Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet
Chevy Volt to make an appearance in Transformers sequel?
Just how important is the Chevy Volt for ailing General Motors? Obviously, that's a rhetorical as GM is making it out to be the second coming of the horseless carriage. The money being invested into the latest battery technology and the sophisticated platform which carries it proves that the General is placing massive wager on plug-in electric cars. And you can bet that it will be hyping the Hell out of them too. We already reported on the fact that the Volt will be a centerpiece of General Motor's upcoming Centennial celebration, and now we hear that the production Volt could join GM's other upcoming gas-saver, the Chevy Beat, by making an appearance in the highly anticipated Transformers sequel.
Die-hard Camaro fans have been anxiously awaiting its formal introduction since it strutted its stuff in concept form in the first installment of Transformers. Thankfully for Volt aficionados, along with just about anyone else looking to save a few bucks on their fuel bills, we shouldn't need to wait nearly as long after its big-screen debut for a shot at driving off the showroom floor in a shiny new electric car, assuming the Volt actually arrives on schedule for its 2010 launch.
[Source: Reuters]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Soccer Mom 4:12PM (7/08/2008)
Talking of Camaro. It is a very nice vehicle, but by the time it will be released it will need a mid-cycle face lift. Usually you get spy shots and rumors six months to a year in advance, but parading the vehicle for 3 years prior to production is too much.
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HotRodzNKustoms 4:33PM (7/08/2008)
The general public doesn't get exposed to the Camaro as much as we sickos that read Autoblog do. So it will still be fresh
azzo45 5:13PM (7/08/2008)
Potential Camaro buyers have the internet... Yahoo & many other sites post images too. GM is dumb to tease something for 1-2 years without it being in showrooms.
Same goes for the Volt... Toyota can sell current Prius model while "teasing" public that the 2010 model will incorporate solar power panels....
GM marketing is going to kiss a$$ with Hollywood types (who are driving Hybrid Prius & Lexus models). Same group who stages GM fashion events featuring GM cars/ trucks with Hollywood B celebs.
Focus energy on getting a solid Volt to Chevy dealerships on time & at the right price.
MoonRover 5:32PM (7/08/2008)
Right HotRodz, my friend that has three older camaro's didn't even know GM was going to re-introduce a new one. I ask him what planet he lived on, he replied, the one without a computer.
Johnny 4:12PM (7/08/2008)
Unbelievable how GM has bet the farm on this thing for the last 2 years and the next 2 years. They are scared to death on making a 14k car with good gas milage and good driving characteristics but dont mind gambling all they have on a 40k car with 2 years to go and unproven technology.
I mean I wish them well but why not fortify your house first before making this halo car? Even if Mccain or Obama toss out 10k cash back for this I still dont see them moving more than 50,000 units a year. Since they sell 4 million vehicles a year in USA alone, its a drop in the bucket but a huge financial risk.
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jv2k 4:29PM (7/08/2008)
I believe the complaint you were trying to make was "bad interiors", because GM has offered 14k cars with good gas millage and comparable handling(lets be real these are ECONOMY cars) since the J-bodies.
why not the LS2LS7? 5:03PM (7/08/2008)
They improved the mpg on the Cobalt 20% this year as an answer to the gas crunch. No, it's not under $14K, but the dollar doesn't go as far as it used to. You'll have to make do with $14K.
The Aveo is under $14K, and well, it works. It's no joy to drive, but in terms of economy, it matches up against its competitors.
Kingus 5:50PM (7/08/2008)
They can use the tech in other vehicles later on and can be industry leaders in phev tech. It could help their image as well. (If it pays off)
Don't be so short sighted.
davido 4:13PM (7/08/2008)
With GM stock under 10$/share the Volt, Beat etc will either save or sink this company in the relatively near future.
I'm betting on save and this stock price is hard to resist. It may be time to take a buy some options.
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HotRodzNKustoms 4:35PM (7/08/2008)
It is irresistible at $10 a share
Disgruntled Goat 4:40PM (7/08/2008)
The Volt will not sell in large enough numbers to make any difference one way or the other to GM. This is a marketing/R&D exercise only.
With that said, $10/share for GM is a steal. So many people think GM = US market only and have little understanding of their worldwide operations and success. There's no way they'll declare bankruptcy and I wouldn't be surprised if they end up trading at their 2004 levels (a 500% increase) within 5 years.
azzo45 7:31PM (7/08/2008)
It is irresistible at $10 a share...
That's what I said about Ford @ $6.10 a share, :( :( now its mid $4!
Generalmotorsman4life 4:23PM (7/08/2008)
GM-wouldn't it be better for you help offset the high asking price for this vehicle using the thousands of dollars your wasting by dragging this car around the world teasing the consumers for the next 2 years-like you have done with the Camaro?
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MajorGeek 4:24PM (7/08/2008)
Sigh, here we go again. I think ill sit this one out since I have read all your comments already on this over and over and over again. Nice night for Red Lobster. Tuesdays are slow there. Whos with me!
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Jay 5:02PM (7/08/2008)
I'll take some of that action
Yar 6:00PM (7/08/2008)
Their biscuits are so good...
MajorGeek 6:50PM (7/08/2008)
It was good, Chicken and shrimp w honey mustard and rice pilaf. Applesause and shrimp cocktail appetizer. Mmmm.
Torrent 4:48PM (7/08/2008)
It wouldn't be a surprise.
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Beat-it-nerd 5:11PM (7/08/2008)
The Volt needed to be released yesterday. The Camaro needed to be released 2 years ago. I don't understand why you would even show a vehicle if it wasn't within a few months of production. I suppose they want to see how people react before investing in a completely new model, but to have to wait this long is just ridiculous.
http://www.gmaccessoriesstore.com
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Someone 9:38AM (7/09/2008)
How do you expect that to happen when the battery technology is not yet possible? No one has the technology, not even GM. It is no where near affordable, the delay is to keep doing research and ensuring that what happened with the EV1 with batteries not lasting long doesn't happen again. GM would like to guarantee a 10 year life on them, unlike any other company has been able to do with their vehicles.