Posted on 12/04/2008 2:30:45 PM PST by Daffynition
Everyone seems to be paying attention to what the CEOs of America's automakers are driving this morning. General Motors noticed this, and sensed an opportunity. GM CEO Rick Wagoner will reportedly arrive at Congressional hearings today in a 2010 Chevy Volt.
Or rather, in the closest thing he could find.
Autoblog explains, "As it seems every press outlet will be covering the roadtrip adventures of the three Detroit leaders as they travel via wheeled transportation to the capitol to beg for billions (remember, no corporate jets this time), Wagoner has wisely dumped the ho-hum hybrid Chevrolet Malibu in favor of a Chevy Volt mule in a Chevy Cruze body during at least the last few highly-visible miles of his journey" Wagoner will still make most of the journey in a 2009 Chevy Malibu Hybrid...but not all of it. "To take full advantage of the public display, GM will also bring a show version of the highly-anticipated 2011 Chevy Volt to the capitol and put it on display when Wagoner arrives at the Russell Senate Building around 9:30 AM."
According to Detroit Free Press, the Volt used for this portion of the trip will be "a prototype Volt wearing the sheet metal of the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze."
The Volt, a plug-in hybrid vehicle designed to drive up to 40 miles at highway speed on battery power alone, is planned for the 2010 or 2011 model year. The Volt's body has been shown to the press, and its drivetrain has been tested inside the bodies of other cars (known in the industry as "mules"), but the two have never been shown together - and the press has never been allowed close enough to inspect the car's propulsion system. Battery technology is the limiting factor in every hybrid's development - we don't yet know whether the Volt's batteries can do everything GM claims the car will do. It isn't clear that the Volt testing mules can reach highway speed under battery power, or how long their batteries last.
According to Jalopnik, Wagoner will drive the Volt mule from his Washington hotel to "a 9:30 AM rally at the corner of Delaware Ave. and C street just outside the Russell Senate Building."
That's a distance of just a few miles, probably at speeds below 25 mph - so it still won't come close to showing us how close the Volt prototypes may be to finished products. The fact that Wagoner didn't drive one from Detroit, but apparently had it shipped to Washington in order to drive the last few miles, may be an indication that the Volt program has a long was to go to keep its promises.
Wired, however, comments, "Rolling up to the hearing in a Volt clearly is a PR move, and a shameless one at that. But we're still glad to see the Volt appearing in public because the public needs to see it. Not only is the Volt the most important car any of the Big Three automakers are working on right now, it is GM's best shot at turning things around."
While the bailout debate goes on, automakers are trying to sell cars as fast as possible with deep discounts.
It was probably at its limit of driving distance .... a few miles ....
Did anyone bother to ask the union boss how he gets around?
We were speculating about this in the meeting. Ron Zarella loved long Lincoln limousines..the bigger the better...and would switch to a GM product a couple blocks away from whatever event he was attending.
Same ole GM.
Using smoke and mirrors to fool people who fool people with smoke and mirrors in order to take their money. Just terrible.
Next you’re going to tell me that Barney Frank was rear-ending the head of Fannie Mae.
Whhy they did not do this the first time is beyond understanding....
I can see the movie now, 3 rich & elitist CEO’s roadtripping it to washington, leaving detroit and experiencing America for the first real time in their lives, discovering adventure along the way via small towns filled with wacky characters contributing to their misadventure. The movie poster is them in front of a sunset, sitting on the hood of the car they’re sharing, all with undone red ties and blazers strewn behind them.
“They drove to save their companies, but in the process, they also saved themselves.”
Hubcaps, and floor mats are a cost extra option at GM ...
;)
Or lets see a line up of congress ppls mode of transportation, probbly a lot of bike racks around!!!sarc
The hubcap supplier probably is already belly up.
It had hubcaps but lost them at a stoplight in detroit when asking for directions from the locals.
They were probably stolen while they were waiting for a light at Delaware Ave. and C street.
I can’t see a can opener ... but the driver looks as if he’s going to need a chiropractor after his lengthy commute.
Does anyone see the irony of shipping a couple of cars across country and then driving a third to show that GM is being environmentally friendly and cutting back on expensive business travel?
I just wondered. A semi truck across country and a hybrid Vs a business booked business class flight and a taxi?
let’s be honest about this miracle vehicle. It is the new “K Car” for Chevy. It’s gonna be a total disaster and consumers will have nothing to do with it.
It is a concept car. At this point, they aren’t even sure if they can technologically pull it off despite its 2010 supposed market release. It will also be a $40+K priced car which will only be able to travel 140 miles without being charged. So, it’s a commuter car for that much money and it will have two seats.
Who is asking for this car to be built??? Congress. Lefties (who can’t afford the car anyways). UAW (who wants us to bail out their boondoggle contracts in exchange for an electric car).
END THE INSANITY!!! Stop the electric car before it kills Detroit (what’s left of it).
What did they arrive in before? They flew private luxury jets to DC first go round but since there’s no landing strip in front of the Capitol building (Washington Monument is in the way), some sort of vehicle delivered them to the Capitol steps.
I joked with a co-worker about this. They should have all done paper/rock/scissors to see whether they carpooled in a GM, Ford or Crystler product.
Winner has to drive. 12 hours in a hybrid compact crammed in with competing CEOs.
I am guessing some big SUV.
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