Chevy Volt program is not being delayed ... yet!
by Sam Abuelsamid on Nov 7th 2008 at 9:21AM 
You can never be certain about the information you get from fourth-hand, unconfirmed sources. General Motors will be releasing its third quarter financial results this morning, and it will be ugly for sure. Rick Wagoner will also be announcing more cuts that will likely include layoffs among engineering staff. GM is expected to cancel or delay almost all future product plans in an attempt to staunch its current cash burn rate. One of those aforementioned fourth-hand sources told another website last night that the Chevy Volt is among the programs on the chopping block. AutoblogGreen contacted GM's Volt spokesman Rob Peterson, who stated that "there's no truth in that statement whatsoever" regarding the story that appeared on Jalopnik. Chevrolet spokesman Terry Rhadigan also said "I'm not going to respond to specific speculation. The Volt remains a top priority for our Company and there are no changes to the timing of the program." So for now, at least, the Volt is safe.
Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt - Live Reveal
[Sources: AutoblogGreen, General Motors, Jalopnik]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sam Russell 9:32AM (11/07/2008)
Sounds like something they'd do... kill the one vehicle that could probably save them (at least with sales and public opinion - not sure if it would make them much money..)
Hopefully it's just speculation as indicated.
http://www.samalamadingdong.com
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dan spalinger 9:44AM (11/07/2008)
Let's see...both Ford and GM are going to announc massive cuts in white collar workers but not a single manufacturing, union related, job-cut...What good does it do to have lots of factories and manufacturing capacity with no product/marketing/sales?? They are being held hostage by the unions again and we are going to pay for it...the price tag?? Well, yesterday in meeting with Pelosi and Reid (god help us...) it was up to $50 Billion to support the failures that are GM, Ford and Chrysler, an amount that should get them through oh....about spring of '09 and then they'll be back for more....
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geo.stewart 9:49AM (11/07/2008)
it'll only go through if it goes to the unions directly, since it's coming out of the democrats/
NOT that the republicans sending it straight to the fatcats pockets is working either.
Instead, how bout giving it back to ME (all my fellow taxpayers) to spend or save as we see fit. IF the big boys fall, little guys will rise in the ashes. Capitalism in action. nature abhors a vaccuum.
happy_penguin 10:13AM (11/07/2008)
Production is down with shift cuts and plants are closing all over. How many plant closings would be enough for you? All of them?
All of the manufacturers have been announcing massive plant closings, including Toyota. Perhaps you missed that memo...
dan spalinger 10:16AM (11/07/2008)
Yes, all of them...if they can't sell them, don't make them...actually develop a product people want and can afford....THEN hire the factory workers making $80 an hour to push buttons and take coffee breaks...
Jon 10:20AM (11/07/2008)
@ geo.
If the big boys fall, foreign dudes excel.
There won't be a vacuum...
happy_penguin 10:27AM (11/07/2008)
Good god where do you get your "facts" from?
I have worked production lines and trust me it isn't easy. You certainly don't get coffee breaks when you're busting your ass on that line. There's no time for that. It's hard work. And as far as that $80/hr figure goes, I've seen everything from $60/hr to $80/hr and more printed in the paper and I know for a fact that no hourly paid production employee working in those factories makes even HALF that much money. Oh yeah, they always say that's total value per hour of their compensation but the companies have NEVER produced a balance sheet to prove where they get that figure. They just print it in papers to generate hate from people like you who will believe anything you read.
happy_penguin 10:46AM (11/07/2008)
Nobody wants them, eh? I guess you forgot this:
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/03/by-the-numbers-october-2008-thanks-gmac-edition/
American auto manufacturers sold nearly 400,000 vehicles in October which while down drastically does not in any way indicate that "nobody wants them". By contrast the Japanese manufacturers sold under 300,000 vehicles. Perhaps they should shut all their factories since "nobody wants them". :rolleyes:
Todd 10:01AM (11/07/2008)
"...The EV-1 remains a top priority for our Company and there are no changes to the timing of the program." - 1998
"Who killed the electric car?" - Part 2
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Midman 10:08AM (11/07/2008)
I work for a GM tier one company...and belive me, the ONLY program that is getting money at this point is the Volt. And it's the only one in recent memory that hasn't been rumored to be delayed or cancelled.
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bosnash 10:23AM (11/07/2008)
The verb is "stanch," not "staunch."
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Torrent 11:14AM (11/07/2008)
I suggest you move to japan, then.
Torrent 11:15AM (11/07/2008)
directed to: dan....
happy_penguin 11:38AM (11/07/2008)
Being among the top ten and above industry average in long term quality is hardly "garbage". Some American brands even top Toyota and Honda:
http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pressrelease.aspx?ID=2008115
Yeah Chrysler's divisions didn't fare so well. I still have faith that anything on that list is light years ahead in quality compared to what was being produced thirty years ago. I also see Pontiac, GMC, Chevrolet and other American brands down there below average as well, but did you see where Scion (Toyota division) is? Can't even top Hummer.
So why don't you take your baseless arguments and STFU until you know WTF you're talking about. :)
dan spalinger 10:52AM (11/07/2008)
Jeez...someone is all defensive about the domestic garbage that comes out of Detroit...give it a rest...its over...GM, Ford and Chrysler belong to last century...stop dragging the rest of the country down with you...
jamie 10:57AM (11/07/2008)
Two things you can count on:
1. Chevy Volt is a go.
2. Chevy Camaro is a go.
If these icons were to be cancelled, then Bob Lutz would go in a huff. They are his babies and his last hurrah, so I don't see either of them being dropped or delayed. Everything else is game for open season duck hunting.
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jamie 11:41AM (11/07/2008)
Here it is. Read it and weep.
GM Reports Third Quarter Financial Results
Friday November 7, 11:18 am ET
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/081107/clf042.html?.v=101
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Steve 11:57AM (11/07/2008)
Ok Dan Spalinger so if everything coming out of Detroit is "garbage" in your words maybe they should just close up shop, because you say so, now and lay everyone off and pull the plug on the auto industry. Millions unemployed, Detroit and the state of Michigan will drop off into the Great Lakes. Will you be satisfied then when we are in Depression? What will satisfy you? Will you ever be satisfied?
That's right you will be working for Toyota, Honda or one of the other "manufacturers" of cars that will be left. They are already cutting back and soon will be shifting most production out of the country along with your job. What will you do then? Will you be satisfied then? LOL
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Toledo Guy 12:37PM (11/07/2008)
There isn't going to be a market for the Volt,it's WAAAAAAAY overpriced. Who will pay $40k when a Pious (uh, Prius) can be had for half? Lutz should cut his losses. no more bailouts!
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bosnash 12:45PM (11/07/2008)
Steve, just because there is a lot riding on it doesn't mean we should lower our standards. There are a lot of forces at work here at one time-- it's not a simple problem. But it's clear that one of the biggest issues is that automakers in general did not anticipate changes in the world that have led to demand for a different mix of vehicles. And the US guys have always been behind in terms of design and quality. With a few notable exceptions of course. At the end of the day, offering the right products executed perfectly is the only thing that can save the US car companies. (Although the scariest thing right now is how the giant Sphincter of Credit that gatekeeps most transactions has closed up far too completely.)
In any economic climate, competitiveness matters most and in the car business, it's measured by the cars themselves. So when things are down, it's even more important to get it right. Not gripe about the impact if we aren't loyal to inferior product.
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