GM's Cadillac Converj Extended-Range Hybrid Reportedly Gets Production OK

GM's Cadillac Converj Extended-Range Hybrid Reportedly Gets Production OK

By John O'Dell November 10, 2009

The Cadillac Converj plug-in hybrid concept is on the way to becoming a real car, the Detroit News is reporting.

Citing unidentified insider sources, the newspaper says that General Motors sees the highly styled Caddy, which would use the same technology as the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in,  as one way to help generate new excitement around a brand that has been losing sales all year.

The Converj concept debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January to rave reviews from much of the automotive press and many show-goers.

Although GM officials, concerned at the time about the company's plummeting financial fortunes, later said they didn't plant to build the car, (a decision the automaker's bankruptcy, federal bailout and new recovery plan may well have changed) GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz remarked at the show that if the Converj were to be put into production, the retail model would closely resemble the concept.

He also said he saw a market opportunity for a Cadillac plug-in hybrid because it would be easier to pass on to luxury car buyers the cost of the expensive lithium-ion battery pack (estimated at $10,000 to $12,000 for the four-seat Volt, which will retail for more than $40,000 before federal tax credits).

GM sees extended-range hybrids with rechargeable battery packs as a more marketable alternative to the pure EV because the gasoline engine-generators they carry will continue producing electricity for the cars' drive motors after the initial battery charge is depleted, allowing for long trips that are not interrupted by lengthy recharging sessions.

The Volt is expected to deliver up to 40 miles of all-electric travel before the gas engine-generator kicks on. That means that many people with daily commutes of under 40 miles could drive all week without burning and gasoline but still use the same car for long weekend trips without being tethered to an EV charging station.

The newspaper report says the Converj was included in a Nov. 2 product planning presentation to GM's board of directors but that no production date has been set - meaning a retail-ready car is several years away if, indeed, it has been given a green light.

John O'Dell:  is an AutoObserver Senior Editor. Follow @AutoObserver on Twitter.