As you may have noticed yesterday, GM-Volt reader kdawg mentioned in comments that he just took delivery of a 2013 Volt, so I thought I’d find out more from GM given its last statements were to expect the updated car next month.
GM spokesman Kevin Kelly said the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly line switched over just after the Independence Day holiday, and thus far availability of 2013 model year Volts is spotty.
The reasons for the July changeover had nothing to do with GM having more or less let the cat out of the bag that the new car is tweaked with a 16.5-kwh battery and other changes, Kelly said, but it was in the course of normal business.
I was thinking GM might have cannibalized its own sales by its announcement last month, but Kelly said that really was not what drove the automaker’s decision.
Rather, he said, once GM’s suppliers were lined up, it was deemed time to stop 2012 production and move on to the 2013 spec. He also clarified that when GM had projected an August due date for the 2013s, it had meant that is when it would be reasonable to expect them in significant quantity, but that did not preclude the July changeover.
So, if you want a 2013 Volt, the status now is nationwide orders are being accepted. Wait time all depends, “but whether they are available on the lot will be a case by case basis,” Kelly said.
As for kdawg, he said he too was surprised and even skeptical when the dealership said they had one just show up.
“I didn’t wait for someone else to snag it, and bought it about five days after they rolled it off the trailer,” he said.
But now here’s a mystery: He asked his salesman to copy and send over the actual info sheet pertaining to his Volt, and the build date says 6/7/2012.
At this point, we’re not sure how it could have been built in June. Yesterday Kevin Kelly made a phone call to verify when the Dham changeover happened, then called me back with fresh info.
Kdawg took some guesses.
“Maybe the build date is for powertrain build,” he said, “or battery pack build? Or the date of the start of the build? I don’t know, since I’ve never seen a form before like the one I sent you.”
The VIN number on the form matches the car, and AER is listed as 38 miles, not 35, and MPGe is 98, so it’s definitely a 2013.
Do any of you know how a form could say the “build date” is June 7 for a 2013MY when GM says the factory did not change over until after July 4?
If I learn more, I’ll update this.
UPDATE: Rather than re-edit this, since we already raised questions, I’ll just add the answer: I called Kevin Kelly back, and he said a handful of 2013s had been sprinkled in before the whole assembly line changeover, so this means kdawg does have one of the earliest ones.
I asked how to ascertain whether he might have the first or one of the first, but Kelly said he could not get that answer too quickly today, so we’ll leave that as the next open question for now.
Kelly said none were built before June to his knowledge, so that’s what we know to this point.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 24th, 2012 at 5:55 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Jul 24th, 2012 (6:56 am)It could have been an early run unit to prove out changes to the manufacturing process.
Do you have the VIN? Typically, all GM vehicles have the VIN installed in the Paint Shop but in reality it was started in the Body Shop but installed in the Paint Shop.
Jul 24th, 2012 (8:01 am)Or it was started as a 2012 model that then got the upgraded battery and assigned a 2013 VIN
JMHO
C-5277
+4
Jul 24th, 2012 (8:15 am)Most likey they use the European system of reporting the date.
6/7/2012 in Europe would signify the 6th day of July, 2012.
Jul 24th, 2012 (8:20 am)Or it’s from a different car. Dealers aren’t too swift with keeping details straight sometimes.
The definitive build date should be on the metal info tag rivited to the car.
+1
Jul 24th, 2012 (8:29 am)The sheet that shows the build date was referred to as the “Build List”. I can post if you want to see. The VIN # on the build sheet matches my car. I can look for a metal tag if you tell me where to look
Jul 24th, 2012 (9:05 am)july 6 2012
+1
Jul 24th, 2012 (9:06 am)Ah, never thought of that. You are probably right.
Here’s the build sheet info:
+6
Jul 24th, 2012 (9:08 am)such a good looking car, congrats on the purchase kdawg.
+2
Jul 24th, 2012 (9:28 am)Please note the tag-on sentences just added –
UPDATE: Rather than re-edit this, since we already raised questions, I’ll just add the answer: I called Kevin Kelly back, and he said a handful of 2013s had been sprinkled in before the whole assembly line changeover, so this means kdawg does have one of the earliest ones.
I asked how to ascertain whether he might have the first or one of the first, but Kelly said he could not get that answer too quickly today, so we’ll leave that as the next open question for now.
Kelly said none were built before June to his knowledge, so that’s what we know to this point.
+1
Jul 24th, 2012 (9:47 am)Well there’s at least 1 other 2013 out there. I just checked Volt Stats . net and there’s (2) 2013′s registered.
+1
Jul 24th, 2012 (10:14 am)radez,
Thanks! If I can remember, I want to get a shot of the new rear armrest and post it. I think it will be very handy for passengers. Looks like it belongs there too w/the bucket seats and all.
Jul 24th, 2012 (10:21 am)If Volts ever become collector cars (and I think they will to some degree) you may have yourself a keeper. Collectors always look for something unique to give the car a bit more of a story. Early build, late build, 1 of ##, the only one painted with a particular color, etc.
Dang that looks sharp too in the picture.
+3
Jul 24th, 2012 (10:24 am)Congrats again to kdawg on this car. He’s going to love it.
The information that the 2013 MY units were “sprinkled in” with the 2012 MY units is interesting. In the forums we knew that some 2013 MY units were made before the shutdown but the more interesting aspect has been that some MY 2012 units have been reporting higher kWh used during drives and a higher EV range than expected. This has lead to speculation that some 2012 MY units are using the new 2013 MY battery. I was skeptical but if the MY 2013 units were sprinkled in. Then again if different engines are sprinkled in on a line it should be easy enough to sprinkle in different battery packs.
The big mystery is how engineering made the Volt more efficient on the City Cycle. (This is not due to the larger battery pack). Anyone have any ideas? (BTW the increase makes the Volt more efficient than the PIP — irrelevant practically but seemingly a big deal from a marketing perspective).
+1
Jul 24th, 2012 (10:37 am)Gross Vehicle Weight – 2057 – nice!
+1
Jul 24th, 2012 (10:44 am)My local dealer in Waterloo, ON now has two 2013′s on the lot (test drove one yesterday). And I just got my VIN for mine today D3079.
There are now several dealers in the area that have 2013′s on the lot. I would say they are a lot more than sprinkled. More like a flood of 2013′s. They seem to be shipping fast too.
Jul 24th, 2012 (10:50 am)Beautiful car! I’m really envious of the extra 3 miles. That can make a difference on my wife’s commute. I’ll probably be getting another Volt by the end of next year. I’d really like to know what the differences will be for a 2013 MY compared to a 2014 MY.
+2
Jul 24th, 2012 (10:52 am)Since the 2013s are being delivered faster than expected, does that mean the 2012s sold out faster than expected? Does anyone have any preliminary sales numbers for July? Will July beat out the March sales record?
Jul 24th, 2012 (11:08 am)kdawg, what are the last 5 digits of your VIN? If it’s in the hundreds, then the date format must be DD/MM/YYYY, but if it’s in the tens, then perhaps it was in fact built in June.
Jul 24th, 2012 (11:09 am)Good guess but probably not. Someone in the forums just got their MY 2013 and it was produced on June 6th. I think their car was 181. Just arrived BTW.
+1
Jul 24th, 2012 (11:17 am)Most likely in kilograms.
Jul 24th, 2012 (11:23 am)kdawg,
Congrats Kdawg!!
What was the sticker price?
Jul 24th, 2012 (11:25 am)Yeah, that’s another mind boggler.
I don’t think so because that would be over 4500lbs. The Volt is about 3800lbs. (they didn’t increase the battery pack that much
)
+2
Jul 24th, 2012 (11:30 am)Good news! Maybe I’ll give my dealer a shout to see if mine has been built. Or at least see if we’re still on track for the middle of August. (Looking for a red one on a truck crossing the border).
+2
Jul 24th, 2012 (11:39 am)The MSRP was $42,480. But even though it had just arrived, they were allowed to sell it at GM preferred (Supplier) pricing for $41,250.38. With my trade in, and tax credit coming in in January, I’ll be at almost $30K exactly for out of pocket money for my Volt. (sort of like how we were promised back in 2007).
Jul 24th, 2012 (11:45 am)It’s either somewhere in the driver’s door opening or in the firewall.
+4
Jul 24th, 2012 (11:47 am)#22
The GVW includes the payload (that would be us, LOL). So 3800# plus 700# of passengers and luggage or whatever.
Congratulations on the car BTW. You’re gonna love it.
+2
Jul 24th, 2012 (11:53 am)Yeah – it’s probably vehicle + four passengers nominal max weight – isn’t GVW a grand total of wet vehicle + occupants? – but wouldn’t it be nice if the weight was 2057 – you’d have some amazing mileage possibility.
+1
Jul 24th, 2012 (12:00 pm)kdawg,
Gross wieght includes how much it can carry… so 4500lb would be correct… about 1200lb payload sounds right.
Good looking car…congratulations and good luck with the car… is there a list of improvements for 2013?
+8
Jul 24th, 2012 (12:08 pm)OT:
Another record setting day for Volt Miles. Today’s numbers blew away yesterday’s numbers. We are definitely seeing an accelerated curve!
7/24/2012
2,267,524 Total Miles in 1 day
1,529,668 EV Miles in 1 day
That’s 78,000 gallons of fuel saved in 1 day!!
Jul 24th, 2012 (1:29 pm)Cool story, thanks! Sprinkled 2013s…
Donc:”This has lead to speculation that some 2012 MY units are using the new 2013 MY battery.”
I wonder if the weight of the new battery pack is different enough by weighing them. Something for me to think about when I try to snag a used Volt coming off of lease.
oh, 2057 –? my cruze weighs more than that!
+4
Jul 24th, 2012 (1:41 pm)We have two 2013′s and two more on the way for stock plus two ordered on spec (sold units)
Schlueter Chevrolet, Waterloo Ontario Canada!
Jul 24th, 2012 (2:08 pm)OT (meant to mention yesterday),
I saw my first Spark in the wild this week, in the green candy-apple paint we’ve seen in many of the released photos. Sharp looking little hatchback (not much room behind the rear seat though). It was visibly shorter than my Fit. I think GM will sell a lot of these.
Now, let’s see them miniaturize E-assist for one (it was hard to see where the little Spark would put an extensive battery pack — even though GM is known to be working on an EV version in India).
Still looking for my first Volt (even though I saw 3 parked behind Jim Ellis Chevrolet about a week ago).
Jul 24th, 2012 (2:09 pm)For the other one (#13), data collection started June 1st, so I wonder if it really is a valid 2013.
+1
Jul 24th, 2012 (2:18 pm)Ah, there’s nothing like a mystery, even a minor one.
I don’t know, but it seems likely to me that GM would have built a few before shifting the whole line to 2013 production, in their continuing effort to make sure there are no unpleasant surprises. Apparently there weren’t
.
Have fun kdawg, and don’t think that those of us who are still Volt-less hate you — much.
Jul 24th, 2012 (2:27 pm)Wasn’t that with REVA, and didn’t it fall through?
The Spark EV is suppose to be in the USA in 2014 IIRC.
Jul 24th, 2012 (2:30 pm)I hadn’t heard that (not saying you’re wrong).
I guess with no engine, the battery pack could go between the front wheels instead. You don’t really get a feel for the small size of the car until you see it in person. It will be interesting to see how GM pulls it off. I hope there is a range breakthrough for any pure EV built by GM, since it will be competing with it’s own Volt as well as with current wheels-on-the-ground (or soon-planned) EVs.
+2
Jul 24th, 2012 (2:33 pm)Congrats! Great looking car.
Is that a chrome piece on the center of the front bumper? Looks good…
Hope you have many safe miles of smiles.
+1
Jul 24th, 2012 (2:49 pm)Saw my first LEAF at DFW airport yesterday. It had the ugliest roof racks (and very UN-aero) that I have ever seen. It was also driving very slowly. At least 20mph below the speed limit of 55.
There is some play on the web that LEAFs are losing their top-end AER in hot climates. Lots of them.
I see Volts all the time now. One of our contractors drives a black one to work.
Jul 24th, 2012 (3:38 pm)#23
They’re working on an EV version here. As I mentioned before, we were at a Volt event at GM’s powertrain engineering facility in Torrance, CA Saturday. When asked, they admitted that they had one in the back room but, despite MANY requests, they wouldn’t let us see it, LOL.
Jul 24th, 2012 (3:57 pm)Thanks! No it’s not chrome. Just very shiny black looks like chrome.
+1
Jul 24th, 2012 (4:03 pm)Funny you mention that. I never saw a Leaf in the wild near me, until Sunday while driving in my Volt. I don’t think the driver realized I was also in an EV (with a RE). Some people do double-takes, but I think most people think the Volt is some sort of Cruze/Malibu. About every 5th car around me is either a Cruze or Malibu.
+5
Jul 24th, 2012 (4:05 pm)GM already announced on June 3 that produced 239 2013 Volts in the month of June: http://media.gm.com/content/dam/Media/gmcom/investor/2012/0703GMNAProduction.pdf
+2
Jul 24th, 2012 (4:10 pm)Here’s some info. I, as most ppl, will be very interested in the final #’s.
http://www.yumasun.com/news/spark-80173-electric-make.html
Yuma residents may have spotted a small white car with funky black markings recently.
A team from General Motors has been testing prototypes of Chevy’s Spark EV in the area to see how the nanophosphate lithium-ion battery pack and the motor perform in high temperatures. The electric vehicle is expected to hit showrooms in 2013.
“We wanted to make sure that our electric motor is operating optimally,” said Kevin Kelly, manager of GM’s electric vehicle and hybrid communications.
“We thought as we were getting closer to production, we needed to just make one more check in the hot weather. We are pretty close to the final calibrations on the vehicle but we wanted to see what last-minute things needed to be tweaked to make sure we were on the right path.”
On June 23, a team drove prototypes of the Spark EV from Yuma west into California as part of a 305-mile test drive that took the vehicles on both the freeway and country roads.
As the Spark EV has a range of only about 80 miles on a single charge, the team had to make several pit stops to recharge.
“We are trying to determine how the battery would perform and how the electric motor would perform in the heat of Yuma, so we drove from Yuma to Torrance, Calif., where we have a technology facility,” Kelly said.
Lithium ion batteries operate at peak efficiency in temperate weather, Kelly explained. When temperatures become either too cold or too hot, the battery doesn’t perform as well. Knowing this, GM’s engineers designed a heating and cooling system for the Spark EV to keep the battery at an optimal temperature.
“We are just trying to make sure that system is working perfectly before we sell it to our customers,” Kelly said.
The Spark EV will have an electric motor that can produce up to 114 horsepower, or 85 kilowatts, according to General Motors. In comparison, the gasoline-powered Chevy Spark on the market in Asia and Europe is equipped with a 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine that produces only about 83 horsepower.
The motor will be built at a plant in Maryland and the batteries in Michigan, but the car itself will be assembled in South Korea.
Those who are curious about the car can follow the testing team’s progress on Twitter at #SparkEV
+1
Jul 24th, 2012 (4:55 pm)Anton Wahlman,
Good catch. Looks like the made 2 Amperas also.
Jul 24th, 2012 (5:59 pm)Booo.
Is GM trying to underscore range anxiety to promote Volt sales? They ought to at least match the Ford EV’s 100 miles. I’d rather see GM build some kind of plug-in hybrid Spark or even a reduced range EREV version than another iMiev (albeit a very nice looking one).
Even at this, it ought to put the last nail in the LEAF’s coffin (in the US, at least) with it’s active battery temperature system.
Does this mean the car I saw Monday was basically a S. Korean import?
Double-boo.
Edit:
Or do I mean Uzbekistan?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daewoo_Matiz
… I’m not angry at you, kdawg; just angry …
+1
Jul 24th, 2012 (6:27 pm)Congrats kdawg. Another one bites the dust (I mean bullet)
Jul 24th, 2012 (7:27 pm)It will use A123 batteries and the energy density of those cells is quite low. That means you’re going to have a packaging problem with a car as small as the Spark. Great power density though. The Spark could be a rocket.
Jul 24th, 2012 (8:32 pm)GM had not released official data on the Spark EV. But they have been going on “106 mile test drives” So to me that would indicate a range greater than 80 miles.
http://www.chevroletvoltage.com/index.php/spark.html
Also they did a 306mile long road trip through Arizona recently using DC fast charging.
Jul 24th, 2012 (11:16 pm)I’ve had a chance to cool off, and realize that I am mainly disappointed. The Volt spoiled me with it’s “American Made, American Fueled” World-beating technology (and yes, with much foreign content). It looks as though GM is merely going to stuff batteries and a motor into a complete, foreign-designed automobile (sold here as the Spark).
But I must concede that this is not exactly a new approach, and GM can hardly be blamed for what must seem like an easy competitor to the LEAF and it’s ilk. Who knows, if the electrical system is inexpensive enough, it may even be worth it. Maybe.
However, “just another BEV 80 – 100″ is going to share what must be viewed as an extremely narrow niche with at least half a dozen other makes (EREV, on the other hand, could go mainstream in a decade). I’d hate to see GM bet much on a limited-market “me too” EV using resources which could have been put towards Voltec models instead.
+1
Jul 24th, 2012 (11:27 pm)Density or not – the 20Ah cells are “bigger”, in terms of energy per-cell, than the 15Ah cells of the Volt. They are using 21kWh packs in the Spark EV (I think that’s the size) and should give a typical 80+ mile range. It’s more “slightly lower” when they make 20Ah cells rather than 15Ah cells.
Yes, LiFEPO4 has slightly lower energy density per kg – but the total system is done in kWh and as such, the total capacity is the same – stored kWh’s (whether A123, Li-Ti, Li-Ion, etc.) The Honda Fit EV uses Li-Ti cells which have an even lower energy density due to their cells being sub 3.0V per cells nominal. Their design is similar to Spark EV – a small, “city” vehicle which is meant for buzzing around town and not going long distances. A babied Spark EV or Honda Fit EV should go beyond 80 miles on a charge much like we go more than 35 miles on a charge in the Volt when it’s nice out. Some day, the guys at GM may use the newer A123 EXT cells which may allow removal of the battery TMS – saving some cash in the process and making the car cheaper for other countries which could snap them up. That’s the target market (not the USA). It also makes the system smaller and lighter without the piping and cooling fins needed for a TMS. I doubt it’ll sell that well in the USA because of the lack of the number of them being imported initially. Heck – they haven’t even started making them yet. It’s going to be a MY 2014 due out mid 2013. The Spark non-EV may sell pretty well for people looking for a small city car that is still bigger than a Smart For-2 (which is one crazy-little car). I just don’t get the guys running 80mph on the turnpikes in the Smart cars
The Spark EV isn’t that exciting for me. I want to see a Voltec Equinox or even just hoping to see delivery and growth of the Via EREVs trucks. Bigger vehicles with EREV technology will really be something great to see happen. I think those will be happening at some point. The Voltec going into the Caddy ELR should be able to power an Equinox with no problem. Increase the overall package size by 20% and you can power a Traverse, mini-van or even a full-size sedan.
Jul 24th, 2012 (11:33 pm)00297
Jul 24th, 2012 (11:39 pm)We have to keep in mind that the development of a new commodity item is not without it’s risks. I wonder if this news from a month ago will have an effect on the Spark EV rollout:
http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/battery-maker-a123-systems-in-financial-trouble/
Jul 25th, 2012 (1:15 am)I am out of Country, so I am posting late. But I do have to say Congrats to kdawg. Still waiting on the go ahead from the other half
+1
Jul 25th, 2012 (1:46 am)C-MAx Energi for $33745, with $3750 Federal tax credit!
check Detnews.com
Jul 25th, 2012 (9:35 am)DonC,
When the parts are installed, there is a code (Bar code) on the part. The operator looks at the (Broadcast Sheet) and selects the part as shown. Doubt very much a 2012 part was put on a 2013 unit that was a MODEL YEAR specific part.
Jul 25th, 2012 (3:58 pm)That would be the ISO9000 way to do it.
Jul 27th, 2012 (2:13 am)I need clarification to:
(1) determine if all 2013 Volts built now meet the California Emissions requirement allowing them to
occupy the California HOV lanes,
(2) if one has to specifically request (order) the free California Emissions package option which recirculates exhaust gases allowing the 2013 Volt to pass the strigent California qualifications for HOV use?
Since Arizona provides vehicles that use “Clean/Alternative Fuel” to travel in HOV lanes, I was thinking that Arizona might allow the 2013 Volts showing proof they have the California Emission package the ability to obtain the special License Plate allowing the Volt to use the HOV lane, assuming the Volt incorporates the California Emissions option.