Chevy Volt program shelved? Absolutely not!
by Sam Abuelsamid on Nov 7th 2008 at 8:19AM 
Some of you may have noticed a story posted elsewhere on the interwebs late last evening about the Chevy Volt. As the story goes, a friend of a friend of a friend, etc told the writer that the Volt program was being put on indefinite hold due to the company's money troubles. With GM releasing its third quarter results in a couple of hours and a huge loss expected, virtually every program at GM is being cut back or delayed. The one exception to that (so far at least) remains the Volt. We checked with the primary spokesman for the Volt program at GM Rob Peterson first thing this morning on this rumor. Peterson tells us that "there's no truth in that statement whatsoever." So the Volt remains on track but GM is expected to announce some other big cuts this morning including lay offs among engineering staff (not related to the E-Flex program).
[Sources: General Motors, Jalopnik]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave 8:55AM (11/07/2008)
I think all options are on the table for all the auto makers. I wouldn't be suprised if it was delayed but not canceled. If they are not going to make any profit on it in the first year and the initial production numbers are very low it would make sense to delay the launch another year or so. Also, lower gas prices don't help the cause. Ford reported their numbers this morning and they are terrible and more white collar layoffs.
Reply
Richard 12:28PM (11/07/2008)
I thought the Volt web site reports huge numbers of people ready to purchase this thing. I don't think it will flop at all. Of course the lower the price, the more people can afford it. I'd like to see the architecture used on other models myself. A pickup truck comes to mind, or a small SUV/Minivan.
tankd0g 4:58PM (11/10/2008)
Unless the web site reports 50,000 people a month willing to buy one, it's not going to help GM in the short term.
oollyoumn 9:49AM (11/07/2008)
The Volt is still two plus years away even if everything goes as planned. So much will change in two years that this may be a yawner if/when it does happens. There are a number of total electrics that plan to be out in this time frame, there are plug-in hybrids planned in this time frame. From the what I read, this car is not even close to delivering on the promises. Whether or not this car is on time is secondary to how many billions of taxpayer money it will take to keep GM out of bankruptcy. GM has over hyped this car just to make itself appear relevant.
Reply
gorr 11:06AM (11/07/2008)
This is a costly project, big billions. If i were them i will try natural gas conversions and if it don't work it will be because people are not practical. Then if rentability is back then it make more sence to continue this project.
Reply
fnc 12:54PM (11/07/2008)
They could probably afford a delay, as the recent drop in gas prices has given manufacturers a bit of a reprieve from desperately needing high efficiency autos (and any drops in the cost of batteries in the interim will help).
But they'd be crazy to kill the ONLY project that could serve as their bridge to the next generation of automobile technology and a hedge against a future spike in gas prices decimating their sales like the last one did.
Reply
Bill 6:47PM (11/07/2008)
No chance GM gets their federal "loan" if they drop the Volt.
It may not be on time or on budget but it will continue.
Reply
tankd0g 4:58PM (11/10/2008)
There's a disturbing incentive now for them to never release it, just keep asking the government for more money to finish it. Wouldn't be the first time a contractor extorted money from the government.
Jack 9:28AM (11/11/2008)
GM, Ford and whoever else must produce this technology and quit hiding it in the closet, otherwise they'll be extinct inside of 5 years.
People are dam tired of serving the oil companies! And dam tired of listening to the rhetoric and hype served up by bullshit politicians about what can and cannot be done. I for one have never bought into it but I will buy a "good" electric vehicle when they are brave enough to dare produce one. They may have no choice now...
Reply
Josh 12:51AM (11/12/2008)
What we always expected from GM, another crushed car and another project on hold. Seems like it is either they tease us with the EV1 or insult us with an EV Volt that gets 40 miles per charge. I am getting tired of wating for my EV, so I joined www.diyelectriccar.com and started to build my own. Most people who build their own get at least 50-60 miles per charge without spending a ton of money. So I can't rely upon GM, but I can build my own. So, what else can we do if we want an EV? It is nice to have choices.
Reply
Brandon 1:38PM (12/18/2008)
I want to see a turbo-diesel version of the Chevy Volt. This would let the veggie modders create one of the most exciting, efficient, fuel-secure vehicles of all times.
Reply