Posts Tagged ‘Gm’

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Manufacturing/Plants, Chevrolet, GM, Green Daily

During his stop today at the General Motors’ Detroit-Hamtramck facility where the production Chevrolet Volts will soon roll off the line, President Obama did something unusual for a president: he got behind the wheel of a car and went for a drive. It was a short one – just ten feet – but that’s what happens when you need not only GM’s permission but also the Secret Service’s to drive a not-yet-in-production, new-technology Chevy Volt in black. We won’t be geting a full-length review from the President, but he did give his initial impression after stepping out: “I’m telling you guys, pretty smooth.”

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said after the event that Obama has driven at a Secret Service training facility this past April and also piloted a Dodge Charger at a closed-press event. Other than these two times, Obama hasn’t driven since getting Secret Service protection in early 2007.

[Source: ABC | Images: AFP/Getty Images, Jim Watson and AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais]

Obama drives the Volt… all of 10 feet originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In a live web chat aired on GM’s official blog, Buick Product Marketing Director, Roger McCormack answered questions from the general public. He said that Buick is looking into increase the brand’s line-up in the U.S with new models.

Apart from a small crossover that has been confirmed, McCormack said Buick is considering numerous alternatives including a coupe, convertible with either a soft-top or a hard-top and a station wagon.

One question asked was whether or not Buick is considering a coupe model, in which McCormack answered: “Yes, it’s under very strong consideration”.

Another question was about a convertible. He answered; “We are always looking for ways to excite our customers…I think a convertible would do just that. Nothing to announce today but know we will look hard at a convertible option”.

All in all, McCormack said: “As we mentioned, we are looking at all options…a coupe, convertible, a wagon, a retractable hardtop and more…we don’t know right now which direction we’ll go. We think the Buick brand can stretch in a lot of directions.”

Unsurprisingly, McCormack didn’t reveal many details about the potential models. However, we imagine that the coupe, station wagon and convertible models would underpin either the Regal (Vauxhall/Opel Insignia) or the Vauxhall/Opel Astra. A sedan variant – badged as Buick Excelle GT in China – is expected to be launched in the U.S next year.

Cars Of The Future® Blog

Cheaper to lease than to own.

Is leasing the future of the auto industry?

The new Chevy Volt will be offered at ,000, although the new plug-in vehicle will also qualify for a 00 tax credit. A loaded Volt, with leather seats and a rear view camera, will cost ,600.

However, the Volt will also be available for lease, starting at 0 per month – much cheaper than financing a Volt purchase – thanks to the 00 tax credit that GM can use to lower the payments on a three year lease, although a ,500 down payment is also required.

Additionally, GM hopes to quell any concerns regarding reliability, particularly concerning the costly battery pack with its enticing lease offering. Moreover, GM believes that it will be able to reuse the battery packs in leased Volts to also help recover some costs.

So, if plug-ins are the future, is leasing to become the primary business model of  the auto industry?

Once tax credits expire on the Volt, GM’s Volt leases won’t be nearly as sweet. Nonetheless, the re-usability of the battery packs might enable GM to keep leases a little lower than ownership, and keeping Volt prices as low as possible seems critical to any success. Nevertheless, without tax credits, it seems much higher Volt lease payments are inevitable.

What do you think? Is the Volt priced correctly? Is the lease deal a good move, or should the tax credits only be available to buyers?

Hybridcarblog

8 years, 100,000 miles

Not really that shocking

And why not?

Of course Nissan is going to match GM’s battery warranty for plug-in vehicles, despite early indications suggesting a much shorter warranty. Anyway, just as the Chevy Volt will include an 8 year or 100,000 mile warranty, so to will the Nissan Leaf.

Really, this early in the game, what choice did Nissan have?

Hybridcarblog

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chevrolet, GM, Plug In Conference

At 9 am PDT this morning (noon EDT), General Motors marketing VP Joel Ewanick will be making an announcement at the Plug-In 2010 conference in San Jose, CA, about the sticker price and ordering process for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Later, at 1 pm PDT/4pm EDT, Volt marketing director Tony DiSalle and vehicle line director Tony Posawatz will be available to answer the inevitable questions that all of you have about the process. You can submit your questions and watch the live video webchat using the form the after the jump.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Ask GM’s Tony DiSalle and Tony Posawatz your questions about Volt pricing and ordering, Tuesday 4pm EDT

Ask GM’s Tony DiSalle and Tony Posawatz your questions about Volt pricing and ordering, Tuesday 4pm EDT originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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