Cars, trucks and more

Henderson, Lutz and Wagoner next to the Volt
I’m a big fan of the Chevy Volt. I think it’s an important step in the right direction, especially for a company like GM. Still, I’ve blogged over-and-over that the Volt was not an excuse not to build a direct Toyota Prius-contender.
Ultimately, the lack of small hybrid cars [...]

Batteries to become a core business for GM
As you read this, GM isn’t just finalizing 80 prototype Chevy Volts that will be used this summer to get the Volt ready for final production, GM is also concurrently working on 2nd and 3rd generation Volts.
Why? For instance, according to Denise Gray, the Director of Global Battery [...]

Never put off until tomorrow what can be done today
A few years ago, a rumor began to hit the blogosphere about a new vehicle that GM was developing that would leapfrog the Toyota Prius. At that time, as a perpetual critic of GM, I stated that if true, I would become that technology’s biggest advocate.
Not [...]

Same 40 miles as the Chevy Volt?
Something stinks in Detroit, but I’m not sure what it is.
Now that Chrysler has rolled out some new or updated EVs at the Detroit Auto Show, such as the pictured 200C EV Concept, I have a few serious questions.
First, is Chrysler even going to be around in 12 months?
Second, [...]

A Congressional update
During Congressional testimony today, GM CEO Rick Wagoner was asked when the Chevy Volt would be cost-competitive to gasoline vehicles. Depending on sales volume, Wagoner stated that by 2016 or 2017 the Volt might be cost competitive.
Of course, this might not be in terms of sticker price, but in terms of overall ownership. [...]

I still love the Volt, but it’s time for some reality
On Monday, after reading some stories supporting a US automaker bailout to save the Chevy Volt, I slammed the suggestion (more). It’s not that I don’t believe in the viability of the Volt, it’s that I don’t believe the Volt is the critical piece of [...]