Comments on: GM to Volt Suppliers: Get Us 100 MPG

By: Sytropin

Sytropin — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 21:51:21 +0000

Why visitors still use to read news papers when in this technological world all is presented on web?

By: ACAgal

ACAgal — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:17:17 +0000

If I remember correctly, the Fisker Karma has about a 6 gal. fuel tank. It has a 600 mile range, of which 50+/- is from the battery. The solar roof can add about 6 driving miles if parked in the sun (intended to cool battery and passenger compartment, not power car). Hybrid driving range depends on how the car is driven (as does the ICE). So, if one were taking the car cross country and not recharging the battery, logically the gas generation system should deliver about 550 miles, with the pure plug in only providing the first 50 miles....as I have not actually seen what this car can do via the tank, this is based on comments made by Fisker and the CEO of Quantum.

Does this come close to guessing an answer for the question: "Plug-in hybrids challenge us to come up with a better way to measure fuel economy. I think 100 MPG assumes the car is fully charged and then driven continuously until empty then recharged and refueled (am I wrong?)"

By: Shines

Shines — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:14:09 +0000

Bill, I can’t believe you continue to try and trash Toyotas, especially with such lame arguments. I own a used Camry with over 100K miles on it. It is better than any Ford, Plymouth, Dodge or Chevy I’ve owned. It was in an accident and the front crumpled properly. The repair was paid by my insurance which rightfully thought it was worth more to fix it than to total it. Toyota sells more cars because they are more reliable and less trouble prone than other cars on the market.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:29:11 +0000

I read Compact Power is the company making the battery packs for the Volt. I’m concerned about elevated temperature performances of these batteries. Does anyone know the cycle count for these cells at 55-60C or rates of 1C/1C and 100% DoD? I have seen some published info for Enerdel, but no one seems to be talking about anything above 60C…..

By: bill cosworth

bill cosworth — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 22:08:07 +0000

I liked the way the EV1 looked

the nice thing about the volt is it will be safe based on a solid platform.

I would never get a toyota because all my freinds who have them if they get hit in them they crumple like tinfioil.

They might in a werid way protect the the driver because they do crumple but if someone hits your car its worthless.

Toyota sells more cars this way.

The real issue in a high speed impact I am not sure you want a car to crumple over 60 mph.

When I was driving my rental prius I flexed the hood and it bent with one finger.

I was like oh now I know why this car gets good millage lol

By: Indigo

Indigo — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:23:41 +0000

Of course, since the Volt is a vehicle that is never going to be manufactured, all the parts suppliers have to do is simply declare that the Volt gets 100 MPG. Since we’ll never see one in the showroom, who’s the wiser? I don’t see a problem with Vapor-MPG associated with an imaginary car. Hey, the Star Trek Enterprise does Warp 9.5. And I believe in that about as much as I believe in the Volt.

By: KMCoates

KMCoates — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 04:37:21 +0000

Re: DJB
When GM says 100 mpg, it refers to the EPA test-cycle mileage (as opposed to some independent developers who pull numbers out of their calculators). They’re aiming for a car that will have an official window sticker that says 100 mpg (probably city cycle). Of course, your mileage WILL vary…

By: anonymous

anonymous — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 03:17:11 +0000

hey the EV-1 sucked terribly, all it was was a grocery getter, this new volt is sweet, and so much better looking. GM be proud of yourself and your fine work. and please dont ever make another car as ugly as the EV-1

By: hamilton

hamilton — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:35:04 +0000

@JH The Volt will *NOT* hit the market before GM's revenues and cash are insufficient to meet its obligations. In Q4 2008, GM turned for operating loans to the US and other governments to stave off bankruptcy. By the end of March, the Obama admin decides whether to extend the loans, convert the loans into an ownership position in GM (like it has done with several large financial institutions), or force GM into bankruptcy reorganization.

All of which has little to do with revenues from Volt sales. Many moons will come and go before Volt revenues exceed the ongoing costs of development, engineering and marketing (same is true for Prius3, Insight2, Focus hybrid, F3DM, Roadster, or any other launch vehicle). If anything, the Volt will be a drag on GM income in the short term... will certainly not help stave off bankruptcy in a relevant timeframe.

BUT viewed in the context of an addition to a portfolio of environmentally-friendly stop/start, two-mode hybrid and biofuel *production* vehicles, GM's commitment to getting the Volt into 2009 production is a very good thing: one can imagine a reorganized company, unburdened from some mgmt mistakes of the past, offering a fleet of HEV, PHEV and BEV - some biofuel-capable - that meet the environmental, pocketbook and energy security needs of the 21st century. Such an entity will of course have a massive challenge in terms of rebuilding consumer credibility - but solid products to back it up.

Disclaimer: opinion expressed is my own, not reflective of my employer general motors.

By: JH

JH — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 13:20:31 +0000

Right now – VOLT=VAPORWARE

GM is talking bankruptcy and it has had a product – if it were real and ready – that would’ve repaired their image if released.

Last I heard Volt was due to hit the show rooms in [late?] 2009 …. the question is – will the Volt save GM (no – but a big step) will the Volt hit the showroom before GM hits the bankruptcy mark ???