Exclusive: Interview With EnerDel Chairman Charles Gassenheimer

EnerDel (Amex: HEV ) is a U.S. based lithium-ion battery maker that has recently delivered a functioning 28 kWh battery pack for automaker Th!nk, for their upcoming Th!nk City electric vehicle. I had the chance for a follow-up interview with EnerDel Chairman Charles Gassenheimer.
Its been almost a year since we last spoke, can you [...]

Popularity: 18%

Progress on the 2-Mode and 2-Mode Plug-in Saturn VUE

With all of GMs recent trouble coming from the crashing SUV market, they must be looking forward to the launching of their fuel efficient smaller SUVs. The Saturn VUE is on the verge of morphing into first a strong 2-mode hybrid form launching later this year, and after that a lithium-ion plug-in 2-mode hybrid [...]

Popularity: 41%

Exclusive: Interview with Ed Peper on Marketing the Chevy Volt

I just had the chance to interview Ed Peper, Chevrolet brand manager, and some of his team members, John Hughes, Carolyn Normandin, and Steve Wagg about bringing the Volt to market. Unless other initials occur, the responses are from Mr. Peper.
What is your job in GM?
I’m responsible for all the marketing, advertising, promotion, relation to [...]

Popularity: 41%

GM and Toyota May be in Talks to Build Priuses Together and is Toyota Really Looking at E-REVs?

A fundamental theme observed in the inception and development of the Chevy Volt is the competition between General Motors and Toyota. GM vice chair Bob Lutz has admitted GM was wrong in not getting into hybrids at the time Toyota did with their Priuses and has promised not to make the same mistake twice.
Over [...]

Popularity: 72%

Get Ready for the A123 Systems IPO

Sure we’re saving our pennies to buy a Chevy Volt, the economy is sputtering, and GM just lost $3.3 billion this quarter.
But wouldn’t it be great to tap into that future $30 billion lithium-ion automotive battery market?
The news li-ion battery investors out there have been waiting for is starting to trickle in.
Watertown Massachusetts battery-maker A123 [...]

Popularity: 39%

A Chat with Project Better Place Investor, Michael Granoff

After Volt Nation, I received an email from Michael Granoff, who is a #1 investor with Project Better Place (PBP). It turns out he lives within a mile of where I work and we planned to meet up. We had a wide ranging discussion about Project Better Place, whether it could come to America, and [...]

Popularity: 29%

The Chevy Volt Will First be Released as a Captured Test Fleet to GM Employees

To learn more about expected timing, location, and cadence of ramp-up for initial Chevy Volt production I turned to Jon Lauckner who is GM’s VP of global program management, considered a first deputy to Bob Lutz. Below are his answers to my questions.
When it comes to rolling out the car in the U.S., [...]

Popularity: 22%

Ric Fulop on How A123 Cells are Made, Nanophosphate Cathode Patent Awarded

Yesterday A123 Systems, one of the two companies awarded Chevy Volt contracts announced that they were awarded a key patent for their proprietary nanophosphate lithium-ion battery cathode.  their system is widely acclaimed for its thermal stability as well as energy and power density, and getting this patent is critical for the companies future success.  Per [...]

Popularity: 18%

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 [...]

Popularity: 29%

The E-Flex Cadillac Provoq and the GM Fifth Generation Fuel Cell

The Cadillac Provoq is GM’s latest E-Flex concept car, a luxury crossover with all wheel drive and fuel cell range-extender. Nick Zielinski who used to be the ICE Volt’s chief engineer is now the chief engineer of the hydrogen Volt and Provoq, as well as the fuel cell Equinox. I had a few [...]

Popularity: 29%

Q & A with Bob Reuter Chief Engineer, Plug-in Saturn VUE

GM has announced its intention to produce a plug-in Saturn VUE with a large lithium ion battery married to a 2-mode hybrid drivetrain.  This car quite possibly could be the first-ever plug-in hybrid that gets brought to the U.S. market.  I had the chance to ask the vehicle’s chief engineer a few questions.
When will the [...]

Popularity: 27%

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 [...]

Popularity: 26%