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Chevrolet Volt driving day planned for Obama’s auto industry task force

 
6 1,459 views Mar 8, 2009

2010 chevrolet volt live paris 010

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Last year GM CEO Rick Wagoner drove a Volt test-mule around the streets of Washington

Last year GM CEO Rick Wagoner drove a Volt test-mule around the streets of Washington

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They did it in the nation’s capital at the first round of viability meetings and tomorrow in Detroit government officials will once again be able to drive a prototype for the upcoming Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid. This time around the officials will include the Obama administration’s new auto industry task force, who will also be treated with a tour of General Motors’ Warren tech center as well as Chrysler's nearby Warren Truck plant.

The group will include Wall Street financier Steven Rattner and Steelworkers union official Ron Bloom, and will be joined by United Auto Workers (UAW) chief Ron Gettelfinger. They will have to make the tough decision as to whether or not GM and Chrysler deserve more aid so you can bet the two ailing carmakers will be doing their best to impress. A final decision is expected on March 31, reports the Associated Press.

The move also serves as an attempt to end criticism that the task force lacks firsthand knowledge of the industry, however, we doubt just one day in Detroit will help.


At the same time, GOP senators John McCain and Richard Shelby are calling for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing for the two ailing Detroit carmakers, and even GM’s own auditors have raised doubts about the firm’s ability to service its debts. Not the stuff an auto task force member wants to hear when deciding on lending almost $40 billion in taxpayer funded aid.

2011 Chevrolet Volt Production model

HI-RES GALLERY: 2010 chevrolet volt live paris 010




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Comments (6)

  1. ma_Chris avatar Chris Posted: 3/8/2009 10:44pm PDT

    that mule kind of reminds me of the bastard offspring of the current US Focus and the last gen Cavalier
     
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  2. ma_Tall Paul avatar Tall Paul Posted: 3/9/2009 6:50am PDT

    Do they really need rides in a mule to decide? Sounds like a fun field trip, but they aren't 8 anymore. Although they act like it.

    BTW are taxpayers actually going to end up giving $450,000,000 to Fisker and Tesla, each? I know with today's numbers that are thrown around that doesn't sound like much (actually it does to me). However Fisker has yet to produce a single customer car, and Tesla has yet to produce a car under $100,000. Not exactly gonna provide an entire nation, much less the world with alternative transportation.
     
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  3. ma_Chris avatar Chris Posted: 3/9/2009 6:59am PDT

    paul, not only that, but tesla's only product isnt made in america to boot!

    but yeah it definitely does help to go for a ride in a new car like this and just see that this company does have some amazing tech. it sounds corny and most wont believe it but driving around for 40 miles in a car that doesnt make a sound... and doesnt have any noticeable gear change,... its quite the experience. and a lot of consumers will be sold on it. these people will get that same feeling. this is a product that needs to make it to market.
     
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  4. sidraja avatar Siddarth Raja Posted: 3/9/2009 7:31am PDT

    Good points Paul, however I think it's about creating the next generation of American car companies that can compete on a global level. Tesla is planning a new sedan that will reduce the cost of entry significantly (though this will admittedly still be higher than the average person can afford). Fisker is also doing some new and interesting things and despite getting their cars built in Finland they will generate new American jobs in R&D.
     
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  5. ma_JSH avatar JSH Posted: 3/9/2009 7:36am PDT

    That mule is a Chevy Cruze with the Volt's running gear.
     
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  6. ma_Chris avatar Chris Posted: 3/10/2009 7:00am PDT

    Sid, also, as is the way with electrical technology and automotive technology as well.. what is 100k today will be 20k in 10 years. fisker's tech today will be matched by ford's tech 10 years from now... if they follow through with their plans.

    JSH, good eye.. i noticed that as well. i like that the volt is going to be a jazzed up version of the cruze.. very smart. kinda like the new insight looking like a cross between the FCX and the civic.
     
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