Chevy Volt...love It Or Hate It....

[VMax2007]

....and all of us truck owners too!

 

http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/27/first-g...on-on-june-1st/

 

You'd probably never know it from all the pictures, but the Chevy Volt hasn't actually been fully built before -- so far all we've seen are "development mules" constructed from the shell of the company's Cruze compact cars. That's all gonna change on June 1st, when General Motors says it's gonna start production on the first 100 percent genuine Volt. According to the unofficial blog GM-Volt, an average of ten cars will be made each week until a fleet of 80 have been complete. Of course, you're still not gonna get to drive one until at least 2010, so don't go looking for your favorite Gatsby cap just yet.

[P71_CrownVic]

I think the Volt is a groundbreaking car...what GM has accomplished is very good for the industry.

 

BUT...................................

 

It is not the car you build when you are circling the drain. I think the $$$ spent on this car should have been spent on restructuring the company. How great is the Volt if GM is forced to go C7 (not saying they are...just something to think about)?

[Alljackedup408]

right now it looks like a dump of money.. but down the road.. if nothing big happens.. it will pay off big time.

[tobias]

FAIL. What a waste.

[VMax2007]

FAIL. What a waste.

 

 

Might want to forward this valuable opinion to every major automaker on the planet as they are ALL developing these.

[gave20]

With $2.00 gas and a high price tag, I don't see this car doing much of anything.

[Zembonez]

FAIL. What a waste.

 

 

Might want to forward this valuable opinion to every major automaker on the planet as they are ALL developing these.

 

Only because they are under pressure from the greenies. These vehicles are pure symbolism designed to divert attention and diminish criticism from tree huggers. A plug in electric car uses vast amounts of carbon based energy from the power grid... a fact that the leftist greenies will omit from their fake praise of the effort.

 

GM FAIL!

 

Not aimed at you Jeff. Long term this technology may become useful. It just isn't being created for the reasons being presented to us. It's a classic shell game.

[VMax2007]

FAIL. What a waste.

 

 

Might want to forward this valuable opinion to every major automaker on the planet as they are ALL developing these.

 

Only because they are under pressure from the greenies. These vehicles are pure symbolism designed to divert attention and diminish criticism from tree huggers. A plug in electric car uses vast amounts of carbon based energy from the power grid... a fact that the leftist greenies will omit from their fake praise of the effort.

 

FAIL!

 

 

How much does it cost to fully charge the Volt (at today's elec prices) from "empty" to completely charged Jim? (I know, I am just seeing if you do). This is the cost of driving 40 miles gas-free.

 

Any guesses?

[Zembonez]

FAIL. What a waste.

 

 

Might want to forward this valuable opinion to every major automaker on the planet as they are ALL developing these.

 

Only because they are under pressure from the greenies. These vehicles are pure symbolism designed to divert attention and diminish criticism from tree huggers. A plug in electric car uses vast amounts of carbon based energy from the power grid... a fact that the leftist greenies will omit from their fake praise of the effort.

 

FAIL!

 

 

How much does it cost to fully charge the Volt (at today's elec prices) from "empty" to completely charged Jim? (I know, I am just seeing if you do). This is the cost of driving 40 miles gas-free.

 

Any guesses?

 

The lowest figure I have seen kicked around is 69 cents. I don't know if it is accurate. Autoweek reported it to be about $1.70. I have read a lot on the Volt and I think it is an intersting idea but the technology is not there for really decent batteries at this time. Once it can do 200 miles or so without gas, I think it becomes viable.

 

Like I said. No swipe at you at all. Just not sold.

 

 

EDIT: I don't disagree that it will probably be good PR for GM. I hope it turns out to be so.

[VMax2007]

The lowest figure I have seen kicked around is 69 cents. I don't know if it is accurate. Autoweek reported it to be about $1.70. I have read a lot on the Volt and I think it is an intersting idea but the technology is not there for really decent batteries at this time. Once it can do 200 miles or so without gas, I think it becomes viable.

 

Like I said. No swipe at you at all. Just not sold.

 

 

EDIT: I don't disagree that it will probably be good PR for GM. I hope it turns out to be so.

 

80 cents. Pretty cheap way to travel 40 miles IMO.

 

As for your above post. I agree 100%. But remember, this is a DEVELOPMENTAL vehicle that is also being developed by every major auto mfr in the world. GM has been criticized for not being "leaders" in the new development for years, now that they are, they are still being criticized...WTF? Will it sell in high volumes? of course not! it isn't meant to...yet. You gotta crawl before you can walk. Or should GM just let the Asians develop this and once again be "late to the party" and continue to weaken their image?

 

The EPA has already approved it as a 100+ MPG car based on it's projected fuel consumption based on 40 miles gas-free and the several hundred remaining miles on a single tank of gas using the IC generator. I'd say that's pretty damned good for a brand new 1st production develpmental vehicle. Wouldn't you? BTW 80%+ of Americans drive less than 40 miles RT on their daily commute. That leaves a helluva lotta gas for us gas guzzlers.

[Zembonez]

I agree with the point that GM needs to become a leader again rather than the "10 years too late to the party" company they were. I think they have improved in the last 5 years but LEADERSHIP is what we need to become a groundbreaking company that people WANT to jump in and buy from.

 

With the leftist tree huggers, it is "cool" to buy a Prius, a Civic hybrid, or a VW TDI. We have to admit that Honda, Toyota, and VW have played that market perfectly to get their business... Just like Apple has done with their inferior iPod format...

[ryan_hermanutz]

FAIL. What a waste.

 

 

Might want to forward this valuable opinion to every major automaker on the planet as they are ALL developing these.

 

Only because they are under pressure from the greenies. These vehicles are pure symbolism designed to divert attention and diminish criticism from tree huggers. A plug in electric car uses vast amounts of carbon based energy from the power grid... a fact that the leftist greenies will omit from their fake praise of the effort.

 

GM FAIL!

 

Not aimed at you Jeff. Long term this technology may become useful. It just isn't being created for the reasons being presented to us. It's a classic shell game.

 

 

I guess that is where you get your power from. I'm in the Pacific Northwest so all of our power comes from Hydro.

[VMax2007]

I guess that is where you get your power from. I'm in the Pacific Northwest so all of our power comes from Hydro.

 

Exactly! At least with electricity, we have options.

[Zembonez]

FAIL. What a waste.

 

 

Might want to forward this valuable opinion to every major automaker on the planet as they are ALL developing these.

 

Only because they are under pressure from the greenies. These vehicles are pure symbolism designed to divert attention and diminish criticism from tree huggers. A plug in electric car uses vast amounts of carbon based energy from the power grid... a fact that the leftist greenies will omit from their fake praise of the effort.

 

GM FAIL!

 

Not aimed at you Jeff. Long term this technology may become useful. It just isn't being created for the reasons being presented to us. It's a classic shell game.

 

 

I guess that is where you get your power from. I'm in the Pacific Northwest so all of our power comes from Hydro.

 

In some areas this is possible. No large area in the US is totally hydro powered. Coal, natural Gas, and Oil are responsible for 70% plus of the electricity in the US. Nuclear is responsible for 20% and hydro power somewhere around 7%. Renewables make up the tiny percentage remaining.

 

Obviously improvements in renewable / hydro energy would make the most sense.

[rvsahs]

I agree with the point that GM needs to become a leader again rather than the "10 years too late to the party" company they were. I think they have improved in the last 5 years but LEADERSHIP is what we need to become a groundbreaking company that people WANT to jump in and buy from.

 

With the leftist tree huggers, it is "cool" to buy a Prius, a Civic hybrid, or a VW TDI. We have to admit that Honda, Toyota, and VW have played that market perfectly to get their business... Just like Apple has done with their inferior iPod format...

 

Appears to be a "damned if you do...damned if you don't" issue here. The concept/technology of this vehicle certainly intrigues me. And I think it will with many others who are urbanites or environmentally conscious. I believe it will bring these "cool tree huggers" into a GM dealership showroom (many for the first time) and at least provide Chevy a face-to-face opportunity to market this product and/or other high MPG vehicles on the showroom floor. Besides, $2 gas won't last forever....