GM releases some teasers for Volt 2.0

Sounds good so far.

I hope they listened to what consumers who liked but didn't buy the Volt had to say as well. Most didn't buy because it lacked a 5th seat.

Personally I'd rather have a functional cargo area that that extra seat. I could never buy a Fusion Energi or Accord PHEV because their trucks are terrible!

 

they need both to go mainstream.

 

More 4th Gen Prius info would be really nice!

 

hype machine vs inscrutable.

 

Here's a new GM video animation of the Volt 2.0 powertrain:

 

So we will see if they will release anouther car with voltec that you think will be more mainstream. There are rumors of a different vehicle, a CUV with voltec. For now definitely not "mainstream"

GM Says New Volt Is Coming, But It's 'Not A Mass-Market' Vehicle Anymore - Forbes

now the rest is wrong spouting rumors that aren't true about a 3 cyclinder ice and 5th seat, but I do believe Mahoney when he says tthey aren't targetting the mainstream.

 

any longer? or never was? they are treating it like corvette.

 

Some like lutz called it mass market, just as toyota is calling there fcv the start of mass market. I don't think it ever was.
Now Mahoney is saying to those voices pretending that it was mass market, that its not.

I do think they are treating it like the corvette, as a halo, but parts of the corvette made it into the mass market camero and other gm cars.

 

no doubt the engineering will benefit many, kinda like nasa.

 

Yes, and if battery prices continue dropping at this rate, we will have mass market phevs soon. This is perhaps the next generation.

The first mass market plug-in looks like it will be the tesla model 3, released in about 3 years. This will cost more than the asp of a new car ($31K), but volumes could match the gen II prius or exceed them..

 

Regular? ... or PiP
.

 

Remember this a "vastly superior" technology. They treat it carefully...
Now, more closer to current Prius, the gap shortens however, though I'm certain Toyota is working on a vastly inferior 4 gen.

 

Spare tire? Wireless charging?

 

Very little mention of the projected 50 mile EV range? That would be my most important issue on a PHEV.

 

Darn! And I just bought the Beta released "Elio Motors Ultra High Mileage Vehicle = 84 MPG for $6800!" . . . NOT!

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Actually it is good that GM continues to improve this product. IMHO it is their first serious hybrid and it looks to be a serious base to build-on . . . even if nearly every part was touched. GM started late so it makes sense they'll still have to scramble a bit longer. I'll take the Volt as the Bob Lutz apology for the EV1.

Bob Wilson

 

Featuring a nice looking battery pack
Inside Ev's

 

Regular mostly. I doubt they are doing anything big for the PIP but it would be nice.

 

toyota hit their home run with prius, and took quite a risk doing it. nissan is taking a big risk, but other than that, i don't see any major manufacturer doing much, other than taking government handouts. perhaps they are all too wary of the coming global meltdown, and i don't mean al gore style.

 

I disagree.

Some manufacturers are investing large in new facilities and R&D. If you want to point fingers at government handouts then please count Toyota in the mix because there are plenty of "incentives" for FCVs right now at the state and federal level. Toyota is a for-profit company, not a saint.

Meanwhile at GM:

GM boosting investment at Volt assembly plant and Brownstown battery factory | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

"General Motors today confirmed it plans to invest a total of $449 million in its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant and Brownstown Township battery factory to expand its electric-vehicle production and make way for two unidentified new products.

The automaker said it would invest $384 million in its Detroit-Hamtramck plant to ready the factory for the redesigned Chevrolet Volt and two new vehicles.

GM also said it would invest $65 million to expand lithium-ion battery production and next-generation battery manufacturing at its Brownstown Township plant.

A source familiar with the company’s plans told the Free Press the investment will involve a second production shift and about 1,400 jobs."

In the documentary "Revenge of the Electric Car", Bob says he was was wrong. It was actually cool to watch him struggle with his and GMs bad decisions. I do thank him for pushing the Volt and now VIA Motors though.