In a lengthy interview with The Washington Post, former General Motors vice chairman Bob Lutz said that the V8 muscle cars and the Chevrolet Volt will still live on once GM comes out of bankruptcy.

An avid supporter of the Chevrolet Volt, the man who once brought us the Dodge Viper said that the plug-in hybrid electric-vehicle is just the type of product GM needs to produce to satisfy political demand for advanced-technology and fuel-efficient cars.

However, he’s not convinced that the American consumer is yearning for a car like the Chevrolet Volt. Lutz said that the United States is divided into East and West coast intellectuals and the rest of America, which he said still want loud V8 engines.

“When you get out into the marketplace, it’s probably just 5 percent of the public that desperately wants something environmentally sound and is willing to pay a premium for it,” Lutz said.

“I would say the East and West Coast intellectual establishment kind of lives in its own world. When you get to the broad American marketplace, excitement [over autos] is still kind of defined in the way it used to be.”

What are your thoughts on Lutz’s comments?

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Washington Post (via Green Car Advisor)

General Motors today opened the doors to its 33,000 square feet battery research and development plant in Michigan. GM says that the facility will play a major part in accelerating its move to electric-vehicles such as the upcoming 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

Known as the Global Battery Systems Lab, the Warren, Michigan plant will be used to test and build lithium-ion batteries for GM vehicles.

GM CEO Fritz Henderson and Jennifer Granholm were at the opening ceremony for the plant, which will employ 1,000 engineers.

“The new global GM battery lab will benefit consumers across America by helping us advance the development of battery technology in the United States and put cleaner, more efficient vehicles on the road more quickly and affordably,” Henderson. “Our new lab improves GM’s competitiveness by speeding the development of our hybrid, plug-in and extended-range electric vehicles, including the Chevrolet Volt.”

GM said that it will use supply lithium-ion battery cells, electronic components and control hardware provided by LG Chem for the Chevrolet Volt.

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Press Release:

GM Opens Most Technologically Advanced Automotive Battery Lab In The United States

* Reinforces the New GM’s commitment to advanced technology leadership
* Will accelerate the domestic development of advanced battery technology and lead GM’s network of existing battery labs in Honeoye Falls, N.Y.; Warren, Mich.; and Mainz-Kastel, Germany
* Capable of testing all current battery systems, including lithium-ion, as well as new energy storage technologies such as ultracapacitors for GM’s extended-range electric, plug-in, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles

WARREN, Mich. – General Motors expanded its significant battery research and development capabilities today by opening the largest and most technologically advanced battery lab in the United States on its Technical Center campus here.

The new Global Battery Systems Lab will lead GM’s global advanced battery engineering resources and expedite the introduction of electrically driven vehicles, including the Chevrolet Volt, as well as plug-in hybrid and hybrid-electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles.

“The new global GM battery lab will benefit consumers across America by helping us advance the development of battery technology in the United States and put cleaner, more efficient vehicles on the road more quickly and affordably,” said Fritz Henderson, GM president and CEO. “Our new lab improves GM’s competitiveness by speeding the development of our hybrid, plug-in and extended-range electric vehicles, including the Chevrolet Volt.”

The Global Battery Systems Lab spans 33,000 sq. ft. – four times larger than GM’s previous Tech Center battery lab – and will be used by GM’s growing team of more than 1,000 engineers working on advanced batteries and electrically driven vehicles.

Planning began in December 2007 and construction started in August 2008. Operations began in January – nine months ahead of schedule. The lab became fully functional in May, equipped with 160 test channels and 42 thermal chambers duplicating extreme real-world driving patterns, hot and cold temperatures and calendar life. The lab’s maximum power capacity is 6 megawatts, or enough electricity to provide power to approximately 1,400 homes.

“This facility is state-of-the-art and represents one of the largest and most capable battery test labs in the world,” said Jim Queen, GM group vice president, Global Engineering. “More than half of the lab is dedicated to testing the electrochemical battery cells and their enclosures, known as modules, a capability not available in GM’s previous battery lab. The lab’s remaining floor space is committed to evaluating completed battery packs.”

The Global Battery Systems Lab was built within GM’s Alternative Energy Center facility, and includes many environmentally friendly features such as a center hallway with high-efficiency LED lighting and a floor made from recycled tires. Approximately 90 percent of the electricity used for battery testing can be returned to the local energy grid for use by homeowners and businesses.

Additional new benefits offered by the Global Battery Systems Lab include a thermal shaker table for battery structural integrity testing, a battery teardown area for failure analysis and competitor benchmarking, an integrated test automation system and improved Design of Experiments methodology – an information-gathering exercise that allows GM to perform more thorough battery tests more quickly.

The Global Battery Systems Lab complements GM’s other battery labs in Mainz-Kastel, Germany, Honeoye Falls, N.Y., and the Warren Technical Center’s Research Chemical Engineering facility. The opening of the Global Battery Systems Lab is the latest move in GM’s comprehensive battery strategy, which includes ramping up “in-house” responsibility for advanced battery technology and a broad portfolio of supplier partners.

At the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, GM:

* Announced plans to establish the world’s first lithium-ion battery pack manufacturing plant operated by a major automaker in the U.S.
* Selected LG Chem to supply lithium-ion battery cells, electronic components and control hardware for the Chevrolet Volt
* Signed a joint engineering development contract with Compact Power and LG Chem to further expedite the development of the Volt’s lithium-ion battery technology
* Joined with the University of Michigan to create a new automotive advanced battery lab in Ann Arbor, Mich., and a specialized curriculum within U of M’s College of Engineering to develop automotive battery engineers.

Energy alternatives and advanced technologies that reduce dependence on petroleum, improve fuel economy and reduce emissions are keys to developing sustainable transportation. GM is pursuing several options to best meet the varied needs of customers around the world – from advanced gasoline, diesel and biofuel technology to electrically assisted vehicles such as hybrids, plug-in hybrids and – ultimately – electrically driven extended-range electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. GM believes that electrically driven vehicles, based on battery and hydrogen fuel cell technology, offer the best long-term solution for providing sustainable personal transportation.

Facts: Global Battery Systems Battery Lab

Location

Alternative Energy Center, GM Technical Center, Warren, Mich.

Timing

* Battery system test area operational January, 2009
* Cell and module test area May, 2009

Size

Total floor space: 33,000 sq. ft.

* 14,400 sq. ft. – pack testing and development
* 17,400 sq. ft. – cell and module development
* 2,000 sq. ft. – technical support

Benefits

* Increased pack testing
o 32 cyclers (serve as treadmills for batteries)
o 64 test channels (available for individual battery tests)
o 25 thermal chambers (duplicates extreme temperature conditions)
* New cell and module testing
o 32 cyclers
o 96 test channels
o 16 small thermal chambers
* Environmental control capability – to allow for test correlation and repeatability
o New humidity-controlled walk-in chambers
o New air flow benches to provide specific temperatures and levels of humidity to test air-cooled battery packs
o New coolant chillers to cool or heat liquid-cooled battery packs

Enhanced capability

* Integrated test automation system enables around-the-clock standardized testing, customized test schedules and monitoring tests from desk or at home
* New thermal shaker table for structural integrity testing
* Improved Design of Experiments methodology – an information-gathering exercise that allows GM to perform more thorough battery tests in a shorter period of time
* Battery teardown area for failure analysis and competitor benchmarking

- By: Omar Rana

In all of the statements released today by General Motors, the now bankrupt automaker said that its new products and technologies are on track. It said that that the New GM will continue with key vehicle launches in 2009 and 2010 including the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, 2010 Buick LaCrosse, 2010 Cadillac SRX and CTS Sport Wagon, the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, Cruze and Volt along with the 2010 GMC Terrain.

“Our products are our future, and our lineup of new cars and crossovers are a great foundation for success,” said CEO Fritz Henderson. “The New GM is here to stay, and our brands position us to compete well in profitable segments with vehicles that are second-to-none.”

GM said that it will launch the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid by the end of 2010 and expects to have 14 hybrid models in production by 2012. It said that 65 percent of its vehicles will be alternative-fuel capable by 2014.

“The New GM will become a long-term global leader in the development of fuel-efficient and advanced-technology vehicles,” said Henderson. “In doing so, the New GM will contribute to the development of advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities in the United States, which are critical to the future of the U.S. economy.”

- By: Kap Shah

General Motors product development chief Tom Stephens said today that work on the 2011 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid is progressing as planned despite the company’s financial troubles and the threat of bankruptcy right around the corner.

“At this point in time, I know of no reason why we can’t be in production by November of 2010,” Stephens told reporters.

According to Automotive News, Stephens said that GM is still deciding which of the other three core GM brands – Cadillac, Buick or GMS – would get the Volt’s hybrid powertrain technology.

It was reported last month that the U.S. Energy Department has put a hold on federal funding for its 2011 Chevrolet Volt until the GM is seen financially viable by Obama”s automotive task force. 

The Detroit automaker reported a loss of $6 billion in the first-quarter of 2009.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

- By: Omar Rana

Earlier this week, Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk made an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman to discuss the future Model S sedan. Letterman, impressed by Tesla’s Roadster and Model S, cracked a joke on GM’s Volt calling it a “golf cart,” saying the mileage was “insane” and “ridiculous.”

Letterman went on to say that the Volt’s 40-mile range wouldn’t get you down the driveway and back to pick up the newspaper.

Bob Lutz has now responded to Letterman’s comments. Writing over at GM’s FastLane Blog, vice chairman Bob Lutz said that GM “should do a better job of making sure that Dave and everyone else who is in position to comment on national TV about our products has the right information, whether they use that information or not.”

Lutz even invited Letterman to come to GM to learn more about the Volt.

“Dave may drive more than 40 miles a day on his commute from the palatial Connecticut estate, but about 80 percent of Americans don”t,” said Lutz. “And those people could conceivably drive the Volt every day and never use a drop of gasoline.”

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

- By: Omar Rana

GM is calling for plug-in vehicles standards that it says are necessary for consumer acceptance of electric-vehicles, like the Chevy Volt. The automaker will be supporting the Society of Automotive Engineers conference in Detroit next week, where the SAE J1772TM Task Force (they really couldn’t pick something easier) will continue to push for the standardization for the way a consumer plugs-in an electric-vehicle and charges the battery.

“In order for plug-in electric vehicles to become part of the mainstream, a plug-in ‘ecosystem’ must be in place when vehicles like the Chevy Volt extended-range electric vehicle hit the market.” writes Gery Kissel, an Energy Storage Systems Engineering Specialist at GM. ”And for this ecosystem to be robust, there must be commonality, especially when owners are plugging into the electrical grid.”

Kissel says that factors like outlet voltages and weather based on location will vary; however, we should have a standard for the charge cord and how a consumer uses it regardless of make or model.

“Drivers shouldn’t have to worry about electromagnetic compatibility, emission and immunity when they need to plug-in – that’s what engineers like me get paid to do.”

Your thoughts? Have your say in the comments section below.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: GM’s FastLane Blog

Some of the very elite press publications (you know the WSJ, CNN and stuff) were recently invited out to GM’s Milford ground in Michigan where they had the chance to get behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Volt prototype.

We’re guessing this is another one of GM’s marketing stunt to show that work is progressing as planned on the Chevy Volt since most of the time, only individuals that work for the company get to drive test mules.

The few hand-picked journalists had the chance to get behind the Chevrolet Cruze carrying about 80 percent of the Volt technology.

Of course, there is still some tweaking that needs to be done before the Volt enters production. 

In the mean time, you can check out CNN’s take by clicking here.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

General Motors said today that it won’t be getting any federal funding for its 2011 Chevrolet Volt until the company has been certified as financially viable by Obama’s automotive task force. 

Along with its $10.3 billion loan request from the U.S. Energy Department for the development of fuel-efficient vehicles, GM has also requested $2.6 billion for development of two Volt derivatives and a third hybrid model.

According to Automotive News, GM spokesman Kerry Christopher said that the U.S. Energy Department will not provide any loans until a viable future for GM is clear.

Earlier this morning it as reported that the U.S. Treasury has asked GM to prepare for a bankruptcy filing by June 1. We’re guessing this may cause some delay in the Nov. 2010 availability of the Volt.

- By: Kap Shah

The Tesla Roadster and the company’s upcoming Model S are both pure electric-vehicles. That’s because Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk doesn’t like E-REVs like the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

When asked by GM-Volt why Tesla hasn’t considered the range-extender concept of the Chevrolet Volt, Musk said:

We looked closely at a range extender architecture for Model S. It ends up costing about the same in vehicle unit cost, a lot more in R&D and a lot more in servicing. Also, although performance is ok when both battery and engine are active at the same time, it turns really bad when the battery runs out and an undersized engine is carrying all the dead weight of the pack. Essentially, a REV is neither fish nor fowl and ends up being worse (in our opinion) than either a gasoline or pure electric vehicle.

Of course, there is a more technical hatered for Musk towards REVs. You can read more over at GM-Volt.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: GM-Volt

Despite General Motors’ financial troubles and Obama’s task force saying that the automaker spent too much time and money on a car that won’t be commercially successful in the short-term, development on the Chevrolet Volt rolls on.

GM said today that it will be adding 80 new prototypes by this summer. However, this time around the new round of Volt prototypes will drop their Chevrolet Cruze exterior for the production Volt exterior and interior.

“We need to accelerate the adaptation rate,” said Tony Posawatz, the Volt”s vehicle line director.

GM is already working on the second-generation drivetrain for the Volt known as the Voltec (which debuted in the Cadillac Converj at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show). Today, GM said that it has asked the U.S. government for an additional $2.6 billion to add the new Voltec technology to two Volt spin-offs.

Posawatz said that the Volt is still on schedule for a Nov. 2010 debut.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: AutoWeek

General Motors on Monday asked the U.S. government for a total of $2.6 billion in low-interest government loans to support the development of three new hybrid vehicles – two of which it said will be spin-offs from the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid.

That brings GM’s loan request to $10.3 billion in aid from a U.S. Energy Department program that is designed to support the production of fuel-efficient vehicles. This is GM’s third request for loans under the new program.

This is the first time that GM has confirmed to produce other variants of the Volt. The two spin-off models will feature the same battery-powered electric motor and a 1.4L engine that will kick in after 40 miles of zero-emissions driving.

We’re just hoping that GM isn’t asking money to build a production version of the Cadillac Converj in a market like this. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt will go on sale late next year.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

Cadillac Converj Concept:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: Reuters

Today is Bob Lutz’s last day as General Motors Vice Chairman and head of Global Product Development. Tomorrow, Lutz will take on a new role as Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor. So on his last day, GM-Volt only saw it fit to ask Maximum Bob about the remarks that came from the auto task force yesterday regarding the Chevrolet Volt (since the Volt is Lutz’s little baby and all).

The government’s audit of GM’s viability plan said that the company had invested too much time and money into the Volt instead of focusing on producing better smaller cars.

What does Lutz have to say about all this?

In an e-mail to GM-Volt, Lutz wrote: “Thanks for your concern. Volt will survive and prosper. We know the numbers better than the Government”¦we furnished them! First-generation technology is expensive, but you can”t have a second generation without a first generation,” Mr Lutz wrote me in an email. “Common sense and intelligence will prevail, here!”

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: GM-Volt

According to the auto task force’s Viability Summary of GM, the Chevrolet Volt will not save the Detroit automaker. The government’s audit of GM’s restructuring plan said that the automaker had invested too much time and money developing the Volt instead of focusing producing better smaller cars.

“While the Volt holds promise, it will likely be too expensive to be commercially successful in the short-term,” the report said.

The report said that GM remained too dependent on trucks and SUVs to earn profit for the company. The report did not mention cars like the Chevrolet Cruze or the Chevrolet Beat that are scheduled to arrive in the U.S. at the end of next year.

The Chevrolet Volt is scheduled to go on sale in Nov. 2010 with price coming in around $40,000. 

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: Detroit News

In an interview with Reuters about his upcoming “Comedy Stimulus Package” show in Detroit for unemployed workers, Jay Leno exhibited his love for electric-cars and GM’s fuel-efficient vehicle initiatives.

Reuters asked the car-enthusiast if he’s going to purchase the upcoming 2011 Chevrolet Volt, Leno said that he will go by and test drive it. He said that he currently has hydrogen Equinox from GM and that the SUV is “incredible.”

When asked if he’ll be one of the first to test drive the Chevy Volt in real-world conditions, Leno said: “I would love to be. I would love to try it. I think it will be great. I think you”ll find that the Volt will be a superior package to the Prius.”

Superior package at superior price. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is expected to be priced in the neighborhood of $40,000.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: GM Volt

It has been reported for some time now that when the 2011 Chevrolet Volt hits markets in November 2010, the price tag could come in the neighborhood of $40,000. While the plug-in hybrid is still more than a year away from going on sale, GM said it is already working on the second and third generation of the car.

According to Rober Kruse, GM’s director of global vehicle engineering, hybrids, electric-vehicles and batteries, the automaker is already looking for way to reduce pricing on future Volt models.

“This first generation technology is expensive,” Kruse said. He said the GM is working quickly on next-generation models in hopes to reduce the price of the Volt and “make it more viable for the mass market.”

Kruse said that as development continues on the first-generation Volt, GM is finding less expensive advanced technology improvements. He said that there are currently 30 Volt prototypes on the road with a total of 80 prototypes hitting the road by this summer.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: ]]> http://www.egmcartech.com/2009/03/18/gm-already-working-on-second-third-generation-volt-hopes-to-reduce-pricing/feed/ 2 http://www.egmcartech.com/2009/03/09/obamas-auto-task-force-to-test-drive-volt-prototype-today/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=obamas-auto-task-force-to-test-drive-volt-prototype-today http://www.egmcartech.com/2009/03/09/obamas-auto-task-force-to-test-drive-volt-prototype-today/#comments Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:30:50 +0000 admin http://www.egmcartech.com/?p=31758

As we told you last week, President Barack Obama’s auto task force will be headed to Detroit today to meet with executives from General Motors and Chrysler. Advisers Steve Rattner and Ronald Bloom will visit GM’s technical center in Warren and will also pay a visit to Chrysler’s truck assembly plant. They will also hold a meeting with UAW President Ron Gettelfinger.

According to White House officials, the trip will also include a trip to GM’s test lab where the Volt is being developed. GM has also set up a test drive in the Volt prototype hoping to impress the auto task force. We wonder if Chrysler will setup a test drive of their 200C EV.

So far the advisers have spent more than two weeks (allegedly working day and night) holding meetings with industry executives and analysts.

GM and Chrysler are seeking up to $21 billion in additional aid. The two have already received a total of $17 billion in government loans. On March 31, President Barack Obama will decide to approve or reject restructuring plans that the two companies submitted in February.

Source: Detroit News

While we’re scheduled to get the 2011 Chevrolet Volt in November 2010, Europe will get their version, the Opel Ampera, in 2011. The UK will get a Vauxhall badged Ampera during the same time.

Of course there is no doubt that the 2011 Ampera looks much better than the Volt but other than the looks the Ampera is basically the same as the Volt.

Refresher: Power comes from 16kWh electric-motor that runs on lithium-ion batteries – a system known as the Voltec. It can travel 37 miles on electric power alone. After the battery runs out of charge a 4-cylinder engine will kick in providing a range of more than 311 miles. The Ampera can be plugged into any household 230v outlet for charging.

Make the jump for the high-res image gallery.

2009 Geneva Motor Show: 2011 Opel Ampera:

2011 Opel Ampera:

2011 Vauxhall Ampera:

The brand-new economic stimulus plan will put a smile on your face if you’re looking to purchase a plug-in hybrid vehicle. According to a report by Automotive News, the new economic stimulus law will make buyers of plug-in hybrid vehicles eligible for tax credits of as much as $7,500.

The federal government is hoping that it will help boost sales of cars like the much-anticipated 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

The $7,500 tax credit includes a base credit of $2,500 and a credit of $417 per kilowatt-hour over 5 kilowatt-hours – to a maximum of $5,000. Other restrictions include the plug-in hybrid having a weight of less than 14,000 lbs, having a battery capacity of at least 4 kilowatt-hours and must be able to be recharged from an external source.

President Barack Obama has set a goal of having 1 million plug-in hybrids on the road by the year 2015. Of course, despite the new tax credit, things may not work out to that level so soon.

2011 Chevrolet Volt: