GM Reportedly Axes Cadillac Version of Chevy Volt
March 01, 2010
Several media sources reported late Monday General Motors Co. is dropping plans for a Cadillac-badged version of the high-tech Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle so Cadillac can focus on less-expensive plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles.
Apparently a Cadillac version of the Volt would be too weighed down by the expected luxury and comfort features to replicate the Volt's 40-mile electric-only driving range without extensive extra cost, a Bloomberg report said. Sources suggested achieving even a 20-mile driving range solely on battery power might require $30,000 of added cost, the report added.
The loss of the proposed Cadillac variant of the Volt casts more doubt on the near-term applicability of the Volt's battery-intensive, series-hybrid design.
Some GM executives had argued a Cadillac version of the Volt would help reduce costs -- mostly centered around the expensive lithium-ion batteries -- and speed wider adoption of the Volt's technology.
But cancellation of the Converj seems to signal the cost to achieve such a long range for battery-only driving may not be a viable trade-off when compared to plug-in hybrid vehicles, which are designed for markedly less battery-only driving range but also are projected to be much more affordable than the Volt.
The Volt program has absorbed several short-circuits lately.
It was reported last week that GM chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre was pushing for a speed up of the Volt's launch timetable, originally established for late November. But GM engineers reportedly pushed back, saying the final phases of development can't be rushed.
Just prior to that news, GM announced Denise Gray, director of global battery systems and a key face of the Volt program since its inception, is leaving the company this week. Gray, who had been director of global battery systems engineering since 2006, is headed for a new and unnamed battery-development startup company based in California.
And last fall, Bob Kruse, who served as GM's director of global vehicle engineering for hybrids, electric vehicles and batteries, resigned from GM to run his own consulting company. -- Bill Visnic, senior editor
Photo by GM
1. Cadillac Converj has had its plug pulled permanently.
Posted by Bill Visnic at 9:03 PM under GM , In the Media , News , Technology | Comments (2) | digg this | Seed Newsvine
From the company that brought us badge engineering, I'm surprised by this. GM should just sell the the Volt as a Caddy.
Posted by: estreka | March 03, 2010 at 12:01 AM
This seems like a short-sighted move. Putting Volt technology into a Cadillac lets you charge a premium for it, attracts early adopters and spreads out development costs. Unless, of course, the technology is just not very good. Another missed opportunity, it appears.
Posted by: sprocketboy | March 03, 2010 at 11:49 AM