Executive: Why the Chevy Volt must be built

Frank Weber at NAIAS 2008

Over the past few weeks there has been a lot of speculation on whether the Chevy Volt is a real product or just some sort of 'vaporware' designed as both a distraction and a marketing machine. Recently, I covered this topic in Chevy Volt: Hype whore or resource hog.

At NAIAS I was able to interview Frank Weber, Global Vehicle Line Executive for the E-Flex drive, which includes the Chevy Volt concept. I'm hoping to finish transcribing my interview later today or tomorrow and then I'll post the whole thing. However, I wanted to post one interesting answer to a question I asked Frank. Read more....

NAIAS 2010: Year of the Plug-in Hybrid, or is it 2020?

Helping start the plug-in revolution in 2010?

Plug-in hybrid concepts made a pretty strong showing at this year's North American International Auto Show, and several automakers even reiterated their plans to have some lithium-powered plug-in hybrids on the road in 2010, such as Toyota and GM, even Quantum Fisker.

But does 2010 really mean 2020? Read more....

Chevy Volt: Hype Whore, Resource Hog?

The killer Chevy Volt at NAIAS 2008

As I finished off my last day at NAIAS, I happened to walk by the Chevy Volt, and I noticed something. Like a Siren Song, the Volt continues to enchant crowds, seducing believers with dreams of a better future. Whether it's the Internet, or NAIAS, the Volt is still an amazing hype machine.

But is it all just hype? Read more....

Honda at NAIAS: Visionary or confused about fuel cell vehicles?

The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle next to the Home Fueling Station

When it comes to hybrid cars, currently, there are just two players: Toyota and Honda. Yesterday, I covered my irrational disappointment with Toyota (more). Today, I'm going to cover my disappointment with Honda.

Unlike Toyota, Honda has nothing to lose and everything to gain when it comes to hybrids, and Honda plans to soon challenge the Toyota Prius with a new hybrid. So, was this new hybrid at NAIAS? No. Instead Honda's loud and clear message was about fuel cell vehicles. Read more....

Saturn Flextreme Concept: Today, tomorrow, or never?

Hotter than the Volt?

I'm not nuts about the Chevy Volt design, but I love the idea behind the E Flex Drive. On the other hand, maybe its the fact that the Jetsons was my favorite cartoon as a kid, but I love the Flextreme Concept that has found its way into both GM's Saturn and Opel brands.

Yes, the Saturn Flextreme looks like some science fiction experiment and that is exactly what I like most about this concept. Yet, even if GM perfects the E Flex Drive and the Chevy Volt is on the road by 2010, the world might never see this hot new Saturn idea.

Ultimately, I'd love to see the design cues of the Flextreme translated into a dual mode hybrid vehicle today, which seems a fantastic way to challenge today's Toyota Prius success. While the Chevy Volt will be a huge success if GM can achieve the E-Flex Drive, I still think its a mistake not to challenge the Prius today, and the Flextreme seems like the perfect design for such a task.

First Look: Quantum Fisker plug-in hybrid

Yes, those are solar panels on the roof

If the Fisker Quantum plug-in hybrid can hit the streets in the fourth quarter of 2009, as planned, it could be the first mass produced plug-in hybrid vehicle. However, when you look at the gorgeous exterior, topped with solar panels, and then the lush interior, it seems obvious that this is going to be a very expensive vehicle. Yet again, however, the Fisker Quantum hybrid keeps the momentum towards plug-in hybrid vehicles moving.

NAIAS: First impressions

The Saturn View plug-in hybrid

I'm sitting in the Detroit airport finishing off a crappy gyro, so I thought I'd do some writing on NAIAS to help forget about how disappointed I am in my last meal before embarking on my five hour flight.

O.K., reserving the right to change my mind, I'm going to say the entire Saturn brand was best of show, at least in terms of hybrid vehicles and other clean technologies. First, I think the Saturn Vue hybrid has tremendous potential - if it's priced correctly. Second, Saturn also a lithium-powered Vue plug-in hybrid that is being road tested. Third, the Saturn Flextreme provides a path for Saturn to evolve into the E-Flex drive - powertrain of the Volt.

While NAIAS and most auto shows are getting greener, there are still far too many hybrid concepts hitting the show and not enough production ready vehicles. Having said that I was very impressed with the Quantum Fisker plug-in hybrid. Let's hope the technology powering this vehicle is as impressive as it's outward appearance. Likewise, Chrysler also showed some conceptual promise, such as the with the ZEO and the Voyager (more on all these vehicles later).

OK. I gotta get out of this restaurant and find a bar.

A sneak peak at the Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid

A real lithium powered plug-in hybrid from GM?

I wasn't going to post any pictures of GM's plug-in Saturn Vue hybrid until tomorrow, but I have a few extra minutes on my hands. The plug-in hybrid pictured here contains a lithium-ion battery, not a NiMH battery. More important, this exact vehicle is being tested on the track in real world driving conditions.

If the future is lithium, or plug-in hybrid vehicles, then GM is as much in the game as any other automaker. More on this later.

First Look: AFS Trinity Extreme plug-in Hybrid

150 mpg Vue plug-in hybrid from AFS

One of the more interesting vehicles at NAIAS, in terms of hybrid vehicles, is the AFS Trinity Extreme Hybrid. Using off-the-shelve materials and ultracapacitors, the company believes the need for new battery technology is not needed.

Still, even if Trinity is on to something with its Fast Energy Technology, reps from the company admitted that it might take a couple of years to put the technology through the required testing necessary for an OEM. That would put a production AFS on the streets by 2010 or later, the same potential launch date of the Chevy Volt. More on this later.

Toyota brings a plug-in Prius to NAIAS

Plug it in, plug it in

Toyota is displaying this plug-in Prius at the Detroit Auto Show. While I know Toyota will probably never produce such a NiHM plug-in, at least bringing these cars to shows like NAIAS keeps the momentum towards such vehicles rolling.

Last night Toyota announced that the automaker intends to deliver a sizable fleet of plug-in hybrids to the world, hopefully around 2010 using lithium batteries.

Ready to check out the dual mode Saturn Vue

A Saturn Vue hybrid at the LA Auto Show

I haven't been a big fan of GM's Saturn Vue mild hybrid, however, today GM is officially debuting the Saturn Vue dual mode hybrid vehicle. Expected to achieve 50 percent better fuel economy than a conventional Vue, the new dual mode Vue hybrid should hit the streets at the end of this year. With such an improvement in fuel economy, the Vue hybrid will be an excellent addition to the hybrid suvs segment.

Mercedes ML450 hybrid looking good

ML450 hybrid

Mercedes has been ramping up their plans for hybrid vehicles lately and brought this ML450 hybrid to NAIAS . Has the look of a winner.

GM Style Event 2008

Wow!

There weren't many hybrid cars at this year's GM Style Event to kick off NAIAS, but the show was still a fantastic hit. And while all the performers were great, Kid Rock's enthusiasm for GM, for Detroit, really captured the essence of the GM show - Detroit, Kid Rock and GM are proud.

The past is the past. Bold new styles are going to move GM forward. Style oozed excitement, potential and pride. Last year's Style Event seemed to be missing a message, this year there was no doubt.

Is GM dead? Not even close the Style Event said loud and clear.

Heading to NAIAS this weekend

Looking forward to seeing the Cadillac Provoq

GM was gracious enough to host my trip to the North American International Auto Show this weekend so that I can check out some of their new hybrid cars and other concept vehicles. I hope to be posting highlights starting Sunday night of the best of GM, as well as the rest of the show.

I should have done this earlier, but if anyone out there has some questions about GM's hybrid vehicles or fuel cell vehicles, reply to this post. I'll be interviewing numerous engineers, designers and executives involved with this programs.

Volt hybrid powers buzz back to Big 3 automakers

According to media analysis obtained by the DetroitNews, the Big 3 dominated the auto coverage at the North American International Auto Show, and that coverage was topped by GM's Chevy Volt Electric concept vehicle.

It sure is ironic and very interesting that a hybrid car drove such positive buzz back to the Big 3. Hmmmm??? Is that an obvious message to the Big 3 that if Detroit leads by doing to the right thing - hybrid cars - the people will follow?

Batteries: The key to the automotive Revolution? Part 1

President Bush at Johnson Controls

Just before the Detroit Auto Show, Toyota started hyping its FT-HS hybrid concept, a next-generation hybrid produced with lithium-ion batteries. As a result of these new batteries, Toyota was able to develop a hybrid sports car capable of achieving speeds of 0 -60 in less than 4 seconds, yet using the fuel of only a 4 cylinder economy car.

Likewise, GM announced the future was electric, plug-in hybrids were coming, and lithium-ion battery contracts had been awarded. Then at NAIAS GM upped the ante and debuted the Volt plug-in hybrid concept, an auto capable of achieving up to 40 miles per charge on pure electricity and up to 150 mpg if traveling 60 miles or less between charges. Additionally, the vehicle has a range of more than 600 miles.

In both cases, lithium-ion batteries enable each of these hybrid vehicles to achieve such amazing results. Consequently, batteries are beginning to emerge as one of the most important technologies behind the automotive revolution.

--> Read the complete story

Forget the Camaro, the Volt was best of show at NAIAS

Many think GM took best of show at NAIAS with the new Camaro. They're wrong.

The new Camaro is going to be a hot seller for GM, but the new Camaro isn't the future for GM. Sure, the Camaro will provide a nice sales bump for GM's bottom line, but it cannot usher in the revolution in automotive technology that is now happening.

Consequently, without doubt, the Volt plug-in hybrid was best in show at NAIAS. Now GM has a path into the future, a path that can be gradually cleared by the successful launch of the Yukon hybrid and the dual mode hybrid powertrain, the same powertrain which will be converted into a plug-in hybrid powertrain. This plug-in powertrain, in turn, will help develop the lithium-ion batteries needed for the Volt concept.

Instead of one giant leap, GM's future is instead a series of flexible steps, of adaptations to emerging technologies. Now the fuel cell vehicle can no longer be an excuse not to do more today. Now the fuel cell vehicle is the reason to go hybrid crazy today because every hybrid sale helps clear the path to the Volt and to fuel cell vehicles.

Now is the time for GM to continue to shock its critics - myself included - by stepping down this path as quickly as possible. Electrify me GM. Please, electrify me!

Did Ford fail at NAIAS?

Ford didn't really surprise anyone at NAIAS this year. While it was nice to see a Mazda Tribute hybrid on the floor, there really weren't any major new developments from Ford at the Detroit Auto Show. The Airstream hydrogen plug-in hybrid vehicle was a cool way to launch the HySeries Drive platform, but the HySeries platform is still dependent upon the hydrogen highway, which means it is far from reality. Certainly Alan Mulally deserves more time to have an affect on Ford, as he has only been CEO since September. Still, it seems Ford really needs some good buzz. Hopefully, Mulally has a trick or two up his sleeve.

The Yukon hybrid: Get it to dealers ASAP

GM was able to electrify NAIAS this year thanks in large part to the debut of the Volt plug-in concept vehicle. While the Volt is probably at least five years away from reality, there is a progression of vehicles leading to the Volt and its E-Flex platform.

It starts with GM's dual mode hybrid powertrain, which debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in the Yukon hybrid vehicle. As soon as the battery technology is developed, the dual mode hybrid powertrain will evolve into a plug-in hybrid powertrain, starting in the Saturn Vue hybrid. This could happen in as few as three years.

Still, any vehicle at least 3 years away from reality is little more than fantasy today. While I am absolutely confident that both plug-in hybrids and the Volt will eventually be mass-produced vehicles, GM must take greater action today. For example, start selling the Yukon hybrid as soon as possible and roll out as many full hybrid vehicles immediately. Make the Saab flex-fuel hybrid, which also uses the dual mode hybrid powertrain, a production vehicle.

GM's green revelation would be far easier to believe with these two hybrids in dealerships throughout the country.

Ouch! The Lexus LS hybrid is hot!

I'm not a huge fan of luxury hybrids. Still, I feel I must not only cover them, but promote them. Inevitably, luxury hybrids do still invest in hybrid technology.

At the LA Auto Show I wasn't able to get close the LS, however, at NAIAS I was able to fully experience the Lexus LS 600h L hybrid. Now I want one. Fortunately, I can't afford one, so I don't have to feel too tempted to violate my ethics.

This new hybrid from Lexus is simply smoking hot. If you have to have a luxury vehicle, but you feel you must try to help the environment a little, you can't go wrong with this new Lexus hybrid.

Is the Accord hybrid dead in 2008?

When the Honda Accord Coupe Concept was revealed at NAIAS I was in attendance hoping to hear something about an updated Accord hybrid. Unfortunately, a hybrid version of the Accord was not mentioned as part of the debut. I later asked a Honda spokesperson if the new Accord Coupe, which is set for launch as a 2008 vehicle, would include a hybrid version. To that question, I was simply told there is not yet an answer.

Considering that Honda's debut focused on Honda's efforts in fuel efficiency, it was surprising not to hear something about an Accord hybrid, which only makes me think that the Accord hybrid could be phased out.

Some hybrid cars missing at NAIAS

I walked much of the floor early today at NAIAS and all of the current hybrid cars are present. Of course there was the launch of the Chevy Volt and Toyota FT-HS, which were significantly important launches. Still, when is there going to be a big hybrid announcement from a Ford or a Hyundai? Hopefully, I missed some launches today when I was tied up with GM reps, and I'll get to see a few other new hybrid concepts tomorrow.

GM shocks NAIAS

When GM offered to pay my ticket to the Detroit Auto Show, I was excited. Sure, I was interested in GM's electric concept vehicle, the Chevy Volt, but I was really interested to see the FT-HS. Unfortunately, I won't be able to see the FT-HS hybrid until tomorrow, but I don't even really care right now.

Nonetheless, the Chevy Volt electric completely blew me away, and I MEAN completely.

This beautifully designed, super aerodynamic electric-gasoline hybrid vehicle, rather than gasoline-electric hybrid, is simply astounding to behold, and GM car tsar, Bob Lutz, adamantly stated that GM is absolutely serious about producing this vehicle. In fact, Lutz called the Volt the most exciting project he's ever been involved with in his 40 plus years in the auto industry.

While this vehicle is a concept vehicle, there is a visible path to this electric auto's reality. It starts with the dual-mode hybrid powertrain, then a plug-in dual mode hybrid, then the Volt. GM is already working towards the plug-in hybrid and the technology behind plug-in hybrids will help power the advancements needed in lithium battery technology - a key to Volt success.

It's going to be a few years before this concept has any chance of hitting the real streets of America, but the Volt electric demonstrates that GM is heading in the right direction. Hopefully, they won't become too distracted along the way.

Going to check out GM's new electric vehicle concept

I'm heading over to NAIAS in a few minutes to check out the auto show and, more important, to view the new electric concept vehicle from GM, the Chevy Volt electric vehicle, which debuts today. I'll post some pictures later. If electric cars are the future, as GM has stated, then the Volt electric is a glimpse into the real future of GM. As GM sponsored me for this event, I will also get a few interviews with some GM execs working on this concept, so I'll be writing about the Volt later today and probably throughout the week.

GM Opens NAIAS in style

STYLE.

That was the name of GM’s invite-only show Saturday Night which kicked off the North American International Auto Show for GM. As I was sponsored by GM to attend the show and NAIAS, I was able to view GM’s new STYLE first hand.

With a bunch of celebrities, including Jay-Z, Vivica Fox, Carmen Electra, Mario Lopez, Christain Slater, etc. GM glamorized the future, as these stars modeled with GM's new stylish vehicles. It was a stylish and glitzy show and I'm sure it resonated well with the GM faithful in attendance. Yet, as the new Camro concept vehicle brought the Style show to the end, I was left a little dismayed.

I'm sure the Camaro will be a hot seller, but I couldn't help but feel that closing the Style show with the Camaro was a bit disappointing. How about some advanced technology? That's the future. If the Camaro is the future, then the future might not be so bright for GM.

Then again, this was just the Style show and the show succeeded in displaying GM's new, hipper style. Today, at NAIAS, I'll get to see GM's real vision of the future.

Will fuel efficiency matter at Detroit Auto Show?

So, most automotive executives believe that fuel efficiency is becoming the most important consumer concern. If so, how well will this issue be addressed at the upcoming North American International Auto Show?

All of the pre-show hype regarding hybrid cars, for example, has thus far focused on the FT-HS hybrid sports concept and a couple of clean diesels. While there are rumors that GM will debut some concept vehicles in this space, they are now just rumors. On the other hand, I've heard few hybrid or next generation fuel efficient technology rumors coming out of Ford or Honda, for example.

In my opinion, the FT-HS represents a revolution in both automotive technology and hybrid technology. Will all other automakers simply concede this space to Toyota for now? In reality, the hybrid revolution is probably 3 years away from fruition - the time when next generation batteries become mass-production reality. So, it wouldn't be surprising to see automakers idle their hybrid concepts in the short term.

On the other hand, it is as important as ever for automakers to be ready for the hybrid revolution - there really isn't that much time left to prepare. Consequently, I believe there are going to be a number of major hybrid concept launches at NAIAS by multiple automakers.

At least I hope so.

Heading to NAIAS

I'm heading to NAIAS this weekend and I'll be back in LA on Monday night. I wish I could spend a little more time at the show, but I can't complain. Still, I've heard about some very interesting concept cars, such as the FT-HS hybrid concept, that I can't wait to see. Other concepts, from GM, I'm not able to discuss until Sunday night. Since GM was kind enough to sponsor my trip to the show, I must acquiesce with that request.

I'll definitely have a few things posted by late Sunday night, and I'll probably publish additional pictures and video throughout next week on Soultek.com.

Excited about NAIAS

I really enjoyed the recent Los Angeles Auto Show. Aside from seeing some upcoming hybrid vehicles, such as the Yukon hybrid, and some redesigned hybrids, such as the 2008 Ford Escape hybrid, it was observing the people at the show which I found most interesting. Would Auto Show visitors be interested in hybrids? Which hybrids would attendees be most interested in, etc (Read More).

The North American International Auto Show, however, is expected to offer several new hybrid related concepts - perhaps even some plug-in hybrids - and the NAIAS is THE auto show. Moreover, since I have been invited to the launch of a Chevy electric concept vehicle, I'm even more excited.

Hopefully, this unusual winter offers a warmer than usual visit to Detroit!