GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Electric Car Site

Since last year Fox News pundit Neil Cavuto has seemingly made it his mission to kill the Volt in the cradle, but recently he contrived an attempt to give a Volt owner a fair audience.

Of course “fair” is a qualified term these days. As you can see in the video, Cavuto asks whether the Volt has a floor or you push it with your feet like Fred Flintstone. He asks whether back seat passengers are like Gumby in order to be contorted to limited space.

He admits he is only teasing, but he unashamedly uses his platform to push his unique biases and we have to wonder how anyone in his position can be so one-sided.

Volt owner Eric Rotbard does a good job of answering, and we credit him for keeping his cool as Cavuto makes snarky remarks while suppressing smiles at his self-perceived cleverness.

Rotbard does his best to answer in a more straightforward manner. He mentions he gets over 200 mpg routinely, and in response to Cavuto’s asking why he did not buy a hybrid, Rotbard says on a 160 mile trip his Volt made a Prius-beating 60-plus mpg.

Cavuto says Rotbard looks like someone who has lots of bucks implicitly suggesting he is part of the socioeconomic upper percentile – though certainly Cavuto is not likely impoverished either.

At the end, without having convinced Cavuto, Rotbard says it was “an honor” to be on the show. Some might say this is being too kind and humble, but it does not matter because his testimonial speaks for itself in defense of the Volt to a known hater.

Cavuto has said that the Volt is “a piece of crap” and other poison-laden statements that go so far beyond the pale of what a journalist is supposed to do.

Actually, Cavuto needs someone to refute him more assertively with more facts.

These would include facts like what Kiplinger demonstrated: In five years the total cost to own a Volt was only $1,600 more than an economical Chevrolet Cruze which cost $19,000 less.

Or facts like a Volt can get many hundreds of miles per gallon to over 1,000 mpg, all while using domestically produced energy that costs and pollutes far less than the often-times imported petroleum other vehicles require.

Or facts like GM has over engineered its powertrain, and while it has yet to be proven because it’s still brand new, the Volt may be able to go 600,000 miles before needing an overhaul.

Or facts like the purported Flintstone-mobile has 10 million lines of computer code, and is one of the most sophisticated vehicles ever produced.

Or facts like the Volt represents emerging “disruptive” technology that was deliberately rolled out in just seven states in limited numbers, so of course sales have not been high yet.

Many people do not even know General Motors makes an electric car, and it is well documented that consumer understanding and tastes do not change overnight.

But Cavuto routinely attempts to trip the Volt out of the gate. He says the Volt will be popular with people in the White House thus using the Volt as a whipping boy to make sarcastic criticism of the political issues that obviously drive him.

At other times he has said he cannot abide by any vehicle “with a plug,” and objects to the federal government’s various initiatives to help subsidize, save or augment the automotive industry, American market, and more.

His points are understood, but regarding his Volt reporting tactics, we are calling Cavuto a “pundit,” which in our estimation is a downgrade from being respected as a legitimate journalist.

On behalf of journalists with higher integrity still trying to do honorable work, I apologize for what is being passed off by Cavuto as reporting.

I know many people do not know what to think listening to those whose job it is to inform. I often hear criticism of the media, and sad to say, there is truth to it, but this unnecessary phenomenon is really only a symptom of those who are ethically challenged.

When I got my BA in journalism, my professors had thoroughly ground into me that while absolute objectivity is impossible, there are time-proven methods to do a very good job at presenting a story.

Americans have been given a nearly sacred trust by the First Amendment to be free to share views. While what one defines as “acceptable” is wide open to debate, for those in the business of disseminating information to the public, the intellectually honest high road has been well mapped out.

Despite Fox News tipping its hat to this basic teaching and saying it is “Fair & Balanced,” Cavuto’s treatment of the Volt is a mockery to the profession. Being fair and balanced should mean one stays neutral and does not work from preconceived feelings attempting to shape the story to prove one’s points.

In contrast, Cavuto uses sarcasm, passive aggression, emotionally laden comments, and his personal charisma (as seen by his supporters) to sway viewers to his very well documented personal perspective.

What he is doing is actually part of a broader trend in the media, a departure into unknown territory where objectivity and truth may or may not be adhered to, and personal bias is accepted as good.

Unfortunately there are audiences for such tactics. The responsibility does not rest only on the media which would not do it unless it was enabled by information consumers.

Some info consumers can be just as biased as those turning out the diatribes and news of questionable objectivity. These are the ones who gravitate to the pundits, screed artists, etc., who can churn out a subjective blend of information viewed as true or compelling.

In my view it is part of a problematic state of affairs in an increasingly divisive society in which various ideological camps are so at odds with others that they have jumped onto a slippery slope whereby they believe the ends justify the means.

Such people fail to understand that “two wrongs do not make a right,” and apparently do not realize these kinds of attitudes may well be precursors to more divisiveness and failure in a nation where it has been said, “united we stand, divided we fall.”

But this is what we have: An info market created by people who either make their living by, or enjoy having their ears tickled by the decrying of other peoples’ perceived lack of accountability, while really being no more than “the pot calling the kettle black.”

This said, Cavuto has a right to say what he does about the Volt. He has the right to be wrong.

GM is drumming up interest for its American-manufactured automotive electric motors including the powerful permanent magnet design for the pending 2013 Spark EV.

The advantages offered by electrification will be incorporated into a number of vehicles, GM said, and the Spark EV with a motor built in White Marsh, Md. will help showcase how potent EV power can be by offering 37-percent more horsepower than the internal-combustion version.

The Korean-made, gasoline-powered 2013 Spark will make use of a tiny 1.2-liter four-cylinder with 83 horsepower and approximately 80 pound-feet of torque. In contrast, the electric car will kick out 85 kilowatts (114 horsepower) and instant torque – GM is not divulging the torque figure, but it is sure to be sufficient.

GM has said its first battery electric car since the EV1 really scoots, and is presently validating and testing equipment and processes at its Wixom, Mich. facility that will be used at White Marsh when production begins in late 2012.

The company’s announcement of domestic motor assembly is in line with its push toward in-sourcing from its U.S. plants instead of only outsourcing as some observers have otherwise decried of American manufacturing trends.

“We’ve spent the past few years highlighting our in-house battery capability, which will play a significant role as one of our core competencies going forward,” said Larry Nitz, GM executive director of Vehicle Electrification Engineering. “Electric motor development and manufacturing is another area of expertise we’ll need as we expand vehicle electrification technologies to address the needs of our customers around the world.”

This news about the motor also adds credibility to the speculation that the limited-production Spark EV could be at least partially assembled in the U.S.

Already known is the Spark EV’s Michigan-made A123 batteries will be mated to the White Marsh-produced motors.

So, would it make sense for GM to build electric powertrain components in the U.S., then ship them to Korea only to re-import the vehicle back to America? Keep in mind also that refrigerated shipping of batteries which are considered hazardous materials is anything but inexpensive.

While the company is yet holding out on this question, it did recently invite members of the media to tour its Wixom facility to see how progress is going with development of permanent magnet and induction motors.

These will be used for more than just traction motors, as conventionally powered vehicles require a variety of electric motors to power seats, windows, windshield washers and other uses.

But motors for propulsion will also be part of the mix. While sharing a bit more about the Spark, GM said “other future vehicles” will be equipped with White Marsh traction motors.

One could surmise these will be for plug-in vehicles, but GM also noted that it uses electric motors as part of the propulsion system in nine of its vehicles.

GM vehicles using electricity as go-power are: the Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Malibu Eco, Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, Buick Lacrosse eAssist, Buick Regal eAssist, GMC Sierra Hybrid, GMC Yukon and Yukon Denali Hybrid, and Cadillac Escalade Hybrid.

GM

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Web Chat Today

The Chevrolet Volt team will be hosting another Web chat at 3 p.m. EDT. Lindsay Brooke, senior editor for the SAE’s Automotive Engineering International magazine and GM’s Chief Engineer for Electric Motors Pete Savagian will answer questions about the Volt and electric vehicles.

While we have yet to hear of a Volt SS or revised Z-Spec Volt, news from the internally combusted side of Chevrolet’s offerings could be interpreted as a positive portent of change heading in that direction.

This year’s Specialty Equipment Marketers Association (SEMA) show marks a departure from previous years of GM’s focusing on modified gas-guzzling models, and it is instead featuring 31 tricked-out small cars, including 21 Sonics and 10 Cruzes.

“The heritage of Chevrolet cars like the Corvette and Camaro is being expressed in smaller packages for the next generation,” said Chris Perry, vice president, global marketing and strategy for Chevrolet. “The Sonic and Cruze concepts demonstrate that performance comes in all shapes, sizes and displacements at Chevrolet.”

The SEMA event will be held Nov. 1-4 in Las Vegas and is unique in that it is open only to manufacturers and aftermarket specialists. The idea is to show their talents, see what everyone else is up to, get inspiration, ideas and create positive energy for the aftermarket and dealer add-on business of selling interior, exterior and performance parts.

According to Cristi Landy, director of small cars for Chevrolet, the Z-Spec series is Chevrolet’s most desirable modification package for its Sonic and Cruze, and they will feature ground effects, paneling, wheels, rear spoilers and grilles.

The Z-Spec lineup was introduced last year at SEMA, and Landy told Automotive News this year enthusiasts can expect the lineup to be sportier and a step closer to production – possibly for 2013 model year vehicles.

“The nice thing with accessories is customers can come back to their dealer,” Landy said. “They’re important to generate excitement around vehicles and for people to get excited to come to the dealer.”

Larger GM cars and trucks will also be at the event, but the emphasis on small cars could be evidence that winds for the American enthusiast scene are further shifting toward economical choices.

All this year Chevrolet has reported its more frugal models have led its sales comeback, and featuring small cars at SEMA is at least a step in the right direction.

The pending Spark and Sonic are being targeted for the youngest drivers who will form opinions of what is cool, and they represent the future generation of Americans.

These same car-loving drivers will mature in their tastes, and will in coming years be in a better position to embrace EVs and plug-in cars – probably more so than many of today’s consumers who are still on the fence.

GM knows the money is now in economical cars, and it is sharing the love with industry aftermarketers and related businesses that will be coming to visit the profit-inspiring show.

The Sonic went on sale this fall and the Cruze, while being in the U.S. market for only about a year, has become Chevrolet’s best-selling car and the top-selling compact car in the U.S. calendar year to date. Both cars offer available factory turbocharged powertrains – with the Sonic offering the only turbo engine in its class.

Annual revenue for the automotive aftermarket industry is around $30 billion and this is a significant chunk for automakers, dealers, and aftermarketers who manufacture, sell and service modification parts.

While we’d all love to see plug-in cars sooner, this is the reality. We have heard GM executives call the Volt a “halo” car, and release tidbits of EV news on the horizon and the mainstream’s mindset has yet to change to the coming electrified paradigm, but at least it is on its way.

And in the meantime, plug-in cars are being rapidly developed so by the time a Gen II Volt SS or Z-Spec version is built after 2015 and beyond, more drivers will be open to such options.

Last year’s Volt Z-Spec. It won’t be at the show this year.

Yesterday afternoon GM Spokesman Rob Peterson explained where things are with the Volt, and why no high-performance options are being featured this year.

“The Z-Spec Volt was a show property designed to draw interest from the aftermarket crowd in the Volt. There are no plans to proceed with those modifications,” Peterson said. “There are also no plans to show the Volt at SEMA this year. Our focus this year will be on the Sonic which is the ideal platform for a variety of aftermarket technologies, graphic packages and other customizations.”

I had already written this article and Peterson’s response by email only confirmed what I surmised (above) of GM’s posture on its small cars and the Volt’s place in the constellation.

“Keep in mind that part of the role of the Volt in the Chevrolet portfolio is to serve as a halo vehicle drawing new buyers into dealerships,” Peterson said. “It’s a very successful marketing strategy, made even more successful by having a solid lineup of cars that includes the Sonic, Cruze and soon the Malibu and eventually the Spark. The Sonic’s presence at SEMA parallels this approach in that it draws the attention of a new generation of tuners and after-marketers toward the Chevrolet brand.”

GM’s partial list of SEMA show cars

Sonic Z-Spec #1 – (Red car) Designers took a turbocharged Sonic five-door and dressed it with concept Z-Spec accessories. They added Z-Spec ground effects, a spoiler, unique grille and graphics package – then finished it off with a Torch Red exterior and Z-Spec concept 18-inch wheels. Inside, the Cobalt Red cabin features custom trim, including perforated black suede seat inserts, a Z-Spec sport pedal kit, sport shift knob and a racing-style flat-bottom steering wheel. Additional upgrades include performance brakes with four-piston calipers, a new high-flow exhaust system and performance suspension parts.

Sonic Z-Spec #2 – (White Car) The next Sonic concept – in Flat White with Torch Red accents – builds on concept Z-Spec accessories with a more aggressive ground effects package, unique grille, rear spoiler and graphics package. It rides on Z-Spec concept 18-inch wheels and also includes a re-trimmed interior with Z-Spec sport pedal kit, Z-Spec sport shift knob and a flat-bottom steering wheel. It also features custom racing seats with the Z-Spec logo. The factory powertrain features the 1.4L turbo engine and six-speed manual transmission. Performance upgrades include brakes with four-piston calipers, a high-flow exhaust system and suspension parts.

Sonic Z-Spec 4D Concept – (Above) The more formal look of the Sonic sedan lends itself to a touring car-style motif, which this Ashen Grey Metallic concept picks up with concept Z-Spec ground effects, rear spoiler, grille, “Chevrolet” graphics and larger Z-Spec concept 18-inch wheels. As with its five-door counterparts, this Sonic features a re-trimmed interior – in Dark Titanium with Cobalt Red accents – Z-Spec sport pedal kit, aluminum sport shift knob and a flat-bottom steering wheel (trimmed with Cobalt Red suede). The factory turbo 1.4L engine and six-speed manual transmission are complemented by performance upgrades that include four-piston caliper brakes, a high-flow exhaust system and suspension parts.

Chevrolet is keeping a few super-secret Sonics under wraps until the SEMA show, each representing an even higher level of performance and personalization.

Cruze Z-Spec – (Below) Wearing concept Z-Spec ground effects, 18-inch custom wheels, an accessory spoiler and a high-flow grille, the Cruze Z-Spec has the looks and feel of a taut touring car. The exterior appearance of this Cruze is enhanced with a new stripe package that will be available soon, while on the inside are special seat inserts, a racing-style pedal kit, accessory shift knob and interior trim, as well as a new steering wheel.

Cruze Dusk– (Not shown) Complementing the Sonic Dusk concept, the Cruze Dusk suggests a more subtle and sophisticated approach to personalization, including a mild concept ground effects package, a unique grille treatment and dark-tinted wheels. The interior has custom seat inserts, along with an accessory shift knob, sport pedals, interior trim kit, a suede-trimmed steering wheel and a custom audio system.

So what do you think?

I am able to see anything that creates more interest for smaller more economical vehicles optimistically – and it is in keeping with GM’s forward-looking strategy – but I could understand also if some of you can offer other views?

Do you think GM is doing enough to promote the electrification of the automobile? Do you think it will dominate even if it is not offering full disclosure of what it is doing behind the scenes?

Does anyone believe modified Volts, Voltec concepts, or even one in stock trim should have been among the 31 small cars at this highly conspicuous event?

GM is taking a long-term approach in response to its sense of the market, and even the designated Volt spokesman is on board with the Volt being a halo car.

Presumably the company knows its business. It is easy to wish for more, and be armchair pundits, but do you believe GM is managing its opportunities as well as it could?

What could GM be doing differently to secure the advantage the Volt’s head start has already given it? Or do you think everything is going A-OK?

Automotive News.

Yesterday we learned how Renault-Nissan has outlined a plan to take over the world electrified auto market, but it won’t own Europe if GM’s Opel division has anything to say about it.

For that matter, GM has also said it aims for world dominance, but unlike the Japanese company, it has not blown a trumpet in advance with a bullet list of initiatives.

The Europeans have been a little more forthcoming however, and Opel has published what it calls its “e-mobility unlimited” solution.

Additionally, a few comments were offered in an Automotive News Europe interview last week by Opel’s sales and marketing chief, Alain Visser

The RAK-e was previously reported as the Opel One when it appeared at the Frankfurt Motor show in September.

“We want the Opel brand to be the market leader in electric mobility,” Visser said last week.

Opel has been encouraged by pre-orders of 60-percent of its first year’s 10,000 Volt-based Ampera allocation and the company is also working on at least a couple other small battery-powered vehicles.

One of the electric vehicles Visser said Opel may actually build is the wild-looking RAK-e vehicle featured at the Frankfurt motor show. It is intended to be low priced and entry level for drivers age 16 and up.

“By the year’s end, we’ll decide whether to bring the RAK-e into regular production,” Visser said. “If the decision turns out to be positive, the RAK-e could reach the market as early as 2013.”

Sources told Automotive News that the tandem two-seater – which is barely more than an enclosed four-wheeled electric motorcycle – will likely be priced between 10,000-12,000 euros ($13,932-$16,715), and may be built by KTM subsidiary Kiska in Salzburg, Austria, which helped develop the vehicle.

GM says the “dynamic lightweight concept” offers 62 miles of range and a top speed of 75 mph.

The RAK-e can be governed to just 28 mph in order to make the vehicle legal for young drivers in markets where 18 is the minimum age for full licensing privileges.

“The emission-free electric city car even looks good on the highway,” Opel said. “The groundbreaking concept reaches far beyond any conventional vehicle. To drive 100 kilometers would cost just 1 euro.”

The second electric “minicar” Automotive News reported Opel is also developing will be somewhat more familiar to GM-Volt readers, which is good, as Opel and GM in the U.S. have otherwise declined to share more about it.

Sources in Europe have said Opel’s other project may be a sister to the Spark EV which GM will launch in the U.S. in 2013.

As a side note, American pundits are also guessing where the Spark EV will be built. GM has not said whether it will be assembled in the U.S. or imported. One speculation is GM could very well bring in Spark EV “glider” rolling chassis from Korea to fit with their American-made A123 batteries and GM co-developed powertrain.

Rather than jump into the fray with other intrepid sleuths, we tried to go to the source, but yesterday GM spokesman Kevin Kelly said GM is not prepared to share more about this or other electric vehicle news at this time.

When the Spark EV was announced, another GM spokesman told us more news will come next year, but the pundits are still trying to discover GM’s secrets.

As for Opel and the European question, small e-cars are in keeping with its position on electric cars.

“Batteries have a relatively low energy density, so we believe a pure battery-powered car is primarily suited for use in urban areas where limited ranges are sufficient,” said Dr. Lars Peter Thiesen, Manager Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Deployment Strategy.

Thus, Opel’s e-mobility solution is a three-pronged approach involving a “complete range of electric vehicles,” according to an editorial by Rita Forst, Member of the Management Board, dam Opel AG and Vice President, Engineering Europe.

The range includes: Small, purely battery-powered electric cars for short distances, as covered above, the Ampera and future versions, and electric cars with hydrogen fuel cells “with no restrictions on vehicle size or use.”

Will the Spark EV be re-badged as an Opel?

This said, Automotive News notes that the aforementioned Renault-Nissan alliance will be standing in the way of its intention to dominate the growing electrified auto industry.

If Opel is to succeed, the company will have to outdo plans by Renault-Nissan which include investing 4 billion euros ($5.57 billion) on electrified vehicle development.

“Some people might think our EV strategy is a big bet, said Renault Chief Operating Officer Carlos Tavares. “For me, it is not a bet, but a big insurance policy.”

If we learn more about GM’s electric insurance policy, we will be sure to let you know.

Automotive News

While some auto industry stakeholders have objected to stringent proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy mandates, Nissan has taken the opposite stance with its Green Program 2016.

Yesterday the Japanese automaker announced it will outdo every competitor in its environmental initiatives including sales of 1.5 million zero emissions vehicles by the end of fiscal 2016.

As of the end of September Nissan had sold about 16,000 Leafs, so predictions along with Renault to multiply this one-hundredfold in six years could be seen as ambitious to say the least.

Nonetheless, the company has pledged 70 percent of its annual research and development budget toward environmental technologies to make it so.

The Leaf – which last week was named 2011 GreenFleet Electric Vehicle of the Year – is expected to be built in Smyrna, Tenn., by end of next year, and will have three more all-electric stablemates within half a decade, Nissan says.

“More consumers are demanding products in line with their values, including cars and trucks with a lower carbon footprint. At the same time, we are using technology to make our factories greener and more efficient,” said Nissan President and Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn. “Nissan wants to be part of the solution toward a sustainable society – for the sake of the planet and as a significant competitive advantage and a strategic differentiator in the global manufacturing sector.”

In among the commitments, Ghosn confirmed Nissan aims to introduce a plug-in hybrid model by 2015, in addition to the 2014 Altima hybrid which will use a Nissan-developed drivetrain instead of one licensed from Toyota as the canceled limited-production car does now.

Three more battery electric models besides the Leaf are also projected to be available by the 2017 models year, and Nissan – like GM and others – is also hedging its bets by developing a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).

Target: first place

Following are details as listed by Nissan under NGP 2016:

1) No.1 in Zero-Emission Vehicles: cumulative sales of 1.5 million units of zero-emission vehicles by 2016 across the Renault-Nissan Alliance. On behalf of the Alliance, Nissan will lead the development of an all-new fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) together with strategic partner, Daimler.

2) Leading Fuel Efficiency: 35 percent fuel economy improvement compared with 2005 on a corporate average by launching products delivering class-leading fuel efficiency across a wide range of segments in Japan, China, Europe and the United States such as:
• An all-new front-wheel drive hybrid model
• An all-new plug-in hybrid model based on Nissan’s unique technology
• Introducing a next-generation continuously variable transmission (CVT) and reach 20 million units of cumulative CVT production since Nissan’s first launch in 1992

3) Leading low corporate carbon footprint
Reduce CO2 emissions corresponding to corporate activities by 20% per vehicle compared with 2005 through:
• Widening the scope of measurable objectives, including logistics, offices, and dealerships in addition to production sites
• Introduction of renewable energy sources for manufacturing and related facilities

4) Leading closed-loop recycling through being the first in the auto industry to set a recycling objective and adopt a comprehensive closed-loop recycling scheme, including steel, aluminum and plastic. Highlights include:
• Achieve a recycled resource usage rate of 25 percent by 2016
• Apply recycled materials from production waste or end-of-life vehicles and parts into new vehicles
• Reduce consumption of rare earth elements

Further information about the Nissan Green Program 2016 can be found here.

Nissan.

On Friday General Motors announced it would be investing $325 million to support production of future electric vehicle components in its Warren, Mich. plant.

The money is to go toward tooling and equipment and would add or retain 418 jobs at the facility which currently has 679 employees.

“This investment in the future recognizes the excellent work force and operation of this plant,” said GM Manufacturing Manager Gerald Johnson. “While we aren’t sharing many details about this product, I can tell you that this investment demonstrates how GM, working with our UAW partners, continues to innovate and bring new electrification solutions to our customers.”

GM Warren Transmission employee Michael Burrows assembles a six-speed transmission on Friday in Warren, Mich.

No timing was given for when these EV-oriented upgrades would be made. Presently most of the plant’s employees are engaged in building six-speed automatic transmissions for the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia crossover vehicles and Chevy Malibu sedan.

The suburban Detroit facility has 2.1 million square-feet of space, equivalent to the area of 15 city blocks, and in 2010 produced more than 338,000 transmissions.

Partial credit for adding EV parts to its production was taken by the United Auto Workers union, which negotiated the project and jobs during recently settled contract talks.

“We are very proud of the membership of UAW Local 909 whose hard work and dedication to building quality products is why this new electric drive unit module is being built in the United States,” said Joe Ashton, UAW vice president representing the GM Department. “These good paying, middle class jobs are very important for the State of Michigan and the Metro Detroit area. It is the UAW’s goal to increase employment at GM and show the world that we can compete with anyone.”

These are strong words that – added to GM’s comments – could partially allay concern among those who question GM’s commitment to electrification following news that it would introduce no new Voltec models until 2015.

The decision to build EV parts also adds a piece to the information puzzle following GM’s announced plans to co-develop electric vehicles with battery maker A123 Systems.

We do not know if Voltec parts would also be made at Warren, or if this is for the Spark EV, or battery electric vehicles yet to be made known.

The company has said it would build the Voltec-based Cadillac ELR and Spark EV, but has not specified their timing either.

Nor did GM disclose how many new jobs would be created to make electrified vehicle parts versus jobs that are merely being retained, so we have no idea of the scope of this initiative.

So go figure. At the rate of announcements in the past weeks and months, we would not be surprised to hear more dribs and drabs of EV news not long from now, but GM is being careful not to release information ahead of time.

The only story the company is telling loud in clear is regarding its big picture commitment to create more electrified vehicles, and to remain competitive with them on a world scale.

GM