TTAC Invited To Volt Launch

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

My time at TTAC has been full of surprises. Some days it seems that every hour holds a new, more gob-smacking shocker. But the surprise I received today, when I learned that I had been invited to the Volt’s press launch later this month, was one of the least expected and most gratifying to date. After all, not only has TTAC been a longtime critic of GM as a whole, but the Volt has been a special target for us since its conception, even earning its own category in our news blog. I’ve even criticized the Volt project (as opposed to the car itself) in the print media, drawing the ire (of sorts) of the White House press secretary. In the old GM, the very idea of rewarding our relentless criticism, questioning and second-guessing with access to the car itself would have been unthinkable. But today one GM rep explained to me that

The Volt’s been attacked at one point in time by just about everyone. Opinions of the vehicle have been all over the map, but fortunately we now have vehicles for people to drive and experience themselves rather than having to defend it with words and Powerpoint

That GM believes strongly enough in its most high-profile car to allow its most strident critic to drive it marks a material break from past practice (documentation of which abounds in TTAC’s archives, but here’s an especially infamous example). Allowing products (especially a controversial, high-profile car like the Volt) to speak for themselves before their harshest critics speaks to a much-improved culture taking hold at The General. This doesn’t mean the problems are over for the RenCen, but it shows that GM’s new managers are building for the future on a solid foundation of accountability. And that is a big enough deal to warrant a tip o’ the hat.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Campocaceres Campocaceres on Oct 05, 2010

    good sir, i understand you've been away from the internet for a week (which may as well be a year) and thusly been cleansed of its cynicism and negativity. but seriously, are you singing praise of a changed GM culture just because you've been invited to a launch event and fed the "we now let product speak for itself" line?? why not just, in essence, stfu and review the car when it comes time to review to the car? sorry to be so harsh, but i've just come back from hearing a modern day snake oil salesman give me his pitch, and quite franky, i am freshly bitter. also, coincidentally, i really hope you implement a firesuit policy on this post. welcome back :)

  • Carlson Fan Carlson Fan on Oct 05, 2010

    If the Volt hardly ever goes into generator mode under normal commuting distances, the performance under that mode is moot. If your using the generator on the Volt on a daily basis you've purchased the wrong car. The Volt is an absolutely perfect second care for the millions of surburban mulitcar families w/garages. I'll read TTAC's review when it comes out but doubt it will sway my decision to buy/lease one. Along w/Leaf, truly the most exciting thing to happen in the auto industry in a long time.

  • Slavuta Inflation creation act... 2 thoughts1, Are you saying Biden admin goes on the Trump's MAGA program?2, Protectionism rephrased: "Act incentivizes automakers to source materials from free-trade-compliant countries and build EVs in North America"Question: can non-free-trade country be a member of WTO?
  • EBFlex China can F right off.
  • MrIcky And tbh, this is why I don't mind a little subsidization of our battery industry. If the American or at least free trade companies don't get some sort of good start, they'll never be able to float long enough to become competitive.
  • SCE to AUX Does the WTO have any teeth? Seems like countries just flail it at each other like a soft rubber stick for internal political purposes.
  • Peter You know we’ve entered the age of self driving vehicles When KIAs go from being stolen to rolling away by themselves.
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