GM Produces First Volt

[rickaren]

GM Produces First Volt Ahead of Schedule

Posted: Apr. 01, 2010

General Motors has finished assembling the first Volt electric vehicle at its Detroit-Hamtramck plant. The vehicle rolled off the assembly line several months ahead of schedule. However, that doesn’t mean Chevrolet will begin selling the Volt early.

“The Chevy Volt that rolled off of the Detroit-Hamtramck line on Monday -- the first Volt to do so -- was intended to be a manufacturing-validation vehicle,” explains Left Lane News. “Chevy Volts destined for showrooms are not expected to begin production until much closer to the November launch date, according to the Detroit News.”

They add, “GM will produce several hundred more manufacturing-validation versions of the Chevy Volt before the launch in November. GM plans to produce roughly, 4,000 units through summer, 2011.”

These early Volt models are just another step toward mass production. According to USA Today, “Such practice runs are tense for automakers. They show whether the tooling is designed correctly, the factory laid out properly, the workers trained sufficiently. The interim before regular production this fall gives GM time to make changes, though major hiccups weren't reported.”

Meanwhile, Left Lane News is reporting that the federal government plans to double the number of hybrid vehicles in its fleet. To that end, they say, “Obama also said that the government will purchase the first 100 Volts possible when they go on sale early next year.”

The Chevy Volt is an "Extended-Range Electric Vehicle" that should reach showrooms by early 2011. It is expected to achieve an incredible 230 mpg city fuel economy rating. Pricing has not been announced, but estimates place it around $40,000, with an additional $7,500 federal tax rebate.

LINK: GM Produces First Volt Ahead of Schedule - U.S. News Rankings and Reviews

[rickaren]

Posted: April 1, 2010
White House to buy 1st Chevy Volts
Government has dibs on 100 of them

NEW YORK -- The first customer for the upcoming Chevrolet Volt also happens to be its largest investor: the Obama administration.

The White House said Wednesday that the government will "purchase the first 100 plug-in electric vehicles to roll off American assembly lines" before the end of the year. The Volt, which GM describes as an extended range electric vehicle, is the only model fitting that description.

GM, which is 61% owned by the government, began building its first production Volts at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant Wednesday.

President Barack Obama has set a target of putting 1 million plug-in hybrids on U.S roads by 2015. In announcing a new plan for offshore oil drilling, Obama said Wednesday the government would double its purchases of hybrid vehicles to 5,000.

"We're going to lead by example and practice what we preach: cutting waste, saving energy and reducing our reliance on foreign oil," Obama said.

But one year ago, Obama's auto task force asked whether GM was spending too much to develop the Volt, saying, "It will likely be too expensive to be commercially successful in the short-term."

LINK:White House to buy 1st Chevy Volts | freep.com | Detroit Free Press