[HoosierRon]

"Experts" express skepticism of Volt program's success

The most critical of the four assessments (two of which lie behind a subscription service and whose tone can only be estimated to be positive and mixed by their given report titles) was written by Mark Fendley who is the "Continuous Improvement Manager at BMW Manufacturing in Spartanburg, South Carolina" and has been with that company since 1998 according to the GLG website. His report, titled, "The Volt - GM's Attempt at Green Marketing without the Green Product or the Green Return," contends that the battery technology behind the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is too unproven, environmentally destructive, and expensive to "ensure a 2010 launch." No sources are given to bolster the environmental claims in the article. Also unmentioned, unfortunately, are any details of the battery tech an all-electric car his employer is rumored may produce.

 

[cbennie2]

I'm sure people at the turn of the 20th century had similar expressions about the "horseless" carriage...isn't that part of invention, coming up with the right formula that makes the system work?

 

[baloo]

Full text of Fendley's analysis here:
http://www.glgroup.com/News/The-Vol...-Green-Product-or-the-Green-Return-23868.html

 

[tama z71]

"lets stifle progress because we're not sure where it will go, even though we are sure that if it goes anywhere, lets make it wait until it will benefit us."

everybody hop on the "damn i wish i thought of it first!" train --- wheeeeeee!!!

 

[WWI Flying Ace]

"Experts" express skepticism of Volt program's success

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks". - (Hamlet, Act III, Scene II).

 

[member12]

What does BMW have that's green, again?

 

[eaton53]

When the competition resorts to berating, you know it's a serious threat.

 

[A Bum In A Bus]

Folks that is the sound of "FEAR", when you are about to get your clock cleaned on and issue, poo poo your competition. Too bad BMW, it's for real and your clock needs cleaning, bend over and grab them ankles..

 

[espo19047]

Walk on the moon? yeah right!
A 24 hour sports channel? this ESPN will never work!

 

[member12]

Just for that statement, I want to see a two mode CTS! Imagine getting 30mpg from a 300 horsepower sports sedan.

That should shut him up.

 

[tgagneguam]

What does BMW have that's green, again?

When the competition resorts to berating, you know it's a serious threat.

Folks that is the sound of "FEAR", when you are about to get your clock cleaned on and issue, poo poo your competition. Too bad BMW, it's for real and your clock needs cleaning, bend over and grab them ankles..

Walk on the moon? yeah right!
A 24 hour sports channel? this ESPN will never work!

Yup, I had similar thoughts to all of these posts.

I noticed Mark didn't mention anything at all about his own company's Hydrogen 7-series that's due for launch... when is it again? Oh, that's right, there is no launch date for consumers, being all viable and such.

Mark, go back to 1400 Highway 101 South in Spartanburg to build your incredibly fuel efficient X5, X6, Z4 Roadster, M Roadster, Z4 Coupe, M Coupe and X3. I think they get a combined, what, 15 mpg's?

 

[prototype66]

I smell fear..................

 

[dfmoeller]

Notice this clown's position at BMW. He is the "paper generation" manager of an outpost manufacturing-only facility. He doesn't actually do or make anything but slide decks. If he, indeed, is qualified to comment, its certainly not on the basis of his position.

BTW, what are BMW's plans in this area? I know, make a bigger Rolls, right?

I like the post above that stated something to the effect, "that is the sound of fear". Well put.

Doug

 

[Ach]

Interesting to hear this kind of commentary from BMW. Toyota or Honda I would expect...but it is a little surprising coming from a company that focuses on the premium end of the market.

 

[tamatt27]

What does BMW have that's green, again?

GM's Hybrid transmissions...

 

[joemac]

Mark, go back to 1400 Highway 101 South in Spartanburg to build your incredibly fuel efficient X5, X6, Z4 Roadster, M Roadster, Z4 Coupe, M Coupe and X3. I think they get a combined, what, 15 mpg's?

They're just pissed because there's no way in hell BMW is going to come anywhere close to meeting the new CAFE 35MPG standards. Well maybe if they sell a bazillion of something the size of a go cart... call it the .25 series or something.... :

 

[CmicasatheGreat]

Just for that statement, I want to see a two mode CTS! Imagine getting 30mpg from a 300 horsepower sports sedan.

That should shut him up.

Not even necessary to have Dual-Mode to achieve this... BAsed on the Vue GL's numbers... they could achieve 32MPG easy using the BAS system

 

[joemac]

GM's Hybrid transmissions...

Please please please..... the BMW elite do not want GM mentioned anywhere near their product. We also won't mention that many BMW's for years have come with GM transmissions.

 

[ericmvest]

Notice this clown's position at BMW. He is the "paper generation" manager of an outpost manufacturing-only facility. He doesn't actually do or make anything but slide decks. If he, indeed, is qualified to comment, its certainly not on the basis of his position.

I agree. A BMW Continuous Improvement Manager at BMW's Spartanbug, South Carolina assembly plant? He is a relatively low level manager at a BMW outpost plant who is not directly involved in product design and research and development. I doubt that he has any training or experience on series hybrids, advanced batteries, etc. I further doubt that he is speaking on behalf of BMW. This guy has the right to his opinions, no matter how ill informed they are, but he should not use his BMW title unless he is speaking on behalf of BMW. He looks like a loose cannon, light weight to me.

 

[dederer]

BMW has paid the most in CAFE fines since 2000. It's nice to see GM putting a little fear in the competition.