[plane]

DETROIT -- Any questions about what the American auto industry can do were answered Tuesday at the Renaissance Center when a production model of the Chevrolet Volt rolled into the automotive universe.

Not that there ever really was a question about what is possible. Detroit put the world on wheels and foreign automakers still come here to cherry pick executives and engineers.

But there have been serious questions, and legitimate concerns, about Detroit's ability to convert its talent into homegrown home runs.

Article continues at link...

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080917/OPINION03/809170332

 

[zete]

It's a game changer. It also has some competition sounding scared and making odd statements, which make them appear a tad desperate.

The Volt has truly helped change the media perception of GM. Almost every article is positive now, pointing out that the Volt is coming out very soon. The only complaint I've read is that the Volt will initially have "limited production". The price catches a few off guard, but most comprehend that the first few years will be expensive but it'll drop.

 

[Mr. Burns]

What GM is doing once again with this car is leading the industry instead of following. No one has anything like this right now, and if it ends up a hit in the market then it would pave the way for many electric cars like it and eventually make a serious dent on oil dependance. You have to start somewhere with these things, it's nice to see GM doing the starting.

 

[CJ Thunder]

What GM is doing once again with this car is leading the industry instead of following. No one has anything like this right now, and if it ends up a hit in the market then it would pave the way for many electric cars like it and eventually make a serious dent on oil dependance.

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.

 

[sigma]

Burns where did you get that avatar? That rear of the Malibu looks significantly better than the production one.

 

[Mr. Burns]

Burns where did you get that avatar? That rear of the Malibu looks significantly better than the production one.

Thanks. I think I've mentioned this before but it is a sketch from malibu designers when they were exploring possibilities:

The rear end is a great improvement over the actual car, but I doubt it would be feasible for safety reasons.

 

[uboys]

We will see.

Not buying $40,000 though. I think GM might be able to bring it down to at least $35,000 before tax credits.

 

[Koasterking]

Price is going to be the utlimate factor in determining whether this car takes flight or falls. Price it between 30-35k, and I'm sure people will buy. Anything higher, the crowd of possible buyers shrinks.

Another thing, tour this car around the country, do some heavy advertising, let people sit inside the car. The more minds GM can change about the cosumer's perception about the American auto industry, the better for the car and the company.

What people said in other post, "The Volt will help GM's perception, But the Cruze will be GM's money maker when both are on sale", I think that's true. People will come to see (or hopefully buy) the Volt, but can also check out Chevy's other great fuel savers. ei, Aveo, Cruze, Malibu, HHR, hybrid trucks and SUV's. This car will bring consumer traffic into the dealerships.

 

[GMusa]

The Volt along with the new vehicles from GM show that GM has once again let the engineers do their job instead of letting the bean counters depict vehicle design, technology, quality, and performance!

 

[96_impala_ss]

Way to go GM. 2 brands down 6 more to go lol

 

[Quickening]

We will see.

Not buying $40,000 though. I think GM might be able to bring it down to at least $35,000 before tax credits.

Wait there isn't dual climate control? FAIL.

Just kidding.

 

[GMforME]

I was skeptical myself as to whether this thing could command 40 G but I saw it in the flesh at the tech center on friday and it looks 40 G in person. I was quite impressed and pictures/video do it no justice. Its looks are longer and shorter in person than it looks in pictures. It does not look short and squatty like the pictures suggest. Fantastic detail.

 

[Ronald McChevy]

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.

you mean 200k gallons a day?

 

[SirRaven]

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.

you mean 200k gallons a day?

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.

 

[sigma]

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.

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.

 

[Saturn69]

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]

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]

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.