GM CEO: “Chevy VOLT is a Go”!

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE APPROVED BY THE BOARD AND DESIGN SHOWN PUBLICLY IN “THE VERY NEAR FUTURE”.

Early yesterday, GM’s CEO Rick Wagoner made some major announcements about GM’s plans for reacting to $4.00 per gallon gasoline and slumping sales, particularly of trucks indicating that high gas and oil prices are not cyclical but likely permanent.First the automaker is closing 4 truck and SUV plants in North America, which should result in $1 billion in annual savings.

Second he noted GM is open to selling part or all of the Hummer brand.

Third he confirmed plans to build a new Chevy compact, and a successor to the Aveo.

Last he told reporters GM’s board has officially approved funding for the Chevy Volt’s production. He said, “the Chevy Volt is a go”, and “we intend to show a production version of the Chevy Volt publicly in the very near future, and we remain focused on our target of getting the Volt into Chevrolet showrooms by the end of 2010.”

Well folks, the show is on, and not a minute too soon.

Source (Auto Channel); GM-Volt.com

Is it possible that YOU could make money with VOLT Technology?

If you are a daily commuter like me, you’re probably saving up for a new Chevy VOLT so that you too can thumb your nose at gas prices after you finally drive yours home.

Using “Plug-In Hybrid Technology” to travel up to 40 miles on its battery pack alone before the gas engine kicks in to recharge it will save all VOLT owners THOUSDANDS of dollars over the life of the vehicle by using little or no gas.

Wouldn’t it be great to tap into that future $30 billion lithium-ion automotive battery market? Well news is starting to pop up on blogs that li-ion battery investors have been waiting for.

Watertown Massachusetts battery-maker A123 Systems is reportedly about to file for their IPO according to a blog post citing inside sources.

A123 has already raised over $132 million in venture funding and reportedly have “essentially completed” their IPO filing. Blogs are also reporting that the S-1 should arrive at the SEC within a month, and that the “road show” may take place in September. Goldman, JPMorgan and Merrill have been chosen as the bankers.

Expected value $1 billion.

Just imagine if you could go back in time and buy Microsoft or Google or Yahoo right after they went public!

Could A123 Systems be the “next big thing” for investors? I don’t know, your guess is as good as mine. Still, I’m going to pick up a few shares “just in case”.

2010 could be the year of the Electric Car

In a recent Wall Street Journal interview with GM exec Lutz, reporter John Stoll writes that he has “growing confidence” that the VOLT will indeed be produced in 30 months. Lutz recognizes that the Volt is a “must-win” project for GM. He is quoted as saying, “At this point, we don’t know how important the Volt is going to be,” and that one reason for the project is to “eliminate this perception of GM as the environmental antichrist.”

Other statements from Lutz, reported on the GM-Volt.com website, mention that GM is actually considering building a pure-EV Volt without the ICE and necessary associated controls and hardware and greater range. This could be a way for GM to meet California’s ZEV requirement. Lutz acknowledges that producing 100,000 Volts getting more than 100 mpg each will go along way to helping GM meet future CAFE regulations.

There is no confirmation that GM would actually build two different versions of the VOLT, but the good news is that the VOLT will be built in one form or another. This may be somewhat confirmed by President Bush’s speech this morning on the environment where he said, “We’re transitioning to a new era, by the way. A new era where we’re gonna have batteries in our cars that will power, you know, enable people to drive 40 miles on electricity.” A definite hint about the GM (Chevy) VOLT which is projected to have a 40 mile all-electric range before the gas motor kicks in to extend that range.

 

Now that gasoline has reached $4.00 per gallon, even for the cheap stuff in many areas, don’t you wish there was a VOLT plugged in to your garage right now?

SOURCES: Wall Street Journal, www.gm-volt.com

Malibu Hybrid

The Malibu Hybrid is finally in stock at Singh Chevrolet!!!!!

 

Let me explain how the Malibu Hybrid works. When you come to a stop the Malibu’s 36-volt nickel metal hydride battery is activated so the gas engine can shut off and save fuel. When you take your foot off the brake the gas engine restarts. Translation: when you are you are stuck sitting in traffic on the freeway you aren’t using valuable fuel! Additionally, when the Malibu Hybrid reaches a cruising speed and the load on the engine decreases, the Hybrid system recharges the batteries to maximize efficiency.

 

Here are a couple of cool Malibu Hybrid features:

• 36-Volt Battery
• Electric Motor
• Standard StabiliTrak
• 8 year/100,000 mile warranty on specific hybrid components
• 5 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty with Roadside Assistance
• 1 year of OnStar free
• 3 months of XM radio free