Volt turnaround proves U.S. automakers' mettle

[Saturn69]

Originally Posted by sigma

I'd love to see how this does in traffic. My commute is only about 8 miles long, but it can take 45-60 minutes to complete (thanks I-35). The surface streets aren't much better time wise and are in terrible shape. So I'd love to see some idling performance numbers out of this car.

What idling? Electric cars don't idle. They're either on or off. If you don't need to move, you won't use much electricity, if any. Depends on the HVAC settings, radio, wipers, etc., being used as well.

[squat]

Hopefully with Chrylser getting into the game too we'll see the price of the components for making these cars, and then of course the cars themselves will drop in price.

[windvale]

My takeaway from the whole episode (and the current Wall St. crisis only cements it further) is that a lot of the corporate management for large US companies sucks big time. Our engineers are awesome...but the top execs totally suck...

GM's top execs have managed the company into the ground. For once, exec management has just given the football to the creative folks (engineers, designers, etc.) and told them to run with it - and the result is the Volt ! The results thus far say a lot...

[edsuski]

Originally Posted by CJ Thunder

So if the average person uses about 2 gallons a day and they do sell 100k the first year we save 200k gallons a year. Its a start.

As another member pointed out that is 73 million gallons per year or 3.3 million barrels of oil per year per 100K vehicles (assumes 2 gallons per day = 25 - 35 miles/day?).

This is the way to respond to the Middle East. Please do this - no - okay, lets add another 100K "Volts" to the national fleet. Next month - again - please do this - no - okay, lets add another 100K "Volts" to the national fleet. You get what I mean.....

[Bokl]

Originally Posted by windvale

My takeaway from the whole episode (and the current Wall St. crisis only cements it further) is that a lot of the corporate management for large US companies sucks big time. Our engineers are awesome...but the top execs totally suck...

GM's top execs have managed the company into the ground. For once, exec management has just given the football to the creative folks (engineers, designers, etc.) and told them to run with it - and the result is the Volt ! The results thus far say a lot...

Very true. Look at gm engineers they are great. Look what they did with Volt and what they did with two mode. Great system just idiotic managers told them to design it only for truck and suvs. I really wish that Detroit 3 would learn leasson from honda and let engineers be in charge not some Stupid MBA guy. Look where honda is now that have engineer as a ceo and where detroit 3 are. Last time i checked they are homeless and asking anybody who is willing to give them some money so they can buy bread.

[Bokl]

Originally Posted by edsuski

As another member pointed out that is 73 million gallons per year or 3.3 million barrels of oil per year per 100K vehicles (assumes 2 gallons per day = 25 - 35 miles/day?).

This is the way to respond to the Middle East. Please do this - no - okay, lets add another 100K "Volts" to the national fleet. Next month - again - please do this - no - okay, lets add another 100K "Volts" to the national fleet. You get what I mean.....

IF govr. did not want us to buy oil from middle east they would help pay for the volt. But no they would rather spend money on war so they can control more oil. Imagine if they gave gm half of the money that they spent on iraq to produce volt how many volts we would have on the road? Imagine if they helped tesla build their new 4 door electric car that will be 60k how much would it really be then.? How much oil would we need then? Would we be buying any more middle east oil. WOuld we need to fight another war? But it looks like that our gov. want us to buy oil from middle east so that way we can fight more wars and they get richer.

[ogg vorbis]

Originally Posted by sigma

I'd love to see how this does in traffic. My commute is only about 8 miles long, but it can take 45-60 minutes to complete (thanks I-35). The surface streets aren't much better time wise and are in terrible shape. So I'd love to see some idling performance numbers out of this car.

i'd say it doesn't use ANY energy when it's not moving. range is range regardless of how long it takes (acknowleging that efficiency goes down the higher the speed). however, if you have hvac, stereo, and other accessories, it'll drain the battery somewhat. you'll lose range, but 8 miles is still well within a full charge. i'm curious how gm found 40 mile range. if that's worst case highway, then city should be much higher!

it's not just that mba's make the decisions. ask yourself how much better you'd do your job if you had more creative input, and emotional connection with your product? look at what they've done with corvette. it gets better every year...and they're not subtle changes!

[CaptainDan]

Originally Posted by Bokl

Very true. Look at gm engineers they are great. Look what they did with Volt and what they did with two mode. Great system just idiotic managers told them to design it only for truck and suvs......

That sounds more like an engineer's decision (and I are one!).

If you wanted to reduce overall fuel usage, and you had to start SOMEWHERE....what vehicle would you do first?

Wouldn't the right choice be, whatever vehicle(s) use the most fuel in the first place? The vehicle that uses the most fuel, can SAVE more fuel. This would be why GM started with city buses. Then the big trucks. Makes sense to me.

Unfortunately, that way of thinking didn't take into account the fact that people driving gas hogs CARED less. The people who DID care were driving economy cars. And even though any fuel savings technology would do the LEAST good in a car which already is relatively fuel efficient, those buyers cared! Toyota, who started building hybrids at the complete "wrong" end of the spectrum, is now the hybrid poster child!

It's a marketing win, but a win is a win. Toyota won round one.

Who's up next? GM? Swing for the fences, baby!

[eaton53]

Originally Posted by CaptainDan

That sounds more like an engineer's decision (and I are one!).

Me too... and I swear a lot of executive decisions must be made using a dart board. Let's just throw a bunch of stuff at it and see what sticks.
A drunk throwing in a bar could probably do as well!

[CJ Thunder]

Originally Posted by SirRaven

Damn I was just about to adjust his math as well. I dont use 2 gallons a day, but then again I would only have to charge every other if I got this car.

Anyways the math. 2 gallons a day * 365 days a year * 100,000 cars = 73 million gallons a year. But then again I think the first year number is suppose to be only 10-20K, and not everyone will save 2 gallons a day or drive everyday so it will be closer to 5-10 million gallons a year as a guestimate.

Yes that's what I meant. Its a great start because unlike a hybrid that reduces usage from the fleet, this is cutting it gasoline out completely. I am sure some people will need to use some:






Honestly, it needs to be in the manual or people will have problems.

[kenman923]

It does show that GM is at least trying. Maybel this will be enough to put them back in the black.