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The New Prius Volt

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Fstr911, Jul 16, 2010.

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  1. Fstr911

    Fstr911 Member

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    While on a project today I met an engineer that was recently laid off from GM.

    As you would expect an automobile discussion followed and I was surprized to hear him say that the new Chevy Volt is made with a Prius Uni-Body! In fact, he said they are probably made on the same assembly line.

    Has anyone else heard this?
     
    #1 Fstr911, Jul 16, 2010
  2. ksstathead

    ksstathead Active Member

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    BZZZZT

    Not.
     
    #2 ksstathead, Jul 16, 2010
  3. cleanspeed

    cleanspeed New Member

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    That doesn't sound credible to me; disgruntled ex-employee perhaps?
     
    #3 cleanspeed, Jul 16, 2010
  4. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

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    There might be a clue there as to why he was laid off.
     
    #4 FL_Prius_Driver, Jul 16, 2010
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  5. Penny's Dad

    Penny's Dad New Member

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    I've heard the Volt structure described as a skate-board...it is built around a T shaped tunnel that holds the Battery and is quite unique (though designed to ultimately accomodate a variety of bodies and styles)...It is a big part of the huge development costs that went into this vehicle...It is probably not in any way derived from the Prius structure. Was your new friend perhaps on the cleaning staff?
     
    #5 Penny's Dad, Jul 17, 2010
  6. Fstr911

    Fstr911 Member

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    "Was your new friend perhaps on the cleaning staff?"

    LOL...be kind to the janitors. This guy is a mechanical engineer and was very proud of his time GM. I've owned a few Chevy Suburbans and his comments about the burb were accurate.

    I was surprised to hear him say that GM & Toyota worked on several projects together. I did some research and could find nothing about the Prius uni-body which is why I asked here. After looking at the newest Volts it seems the size,width and liftback are very simular to my Prius.

    Remember folks, if it's true....you heard it first.... right here on PriusChat.
     
    #6 Fstr911, Jul 17, 2010
  7. Flaninacupboard

    Flaninacupboard Senior Member

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    Volt is Delta II, like the Astra, Cruze, and upcoming Zafira.

    Think your friend is a little confused...
     
    #7 Flaninacupboard, Jul 17, 2010
  8. Fstr911

    Fstr911 Member

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    I just dropped the question to GM. If I get a reply with any information I'll share it here.

    After all, I am part owner of the company.
     
    #8 Fstr911, Jul 17, 2010
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  9. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    The skateboard was designed for multiple vehicles, but really cant be used for anything other than the Volt. The size/power constraints limit it, to designs that all look like the current volt.
     
    #9 2k1Toaster, Jul 18, 2010
  10. Fstr911

    Fstr911 Member

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    Update - my response from GM was frankly what I expected. A boiler plate response that didn't answer my question or have ANYTHING to do with my question.

    Somehow I think computers must read the email at GM and then generate an automatic response. But, I can't rule out the response was made by a really dumb human.
     
    #10 Fstr911, Jul 23, 2010
  11. Sneezy

    Sneezy Member

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    The Toyota Matrix & Pontiac Vibe were built at the same plant. GM used it as a learning tool to help "understand" the Japanese way of doing things. They did in fact learn a lot even though they ended the relationship early.

    Ford uses the HSD from Toyota in the Escape & Fusion, they just tweak the software to work they way they prefer. Sometimes reinventing the wheel is NOT the best way to do things.

    It is in fact extremely common for manufacturers to work together, they just don't always make it public.

    The Volt is NOT built on a Prius unibody. No way no how.
     
    #11 Sneezy, Jul 25, 2010
  12. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    I also say i can understand why he was laid off.
     
    #12 adamace1, Jul 25, 2010
  13. deltron3030

    deltron3030 New Member

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    It began long before the matrix/vibe. The toyota/GM "partnership" started at the NUMMI plant in california in the mid 80's. Toyota came to show GM how to build a quality car, and GM was too proud to take any of toyota's lessons seriously.

    its a pretty interesting relationship, one where GM very easily could have changed it's fate for the better had they simply pulled their heads out of their butts.
     
    #13 deltron3030, Jul 25, 2010
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  14. Colonel Ronson

    Colonel Ronson New Member

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    Hm, gasoline engine assisting an electric motor? i wonder where chevy got that magical idea from.

    ok i know the gas motor is small and meant for recharging batteries only, but its still a hilarious similarity.
     
    #14 Colonel Ronson, Jul 25, 2010
  15. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    Funny - Ford will deny using Toyota's HSD (or more specifically, licensing the technology in it's entirety) - what they do use is the ASIN branded PSD transmission which was likely developed by Toyota. The electronics behind it (inverter, etc.), however, are pure Ford.

    This is different from Nissan who did license THS (Gen I Prius tech) for the Altima.
     
    #15 HTMLSpinnr, Jul 25, 2010
  16. OldArmy94

    OldArmy94 Crazy Prius Man

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    The Geo Prizm was basically a Corolla; my roommate in college had one.
     
    #16 OldArmy94, Jul 25, 2010
  17. Red Solitaire

    Red Solitaire New Member

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    Seems to me Comrade Obama is doing everything possible to cripple Toyota. I can't imagine his car companies would use a Toyota frame or any thing else.
     
    #17 Red Solitaire, Jul 25, 2010
  18. Colonel Ronson

    Colonel Ronson New Member

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    Yes the early geo prisims were just licensed toyota corollas because GM couldn't figure out how to make a small, reliable, and fuel efficient car. i don't think they figured it out yet.
     
    #18 Colonel Ronson, Jul 25, 2010
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  19. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    I think it had more to do with GM paying their employies that build the cars twice as much as Toyota did. And 10k cars don't have much profit in them anyways, so that 1k profit Toyota got GM paid it to the workers plus some thus loosing money on each car.

    Ford got the idea build the focus in mexico and pay 1-3$ an hour, then they can compete with Toyota.
     
    #19 adamace1, Jul 26, 2010
  20. lolder

    lolder New Member

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    Ford and Toyota both use an eCVT PSD. CVT's have been around a hundred years. The Ford and Toyota transmission architecture is very different. Neither invented the hybrid. They have cross licensed patents. They both just settled a patent suit from a company that claimed the invention.
     
    #20 lolder, Jul 26, 2010
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