Is a Ford Volt coming at some point? Possibility of sharing E-Flex
Is it possible that we'll see a Ford Volt at some time in the not to distant future? If a story in the Detroit News is to be believed, yes! Ford and General Motors are apparently in talks to share the E-Flex powertrain technology that underpins the Volt. It wouldn't be the first time that Ford and GM have collaborated. The front wheel drive 6-speed automatic transmissions used in the larger cars and crossovers (Flex, Taurus, Acadia, etc) was jointly developed by the two companies. GM has also collaborated with Daimler, Chrysler and BMW on the Two-Mode hybrid system.
Sharing the E-Flex hardware would allow GM to more rapidly ramp up production volumes and drive down costs. At the same time Ford would be able to pick up an advanced powertrain that they are currently lacking. GM reportedly approached Ford and the Dearborn board of directors approved negotiations. Several meetings have been held but nothing has been agreed to yet. At the same 2007 Detroit Auto Show where the Volt Concept debuted, Ford showed its own Airstream concept with a plug-in fuel cell series hybrid powertrain. Ford has had a prototype Edge running with that powertrain since November 2006 and could provide some controls and system integration experience to the collaboration. GM is likely well ahead of Ford on the battery development side at this point.
[Source: Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GoodCheer 9:18AM (8/04/2008)
While I can see why Ford would want to try to do this, and I suppose I can see why GM would consider doing this, I don't think it would have much effect on actual production volumes:
The limit to production volumes, at least for the first couple years will be supply chain, not demand. Having more models from more brands designed to suit more needs/wants may increase demand, but I don't think that will help.
-Of course I could be wrong, maybe A123 / LG Chem are rolling out production infrastructure (and their own supply chains) to beat the band.
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Tim 9:22AM (8/04/2008)
I'd rather see a competitive product from Ford so the market can choose the best one. Necessity breeds innovation, but only competition can feed it, improve it and lower it's final cost to the consumer. This sounds like the beginnings of a beautiful (and profitable) technology MONOPOLY.
As usual, the consumer (or taxpayer) will bill bear the cost while giant multinational corporations reap the rewards. Of course this is wholly without risk because they know the socialists in Congress will bail them out with borrowed and debased money. Only in Amerika can giant corporations reap huge rewards while forcing any risks onto their customers. How much more debt can she take?
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EVan 10:13AM (8/04/2008)
This is awesome news.
Both Ford and GM are hurt by the fact that American consumer view foreign automakers as the world technology leaders.
With Ford and GM both collaborating on the future of automotive technology and, unlike in the past, actually bringing the technology to market both companies could be positively affected by the shift in consumer attitude possibly increasing sales across the rest of their line-ups.
High tech green cars are the new halo vehicle. Where the Corvette and Mustang show consumers what the companies are capable of in terms of power and performance, Green vehicles showcase the companies' engenuity and potential for innovation.
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Michael 12:12PM (8/04/2008)
I would bet that by the time any version of the Volt comes out, Toyota will have already come out with a cheaper, longer range and better made plug in hybrid.
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Richard 12:44PM (8/04/2008)
How hard is it to come out with an EV that's based on lead acid batteries? Just put a little more of them in there so that range is around 100 miles, choose better performing versions so that they last 4-6 years, and sell the fact that they are going to have to be replaced in that time frame. Better yet, included, in the price of the car, a replacement pack of batteries when these start to fail. That should make the car good for 10 years+. Retail conversion of regular cars to EV is around $7,000-$12,000. I can't see why we can't have a sub $20,000 EV available right away!
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Sasparilla 3:17PM (8/04/2008)
It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. Back when GM was developing the EV1 they didn't want to sink the money into the cars development and offered something similiar to Ford. At the time Ford wanted access to the EV1 technology but also wanted to do as much as they could to delay or derail the EV1 at the time - they didn't get to do either.
I have a feeling times have changed and with Ford dropping their Hybrid investment several years ago is in a world of hurt for technology like this. Heck, we could get a standard charging outlet plug from this.
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