GM commits to electric car by 2010
Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 11:10 pm
There has been a great deal of speculation about GM's commitment to the Chevrolet Volt concept. The vehicle, which would travel for roughly 40 miles on electric power from the grid before recharging its batteries with an onboard gasoline generator, represents a significant advancement in energy-efficient vehicles. And while GM has set a tentative 2010 launch date for the Volt, there has been nothing firm...until now.
As part of a negotiation with the United Auto Workers, General Motors has released a list of vehicles that will be manufactured in America in the next five years. A listing of this kind is generally never released because of fears of price undercuts and retaliations from other auto companies. But nestled in the listing of cars to be built at the Detroit/Hamtramck Michigan plant is a 2010 production of Chevrolet Volts.
Now, there's nothing as juicy as actual numbers of units produced, or price guidelines...but what we've heard in the past is encouraging (60,000 units at less than $30,000.) But what's important is that now GM is beholden to more than just fickle bloggers like myself. They've told the United Auto Workers that they'll be making Volts in Michigan in 2010. And, if they're not, they're going to be in trouble with a lot more folks than just their environmental constituency.
So while I remain concerned that GM may be overshooting their technical abilities in terms of producing the Volt's batteries cheaply and effectively, GM seems to have made up its mind. The Volt will be on dealer lots by late 2010 or early 2011. And that is very good news for everyone.
Ecogeek
DAR
Maybe by 2010 I'll like the look of it:
As part of a negotiation with the United Auto Workers, General Motors has released a list of vehicles that will be manufactured in America in the next five years. A listing of this kind is generally never released because of fears of price undercuts and retaliations from other auto companies. But nestled in the listing of cars to be built at the Detroit/Hamtramck Michigan plant is a 2010 production of Chevrolet Volts.
Now, there's nothing as juicy as actual numbers of units produced, or price guidelines...but what we've heard in the past is encouraging (60,000 units at less than $30,000.) But what's important is that now GM is beholden to more than just fickle bloggers like myself. They've told the United Auto Workers that they'll be making Volts in Michigan in 2010. And, if they're not, they're going to be in trouble with a lot more folks than just their environmental constituency.
So while I remain concerned that GM may be overshooting their technical abilities in terms of producing the Volt's batteries cheaply and effectively, GM seems to have made up its mind. The Volt will be on dealer lots by late 2010 or early 2011. And that is very good news for everyone.
Ecogeek
DAR
Maybe by 2010 I'll like the look of it: