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GM Cornered Into Defending the Volt

Posted by kdawson on from the heavy-to-carry-around dept.

Al notes a story in Technology Review reporting on a CMU study (now over a month old) claiming that the Volt doesn't make economic sense, and GM's response. The study suggests that hybrids with large batteries offering up to 40 miles of range before an on-board generator kicks in simply cost too much for the gas savings to work out (PDF). Al writes: "Unsurprisingly, GM disputes the claims, saying 'Our battery team is already starting work on new concepts that will further decrease the cost of the Volt battery pack quite substantially in a second-generation Volt pack.' Interestingly, however, GM admits that the tax credits for plug-in hybrids will be crucial to making the volt successful. Without those credits, would an electric vehicle like the Volt be viable?"

13 of 769 comments (clear)

  1. Doesn't Make Economic Sense by digitalgiblet · · Score: 4, Funny

    "...claiming that the Volt doesn't make economic sense, and GM's response."

    The GM response is that they understand that whole "make economic sense" statement. Like some foreign gibbersh to them.

    1. Re:Doesn't Make Economic Sense by MightyMartian · · Score: 5, Funny

      I'm sure the companies that ultimately buys GM's R&D department from the liquidators will be interested in this.

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      The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
    2. Re:Doesn't Make Economic Sense by kenj0418 · · Score: 5, Funny

      I'm waiting until GM's stock price hits $0.00 -- then I'm buying the whole thing for the $9.99 etrade commission.

      Then I'll fix this for you guys :-)

    3. Re:Doesn't Make Economic Sense by Blakey+Rat · · Score: 2, Funny

      and we have an inherent fear of diesel, thanks to the loud, smoky GM diesels of the 1980s.

      Hey, don't blame just GM.

      My sister had a diesel Volkswagen Rabbit, and that thing was frightening far beyond what it's tiny size would imply. Also it took like 2-3 minutes to warm up before you could drive the damned thing.

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      Comment of the year
    4. Re:Doesn't Make Economic Sense by mrjohnson · · Score: 2, Funny

      That's what friends with trucks/suv's are for.

      I wish I still had my old bumper sticker: "Yes, this is my truck. No, I will not help you move." :-)

    5. Re:Doesn't Make Economic Sense by geekoid · · Score: 4, Funny

      A Sharan I know could ride 7...

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      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  2. The Volt is the least of GM's problems by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Apparently there are quite a few of GM's product lines that don't make any sense.

    1. Re:The Volt is the least of GM's problems by stewbacca · · Score: 5, Funny

      Apparently there are quite a few of GM's product lines that don't make any sense.

      That's because you aren't 70 years old with blue hair, a hip-hop artist, a professional athlete, or a trophy wife. Otherwise their products make perfect sense.

    2. Re:The Volt is the least of GM's problems by Hognoxious · · Score: 2, Funny

      Every company that sells vehicles in Europe sells a Manual Transmission Diesel vehicle.

      Never heard of a Bentley or Ferrari diesel.

      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  3. Re:hydrogen cars by lupine · · Score: 4, Funny

    And we will create the hydrogen by grinding up invisible pink unicorns. Since there is an infinite supply of invisible pink unicorns and they are really easy to grind this will solve all of our energy problems.

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    We have the best government that money can buy.
  4. Re:hydrogen cars by Dan667 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I wish I could see the answers to the questions on any chemistry test final you have ever had.

  5. Mr. Cochran would like to add a few comments... by Guppy · · Score: 5, Funny

    The GM response is that they understand that whole "make economic sense" statement. Like some foreign gibbersh to them.

    Ladies and gentlemen of Slashdot, GM would certainly want you to believe that the Volt makes sense. And they make a good case. But I have one final thing I want you to consider. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Chewbacca. Chewbacca is a Wookiee from the planet Kashyyyk. But Chewbacca drives a Toyota Prius. Now think about it; that does not make sense!

    Why would a Wookiee, an eight-foot tall Wookiee, want to drive a hybrid, carpooling with a bunch of environmentalists? That does not make sense! But more important, you have to ask yourself: What does this have to do with this post? Nothing. Ladies and gentlemen, it has nothing to do with this post! It does not make sense! If the battery pack does not fit, you must acquit!

    The defense rests.

  6. Re:You mean kilometers per joule by avalys · · Score: 4, Funny

    No, it's really distance traveled per unit of money that matters.

    Or, per unit of CO2, if you're one of those people.

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