Article Comments - 2011 Chevy Volt: Will GM Get It Done?

24 messages, Last post on Apr 25, 2009 at 5:05 AM

You are in the Future Vehicles Forum. Your Host is kirstie_h

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Volt, Electric Cars

2011 Chevy Volt: Will GM Get It Done? - Most people view the GM EV1 as a dismal failure. Viewed from strictly a marketing perspective, they are right. (more)

Outline

Messages Page 3 of 4: 1; 2; 3; 4; Prev; Next; Last

#13 of 24 Re: On Rationalizing The Volt's Price... (nwng) by hpmctorque Sep 23, 2008 (12:20 am)
"Do you think GM will have that kind of resource in a couple of years?" That's a rather rhetorical question, but I can't say your implied conclusion is unreasonable. We may - or may not - be surprised at how the Volt story plays out. It'll certainly be interesting to see whether the Volt fulfils its promise. I hope the optimistic view is vindicated, that GM defies the odds, but I have a neutral view on this at the moment, because I don't have a good enough technical grasp on whether the Volt's attributes are achievable by 2010 (for the 2011 model year).
#14 of 24 it's all about marketing by aspesisteve Oct 14, 2008 (7:39 am)
Today's paper has a (page 3) full page ad by GM promoting the Chevy Volt. GM says the Volt is an "extended-range electric vehicle designed to move over 75% of Americas's daily commuters without a single drop of gas." (talk about spin) they go on about how they are re-inventing the automobile and how they are well on their way.... I don't know what GM spends on ads like this or what they get in return, but it does strike me as a desperate attempt to tell the public not to give up on them. That GM is going to deliver that high milege car that Toyota has had for over 5 years now. Hopefully the multi Billion $$ in subsidised loans from the government will get them there. In the mean time, I'd llike to think their CEO and high level managers are all taking a pay cut to reflect the position they are in.
#15 of 24 Not telling the truth, just another GM liar by liveoilfree Nov 01, 2008 (3:32 pm)
This guy says he was working on the EV1, but doesn't know the facts; there were 1115 EV1 built and leased, not one was not leased, and all of them would have sold if they were offered for sale. Because GM is still lying about the EV1, it's no surprise that people might think GM is lying about the VOLT, and its intentions. Replies to this message: paisan (Nov 02, 2008 5:31 am) aspesisteve (Nov 11, 2008 1:40 pm)
#16 of 24 Re: Not telling the truth, just another GM liar [liveoilfree] by paisan Nov 02, 2008 (5:31 am)
Replying to: liveoilfree (Nov 01, 2008 3:32 pm) Just read an article on the volt. Its actually different from any hybrid you've seen out there. While it has a gas generator to power the electric motor in the event your batteries run down and you are out on the road, there is no physical connection between the gas motor and the propulsion of the vehicle. All the other hybrids use a physical gas engine to power the wheels in some form or another. When running on batteries alone you get about 40 miles out of it and it'll do 100mph with 0-60 in about 9 seconds. This is from a 3hr charge from a 220v outlet or 6hr charge from a 110v outlet costing around $1. So based on current gas prices you are getting about 90 mpg (based on $2.50 / gal price) If you run out of battery juice, the motor generator turns on and provides AC power to the electric motors and gets about 22-25mpg so you aren't stuck out on the road. The only downside I see right now is that it costs $35k so your payback will be slow similar to all the current hybrids on the market. -mike modifications and motorsports host Replies to this message: aspesisteve (Nov 11, 2008 1:40 pm)
#17 of 24 Re: Not telling the truth, just another GM liar [paisan] by aspesisteve Nov 11, 2008 (1:40 pm)
Replying to: paisan (Nov 02, 2008 5:31 am) where did you hear $35k for the Volt? I've heard it's more like $50k If it really were $35k I'd be more optimistic about it's success.
#18 of 24 Watching carefully by insightful1 Feb 11, 2009 (8:37 pm)
Well. GM announced the Volt in 2007. Since then Toyota has produced and sold a half a million Prius, and is on version 3. I'll just watch and wait. Plenty of time, since the fall of 2010 is 1 1/2 years away. It seems GM's claims all center on the cheap, mass produced Lithium battery, which they do not yet have ready. Get ready for delays. And now Honda speaks of a $20K hybrid. Watching carefully.
#19 of 24 Re: On Rationalizing The Volt's Price... [hpmctorque] by crazybaldhead Feb 24, 2009 (10:59 pm)
Replying to: hpmctorque (Sep 21, 2008 8:21 pm) "It's an elegant solution that engineers love, but it will take a while before less technically oriented people figure out they can drive the Volt cross-country all day, just like a conventional car." That was one seriously condescending statement, and this observation is from someone who designs "technically oriented" stuff for a living, has a working knowledge of hybrid technologies, and actually understands the time value of money. "The Volt is the tip of the spear. If it works," ... monkeys will fly out of my backside. No one will pay $40k for a GM car that supports series hybrid technology with an anemic 40 mile range. Even Toyota couldn't sell the Volt on its merits. The tip of the spear? More like the final nail. Replies to this message: morin2 (Mar 02, 2009 3:28 pm) wlbrown9 (Mar 10, 2009 8:51 am)
#20 of 24 Re: On Rationalizing The Volt's Price... [crazybaldhead] by morin2 Mar 02, 2009 (3:28 pm)
Replying to: crazybaldhead (Feb 24, 2009 10:59 pm) The 40 mile range is ridiculous. GM's rationalization that "75% of people commute less than 40 miles" is equally ridiculous. Those who live so near their employers probably live in cities where they have transit options. The people who need realistic alternatives are those in rural areas who must commute long distance by car because there are no mass transit alternatives. What advantage is it to drive a Volt that loses its charge half way to your job? Replies to this message: wlbrown9 (Mar 10, 2009 8:51 am)
#21 of 24 Re: On Rationalizing The Volt's Price... [morin2] by wlbrown9 Mar 10, 2009 (8:51 am)
Replying to: morin2 (Mar 02, 2009 3:28 pm) I disagree...because I live in a mid-size city with a lot of sprawl. I live on the NE edge of Memphis metro area and work downtown...commute is right at 20 miles one way. NO reasonable mass transit options and none likely. Something like this would be perfect for me. For more flexibility I would love the extended range after the charge runs out just in case I want to drive 500 miles for vacation to the Gulf coast or 100 miles west to visit my mother... Without having to stop and recharge, exchange battery packs, rent a different vehicle, etc. These would be a great answer for me... I think places like Chicago, DC, NYC and those areas with enough density of population and employment centers would be best served by mass transit... So, if you have a 100 mile commute, first 40 = no fuel use, last 60 = perhaps less than 2 gallons (assuming 35 MPG) net 50 MPG without being limited. Actually the Volt would probably get better than that, basing the 35 MPG on more a work truck or SUV size vehicle...one developer says the extended range generator should get double the MPG of a standard combustion engine setup... http://www.rasertech.com/media/movies/html/news_articles_PHEV_truck.html Just my opinion of what would work best for folks like ME. The 40 mile range is ridiculous. GM's rationalization that "75% of people commute less than 40 miles" is equally ridiculous. Those who live so near their employers probably live in cities where they have transit options. The people who need realistic alternatives are those in rural areas who must commute long distance by car because there are no mass transit alternatives. What advantage is it to drive a Volt that loses its charge half way to your job?
#22 of 24 Re: Article Comments - 2011 Chevy Volt: Will GM Get It Done? [hoosieriusb] by lessachs Apr 10, 2009 (12:04 pm)
Replying to: hoosieriusb (Sep 08, 2008 7:59 pm) Let me add to this one: I bought an '82 Citation.,.brand new, One its first outing, the thing died right in its tracks in the middle of nowhere. Electrical wiring problem. It was in and out of the shop. The worst car I ever had! My next car was a '84 Camry and I haven't looked back since. I drive an '08 Camry Hybrid today..great car. I'm open to the Volt, though. GM makes far better cars than they did in '82. I appreciate the opinion of the poster who anticipates Volt technology in other GM cars at lower prices. I hope that happens. $40,000 is too rich for me. I also remember a time when $20,000 for a car seemed out of sight. GM could win back my business with the right priced car using Volt techology.