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Pontiac most likely to get first Volt variant

 
15 2,174 views August 29, 2008

volt tf2 1

Pontiac most likely to get first Volt variant

Pontiac most likely to get first Volt variant

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General Motors is investing hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of man hours to develop the E-Flex powertrain for the upcoming Volt plug-in hybrid vehicle, so to use the technology for just a single vehicle wouldn’t be the best business decision. Luckily, GM is planning to use the E-Flex technology for two Opel models to be sold in Europe, but there’s a strong chance the carmaker could launch even more Volt variants in North America as well.

Speaking at a press event in California this week, Susan Docherty, GM's North American vice president of Buick, Pontiac and GMC, suggested that Pontiac would be the most likely brand to spawn the first variant of the Chevrolet Volt.

"My personal take: I think the Volt would make a great Pontiac," Docherty revealed to Popular Mechanics. "What greater brand than Pontiac to charge ahead with that technology?"

There’s also a chance that a Cadillac plug-in hybrid could be developed. Last week, Cadillac general manager Jim Taylor confirmed that GM was considering adding a plug-in hybrid vehicle based on the Volt platform for its luxury brand but said such a car wouldn’t arrive until at least 2012.

2010 Chevrolet Volt Transformers 2 spy shots
2010 Chevrolet Volt Transformers 2 set spy shots

HI-RES GALLERY: volt tf2 1




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Comments (15)

  1. By bran Posted: 8/29/2008 11:46pm PDT

    Why not put some solar panels on the roof to get more electricity? And if its a cloudy, yet windy day, put up the sails to get yourself to work. Just a thought.
     
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  2. By NoNameDenton Posted: 8/30/2008 1:53am PDT

    How about make Pontiac a sporty brand like it is supposed to be, GM is getting into that badge engineering garbage again.
     
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  3. By Flow3 Posted: 8/30/2008 9:50am PDT

    Hey NoName, ever see the Movie Forest Gump....stupid is as stupid does and you just did it. I am against badge engineering however that is not what GM implied. They are talking about the powertrain technology. Personally, I think all cars should be off petrol, and I drive a Range Rover! I think GM would be very smart to adopt this technology across the board and perhaps eventually become the first major auto manufacturer to implement this amazing technological breakthrough. The concept is actually very simple, yet the batteries will be the weakest link at this point. Wise up!

    With the exception of heavy duty and industrial trucks....technology has yet to afford them the power and range they require!
     
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  4. By www.mywheelsonwalls.com Posted: 8/30/2008 11:52am PDT

    Flow 3. I would say the technology for a none or low use gas/petrol trucks is here. Now upfront I will admit I do not truly understand how they work so this is just an idea.

    Trains! My example would be GE's new Hybrid technology http://www.ge.com/products_services/rail.html Why is this technology not being used by the trucking industry?

    Now I'm not talking SUVs I mean big rigs here.

    With current rise of fuel and the economy to boot SUV's days are done and worrying about them is just pointless as their future sales numbers is hardly going impact the enviroment. Besides what comes out of the back of a modern day car is vitually clean enough breath anyway, compare to just a decade ago or two.
     
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  5. By NoNameDenton Posted: 8/30/2008 4:24pm PDT

    Flow3, why don't you take your trolling somewhere else ass. No one cares what you drive and I certainly see this as badge engineering and the fact they want to replace all their large SUVs with the Lambda platform, so stop being a jerk and grow up.
     
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  6. By www.mywheelsonwalls.com Posted: 8/30/2008 7:03pm PDT

    NND- With that logic your telling us that the Lexus LS460 hybrid is a rebadged Prius (since the Prius came first) and not Toyotas attempt to spread the cost of its hybrid technology?


    Also whats trolling? (am i showing my age here?)
     
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  7. By Gus Posted: 8/30/2008 7:36pm PDT

    I just never understood the need for Pontiac, Buick, etc.
    Chevy and Cadillac, that's all that company needs.
     
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  8. By 94 Taurus owner Posted: 8/30/2008 7:57pm PDT

    You know a few months ago There were some gm dealers having a car show in the parking lot of the grocery store near my house advertising the military discount and I asked one of them if OnStar can be nixed optionally Well he said that Onstar will be nixed from the Whole GM line in a few years,in conclusion that will be when this ford enthusiast . buys a GM vehicle.
     
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  9. By 94 Taurus owner Posted: 8/30/2008 7:58pm PDT

    And I missed my chance to win a free Pontiac G8 also.
     
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  10. By NoNameDenton Posted: 8/30/2008 10:36pm PDT

    Actually mywheelsonwalls.com the upcoming Lexus that is actually an Toyota Prius will be a rebadge, thanks for reminding me to use that as a point.
     
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  11. By NoNameDenton Posted: 8/30/2008 10:37pm PDT

    An Internet troll, or simply troll in Internet slang, is someone who posts controversial and irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum or chat room, with the intention of provoking other users into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.
     
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  12. By Tom Mills Posted: 8/31/2008 7:33pm PDT

    “What greater brand than Buick to charge ahead with that technology?”
    “What greater brand than Cadillac to charge ahead with that technology?”
    “What greater brand than Adam&Eve Marital Aids to charge ahead with that technology?”

    Badge-engineering. Groan.
     
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  13. By Gus Posted: 9/1/2008 10:25am PDT

    Adam & Eve Marital aids? More like moan... :)

    Wheels isn't a troll, I don't always (usually?) agree with him, but he knows cars.

    Back to the issue, I still say get rid of everything but a base and luxury marque. All those other brands are 60's leftovers...
     
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  14. By www.mywheelsonwalls.com Posted: 9/1/2008 11:57am PDT

    Thanks Gus!

    Although I will argue over Buick and heres why! China, China, China, and more of China. Every culture in the world has a perception or cultural view of the United States. So when it comes to cars and China what brand do they think of when it comes to buying an American car on their home soil? You got it, BUICK!!

    Funny but very true. We're talking a population of 1.3 billion and 300 million have the abiltiy to buy Buicks.

    For the rest of you-As for badge engineering sharing a power plant is not badge engineering howerer body structure/chassis and power plant is!!!!!

    Using your logic of engines only would make Aston Martin the most badge engineered car line in the world today. Since its V8's come from Jaguar and its V12 is no more than two Ford duratech v6's joined at the crank and made its first debut in the Ford Indigo concept car.
     
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  15. By Gus Posted: 9/1/2008 11:39pm PDT

    True, so keep Buick for China only.

    I still think it dilutes the GM brand here...
     
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