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I am watching them build a Chevy Volt from the ground up!

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by KK6PD, Mar 25, 2010.

  1. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    If anybody catches this post in the next 45 minutes, tune to National Geographic channel. There is a show called "Ultimate Factories" tonights episode is the Chevy Volt Production Facility. It's very interesting. I bet if you set your Directv or Smart Cable Box you can catch the rerun. It would be worth the effort!!
    They start with sheets of steel, and drive away in a finished Volt.
     
  2. samiam

    samiam Antipodean Prius Poster

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    Caught the post. We don't have the channel though. Maybe available on-line?.
     
  3. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    But I thought they weren't making the Volt yet? Now I'm confused :confused:
     
  4. ocgw

    ocgw New Member

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    I work there, that is a pre-production manufacturing facility (engineering), those Volts are experimental prototypes built for testing and product development

    I am a Journeyman Metal Model Maker (welder/machinist ) @ the GM Warren Tech Center, Engineering World Headquarters

    I could tell you more but then I would have to kill you;)

    ocgw

    peace
     
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  5. Peakbagr

    Peakbagr New Member

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    The Volt is an interesting idea. I read that Chevy plans to sell them in the mid $40ks. Even if the government provided a large tax break, a $45K electric car would seem to appeal to a very small % of the economy car/environmental marketshare.
     
  6. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    They were showing assembly of pre-production Volts. I can see that the amount of labor needed is FAR beyond that of mass produced cars.

    This thread should be merged w/the one I started at http://priuschat.com/forums/chevrolet-volt/78136-ultimate-factories-man-made-chevy-volt-ngc.html days earlier. The show will be next rerun on April 1st. Set your PVRs.

    For a comparison of the very labor intensive GM pre-production work vs. GM mass production, one should watch Ultimate Factories: Camaro. It's night and day.
     
  7. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Is that the American way to see the world? Jk :)
     
  8. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    That is a VERY impressive facility you work at. I would think it would be quite interesting to work with such talented co-workers, and produce something like the Volt. The show was a nice insight into the process of gearing up to mass produce a rather complicated machine!
    Madman Lutz may be on to something.
    I certainly would love to test drive one!
     
  9. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Exactly!

    That's the idea and it will still sell to that 0.5% of people who are prepared to pay a price for such a vehicle. I know in London they'd sell 1000's and probably more around the country.

    I am finding the value of the green pound (green dollar) with my Prius. A lot of people with money like 'green' things. The reasons why are best left to someone more intelligent than me. :(