GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Electric Car Site

Apparently GM invited a group of bloggers to a round-table sit down with GM Vice-Chairman Bob Lutz. Some of the interview is reported on Jalopnik (link) and includes some Volt-talk.

I wasn’t invited, but since it took place on the West Coast and I’m on the East Coast, perhaps that is why? Maybe next time.

Here’s what Jalopnik (who was represented there) quoted Mr. Lutz saying about the Volt:

“The beginning of the next year, we’ll take some cut up old Malibus, slap the battery packs in…we’ll invite you people [auto journalists / bloggers / random people on the street] out there, so you’ll know when we’re testing them [the Volt], because we want the entire development process to be transparent.”

I am particularly struck by this statement for two reasons.

The first is that Mr. Lutz indicates his desire to keep the process of Volt development transparent. Indeed that is among the reasons for this website, to help keep the transparency publicly available for all to see.  This has been true all along, and so it seems will continue to be.  They are making up for EV-1 mistakes.
Second issue is mention of the fact that the Volt mules will be old Malibus. We have previously heard the idea floated of making an E-Flex Malibu as the first car, instead of moving the Volt from concept to production.(see previous post)

We also discussed and agreed that the Volt name and new design were important for the success of the car.

I remain hopeful the old Malibus will just be used as the mules, but when E-Flex hits the street it will be in the form of a production Volt.

I’ve asked if GM will show us the mules. According to Tony Posawatz they are already in existence, running in some preliminary tests and without a production battery pack inside. So far, no images provided..but time will tell.

An article surfaced in which the Mayor of Lordstown, Ohio indicated that there are rumors the Chevy Volt may be built at GMs Lordstown assembly plant.  The facility currently employs 2800 autoworkers, and 5 years ago received a 500 million dollar facelift from GM.  The plant is located 40 mile southeast of Cleveland (hey they can drive them there all-electric!)
As of now, the plant produces Pontiac G5s and Chevy Cobalts.  We already know that the Volt will be built on the Cobalt platform, so a facility geared to that car makes sense.

This is more evidence of GMs relentless and definitive pursuit of Volt production.

Today a report of an interview with Bob Lutz at the close of the Chicago auto show was published. He is quoted as saying many interesting things, such as the fact that GM is expected to lose money on the introduction of the Volt. He also reported to say that GM hopes to have the Volt in production by 2010.

He alludes to a roadmap in which the Volt E-flex paradigm is the first step towards future models (?hydrogen powered) and that the initial vehicle will be based on the Cobalt platform.