content to sit on the egg.
GM has gotten a ton of taxpayer money (not sure how much $50B weighs). Don’t you think GM management should remember the Parable of the Talents?
Apr 4th, 2010 (2:08 pm)Once the price is set on the volt the capacity will increase.
Apr 4th, 2010 (2:22 pm)The plant were the volt is being build has the capacity to build 200,000 units. Gm hasn’t even said the price of the Volt yet. Once set I do belive the volume will go up. Gm know’s the demand of this system/car.
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (2:25 pm)ATTN GM SENIOR MANAGEMENT: I want to add my strong endorsement to what DonC, Tagamet, Roy H, Noel Park & others have said above! And one more thing… If your Board, CEO & other members of senior management don’t see Voltec as a “moon shot” —they should!!!.
BTW, Jack Kennedy effectively put a deadline on our NASA moon shot of 12/31/69 in his famous original announcement (…"before the end of the decade"). Werner von Braun and thousands of others in NASA and industry made it happen by putting all our efforts into it and all our "cards on the table" almost 5 months before the deadline on July 20, 1969 on Apollo 11, not by "hedging our bet" or being timid, but by smart, dedicated hard work!
In the 3 years I've followed the Volt's development I've had occasion to meet and talk 1 on 1 with several members of the Volt team face-to-face, including Bob Lutz, Tony Posawatz, Andrew Farah and Bob Boniface. In my considered opinion, after test driving the Volt last week, there are compelling marketing reasons (as DonC and others explain above) to put Hamtramak into full 3-shift Volt production ASAP —and NO reasons NOT too!
Apr 4th, 2010 (2:47 pm)They will .
Apr 4th, 2010 (2:51 pm)OK, if we focus just on this, we can agree! First year, modest output, then crank ‘em out!
And re the mini-e lease people, they simply need to be medicated properly.
Be well,
Tagamet
-1
Apr 4th, 2010 (3:07 pm)Good point. There is obviously a large pent up demand for EVs. And now Leaf, a larger 4 seat EV, will be available for less than 1/2 the price of Mini-E.
The demand ofcourse will depend on price & reviews. Initial reviews are good. If GM wants to be not drowned out by Leaf, they need to price it close to $25K (after rebate) and produce it in large numbers. Already Mitsubishi is saying they will undercut Leaf price – their price will be below $30K before rebates.
Apr 4th, 2010 (3:21 pm)I find it interesting that GM is not allowing journalists driving time once the ICE kicks in. NVH is still an issue I suppose, and we don’t really know if the torque and acceleration are going to be different with the ICE running the generator…. or does the ICE just charge the batteries, which runs the motor? Can’t seem to find the straight story from GM on that.
Apr 4th, 2010 (3:25 pm)Careful Tag. “Mini-e lease people” includes our fearless leader (patron saint, with a small ‘s’) Lyle.
Or does he do his own meds? lol
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (3:27 pm)Volt at the NY autoshow;
I went to the autoshow last night and over to the Volt display. Wish I had my cellphone video running, thought of it too late. The display host, opened the door so I could look inside, looks real nice and refined. Ready for production. The battery pack in the back seat looked alittle too high, but not bad. Two points important points she mentioned. First was in CS mode the Volt will get up to 300 miles per tank. Next, she said, most common question is what is the price. She only replied that since this is a Chevy brand, it will be priced as a Chevy.
The Chevy Cruze was better then I thought it would be. Got to sit inside, comfy for a compact car. They had the three models there.
They had free rides in EV’s in the lower level. Got to go round the lap two times in a Imeiv. It was ok, decent acceleration. Felt alittle like a golf cart with doors.
The Mustangs and Challengers were big hits. Too bad they made the Camaro too tight inside. Still the young kids loved it.
Apr 4th, 2010 (3:27 pm)Like making my morning coffee?
Apr 4th, 2010 (3:32 pm)That’s all right. Tagamet would be the first to tell you, “it was quite quiet!”
Apr 4th, 2010 (3:52 pm)I just watched this video posted on the “other site.”
http://chevrolet.posterous.com/video-the-chevrolet-volt-in-new-york
I just have one question. How come so many of them were allowed to experience CS mode?
Apr 4th, 2010 (3:57 pm)Well, let’s just say that I didn’t type that by “mistake”…(g).
Be well,
Tagamet
Apr 4th, 2010 (4:08 pm)I’ll have to go back and re-read all the reports. Are you sure no one mentioned the coffee maker?
Be well,
Tagamet
Apr 4th, 2010 (4:24 pm)Yes they did find an excellent way in Voltec but they cancelled it (Converj). Sorry…low blow but I couldn’t resist.
+2
Apr 4th, 2010 (4:27 pm)HAPPY EASTER everybody! Haven’t had time to read many posts today what with priorities being today is Easter with church and family and…and….
It looks like everyone did such a great job in interviewing the GM guys there, and had so many excellent observations to take note of. Thanks again guys!
Back to the bunny trail – I wonder if the Easter Bunny plugs in?
RECHARGE! James
IF YOU BUILD THEM THEY WILL COME.
Apr 4th, 2010 (4:31 pm)I asked at the Chevrolet booth during press preview day about CS mode mileage, interstate exit to interstate exit, and was told that the EPA comes up with those figures and GM was waiting to see what the EPA cames up with. Like maybe to say, why should we say it is 50 mpg when according to EPA rules it might come in at 230 mpg.
Apr 4th, 2010 (4:32 pm)Give it some time, and someone in the aftermarket will use high energy density Li-ion batteries to make a really small .33 cu.ft. microwave for your coffee and sandwich at lunch, if they have not already done so.
(My current work truck has a 36 watt solar panel on the roof that feeds a separate 40ah 12 volt battery system, which, in turn runs a pure sine inverter to print diagnostic printouts off of an HP “All in One”. It also will provide enough power to keep my lunch cool with a 12 volt thermoelectric cooler in the purgatory Summers down here.)
(You can’t plug any thermoelectric cooler directly into any vehicle 12 volt power port nowadays without interfering with the PCM communications, due to the interfering harmonics they produce.)
Apr 4th, 2010 (4:35 pm)GM has been very clear on this point. The ICE will not be used to charge the battery per se. Its primary function is to provide direct power to the electric motor as required. In some situations where under hard acceleration the electric motor uses up a little more than the ICE can provide, extra power will be drawn from the battery bringing it below 30%, the ICE generator will then charge the battery back up to 30% at next opportunity.
I don’t understand the focus on CS mode. It will be more similar to your standard ICE in terms of noise vibration and harshness. So what is the big deal? It is the All Electric mode that will impress everyone. I am confused about the statement about how to test CS mileage. Just put the Volt through the standard EPA mileage tests entirely in CS mode, that is start with a depleted battery, whats so hard about that? What other valid metric could be used?
Apr 4th, 2010 (4:38 pm)Yep, that’s what they pretty much told me at the drive. And they seemed VERY impatient for the EPA to get it DONE.
Be well,
Tagamet
Apr 4th, 2010 (4:47 pm)Wasn’t it in one of these posts that somone said that the EPA had been known to change the rules mid stream to suit it’s fancy? (what ever that might be) Like take an unfair advantage away from some completely new technology?
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (4:56 pm)Whose razzing you, Uber-celebrity-stud-Tagamet? I’m gonna kick their…
Apr 4th, 2010 (5:03 pm)You have a good point there, but I don’t think it has been used against new technology, but has been used to give fictitious mpge figures for battery operation. I believe it has been removed but they actually had a X10 factor “to promote hybrids”. I had complained to Tesla about this as original EPA tests gave over 400 miles/gallon equivalent, Tesla responded with “it wasn’t us” but removed those claims and publish range in stead of mpge.
+3
Apr 4th, 2010 (5:10 pm)Thank you again to everyone for these awesome reviews – the next best thing to being able to drive one ourselves.
DonC I think you really nailed what alot of us have thought here. I believe GM’s first year target 10k Volts and the 2nd year is 50k (right?) Volts are good (I believe Nissan will have low numbers in 2011 as well).
I also am guessing that GM’s plan (that we’ve heard about) didn’t account for what Nissan is doing and probably planned on being the leader in the market at 50k Volt’s a year (since nobody else besides the previously unknown Nissan plan appear to be out there) through 2015 or later and then they could crank up true production numbers (if they so chose) on a later generation as they made things significantly cheaper (even at 50k Volts a year those first 5 years or so). They appeared to be ready to put bigger numbers out there, but seemed to imply that would be 5-10 years later in subsequent generations than what Nissan has now made reality.
Nissan’s management seems intent on changing the world (their management apparently know what they have in their hands and are going to use it) and want to take the position in that market comparable to the Prius in the hybrid market (i.e. ~80% market-share for a long time). Nissan will probably not make a lot of money in this market for alot of years, but after 5 years or whatever when things are profitable they will own that market (if GM stays at 50k Volts a year) as Toyota does and make alot of money, nobody else will have scale and won’t be very profitable (like the hybrid market now) – this is also the future growth market (electric), there just isn’t much beyond that in the foreseeable future.
Its time for GM execs to decide what they want to do with the Volt (did they learn the Prius lesson or just the Ford Hybrid PR lesson – i.e. make enough to look good, but not be serious about producing to demand and trying to make money there). If they see the Volt as a PR car, 50k will be what they build in 2013 and probably thereafter for several years – Nissan will own the Electric market as Toyota does the Hybrid market and GM management will be derided in history for blowing what they had in their hands again (EV1, Saturn, NUMMI plant lessons are a few examples).
I want GM execs to pick up the gauntlet that Nissan has thrown down (GM is the only one that can, everyone has blown the chance already, at least for the next 5 years) and tell us they plan on moving to 200,000 a year in 2013 as long as demand grows as anticipated – and start planning, now, the capacity for battery production they’ll need (it is the long pole in the tent) as well additional factories for further production increases thereafter – remember Nissan is targeting 500,000 a year (their US factory will have 150,000 a year capacity itself in addition to the Japanese one and European one). I also want GM management to move forward with the Cadillac Converj or similar Voltec vehicle as this will signify they are trying to scale Voltec component production (that excuse for Converj not moving forward was ridiculous – Nissan is moving forward with a Leaf based Infiniti) and I want them to say they will put out an EV Volt or some other designed from the ground up EV (not a E-Focus like Ford is cobbling together) so they can offer consumers both parts of the Electric marketplace. Do that GM and you will own the future.
The fact that current GM execs have had a bit of a deer in the headlights reaction to Nissan news, while the execs who had the vision to bring along the Volt are no longer at GM, the Converj was killed even though it was slated for 2014 initial target, that nothing beyond 50k Volts a year is talked about and that Lutz is retiring before the first Volt will be delivered later this year after he was called back – these are all bad signs and hint at new execs that don’t get it and don’t want to hear it. The fact that Whittacre is the former CEO of AT&T, and wasn’t around to learn the Prius lesson or the EV1 lesson or the Saturn lesson – and that they won’t say they could go to 200,000 a year in 2013 or 2014 (you have to plan the battery production early to do this) are just not good signs.
GM can do this, but it takes vision and their new management hasn’t shown much of that (its starting to remind me of stuff we were hearing from GM management when the EV1 came out – statements regarding demand even though there were waiting lists and they had eliminated production tooling before production – its used development tooling because if was far cheaper but doesn’t last very long). C’mon GM, this is your future, we need you to come through on this opportunity you have in your hands this time – and it looks like your not setting yourself up to do that.
Apr 4th, 2010 (5:11 pm)Hight to low 20′s in price.
Apr 4th, 2010 (5:29 pm)And increase in capacity.
Apr 4th, 2010 (5:54 pm)That seems pretty much in line with what DonC is saying and many others have been saying (me included). I would only add that GM’s window of opportunity today is much different than it would have been 20 years ago. The design and production environment is much, much faster today and many companies/countries have no compunction about ripping your product apart to copy it nut for nut. GM must have vision and commitment to Voltec. Without this, they won’t make the decisions today that will lead to other Voltec models and more production in 2013.
10K 2011 model year fine, 50K 2012 model year OK, 2013?
GM’s only opportunity to thrive in a competitive global EV market is through consistant innovation and scale.
Apr 4th, 2010 (6:32 pm)My screen name on websites has always been Jackson (and now you know why); when Lyle put up Gravatars, I picked a picture of President Jackson (from the $20 bill).
When Lyle was unable to convince his new site software that I wasn’t a spammer, I needed another presidential name to tide me over; that’s how we all got stuck with “Zachary Taylor.”
Alert viewers of my video may have noted that I do not, in fact, resemble a dead president; so those preferring something easier on the eyes may like this video of a young woman doing her test drive (she was the “camera person” for my video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsEqX_fAzvY
Another factor to consider in the expansion-joint-noise debate is the cheapness of my digital camera. The tiny microphone wasn’t really designed to do much more than pick up the voice of someone speaking right in front of (or behind) the camera. I didn’t find the noise to be as noticeable in person.
For the record, I am so far the only contest winner who is capable of obeying directions; though I had a much longer piece the above was whittled down to exactly 400 words.
Apr 4th, 2010 (6:43 pm)After reading the first few reviews of the Volt demo drives. It’s obvious that demand for the Volt will be high. One GM employee acknowledges this and stated, “Demand initially wildly popular”.
Why would popularity decline?
GM will have 60k Volt available to buy through the end of 2011. These will sell out via pre-order. About June 2011 BYD will enter the game with their EREV crossover. The consumer will want a Volt but will have no supply. BYD will advertise the strong points of their EREV vehicle. These may include: overall range, initial cost, and multi-use capability.
The consumer will not be enthusiastic about buying Chinese. But, as with Hyundai and Kia, will be willing to take the plunge at a low initial cost. Warren Buffet realizes this scenario playing out and will take a significant loss (at first) in order to establish a foothold in “his” market.
GM will schedule an EREV ramp up in 2012 and be faced with having a product which is priced over market tolerance. The sales rate of common 6 cylinder gasoline vehicles will slow. The sales rate of any vehicle achieving less than 30mpg will slow. Further dragging on the bottom line at GM.
=D-Volt
Apr 4th, 2010 (6:47 pm)… and apparently, to get a post by yourself you have to be ‘spatial.’
Apr 4th, 2010 (6:52 pm)Robert (our other mini-e driver) told us that a lease-extension will be offered past the initial 1 year.
Apr 4th, 2010 (6:57 pm)Thanks again to all the test drivers for their inspiring reviews!
Regarding all the hush by GM, I’m sure some of this is their need to protect sensitive information, as they are now getting close to launch and entering a competitive marketplace. It was interesting to hear about the heat pump, however.
But it seems that there are many more “surprises” that we can expect as we get closer to November. Here is a quote from Andrew Farah from an interview about 6 months ago:
And is there anything else about the Volt you think people should know?
You know, it’s interesting, whenever somebody asks me that question a thousand things pop into my mind! I guess the important thing is; there are still surprises coming with the Volt. While we’ve been very upfront and public about what it is, what we’re doing and what’s going on, there’s still a number of product surprises that probably aren’t well-known and aren’t gonna be until the vehicle actually comes out. Because even though everyone knows they get presents on Christmas, you don’t really want to know everything that’s in the package, now do you?
http://www.askmen.com/cars/car_tips_150/174_andrew-farah-auto-interview.html
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:00 pm)As the plane bounced down through turbulent cloud, water streaming off the wings, I recalled the words of Paul Harvey:
“…Who will be first to drive an electric car …
(They’re coming, you know)…
…Who will be first to drive an electric car …
…through…
… a car wash.”
Nothing was visible through the mist until the plane dropped to around 100 feet, just short of the runway.
“At least we’ll know how the Volt handles in the rain,” I thought.
It took all of the 90+ minutes I had to reach Pier 92 by 10:00am. The cab spent most of it’s time stopped in traffic.
Pier 29 is located just down from the museum aircraft carrier “Intrepid,” and across the street from the picturesque “Hustler Club” (a fact it took most of us awhile to notice). The Pier building has been set up to double as a convention hall, and visitors were greeted at the entrance by a Chevy Cruze in racing colors.
I was greeted, checked off of a list, and given a release to sign; soon I was ushered into an area with tables, two more Cruzes, and a show mockup and cut-away chassis of the Volt.
I was disappointed not to find more of the gm-volt folks, I was told by JimI that Tagamet had already come and gone. Robert had come from New Jersey (the closest member present), and Nasaman was unmistakable with a name tag. There were also some City of New York employees, and perhaps another group …
… excerpt from my original thesis, which I called “the frustrated novelist version.”
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:02 pm)Awesome. Love these test drive videos. It would be nice if GM let Lyle (or somebody) drive it around for a longer period of time. On a big long test track and a little on regular streets. I’d like to put Lyle behind the wheel driving with just a cameraman in the back seat with a good microphone so you can get a good feel for the driving experience.
Lyle could talk about a couple of things and then just drive without talking for a minute. Then mention another feature or whatever, then drive a minute, etc. The cameraman could focus on a few different things inside the car while he drives, etc.
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:10 pm)Not to worry, groupie friend. I already shot out their porch lights.
Backstage pass for you! (Nice that you mentioned “stud”)
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:11 pm)Bob Boniface did tells us that the number (true CS-mode mpg without taking into account the battery range) was a good one.
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:13 pm)Thanks to all for 3 more great reviews. The consistent comments in the reviews leaves one thinking there must be some truth to it
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:22 pm)Anybody know who this is? He was at Pier 92 with a professional-looking video production team.
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:30 pm)Not to dredge up some of the sordid past but were any of you testers…umm…how shall I say this…uninspired when the production intent design was released?
If so, it would be interesting to here your perspective as it relates to the design now that you’ve experienced it in person. I know we’ve all read a lot of positive comments in these reviews and others but a healthy skeptical opinion in this area would be interesting.
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:32 pm)… no one ever hears him coming at night to hide the eggs, do they?
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:32 pm)For the record, you deserve a TON of credit getting the word count down to 400! And I mean a TON of credit. That was my third edition, and if I’d cut the paragraph about quality questions, I’d have gotten into the correct “hundred”, but what I submitted was 587 words (and STILL far too short to say what I wanted. I even toyed with the idea of asking to be able to post in two parts (I didn’t know that others were going to post the same day), but now I’m glad to just discuss it in the forum. Again, great job! What discipline!
Oh, and I had already viewed the drive with that cutie. No commitment ring on the left hand either…. (Michael, Shush)
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:38 pm)Absolutely true. I was thinking more of a dead mail carrier look….
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:41 pm)I agree with the spirit of what you’re saying, but there are a few more small negatives. The front left windshield pillar does obstruct the view to the driver’s left enough that you have to deliberately move your head to see around it. The electric plug receptacle is low and small. And, we still know little about travel at hghiway speed or in CS mode.
In the larger scheme of things, these are small issues in comparison to the great features of an exciting car.
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:44 pm)OK, confusion reigns yet again (mine, not yours). It’s going to be “wildly popular” but in two years, it’s priced over market tolerance? Why? Because of a Walmart crossover? Color me lost.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:49 pm)The Pier 92 photos and videos invoke images of the 1971 American classic crime film “The French Connection”. Detectives “Popeye” Doyle and Buddy Russo conduct an undercover stakeout out of their precinct in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, with Doyle dressed as Santa Claus and Russo pretending to be a hot dog stand vendor. After seeing a drug transaction take place in the bar, Russo goes in to make an arrest and the suspect they are waiting for makes a break for it with the detectives pursuing him on foot. After catching up with their suspect and delivering a severe beating after the suspect cuts Russo on the arm with a knife, the detectives aggressively interrogate the man and eventually force him to reveal where his “connection” is based.
Loads of fun watching the Volt videos and seeing the NY Pier 92 VNT photos. Will only get better from here.
=D-Volt
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:52 pm)A fresh idea? We know that between now and Nov. that several thousand volts could be made. How about those cars all get shipped to dealerships ASAP, not for sale, but as demonstrators. I would think that test drives could be “sold” by renting the demo cars under special rules. They could even allow free test drives around the block, and one or two day drives would be handled as car rentals. The rental rates could be set based on expected demand. If the demand goes through the roof, just raise the rates.
I suspect that enough cars could be shipped so that dealerships over the whole country could participate. Recalls and quality problems are under control because the cars are held by dealerships. If the cars are held for a year, they can be sold as “demonstrators” at used car prices, yet another way to get more cars into the hands of people who might be sitting on the fence due to price.
This is a very different kind of “Project Driveway” that lets a lot more people participate.
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:52 pm)I can honestly say that the only thing about the test drive that was “uninspiring” was the acceleration. But when I consider how the ICE car I drove to NY changes with three passengers, even that might change, if given the chance to drive a Volt by myself. Sorry, but that’s about as negative as I can be.
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:54 pm)FWIW, one of the gm people told me the reason that we (Lyle’s group) and others didn’t get to drive in CS mode was that “everyone” wanted to drive in electric mode and they had lots of groups in rapid succession. To get to CS mode one has to discharge the battery out of electric mode, and then that would require a delay for them to recharge, and they didn’t want to wait. (The person said further that even in CS mode one spent a lot of time driving in electric mode, because the car switched back and forth, so it wouldn’t be a “pure” CS mode.)
I’m not sure if I buy all that or not, but it seemed a reasonable comment at the time.
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (7:58 pm)A GM representative stated “although it will be wildly popular at first…”.
This was his comment in defense of the low production roll out of the Volt. What I am saying is that GM really does have a window of opportunity here. By producing just enough to meet pre-order. The invitation is delivered for a less wanted (but lower priced) competitor to gain a strong percent of market share. Not saying this is good or bad. Just saying this is how it is.
From what I have seen in print from the GM representatives. They are not only okay with this. They expect it and will answer with 10-15 mile plug in sedans.
Trying to reason the “why” in this equation. Why not get the EREV Camaro rolling? And the EREV Equinox? Dominate and destroy the competition before their roots and support systems can grow.
=D-Volt
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:00 pm)I just wanted to point out that she was really good at blowing through stop signs as well. (I guess if you live in New York and don’t drive there, maybe you don’t know what a STOP sign is.
) I think Jason (Harrier1970) may be the only one to ask about the signs and follow directions.
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:01 pm)Or “Stellar” (and prompt with submissions methinks).
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
+2
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:12 pm)My 18 year old son is here with me. He just said, “Chevy! Plug-in power! No gas!”. He also said, “Electric Police car”. I asked him if I should buy an electric car next time. He replied with a simple, “Yes”. Like his ideas GM?
=D-Volt
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:12 pm)So I was one of the drivers and also a person who has repeatedly posted negatively about the transition and about Mr Boniface’s failures in going that way. Perhaps for this reason, Mr Boniface seemed a little startled when he met me and learned who I was.
Now having now seen the actual car, I continue to think that overall it looks too much like the Cruze to be readily distinguished in people’s minds. (I like Cruze but see it as in a different league). However, I was wrong in saying that the production Volt is not distinctive. It is distinctive when seen from the back, especially from a view that is offset (as if in another lane). The width and edges give it a muscular feel, and everything comes together in a polished way. I think it looks stronger and better than the Camero, for example.
When see from the front or sides, Volt has a much less distinctive appearance, but it looks polished and gave me a good impression.
Mr Boniface did point out to me that car designers had to keep in mind that, according to him, 71% of all car-buying decisions are made by females rather than males. That is, half are simply purchased by females for themselves, and of the other half, many men will not complete a purchase without their woman’s approval.
Back on Volt, look at the real car from the back, offset, before coming to a final decision.
+2
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:28 pm)About GM’s lack of confidence on high demand. I suspect that people in the Volt program all believe that the demand will be high. But people that make decisions on plant allocations and marketing are probably not “in the Volt program”. People in the Volt program are probably true believers like many of us. They are probably not objective (I’m not any more myself) and “are not to be trusted” by those trusted with marshaling the billions of dollars needed to change the face of GM.
I just hope that GM is nimble enough to ramp up production from 60,000 to 200,000 in time to not let other companies steal their thunder.
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:32 pm)I think that’s the old equation: More Mindshare = More Sales. But as I think you’re pointing out, you don’t get more mindshare unless you produce more stinkin cars. Unless of course GM wants your son saying: “Chevy! Plug-in power! No dealer has one! Time to look at a Nissan!”.
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:33 pm)I’d totally agree with this *if* a company has an edge financially and has a great product reputation to fall back on (if things go sour) – like the Toyota Prius. They had good will and a great bankroll to fall back on. I believe in my heart that GM can *get* there. I’m not as sure that they are there yet. JMO.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
+3
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:37 pm)I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to drive an Volt in Austin, TX at SXSW. I’ve had BMWs, Lexus’s, Alfas, Volvos, Fords and many other cars so I have a wide variety of experiences to compare to. I was impressed with the Volt. Even the prototype was well designed, had a solid feel, and was responsive in sport mode. As long as there are no major reliability or safety problems, I believe GM will sell at least as many as Toyota sells Prius. GM and the Volt team deserve a lot of credit for their vision and hard work in bringing the Volt to market.
Apr 4th, 2010 (8:49 pm)I noticed that too – especially going up those steep ramps with a sharp left twist. The other negative thing I noted was that the “pedestrian warning” sounded exactly like a, well, it sounded like a horn. (lol).
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Apr 4th, 2010 (9:00 pm)Two out of 3 of my group stopped at the stop sign. Only Mr. Rolex blew through it.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Apr 4th, 2010 (9:09 pm)I don’t want to beat this subject to death but… As you readers know I am one who feels that GM should take advantage of their extensive testing, have faith that this testing which includes 100s of cars will have caught all major bugs and aim for much higher initial production. But just what is that?
I read 10000 for first year, clearly Dave’s idea of first year is different from mine. A product year to me is introduction in fall and produced till summer shut-down so 10000 till August 2011, 50k or 60k for Sept 2011 to Aug 2012. Also it has been suggested that Nissan will do no better in the next two years, it that true?
-1
Apr 4th, 2010 (9:41 pm)Thank you Nissan!!!
http://evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=23128
What will GM do now???
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (9:50 pm)More exciting news! I hope GM can sell it at a good price for the consumer but I know it will be hard to justify selling the car for a substantial loss. Maybe they can just eat it the first few years until the cheaper-to-manufacture next version comes out and then recoup their losses.
Apr 4th, 2010 (10:03 pm)I think your about right regarding Nissan’s production but they have already started implementing plans to ramp up production significantly the year after that. GM’s plan, if what they have divulged is complete, is max production of 60k for the foreseeable future. Beyond that, they gave a weak “we will strive to meet demand” comment. Hopefully they have a more thoughout plan to quickly demand once the Vokt is release and they start implementing it soon afterward if they are pleased. Unfortunately, all the signals (and some pretty direct comments) point to a belief that the tech is just too expensive for high production now. They will capatilize on the early adopters and suck in as much halo effect as they can untill something in the cost dynamics change.
+3
Apr 4th, 2010 (10:04 pm)GM should not and I believe will not sell the Volt at a loss. They must make some profit or they never will move production quantities up, and the Volt would be relegated to a halo car.
+1
Apr 4th, 2010 (10:23 pm)Thanks RB. That’s exactly the feedback I was looking for. I was never really bothered by the design change on a personal level, but I was concerned about market demand. The numerous and vocal complaints had me worried GM was losing too much potential market with the design changes. Your unvarnished assessment restores more confidence that the Volt will have more universal appeal than just a better eco/patriotic statement.
To me the market for a $37,499 Volt is clearly: Prius, Lexus, Acura, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and Infinity buyers. Those that want some combo of least gas, new tech, performance, uniqueness, ride quality, and fit/finish quality.
GM this is a BIG market! These drivers, with the exception of a minority portion of the Prius buyers, have already shown they are willing to pay $30k for cars that couldn’t scratch as much of their itch as the Volt will.
Apr 4th, 2010 (10:49 pm)It wouldn’t be 60,000 units in future. It will be more, what for the price.
Apr 5th, 2010 (12:08 am)Price in the mid 20′s and increase capacity.
+1
Apr 5th, 2010 (12:23 am)======================
When I started my report, I really tried to keep it to the requested 400 words, but it was simply impossible to relay what I wanted to say and keep it so short….. Actually, I could have gone on quite a bit more about the conversation with Bob Boniface. Then I figured that if Lyle was not happy, he would just send back my e-mail!!!!
IMHO, it would take about a week to really give this car a test of all of the features and functions. You could probably spend a full day just playing with all the displays. If anyone at GM is reading this, would like me to give the car a complete test, you have my business card! Sorry, I just could not resist the temptation of a shameless attempt to get another test drive.
Apr 5th, 2010 (1:36 am)Problem with the brakes?
Apr 5th, 2010 (1:53 am)Ohhhh… don’t tell me the EPA will do anything against the Volt. It will do more for the environment that just about any new product out there. I will become a pain the butt to my reps if the EPA goes anywhere near there.
Apr 5th, 2010 (4:19 am)That is unavoidable with the new rollover safety standards… the A pillars in new cars have to be very strong.. and intrusive.
+1
Apr 5th, 2010 (4:37 am)The Ford Hybrid lesson may prove painful for GM if they cannot meet market demand due to lack of parts. At least they are building their own motors and battery packs but no commitment to making cells. Nissan is making their own batteries. I believe the Korean battery manufacturers will give preference to their compatriots and so will the Japanese manufacturers when the EV demand really takes off. It will take off, even today the $25k Versa is competitive with $12k econoboxes once long term gas savings are taken into account.
A possible way around this is to make the Volt battery-chemistry agnostic.. make the battery management system capable of using any battery available that will physically fit inside.. have different competing cell suppliers used in any given model year Volt. Lets say for the 2013 Volt, 40% will use LG cells and 60% use NEC cells.. if they compete against each other then perhaps for the 2014 Volt the percentages can change. Dont wed yourself to one supplier.
Apr 5th, 2010 (8:53 am)GREAT reporting all… I am so jealous I can hardly stand it. Not to mention
I WANT ONE…
Apr 5th, 2010 (9:20 am)What great perspectives! I have to say Tagamet’s perspective was a very good read! How well written.
I think you should have an auction for the t-shirt…to benefit a charity of your choice!
thanks again to all for the great information!
Apr 5th, 2010 (9:46 am)Great reports, all of you! Very glad that it seems any negatives are small and subjective. The general bottom line I’m reading is the Volt was very well done. Excellent!
Cherish the shirt Tag!
+1
Apr 5th, 2010 (10:32 am)Think Toyota.
“Once you start driving a Toyota, you can’t stop!
Apr 5th, 2010 (12:36 pm)The GM employee riding along said that the fuel system is completely sealed and pressurized rather than using an evaporative collection system like most cars.
Good news. I just wish that the refuel stations would be pushed into using sealed connections for refueling cars.
Apr 5th, 2010 (1:10 pm)I suspect that noise heard in the recordings from the speed bumps (the thump/bump sound) will be louder in the recordings than they are to our ears. Why? Because the video camera is resting on the dash or console, hence receiving chassis sounds much like “bone conduction.” So the camera will record what we would hear if we laid an ear on the dash or console.
Apr 5th, 2010 (4:32 pm)Thanks for pointing us to this video report which includes reports about the range extender operation. This answers my question in Post 11 and shows that the engineering teams have done their homework since the suboptimal experience referred to in Post 36.
Seems that GM will get a hit on the road with the Volt. Hope they hit the Mega Volt threshold in less than 10 years.
The European incarnation of the Volt will be the Opel Ampera and I can’t wait to test drive one here in good old Germany.
Apr 5th, 2010 (4:58 pm)That is what GM is doing. They have taken the right approach IMHO to not make batteries, but only the pack. The battery business is moving too rapidly, new chemistries are on the way, it is best to keep flexible and be able to buy from anyone at this point. I have frequently expressed my opinion that GM should ramp up faster, but in fact I take the actions of building their own motor, controller, and battery pack as proof that this is not just a PR campaign. They can put in other supplier’s batteries and modify the control algorithm to suit.
Apr 5th, 2010 (8:11 pm)It’s been a long time since I rented a EV1 in LA…. we’re finally here. Next year will even be better… and in 4 or 5 years… who knows.. Hydrogen fuel cells fueled from hydrogen produced from rooftop solar cell electric.
+1
Apr 6th, 2010 (3:08 pm)As I watch the videos I notice that the shifter isn’t as ridiculously large as it sometimes seemed in the promo photos (when stowed in Park). I walked past a new Mustang at lunch and its shifter is huge in comparison. However I can understand the concern about possible pinches when going back to Park.
I kind of hope the speedometer can be switched between digital and analog. I don’t do a lot of freeway driving, but I think I’m the kind of person who would go nuts trying to keep it exactly at my chosen speed. I suppose it’s just the engineer in me.
I also was hoping the pedestrian warning horn would sound more like a bird chirping (or similar), and less like a, well, horn. If it sounds too much like a regular horn people may take it as, “Get out of my way, stupid!”, instead of as a friendly alert.