GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Electric Car Site

We had recently heard some comments about Volt production in 2009 by both an executive at GM and the CEO of Continental Automotive.

GM sources and Continental sources have told me these statements are incorrect. In particular the Continental CEO was likely referring to the Mercedes lithium-ion hybrid packs we have heard about.

This has also been verified by our friend Sam Abuelsamid at Autobloggreen.

Certainly there should be advanced working prototypes in 2009 and there will have to be substantial numbers of battery packs, just not series production numbers. In other words don’t expect to find Volts on the showroom floors in 2009.

Recently we heard comments from Continental’s CEO about production level battery packs and Volts in 2009.  GM spokesperson Rob Peterson told me that 2010 was still the plan.

Today we are hearing some more talk aboout 2009. In an article in CNN, GM exec Robert Babik told the reporter “GM is rolling out its all-electric Chevy Volt hopefully by late 2009 and is pushing its “E-Flex” design concept.”

Another source claims to have information that the Hamtramck facility where the Volt is scheduled to be built will be closed for re-tooling in May 2009, and will be re-opened in September 2009 to begin production of Volt prototypes.

Thanks to Lyle L. for the tips.

One of the prime objectives of this site is to get the facts straight and dispel rumors. All along the E-Flex team has told us they are working towards November 2010 production. Certainly working prototypes will appear earlier than that, and something like a captured test fleet might even arrive a year earlier.Automotive component maker Continental is partnered with battery maker A123 as one of the two teams producing Volt battery packs. Continental CEO William Kozyra has just said in a newly published interview:

“Continental is well positioned to support that growth with technology that we’ve developed, including for example the lithium ion battery technology that we’re developing for General Motors for the Chevy Volt. We’re General Motors’ partners on the development of lithium ion. You’ll see lithium ion batteries in production here at the end of next year, and the development is going quite well. ”

When asked if whether not only the battery systems themselves will be in production but also if they will be placed in a production vehicle, he said “Absolutely”, ” Specifically in the Chevrolet Volt in late 2009. ”

Error? Captured test fleet? GM surprise? Your guess is as good as mine.

Sources at GM when asked about this report that the 2010 date remains unchanged .

Source (BusinessWeek)

GM Vice-Chairman Bob Lutz told reporters in Flint, Michigan on Tuesday that the Volt remains on-schedule.

He said:

“We’re going to prove the skeptics wrong,”

and

“I hope to drive the 40 miles electrically by March or April and by June we’ll have running prototypes for the press.”

And for those of you wondering about the first prototype packs from A123/Continental…I have heard delivery is immediately imminent…stay tuned.

Source (ABC12.com)

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.

Yesterday, GM hosted what it called GMnext to celebrate it’s 100 year anniversary as a company. For the event, myself and other journalists and bloggers were given the chance for a web chat with executives, including CEO Rick Wagoner.

What did I ask Mr. Wagoner? Well about the Volt of course!:

How important is the Chevy Volt E-Flex program to GM’s future, and how confident are you that the car will hit the road in 2010?

The Chevy Volt, and the E-Flex system, are really important for GM’s, and I think the whole industry’s, future. With the growing demand for oil, we need to diversify the sources of power for autos, away from our traditional 98% reliance on oil.

As to when the Volt will hit the road, we continue to put massive resources into production as soon as possible. 2010 would be great, but can’t guarantee that at this time. We’ll keep you posted regularly on our progress.

[UPDATE: Mr. Wagoner's response is spreading around the internet rapidly and has even been blamed for a drop in GM's share price! - but now you know who asked the question ]