Bob Lutz on the Colbert Report, talking about the Volt
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From: OR
Bob Lutz on the Colbert Report, talking about the Volt
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From: The Golden State
I have come to the conclusion that the Chevrolet Volt is simply a rolling advertisement.
I can't name more than a few weeks over it's development that GM hasn't put out some press release or spokesperson talking about the Volt. The Volt is going to cost at least 50% more than the Prius, GM isn't going to make money on the Volt.
Yet, the Cruze which will be out in less than a year which will actually make GM money and sell in far greater numbers and will get fantastic fuel economy due to a small DI 4 isn't even mentioned.
Then again, it sometimes costs more to advertize till you get an opion than it does to spend on a real car, so maybe Volt is worth the money and press GM is pouring into it.
They just better have good vehicles to sell (outside of enthusiasts and niche vehicles).
I can't name more than a few weeks over it's development that GM hasn't put out some press release or spokesperson talking about the Volt. The Volt is going to cost at least 50% more than the Prius, GM isn't going to make money on the Volt.
Yet, the Cruze which will be out in less than a year which will actually make GM money and sell in far greater numbers and will get fantastic fuel economy due to a small DI 4 isn't even mentioned.
Then again, it sometimes costs more to advertize till you get an opion than it does to spend on a real car, so maybe Volt is worth the money and press GM is pouring into it.
They just better have good vehicles to sell (outside of enthusiasts and niche vehicles).
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From: Memphis
The Volt is definitely a halo car of sorts for the ads... while the Cruze may be a fine vehicle it's not going to generate 1/10th the buzz that the Volt will, which means if you're going to spend X amount on advertising that will change consumers' perception of the greenness and quality of your company, you're better off doing it with the car that generates more buzz per dollar.
I'll bet you that people talking about the Volt, thinking GM=efficient, GM=innovative, GM=quality will start to wonder... well the Volt is too expensive for me or isn't out yet... what else might they have. Oh here's the Cruze and it gets great mileage for half the price!
The make is just as important as the model and so the Volt can do far more for the make's image which can trickle down to positive impact on the models.
I'll bet you that people talking about the Volt, thinking GM=efficient, GM=innovative, GM=quality will start to wonder... well the Volt is too expensive for me or isn't out yet... what else might they have. Oh here's the Cruze and it gets great mileage for half the price!
The make is just as important as the model and so the Volt can do far more for the make's image which can trickle down to positive impact on the models.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Okemos, MI
That video was hilarious. 
I expect that, a few years into Volt production, GM will have learned a lot. Battery technology costs will have decreased, too, and they'll be able to release a second-generation Volt that is even more efficient while coming with a more reasonable price tag.
Even if the first generation Volt is a sales flop, I think it's a good first step.
I expect that, a few years into Volt production, GM will have learned a lot. Battery technology costs will have decreased, too, and they'll be able to release a second-generation Volt that is even more efficient while coming with a more reasonable price tag.
Even if the first generation Volt is a sales flop, I think it's a good first step.
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From: Yadkinville, NC USA
I have come to the conclusion that the Chevrolet Volt is simply a rolling advertisement.
I can't name more than a few weeks over it's development that GM hasn't put out some press release or spokesperson talking about the Volt. The Volt is going to cost at least 50% more than the Prius, GM isn't going to make money on the Volt.
I can't name more than a few weeks over it's development that GM hasn't put out some press release or spokesperson talking about the Volt. The Volt is going to cost at least 50% more than the Prius, GM isn't going to make money on the Volt.
I think that has been the intent all along, and it's not a bad plan.
It's getting GM LOTS of free press and discussion - that's for sure.
As I said in a post yesterday, I think it was a HUGE mistake to release production images and info about the car so early. In this day of hybrids everywhere and 18-24 months programs at Ford and Toyota and Honda... it's giving the guy on the other side of the table a peek at your cards. And besides that, I think it's risky because the body will be so "old" to the eyes by the time you can actually buy one, that the curb appeal will be far removed.
Nonetheless, I think GM needs to go ahead and ride this wave as far as they can go with it, but they must be VERY careful how they behave while on it. Promises about technology, quality, and other virtuous characteristics that are made now must come true, or those misgivings will turn into poison for future product in the eyes of the buying public.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,381
I have come to the conclusion that the Chevrolet Volt is simply a rolling advertisement.
I can't name more than a few weeks over it's development that GM hasn't put out some press release or spokesperson talking about the Volt. The Volt is going to cost at least 50% more than the Prius, GM isn't going to make money on the Volt.
Yet, the Cruze which will be out in less than a year which will actually make GM money and sell in far greater numbers and will get fantastic fuel economy due to a small DI 4 isn't even mentioned.
Then again, it sometimes costs more to advertize till you get an opion than it does to spend on a real car, so maybe Volt is worth the money and press GM is pouring into it.
They just better have good vehicles to sell (outside of enthusiasts and niche vehicles).
I can't name more than a few weeks over it's development that GM hasn't put out some press release or spokesperson talking about the Volt. The Volt is going to cost at least 50% more than the Prius, GM isn't going to make money on the Volt.
Yet, the Cruze which will be out in less than a year which will actually make GM money and sell in far greater numbers and will get fantastic fuel economy due to a small DI 4 isn't even mentioned.
Then again, it sometimes costs more to advertize till you get an opion than it does to spend on a real car, so maybe Volt is worth the money and press GM is pouring into it.
They just better have good vehicles to sell (outside of enthusiasts and niche vehicles).
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Joined: Mar 2000
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From: St. Louis, MO
Can I charge it off my hummer ahahaha
Or the part about the type of women (environmentalist) it will attract hahaha
I noticed he gave colbert the concept model and not production.
Bet there's a whole box of those left over with no where to go
Or the part about the type of women (environmentalist) it will attract hahaha
I noticed he gave colbert the concept model and not production.
Bet there's a whole box of those left over with no where to go
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Originally Posted by Bob Lutz
One of the options will be a photo-valtaic roof.
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From: Memphis
Did he say it was going to be an option at production? I didn't pay too close of attention but it sounded more like he was saying at some point in the future they'd be doing something like that.
FWIW Audi and some other companies have been doing the solar thing for years now though they've never used it to power the car... they've used it for keeping the car cool or warm when parked and keeping the battery charged up.
I think some Prius owners have modded their cars with solar roofs too. It's definitely something we'll see more of in the future I think... with panels getting cheaper and more efficient.
FWIW Audi and some other companies have been doing the solar thing for years now though they've never used it to power the car... they've used it for keeping the car cool or warm when parked and keeping the battery charged up.
I think some Prius owners have modded their cars with solar roofs too. It's definitely something we'll see more of in the future I think... with panels getting cheaper and more efficient.
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From: SoCal
One of my favorite shows on TV. It's hard for anyone to get a word in on Stephen but Lutz did a pretty good job. Not as well as Huckabee does but that would be asking a lot from a GM car guy.
If anything the Volt gets GM into the public eye for doing something different than what the other car makers are doing. Let the dealers tell people how much the Volt costs and that the Cruze is a better buy. What GM needs is good press and they need to get back to the days when they led the industry with innovation. The Volt sells this for GM and in on works the green front.
If anything the Volt gets GM into the public eye for doing something different than what the other car makers are doing. Let the dealers tell people how much the Volt costs and that the Cruze is a better buy. What GM needs is good press and they need to get back to the days when they led the industry with innovation. The Volt sells this for GM and in on works the green front.