AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[The lure of the plug: two-thirds of Chevy Volt buyers trade in non-GM vehicle]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/chevy-volt-buyers-trade-in-non-gm-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/chevy-volt-buyers-trade-in-non-gm-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/chevy-volt-buyers-trade-in-non-gm-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

red chevy volt

Whaddya think, that Volt buyers were trading in a Cadillac for their new plug-ins? Nope. Most buyers of Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in vehicles are coming in from outside of the General Motors family, the automaker says.

About two-thirds of Volt buyers are trading in non-GM cars, and more than 90 percent of recently surveyed Volt drivers said they'd buy another one. This fits with the results of a Consumer Reports survey on vehicle owner satisfaction released late last year. GM says the Toyota Prius hybrid is the most common vehicle sacrificed traded-in for the Volt, followed by the Toyota Camry, Honda Civic and BMW 3 Series cars.

GM is looking to drum up more sales for the Volt, which missed sales targets last year but is showing signs of life in 2011. Through April 2012, Volt sales tripled from a year earlier to 5,377 units, or about two-thirds of what GM sold during all of 2011.

Continue reading The lure of the plug: two-thirds of Chevy Volt buyers trade in non-GM vehicle

The lure of the plug: two-thirds of Chevy Volt buyers trade in non-GM vehicle originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 24 May 2012 19:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevrolet voltchevy voltelectric vehiclegeneral motorsplug-in hybridpriustoyotatoyota priustrade involtThu, 24 May 2012 19:46:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20244533/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20244533/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/24/chevy-volt-buyers-trade-in-non-gm-vehicles/20244533/article-detail.xml 20244533 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/volt0309-1337884449_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/volt0309-1337884449.jpg <![CDATA[Mississippi State University wins Year 1 of EcoCar 2 with plug-in hybrid Chevy Malibu]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/mississippi-state-university-wins-year-1-of-ecocar-2-with-plug-i/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/mississippi-state-university-wins-year-1-of-ecocar-2-with-plug-i/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/mississippi-state-university-wins-year-1-of-ecocar-2-with-plug-i/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The winner of the first year of the EcoCar 2 Challenge is the design for a series-parallel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle from Mississippi State University.

EcoCar 2: Plugging In to the Future is a three-year competition where college students try to make the most efficient modifications to a base vehicle - in this case a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The first year is spent emphasizing "engineering design though modeling and simulation to select and virtually test their plug-in hybrid electric vehicle architecture." Now that the deck work is over, the actual mods can get started. Fifteen schools are participating in the competition, which is the second three-year event of this type. The first was the Ecocar NeXT challenge, which Virginia Tech won with an E85-burning extended-range electric Equinox.

Parhaps you've noticed that there are only General Motors vehicles involved here. EcoCar 2 is co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, GM and 25 other government and industry leaders. Last year, Virginia Tech managed to squeeze 81.9 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent out of their Equinox. We can't wait to see what the teams can do with their Malibus.

Continue reading Mississippi State University wins Year 1 of EcoCar 2 with plug-in hybrid Chevy Malibu

Mississippi State University wins Year 1 of EcoCar 2 with plug-in hybrid Chevy Malibu originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 24 May 2012 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevrolet malibuchevy malibuecocarecocar 2ecocar2malibumississippi state universityplug-in hybridvirginia techThu, 24 May 2012 17:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20244475/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20244475/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/24/mississippi-state-university-wins-year-1-of-ecocar-2-with-plug-i/20244475/article-detail.xml 20244475 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/ecocar2-side-profile_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/ecocar2-side-profile.jpg <![CDATA[GM strikes out against CHAdeMO DC fast charging; opponents say SAE has 'the plug without the cars']]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/gm-strikes-out-against-chademo-dc-fast-charging/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/gm-strikes-out-against-chademo-dc-fast-charging/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/gm-strikes-out-against-chademo-dc-fast-charging/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nissan leaf with cable attached

The battle lines are hardening.

At issue here are the competing DC fast charge standards, CHAdeMO (which is established and works with the Nissan Leaf and the Mitsubishi i) and the new SAE Combo Charger (which is not yet available on any cars for sale, and won't be for a while). CHAdeMo is, mostly, supported by Japanese companies, while the SAE Combo plug gets its backing from U.S. and German automakers. The two sides are currently in a war of words, but an important one.

Shad Balch, GM's manager of environment and energy policy, said during a recent public hearing in California that there should be a CHAdeMO embargo, "we need to make sure, especially because we're talking about taxpayer money, that ONLY those standards [i.e., the SAE combo plug] are installed going forward," Torque News reports. The crowd booed Balch, but he went on to say that, "there is a very small group of cars that use a non-standardized level 3 charging connector." We've heard that the first vehicle to get the SAE connector will be the Chevrolet Spark, sometime in 2013.

At CHAdeMO's General Assembly 2012, held yesterday in Tokyo, the Asian team responded. According to Hybrid Cars, CHAdeMO president Toshiyuki Shiga (who is also the COO of Nissan) said, "in the U.S. and in Europe there is a movement to eliminate the CHAdeMO by making the combo a regional standard." At the event, the SAE Combo option was repeatedly called "the plug without the cars."

GM and Balch are clearly fighting against Nissan's pure EV dominance, but they can't change the fact is that CHAdeMO is leading the way. Recently, at the SAE World Congress, Nissan was displaying some facts about CHAdeMO. As of the end of March 2012, 33 companies (including charging station suppliers) supported CHAdeMO and there were 1,071 CHAdeMO quick chargers installed around the world. Since the SAE Combo Charger is so new, there are no stations or cars that support it - yet - but most of the charging station companies we've talked to recently said they'll get behind whatever technology customers want. This war of words will likely determine which plug that is.

GM strikes out against CHAdeMO DC fast charging; opponents say SAE has 'the plug without the cars' originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 23 May 2012 12:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chademochevroletcomboelectric vehicleleafnissanplug-in hybridsae combosae combo chargerWed, 23 May 2012 12:13:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20242701/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20242701/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/23/gm-strikes-out-against-chademo-dc-fast-charging/20242701/article-detail.xml 20242701 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/leafchargingports_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/leafchargingports.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy Volt escapes the zombie horde]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/chevy-volt-escapes-the-zombie-horde/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/chevy-volt-escapes-the-zombie-horde/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/chevy-volt-escapes-the-zombie-horde/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

chevy volt zombie ad

Did you know the Chevrolet Volt can outrun a gaggle of slow-rambling zombies? Did you know that even in an apocalyptic wasteland, beautiful women will drive freshly washed cars? These are two of the messages in a new ad (of sorts) for the plug-in hybrid that was created by Josh Soskin for the Mofilm Barcelona 2012 Video Contest.

The spot, viewable below, makes an odd case against gas anxiety (for lack of a better word) by showing a mid-1980's Mazda 323 running out of gas, which then allows a brain-hungry zombie horde from catching up. The deus ex machina turns out to be a Volt, which carries our heroes to safety. The big question: does that Volt include zombie-killing shotguns, hung from a gun rack?

Now, a fully charged, fully refueled Volt can go around 375 miles. If these guys really want to go the distance, what they really need is a good hypermiler and/or a diesel car (1,600+ miles!). Or, if the gasoline supply has been damaged, how about a solar-powered long-distance vehicle, something like the Solar Taxi. But that's applying logic to what's supposed to be a commercial, which is always a losing experiment. The ad is still kind of funny. Watch it here, and you can see the contest's runners-up here.

Continue reading Chevy Volt escapes the zombie horde

Chevy Volt escapes the zombie horde originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 21 May 2012 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barcelona video contestchevroletchevrolet voltchevy voltelectric vehicleplug-in hybridvoltvolt zombieszombiesMon, 21 May 2012 19:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20242080/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20242080/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/21/chevy-volt-escapes-the-zombie-horde/20242080/article-detail.xml 20242080 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/chevy-volt-zombie-ad_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/chevy-volt-zombie-ad.png <![CDATA[GM says the Volt has saved a supertanker of gas]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/19/gm-says-the-volt-has-saved-a-supertanker-of-gas/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/19/gm-says-the-volt-has-saved-a-supertanker-of-gas/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/19/gm-says-the-volt-has-saved-a-supertanker-of-gas/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Chevy Volt

That's one small step for man, and one less really big barge full of fuel for mankind.

That's basically what General Motors' Chevrolet division is saying in its latest effort to pitch the Volt extended-range plug-in as a way for prospective drivers to save both money and the earth.

Chevrolet estimates that Volt drivers have saved more than 2.1 million gallons of gas - or one supertanker - by driving their vehicles in electric mode. Since the model launched in late 2010, Volt drivers, who, on average, use electricity 60 percent of the time and fuel from the car's on-board generator the rest of the time, have put on 40 million electric-only miles on the car, saving a combined $8 million in unused gasoline the process.

While the Volt fell about 2,300 units short of Chevy's goal to sell 10,000 units last year, 2012 sales through April tripled from a year earlier to 5,377 units. We anxiously await Nissan's own claim on how many fleets worth of gas its Leaf drivers have saved...

Continue reading GM says the Volt has saved a supertanker of gas

GM says the Volt has saved a supertanker of gas originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 19 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chevrolet voltchevroletgeneral motorsgmplug-in hybridsupertankervoltSat, 19 May 2012 09:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240487/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240487/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/19/gm-says-the-volt-has-saved-a-supertanker-of-gas/20240487/article-detail.xml 20240487 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/chevrolet-volt-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/chevrolet-volt-628.jpg <![CDATA[IIHS crowns Prius c and Malibu Eco Top Safety Picks [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/iihs-crowns-prius-c-and-malibu-eco-top-safety-picks-w-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/iihs-crowns-prius-c-and-malibu-eco-top-safety-picks-w-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/iihs-crowns-prius-c-and-malibu-eco-top-safety-picks-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2012 Toyota Prius C

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crowned two eco-friendly new models as Top Safety Picks: the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco and 2012 Toyota Prius c. The redesigned 2013 Malibu joins its 2012 model-mate as a Top Pick, and the 2013 earned a good side impact rating even without its optional side airbags.

The Prius c also has siblings that have won the award, the Prius and Prius v. Also earning top honors in the latest round of testing is the redesigned Hyundai Azera. The Top Pick moniker is given to vehicles that score "Good" in the IIHS's front, side, rollover and rear-impact tests.

Have a look below for video of the Malibu and Prius c going through their side-impact exams.

Continue reading IIHS crowns Prius c and Malibu Eco Top Safety Picks [w/video]

IIHS crowns Prius c and Malibu Eco Top Safety Picks [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 17 May 2012 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 hyundai azera2012 toyota prius c2013 chevrolet malibu ecochevroletiihsInsurance Institute for Highway Safetymalibupriusprius cTop Safety PicktoyotaThu, 17 May 2012 09:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20239689/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20239689/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/17/iihs-crowns-prius-c-and-malibu-eco-top-safety-picks-w-video/20239689/article-detail.xml 20239689 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyota-prius-c_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyota-prius-c.jpg <![CDATA[Consumer Reports says converted EVs are marred by design compromises]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/consumer-reports-says-converted-evs-are-marred-by-design-comprom/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/consumer-reports-says-converted-evs-are-marred-by-design-comprom/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/consumer-reports-says-converted-evs-are-marred-by-design-comprom/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



When it comes to battery-electric versions of existing gas-powered vehicles, it's tough for those leopards to change their spots.

That's a conclusion from Consumer Reports, which says that the Ford Focus Electric and Chevrolet Volt are among plug-in vehicles marred by design compromises because they used platforms from existing gas-powered models.

The Volt, whose architecture stems from the Chevrolet Cruze, and the Focus EV both lack interior room and trunk space because the cars' larger batteries were crammed into spaces not originally designed to accommodate them, according to the publication. In contrast, models like the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model S, which were always designed for electric powertrains, keep most if not all of their batteries underneath the car's flooring, increasing roominess as well as improving handling. Consumer Reports noted the Mercedes-Benz B-Class Fuel Cell vehicle as an exception because most of its powertrain components are also in the floor.

The topic of converted electric-drive vehicles vs. those that had always been designed as EVs is topical as many automakers rush EVs to the market to capitalize on growing awareness of electric-drive vehicles.

Earlier this month, Green Car Reports broached the topic of converted vs. purpose built EVs in an article about which EVs are being made for true production and which are being produced merely to comply with California's quota for zero-emissions vehicles. Green Car Reports concluded that converted models such as electric versions of the Focus, Honda Fit and Toyota RAV4 are being made merely for compliance purposes.

Consumer Reports says converted EVs are marred by design compromises originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 11 May 2012 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletconsumer reportsconverteddesignelectric vehicleford focus electricnissan leafpurpose builttesla model svoltFri, 11 May 2012 20:05:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20235945/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20235945/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/11/consumer-reports-says-converted-evs-are-marred-by-design-comprom/20235945/article-detail.xml 20235945 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/01-2012-ford-focus-electric-fd-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/01-2012-ford-focus-electric-fd-opt.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mild-Hybrid Malibu Proves Only Mildly Interesting

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

Don't judge a book by its cover. The sentiment certainly applies to cars as well, but doubly so. Years of driving and photographing new vehicles have taught us that you can't evaluate a new model - or even judge its styling - based on photos alone, no matter how good or bad the images or the sheetmetal might seem. And you can't really know anything until you get that car off the auto show stand and out in the wild, driving it on the street in its natural habitat.

We explain this because when we first spied the new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, we didn't think much of it: Mostly carryover front fascia, grafted-on Camaro taillights, Bangle butt. Move along, nothing to see here. But a funny thing happened when we got behind the wheel of the Malibu Eco for a week. We warmed up to it. We actually liked it.

Continue reading 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 07 May 2012 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 chevrolet malibu ecochevroletchevyfeaturedgeneral motorsgmmalibumalibu ecoreviewreviewsMon, 07 May 2012 13:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20232716/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20232716/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/07/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review/20232716/article-detail.xml 20232716 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy Volt sales drop to 1,462 in April, Nissan Leaf sales fall to 370 *UPDATE]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/chevy-volt-sales-drop-to-1-462-nissan-leaf-sales-fall-to-370/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/chevy-volt-sales-drop-to-1-462-nissan-leaf-sales-fall-to-370/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/chevy-volt-sales-drop-to-1-462-nissan-leaf-sales-fall-to-370/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

chevy volt and nissan leaf

For anyone playing close attention to the month-to-month sales results from the two leading plug-in vehicles in the U.S., the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf, April had some depressing news.

After selling a record number of Volts in March - 2,289 - Chevrolet managed to move just 1,462 in April. This is more inline with previous recent months (1,023 sales in February, 603 sold in January, 1,529 in December) and is almost three times the 493 sold in April 2011.

For the Leaf, Nissan sold just 370 in April, down from 579 units in March and 478 in February. In fact, 370 is lower than the number Nissan sold in April 2011, 573. The Leaf's best sales month ever was June 2011 with 1,708 units.

Now, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has been managing expectations about Leaf sales for a while, saying that the monthly ups and downs should not be taken too seriously as an indication of Leaf popularity until the company's U.S. and UK production facilities come online (in late 2012 for Tennessee, early 2013 for Sunderland). As Ghosn said in New York last month, "I don't want you to take a one-month or two-month sales result in one particular market to try to make your opinion about the evolution of a very important technology for the industry."

UPDATE: we forgot to mention that April had three fewer selling days than April last year, which should be taken into consideration when comparing sales figure to last year's. Also, plug-in vehicles were not as widely available in 2011 as 2012, so it's tough to accurately judge from year-to-year right now.

Continue reading Chevy Volt sales drop to 1,462 in April, Nissan Leaf sales fall to 370 *UPDATE

Chevy Volt sales drop to 1,462 in April, Nissan Leaf sales fall to 370 *UPDATE originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 01 May 2012 12:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carlos ghosnchevroletchevy voltelectric vehicleleafleaf salesnissannissan leafplug-in hybridvoltvolt salesTue, 01 May 2012 12:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20228102/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20228102/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/01/chevy-volt-sales-drop-to-1-462-nissan-leaf-sales-fall-to-370/20228102/article-detail.xml 20228102 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/volt-leaf-1325711059_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/volt-leaf-1325711059.jpg <![CDATA[Michigan dealer sells roughly a Chevy Volt a day]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/michigan-dealer-sells-about-a-volt-a-day/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/michigan-dealer-sells-about-a-volt-a-day/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/michigan-dealer-sells-about-a-volt-a-day/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

chevy volt at dealership

One Michigan car dealership sells almost one Chevrolet Volt every day, a far cry above the sales at most other dealerships. The reason is that the dealer's staff has been extensively trained on the car, aggressively cross-selling the model and playing up the green connection with two windmills on the property.

According to Forbes, Serra Chevrolet in Southfield, MI - about 15 miles northwest of Detroit - sells about 25 Volts a month. The dealer trains each salesperson specifically on the Volt for at least 12 hours and encourages them to cross-sell the car to customers that come in looking for anything from an SUV to a midsize to a compact. To put a green point on the deal, about 15 percent of the dealer's electric power is provided by two windmills located behind the building.

Some of the other better performing dealers in terms of Volt sales include Maryland's Criswell Chevrolet and Penske Chevrolet in Cerritos, CA, near Los Angeles. Such dealers are helping move a model that struggled for sales last year but has shown recent momentum. In March, the Volt had its most successful month since its late 2010 launch, selling 2,289 units, which was more than triple year-earlier sales.

Chevrolet parent General Motors will release April sales figures later this week.

Michigan dealer sells roughly a Chevy Volt a day originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletelectric vehiclegeneral motorsmichiganplug-in hybridserraserra chevroletsouthfieldvoltvolt salesMon, 30 Apr 2012 19:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20227339/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20227339/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/30/michigan-dealer-sells-about-a-volt-a-day/20227339/article-detail.xml 20227339 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/chevrolet-volt-at-dealership_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/chevrolet-volt-at-dealership.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy Volt takes a dip in the pool at Coachella. With bikinis.]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/29/chevy-volt-takes-a-dip-in-the-pool-at-coachella/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/29/chevy-volt-takes-a-dip-in-the-pool-at-coachella/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/29/chevy-volt-takes-a-dip-in-the-pool-at-coachella/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Voltchella: The Chevy Volt Pool Party

The PR department for the GM Western Region swears there's Chevrolet Volt in the image above. We think we can spot it, but we're not sure. The still is taken from a promotional video for the Volt Recharge Lounge at the Coachella music festival in California recently.

Called "Voltchella: The Chevy Volt Pool Party," the clip is a minute of attractive people in bathing suits alongside a Volt floating in a pool. Seriously. There's not much else to say about it, because all the video shows are the people - including celebrities like Paris Hilton and some actor from The Hunger Games - and the car. The coolest part? When we see a tall crane shot of the Volt being lifted into place. The rest? Well, it's not the most pointless Volt video we've ever seen, but it's pretty close. See for yourself down below.

Continue reading Chevy Volt takes a dip in the pool at Coachella. With bikinis.

Chevy Volt takes a dip in the pool at Coachella. With bikinis. originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 17:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletcoachellaelectric vehicleplug-in hybridvoltvoltchellaVoltchella: The Chevy Volt Pool PartySun, 29 Apr 2012 17:52:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20226793/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20226793/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/29/chevy-volt-takes-a-dip-in-the-pool-at-coachella/20226793/article-detail.xml 20226793 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/chevy-volt-coachella-1335734068_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/chevy-volt-coachella-1335734068.png <![CDATA[SAE Congress: Chevy Volt OnStar 4G LTE Research Vehicle is networked to the gills]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/sae-congress-chevy-volt-onstar-4g-lte-research-vehicle/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/sae-congress-chevy-volt-onstar-4g-lte-research-vehicle/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/sae-congress-chevy-volt-onstar-4g-lte-research-vehicle/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

SAE World Congress 2012: Chevy Volt OnStar 4G LTE Research Vehicle

First displayed at CES earlier this year, GM brought its 4G LTE Chevrolet Volt demonstration vehicle to the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress in Detroit this week. The car marries GM's OnStar telematics system with Verizon's 4G LTE data network to answer one question, according to OnStar's Dave Cheney: "If you had a high-bandwidth connection in a car at all times, what would you do with it?"

The all-good-news answer to that question is to stream all sorts of media from the cloud to the back seats: videos, video calls, etc. Via the built-in front screen, the car could also control networked appliances back home, things like lights, A/C units and garage doors. Also, the thing that makes this system different from just having two video screens in the back of the car is that driver can control what's on the back seat screens: starting or stopping apps, pausing media, adjusting volume, etc.

Cheney told AutoblogGreen that the details on how a system like this could be implemented in the real world are not really fleshed out since this is just a test project (an evolution of a Buick LaCrosse shown at the 2011 CES). It's clear even at this early stage that the idea of an in-car network creates something entirely different than a back-seat passenger simply bringing his own iPad, so you would need to tie the devices to the car somehow. But, Cheney said, it also doesn't make sense to force the customer to buy two tablet computers (Samsung devices, in the prototype) that only connect with the vehicle and are likely to become old technology well before the car's end of life. So, if you make the system work with any device brought into the car, how do you create an app that allows the driver to have control over the back-seat devices? And how do you prevent children from simply not using that app if they want to play a game that mom doesn't want them to play? OnStar has no solution to this question right now, but Cheney said that some customers will want a system that "just works."

Because the prototype vehicle is a Volt, the system integrates charging and smart grid information. Compared to the regular battery/charging information in a production Volt, Cheney said, this new system includes better navigation and the ability - should a particular charging station offer it - to reserve charge time.

Below, we've got a video of the system's debut and have also pasted GM's press release announcing this car in January.

Continue reading SAE Congress: Chevy Volt OnStar 4G LTE Research Vehicle is networked to the gills

SAE Congress: Chevy Volt OnStar 4G LTE Research Vehicle is networked to the gills originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4ltechevroletelectric vehicleonstaronstar 4lteonstar voltplug-in hybridverizon 4g lteverizon lteverizon onstarvoltThu, 26 Apr 2012 13:49:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20224357/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20224357/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/26/sae-congress-chevy-volt-onstar-4g-lte-research-vehicle/20224357/article-detail.xml 20224357 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/sae-world-congress-2012-chevy-volt-4lte-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/sae-world-congress-2012-chevy-volt-4lte-628.jpg <![CDATA[GM's future in China includes EN-V 2.0; new renderings show light evolution]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/23/gms-future-in-china-includes-en-v-2-0-new-renderings-show-ligh/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/23/gms-future-in-china-includes-en-v-2-0-new-renderings-show-ligh/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/23/gms-future-in-china-includes-en-v-2-0-new-renderings-show-ligh/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Chevrolet EN-V

General Motors' vision for the all-electric EN-V pod cars has always been to deploy them in the heavily crowded mega cities of the future, so it makes perfect sense that a rendering for the next-generation model was revealed today at the Beijing Motor Show. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the most futuristic Chevrolet ever.

With room for two, the EN-V 2.0 gets what looks like a longer wheelbase compared to the first edition (see it here) thanks to rear wheels that now extend outwards, as well as things people expect from a "car" (no matter what it looks like), like climate control and storage space. Oh, and GM says that, "In addition, it would be capable of driving in all weather and city road conditions." That's key. The new EN-V could potentially be available in 2020, but pilot studies will take place in China before then. The 25-mile range from the first EN-V, which was unveiled at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, remains.

EN-V stands for Electric Networked-Vehicle, so it's no surprise that the EN-V 2.0 concept includes mobile Internet access and telematics along with an EV powertrain. Kevin Wale, president and managing director of the GM China Group, said in a statement that the EN-V 2.0's "combination of sensing technology, wireless communication and GPS-based navigation establishes a technology foundation, pieces of which could potentially lead the way to the creation of future advanced vehicle systems." More work needs to be done, as the vehicle has shown somewhat flawed autonomous driving capabilities thus far.

Continue reading GM's future in China includes EN-V 2.0; new renderings show light evolution

GM's future in China includes EN-V 2.0; new renderings show light evolution originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleen-ven-v 2envenv2telematicsMon, 23 Apr 2012 17:16:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20221950/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20221950/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/23/gms-future-in-china-includes-en-v-2-0-new-renderings-show-ligh/20221950/article-detail.xml 20221950 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/env-2.0-rendering-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/env-2.0-rendering-628.jpg <![CDATA[Sigh. Rush Limbaugh continues plug-in car attacks; Bob Lutz plays defense]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/sigh-rush-limbaugh-continues-plug-in-car-attacks-bob-lutz-defe/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/sigh-rush-limbaugh-continues-plug-in-car-attacks-bob-lutz-defe/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/sigh-rush-limbaugh-continues-plug-in-car-attacks-bob-lutz-defe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



And you thought the right-wing attacks on plug-in cars was going to fade away. Not if Rush Limbaugh has anything to do with it (and he does). On his radio show yesterday, Limbaugh complained for many minutes about the evils of EVs. "There's nothing wrong with oil, there's nothing wrong with gasoline," he said. "We don't need saving from gasoline"

His argument isn't exactly coherent - he claims that somehow having plug-in vehicles reduces our options - but they sure were delivered passionately. Calling out Mr. Chevrolet Volt himself, Limbaugh said:

Bob, Mr. Lutz, the problem is not me. The problem is that the pro-electric car crowd are the people making this political. ... The electric car is not about saving the planet. The electric car is not about cleaner energy. The electric car is not about cleaner air. The electric car is about taking away choices from the American people about what they want to drive. The electric car is about bigger government.

Where to start?

How about by letting Lutz do the work? Speaking at the Hudson Institute earlier this week, Lutz laid out his arguments about why the Volt and plug-in technology are good ideas, all of which regular readers have heard before. You can hear them in full in the embedded video down below (Limbaugh's comments are available, too), but the gist is: they work, they save gas and they will get cheaper.

There was one thing Lutz said that is not common knowledge, though, would put to rest any the idea that the Volt is the "Obamacar" if it were. Lutz said that when GM and the Obama administration met during the company's bankruptcy proceedings, the government's recommendation was to kill the Volt program. That, of course, didn't happen.

Continue reading Sigh. Rush Limbaugh continues plug-in car attacks; Bob Lutz plays defense

Sigh. Rush Limbaugh continues plug-in car attacks; Bob Lutz plays defense originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob lutzchevroletchevrolet voltchevy voltelectric vehiclemedia mattersplug-in hybridrush limbaughvoltThu, 19 Apr 2012 19:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20218952/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20218952/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/19/sigh-rush-limbaugh-continues-plug-in-car-attacks-bob-lutz-defe/20218952/article-detail.xml 20218952 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/2011-chevrolet-volt-logo-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/2011-chevrolet-volt-logo-628.jpg <![CDATA[GM battery lab explosion cost could reach $5M]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/gm-battery-lab-explosion-cost-could-reach-5m/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/gm-battery-lab-explosion-cost-could-reach-5m/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/gm-battery-lab-explosion-cost-could-reach-5m/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Last week, a fire broke out at the General Motors Technical Center battery research lab in Warren, Michigan. General Motors has since said the fire was caused by a battery that was being tested under "extreme stress." Engineers were trying to get the pack to fail, which it did, but not to ignite, which it also did when gases leaked out and somehow caught fire.

There's one detail we have not heard yet, and that's how much the fire could end up costing GM: up to $5 million, the The Detroit News reports, based on information that the automaker's representatives submitted in a police report. The local fire department has estimated that the damage could be closer to $3 million, with one million of that due to property loss - at least two labs were damaged - and $2 million worth of damage to the labs' contents. An investigation into the cause and extent of the fire continues.

The battery pack involved was not the same as the one used in the Chevrolet Volt and GM says that the incident has not negatively affected Volt sales. Media reports have suggested the battery is be intended for the Spark EV program and that the prototype battery pack was made by A123 (which has had other battery issues recently). Multiple people were injured in the fire but only one remains in the hospital because of "an estimated four-inch gash to the back of his head."

GM battery lab explosion cost could reach $5M originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a123battery labchevrolet sparkgeneral motors technical center battery research labgmgm battery lab firegm explosionsparkspark evwarren michiganwarren tech centerWed, 18 Apr 2012 11:49:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20218538/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20218538/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/18/gm-battery-lab-explosion-cost-could-reach-5m/20218538/article-detail.xml 20218538 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/gm0412explosion_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/gm0412explosion.jpg <![CDATA[Bi-fuel option to cost $11,000 on GM pickups [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/bi-fuel-option-to-cost-11-000-on-gm-pickups-w-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/bi-fuel-option-to-cost-11-000-on-gm-pickups-w-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/bi-fuel-option-to-cost-11-000-on-gm-pickups-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD CNG - front three-quarter view

2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD - CNG fuel tank closeupGeneral Motors has released pricing for the bi-fuel option for the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD and GMC Sierra 2500 HD, and it's a pill that probably won't go down easy. Buyers who want their workhorses to suck down either compressed natural gas (CNG) or gasoline can look forward to ponying up $11,000 for the pleasure. That big chunk of change adds a Type 3 tank in the bed for CNG, and GM says that with both fuels, the trucks will have an effective range of 650 miles. The bi-fuel option is available on any heavy-duty truck configuration, including four-wheel drive and extended cab models.

The automaker says the bi-fuel trucks are a way for business owners to safeguard themselves against volatile gas prices, and that the option could save anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 over the course of three years depending on fuel fluctuations. However, any option on a work truck that only might break even in three or four years seems like a tough sell in our book, especially given the reduction in useable bed area. Hit the jump for the full press release as well as a quick video.

Continue reading Bi-fuel option to cost $11,000 on GM pickups [w/video]

Bi-fuel option to cost $11,000 on GM pickups [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 chevrolet silverado 2500 hd bi-fuel2013 gmc sierra 2500 hd bi-fuelbi-fuelcngcompressed natural gasgeneral motorsgmgmc sierrasierrasierra 2500 hdsilveradosilverado 2500 hdTue, 17 Apr 2012 17:49:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20218005/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20218005/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/17/bi-fuel-option-to-cost-11-000-on-gm-pickups-w-video/20218005/article-detail.xml 20218005 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/01-silverado-bi-fuel-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/01-silverado-bi-fuel-628.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Chevy Volt getting battery-conservation mode, lane-departure warning]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/2013-chevy-volt-battery-conservation-mode-lane-departure/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/2013-chevy-volt-battery-conservation-mode-lane-departure/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/2013-chevy-volt-battery-conservation-mode-lane-departure/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

chevy volt

One more driving mode, one less color.

That's the crux of the changes in store for the 2013 Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in electric vehicle. Changes for the 2013 model year will include a driving mode that lets drivers force the car into gas-powered, extended-range mode in situations where it's most advantageous to switch out of EV-only mode, GM Inside News reports.

Driver can choose the Volt's "EV Hold Mode" in certain cases, such as when the route consists of a bunch of highway driving prior to city driving, according to the publication. Switching over to extended-range mode, in which the gas-powered on-board generator is used, would be best in that situation because high speeds drain a plug-in's battery charge a lot more rapidly than city driving. "EV Hold Mode" is standard on the Volt's European sister vehicle, the Opel Ampera. The closest that U.S. drivers can do with today's Volt is engage "Mountain Mode."

Additionally, the Volt will eschew its black roof and trunk backing and will go to body colors for those parts of the car for 2013. Other improvements include a lane-departure warning system that's becoming commonplace on many U.S. vehicles.

GM released details of the 2013 Volt following the model's most successful sales month since its late-2010 debut. The automaker sold 2,289 Volts in March, a monthly record that is more than three times higher than figures from a year earlier. The Volt missed the 10,000-unit target set by GM for 2011, moving just 7,671 units last year.

2013 Chevy Volt getting battery-conservation mode, lane-departure warning originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20132013 chevrolet voltchevroletEV holdgeneral motorsmodeplug-in hybridvoltTue, 17 Apr 2012 09:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20216997/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20216997/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/17/2013-chevy-volt-battery-conservation-mode-lane-departure/20216997/article-detail.xml 20216997 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/2011-chevrolet-volt-628j_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/2011-chevrolet-volt-628j.jpg <![CDATA[GM downplays effect of battery-pack accident on plug-in sales]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/gm-downplays-effect-of-battery-pack-accident-on-plug-in-sales/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/gm-downplays-effect-of-battery-pack-accident-on-plug-in-sales/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/gm-downplays-effect-of-battery-pack-accident-on-plug-in-sales/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



What, we worry?

A General Motors executive is downplaying the potential effects of last week's explosion of a prototype battery pack in Michigan on sales of plug-in vehicles such as the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in, saying that high gas prices will continue to fuel sales momentum.

Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet's global marketing efforts, said at a Detroit charity event that the battery involved was subject to extreme stress testing unlikely to be replicated in real-world driving and didn't involve a battery that would be used in a Volt, according to The Detroit Bureau. The explosion injured six workers at a GM plant in Warren, Michigan, according to the publication.

Additionally, Design News interviewed a number of engineering experts who said the public shouldn't assume that the accident indicates that the batteries are explosive, noting that the accident was closer to a "fire" than an "explosion" and that the batteries themselves were intact after the accident.

GM's hoping the incident doesn't curtail the Chevrolet Volt's hard-earned sales momentum. Last month, GM sold a monthly-record 2,289 Volts, which was more than three times the numbers from a year before. Higher sales are causing GM to shorten a previously scheduled production shutdown of the Volt to four weeks from five.

Last year, Volt's sales were likely hampered by a vehicle fire that took place weeks after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a crash test on the car. NHTSA said earlier this year that plug-in vehicles don't pose a greater fire risk than gas-powered cars.

GM downplays effect of battery-pack accident on plug-in sales originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentbatterychevroletchevrolet voltchevy voltelectric vehicleexplosionfireinjurieslithium ionmichiganvoltwarrenMon, 16 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20216900/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20216900/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/16/gm-downplays-effect-of-battery-pack-accident-on-plug-in-sales/20216900/article-detail.xml 20216900 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/gm0412explosion_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/gm0412explosion.jpg <![CDATA[GM lab explosion update: A123 battery reportedly responsible, five people hurt]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/12/gm-lab-explosion-update-a123-battery-reportedly-responsible-fi/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/12/gm-lab-explosion-update-a123-battery-reportedly-responsible-fi/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/12/gm-lab-explosion-update-a123-battery-reportedly-responsible-fi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

GM Warren Tech Center explosion aftermath

More details are filtering in about yesterday's explosion at the General Motors Technical Center battery research lab in Warren, MI.

First, the number of people injured has climbed to five, with one taken to the hospital and four treated at the scene. The local deputy fire chief said none of the injuries were life-threatening. The fire department also told the local mayor that it was fumes from hydrogen sulfide that caused the explosion, but GM declined to comment on that aspect. We learned yesterday that a battery under "extreme testing" caused the explosion.

According to The Detroit News' David Shepardson on Twitter, "Chemical gases from the battery cells were released and ignited in the enclosed chamber. The battery itself was intact" and, "All areas of the Alternative Energy Center except for the battery lab and adjacent offices will operate normally on Thursday."

Unnamed sources have told the media that it was a prototype battery pack made by A123 that caused the fire. Fox News says that pack was being tested for use in the Chevy Spark EV and other all-electric vehicles. Batteries made by A123 were recently involved in a $55-million replacement effort in the Fisker Karma.

GM lab explosion update: A123 battery reportedly responsible, five people hurt originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batterybattery firebattery testingchevroletchevrolet sparkchevrolet spark evchevy sparkelectric vehiclegm technical centerli-ion batteryspark evThu, 12 Apr 2012 10:06:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20214117/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20214117/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/12/gm-lab-explosion-update-a123-battery-reportedly-responsible-fi/20214117/article-detail.xml 20214117 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/gm-tech-center-explosion-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/gm-tech-center-explosion-628.jpg <![CDATA[Bob Lutz wins push-up contest on <em>The Colbert Report</em>]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/10/bob-lutz-wins-push-up-contest-on-the-colbert-report/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/10/bob-lutz-wins-push-up-contest-on-the-colbert-report/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/10/bob-lutz-wins-push-up-contest-on-the-colbert-report/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Bob Lutz takes on Stephen Colbert in a push-up contest

Former General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz went bicep-to-bicep with "America's ballsiest pundit," Stephen Colbert, last night - and came out ahead. Ostensibly, Lutz was on Colbert to talk about his new book, Car Guys Vs. Bean Counters, but as one might expect, the discussion veered into Mitt Romney vs. President Obama territory pretty quickly.

The actual car industry part of the discussion, though, revealed more potential good news for the Chevrolet Volt, the car that Lutz is obviously trying to make his legacy and called "a huge success." Sure, Colbert talked about what his friends over at Fox News have been saying, but Lutz responded by predicting that sales would be "about 3,000 a month from here on out." This would not only set a new record (Volt sales for March 2012 were 2,289, the highest so far) but would also put GM's plug-in car into the 36,000-a-year range. That's commendable, but still not where GM CEO Dan Akerson said last December things would be this year. Of course, Akerson's 60,000 number could have included the Opel Ampera and its Vauxhall twin. In any case, things are looking up for the Volt, and that's something Lutz is more than happy to tell Colbert or anyone else. Watch the video - including an impromptu push-up contest between the two - right now by scrolling below.

Continue reading Bob Lutz wins push-up contest on The Colbert Report

Bob Lutz wins push-up contest on The Colbert Report originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 chevrolet voltamperabob lutzchevroletchevychevy voltcolbertcolbert reportlutzstephen colbertvideovoltTue, 10 Apr 2012 12:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20212409/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20212409/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/10/bob-lutz-wins-push-up-contest-on-the-colbert-report/20212409/article-detail.xml 20212409 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/lutz-vs-colbert-push-ups_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/lutz-vs-colbert-push-ups.jpg -1 2