Rick Wagoner weighs in on fuel prices and Washington's involvement in alternative fuels
Shortly after the University of Michigan released a report indicating that auto executives believe gas prices and CAFE standards will increase dramatically in the next decade, Rick Wagoner said, "With the price of oil at its lowest level in 19 months, we run the risk of reverting back to our traditional energy policy, that is, relying heavily on the lowest-cost energy available on world markets, including imported oil, without providing adequate support for developing alternative sources.
"One of the things that government has to do to really promote energy diversity is proactively support the development of alternative fuel technology, And incentivize consumers through tax credits, fuel subsidies and so on to adopt these exciting new technologies."
Wagoner and GM have been focusing a good deal of research and development towards alternative energy vehicles in the past few years. This is evident by the release of the Chevy Volt, which was preceded by their hydrogen fuel cell platforms and the EV1 electric car programs, and even as far back as the 70's hydrogen tests. Also, don't forget their plug-in plans for the Saturn Vue hybrid. Additionally, GM has been producing E85 capable vehicles for a few years now, and last year advertised them heavily.
Although Wagoner believes that the government could and should help out, he fell short of suggesting that the federal gas tax be enlarged, as did Tim Leuliette, chairman and CEO of Metaldyne Corp. as mentioned today in a different post. These are certainly hot-button topics to many, and if you have an opinion you would like to share,
feel free to do so in our comments.
Related:
(Whoops. Edited to correct name)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mandy 4:00PM (1/04/2009)
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Thank you! You signed at 10:29 AM PST, Jan 4, 2009
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We signed the "Chevy Cobalt Power Steering Issues" petition!
# 76:
11:58 am PST, Jan 3, Enrique Cordero, Texas
this is is safety issue and have to be recalled . afther 3 new mitsubishi idecide for a chevy (JUNK) for help the usa economy but with this junk my next step is MITSUBISHI, TOYOTA , MAZDA, HONDA, OR NISSAN, THEY KNOW HOW TO MAKES CARS...
# 75:
10:45 am PST, Jan 3, Sarah Jarrett, Pennsylvania
this is a safety issue that is impacting many. fix it!
# 74:
8:57 am PST, Jan 3, Brenda White, Canada
I am very disappointed at the probelms that my 3 year old car has had.... I will not be purchasing a GM vehicle again!
# 73:
5:37 pm PST, Jan 2, Joshua Bufer, Hawaii
I bought my 2006 Chevy Malibu brand new right off the lot. After about 10,000 miles the steering started making a klunk noise mostly on left turns. Shortly after that the steering wheel would completely lock up. With Two small children in the back I was worried. I took it to the dealer and they lubed the steering shaft called it good and sent me on my way. Not long went by and it was locking up again. Almost getting into a serious accident this time I was furious. I took it back to the dealer. This time they replaced the steering shaft, put in a new regulator and assured me it was fixed. Last week I about got my whole family killed when it locked up again on a norrow turn traveling at over 45mph. Enough was enough. I brought my malibu back to the dealer. Now the vehicle is out of its 36,000 mile warranty and the dealer wants to charge me hundreds of dollars to try to fix the problem that they should have done right the first time. I am so fed up with GM. When are they going to stand up and take responsibility for there shotty parts and design. Somebody is going to get killed because of this and GM needs to be held accountable.
# 72:
8:34 am PST, Jan 1, Matt Colomo, Arizona
I have just over 8000 miles on a 2008 Colbalt. Last night went to start it and the key got stuck in the ignition and would not start or shift out of gear. Had to have it towed to the dealership now I have to wait to see what is wrong with it. I have not had problems with it before I hope this is not a sign of whats to come. It sounds like this issue is going on with a lot of people so GM should recall these vehicles immediately.
# 71:
10:01 pm PST, Dec 31, Chad Truitt, Louisiana
We purchased this car in Feb 2008. We have a 2007. Here it is New Years Eve 2008..drunks on the highway, me and my wife and our 5 year old barely able to get home because of the power steering. I just hope that we don't have as much trouble with it like others do at the dealership. GM just be glad that nothing did happen because my middle name would have been SUE!!!!
# 70:
5:53 pm PST, Dec 31, Jennifer Seals, Alabama
# 69:
1:53 pm PST, Dec 31, Randall Porter, Texas
# 68:
12:06 pm PST, Dec 31, Wendy Stuter, New York
2007 Chevy Cobalt LS - ABS locking up, power steering going out and most recently the key getting stuck in the ignition on AUX - needed to manually turn off lights & radio - Next day the interior lights were dim and the radio locked when I started the car. After POUNDING the car into park, the key disengaged. This has happened multiple times now. I am tired of paying for a car each month that has so many problems - and apparently I'm not alone. They know these are issues - the have TSB's out on them - why not just do the recall? Oh - because THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO PAY!!! Instead they'll just take their BILLIONS of dollars of government authorized, tax payer funded bail out cash and run. They leave us hanging - the government should have left them hanging. I feel bad for all the jobs that would have been lost, but I'm tired of this. Too bad - I really loved my car.
# 67:
8:46 pm PST, Dec 30, Katie Taylor, Oklahoma
My power steering went out at 20000 miles..they claim it was a "Loose wire" and fixed it since it was still under warranty...Now i am at 44000 (8 over warranty) and they said they could do nothing!! What poor quality!!
# 66:
4:17 pm PST, Dec 30, Kiara Davis, Florida
every since i had my 2005 chevy cobalt i've been having problems with it just recently my power steering shut down i'm pregnant and it hurts so much making sharp turns i am a single mother with three other children at home and fixing this problem is gonna take money for support from my kids times is hard and it's hurting so much all of these problems at once wrong with my car and reading these other peoples problems with their cobalt i regret purchasing one Kiara Davis Tampa,Florida
# 65:
8:03 am PST, Dec 30, Randall Parson, Arizona
I have been having the same problem with my steering as well. This has happened everytime I have driven this car (o6 Cobalt). I bought it used 10 months ago and there is no warranty left. It happens once the coolant temp builds up. If I turn it off and back on it resets itself but locks up again. I have already hit a curb and cracked my rim which I have to replace. Chevy needs to fix this problem before someone dies.
# 64:
9:08 pm PST, Dec 29, Timothy Nesheim, Wisconsin
I have an 06 cobalt and i have not yet experienced any steering problems yet, however, my windshield wiper motor strips every winter, I had multiple engine misfire, timing chain problems, paint chipping on my alloy wheels, heater motor bearings going out for the second time in one year, exhaust system replaced, and my front airbags did not deploy when they should have. They found the sensors to be faulty for the airbags. Also my engine makes a weird humming noise after 30,000 miles. All this with just less than 40000 miles!!! They need to recall the whole car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
# 63:
12:14 pm PST, Dec 29, David and Michelle Duve', Florida
At 58,000+miles my power steering has gone out. I have also had my key stuck in the ignition and they replaced the steering mechanism , that has been fine ever since but the powersteering system SUCKS!!! GM needs to look into this problem RIGHT NOW!!! I do not like my car right now , dont like to drive it anywhere but I have no other vehicle.
# 62:
2:51 pm PST, Dec 28, William Harvey, Kentucky
I have been having serious problems with the power steering on my 2005 Cobalt. It fails causing the steering to become unsteerable. This has nearly caused a serious accident. It is a known problem with this automobile model. Please contact me ASAP by phone to discuss the problem and a suggested solution. (502)220-5880 Thank you, William Harvey 310 Midland Blvd, #302 Shelbyville, KY 40065
# 61:
2:39 pm PST, Dec 28, James Fletcher, Arizona
Have an 06 Cobalt. Driving home from Flagstaff yesterday and the power sterring warning light came on. The speedometer started moving like crazy and the transmission bucked. Had my 2 year old daughter in the car screaming because the car wouldn't shift right. Could not steer aroung the hairpin curves on the I-17. Had to slow the car down in order to make the turn. About 20 miles away from home the power sterring came back and the speedometer came back. From what I have read on here it costs around $2000 to get fixed. GM NEEDS TO RECALL THIS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES!!!! I have also had the gear shift and ignition problems
# 60:
1:38 pm PST, Dec 28, Joshua Meyer, Maryland
Less then 30,000 Miles Warrenty expired 3 months ago Didn't drive for 1 yr while deployed to Korea Key got stuck in ignition but if crank the wheel hard to one side released it and had no issues after. Airbag sensor went off and passanger airbag detector failure. Remote keyless trunk not functioning.
# 59:
12:22 am PST, Dec 28, Nick Kowalski, Wisconsin
This is so dangerous- even without the danger this is just unreal for practically all these brand new cars that people have just purchased (my car is now experiencing it (power steering failure) and it's only at 53,000 miles-)
# 58:
6:12 am PST, Dec 27, Laura Thomas, Indiana
Power steering issue on a 2006
# 57:
3:43 pm PST, Dec 25, Josiah Noller, Texas
My car is impossible to drive in town, due to the pain of having to make sharp turns with no power steering.
# 56:
8:35 am PST, Dec 25, Christina Fortier, Florida
This is a crappy car! I got 2006 Chevy Cobalt and I've been having problems with getting my key stuck in the key ignition. And now it's stuck and I can't get it out, talk about going to the store and I have to cover my key ignition so people wouldn't see it! And now on Christmas Day, it doesnt work. my husband heard a pop sound and it wouldn't start. Also we are having problems with the transmission. It keeps shifting hard! I haven't taken it to the chevy dealership because this car is JUNK why chunk out hundreds of dollars so they can add more JUNK in it. I still have to make 3 years of payment on this. What do I do?
# 55:
10:38 am PST, Dec 23, Carrie Dye, Georgia
I have had my Colbalt a little over at year and is at 50,000 miles. My power steering keeps going out.
# 54:
12:48 pm PST, Dec 22, Name not displayed, West Virginia
I have had my 05 cobalt since july of 07, My high beem switch has some kind of short, If my high beems are on and I turn my blinker on to turn right my lights go out. I recently bumped a curb and now my car is so hard to turn it wears me out to drive 5 miles. JUNK!!!!!
# 53:
8:25 am PST, Dec 22, Jaimeson Barzie, Delaware
yes, very dangerous. i have experienced this.
# 52:
8:17 am PST, Dec 22, Name not displayed, Arizona
I am signing to support a dear friend who has had multiple and serious issues with her 2005 Cobalt, most seriously the locking of the power steering.
# 51:
7:09 am PST, Dec 22, Jaime Masterson, Michigan
I have an 06 Cobalt. Replaced rotors twice, problem with steer column yet to be fixed even after they looked at it!! ABS doesnt work properly, loose braking control. Traction control doesnt work properly, I get stuck in very little snow, tires spin and it cuts gas to engine, so I cant even rock myself out!! Now the traction control light is on, having engine problems, shifting hard and almost stalls out when decelerating!!! I'm so upset with this GM product, no wonder they're going under!!
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Reply
dave Reed 5:01PM (1/17/2007)
G. Richard Wagoner, Jr.
I think you meant Rick Wagoner ....
Reply
Andy 8:23PM (1/17/2007)
I'm a red-blooded capitalist, so I have a philosophical objection for state aid in private enterprise. I'm also a realist, so I see there may be a need. A high gas tax will never happen. By simply buying a small SUV with an I-4 or a midsize V-6 sedan instead of a large V-8 truck, we could do a very good job of cutting fuel demand in the United States. But Americans have short memories and Detroit loves selling big SUVs and pickups. I'm glad Mr. Wagoner achknowledged a bad scenario. I don't like CAFE at all. but if it produced results...go for it.
Reply
David Beach 3:18PM (1/18/2007)
The short memory of the public is linked to advertising, dont advertise big engines advertise and bulit better cars. They do it in the rest of the world why not in US? Advertise benifits of deseals and a demand will appear.
Reply
lee cole 2:33PM (3/05/2007)
I'm not a fan of GM or Ford either and after all the screwing I got from being fool enough to buy their products I can't say I'm sorry to see them in the shape they are today. It's their own fault and I'll be glad to see them go the way of the American made TV.
Reply
Samuel Frye 5:46PM (10/04/2007)
I have A Invention Of A new type Of motorcycle
THE FUTURE WITH **FRYZ FLY BY NITE TRIKE**!
ADD YOUR GAS THE WAY U PLEZE BUT ADD A
**{SOLAR}** SHEET WRAP 4 MORE ENERGY.
BUT U WOULD HAVE 2 SEE 4 YOURSELF WHAT I HAVE 2 OFFER!
INTERESTED in selling idea, Don't want 2 deal with invention company getting over.
Thank U 4 your time!
Reply