It is known that as GM moves closer to the launch of Volt sales in 2010 they are developing more and more refined pre-production prototypes in ever increasing numbers.  It has been reported that a significant sized fleet of these cars will be on the roads by the end of next year.

Rumors have also arisen that Chevy dealers could get prototype shells as early as next year as showroom bait, something that GM officials and leading Chevy dealerships deny any knowledge of.

As to whether anyone outside of GM will able able to get their hands on a Volt prior to launch, GM vice chair Bob Lutz has apparently laid down the law:

“We’ll start releasing (the car) to the public in November of 2010. No one, no one, will get one any earlier.”

Source (DailyTech)

He is reportedly quoted as saying two very big things.

1. GM wants to put the Volt out by 2010 as opposed to the end of 2010.
2. They want to sell them for less than $30,000.

Wagoner is quoted as saying, “Our two challenges are lowering the cost of batteries and convincing consumers of the advantages of the Volt.”

I haven’t gotten access to the full interview yet, but I confirmed these statements directly with the author of the referenced press release. She told me the interview publisher’s quote is “GM has a clear goal: We want to put the Volt on the market in 2010, at a price of less than $30,000.”

[UPDATE: The full interview is out and doesnt really say any more than what we have above. It seems translation is still a factor here. Im looking for verification from inside GM. Translation by Google]

Source (Interactive Investor)

At the Beijing Auto Show, GM CEO Rick Wagoner announced plans to bring the Volt to market in China, as automakers are in increasing competition to grab market share of the rapidly growing Chinese auto market.

On the sideline of the show Wagoner told reporters:

"At this point the focus for us 100 percent is getting the Volt produced in the U.S.,"

and

"So far, so good, but it’s going to be right down to the wire to meet the production deadline we’ve set."

He also said GM was moving closer to picking one of the two lithium-ion battery pack-making teams (CPI/LG vs Conti/A123), but indicated the production contract could be given to one side, while a development contract is maintained with the other.

GM representatives also apparently said China would be next to get the Volt after the North American market of U.S. and Canada.

Wagoner encouraged China to move away from oil and towards hydrogen derived from nuclear power. Last years’ Beijing auto show was indeed the location where the fuel-cell E-Flex variant, now considered on a production track, was unveiled.

Wagoner also acknowledged how financially important the China market was for GM, saying " it could be huge," and "the company that gets China right is going to be the dominant player for the next 25 years."

He also notes the economy of scale benefit for the Volt via China, "the sales volume for E-Flex in China could be a huge factor over time for reducing cost’"

Source (Reuters )

In the year I’ve been writing this blog, never has there been quite so much word-mincing and media attention to production date as has occurred since I first asked GM CEO Rick Wagoner in an online chat how confident he was the Volt would be released in 2010. As you know, his answer at the time was that he could not guarantee it (post).

Prior to hearing it from Mr. Wagoner, most press about release dates came from vice-chairmen Bob Lutz and not direct from GM’s CEO.

After the initial negative press blitz, I was able to obtain direct statements from the E-Flex team on the front line, that there had been no change in production status, and that 2010 was still the internal target (post).

Today on the sidelines before his speech at CES, Rick Wagoner told reporters himself that his comments last week were indeed misinterpreted. He noted that there have been no “glitches” in Volt development, that initial battery tests are indeed favorable, and that the 2010 launch date has been a “stretch” from the start and remains so. He noted that there is still “plenty of work to do”, but believes the company can “stay on schedule”.

OK, I thinks it’s time we put this topic to bed for now, and check back in the spring when we test drive the mules. I am sure since Nov 2010 is a mere 2 years and 9 month away, and that GM only has two test prototype packs in hand, achieving the timeline goal will indeed be a challenge. But we are here, and numbering in the tens of thousands, to cheer them on.

Sources (AP) and (Wall Street Journal)

Last week I asked Rick Wagoner, GM’s CEO if he was confident the Volt would be released in 2010. He responded that it would be great, but that he couldn’t guarantee it. That remark prompted a flurry of news reports suggesting GM might be balking on their original plans for release. Here are some of the stories that resulted:

Autoblog (Volt might not come in 2010)

Detroit News (2010 no sure thing)

CNN (GM might miss target)

CNBC (GM’s Volt not ready to electrify)

Winding Road (Maybe not 2010)

Daily Tech (GM adds wiggle room)

Indianapolis Start (Volt might be delayed)

Wall Street Journal (GM’s salvation stuff of science fiction)

Now the first thing that’s interesting is did anyone quote GM-Volt as the source of the news, being that I asked the question…Nope.

Second. Is there really any new information here? Recently Bob Lutz had stated he was 55% confident the Volt could be released in 2010 (post). What does the E-Flex team think of these news reports?

Here’s what the E-Flex spokesman Rob Peterson had to say about it:

I think people are reading more into this than what’s really there. Program timing for the Volt has not changed, nor has our commitment to this program.

Mr. Wagoner’s response while phrased differently, is consistent with what we have said all along, “we continue to work aggressively toward our 2010 internal target, but that date is dependent on the availability of battery technology that meets our safety, performance and durability requirements.”

While initial test results for the batteries over the past two months continue to be very encouraging, more data is needed to reliably predict how this battery will perform over 10 years of cycle life in varying conditions. Only through rigorous testing of the battery, which is ongoing as we speak, will we be able to accurately determine where we are in the development of the battery and the ultimate production date of the Volt.

OK..there are the details…its’ still all about the batteries. They need cycling time to see if the slope of capacity drop-off suggest the packs will still give 40 miles of range at 10 years…When they know, we’ll know.

Now will this post cause a flurry of press? Don’t hold your breath.

In our last post we heard about an interview with GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz in which he suggested a possible tempering of production date for the Volt. He didn’t exactly say that, for we have never really heard him quote confidence at hitting the 2010 delivery date, only his confidence on actually producing the car.

These statements nonetheless make us wonder whether something is going askew at team E-Flex. If felt it was necessary to reach out for their response.

Kindly, GM E-Flex spokesman Rob Peterson responded as follows:

Program timing has not changed, nor has the confidence level of the team. The team is driving toward late 2010 (assuming batteries are available) which is nearly three years from now. Our confidence grows each day, but there are still risks and unknowns that could alter the timing.

In his latest interview, with Forbes reporter Jerry Flint, the Volt’s main proponent GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz was asked about his confidence in being able to produce the Volt.

Lutz told the reporter on a scale of 1 to 10 he rated his confidence that the Volt will get produced as a 9.5.

This number dropped to 5.5 when he was asked about his confidence in achieving a 2010/2011 release.

Lutz said:

We’re holding people’s feet to the fire for the very end of 2010 into 2011. But that can slip, depending on how the development goes.

He also cautioned, regarding the Volt’s rollout:

It probably won’t be a flawless launch

On a more positive note, Lutz did mentioned he was pleased with the initial tests of the CPI/LG battery packs.

It’s Lutz expressing a slight shift in enthusiasm? Are significant hurdles arising? Only time will tell.

Source (Forbes)

U.S. News and World Report got to ask a few more questions than I did of Bob Lutz at the L.A. Auto Show press day.

Among other things, when asked if he thinks the Volt will work out, he said “There would have to be some horrible surprise for it not to work.”

He talked about how the initial Volt plan intended a lot of batteries and 100 mile range, but was later changed to 40 miles and less batteries by VP Jon Lauckner.
He is quoted as saying the Volt team said “2010 is an impossible target”.
With respect to production numbers of 60,000 he says “Within a few years we hope to be producing hundreds of thousands. This is potentially the reinvention of the automobile.”

He also addresses the risk of this program to GM.

Our very extensive GM-Volt.com Q&A is coming shortly so stay tuned.

Source (US News and World Report)

Before we get on to the massive Q and As, I felt a need to clarify a certain point.  People might be getting the misconception the the Chevy Volt will be based on the Malibu.  See this article so titled: (LINK).

This isn’t true.  Lutz said the concept’s aerodynamics were not good enough for the efficiencies required for the Volt to get a 40 mile range, and thus had to be re-designed.  This “production Volt” will still look like the concept in some ways.  GM is not releasing the design yet or saying much about it.  Per designer Bob Boniface he wants to keep it a surprise (see my interview).

Lutz said old version Malibus will serve as Volt test mules, but will not have anything to do visually with the final design.

Also, the plan is for the car to be available in November 2010, not 2011, it will just be known as a 2011 Chevy Volt.

I caught up to Bob Lutz again today at the L.A. Auto Show press day. After unveiling the new green series of Chevrolets including a new 2-mode hybrid Silverado pick-up truck and plans to produce one of the new mini cars called the Beat, with an expected 50 mpg highway mpg, Mr. Lutz was scrummed by reporters after his talk. This term scrum apparently means surrounded.

I poked into the crowd and picked him up saying a few things.

In particular he gave the first specific production date for the Volt, now more detailed than ever. It will be November 2010; and, per spokespersons, will be released as a 2011 model year.

Further, Mr. Lutz went on to disclose some global production plans; indicating that Chevy Volts will be sold in multiple countries beyond the U.S., and as such, will be built in left and right side driver versions.

He was also expressive about Toyota’s previous comments that the Volt would only get 10 miles of electric range (like their plug-in prototypes). Lutz said “we’ll see who’s credibility takes a hit” when the mules get test driven in the spring of 08.