Chevrolet Volt Integration Vehicle Assembly has begun

[MikeMike]

The integration vehicle, or IVer, is an actual full functioning Chevy Volt with authentic exterior, interior, and powertrain. It is in effect, fully production intent.
...

?The first ones go very slowly (and) we call them template builds and they take about 2 weeks,? he says. ?Eventually we?ll be able to crank them out at ten a week.?

...

GM expects to build over 100 of these integration vehicles before moving to the next stage which are known as validation cars. Those will be assembled in gradually increasing quantities on the actual assembly line at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant in 2010, eventually ramping into the actual sale able production cars.

http://gm-volt.com/2009/05/27/assem...-chevy-volt-integration-vehicles-begins-today

HUGE step, and so far phenomenal how fast this car has come about

 

[brblx]

wait...so, they've been telling us that this car is due out in the 2010 model year for...how long now? and they havn't even had a functioning semi-production vehicle?

would anyone like to invest in my 2015 chevrolet invisible flying magical time machine?

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: brblx
wait...so, they've been telling us that this car is due out in the 2010 model year for...how long now? and they havn't even had a functioning semi-production vehicle?

would anyone like to invest in my 2015 chevrolet invisible flying magical time machine?

Exactly how long do you think it takes a car to go from an idea > concept > to full working prototype > production? The problem here is GM letting everyone know about the Volts progress every step of the way to garner support.

 

[brblx]

my point is that it's the middle of 09 (i.e. 2010 model year) already, so GM has just been blowing smoke as usual.

if i had to guess, this might make it to real mass production by 2011 and will probably still be plagued with problems. sorry if i find it hard to be enthusiastic about any GM made in the last twenty years.

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: brblx
my point is that it's the middle of 09 (i.e. 2010 model year) already, so GM has just been blowing smoke as usual.

if i had to guess, this might make it to real mass production by 2011 and will probably still be plagued with problems. sorry if i find it hard to be enthusiastic about any GM made in the last twenty years.

So you pretty much think GM has been doing nothing about the Volt for the past 3 years and it's been all smoke and mirrors up and till now? Cuz from what i've been reading they're constantly working on something in regards to this and are not taking any chances to hopefully get it right the first time instead of rushing it to market and putting out a half-assed product.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: brblx
my point is that it's the middle of 09 (i.e. 2010 model year) already, so GM has just been blowing smoke as usual.

if i had to guess, this might make it to real mass production by 2011 and will probably still be plagued with problems. sorry if i find it hard to be enthusiastic about any GM made in the last twenty years.

You don't seem to understand the timing on vehicles. It's normal for them to be at this point for a 2010 release if they aren't trying to do the ludicrously early releases that car companies are doing lately. Car companies aren't driving around in pre-production version of the car for years before they come out. They work on test mules and maybe a few one off hand built cars that are basically concept cars.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: Bignate603

Originally posted by: brblx
my point is that it's the middle of 09 (i.e. 2010 model year) already, so GM has just been blowing smoke as usual.

if i had to guess, this might make it to real mass production by 2011 and will probably still be plagued with problems. sorry if i find it hard to be enthusiastic about any GM made in the last twenty years.

You don't seem to understand the timing on vehicles. It's normal for them to be at this point for a 2010 release if they aren't trying to do the ludicrously early releases that car companies are doing lately. Car companies aren't driving around in pre-production version of the car for years before they come out. They work on test mules and maybe a few one off hand built cars that are basically concept cars.

The volt concept came out in 2007? and they are going to produce them in Nov 2010... THREE YEARS...

no one seems to understand the validation, the testing, the standards, the tests, the sourcing of parts, the validation of those parts, the machines to produce those parts, the validation of those machines etc...

This vehicle is 100% full function, body panels, interior, exterior, tires, wheels, brakes, hose lines, etc... they already have Volts on the road, but they are former Malibu, and next gen Cruze based... this thing is what you will put in your driveway... minus whatever small changes they have to make due to unforseen problems...

 

[StageLeft]

The only two three things I care about are:

1) When is it going to actually be in showrooms?
2) How much will it cost?
3) How close or far is it from the numbers that have been churned out for months/years now?

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: Bignate603

Originally posted by: brblx
my point is that it's the middle of 09 (i.e. 2010 model year) already, so GM has just been blowing smoke as usual.

if i had to guess, this might make it to real mass production by 2011 and will probably still be plagued with problems. sorry if i find it hard to be enthusiastic about any GM made in the last twenty years.

You don't seem to understand the timing on vehicles. It's normal for them to be at this point for a 2010 release if they aren't trying to do the ludicrously early releases that car companies are doing lately. Car companies aren't driving around in pre-production version of the car for years before they come out. They work on test mules and maybe a few one off hand built cars that are basically concept cars.

The volt concept came out in 2007? and they are going to produce them in Nov 2010... THREE YEARS...

no one seems to understand the validation, the testing, the standards, the tests, the sourcing of parts, the validation of those parts, the machines to produce those parts, the validation of those machines etc...

This vehicle is 100% full function, body panels, interior, exterior, tires, wheels, brakes, hose lines, etc... they already have Volts on the road, but they are former Malibu, and next gen Cruze based... this thing is what you will put in your driveway... minus whatever small changes they have to make due to unforseen problems...

All of this on top of all the crap GM has had to go through over the past year. Most companies would have scrapped a project like this with GM's problems. GM can't seem to get any credit no matter what they do.

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: brblx
my point is that it's the middle of 09 (i.e. 2010 model year) already, so GM has just been blowing smoke as usual.

if i had to guess, this might make it to real mass production by 2011 and will probably still be plagued with problems. sorry if i find it hard to be enthusiastic about any GM made in the last twenty years.

The last I read (and that was well over a year ago) is that GM was to go into production late 2010 with 2011 models of the Volt. Not sure where the 2009 stuff came from.

And besides, this isn't the run of the mill single engine (or even gasoline engine propelled) vehicle that's being produced. Would not surprise me in the least if there were indeed production delays as the engineering is being worked out on this car.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: brblx
my point is that it's the middle of 09 (i.e. 2010 model year) already, so GM has just been blowing smoke as usual.

if i had to guess, this might make it to real mass production by 2011 and will probably still be plagued with problems. sorry if i find it hard to be enthusiastic about any GM made in the last twenty years.

Thanks for sharing your biased opinion. It's worthless, but I do understand that you were compelled to share it.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: Bignate603

Originally posted by: brblx
my point is that it's the middle of 09 (i.e. 2010 model year) already, so GM has just been blowing smoke as usual.

if i had to guess, this might make it to real mass production by 2011 and will probably still be plagued with problems. sorry if i find it hard to be enthusiastic about any GM made in the last twenty years.

You don't seem to understand the timing on vehicles. It's normal for them to be at this point for a 2010 release if they aren't trying to do the ludicrously early releases that car companies are doing lately. Car companies aren't driving around in pre-production version of the car for years before they come out. They work on test mules and maybe a few one off hand built cars that are basically concept cars.

The volt concept came out in 2007? and they are going to produce them in Nov 2010... THREE YEARS...

no one seems to understand the validation, the testing, the standards, the tests, the sourcing of parts, the validation of those parts, the machines to produce those parts, the validation of those machines etc...

This vehicle is 100% full function, body panels, interior, exterior, tires, wheels, brakes, hose lines, etc... they already have Volts on the road, but they are former Malibu, and next gen Cruze based... this thing is what you will put in your driveway... minus whatever small changes they have to make due to unforseen problems...

Most people think you do a concept sketch, produce a couple of spread sheets, a powerpoint presentation and voila - a car emerges. I can always tell those that are familiar with manufacturing, those that think they are and those that are clueless.

The other thing the layperson will never get their head wrapped around is the cost to produce a new model and how many you actually have to sell to get any return on the enormous investment.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: boomerang
Most people think you do a concept sketch, produce a couple of spread sheets, a powerpoint presentation and voila - a car emerges. I can always tell those that are familiar with manufacturing, those that think they are and those that are clueless.

The other thing the layperson will never get their head wrapped around is the cost to produce a new model and how many you actually have to sell to get any return on the enormous investment.

It seems like people that aren't familiar with how something is done just assume that its easy. If this was easy somebody would have done it before.

 

[MikeMike]

I have no experience w/ manufacturing... however i have read and deduced many parts from various forums from well informed posters... I have some semblance of an idea.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
I have no experience w/ manufacturing... however i have read and deduced many parts from various forums from well informed posters... I have some semblance of an idea.

Please, don't think my post was directed at you. You are a champion for the efforts of the domestics and you provide fair, balanced and accurate information IMO. I'm aware my posts sometimes come off as gruff and condescending. You are not the target of this. Anyone should be able to determine to whom this is directed - I would hope.

My post was in support of yours.

 

[boomerang]

You will not see this car in 2009. The tooling for the exterior sheet metal on this car was put on hold last fall. The work has not yet resumed but is scheduled to resume shortly. There is a massive amount of work to be done.

I would expect that an inordinate amount of resources will be available to devote to the construction and tryout of this tooling. My guess is that they hope to get this car out as early as possible in 2010 as a 2011 model.

IMO it would be unrealistic to expect production models of this car on the road before next summer. Solely from a sheet metal perspective. They have the manpower available as the majority of their Die Makers are laid off right now. But you can put too many bodies on a project and actually slow it down.

For those that may be wondering, they have the capability to produce body panels through other means. They are not however cost effective to produce in large quantities. These will be used for the builds that are being talked about here. This is standard procedure.

 

[brblx]

lol right, i have no idea about anything, i think cars come from the stork.

we'll see when this turd actually makes it to dealers. you know, since electric cars and GM have both been so successful.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
I have no experience w/ manufacturing... however i have read and deduced many parts from various forums from well informed posters... I have some semblance of an idea.

I wasn't commenting about what you were saying. You were making some rational arguments. I was commenting about people saying stuff like this:

wait...so, they've been telling us that this car is due out in the 2010 model year for...how long now? and they havn't even had a functioning semi-production vehicle? would anyone like to invest in my 2015 chevrolet invisible flying magical time machine?

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: Bignate603

Originally posted by: brblx
my point is that it's the middle of 09 (i.e. 2010 model year) already, so GM has just been blowing smoke as usual.

if i had to guess, this might make it to real mass production by 2011 and will probably still be plagued with problems. sorry if i find it hard to be enthusiastic about any GM made in the last twenty years.

You don't seem to understand the timing on vehicles. It's normal for them to be at this point for a 2010 release if they aren't trying to do the ludicrously early releases that car companies are doing lately. Car companies aren't driving around in pre-production version of the car for years before they come out. They work on test mules and maybe a few one off hand built cars that are basically concept cars.

The volt concept came out in 2007? and they are going to produce them in Nov 2010... THREE YEARS...

no one seems to understand the validation, the testing, the standards, the tests, the sourcing of parts, the validation of those parts, the machines to produce those parts, the validation of those machines etc...

This vehicle is 100% full function, body panels, interior, exterior, tires, wheels, brakes, hose lines, etc... they already have Volts on the road, but they are former Malibu, and next gen Cruze based... this thing is what you will put in your driveway... minus whatever small changes they have to make due to unforseen problems...

Aside from the powertrain and regenerative braking, the Volt is just a regular car.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
Aside from the powertrain and regenerative braking, the Volt is just a regular car.

Yes, and so is any hybrid or electric vehicle. The whole point of the vehicle is the different drive train.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: SickBeast

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: Bignate603

Originally posted by: brblx
my point is that it's the middle of 09 (i.e. 2010 model year) already, so GM has just been blowing smoke as usual.

if i had to guess, this might make it to real mass production by 2011 and will probably still be plagued with problems. sorry if i find it hard to be enthusiastic about any GM made in the last twenty years.

You don't seem to understand the timing on vehicles. It's normal for them to be at this point for a 2010 release if they aren't trying to do the ludicrously early releases that car companies are doing lately. Car companies aren't driving around in pre-production version of the car for years before they come out. They work on test mules and maybe a few one off hand built cars that are basically concept cars.

The volt concept came out in 2007? and they are going to produce them in Nov 2010... THREE YEARS...

no one seems to understand the validation, the testing, the standards, the tests, the sourcing of parts, the validation of those parts, the machines to produce those parts, the validation of those machines etc...

This vehicle is 100% full function, body panels, interior, exterior, tires, wheels, brakes, hose lines, etc... they already have Volts on the road, but they are former Malibu, and next gen Cruze based... this thing is what you will put in your driveway... minus whatever small changes they have to make due to unforseen problems...

Aside from the powertrain and regenerative braking, the Volt is just a regular car.

The problem is not that... Its the fact that the Volt rides on a semi-custom platform, involving a brand new drivetrain, with a transmission that is so outrageously complicated and software involved... the process of integrating the vehicle parts together, the validation (hundreds of thousands of hours) the fine tweaking, etc... the typical full time frame for a complete vehicle from sketch to being is 8 years, including frame design... This is also my arguement for the validity of R.W. and B.L @ GM and their successes... However, the volt is only semi-custom... and 4 years for everything they have done, is insane... the Camaro came out outrageously fast, but people dont realize it because of the openness of the process

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: Bignate603

Originally posted by: SickBeast
Aside from the powertrain and regenerative braking, the Volt is just a regular car.

Yes, and so is any hybrid or electric vehicle. The whole point of the vehicle is the different drive train.

Not to mention that the drive train is completely different than anything on the road right now (production vehicles).

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
the typical full time frame for a complete vehicle from sketch to being is 8 years, including frame design

That sounds high. I know that Ford, GM and Chrysler were shooting for a 2 year from concept to production method about 10 years ago (working as a supplier, we were told as such so that we were expected to develop our products quicker and tool them up even faster). They were at about 4 years then while Toyota/Honda were sub 3 years from concept to production.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
the typical full time frame for a complete vehicle from sketch to being is 8 years, including frame design

That sounds high. I know that Ford, GM and Chrysler were shooting for a 2 year from concept to production method about 10 years ago (working as a supplier, we were told as such so that we were expected to develop our products quicker and tool them up even faster). They were at about 4 years then while Toyota/Honda were sub 3 years from concept to production.

I would think that would depend greatly on where they are starting from. If they're starting from a completely new platform I could imagine it would take significantly longer than starting from an existing platform and modifying it. Same goes for the engine. If the engine already being used or similar to one being used it would cut down the development time.

 

[Draftee]

November 2010? And what are they going to do? Oh yeah, store and use electricity, 70% of which is generated from fossil fuels... (and that isn't counting the on-board generator). The entire concept is very short-sighted.

Who's for a cup of marketing hype?