Rick Wagoner to drive Chevrolet Volt to Congress

[MikeMike]

WASHINGTON ? General Motors Corp. will press a Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid prototype into service Thursday on Capitol Hill, where GM Chairman Rick Wagoner will use a prototype to emphasize the company?s technology.
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GM spokesman Greg Martin said Wagoner will drive a prototype Volt wearing the sheet metal of the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze to the Senate committee hearing on the company?s request for $18 billion in emergency loans.

GM will also bring a show version of the production Volt to the hearing. The car is designed to travel on electricity for 40 miles, when a gas engine kicks in to recharge the batteries, power electric motors and provide a few hundred miles more of driving range.

The automaker says it needs $4 billion before the end of the month and up to $12 billion by the end of March, but it has vowed to spend $758 million between 2009 and 2012 on the Volt and its technology.

GM has said it?s on track to start building the Volt in late 2010. The automaker lobbied Congress hard in September to pass a $7,500 tax credit for plug-in hybrid vehicles; the Volt will likely cost more than $30,000.





I really hope this does not fail, i see a massive failure of the U.S. if we let the big 3 go.

 

[dawp]

just interested in how many other support vehicles are in the caravan.

 

[Throckmorton]

It's sad that they have to do stuff like this. Congress is so ignorant about cars that they actually believe the pundits and bloggers who say "Detroit doesn't build cars that people want" and "Detroit is behind technologically".


GM had the first mass market electric car, and it flopped.

 

[Uhtrinity]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
It's sad that they have to do stuff like this. Congress is so ignorant about cars that they actually believe the pundits and bloggers who say "Detroit doesn't build cars that people want" and "Detroit is behind technologically".


GM had the first mass market electric car, and it flopped.

GM had the first mass market electric car and killed it off before it was out of the cradle. Watch who killed the electric car.

 

[Pepsei]

i think it was a combination of things , and GM's fault for making the car lease only did not help.

According to GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, his worst decision of his tenure at GM was "axing the EV1 electric-car program and not putting the right resources into hybrids. It didn?t affect profitability, but it did affect image." According to the March 13, 2007, issue of Newsweek, "GM R&D chief Larry Burns . . . now wishes GM hadn't killed the plug-in hybrid EV1 prototype his engineers had on the road a decade ago: 'If we could turn back the hands of time,' says Burns, 'we could have had the Chevy Volt 10 years earlier.'"

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
It's sad that they have to do stuff like this. Congress is so ignorant about cars that they actually believe the pundits and bloggers who say "Detroit doesn't build cars that people want" and "Detroit is behind technologically".


GM had the first mass market electric car, and it flopped.

why is it sad?

 

[bamx2]

This pandering / posturing is too much . If no one buys their product then they should go bankrupt like any other business. Please contact your congressman and let them know you your opion - No Bailout for GM, Ford and Chrsyler .

http://globaleconomicanalysis....paign-phase-three.html

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: Pepsei
i think it was a combination of things , and GM's fault for making the car lease only did not help.

According to GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, his worst decision of his tenure at GM was "axing the EV1 electric-car program and not putting the right resources into hybrids. It didn?t affect profitability, but it did affect image." According to the March 13, 2007, issue of Newsweek, "GM R&D chief Larry Burns . . . now wishes GM hadn't killed the plug-in hybrid EV1 prototype his engineers had on the road a decade ago: 'If we could turn back the hands of time,' says Burns, 'we could have had the Chevy Volt 10 years earlier.'"

Greed is a funny thing. Imagine if GM had mass produced the Volt 10 years ago, would they be in the predicament they're in now? Maybe, but they'd much more profitable (/melooks@Prius's bottom line).

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: bamx2
This pandering / posturing is too much .

If no one buys their product then they should go bankrupt like any other business.

Please contact your congressman and let them know you your opion - No Bailout for GM, Ford and Chrsyler .

http://globaleconomicanalysis....paign-phase-three.html

There are so many threads on this subject.

Anyway, Congress does not listen to the people and I don't expect the nearly filibuster proof Democrat Congress to listen either.

Obama has already said he supports bailing out the Auto shitheads so I know it will happen.

So this is a huge issue I already disagree with Obama before he takes office.

He isn't perfect, he is still a man and can be bought like any other and in this case the entire auto industry is in his back pocket.

Will he be as bad as Bush, only time will tell.

If he is I would expect the U.S. to not survive as we knew it.

History books will show the U.S. transistioned into a third world country under Bush.

 

[nageov3t]

whole thing feels like a cheap stunt when they should have just flown on a commercial airliner like anyone else would have done.

 

[geno]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
It's sad that they have to do stuff like this. Congress is so ignorant about cars that they actually believe the pundits and bloggers who say "Detroit doesn't build cars that people want" and "Detroit is behind technologically".


GM had the first mass market electric car, and it flopped.

The EV1 did not flop, it was more of a pilot program which did not continue after the fact. I'm guessing margins weren't high enough and the time just wasn't right in the market for them. There are many other theories as to why the EV1 isn't with us now, most think big oil takes the blame for that one, but the EV1 didn't flop by any means. It never even got the chance to do so when so few of them were leased, not even sold, to the public.

Originally posted by: loki8481
whole thing feels like a cheap stunt when they should have just flown on a commercial airliner like anyone else would have done.

That's because it *is* a cheap stunt. Had they shown some semblance of responsibility the first time around, they wouldn't feel the need to pull off a publicity stunt to try to sway the public's perception of the situation. The damage is done, they're idiots.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: loki8481
whole thing feels like a cheap stunt when they should have just flown on a commercial airliner like anyone else would have done.

The whole thing about the corp jets was way overblown. The auto execs have now overcompensated to show that they are contrite.

Though, bringing the Volt platform to the hearing does demonstrate that GM is committed to new technology and will be a viable company (thus should be granted the bridge loans). Ford and Chrysler don't have any such product to tout at the present.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: loki8481
whole thing feels like a cheap stunt when they should have just flown on a commercial airliner like anyone else would have done.

Why is it such a big deal how these guys got to Washington? I just don't get it.

People weren't happy when they flew corporate.
People aren't happy that they drove.
People think they should have car pooled.

I think they wouldn't be happy if they walked.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: geno

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
It's sad that they have to do stuff like this. Congress is so ignorant about cars that they actually believe the pundits and bloggers who say "Detroit doesn't build cars that people want" and "Detroit is behind technologically".


GM had the first mass market electric car, and it flopped.

The EV1 did not flop, it was more of a pilot program which did not continue after the fact. I'm guessing margins weren't high enough and the time just wasn't right in the market for them. There are many other theories as to why the EV1 isn't with us now, most think big oil takes the blame for that one, but the EV1 didn't flop by any means. It never even got the chance to do so when so few of them were leased, not even sold, to the public.

Originally posted by: loki8481
whole thing feels like a cheap stunt when they should have just flown on a commercial airliner like anyone else would have done.

That's because it *is* a cheap stunt. Had they shown some semblance of responsibility the first time around, they wouldn't feel the need to pull off a publicity stunt to try to sway the public's perception of the situation. The damage is done, they're idiots.

I don't see them neffing away their workday here. Must be because they're idiots?

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: loki8481
whole thing feels like a cheap stunt when they should have just flown on a commercial airliner like anyone else would have done.

Why is it such a big deal how these guys got to Washington? I just don't get it.

People weren't happy when they flew corporate.
People aren't happy that they drove.
People think they should have car pooled.

I think they wouldn't be happy if they walked.

Yeah the whole how they got to washington is just more duhversion from the issue. I especially liked senators who fly private jets all over the place while running a business that utterly fails to run a profit berate a ceo about doing the same.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: loki8481
whole thing feels like a cheap stunt when they should have just flown on a commercial airliner like anyone else would have done.

Why is it such a big deal how these guys got to Washington? I just don't get it.

People weren't happy when they flew corporate.
People aren't happy that they drove.
People think they should have car pooled.

I think they wouldn't be happy if they walked.

Yeah the whole how they got to washington is just more duhversion from the issue.

I especially liked senators who fly private jets all over the place while running a business that utterly fails to run a profit berate a ceo about doing the same.

Wow, you are the ultimate apologist.

At least the Senators (mostly Democrat now thank god) are now berating the Corporate Thugs some.

When Congress was firmly in control by the heros you apologize for they would've never even thought about for a nanosecond berating CEO's of any kind.

 

[geno]

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: geno

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
It's sad that they have to do stuff like this. Congress is so ignorant about cars that they actually believe the pundits and bloggers who say "Detroit doesn't build cars that people want" and "Detroit is behind technologically".


GM had the first mass market electric car, and it flopped.

The EV1 did not flop, it was more of a pilot program which did not continue after the fact. I'm guessing margins weren't high enough and the time just wasn't right in the market for them. There are many other theories as to why the EV1 isn't with us now, most think big oil takes the blame for that one, but the EV1 didn't flop by any means. It never even got the chance to do so when so few of them were leased, not even sold, to the public.

Originally posted by: loki8481
whole thing feels like a cheap stunt when they should have just flown on a commercial airliner like anyone else would have done.

That's because it *is* a cheap stunt. Had they shown some semblance of responsibility the first time around, they wouldn't feel the need to pull off a publicity stunt to try to sway the public's perception of the situation. The damage is done, they're idiots.

I don't see them neffing away their workday here. Must be because they're idiots?

No, they're playing into appeasing the media and the public. It's a distraction from the topic at hand and all it shows is they're focusing energy on correcting something totally irrelevant to the problem they're trying to tackle. Yes, they were painted as irresponsible and greedy the first time around, there's no need to revisit that. Move on and focus on the business at hand, not the piddling crap the media pulls out to try to make a point. They're idiots for falling into playing such a silly game.

And, for the record, I agree the private jet thing was blown way out of proportion, only because "that's what they all do." I'm sure the bank CEO's pleading for bailout money were flying private too, and they never got their hands slapped for it. I think, across the board, all companies should reevaluate the necessity for something as lavish and substitutable as a private jet, but see no reason why the Big Three's top brass should get reamed for it.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: loki8481
whole thing feels like a cheap stunt when they should have just flown on a commercial airliner like anyone else would have done.

Why is it such a big deal how these guys got to Washington? I just don't get it.

People weren't happy when they flew corporate.
People aren't happy that they drove.
People think they should have car pooled.

I think they wouldn't be happy if they walked.

Yeah the whole how they got to washington is just more duhversion from the issue.

I especially liked senators who fly private jets all over the place while running a business that utterly fails to run a profit berate a ceo about doing the same.

Wow, you are the ultimate apologist.

At least the Senators (mostly Democrat now thank god) are now berating the Corporate Thugs some.

When Congress was firmly in control by the heros you apologize for they would've never even thought about for a nanosecond berating CEO's of any kind.

Oh yeah? Where am I apologizing for anybody in my response? But leave it upto you to think democrat senators displaying their hypocrisy on a national stage is a good thing.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: loki8481
whole thing feels like a cheap stunt when they should have just flown on a commercial airliner like anyone else would have done.

Why is it such a big deal how these guys got to Washington? I just don't get it.

People weren't happy when they flew corporate.
People aren't happy that they drove.
People think they should have car pooled.

I think they wouldn't be happy if they walked.

Because it's just cheap posturing, and nothing substantial. They claim they have a hybrid, while they're actually nowhere near having a full assembly line... this is just throwing dust in the eyes of Congress... Kinda like pretending they suddenly turned vegetarian, and chewing on a carrot.

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: bamx2
This pandering / posturing is too much . If no one buys their product then they should go bankrupt like any other business. Please contact your congressman and let them know you your opion - No Bailout for GM, Ford and Chrsyler .

http://globaleconomicanalysis....paign-phase-three.html

Actually this has more to do with showing congress the technology that GM and Ford currently posses and where they can go in the future. Congress doesn't know a God damn thing about the auto industry and like a previous poster said all they know is what they hear from pundits and bloggers.

 

[Pacemaker]

I just don't understand why the big three (who actually make something) are being held to a higher standard than wall street who got handed money so easily. If they wanted to make everyone justify their bailout money then why hand AIG massive sums of cash without having them explain what they were going to do with it?

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: Pacemaker
I just don't understand why the big three (who actually make something) are being held to a higher standard than wall street who got handed money so easily. If they wanted to make everyone justify their bailout money then why hand AIG massive sums of cash without having them explain what they were going to do with it?

Timing, timing, timing. AIG got the money before the bailout vote and public backlash.

 

[MovingTarget]

Originally posted by: SP33Demon

Originally posted by: Pacemaker
I just don't understand why the big three (who actually make something) are being held to a higher standard than wall street who got handed money so easily. If they wanted to make everyone justify their bailout money then why hand AIG massive sums of cash without having them explain what they were going to do with it?

Timing, timing, timing. AIG got the money before the bailout vote and public backlash.

Seems to me that there is a bit of a double standard. Not too long ago, there was a sense that Wall Street could do no wrong and that helping the big 3 out would amount to socialism. It was all the workers' fault for being in a union and building cars "nobody wants", while the CEOs were champions of the free market... (mostly FUD)

 

[Lemon law]

I would like to know how many GM support vehicles are driving right behind that volt, they may be stopping every forty miles to change out the battery packs. And GOD only knows how many hundreds of thousands of dollars they spent in some crash program to get the volt car ready for that 300 mile or so drive.

 

[DukeN]

Originally posted by: geno

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
It's sad that they have to do stuff like this. Congress is so ignorant about cars that they actually believe the pundits and bloggers who say "Detroit doesn't build cars that people want" and "Detroit is behind technologically".


GM had the first mass market electric car, and it flopped.

The EV1 did not flop, it was more of a pilot program which did not continue after the fact. I'm guessing margins weren't high enough and the time just wasn't right in the market for them. There are many other theories as to why the EV1 isn't with us now, most think big oil takes the blame for that one, but the EV1 didn't flop by any means. It never even got the chance to do so when so few of them were leased, not even sold, to the public.

Originally posted by: loki8481
whole thing feels like a cheap stunt when they should have just flown on a commercial airliner like anyone else would have done.

That's because it *is* a cheap stunt. Had they shown some semblance of responsibility the first time around, they wouldn't feel the need to pull off a publicity stunt to try to sway the public's perception of the situation. The damage is done, they're idiots.

The EV1 would've done well but the sole reason it was scrapped was because it did not bring in the high margin service $$$ that the regular internal combustion vehicles typically do. No messy oil and filter issues every couple of months, hence less $$ in their pockets.

Greedy a-holes deserve what they get.

By the way, did you guys know they are demanding bailout $$ in Canada as well?