During his visit to MI, presidential candidate John McCain dropped his automaker-unfriendly talk of California's emissions standards to focus on the "game-changing" plug-in hybrid electric – gas Chevrolet Volt. Maverick reputation notwithstanding, McCain was only too happy to lead in the self-congratulatory cheerleading. "The eyes of the world are now on the Volt and this will be not only be about the jobs or economy of this great and beautiful state," McCain said. "It's also about the future of the world. We have to eliminate our dependence on foreign oil as a national security issue." Surrounded by competitive products like the Chevy Cobalt, McCain called the the Volt "another great leap forward in American history." Meanwhile, GM CEO Rick Wagoner showed his understanding of engineering. He told McCain that "If this [the Volt's powertrain] doesn't work perfectly, we can do everything else perfectly and it's not going to work." This while admitting that the Volt development team is "pushing the time envelope." Uh-oh.
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Wowza – either GM wrote his speech or he could fill in for Lutz.
And Wagonner stating the Volt was their last ditch effort at surviving does not bode well.
“Surrounded by competitive products like the Chevy Cobalt,…”
Did you guys have a pool going on how long before someone picked that line out of the story and said “huh?”
I think you are putting words in Wagoners mouth. If you read the article it would appear he said “If this (Volt) doesn’t work perfectly, we can do everything else perfectly and it’s not going to work.” He was actually referring only to the Volts power system, not GM as a whole.
The proper insert would be “If this (the power system of the Volt) doesn’t work perfectly, we can do everything else (in building the Volt) perfectly and its not going to work…”
When did the Cobalt suddenly become competitive? That’s news to me. Although I guess if I had to choose between a 2008 Cobalt and a 1982 Cavalier, then the Cobalt is competitive because it’s less 1982ish than the Cavalier.
“We really do have some great products out there that can compete with the best” – As spoken by Kathy Doher. Kathy might want to stop huffing so much paint and/or glue. It’s just mind boggling that so many of the GM employees think they’re building great products.
toxicroach:
I think you are putting words in Wagoners mouth. If you read the article it would appear he said “If this (Volt) doesn’t work perfectly, we can do everything else perfectly and it’s not going to work.” He was actually referring only to the Volts power system, not GM as a whole.
Right you are. I edited this blog quickly and failed to appreciate the context of the remark. I regret and apologize for the error.
Text amended.
At least the 82 Cavalier had a “body by Fisher”.
“When did the Cobalt suddenly become competitive? That’s news to me. Although I guess if I had to choose between a 2008 Cobalt and a 1982 Cavalier, then the Cobalt is competitive because it’s less 1982ish than the Cavalier.”
If you take an honest look you may realize it certainly is competetive for its class, I think the term “class leading” would justify your ire.
Read more about the Cobalt SS (Supercharged or Turbo) for further proof.
Maybe if the election thing doesn’t work out McCain could be the new CEO of GM, after all he has flown a plane into the ground before.
McCain destroyed five planes, megaphone, not just one. Just the man they need to clear out the “damaged brands.”