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G.M.’s Electric Lemon

New York Times -- GENERAL MOTORS introduced America to the Chevrolet Volt at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show as a low-slung concept car that would someday be the future of motorized transportation. It would go 40 miles on battery power alone, promised G.M., after which it would create its own electricity with a gas engine. Three and a half years — and one government-assisted bankruptcy later — G.M. is bringing a Volt to market that makes good on those two promises. The problem is, well, everything else.

For starters, G.M.’s vision turned into a car that costs $41,000 before relevant tax breaks ... but after billions of dollars of government loans and grants for the Volt’s development and production. And instead of the sleek coupe of 2007, it looks suspiciously similar to a Toyota Prius. ...

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Submitted Jul 30, 2010 By: CosmicP

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chemist74 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:9,857 Points:1,687,560 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 11:32:00 AM Ignore chemist74 Report Abuse The gasoline engine is only used to recharge the batteries. What idiot at GM decided to use an engine that requires premium fuel?
jeskibuff Champion Author Tampa Posts:2,597 Points:473,605 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2010 5:44:54 PM Ignore jeskibuff Report Abuse highdesertman said: "This blogger obviously has some kind of bone to pick with GM" Probably most people who have owned a GM product has some kind of bone to pick with GM.
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:2,237 Points:1,156,940 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2010 12:29:25 PM Ignore remay Report Abuse "It also requires premium gasoline, seats only four people (the battery runs down the center of the car, preventing a rear bench) and has less head and leg room than the $17,000 Chevrolet Cruze, which is more or less the non-electric version of the Volt. " Uh, in my opinion that's 3 strikes, not including the price... you're out.
Martinman Champion Author Mississippi Posts:8,424 Points:1,173,440 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2010 5:55:15 AM Ignore Martinman Report Abuse THIS IS NOT NEWS. It IS an EDITORIAL OPINION (op-ed). And it DOESN'T BELONG HERE, in the Recent News section.
granitestater Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:4,106 Points:637,550 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2010 5:03:52 AM Ignore granitestater Report Abuse Lemon? More like Lemon-Lime. Or at least, a horse-designed-by-committee (camel). But then Ford didn't start out with the Mustang. It started with the Model T. Not exactly something that would attract crowds today...
Jeff4U Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,289 Points:882,100 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 6:02:33 PM Ignore Jeff4U Report Abuse In that case highdesertman, we'll leave this car and it's price tag as a special purchase just for you. Meanwhile, get back to us later on ... let us know how badly you get reamed when those batteries need replacing.
highdesertman All-Star Author Albuquerque Posts:621 Points:903,200 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 2:27:43 PM Ignore highdesertman Report Abuse Worth noting that this is an op-ed opinion piece and not a NYT news story. From pictures I've seen, the Volt looks nothing like a Prius and of course uses a totally different plug-in hybrid design. This blogger obviously has some kind of bone to pick with GM and sounds like he may be on the Toyota payroll. I'd rather wait until the unbiased reviews come in before deciding whether it's a lemon.
car253 Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,002 Points:545,150 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 2:07:07 PM Ignore car253 Report Abuse Speaking of LEMONS, Toyota has recalled 9,500,000 REAL UNSAFE LEMONS.
derKraut All-Star Author Ontario Posts:785 Points:408,920 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 2:02:34 PM Ignore derKraut Report Abuse It would be funny and predictable were it not so sad. Sad because provincial governments here gave purchasers a big incentive to buy yet another GM LEMON.
BurntOrange Champion Author Austin Posts:2,541 Points:617,840 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 2:01:17 PM Ignore BurntOrange Report Abuse Poor Article. GM always knew that the Volt would be low-volume and/or a money-loser in 2007. It will be a while before the cost of materials allows for a cost-competitive plug-in hybrid. That is why they are only building 10,000 of them, and limiting the markets where they will be sold. The Volt will (hopefully) do 2 things for GM: 1) Give GM a proving ground to work out the kinks of a plug-in hybrid. Ideally the Volt-2 or Volt-3 will be cost-competitive with gas vehicles, and best-of-breed. 2) Give GM some good PR. [Edited by: BurntOrange at 7/30/2010 4:02:09 PM EST]
VanIsleRover Sophomore Author British Columbia Posts:204 Points:90,935 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 1:49:17 PM Ignore VanIsleRover Report Abuse The designers like making concept cars for the car shows. They promise us good quality then import parts made in foreign countries and the problems continue. The oil companies want us to keep using oil and gasoline. It's the $$$$$ Meanwhile we have no choices if we want alternatives. There is always someone out there putting a stop to innovative ideas.
tarheelcoastie All-Star Author Greensboro Posts:549 Points:204,735 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 1:40:01 PM Ignore tarheelcoastie Report Abuse If there is any money left to steal, GM will keep making crap ... just they have for the past 30 years. Who runs a business that loses billions each QUARTER???
PathfinderSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:4,570 Points:859,735 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:54:57 AM Ignore PathfinderSC Report Abuse GM is good at building Lemons.