GM: No Volt Variations Until 2015

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

From the “how did we miss that?” file comes this Automotive News [sub] story, filed at the beginning of the week, which asked GM Europe boss Nick Reilly about plans for Volt-based variants. Reilly replied

We won’t do it with this generation, and that will run to 2015. You’d have to wait until after that until you see it.

Which is peculiar, considering GM just announced that it will build a Cadillac Converj-style Volt variant at some point. GM has also shown a near-production-look Volt MPV5 Concept, although that has never been confirmed as a future production model. But Reilly explains that current Volt’s slow ramp-up and “expensive technology” have doomed any possibility of a Volt family of vehicles before the next generation drivetrain launches.

Edward Niedermeyer
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  • Carlson Fan Carlson Fan on Oct 01, 2011

    "Wouldn’t it be simpler just to have the gas engine power the wheels parallel with the electric motor, like its done in the Prius? Having a serial gas-battery-electric motor drive-train seems self-defeating in case of a battery or electric motor failure." Lutz didn't want another parallel hybrid like the Prius. The whole point of the Volt is it can be driven on electricty indefinitely. You couldn't do that with a Prius until the plug-version came along. And even that has limitations unlike the Volt. Or you can take it from New York to Seattle, which you wouldn't want to try an do in a pure EV like the Leaf. The real beauty of the Volt, which is something that was touched on in the review this week, it that unlike the Prius, it's not a penalty box to drive. That part of the review was spot-on as far as what I'm reading from actual Volt owners. Many like the way the Volt drives soo much they've forgotten why they bought it in the first place. The instant torque provided by the electric motors it soo addictive they'll never go back to another ICE vehicle. How many Prius owners would buy another one mainly because they like how it drives? I suspect not many if any.

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    • Pch101 Pch101 on Oct 02, 2011
      @highdesertcat I don’t resent Toyota and Honda Based upon the comments that you post, I'm pretty sure that isn't true. No doubt, data is good. I agree. Which is why I'm asking for it to be provided. Unfortunately, no such data appears to be forthcoming. Here is some data supporting the fact that Toyota and other Japanese brands spec low quality parts that are going to have a short life to save themselves a few bucks. You might try to provide a relevant link. You claimed that Toyota batteries were inferior, and you're trying to prove it with a link to a tire dealer. Just admit it -- you have no proof. You want to be accepted as some sort of authority, even though (a) I have no idea who you are and (b) you generally make comments that are wrong. Sorry, but you're not a credible source, and until you can support your assertions about Toyota batteries, I'll just assume that you don't have a reputable source to back you up. Scoutdude is bringing the word on the street based on his experience in the world I don't know who he is, and neither do you. As usual, the domestic fans always resort to anecdotes, because the data tends to blow up in your faces. In your mind, a survey of hundreds or thousands of people is supposed to be biased or wrong, while an anonymous comment on the internet from a guy who shares your agenda is supposed to be taken at face value. If you want an example of why I don't take fanboys seriously, this is one of them.
  • Mikey Mikey on Oct 02, 2011

    I've been driving in Southern Ontario for over 40 years. The climate can range from -40 to +90. My experience with batterys has been 3 to 7 years, with the average around the 5 year mark.

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    • Scoutdude Scoutdude on Oct 02, 2011

      @Pch101 There are huge differences in the quality of batteries between the different mfgs, and depending on the customers desire. The same basic construction that in one brand carries a 60 month warranty may carry a 72 or even 84 month warranty in another brand. Exide is known for having batteries that up and die with an internal short w/o any warning what so ever. The high warranty rate on Exide batteries is why Napa switched to Johnson controls a year or so ago. The Napa dealer I used to trade with didn't even stock Napa brand batteries he carried Interstate. My brother who manages a not so local Napa was quite happy when they switched to Johnson controls because he was tired of having unhappy customers when it left their family stranded with a 1 or 2 year old "top of the line" battery, as well has having to deal with the paper work to get credited.

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    • Steven02 Steven02 on Oct 03, 2011

      @aristurtle Not only does he do that, but Volt sales per month are going up. 700 this month compared to 400 last month and likely to be going higher as the nationwide roll out starts. Note also, that of the cars listed in the cars.com link, about 2233 are 2012 models, only 344 are 2011's. 2012 production only recently started with the nationwide roll out. It is really to early to call it a success or failure. But, don't let that get in the way of GarbageMotorsCo. opinion.

  • Steven02 Steven02 on Oct 03, 2011

    For everyone who touts the Prius, I for one can tell you that I can't stand the way it drives. It is so slow to accelerate, like I am not feeding the hamster enough. My coworker has one, and I have driven it a few times. He keeps telling me how there is this power button that gives it more pep. I laughed and tried it. Insignificant improvement. From what I have read about the Volt, this isn't a problem. Much more like driving a normal car. For people who have driven both, what do you think?

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