GM Switches Gears...Thinks Green

Until Volt is actually available for purchase, it doesn't amount to anything.

The propaganda is growing old quickly. Focus on more realistic solutions, like a plug-in option for Two-Mode, will capture the GM spotlight.

Remember, Volt is a specific vehicle. GM isn't promoting the "series" hybrid as a platform... which is quite different from the approach with their "full" hybrid technology.

 

The ONLY green GM cares about is executive bonuses.

Until the Volt is actually for sale, any story that involves a Volt should start "Once Upon a Time..."

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ May 28 2007, 10:39 PM) [snapback]451338[/snapback]</div>

Tony, are you sure you didn't mean "Good job malorn . . ." (?)
Oh, oops, I forgot . . . you are a moderator and shouldn't be in the business of outing alter egos.

Funny how this Volty person can start six topics (all regarding the Chevy Volt - and complete with lots of the same link to an extremely new Volt forum. ) and yet malorn is deathly quiet on these strings . . . strings regarding GM vehicles. :huh:

http://priuschat.com/index.php?act=Search&...s&highlite=

Volty/malorn . . . nice try.

 

I'm glad to see you are thinking about electric vehicles wether it be a GM , Ford , Toyota, etc...

I would not buy a gm product again just on principal alone which is they had an EV they crushed an EV now they say "IF" battery technology improves. what a crock. IMHO

Ford followed suite, I would pick ford over GM and have done so most of my life, until getting this Toyota Prius, now I would like to see a Full Electric by them (The Big T oyota) . But again thats the right direction.
(EV'S)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Volty @ May 29 2007, 09:59 AM) [snapback]451429[/snapback]</div>

How come Volty never has a dialogue with malorn? . . . .
I may have to ad the alter ego to my ignore list too . . . but I hate to see trolls starve to death.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ May 29 2007, 12:50 AM) [snapback]451319[/snapback]</div>

I don't see how the volt is an unrealistic solution. It is simply a step better than the prius being that it uses the electric motor only to power the car and that it is plug-in capable. I'm sure the next-gen prius will be similar to the Volt in the way the hybrid system is setup or at least it should be.

I suppose I am not nearly as loyal as some of you other people on this forum to Toyota. Don't get me wrong I love my prius that I have now but I didn't buy it because I despise GM or love Toyota, I bought it because it was the most efficient/practical vehicle available at the time. If a new vehicle comes out that is "better" then regardless of the manufacturer I'm going to say it is a great product.

I think there are too many GM haters on this forum and I think they should be given credit that they have announced the Volt. I also think that GM will create this car or one very similar to it, because if they don't they will only keep losing market share. They also can see how well the Prius is doing.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kdk84 @ May 29 2007, 12:02 PM) [snapback]451503[/snapback]</div>

Like many, you completely misinterpretted the topic of discussion. Don't worry, that happens often.

SERIES verses FULL has absolutely nothing to do with manufacturer. GM will be offering both! So the claim that a "series" hybrid is better without providing any explanation won't go unchallenged.

Why do you believe a vehicle like Volt will be better than a Two-Mode vehicle with a Plug-In option?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kdk84 @ May 29 2007, 01:02 PM) [snapback]451503[/snapback]</div>

I think you're misinterpreting serious skepticism with "GM hating". There are a number of people on here who have said if GM actually produces the Volt that they will buy one. The question is whether GM will actually produce it or if they will say "the technology isn't there yet" and keep delaying it until we all forget about it.

I'd love to see one of the domestic companies come out with a plug-in Hybrid or full EV. But even if they do, I'm not going to have confidence that it's going to be well built. For whatever reason, they don't have a reputation for quality. And that will need to be addressed as well.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Proco @ May 29 2007, 12:20 PM) [snapback]451521[/snapback]</div>

That covers the "realistic" claim too.

Since GM will be producing Two-Mode hybrids anyway, offering an upgrade for Plug-In won't be that big of a deal.

It isn't an entirely different platform like the "series" hybrid would be. It's just an augmentation of the existing "full" hybrid design. That makes it much, much, much more practical from a production stand point. Very little would have to be done to provide it. And from a marketing point-of-view, it's won't be a big deal either... just an upgrade based on an already proven design.

Volt won't be an overnight industry changer. There is simply too much business risk involved. The plug-in "full" hybrid has much greater potential for rapid high-volume market penetration.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ May 29 2007, 12:00 PM) [snapback]451552[/snapback]</div>

How so? Please explain.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Volty @ May 29 2007, 01:39 PM) [snapback]451577[/snapback]</div>

From 1997 to 2005 is considered overnight? Whoa!



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ May 29 2007, 01:41 PM) [snapback]451581[/snapback]</div>

All you have to do is install a different battery-pack and controller along with a plug.

Aftermarketers have already proven the process is quite straight forward... which fits very well into an existing production line.

Remember, GM has been touting that very benefit for Two-Mode. The plug upgrade won't be all that much different from option packages automakers already offer... which has proven very successful for high-volume production.

 

It may be successful, but how's that any different than what would be available to a series hybrid? The limitation of the prius is that MG2 can't propel the vehicle off the line with anything more than moderate acceleration. Furthermore, the ICE must run quite often at speeds above 42mph to protect the electric motors. Then not in use, the ICE is dead weight that must be lugged around. This seems pretty inefficient. Not optimal at all. With a series hybrid at least the genset can be optimized for generating electricity, not motive power.

It seems that what you're saying is that it will be easy to ramp up production because the vehicle already exists, not because it is a full or series hybrid.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ May 29 2007, 12:21 PM) [snapback]451606[/snapback]</div>

I agree with Tripp. A series hybrid like the volt seems to make more sense for a PHEV. The only advantage the hybrid synergy drive has is that it is already out there.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ May 29 2007, 02:21 PM) [snapback]451606[/snapback]</div>

You are stuck on the engineering. That aspect alone will not support the business. It's a common trap people fall into.

Being able to offer, but not commit, to a plug-in option empowers the automaker. Inventory can be adjusted based on demand. The "full" hybrid supports that.

With the "series" hybrid, there is no choice. One size fits all. And yes, none are on the road yet to satisfy consumer uncertainly. Risk is greater. Success is far less clear. That is how they differ.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ May 29 2007, 01:11 PM) [snapback]451641[/snapback]</div>

Hmmmm..... you too have a good point on the non-engineering side of the argument.