GM Chevy Volt Engineer Hears Our Requests

We had a very vigorous response yesterday when one of GM’s engineers reached out to this site for some feedback on ideas for a data interface for the production car.  The response of over 500 comments seemed to crack the blog’s ability to handle it!  No worries, I still have the comments in the database and will get [...]

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Give Your Direct Input to GM’s Volt Engineering Team on Vehicle Data Options!

A post by “Belloc” on our Forum was noticed by one of the actual GM engineers that is building the Chevy Volt. That engineer writes to me “I’m an enthusiastic reader of the gm-volt.com site” and “I’m trying to ensure that it’s (the Volt) got the best features that the customers’ want.
Belloc’s post:
“I would like [...]

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Interview: Darryn Nowicki Electric Vehicle Director, Continental Automotive, Part I

Continental Automotive is the Chevy Volt battery pack integrator working with A123 Systems. I had the chance to interview Darren Nowicki who heads Continental’s North American Hybrid Electrical Vehicle Unit, and has integral knowledge of the Chevy Volt battery packs development.
Are you involved with the Continental team that has designed the initial prototype and future [...]

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Lithium-ion Battery Separators

In discussing the Volt, we are often concerned with the working of the lithium-ion battery. Still not-yet-ready for prime-time, these types of batteries a great for cars because they can hold a lot of power and energy in a small size and weight.
The batteries work as electrons (electricity) flow between the anode (usually graphite [...]

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Profile: The Man in Charge of the Chevy Volt - Frank Weber

As you may now by now from my numerous interviews with him on the site, Frank Weber is the Chevy Volt’s vehicle line director. He is profiled by the Detroit Free Press.
He is described as a health-conscious musician with a penchant for tinkering and independent thinking. The German native is described analogously as [...]

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Volt Hurdles Other than the Battery

Most GM executives involved in the Volt program say the battery is the major stumbling block to development. Other new low-power components have to be made for the car in order to allow the 40 mile range, but these are mostly minor engineering tasks.
Normal cars have tremendous supplies of energy for the accessories to [...]

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The Latest with Frank Weber, E-Flex/Chevy Volt Vehicle Line Executive

I sat down for a brief Q and A with Frank Weber. He is the vehicle line executive for the Chevy Volt and all of E-Flex systems for GM. He knows a lot about what’s going on and is very forthright and forthcoming.
What was GMs motivation to build the Volt?

Societal challenge. Look [...]

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One-on-One with Jon Lauckner, GM VP of Global Program Management, Part 5

This is the final segment of my interview with Jon Lauckner, GMs VP of global program management, considered Bob Lutz’ first deputy and who has been very involved with the Volt project from day one.
What are the terms of GMs battery contracts with the battery suppliers?
‘A’ we shouldn’t talk about what we’ve agreed with the [...]

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Chevy Volt will Need Special Low Power Windshield Wipers and Audio System

Bob Lutz is clearly a guy who tells it like it is. When GMs father of the Volt gives an interview about the car its always worth listening closely, as what you get will be highly factual.
The Lansing State Journal published a very brief Q and A with Mr. Lutz, and thats where this [...]

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One-on-One with Jon Lauckner, VP of Global Program Management, Part 4

What are some of the safety issue of this car, are they different than standard cars, are you going to have to do different kinds of crash test safety?
We already have a standard program of very rigorous tests. Well run crashtests of all sorts, because frankly were looking to sell this vehicle globally. [...]

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GM has Formed new Engineering Team for Hybrids, E-REVs, and Batteries

Today GM has announced the creation of a new international engineering team whose task is bringing the electrification of vehicles into the mainstream development process more quickly.
Robert Kruse, GM executive director for vehicle engineering of hybrids has been appointed to head the team which will stretch from China to Detroit.
Jim Queen, GM VP of Global [...]

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One-on-One with Jon Lauckner, VP of Global Program Management, Part 3

With respect to the Volt’s combustion engine, if it keeps at the same RPM will it be more efficient than an engine whose RPM varies?
You see this efficiency argument play out in CVT transmissions. You jump in a car with a CVT and what you do is you push the gas pedal down and the [...]

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