Though the suspense is gone from the bridge loan debate, GM ain’t out of the woods yet. There is much work to be done in the land of GM product development, a fact that is emphatically underlined by the news of the day. The pre-Detroit Auto Show previews of the Orlando show car and a possible Cadillac-bodied Volt perfectly highlight The General’s future product flailing. The Orlando’s vision (high-efficiency transport for seven) won’t be realized for downgrading American SUV owners since it won’t be built here. While the Cadivolt rumor is yet another poignant reminder of that vehicle’s ill-fated development program and inevitable death by price point. Speaking of which…
At its Fastlane blog, GM insists that construction delays at the Flint engine plant won’t hold up Volt development. “The development of the Volt remains on-schedule despite the ongoing talks in Washington, D.C.,” writes Global Product Development VP John Lauckner. “It is one of the highest, if not the highest, priority programs in the company and that hasn’t changed, nor has the commitment of resources to fund it. In fact, with the successful completion of each development activity, we have more confidence than ever the Volt will start production as planned in late 2010.”
Why? Well, for one thing, MLive reports that “Flint Mayor Don Williamson said this week that instead of building the plant, he had been told that GM may put the engine line in the Flint Engine South plant and save $150 million by doing so.” Also, GM claims that “our global manufacturing process is flexible enough to construct this plant within a year, and the planning activities that require less cash upfront are continuing in Flint.” Or, they could always import 1.4 engines from Austria, in which case we can expect a thoroughly Caddy-like price tag.
But GM also has some brand-new hybrid hotness coming to market before 2010. Check out MSN’s “First Drive” of the 2009 Silverado hybrid. Specifically this part: “Environmental Protection Agency-estimated fuel economy for the 2WD version is 21 mpg in the city and 22 mpg highway; the 4WD is estimated at 20 mpg for both city and highway driving.”
But there are some trade-offs that come with the fuel savings. Towing capacity for the rear-drive Silverado Hybrid is 6,100 pounds; for the 4WD it’s 5,900 pounds. That’s down from 8,700 pounds and 8,500 pounds, respectively. Payload capacities are also lower by about 200 pounds, to around 1,450 pounds.” Price, please? “Considerably less than the difference between the Tahoe and Tahoe Hybrid” figures MSN, without offering any evidence.
You know, looking at this thing in retrospect you’ve got to give Wagoner one thing…that guy is a survivor. Even when the natural laws of economics would force his ouster, he manages to co-opt a multitude of varying people who have a vital stake in this mess – people whose stake he has run into the ground and literally bankrupted – into a ransom to keep his job at the expense of billions of our collective dollars.
Impressive, in the same way you’re impressed by Robert Mugabe being able to hold onto power despite logic itself.
Can someone tell me why there are multiple images of the Eiffel Tower in this video? Will the Orlando be made in France? Will it be sold only to the French? Am I missing something?
Surely they wouldn’t be so daft as to substitute the afore-mentioned landmark for the “a” in Orlando on the actual car as they did in the video. It would make it seem, well, you know, so French.
Oh, I forgot. It’ll never make it to production.
Pick the most appropriate response:
That’s a Saturn?
That’s a Saturn?
That’s a Saturn!
That’s a Saturn!
But I take it, we’re not supposed to notice?
From the blog entry: “Or, they could always import 1.4 engines from Austria, in which case we can expect a thoroughly Caddy-like price tag.”
We’re getting a Caddy-like price tag, anyway. Might as well throw in the overpriced engine, too.
Or, eat the cost. The Volt will be produced in such tiny quantities that the rest of GM’s unprofitable products will render this particular cost problem invisible.
Finally, a hybrid pickup. It only took 3 DOA SUVs to persuade the powers-that-be at GM to try something else.
The reduced tow capability might be a consideration but, still, one hopes that this makes sense to someone, somewhere.
If MSN is right about the price differential, maybe the Silverado has a shot at some sales.
bjcpdx: The Orlando show car premiered at the Paris Auto Show. A French Revolution, so to speak.
Can someone tell me why there are multiple images of the Eiffel Tower in this video? Will the Orlando be made in France? Will it be sold only to the French? Am I missing something?
The Cruze will be first introduced in Europe, and the Orlando concept is based on the Cruze. If made into a model it will probably be sold in Europe first. And I’m guessing this video was made for Europe.
Back when there was a declared cold war, one of the favorite tools of the USSR was the May Day parade.
Those of us old enough remember. All the munitions on trailers passing through Red Square with thousands standing proud.
Reminds me a lot of GM’s R&D.
You see, much of the impressive military hardware that Americans studied with great trepidation was actually empty sheet metal. Or papier mache.
At this point GM R&D is a dog and pony show. Simply there to provide an illusion that they will be an ongoing concern. Showing that they are ‘doing something’.
Post BK, or a $100B+ cash infusion, different story. But right now, window dressing.
I thought the crickets in the background were the whole point………
The “Cruze” is already sold in Korea as the 2008 Daewoo Lacetti.
Maybe the Volt will come with a little “I.O.U. one engine” voucher in the glovebox?
Cadivolt? No. I like Cadaver.
For some strange reason this video reminds me of smashing glowing fireflies to smithereens on the windshield while driving in Florida. You know that kind of bittersweet afterglow they leave on the glass?
I can’t help but think it is some sort of Thoreau-Meets-Manson kind of reference to GM? I guess that’s not what they intended…
How much did this dumb video cost GM, err, taxpayers like me, to produce?
When can we expect the groundbreaking, new 1998 Cava… Er, I mean, 2008 Cob… Ahem, that is, 2012 Cruze?
Can’t wait to rent one of those puppies…!
@KalapanaBlack
I wouldnt get my hopes up. The turbo model only makes 140bhp.