Comments on: GM Announces Major Shift Away from Trucks and SUVs

By: skeller

skeller — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:28:09 +0000

Sad news. It's not entirely their fault that the GM trucks and SUV's are not the auto in demand nowadays. But I hope they don't phase out all of their trucks and SUV's, just convert them into a hybrid or something.

By: john miachels donalds

john miachels donalds — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:49:33 +0000

http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/ CONCEPT CHEVY VOLT

We spotted 2 of these test CONCEPT CHEVY VOLT electric cars from the USA on the road in Sydney today at Coogee Beach. Both had LEFT HAND DRIVE stickers on their back windows and Victoria Number plates. They had no badges or any markings at all trying to stay unnoticed But they definitely stand out as they look Hot like a muscle car! The cars look a lot like ford Mustangs.

Lets hope they release them here soon!! THE TECHNOLOGY IS HERE NOW AND DRIVING ON THE SYDNEY STREETS! WE DONT NEED TO PAY $1.60 ANYMORE

LETS SEE IF THE GOVERNMENT LETS THEM SELL THIS CAR AND WHEN !

OIL PRICES WILL PLUMMET WHEN PEOPLE SEE THIS CAR WORKS AND IS DRIVING AROUND ! WE FELT STUPID FILLING OUR FUEL TANK FOR $100 AFTER WE SPOTTED THESE ELECTRIC CARS !

http://images.google.com/images?num=100&hl=en&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&resnum=0&q=chevy%20volt%20electric&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

By: TD

TD — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:38:39 +0000

Blame it on the unions if you want, but Japan, South Korea and Germany have solidly union work forces and much more vacation time and benefits than American union workers yet their auto manufacturers are not suffering like Detroit. Detroit’s problems have much more to do with poor management than anything else.

By: Scott M.

Scott M. — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:54:25 +0000

It's amazing. It's like they're caught in a 5 year time-warp. They're closing down all these plants, laying people off, and will likely centralize their production in places with less expensive labour while the other car companies are moving away from that model, recognizing that transportation costs for their autos are going to be prohibitive Real Soon Now.

In 5 years they'll be scrambling to build more local plants so they can save on transport costs.

I wonder if part of the company's lack of nimbleness is caused by their relationship with the union. If so, both the union and the management who accepted these contracts over the years should recognize their part in this fiasco.

By: Eric2

Eric2 — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:37:05 +0000

I really want to buy American, and I really want to buy the Volt. Problem is, is it Vaporware, or are they serious?

So far, it looks like GM and Ford have awaken, but is it too late, and are they really trying...

Now here's the kicker:

EARTH TO CRYSTLER...
(Crystler's product lines are 70% truck/SUV)

By: Quirky

Quirky — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:24:57 +0000

The centerpiece of the move towards fuel efficiency is the Chevy Volt, an extended-range plug-in automobile that Wagoner assured the public was still on schedule for a 2010 release.

This means that GM will make a direct Prius competitor and the chances of getting the large battery needed for the 40miles of electric usage is low. It will be all the things the Volt is just 'adjusted' to make it $30,000. At least its a step in the right direction.

By: Need2Change

Need2Change — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:04:17 +0000

The Prius is a great car, but in some ways, it will be difficult to compare the Volt and Prius.

First, the Volt is targeted to have a 8.5 second 0-60 time. The Prius has a 10.5 second 0-60 time--slower than 95% of the cars on the road. For many, this is a big difference. The Volt has the potential to be more fun to drive.

Second, the Volt will be able to operate in all electric mode up to 40 miles. The cost to operate is estimated to exceed the equivalent of 100 mpg during this 40 miles. This would cost about one-half the current Prius. For those who typically drive less than 40 miles/day, this is signifiant savings.

By: Curt

Curt — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:31:20 +0000

If GM were serious about alternatives they would look to buyout ZENN before they get their next product out - assuming the new technology from EEStor they have licensed pans out. If it does, you might very well see GM, Ford, and Chrysler all go bye-bye.

Very sad that more effort wasn't put into PLEV and Hydrogen to make it viable sooner.

By: JPW

JPW — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:06:03 +0000

Hmmm. Bet the dinosaurs that were fat and happy decided it was time to evolve *really fast* once they saw the asteroid coming, but I suspect only the ones who were already lean and mean lived to tell about it.

By: faa_engineer

faa_engineer — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:50:40 +0000

You really have to admire GM’s predictablility. Back in the 70′s when Toyota was importing the Corolla, they came out with the POS Vega. That was their answer. Now GM is faced with the Prius problem. Very similar situation. Their answer is a vehicle that doesn’t exist, and I bet it never will. They should stick with trucks and drop everything else. SUV’s and Pickups are what they do well and are probably the only lines that are in the black. Bad management with no vision.