gizmowiz, bull chit !!

The hybrids are only struggling b/c the economy has not yet recovered.

Once the economy recovers then hybrids will do just fine.

.

The financial viability of the hybrids will improve as Mr. O'Bama gets the price of gas north of $5.00. The heavy crude discoveries in North Dakota, Colorado, and Canada shouldn't stop him from keeping on keeping on trying.

Colorado is cooking their oil local, North Dakota is shipping to Louisiana by train and the "State" department is still holding up the pipeline on the Canadians. (don't the Clintons take bribes?

Even if I was very wealthy, I wouldn't buy a Volt. The prices of these cars has to come down to 25k or less before they catch on.

Please.... The economy isn't the reason people don't want to pay TWICE as much for a volt as they could the same size gasoline driven vehicle.

That extra $20,000 price tag will buy you the other vehicles ENTIRE lifespan of gasoline.

No one wants a $40,000 "gadget". Its marketed to the same kind of fools waiting in line to spend $500 bucks on the next iPhone released twice a year.

Why buy at any price. It is an overpriced piece of crap.

Electric cars are definitely not "green." Once you factor in the added energy needed to manufacture the batteries, not to mention the hazardous waste generated manufacturing them and the actual hazardous waste that the batteries represents, a simple gas powered car is far more environmentally friendly. And of course let's not forget that you have to generate the power that is used to charge the batteries. If you look at the total energy usage, toxic materials, etc. a simple gas powered car makes far more sense. On top of that, the additional cost of buying a hybrid or electric car would pay for all the gas you will ever put into a gasoline powered car.

I agree. Electric vehicles are a pain in the butt. It's very hard to travel any lengthy distance is one of these vehicles. Once the battery is dead, it's worthless. No power to zip down the road with and even less to pass with. I haven't seen one electrical charging station in out town yet. If I ever find one, there will be a line waiting for it. They cost way too much and they are heavy and slow and overall a pain in the rectum. Hyundai has four models of regular engine cars that get 40 mpg and VW has the new style Jetta that get 40 mph or better and they only cost $19,000. The Volt has been in production for a very long time and they still haven't got it right. Of course we all know why. It's built by General Motors. That's why. GM vehicles are junk. There trucks are junk and all their cars are junk with the exception of the Corvette and Cadillac. That's right, the new Camaro is junk. Way to expensive and slow as molasses. The Ford Mustang eats them up in the 1/4 mile and just about anywhere else. One good thing about owning a Chevy is that after you own one for three years or more, you automatically qualify to be certified as a ASE General Motors mechanic. LMFAO

It shouldn't surprise anyone the extent the oil industry will go to in order to discredit ANY new technology that doesn't totally operate on gas. Planting stories like this and paying trolls to bad mouth any new technology like the Volt is what they do and what they have been doing for DECADES. As you read this article, ask yourself, if this was a gas burner in this type of crash, what do you suppose would have happened .............Duh!

Uhhmmmm, "sells" are limited by production. There is a waiting list for "sells."

Until, Congress and the President are serious about electric cars, Oil will be King. Electric cars will never truly take off until our electric grid is improved. We are still dealing with 1960's technology in our electrical grid. One solar flare, one terrorist computer hack of our electrical grid, or one nicely placed EMP wave, and we are back in the stone age.

Volt is dead huh? Guess the 8 month waiting list my dealership has must be smoke and mirrors right?

All you anti-technology creeps remind me of the buggy whip lobby who railed against the "horseless carriage." Next time you elect a Republibagger who gets us in an oil war, let it be your kids who do the fighting. I ain't marchin' anymore!

This is a minor glitch as we transition to more efficient sources of power for our personal transportation. Lowering the risk will involve training tow truck drivers, impound yards and collision centers how to disconnect the battery or batteries on EV's and parallel hybrids and transitioning to an onboard collision disconnect as these vehicles of the future are further developed.

If we'd pussed out after three Apollo astronauts died on the launch pad or as scores of test pilots died developing high performance jets in the late '40's and '50's, where would we be now ?? No one has even been injured by these fires, but if they are, it is part of the steep learning curve of developing cutting edge technology, and not some reason to retreat like an ostrich with your head in the sand from advancing in our ability to master our environment without damaging or destroying it.

To increase national security by reducing dependence on foreign oil:

DRILL HERE and DRILL OFTEN!

If Obama gets his wish of a million electric cars by 2015 somebody better build a few electric power plants

OOOPS!

Hey, old fat guy-1144960 -- hope they build an oil-drilling rig in YOUR yard, right where YOUR kids play. Wouldn't that be just wonderful?

fat guy, you make a good point, Obama is a totally clueless individual on anything that has to do with economics. He has to be doing it on purpose, no one is that dense. Got to go and get my check the lib trolls keep telling me I work for.

The News today

Stop Blaming GM for what our government insists GM should do. The government wanted green they got orange (fires instead). GM is only doing whatever it takes to please the government so it can exist.

The actual reality of big business is not about making products people want - it is about currying favor of DC so they can stay in business.

Some Volts catch fire a couple of weeks AFTER a crash? Isn't that basically a safety feature? Isn't it a GOOD thing?

I like my odds of escaping a vehicle fire if I'm given two weeks to do it.

jacquesdaspy

the financial viability of the hybrids will improve as Mr. O'Bama gets the price of gas north of $5.00. The heavy crude discoveries in North Dakota, Colorado, and Canada shouldn't stop him from keeping on keeping on trying.

Yes; Mr. Obama is always keeping on keeping on trying....????

Europeans have been paying the true cost of the Finite Resource we call Crude Oil for years.

The cost of Petro in Europe has been north of $5.00 per. gal for years. That's why Diesels which can achieve 65 MPG are so popular overseas.

Americans are spoiled.We get upset when Gasoline tops $3.50 per. gal. Because then it costs so much to fuel-up our Gas-Guzzling Hummers,Ford Expeditions,and other Resource-Wasting utility vehicles we might need to drive to the local Convenience-Store; to stock-up on Budweiser and Camels.

Dear Luddites (you know who you are ... or perhaps you don't - by definition); the Volt and the concept of plugin-electric technology is not dead. However; your brain activity might so low that others might consider you in serious trouble. GM makes a profit on every Volt they produce and every one that rolls off the line finds a home relatively quickly; there have been multiple complaints about dealers attaching $10K - $20K premiums on them, and GM to their credit, has taken action to prevent that.

The design was extensively tested prior to introduction, but even so, the deployment plan always was to introduce it slowly into the US - both unit number and geographically - just in case something unexpected like this was to occur. This allows the development and product teams to gather data and resolve the problems on a manageable number of vehicles. Volt 2.0 is in progress and these are the type of corrections that are part of an early-adopter program.

I am appalled by the stupidity of many of the comments here. Many simpletons attempt to link this technology with a political philosophy or an environmental issue. It's really more about responding to how driving habits and energy supplies / pricing are changing. This is a significant stepping stone to other vehicles, which has the potential to be upgraded as well as reusing the battery pack for other purposes. Every major automotive company in the world has a similar program underway.

Let me ask you geniuses something - when the first human fell off a horse, did that mean that we should walk forever? When the first Model A ran off the road and hit a tree, should we have burned the Ford plant and got back on our horses (now that we determined they were "safe enough"). And when Orville and Wilbur Wright crashed the first time, wouldn't we all have been better off if they would have just quit right there? Following your logic regarding the Volt, we should have snuffed out the first fire and lived in darkness forever.... some of you apparently still do.

Node, apparently you must work for GM.

While, I have no issue with the Volt personally, I am astounded that no one has questioned the quality of GM vehicles in general. I've had the misfortune to own 3 GM vehicles in my life and all of them suffered either major engine or transmission failure prior to or right at 80k miles (and I take very good care of my cars/have not had such issues with any other make that I have owned). Heck, my sister and my best friend both had cracked blocks in their GM vehicles at 3,000 miles. A co-worker who had a Cobalt had to trade it in after less than a year of owning it because it would intermittently turn itself off while driving down the road. Another co-worker who owns a Traverse has it in the shop for warranty work more than she actually drives it. Sadly, I could go on and on and on...

Instead of wasting money on these cars, why not make better fuel efficiency cars that can give you up to 100 to 130 mpg. I know it can be done, because Obama has a Nissan that gives him 100 mpg or close to it.

Also, on the news the other day, there were people talking about how high their electric bills have gotten since they got stuck in buying these so-called electric cars that are suppose to be a money saver. You will spend the same or more in electricity per month as you are paying in gas for your cars per mth. The only real difference here is, you are stuck in deep debt paying off for something that is not saving you a dime. They just wanted you to think buying one of these cars will save you a fortune. Too bad you didn't learn about big business shams and scams played on the people, and approved by your local government.

So what Gizmowiz and some others are saying here - is that we should stop all electric car research and building in America because americans just can't develop a decent electric car? We are inept and cannot do any clean tech research and engineering anymore.

In otherwords -- lets let China continue to pump billions in clean/green tech development and infrastructure while we sit on our laurels and let them surpass us in electric engineering. After all we can buy our electric cars and solar panels from China later at the local Walmart..

Yep America will be just fine yelling we're #2 -- or 3 - or 4..!

OR!~

We can quit letting OPEC rob us blind and start developing some solar, wind, and electric transportation that is Built IN THE USA, and pays workers that Live in the USA, and Sold (and perhaps exported) From the USA stores.

But my fellow GOP americans would prefer to kill any innovation and development in the USA and make us a 3rd world country. After all, we can survive on fossil fuels and a bad economy forever..!

After all -- Made in America - is just a slogan now!

funny you here how gm/chevy has problems with their electric/hybrid vehicles but you hear nothing about ford having problems with theirs. by the way ford started on electric/hybrid builds way before gm did. might be one of the reasons they didnt need a bailout unlike gm. faster innovation and better product by ford is the way to go not gm.

Leaf will be next and the Focus won't even get off the ground because of fears the $7500 rebate scheduled to expire on 12/31/2011 will be allowed to expire by Congress which is in no mood to extend it.

Nope, that program was set up with a certain amount of money, enough for at least 200,000 vehicles, and it has no fixed expiration date. If it ends, it ends when the money runs out, or Congress deliberately votes to cancel it. BTW, the bill that set up those rebates was passed with Republican support in Congress and signed into law by President... George W. Bush.

there were people talking about how high their electric bills have gotten since they got stuck in buying these so-called electric cars that are suppose to be a money saver. You will spend the same or more in electricity per month as you are paying in gas for your cars per mth

Bogus talk, no doubt. The actual "fuel" cost of driving electric is 2 to 3 cents per mile, compared to the cost of gasoline at 7 cents (efficient hybrid) to 30 cents (guzzler) per mile. Even at the highest US utility rates, the cost per mile is still lower for electrics than for gassers.

DRILL HERE and DRILL OFTEN!

Won't solve the problem. The first oil wells to be drilled were in the biggest most productive oil fields, but as oil was pumped out, production dropped. Wells that once were gushers now give just a few barrels a week. What's left tend to be smaller, more inaccessible and in less porous rock, so they can't produce as much. The result is US oil production peaked in 1973, and has been going downhill ever since - even the Alaska North Slope oil fields only produced a temporary bump in US production. So even if we allowed drilling anywhere, we still couldn't reach the production levels of 1973!

Instead of electric cars, more research should be done in hydrogen as a fuel and an on board system of breaking down water into hydrogen and oxygen and the safe storage of hydrogen in the car.

But it takes electrical or chemical energy to "break down water" to produce hydrogen, more usable energy than can be produced from the hydrogen. If the energy source is electricity, it would be much more efficient to use the electricity directly or to charge a battery than to produce hydrogen with it. It can also be more efficient to use chemical energy more directly than to make hydrogen with it. "Onboard hydrogen production" makes no sense, by efficiency or by economy. Some efforts are underway to improve the storage of hydrogen and reduce the cost of fuel cells, but currently the cost is too high to be competitive. BTW, hydrogen fuel cell cars ARE electric, they just get some of their electricity from the fuel cell.

Excellent points CM. Folks often skip over the total efficiency from any energy conversion. Vehicle weight has continued to creep up, but now with alternative drivetrains like Voltec and all electrics reaching consumers, we're seeing renewed emphasis on material science and structural design. A 500 - 1000 lb reduction in vehicle weight would have a major affect on all approaches; including internal combustion engines. This has a much faster payback than drilling more wells - people seem unaware how long it takes for wells to reach productive status and the fact that it's sold on the world market - not directed strictly to the US one. I'm not against drilling by any means; just it doesn't significantly affect our root problems at this point.

Could we PLLLLEEEAAASSSSEEE get these electric cars OUT of the left hand lanes???

Node-

This has a much faster payback than drilling more wells - people seem unaware how long it takes for wells to reach productive status and the fact that it's sold on the world market - not directed strictly to the US one. I'm not against drilling by any means; just it doesn't significantly affect our root problems at this point.

Problem is, 30 years ago politicians were saying it would take 10 years to get oil online and producing, 20 years ago politicians said the same, 10 years ago politicians said the same, today, people are saying the same. How about we start drilling so in 10 years we're not still having the same debate.

And, Quacked One, yes you can drill in my yard!

Love those Texas bois with Mass Black Gold Insecurity. They know their gasoline BS is on its way out and they know no one is falling for their Rah Rah Texas Big Oil Keep It Coming routine.

Note how it's all Obama's fault? Then, mention their favorite 4-letter word, BUSH and they go all snaky. They don't mind the rest of the country feeding trillions into Big Oil.

The Volt and the tens of millions of SmartCars, Hybrids etc on the roads don't exist in Texas...why? Because those big time cowboys are scared silly to admit they'd rather drive around in Bully Boi gas guzzlers then help their state lose a single dime of Black Gold profit they can only get from the rest of us.

Most of you will be on here for hours pretending you have a clue about alternative energy. You’ll be pulling your little talking points out and ridicule each other for either believing or not believing an unproven science. The debate will grow heated as it always does, insults will fly, vitriol will be furious and in the end NOTHING other than wasted time will be the result. So, with this in mind I’d like to ask all you pretenders to respond after reading this.

I just have a few simple questions.

How many of you have had a home energy audit done by RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) to determine your homes energy efficiency?

How many of you are driving in the most fuel efficient vehicles available?

How many of you have re-insulated your homes to the maximum R-rating recommendation?

How many of you have had your windows and doors upgraded to the newest NFRC (National Fenestration Ratings Council) standards?

How many of you have replaced your outdated appliances according to the new Energy Star applications? Including your furnace and air conditioner?

How many of you have installed a geothermal, solar or wind turbine system to release yourself from the grip of the utility companies?

How many of you travel to work in car pools?

How many of you travel on vacation by railroad, rather than car or airplane?

Should I go on?

Not many I bet.

Why not?

Because you’re all too lazy, uninformed and so hell bent against fossil fuels you can’t think straight. You all sit here and rail against BP, the oil industry, coal industry, nuclear energy and any other PROVEN energy sources, yet you all sit in your totally inefficient, drafty, ancient, energy sucking homes and cars and complain! ! !

Don’t even try to excuse yourselves by claiming there’s a scarcity of resources. The AEI (Alternative Energy Institute) was created in 1977, OVER 34 YEARS AGO ! ! !

I had a geothermal system installed over 16 years ago that still works perfectly. I have enough solar collection to power 68% of my home,,,,YEAR ROUND ! ! ! My insulation R-ratings are all at or above the recommendations of the WAP (Weatherization Assistance Program) guidelines. I have updated my appliances over 4 times in the last 23 years using Energy Star recommendations. I do have an inefficient 1999 Ford F-150,,,EXCUSE ME ! ! ! This has come at significant cost outlay on my part but my carbon footprint is 28% of the average American household and my cost savings are double what they would have been otherwise.

And guess what?

I still promote “DRILL BABY, DRILL”!

WHY?

Because we don’t have enough people doing what THEY should be doing and thousands of everyday products are made from coal, oil and natural gas. Most of you talk a big game as far as energy independence, global warming, green this and green that, but your don’t do SQUAT about it.

The problem with you Liberal Progressive/RINO, tree-hugging, Spotted-Owl “believers” is YOU don’t want to do it, you want the government or someone else to do it for you. You’re too busy watching Obama blowing smoke up your butt or Michael Moore spewing his socialist trash at you while sitting in your La-Z-Boy, sucking down a Bud Light.

Your Messiah, Al “multi-million dollar mansion” Gore, is making fools of you all and you just sit by, uninvolved and uninformed except for your anti-business, anti-rich, anti-American rants. Obama keeps the temperature cranked up in the White House until you can grow Orchids in there, but Cap & Tax is a must.

Hypocrites! ! !

When I finally see those CLAIMING there’s a crisis acting like there’s a crisis, I’ll believe there’s a crisis.

The problem with most conservatives is they never leave their own states. More than half of my state is turning to solar because it saves people money. Only the oinky red state gas guzzling stupids can't admit that.

As for unproven science, so many buildings in the northeast are solar controlled for more than a decade now. That's how ignorant some red staters are.

They love the idea of Drill Baby Drill until they have to pay out of their own pockets for those Spill, Baby, Spill massive environmental destructions.

@AtlasWillShrug: you miss my point. I clearly state I am not opposed to drilling or other types of exploration for energy in the US or our offshore areas. What I saying is that people conveniently and consistently fail to mention the lag between beginning to explore a site and actually delivering petroleum or gas products to market. Work in weight reduction is having immediate benefits, even for vehicles that have been on the road 20+ years - although that's hardly a focus except for racing applications. Developing a lightweight frame, composite body panels, and lighter weight drivetrain all have immediate benefit and that work is happening more rapidly than we are discovering domestic sources of fossil fuels. I'm all for both, but I'm also realistic about which one is going to have more of a demonstrable benefit. Go ahead and drill, but don't forget to your vehicle on a diet --- it's got a lot better and immediate return.

VOLT= glorified golf car = another government motors achievement

gizmowiz "The Volt is dead. Sells are dismal and the price is obscene. Leaf will be next and the Focus won't even get off the ground because of fears the $7500 rebate scheduled to expire on 12/31/2011 will be allowed to expire by Congress which is in no mood to extend it."

Agreed. It should be interesting to see if the government recalls vehicles from their own company.

And GM was counting on the Volt for its 'successful' reincarnation????????

This is what happens when the government gets involved in trying to run a private company. I wonder how many more $Billions this fiasco will have on the tens of $Billions of taxpayer money 'invested' in GM?

Gee, it sounds like another SOLYNDRA moment for Obama.

This is what happens when the government tries to make something they THINK people should buy instead of what people WANT to buy.

The demise of the '$7,500 credit' in 30 days will be closely followed by the demise of the VOLT. Perhaps the the decision to 'kill the EV1' was not premature after all.

Let's see now - How can we 'Blame Bush'.

Why are you entitled to my money?

Why should I pay you $7500 to buy a car?

The real obscene problem with these cars is that taxpayers pay over $7500 for each car.

Stop the handouts.

China is only making solar and wind for other people to buy.

They are not so stupid as to pay so much extra for so much less power.

In China, they have 30 nuclear plants under construction. They complete a coal plant every week. And natural gas turbines are coming online even faster.

They laugh at us every time they ship us a solar panel or windmill. They take the money that we waste on them and use it to build more efficient and effective power generation in their country. So we not only hurt our own economy by wasting money on "green" energy, but we help the Chinese economy to get more reliable and affordable power.

And they love when we spend money on research, since they will get to make the product in the end.

Face it, alternative energy isn't anywhere near ready for prime time.

Go to your local store and buy rechargeable batteries. Pretty expensive, right?

Until rechargeable batteries are cheap, electric cars will simply be toys for the pretentious.

What you buy with your own money is your business - but when you use my money to pay for your follies - that's when I get mad.

No more handouts to the environuts.

Ryan in Texas

Wow, I'm REALLY impressed with your Post #1.42.

You have captured the problem with 'Green Energy' in a brief, succinct way that is short but brilliant.

Bravo - I plan to add it to my archives for future reference.

ewent "The problem with most conservatives is they never leave their own states."

So your premise is that Red states that vote Republican are 'stupid', but Blue states that vote Democratic are 'smart'?

Then why do Red states do so much better in creating jobs and economic growth, and have far fewer problems with deficits?

Gee, I wonder if those 'conservative' principles might have something to do with it?

This is all a moot point, Tesla cars are approximately 5 times better than the volt, american made and not on the verge of bankruptcy because they cow tow to the big oil companies. They also pass all the crash tests and have been on the road for YEARS.

GM failed because instead of making decent batteries and good cars, they decided to toe the line and make this heap of junk. But thats the plan, the idea is that if they make electric cars bad enough, it proves that electric cars can't be made. Nevertheless that at one point all our cars were electric, or that some companies are stepping up to the plate with a great product.

It's hysterical to hear the environmental debate AGAINST electric cars, its laughable to hear that electric cars use more dangerous ingredients to make, and then talk about how bad the batteries are (like we can't dispose of batteries?). The best is always "well the electricity comes from coal plant" because making everyone in america switch cars with a new alternative is so much easier than constructing better power plants...

AND then you talk about Hydrogen cars? We can thank GM for killing the EV to support hydrogen fuel cells instead. Hydrogen may create less air pollution, but its just trading one fuel for the other (oil companies are loving that, because they can switch over to it and sell it).

As I said this whole debate is moot, this is the future. This is like the media companies saying "instead of switching to MP3 players from CDs, where instead of using a container inserted in your device you can directly put music on your device, we should use these new discs!" and actually having a debate about it.

Anyone debating the range needs to take a long hard look at Tesla, and what they do in other countries. Battery switches become quite popular. Roll up to a station, switch the empty battery with a fully loaded battery (with quick change abilities) in minutes and get back on the road (for a fee).

Electric cars are really the only choice to make to keep progressing in technology, we need to stop listening to corporate masters who make a crappy product to PROVE that a good product can't be made. It can be done, and we need to stop hamstringing it for profits and politics.

aquatone "Some Volts catch fire a couple of weeks AFTER a crash? Isn't that basically a safety feature? Isn't it a GOOD thing?"

So you're OK with parking your damaged car in your garage at night?

ewent "As for unproven science, so many buildings in the northeast are solar controlled for more than a decade now. That's how ignorant some red staters are."

Let's look at the cost of Solar generated electricity vs traditional sources.

While the cost of Solar generated electricity has dropped significantly in recent years, here is a realistic estimate of the REAL cost of Solar Electricity;

Assumptions; The current (2011) cost of an installation for a 2,000 Watt system is $10 per Watt, for a system cost of $20,000. The usable peak electricity generated would be an average of 8 hours a day, 365 days a year. The finance cost (@6% for 25 yrs) would be $128.86 per Month. Maintenance costs would be $10 per month. The useful life is 25 years.

The estimated cost would be;

Financing Cost = $38,658

Depreciation Cost = $20,000

Maintenance Cost = $3,000

Total Cost = $61,658

Total Cost per Month = $205.52

Total Power Generated = 146,000 kwh.

Total kwh per Month = 487

Cost per kwh = $0.42 per kwh

Current Cost/kwh from traditional sources = $0.12 in the USA.

In other words, the cost of Solar Electricity from Solar for Residential applications is current about 3.5 Times as much as from traditional sources (Natural gas, coal, hydro and nuclear).

Tell us again how 'smart' those Blue states in the Northeast are, and how 'ignorant' those people in the Red states are.

The Quacked One....

Fact is we have that well in the side yard. We have them all over town.

FreedomRings (1.36)

All of the above except (currently) car pool -- my shift starts at 6:00 A.M., spouse's at 6:30, no one interested out this direction that early. Did so back when it was feasible. Also, haven't built turbine yet -- avg. wind speed a little low here to be cost-effective with current technology; maybe later. You are right -- we need to be doing all of these things on top of "drill baby drill", not in lieu of this. Doubt I am the only one on this thread doing this sort of thing other than you --sure hope not.

I think we need to rename these lemons the Chevy Volatile!

People are followers. I test drove a Volt and I love it, and it's torque. Bashers can complain about price, fires, and Obama all they want. They didn't give the Volt a chance in the first place. I want a Volt, and I'll get one and I won't care about the pompous and their agendas...There is a big enough market for the Volt, and selling more of them will allow competition for fossil fuel, which should drive prices down. This reminds me of people attacking Tucker, and now his engineering is in all vehicles.

volt = garbage

Roy, Solar may only be a piece of the puzzle, and considering the low maintenance and pollution (ah I see you took in gas emissions in your calculations, you know all those air warnings we get to prevent people from passing out outside) its an interesting prospect (also considering we've had hundreds of years of coal power and only decades at most of solar power we should probably develop it more).

Also, even if solar is not a good option, that doesn't throw electric cars under the bus. Electric cars are as good as whatever power plant they use, and as new technology comes out we can get better and better at making power plants of varying kinds.

Your post is again a hate filled piece filled with most likely made up numbers proving the point that you "hate dem carpet baggers".

I hope this means less of those commercials with the guy trying to use the gas station restroom. If I have to hear that dorky looking dweeb in the khaki pants say "Um, it's a Chevy Volt" one more time, I'm going to puke.

If that's the kind of person who drives a Volt, no wonder nobody wants one. I'm not sure which person is dumber, the guy that says Um before every mention of Chevy Volt (as if he has to think to remember) or the fat guy who sees him about to put gas in the car then says: "hey, wait a minute, I thought you said it was electric." as if the dorky vehicle owner didn't know and needed his advice.

Completely asinine! Of course, considering the fact that so many Americans are idiots (tea baggers, clergy, neocons, gang members), it's no surprise Chevy aims their commercials to the ignorant mindset.

Oooooooh.....did somebody say Big Oil, you know the viscious, evil Big Oil? I'm outta here...gonna hide under the bed!

Very few hybrid car manufacturers are using the lithium ion battery as it's considered not yet ready for prime time. Re-colleck, the laptop fires of recent history. Pin the tail on the right donkey, "big" oil is responsible for the size of the US economy. Africa is just making deserts bigger by burning wood.

You watch too many movies. There have been a few that have had problems - like the Crown Vic that all the police used to drive. But even with them, it was rare that a collision caused a fuel fire. I'd actually prefer a fuel fire - you know that if there's smoke coming out, time to get the heck out and get away. Also, there may be some really toxic fumes when a battery burns, as opposed to gasoline that is mostly co2 and water.

I'm sure they'll get the problems figured out in the electric cars, but for now, they don't offer much of a savings, not in the energy required to produce them, nor the initial purchase cost. It's hard to beat good ol' gasoline engines.

AVIATOR DAVE; You forgot to mention the price to replace the battery every so often!

Shouldn't this be on the news more? They sure didn't waste a night bashing Toyota.

"The car had been subjected to a side-impact crash test more than three weeks earlier, on May 12, during which the battery was damaged and its coolant line ruptured."

If it takes you 3 weeks to get out of your car after an accident, chances are you are dead anyway! Fire at that point shouldn't be an issue. Besides, how many gasoline-powered cars catch fire IMMEDIATELY after an accident?

Two fires after serious test crashes, and foreign car owners and anti-GM people come out of the wordwork. These anti-GM people fail to realize that there is an 8 month wait to get one of these vehicles. It's new technology, and some people have the money to buy them. If you drive less than 40 miles per day, you won't use a drop of gas. If you go on extended trips, the gasoline generator kicks in to charge the lithium-ion pack. I am remember a day when Americans were proud that we lead the world in technology, and now they root for foreign companies. I wonder what country I live in most of the time.

The waiting list will shorten considerably if this story is factual, prospective buyers will bale out faster than Hindenburg passengers.

The Volt does not need any Flammable Incidents to prove it is nothing but an over-hyped; over-priced Dud.

Research Fairbanks, Alaska ; and guess how many Volts they sell up there?

I mean; really; just how practical is this so-called modern-marvel of Technology?

Oh the anti-science, anti-intelligence, anti-progress crowd is out I see.

Same people that scoffed at nerds using personal computers. Then it was the cell phone. Then radial tires. Then cars with fuel injection. Then anti-lock brakes. Then microwave ovens.

And now it is hybrid automobiles.

Same people or should I say dinosaurs.

.

Bob, thanks for pointing out the hypocrisy in the reporting of this compared to the reporting of Toyota's issues. I was hoping someone would mention it. I'm sorry to say, but I'd take a Toyota over a GM any day of the week.

United States

This is not some "big oil" conspiracy. Chevy made an electric car that ONLY goes 40 miles between recharging with a know problematic battery. The lithium-ion battery has been know for years to cause fires from overheating in laptop batteries. Of course it would catch fire in a crash. But if it does, that is reason enough to pull it from the market. Ever hear of the Ford Pinto? The gas tank could explode upon impact if hit just as a fender bender from behind. The Chevy Corvair gas chamber and impaling steering wheel? A possible high mph isn't worth it. Any product that causes an increased chance of death should be pulled. I don't understand, anyway, why people would spend the money on a product that is clearly a dud. If it only goes 40 miles between charges, it is only good for short in town errands or close to home jobs on electricity. In gas powered mode, the Volt will get about 50 mph, but there again, is the battery styling. $40,000 before the tax credit is a ridiculous amount to pay for a door stop.

If it only goes 40 miles between charges, it is only good for short in town errands or close to home jobs on electricity. In gas powered mode, the Volt will get about 50 mph, but there again, is the battery styling. $40,000 before the tax credit is a ridiculous amount to pay for a door stop.

40 miles on one charge of electricity AND another 350 miles on gasoline, total range 390 miles. It's a plug-in hybrid and uses both. The advantage is, the per-mile cost of electricity is much less than gasoline, and the average daily drive is less than 40 miles, so most drivers will recharge every night at home and go months and thousands of miles without having to refill the 9 gallon tank. Yet it can go further whenever needed.

Top speed in either electric or gas modes is 120 mph, just like most cars on the road.

Agreed, the cost is high, but new technology usually starts with a high price, then price declines with improvements in design and manufacturing. The same should apply to plug-in vehicles. The Volt is by no means the most expensive car on the road, there are several that cost more and provide less. Some people pay much more for for cars with far worse fuel economy.

How good is a car that runs only forty miles of a 360 mile trip? Sounds more like putting bicycle pedals on a Corvette to save gas. GM isn't called Government Motors for no reason, as private industry will produce an electric vehicle only when market research proves it will sell profitably, or project to sell profitably.

UnitedStates1776 "How about this Big Oil (who is obviously behind these complaints), let's crash some cars and see how many gas tank fires there are."

No need - There are already tens of thousands of them every year - apparently with few problems.

If it is so great, why do I have to hand you $7500 for YOU to buy one?

What a complete scam. Taxpayers pay $7500 to the buyer, and thousands more to the manufacturer.

And if you get in a wreck, then drive your car home - what a joy it will be to know that at any moment - up to weeks later - your garage could catch fire and burn down your entire house.

I'm guessing the environuts will be happy a diesel powered firetruck shows up to save their lives.

Ryan in Texas "And if you get in a wreck, then drive your car home - what a joy it will be to know that at any moment - up to weeks later - your garage could catch fire and burn down your entire house...I'm guessing the environuts will be happy a diesel powered firetruck shows up to save their lives."

If you're fortunate to survive. If you sleep upstairs, the bottom floor may be totally engulfed in flames by the time you wake up. Remember, this is a Hybrid - have you seen what happens when a big fire explodes the gas tank?

@ Dasvet, Private industry is already producing an all electric vehicle that out drives any major auto manufacturer, it has a 300 mile per charge range. Their prices are kinda steep, but when they are years ahead of all of the major manufacturers they need to make a profit somewhere.

Check out Tesla motors, They are gaining momentum in the all electric automotive world.

Anywho

I don't doubt that eventually electric cars will be common on the road but they can't compete in price. A baseline Tesla model S has an estimated base price of around $50,000 and to get the 300 mile range you need to tack on another $20,000. Add the fact that you have to put down $5000 minimum to reserve one, it's not for the average consumer.

Also, their service centers are far and few between. Get outside the major metro areas and you don't have service support.

It's a neat company and they have a great product. It's just not ready for primetime yet.

Remember, this is a Hybrid - have you seen what happens when a big fire explodes the gas tank?

HAHAHA, HAVE YOU? I do fire tests on this stuff, they DO NOT EXPLODE, haven't for decades. You get a drip and an increase in burn rate as the fuel burns as it falls out of the gas tank. HOLLYWOOD says they explode, you know the evil lefty conspiracy machine. Look up the mythbusters, only way they got it was with a half full fuel tank and an incendiary loaded mini-gun.

Want to see a real hazard that will burn you to death in your sleep? Knowing your probably a die hard christian how's that tree looking? That'll take the flashover from minutes to seconds in that room. If you don't think that's important, look how long it takes you to get out of your house AFTER being alerted... now reduce that window of opportunity by 10.

John, we can hope by supporting this great american company that it will grow big enough to give a large network of support, and cheaper and cheaper cars (or actual competitors, or the big companies will get their act together). Besides, except for the most extreme maintenance you can probably get it worked at your local mechanics (not that you need anything but a tire alignment since you don't need oil changes and the other maintenance work).

Not some Big Oil Conspiracy? Then why is Big Oil spending billions on lobbyists to stop any solar energy from growing in this country? Anywhere but Texas you see the growth of solar. Anywhere but Texas, you see people driving smaller vehicles. Must be the double asses in that state that can't fit into a normal size vehicles so they have to buy huge Bully Boi trucks they stupidly believe "intimidate" everyone else on the roads.

There were trouble with Toyotas only a year ago. Next on the Big Oil Hit list?

Anywhere but Texas you see the growth of solar.

Yes, Right here in NJ they have cut down and cleared out productive apple orchards just so Seimens could put in solar panel farms, Now which do think is better for the enviornment, A field of apple trees or a bunch of ugly solar panels and which do you think has a longer life span and does not impact the enviornment, Yep...the apple orchard wins there too.

ewent, Obama is sacrificing ten thousand jobs in the upper midwest fighting the"Big Oil" crude oil pipeline. "One man's lobbyist is another man's advocacy group". What are the turtles going to do with the destruction of their trails because of solar panel fields? And pity the poor bug that hits your windshield.

ewent - Texas is the number one wind energy producer.

Using latest accurate Gov't figures from 2008:

Texas produces 16,225,022 Thousand Kilowatt Hours of Electricity by Wind.

California(#2) produces 5,384,955.

Yes, Texas produces 3 TIMES the amount of wind power of the next biggest producing state.

And yes, Texas produces a large amount of solar, but it's not cost effective at this time.

And if you consider that Texas has very little hydroelectric power, and remove hydro electric power from the equation - then Texas is the #2 total renewable energy state.

So did big oil suppress renewable energy in Texas? What other conspiracy theories do you have today?

Ewent - you are so consistently wrong on the facts - and your liberal talking points are wearing thin.

It's time for you to do a little research. Go read a few books on the subject. Or at least stop drinking the kool-aide for a while. You will be surprised what you can understand with a clear head.

I know you have been hooked for a long time, and there may be some withdrawal symptoms as you re-enter the real world - but help is out there.

For everyone else: you can check my figures at www.eia.gov

American made and the best cars out there! The volt was a crappy method of trying to look progressive but shilling for big oil.

Tesla Model S isnt even out first off. Second it will cost way more than $50k. Third its not even a 4 seater vehicle. Five IT USES A SIMILAR BATTERY AS THE VOLT DOES!

Thenewstoday the battery wont cost $5,000 to replace in 4 ot 5 years because #1 the battery has a warranty greater than 4 years and in 5 years when the battery plant is making 100,000 of these a year the price will be minimal. Less to replace a battery than to replace an engine. OOOOOOHHHHHH bet you didnt think about how much it costs to replace an engine did ya?

Disconnection of the main battery or battery pack needs to be part of a post crash checklist performed on EV's and parallel hybrids. It is not that big a deal, if tow truck drivers,impound lots and collision centers are aware of the procedure, but there is additional danger when these high amperage batteries are involved in collisions and it will have to be addressed. The manufacturers will need to come up with a collision disconnect as these high tech vehicles are further developed, and that absolutely includes the Tesla Model S.

The Tesla goes from 0 to 60 in 4 seconds. And it keeps going once it hits 60 because it has no transmission.

Yeah a battery is more expensive than an engine, but is it more expensive than an engine, a transmission, an alternator, a distributor, a turbocharger, a radiator, a water pump, an oil pump, a fuel pump, a fuel injector, plus the routine costs of an air filter, oil, an oil filter, engine coolant, belts, and those lousy lead acid batteries.

Gasoline cars have thousands of parts to make it go. An electric vehicle is so simple compared to that. It could bring back the ability of people to fix their own cars.

We'll see if that is the case or not? The Volt got 2011 Car of the Year and came in number 1 at the Detroit Auto Show. You naysayers need to stop into a Chevy dealer and take one for a ride before you spout off.

Attn:NineT930thTA, #1 as mentioned... "out this summer" - its not OUT yet cuz they are perfecting it for production use! Point moot. #2 The roadster costs around 100K, the Model S (yes, not out YET, see above...) is designed for the 50K range depending on your options... #3 correct! its not a '4' seater, its a FIVE SEATER (with extra room under the hood where there is NO gas engine...) #4 while I can't be sure, (proprietary info..makes you wonder where YOU got YOUR info...) I can be pretty certain that they wouldn't 'use the same or 'similar' battery technology as the feeble volt, why commit suicide along with GM if you don't have to? and #5, well, you didn't come up with a number FIVE since you miscalculated...do you working for GM? hehehe There were only FOUR 'examples' mentioned, which are/were easily refuted. Try again.

I must assume that 'thenewstoday' is a response to NineT930thTA since that response bolsters the case for the future of the Tesla Battery technology and lack of 'nuts/bolts/hoses/valves' and ancillary mechanics affiliated with ICE technology. Thanks 'thenewstoday'!

The technology for batteries is limited because you can't defy physics. The material used to store the energy can only store so much. They can tweak it and refine it but it can still only store so much. No matter how much people would like to believe that to be different, there's is only so much they can do with current technologies.

I find it interesting, the very people who blame big oil and tell us to save the earth are not buying these cars. Business operates on demand. If there is a need, people will buy. If you're a greenie, put your money where your mouth is, buy a electric car or shut up.

Are they going to build more coal fire plants and build extremely expensive wind generators to supply the electric demand?

For those conspiracy theorist suggesting this is some sort of "big oil" collusion to destroy the electric car industry? Where's your evidence? You're starting to sound like a birther.

$50k? Please... I can get a maxed-out Shelby for 47...

Tesla Model S isnt even out first off. Second it will cost way more than $50k. Third its not even a 4 seater vehicle.

A bit of confusion out there. The Tesla Roadster has been out for several years, is a 2 seater, and costs over $100,000. The Tesla Model S is the 2nd model, it goes into production next year, it seats 5 adults and 2 children (Technically thats not a "4 seater" LOL) with a $50k starting price . Granted, with options and extras the price can go way up - but isn't that true with almost all cars? BTW, the first years production of the Model S is already sold out.

Isn't it funny how in Europe, electric vehicles are driven everywhere but in the US? Only the wild west Texas cowboys do all they can to insure the rest of the country keeps their state fat, rich and pumping oil in everyone's backyard till not a drop is left.

Figures. Oil soaked brains can't be expected to function without catching fire either.

ewent, it is 300 miles across Germany, north or south. I think that has a little to do with trying to compare Europe and the US, wouldn't one think?

bentbrass, the reason battery technology is so new is because big oil owns almost ALL the patents and refuses to let anyone make advanced batteries. People have to continuously go back to the drawing board to reinvent batteries so they don't get sued.

this is no conspiracy theory, watch "Who killed the electric car" or read about it and you'll understand why in the 90s we had EV's that went 100+ miles on a charge and beloved by everyone... yet they aren't around. Waiting lists for new ones got thrown out, and the old cars were literally TAKEN from paying customers who wanted to PAY more money for the cars. How else do you explain a company looking a customer willing to pay MORE and MORE for a product and instead spending money to stop that customer from having that product.

ewent, it is 300 miles across Germany, north or south. I think that has a little to do with trying to compare Europe and the US, wouldn't one think?

A lot of americans never leave their home state, nevertheless drive cross country. We can easily fix this with battery switching or stopping for the night to sleep while our car charges.

Hugin thanks for the suggestion. I'll take a look at the movie and spent some time reading about the patent situation. There were bigger problems than the NiMH battery. First, the battery technology was available early on during the program. Regardless of the battery, the biggest problem was there was little to no infrastructure for the cars. There was little to no public interest in purchasing the vehicles either. These problems continue today.

Aye, it is an issue that not EVERYONE wants one, but there were waiting lists, there were people begging to have the cars they were driving already. You make good points, and its the reason they haven't taken over, but they are mere speed bumps.

It needs an infrastructure, true, completely true. So do hydrogen cars, and so did gas cars when they started up. I think we won't see the last of this for a long time, there's a section of our public that WANT this, and that will grow as gas prices shoot up, infrastructure will come as the sales come (people are resisting the changes, but being able to make money by being the only person setting it up is going to look too good one day, then competition). In the last 20 years we've gone from one company offering it and forcefully removing it from sales, and now we have 4+ BIG manufacturers take up the mantle plus a few dedicated companies expanding exponentially (selling out the first year of production before even releasing the car? Wow!).

After a crash, can you imagine the driver attending to the carmaker's protocols for draining the fuel tank?

If your neighbor buys one, then that's his business and he's a patriotic American standing by an American company. Maybe, he should tell you to junk your sudden-accelerating Toyota...

Lol...I've owned 3 Toyotas (one of which lived to the 450k mile mark). All 3 of them only required regular maintenance, never had any major mechanical failures or malfunctions. In comparison the 3 GMs I owned all crapped out at or prior to the 80k mile mark. Which manufacturer is the one making the cars that should be slated for junking???

BTW...how would you feel about driving the HHR, which is build in good ol' MEXICO? That's really patriotic, I'm sure.

I have personally witnessed 3 car fires, two involving leaking gasoline and one involving a seized bearing and burned fan belt. None were involved in an accident (other than the fires).

This is a lone case in one out of several crash test cars - rare, and hardly usual. One freak accident doesn't make them into "a rolling fire-trap"

I honestly don't get the ire that people have for EV's. Maybe it's just that they don't like environmentalists and try to justify that dislike by blaming the vehicles.

Bottom line, the volt is junk and a failure. Hopefully this is the end of Obama Motors. They never should have been bailed out. I hope they do fail and hundreds of thousands lose their jobs. At least that will stop the feds from doing this in the future.

Buy Ford / Lincoln like real Americans,

One thing you'll never see in Texas or Alaska....charging stations. They just built a $3 million solar roof on a large manufacturing facility here in NJ. Another thing you'll never see outside the state that wants to secede.

Keep on drilling so we call all keep on paying for the spills. Not bad enough Bush saddled us with 50% of the cost of the Exxon Valdez spill is it? How much is the BP spill going to cost us when Big Oil realizes it will lose profit...ooooh ooooh ....can't afford for Big Oil to lose a dime in profit can we? Gotta keep paying all those taxes for all those Big Oil subsidies for the rest of the millennium...anything to keep Texas afloat.

Eeeew,

Another great rant! LOLOL! Little substance but fun to laugh at! LMFAO!

Liberals! God love em!

First off, whatever happened to all the intelligent conservatives? The clowns on here sound like they've got straw dangling from their lips, bare feet, and a horse underneath their ass. Used to be conservatives were educated, intelligent and fairly..., well, "conservative". Most so-called "conservatives" these days sound pretty outrageous to me. Whatever happened to the Bob Doles of the GOP? I disagreed with THEM, too, but at least I could listen to and respect their opinions. Not with the current crop, though.

The Volt was hatched while Bush was prez, by the way. The earliest notion of the concept that became the Volt goes back to the Clinton days, I'm sure. I think it would be great if Obama could take credit for the Volt, fires and all, but it simply isn't true. The only reason the feds had anything to do with GM was because they were so mismanaged. These same idiot conservatives on here would be calling Obama "un-American" if he had just let GM go down.

The Volt is a safe and powerful vehicle, fun to drive. It'll pretty much snap your neck off the line from the torque of the electric motor. It just doesn't pollute much, and sure, if you're in a major wreck you'll need to replace the batteries, I guess. My GAWD! The HORROR! What a FIASCO!

Damn Chinese junk.

its actually a LG lithium ion battery thats made in korea , but LG also will make them right here in america. any lithium battery must be protected from mosture , lithium reacts with moisture and water.the gov't didn't follow common sense by protecting the crashcar from the elements and it was soaked in antifreeze wich contains water,and the rolling fog that soaked the car before it burst into flames, it should have been discharged or removed if it was damaged

It happened in the battery pack, so people blame the whole car and Obama. I amazed at the uneducated quotes on this board.

Obama is a one-term prez and the worst in US history. Hopefully the next prez will stay out of the car manufacturing business. We are capitalists. Let capitalism reign.

Liberals!! God love em! LMFAO!!

Obama is a two term president no matter how many bigots in red states eat their shorts. He's already 6 points ahead of Romney whom no Bible Thumper will vote for...So...who've you got? Slick Rick? Yeah right. Like anyone above the Mason Dixon line will vote for another Texan in this lifetime.

The next president is President Obama because Repubbos haven't got anyone to put out there.

eeeew,

Nice rant hon!

Liberals! LMFAO!!

Red Neckelson - blatant ignorance!

Tom Chevy considering the battery pack is the entire point of the car, having fires should be a major concern. Current technology is leaning toward high density lithium based batteries. It is essentially the same batteries used in laptops and cell phones. We've certainly heard of the troubles with fires in those and they are much smaller.

I would love to see electric car technology advance to the point that it equals or surpasses combustion engines. In order for advances in this technology to move forward, there has to be demand. If you're preaching the virtues of going green and haven't bought an electric vehicle, you're akin to a televangelist in my book.

The battery is securely mounted, it would need a really major crash to "dislodge the battery" - the type of crash that would "dislodge the engine and transmission" in a regular car. In short, the type of crash that tends to dismantle any type of car.

Batteries dislodge in gas powered cars. Ask anyone who has an SUV gas guzzler in those famous rollovers.

At your house?

I really wish these morons that use every article to let us know how much they hate Obama would take their ignorance somewhere else.(stupid is, stupid says)

As any new technology, the performance and cost will improve with time.

Mister Physics will not allow batteries to store more energy...you also cant make computer chips smaller and faster, oh wait, those claims were proven wrong many times.

We're nowhere near the actual chemical limits of battery technology, newer types of batteries that can store 2 to 10 times more energy per kilogram than today's LiIon batteries have already been demonstrated in the lab. Given a few years for research, testing and development, and we could be seeing electric cars with 500 mile or more range per charge.

big mac...That's what is POing the rest of us. Just because these selfish, self-important ingrates don't like this president, we are all supposed to hate him? For what? They've been at this now since the ink dried on his oath of office.

They detest progress and their only answer is to take this country "back"...So what the hell are they doing driving those bull nosed Bully bois trucks for? Shouldn't they be driving horse and buggies? This is how hypocritical they are.

Can you imagine a country where the most ignorant lead the most educated for no reason other than that the ignorant can't stand progress?

Really? 2 fires so far when they were purposely manipulated to create a fire and sales over 30,000 so far. I love your math though it is flawed badly.

If you took a car crashed it then tipped it up on the front end so the gas tank was up in the air I bet you more car fires would happen. Funny how the NHTSA gave it a top safety pick and 5 star crash test ratings.

What I would like to know is why wouldnt the car be fixed 3 weeks after an accident to where a fire would be nothing to worry about? Would you get into an accident and leave your vehicle mashed for several weeks?

No?

Yeah me neither. Makes you wonder about the test and its accuracy.

Would you like to blame WWII on him as well, i hate people who spend more time trying to make clever comments than they do on their own education.

You are an idiot! It is obvious that the Republicans are to blame for this mess. They are slippery and evil and have obviously brainwashed you. Either that or you are sleeping with George Bush...you sicko!

Rudy don't waste your breath. This guy clearly lacks the education to know whats going on in the world and your not going to change that with one paragraph.

Atta boy Alan...spew more totally irrelevant hatred. I bet you get a chubby when you pay for gas at the prices that Bush help establish (so his family could get filthy rich).

I think someone needs some milk and cookies. Now stay on topic!

Alan take your HORSE and BUGGY back, I ain't going back there,NO,NO,NO,NO,NO,NO,NO,Get it!!!

The thing is Alan, if you look at the numbers, it would take Obama 16 years in office to damaqge the economy to the extent it took Bush only 8. In fact anyone who is honest would have to admit that there really isn't a lot that can be done by the time Bush got done making sure all of his neocon frainds cleaned up at the tax payers expense, and at the expense of a few thousand dead US soldiers. Which is not to hold Obama blameless, just pointing out that your sniveling little hypocrite and nothing more.

Alan-1380274

Great comment, love it.

I also love Obama's comment regarding the automatic spending cuts enacted by his super committee's failure and any congressional efforts to strike them down. He said he would veto anything that comes across his desk. I found that statement to be both laughable and presumptuous. After all the cuts don't take effect until 2013 and seeing as he won't be the President in 2013 he won't be vetoing anything, except Michelle's next expensive vacation plans!

Obama is a lot better president than Bush ever was. Any president has a hard time recharging an economy. There isn't much any president can do execpt talk smart like the GOP. I'm still pissed what the damn Republicans did to the economy so their buddies on K street.

The US auto makers are not "owned" by the govt, but repaid all the monies they received PLUS interest.

The US taxpayer got their money's worth, unlike the money the BANKS received under the Bush administration's TARP program. That money is GONE and the US taxpayer will NEVER see the money or the returns they did with the US automakers.

Way to go Alan, you have just shown the rest of the world how ignorant you truely are. The concept for this particular vehicle was introduced in January of 2007 at the North American International Auto Show. This puts it in the Bush administration, but no president tells an automobile manufacturer what they can or cannot build... period!

Alan, do you comment without thinking much? As I recall, the big 3 were begging for help when G. Bush was in office, not Obama. I know you also blame him for the Iraq war and the recession too huh?

Some of you right wingers have a very selective memory...

Back on topic, I wouldn't expect a car simulating a sideswipe of a tree and a roll over to have safe batteries after a crash like that. Had the story revealed problems with fires caused by fender benders, I'd be concerned.

bush lover...some people should not drink kool-aid while watching fox news because they would never let facts get in the way of a good lie.Even fox says most of their reporting is not news but entertainment.

P.S. I love bush also

Obama Motors going up in flames

There is no "Obama Motors". Sounds like a little history lesson is called for.

The Volt project started in 2006, with the first concept prototype shown in January 2007. That was long before Obama became President, and even before he became Senator. It normally takes 4 to 5 years for a new model to be developed, so it was a mere coincidence that sales started during President Obama's first term in office. Obama has been selling the Government shares of GM, returning it to private ownership - and turning a profit for the Government in the process.

The GM "bailout" was legislation signed by President Bush Jr. before he left office, then turned over to his successor to carry out. The "$7,500 tax rebate" is from a law supported by Republicans and signed by Bush.

Bush was a liberal who spent too much as well. Seems like you libbies think in the democrat / republican sense while we think in liberal / conservative sense.

But it's amusing when your boy obama is attacked you immediately start with: "Well, Bush did it!" LMFAO! I remember in my college debate class that when this happens, you won the debate.

Liberals! God love em!! LMFAO!!

Bush was a tush who couldn't form words but what can you expect from a Texas wannabee? Now every card carrying Texan wants that four letter word "BUSH" expunged from memory like they want us to forget the billions their Halliburton earned from Iraq and the billions their Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling stole in their hotcha Enronitis days.

Conservatives...who can love 'em. Too ignernt to make sense. Now ask them how many of their flashlight batteries are lithium...theses asses can't read so how would they even know?

Blah, blah, still towing divisive party lines when both Repubs and Dems are just as crooked as the other. Insider trading, land deals and lobbyist perks$.

Most of you are chomping at the bit calling ech other names while your masters are wining and dining together behind closed doors laughing at your ignorance.

Yeah that will really help the United States. The thing is assembled in Mexico, the engine is built in Mexico and the profits go back to Germany. Care to share how this car helps America in any way shape or form?

If you people keep driving foreign, that's all will be left are foreign brands and the only thing we will make here is a little bit of food and beer.

MMMM BEER!

The beer brought in from Germany is better, too ...

i like beer...

Riquall:

What? No!

America's craft brew industry produces thousands of beers that are better than anything imported from Germany. Our piss-swill brands are modeled on German Beers. Does Budweiser not sound German to you?

OP Mark. F the TDI. Overly complicated, heavy, slow, unreliable. The mileage numbers look impressive, but at what cost? Even VW lovers primarily buy gas-powered cars because it takes 10 freakin' years to make up the price difference for the TDI option.

"Budweiser" was a ripoff by Anhaueser-Busch of the the famous Czech beer, Budweiser Urquell ("Puresource") because they knew it was unlikely that they would defend their famous (in Europe) trademark across the ocean in the U.S. long ago. Now that Europe has a high degree of economic unification, the U.S. version can only be sold there as "Bud" (what most of us call it anyway) but not "Budweiser". Most U.S. brewery were founded by people of German extraction, but the bulk of them took shortcuts not allowed under German law, like using grains other than barely malt, to keep costs down and under the often-correct assumption that most Americans had no idea what really good beer tasted like anyway and were only drinking it for the alcohol content.

Likewise, many Americans have no concept of what a really road-responsive, well-handling car drives like, and many don't care. Just as there are some really good American beers, there are occasionally some really good American cars, but they are not always the ones found at the top of the list of most popular models, anymore than the best-selling beers are the best-tasting ones.

go ford they are miles ahead of gm, american made and didnt take any bailouts.

Well GM didnt have cars that wouldnt stop because their floor mats werent designed properly causing their cars to crash and kill the drivers.

Funny thing about Toyota getting the bad press is they kept blaming everyone but themselves. Sad how youre not smart enough to realize they are saying the people that buy ONLY THEIR CARS (seeing how only their drivers were crashing and dying) are soo stupid they dont know how to operate a motor vehicle. Their engine sludge issues were because their customers changed the oil too much. And their gas tanks were falling out of their trucks because people didnt dry the frames off after driving in rain. See a pattern here how everything is everyone elses fault and never theirs. They think their customers are stupid and if you buy a Toyota I guess they have a valid claim that you have to be pretty stupid.

Care to explain how thats a great company? Toyota has no honor. Their cars are junk, even more so if they cant even design a floor mat properly to work with their gas pedal. Seems basic engineering right there. LMAO.

Why don't you move to Japan if you like their products so much? Toyota has had over 15 million recalls in the last 3 years. I guess you haven't been following the news. What about the thousands of complaints and accidents due to sudden acceleration Toyotas? How about all the recalls have had in the last few years, and their customers protesting dealerships for not getting proper treatment. You foreign car owners will do anything to justify your car purchases.

There so many sudden acceleration claims against that it wasn't funny. But as soon as federal officals started investigating the acceleration claims, they suddenly stopped. Then there was the professor that crossed wires and made the Toyota accelerate. That could be done to any car. My truck frame had rust problems and I have been treated really great in taking care of the problems. Ford and GM have killed thousands of people and still never admitted a mistake. Ford and GM have a lot of problems, just look for them on the net. GM has a big sludge problem. I buy American Toyotas not foreign made GM products.

Men of America: grow some fricken' balls!

I'm talkin' to you Dan-4536159, since you're not the only one, but you inspired this post.

Obviously you are an enthusiast, but you've comprimised that experience for a half-assed version of a real transmission. Yes, paddles are more fun than traditonal automatics, but they can't compare the direct feeling and control given by a true manual transmission.

Men have given the buying-decision power the the vaginas. Now, to be fair, I've met girls that love to drive a stick, and some do so better than I do, but the autos have taken over because the fairer sex has decided the car is another appliance and should be easy to use.

If the men of America would make the buying decisions, then the manuals wouldn't be going away (why can't I buy a Mazda 3 Skyactiv w/ every option and a six speed manual?!!!), and GM would still be doing fine. Instead, the roads are dominated by schoolmarm cars. Only emasculated men drive Camrys. Hell, the Volt is a damn hybrid and it's more manly than most Toyotas.

Man up. What's to lose? Oh, your wife won't put out if you do that? Find a mistress.

Real men can shift their own gears. Mom told me not to be shiftless, so I'm not!

GM didn't deceive anyone. The story indicates that GM has a crash protocol for the batteries, just as everyone does for gasoline powered engines. At least this car won't catch fire immediately after an accident, like gas powered cars can.

This issue affects junk yards and repair shops more than it does the vehicle owner, as I don't know many people that have wrecked cars towed straight home...

I don't know many people that have wrecked cars towed straight home ...

Don't live out in the country, do you?

the complaint appears to be that it was "smoking" and thats it... big hubub over nothing actually happening, this thing isn't exploding in a fireball...

If the car was smoking, then that was the problem that they had with it. They are just trying to stamp smoking the rest of the way out, and if you let cars keep doing it, then more kids will start.

Nice insult Ken, I'm a HANDOUTER, oh god, oh no, some nameless guy on the internet supposes that, without knowing a thing about me, I'm some homeless guy in a mcdonalds wifi spot begging for change. WHAT WILL I DO?!

Smoking is important, but its not flaming combustion. There is a distinct difference between a few fumes coming off and steady heat release causing a fire. At most this requires better care after an accident (in the WEEKS after a crash it should be checked out, repaired, or even replaced), at most this POS car needs to be off the market so REAL car makers can step in an make a decent car. I wouldn't park them in my garage because GM is a 2 bit car company with crap management that makes HORRID decisions and holds down the market.

I love you Riquall.

What protocol is that ^ this end up ^.

A car with a full fuel tank that isn't drained could do the same thing weeks or months later. Imagine a small leak and a spark from the (regular) battery. This kind of thing has happened before and is why when a car is wrecked, the fuel tank would be drained.

The same thing needs to be done for the primary energy storage system of an electric car- the batteries. It's not hard to do and renders it safe, just as draining a fuel tank renders it safe from a gasoline fire.

For the same reason that draining the gas tank isn't.

There are two simple ways to completely isolate the Volt battery. You can pull out a plug in the console behind the coffee holders or you can cut one 12V wire in the trunk. The testers did neither and it still took three weeks to get a fire.

Now tell me how to easily and safely drain the gasoline out of a conventional car.

For some reason I'm affraid my electric bill will go up if I have one or not!

If you had 3 test cars, and 1 burst into flames, that would be 33% - and statistically irrelevant. But even that figure is wrong, there were more than 3 crash test cars, and still only 1 fire - weeks after the crash!

There were two other Volts involved in fires, but neither one was caused by the car, so those accidents don't count.

Around here the bulk of all electric power is generated by coal; in Kentucky it's like 98%, so in some of the country an electric car is essentially a coal-powered car with a hazardous battery.

First off, there are many sources of electricity, all locally produced, none imported from hostile nations.

Secondly, LiIon batteries are not particularly toxic, they don't contain sulfuric acid or lead the way the batteries in gassers and diesels do.

Third, most daily driving is less than 40 miles, and the Volt can go an additional 350 miles on gasoline whenever necessary.

Fourth, fossil fueled power plants have large efficiency boosting devices, so they get much better efficiency than cars do. Combined with the high efficiency of the grid, batteries and electric motors, and plug-in cars end up more efficient and produce less pollution and CO2, even when powered by coal.

Drive a Volt before you run your mouth about something you know nothing of. The Volt rides better than any Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Acura, or Lexus. Its quieter than any Rolls Royce or Bentley (not that you will ever get the chance to ride in either of those cars.) Its performance is better than any mid size car on the road.

Drive one and you will be blown away.

NineT930thTA,

The rightie naysayers are out in force today! The Volt is a very nice vehicle. But too many people declared it a failure long before it was available because the don't want to see it succeed for a variety of different reasons.

The article notes that no real life fires associated with actual accidents have occurred. It shouldn't take a genius to understand that the battery holds an enormous amount of energy. In all likelihood, the battery is fully charged at the time of crash testing. When shorts and electrical damage occurs in an accident, it is reasonable to assume the battery will begin dissipating it's energy. "Leaking" power is really not much different than leaking gasoline. It needs to be stopped and contained after an accident. If a gas tank were leaking, they wouldn't just store it without addressing the leak. The battery needs to be treated in much the same way.

Demand for the Volt exceeds the supply. Chevy has just started allowing dealers to sell the demonstration models because of demand. That's just the fact, contrary to what some of these posts are claiming. I am sure some of these trolls are just shills out to hurt the electric vehicle development and anti GM folks. They don't know what they are talking about.

Like any new technology, the initial price will be high and there will be some issues as it goes through growing pains. This is the technology of the future and it is available today, albeit in limited quantities. Anyone who drives one for just a day will be impressed. The Volt, as it is today, may not fit everyone's needs, but it does fit a large niche. GM took all that into consideration. Smaller, lighter electrics may get a bit better range and larger heavier luxury type vehicles would have more limitations, but that will change over time and these cars will fit a much wider spectrum of drivers. And prices will begin to come down over time.

If you don't want one, don't buy it. If you do want one, be prepared to wait for it at least for now.

Ahhh yes; I see the Regressive Party is out in force on this thread. Your Luddite grandfathers also railed against THE BEAST MACHINES THAT FLY IN THE AIR after the first commercial plane crash too.

History is not on your side, Republican'ts; perhaps that's why you keep trying to rewrite it.