Chevy Volt still on target for 2010 . . . for now
GM is in dire straits right now, and it’s debatable whether or not the company deserves the seeds that it’s sown. In order to preserve its remaining cash reserves, GM has delayed development of the plug-in Saturn Vue, but so far the Chevy Volt is full steam ahead. In fact, GM is increasing spending on the Volt project.
The Chevy Volt is essentially equivalent to hope for GM right now. It promises to capture the attention of American consumers hungry for fuel-efficient vehicles. The problem? First generation Volts won’t provide GM with much profit margin, and a company can only survive for so long on good publicity alone. That’s why company officials are so focused on convincing the government to invest some cash.
That would enable GM to survive it’s current financial crisis and hopefully follow the Chevy Volt with other fuel efficient vehicles.
The Chevrolet Volt seems to have made it through unscathed. In fact, GM said it would increase spending on its next-generation auto, according to CNN.
Running 40 miles without gas is a compelling value proposition for most consumers, though with recently falling gas prices, the economic impact could temporarily be lessened for the average driver.
Somewhat less revolutionary but still an incremental improvement, the Saturn Vue plug-in will be delayed until 2011.
GM had planned to introduce a plug-in Saturn Vue Hybrid in 2009. Now GM says it won’t come out until 2011, launching after the Chevrolet Volt. Unlike the Volt, the Vue plug-in will not be able to drive under electric power alone.
It’s encouraging to see GM’s continued focus on the Chevy Volt project, but disappointing at the same time that it shifted strategy away from gas-guzzling SUVs so late in the game. It’s a good lessen in sustainability, and hopefully GM will survive it.
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November 12th, 2008
Will Matt jensen EVER get anything right about GM or the Volt? GM HAS NOT “delayed” the Saturn Vue Greenline plug-in. That’s because it was never put on any schedule for launch. Last year we all (but not Matt Jensen) knwew that the Vue would most likely follow the Volt (that means a 2009 launch) rather than precede it.
Tech.blorge editors : please hire someone who is up to date and doesn’t write so much fiction.
November 12th, 2008
I still want to know HOW the electricity to recharge this thing so I can make it back home is going to be delivered to the vehicle and how the provider of that electricity is going to be paid? Do people think my employer is going to suddenly install parking spaces with electric cords???
And ALL the electricity required to operate a Volt has to come from somewhere! An electric car does NOTHING for the environment until clean and renewable sources of generating electricity are prevalent. Until then, we just burn more coal or oil or whatever to supply the increased draw on the existing grid.
November 12th, 2008
@DavidB,
The car will be able to run just fine using gas once the 40 miles battery charge is up. And if you believe the rumors it will get very good a very mpg rating. So you don’t need new parking with extension cords. Also most Americans ( not all and not me) don’t drive more than 20 miles each way to work. So for some it’s fantastic.
And to your second point, it will help the environment. Think about it, thousands of small inefficient engines (cars) vs. one large very efficient engine (power plant). And there are many many clean ways to get energy at the power plant level. Nuclear, solar, hydro, wind ect. ect.
This is a huge step and if GM pulls it off it will help them tremendously.
November 14th, 2008
what will the volt look like?
December 3rd, 2008
@Brian,
And then there’s also the benefit of all the heavy liquid gasoline that needs to be trucked around, in favor of just bringing fuel to the power plants, and then distributing the energy in the form of electricity, which is much more efficient.