BorgWarner to help GM on EVs?
Ready to make transmissions for the Volt?The CEO of BorgWarner was just on a CNBC segment titled 'Turbocharging the Auto Industry'. While discussing various technologies for improving fuel economy, the CEO also addressed technologies for hybrid cars and electric vehicles. During this part of the interview, the CEO said the company was on the verge of a major announcement regarding EV transmissions for range extended EVs.
Thus far, the only OEM close to needing such transmissions is GM for the Chevy Volt. Of course, the CEO didn't say, but GM seems the most likely recipient of such transmissions. Since the first editions of the Volt are going to be quite expensive as there are no suppliers for many major parts, adding a new member to the supply chain would be great news.
Labels: Chevy Volt electric vehicle concept, electric cars, Hybrid Vehicles
posted by Dahcredyns at
11:28 AM
6 Comments:
Or the industry could get rolling on Hub Motors and ditch all that gearing crap (can we say resistance, lubicrants needed, and something that wears out).
Or, let's see both technologies, and see which provides a more cost-effective, reliable vehicle.
GM needs all the help it can get. It's behind in so many levels it's not funny.
I hope they have the sense to downsize their cars for once in their existence.
By the way, with your permission Dahc, I would like to spread my blog's link and get people to debate on it.
You can remove this link if you wish....but I figured you may also be interested in participating.
http://rawpoly.blogspot.com/
GM is behind on a lot of levels, but not so much more than a lot of automakers. The Volt, I believe, gives GM a legitimate opportunity to turn the ship around.
Did you catch Lutz & Wagoner on Charlie Rose? They are excited about the Volt but they still are too arrogant for me. They both poo-pah'ed the whole environment question. They also reiterated that no one could foresee gas prices doubling, which I just don't get. After 9/11, I found it quite easy to see where gas prices were going. Anyway, check it out:
Charlie Rose
I've been around Lutz a number of times, and he certainly isn't lacking any confidence.
I think they have a right to be excited about the Volt, but I agree 100 percent that anyone that didn't see the possibility for the doubling of gas had their head in the sands.
Likewise, I talked to a GM engineer whom told me that GM had done studies indicating that such prices were a serious possibility. So, was this a more a case of denial? Of refusing to see the writing on the wall?
I think they foresaw the possibility, they just made the bet that it wasn't going to happen and, if it was going to happen, there wasn't much they were going to be able to do it. Sort of like knowing you are really sick and need medical attention, but you keep kind of hoping it wall all just go away and you delay the inevitable and make the problem worse in the long run.
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