GM Shuts Down Volt Plant to Prepare for New Malibu, Increase Production

Motortrend ^ | 19 May 2011 | Jason Udy

[catnipman]

“They also plan to reconfigure the plant to build the upcoming 2013 Chevy Malibu.”

Here’s the real tip off about what is really going on. They’re going to be building Malibus rather than Volts at this factory. Less Volts, more Malibus. The part about plant upgrades for the Volt is just so much PR BS. They’re basically converting the plant from making Volts to making Malibus.

[Smokin' Joe]

The Volt is going to be a major success.

Not at this latitude, not in this climate. The only people here who might get excited at the prospect of these vehicles are morticians.

[Smokin' Joe]

I still haven’t seen any numbers added in for wiring residences, nor the electric bill... Especially with the Administration gunning for the coal industry and hydraulic fracturing, the process which makes natural gas as cheap as it is right now.

[Zhang Fei]

I still haven’t seen any numbers added in for wiring residences, nor the electric bill...

It's got a standard 110V plug that takes 10 hours to put in a full charge. As to cost, here.

[Smokin' Joe]

Even that does not take into account how the attempted shutdown of the two primary electrical generation fuels industries will affect electric rates.

I won't buy one--wouldn't have one if they were free--just because in this area they'd be pretty useless most of the year. I do worry about people who underestimate our weather (we find a few every spring, it seems) trying to drive here in winter in such a contraption. There are parts of America it might work just fine. This isn't one of them. YMMV, as they say.

[Varsity Flight]

Anyone here see a possible, Vampire-Care type implementation, where influence is brought upon an un-regulated EPA, to force consumers to buy into this “electic for the air/environment”, (or get fined just like Vampire-Care)?

[Varsity Flight]

Anyone here see a possible, Vampire-Care type implementation, where influence is brought upon an un-regulated EPA, to force consumers to buy into this “electric for the air/environment”, (or get fined just like Vampire-Care)? (Or tacked on additional annual registration harassment fees, for having a “fuel burner”)

[Brad from Tennessee]

GE says they will buy 50,000 Volts over a two-year period.

http://www.forbes.com/2011/03/16/chevy-volt-ayn-rand-opinions-patrick-michaels_2.html

[equaviator]

“The Volt is going to be a major success.”

That sounds just a little “hopey-changey” to me. It’s what some people would like to see happen. It’s like Algore talking about global warming...and he really wishes it would happen while he’s still alive.

I could say that the Detroit Lions are going to the Super Bowl next year and I could believe it in my heart of hearts but that won’t make it so.

[mo]

Wonder how many “stimulus” dollars...laudered thru GE..are buying Volts?!!!!

[truthguy]

Some random thoughts on your post:

I suppose you think that the Wright Brothers could have started off with a 747? You will never get to a viable alternative to ICE automobiles by never trying anything. Is the ICE engine going to be the prime mover for personnel transportation forever until the end of time? If not, then what do you suppose will replace it?

Not every car purchased is done so by strict economic analysis. If that were the case, the Porsche Motor Company would not exist.

The people who buy a Prius are typically those with very long commutes. I know a few of these folks who commute long distances. Yes, they might have saved a few bucks in the long term IF they had bought a 4-Banger like a Corolla. I've mentioned this to these people and they are emphatic on saving the max they can on gasoline. One said to me, he's interested in using as little Oil as possible and he wants the country to stop spending so much for imported Oil produced by nations who sponsor terrorism.

The economic viability of the Volt is dependent on keeping the cost of electricity down to reasonable levels. From an economic standpoint, the analysis of cost savings is dependent upon the price of electricity and the price of oil. But many people are sick to death about the price of gasoline and oil. They will spend a little more long term not to use oil. Maybe it's psychological, but they would rather spend more if the money stays in the US and doesn't go to OPEC.

If you were King, what would your policy with regards to energy and transportation fuels. Would you just drill and drill (BTW I'm completely in favor of maximum drilling) or use synthetics or just what? I'm also interested to hear what alternatives those who oppose the Volt (or any electric) would suggest.

I'm really not interested in your opinions as regards to GM bashing over the bailout. I've heard enough about that. BTW, I was not in favor of the bailout as it was implemented.