Posted on 07/30/2010 12:56:20 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
The Chevrolet Volt may be wearing out its welcome. General Motors has been hyping the gasoline-electric car ever since the company showed it off to the public 1,300 days ago. The company has let countless reporters into its battery labs and given interviews with its engineers, all in a very credible attempt to show that GM has smart people with good ideas. And it has worked. GM has picked up some technological credibility and fostered goodwill with the environmental crowd.
Now that GM is finally, after three and a half years, getting close to selling one, the commentariat is taking shots at the Volt. In an editorial in the New York Times today, Truth About Cars Editor Edward Niedermeyer panned the car as “GM’s Electric Lemon.” He criticized the car for, among other things, having bland styling and because it will likely lose GM money. Before that, “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno, a well-known car buff, also took a shot at the Volt’s styling, telling the Detroit news that, “if you didn’t know, you might think it’s a Cobalt or a Camry.”
What gives? It could be a case of Volt fatigue. Sure, documenting the tale of the car’s development gave GM a great story to tell. But in the past few months the company has amped up the noise on a car that has been hyped for years. I count 14 press releases on the Volt since June, including an announcement today that GM will boost 2012 production from 30,000 to 45,000. Some of those releases were absolutely necessary, like vital information on pricing, warranty and ordering options.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessweek.com ...
I wouldn't be surprised if somewhere in the Stimulus Bill just saying that is a form of treason and punishable by a very large campaign contribution.
There is no advanced technology behind the basics of Obama's Voltswagen. Over 100 years ago, Ferdinand Porsche built electric cars and trucks which used a gasoline engine hooked up to a generator to power electric motors. Ironic in a way isn't it?
I don’t think he advertises them any more , but I could be wrong. I’ve not heard him speak for them for some time.
Am am willing to bet Limbaugh will still be #1 long after the VOLT is forgotten.
It will. It takes 16 hours for a recharge
Get your head out of the sand and lean to read. 10 hours on 120VAC. 4 Hours on 220VAC.
You’re on!
BTW did I call you names?
It’s no wonder no one takes you seriously.
as to exciting new technology...
http://en.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/7609368
What’s the current draw on those charges at the two available voltages, 110 (120 at nearly every house in the US) and 220 (240)?
No one is saying that electrical powered vehicles are not in our future, but not now. They are not economically feasible at 41K...pure and simple...and with taxpayer dollars they were brought to market long before the market would respond
BTW..I have driven an airplane over the speed of sound... are you impressed? I have also started ventures that today thousands of folks wake up and have jobs because of my efforts over the years..... Oh,, did I mention that I have a couple of degrees from "top notch" Universities as well...University of Illinois and the University of Southern California...and I say the Volt will be a "big bust", just like your feeble supportive arguments...Surely you will have to agree given my "top notch" academic credentials!
Fact. Porsche built a car with the same basic idea over 100 years ago.
Small nit, off-topic: it is “tinker’s dam” not “damn.” The “dam” would be a small piece of wetted or chewed up bread used to dam a crack in a piece of cast iron cookware being filled with pewter or lead. After the soldering job was done, of course the lead-saturated bread was useless.
Maybe they should give away a free Droid with each purchase.
You also need to flip that around: in winter, you need to run heaters and defrosters.
There is also the issue of battery efficiency in cold weather. Everyone knows that batteries don’t deliver as much energy at low temps.
This is why I laugh at the idea of electric cars taking over the national auto fleet. The only people stupid enough to propose these ideas live in DC or California, where they don’t have real winters.
Yeah I was wrong. I was confusing the Volt with the Leaf. Like I care - neither grabs me.
2. When are you planning on buying a Volt for yourself?
3. How many people (family, friends, associates) do you plan to transport on a regular basis?
4. What is your primary motivation to purchase (promote) the Volt? a.To save money b.To save the planet c. To save job d.To save your relationship with Bay Area friend(s)? e.Other (Please explain)
I am really curious why you are so passionate about this particular vehicle.
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