Volt Birth Watch 74: Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!

by Robert Farago

Published: August 14th, 2008

volt birth watch 74 faster pussycat kill kill

The Volt PR drip-feed continues. The Hail Mary's Design Director hung with his homies in Traverse City (rated E for everyone), then jumped into GM's FastLane to release some teaser pics and say absolutely nothing ("The Chevrolet Volt’s exterior design is an attractive balance between aerodynamic performance and styling.") The Volt's Chief Engineer was more forthcoming– and forthright. Andrew Farrah tells the AP [ via Autonet] that "GM workers are testing batteries to make sure they last at least 10 years or 150,000 miles. It would cost more than $10,000 to replace them." The batteries or the engineers? Anyway, "The Volt also is going through the same design issues as a new car powered by a conventional engine, Farah said. 'The program has all of those same things built in. We're just doing them faster because we have to.'" How reassuring is that?

Robert Farago

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Phil Ressler on Aug 17, 2008
GM hasn’t got a lot more chances coming to it. My 233 year-old niece is car shopping. She only knows one thing for sure: “No American cars, right Uncle Lokki?” Well, then, you have an opportunity to correct her misguided conclusion, right? Did you take that opportunity to set her straight? Phil

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KixStart on Aug 17, 2008

Ressler: "Well, then, you have an opportunity to correct her misguided conclusion, right?" I'm sure "Uncle Lokki" did just that... "When they have proven reliability, into a decade and more, then you should reconsider that, my dear." The notion that worry is a natural part of life for the middle class auto buyer is a significant part of the reason why GM is on the ropes. And if GM takes the stance that "10 years for a $10K - or even a $5K - part is perfectly natural," the Volt will be DOA. You can buy a lot of miles in a Prius for $1K/year, you can even buy a lot of miles in a Prius for $500/year. Of course, GM hasn't built the Volt, yet, anyway, and may never.

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Phil Ressler on Aug 17, 2008
The notion that worry is a natural part of life for the middle class auto buyer is a significant part of the reason why GM is on the ropes. There is no such notion other than that worry is a natural part of life, for everyone. It shouldn't be an element of owning a car, and you can today buy Detroit 3 products that eliminate worry as effectively as anyone else does. And if GM takes the stance that “10 years for a $10K - or even a $5K - part is perfectly natural,” the Volt will be DOA. It won't be $10,000 nor $5,000. Electric cars, however, will introduce different economic and maintenance properties that won't be fully known until they're in the market with significant presence. However, battery replacement cost isn't going to be their inhibitor if there is one. If new scares you, stay old school. True, hand-wringers make up a large portion of the market, but people in the market for "next" will pave the way for worry-warts and vanity brand seekers to shed their fears. Phil

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KixStart on Aug 17, 2008

Ressler: "you can today buy Detroit 3 products that eliminate worry as effectively as anyone else does." Few believe that. Without the belief, there is worry. And you're evading the issue of an extra $10K of worry. Ressler: "However, battery replacement cost isn’t going to be their inhibitor if there is one." Repeatedly asserted, entirely unproven. Ressler: "... but people in the market for “next” will pave the way for worry-warts and vanity brand seekers to shed their fears." The people in the market for "next?" They already bought a Prius.

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