Video Update: Ask Your Chevy Volt Questions at the GM Centennial Event

We are two just days from the presumed global unveiling of the Chevy Volt production car.  I will shortly be heading out to GM headquarters in Detroit to experience and bring you all the details live at the source of the GM Centennial Celebration.
This is also an opportunity for anyone here that has questions to ask [...]

Volt Nation VIDEO: Public Q and A Part II

In this segment, the GM execs answer questions about performance, saying it will be stable whether the generator is on or off.  Also discussed is how fun an experience electric driving can be. Weber says “it’s fun to eco-drive”.
The team was asked about roll-out plans, Volt chief engineer Posawatz says first the integrity [...]

More with Contintenal EV Director on the A123/Conti Chevy Volt Battery Pack Development

Below are more questions and answers with Darryn Nowicki Electric Vehicle Director, Continental Automotive, one of the Chevy Volt pack-making team members.
What is the process of building up to be able to make packs on a mass scale?
As far as being able to mass produce the batteries, we are gearing up to be able to [...]

More Details on Pricing the Volt

Recently we heard a statement from Dee Allen of GM about the Volt costing around $35,000. Since it’s of tremendous interest and importance, I decided to look into this in more detail. I managed to catch up with Mr. Allen who it turns out is GMs spokesperson on global product and brands, and [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

One-on-One with Jon Lauckner, VP of Global Program Management, Part 2

Since its a new technology and drivetrain will it make the production process different and require new facilities that you don’t already have in place?
Oh yeah, we are putting different components in the vehicle but were using well understood principles. For example most of our cars what we have is what we call a ‘front [...]

GM CEO Rick Wagoner on Chevy Volt Risk

Several other bloggers and I had a press conference with Rick Wagoner, GM’s CEO.
My second question and his answer were as follows (first question here):
Obviously GM is taking a risk in developing, marketing, promoting, and advertising a car that doesn’t exist yet, how do you feel about that risk and what it represents for the [...]

Breaking: Bob Lutz Says Driveable Chevy Volt Mules in June, not Easter

Here on the sidelines of the Detroit auto show myself and several bloggers are having the opportunity to chat with GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz. I am actually writing this post as we go; so-called “live-blogging”.
He is asked what his personal involvement in the Volt project is.
He mentioned he is very interested because it’s [...]

Latest Battery Pack Q & A with Denise Gray, GM’s Battery Director

Sam Abuelsamid of Autobloggreen went to Las Vegas for CES and had a chance to chat with Denise Gray about the latest developments of the Chevy Volt battery packs.
Key points:
-they’re still confirming the behavior of the first two CPI packs, but they appear to be conforming to predictions.-packs are still evolving and haven’t reached [...]

Interview with Frank Weber, E-Flex/Chevy Volt Vehicle Line Executive, Part II

A few final questions from my interview with Frank Weber, Chevy Volt/E-Flex vehicle line executive:
Do you have or are you working on E-Flex simulation models for other sizes of vehicles besides the Volt?
Before we get the team up off the track in thinking too much about the expansion of E-Flex, the focus is clearly to [...]