Volt has GM fans and critics charged up

Yesterday, I covered a Tesla blog post in which the CEO of Tesla mocked the Chevy Volt Concept vehicle, as have a number of GM critics (read). While I don't agree with Tesla's point, I do understand the contempt many have for GM - I've often held the same contempt.

And it's not as if GM doesn't realize this contempt. Beth Lowery, whom I spoke with at great lengths in Detroit, wrote in the FastLane Blog, "I can understand why people are skeptical," Lowery said. "All I can tell you is that we recognize the role that electricity will play in future cars — that's why we've worked so hard to bring you the Volt."

But the Volt isn't just charging up critics of GM, it's also electrifying many fans of GM. Apparently, Volt fans have flooded the mailboxes of GM with letters full of desire for the Volt as well as ideas for making the Volt happen faster according Inside Line.

While GM did sponsor me to cover the debut of the Volt, I left Detroit firmly believing that the Volt would happen. Now, however, with all the attention the Volt has driven to GM and all the hopes it has provided to GM fans, GM has NO CHOICE but to develop the Volt. Ultimately, the Volt might just be GM's last straw; it's last chance to charge into the future.

Thus, fans should keep pushing GM, keep asking questions about the Volt and about other dual mode hybrids, such as the flex-fuel Saab hybrid. Even more important, in the very short term, GM fans should demand that GM start selling the Yukon hybrid - Let's put some rubber to the road!