Chevy Volt factory closing temporarily to make more malibus.

[Soul Crusher]

GM Shuts Down Volt Plant to Prepare for New Malibu, Increase Production
Motortrend ^ | 19 May 2011 | Jason Udy
Posted on May 19, 2011 4:35:01 PM EDT by smokingfrog

General Motors plans to temporarily shut down its Detroit-Hamtramck plant for four weeks, starting in June, to prepare for increased production of the Chevrolet Volt and the export version, the Opel Ampera. They also plan to reconfigure the plant to build the upcoming 2013 Chevy Malibu.

Planned upgrades to the plant include installing new tools, equipment and overhead conveyer systems which all add up to increased production of the Volt and Ampera. After the plant reopens GM will still be working on changes for the upcoming production of the 2013 Malibu.

The planned closure will temporarily reduce the already limited supply of Volts on dealer lots over the next three months, but it is expected to increase the supply to fulfill the demand long-term. The Volt has only been available in California, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C. at this time.

When production resumes “The Volt will be available to customers nationwide by the end of 2011,” said Cristi Landy, director of Chevrolet Volt Marketing. “By taking the time to reconfigure the plant, we will be better able to meet the tremendous consumer demand.”

GM will begin exporting the Volt and Ampera to Europe and China once the plant is back online with increased production. GM expects a production capacity of 16,000 cars including exports and demo cars for U.S. dealers. By 2012 GM expects global production to be at 60,000 with three-fourths of those sold right here in the U.S.

Production of the new 2013 Malibu will begin next year once all of the upgrades have been completed. The Detroit-Hamtramck plant is ramping down production of the Cadillac DTS and Buick Lucerne after discontinuing the manufacture of the Northstar engine.

(Excerpt) Read more at wot.motortrend.com ...

[Soul Crusher]

I read the volt will have awful residual value. 

[Purge_WTF]

  I've heard that getting replacement parts for car like that takes some time, too.

[tu_holmes]

Electric Cars suck.

That is all.

[MCWAY]

GM Shuts Down Volt Plant to Prepare for New Malibu, Increase Production
Motortrend ^ | 19 May 2011 | Jason Udy
Posted on May 19, 2011 4:35:01 PM EDT by smokingfrog

General Motors plans to temporarily shut down its Detroit-Hamtramck plant for four weeks, starting in June, to prepare for increased production of the Chevrolet Volt and the export version, the Opel Ampera. They also plan to reconfigure the plant to build the upcoming 2013 Chevy Malibu.

Planned upgrades to the plant include installing new tools, equipment and overhead conveyer systems which all add up to increased production of the Volt and Ampera. After the plant reopens GM will still be working on changes for the upcoming production of the 2013 Malibu.

The planned closure will temporarily reduce the already limited supply of Volts on dealer lots over the next three months, but it is expected to increase the supply to fulfill the demand long-term. The Volt has only been available in California, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C. at this time.

When production resumes “The Volt will be available to customers nationwide by the end of 2011,” said Cristi Landy, director of Chevrolet Volt Marketing. “By taking the time to reconfigure the plant, we will be better able to meet the tremendous consumer demand.”

GM will begin exporting the Volt and Ampera to Europe and China once the plant is back online with increased production. GM expects a production capacity of 16,000 cars including exports and demo cars for U.S. dealers. By 2012 GM expects global production to be at 60,000 with three-fourths of those sold right here in the U.S.

Production of the new 2013 Malibu will begin next year once all of the upgrades have been completed. The Detroit-Hamtramck plant is ramping down production of the Cadillac DTS and Buick Lucerne after discontinuing the manufacture of the Northstar engine.

(Excerpt) Read more at wot.motortrend.com ...

I heard on either Rush or Hannity, that Chevy has only sold abouy 1,700 Volts. IF that's correct, what a PATHETIC showing for this hunk of junk that Obama and his cronies tried to pimp to the nation.

People actually had their "clunkers" crushed for this?

[GigantorX]

GM Shuts Down Volt Plant to Prepare for New Malibu, Increase Production
Motortrend ^ | 19 May 2011 | Jason Udy
Posted on May 19, 2011 4:35:01 PM EDT by smokingfrog

General Motors plans to temporarily shut down its Detroit-Hamtramck plant for four weeks, starting in June, to prepare for increased production of the Chevrolet Volt and the export version, the Opel Ampera. They also plan to reconfigure the plant to build the upcoming 2013 Chevy Malibu.

Planned upgrades to the plant include installing new tools, equipment and overhead conveyer systems which all add up to increased production of the Volt and Ampera. After the plant reopens GM will still be working on changes for the upcoming production of the 2013 Malibu.

The planned closure will temporarily reduce the already limited supply of Volts on dealer lots over the next three months, but it is expected to increase the supply to fulfill the demand long-term. The Volt has only been available in California, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C. at this time.

When production resumes “The Volt will be available to customers nationwide by the end of 2011,” said Cristi Landy, director of Chevrolet Volt Marketing. “By taking the time to reconfigure the plant, we will be better able to meet the tremendous consumer demand.”

GM will begin exporting the Volt and Ampera to Europe and China once the plant is back online with increased production. GM expects a production capacity of 16,000 cars including exports and demo cars for U.S. dealers. By 2012 GM expects global production to be at 60,000 with three-fourths of those sold right here in the U.S.

Production of the new 2013 Malibu will begin next year once all of the upgrades have been completed. The Detroit-Hamtramck plant is ramping down production of the Cadillac DTS and Buick Lucerne after discontinuing the manufacture of the Northstar engine.

(Excerpt) Read more at wot.motortrend.com ...

The article doesn't prove out the aim of your thread. The plant is temporarily closing to:

a.)To tool up for 2013 Malibu production
b.)Prepare for increased Volt and Ampera production for up to 60k vehicles for domestic and export consumption.

And keep in mind that the Volt is only on sale in around 5-10 states and won't be available in all 50 until just after 2012 begins. It's also production limited, hence why GM is closing a production facility to tool up for increased production.

We've had this debate before and judging by the responses and posts in those threads....many posters are lacking in the knowledge department.

[Soul Crusher]

Didnt mean it to sound that way. 

Problem with the volt is pure dollars and cents and reliability. 

Who is going to spend 40k for that?  Niche buyers?  Of course.

However, why buy a volt when I can get a Honda Civic for far less that will run reliably for 200k miles plus and have good resale value?   

 

[MCWAY]

The article doesn't prove out the aim of your thread. The plant is temporarily closing to:

a.)To tool up for 2013 Malibu production
b.)Prepare for increased Volt and Ampera production for up to 60k vehicles for domestic and export consumption.

And keep in mind that the Volt is only on sale in around 5-10 states and won't be available in all 50 until just after 2012 begins. It's also production limited, hence why GM is closing a production facility to tool up for increased production.

We've had this debate before and judging by the responses and posts in those threads....many posters are lacking in the knowledge department.

But, selling only 1700 of them, even including the tree-hugging state of California, is PITIFUL.

[240 is Back]

first round of any new vehicle with a new technology is going to be super expensive, flawed, and tough to service.

will that change when it's available in 45 more states?  Sure it will.  it's a START.  taht's all that matters.  If you don't like early runs of ipads or cars, or computers, or anything, don't get it.  I don't.  But some people will be okay with the tradeoff.  And over time, it'll become cheaper and more efficient.

[Soul Crusher]

Its still a niche vehicle at best. 

I read yesterday re-sale is likely to be about 17k after 36 months.     

[GigantorX]

Didnt mean it to sound that way. 

Problem with the volt is pure dollars and cents and reliability. 

Who is going to spend 40k for that?  Niche buyers?  Of course.

However, why buy a volt when I can get a Honda Civic for far less that will run reliably for 200k miles plus and have good resale value?   

 

And I'm not totally disagreeing with you either. A full 50 state, multi-nation rollout + increased production will only lead to more volume which leads to a lower price. Gen2-Gen3 versions of the car roll-out in the next 5-7 years, the car gets lighter, cheaper, less complex and more capable. $4-5 gas helps too. Like you said, it's a numbers game. No one can predict the future but just 2 years ago the automobile press was saying that this car was vaporware and wouldn't see the light of day either.
The Volt itself will never sell as much as a Civic, but, in my opinion, it will end up selling in #'s that matter.

Plus the tech behind it was designed to be scalable and transferable so it could and most likely will get spread around to different platforms in the future.

And to MCWAY, 1700 cars to limited states isn't pitiful. The Volt is production limited at this point, hence the article above. They simply aren't available for people to buy.

Please know what you're talking about on the subject before you post anymore.

[MCWAY]

And I'm not totally disagreeing with you either. A full 50 state, multi-nation rollout + increased production will only lead to more volume which leads to a lower price. Gen2-Gen3 versions of the car roll-out in the next 5-7 years, the car gets lighter, cheaper, less complex and more capable. $4-5 gas helps too. Like you said, it's a numbers game. No one can predict the future but just 2 years ago the automobile press was saying that this car was vaporware and wouldn't see the light of day either.
The Volt itself will never sell as much as a Civic, but, in my opinion, it will end up selling in #'s that matter.

Plus the tech behind it was designed to be scalable and transferable so it could and most likely will get spread around to different platforms in the future.

And to MCWAY, 1700 cars to limited states isn't pitiful. The Volt is production limited at this point, hence the article above. They simply aren't available for people to buy.

The only reason this car is seeing the light of day is because the government is subsidizing it. Otherwise, the Volt would simply be the world's most expensive paperweight.

Please know what you're talking about on the subject before you post anymore.

People don't want them. If any other car that was sold in that many states, yet only managed to pawn off 1700 of them, it'd be labeled a flop....especially when that includes a state the SIZE of California (that's been pushing the "green" stuff for ages).

[225for70]

People don't want them. If any other car that was sold in that many states, yet only managed to pawn off 1700 of them, it'd be labeled a flop....especially when that includes a state the SIZE of California (that's been pushing the "green" stuff for ages).

If there was a big enough market for the piece of shit car..Even GM would find a way to meet that demand..

However, at the current pricing point it makes zero sense economically for consumers to purchase one..

Only true Rich "greenies" would buy them...

[kcballer]

Chevy making a comeback!  The new malibu is nice, the Cruze too.  About time they started bring their european cars over here. 

Volt will pick up.  No doubt about it!

[tu_holmes]

Electric Cars suck.

That is all.

Because it bears repeating.

[George Whorewell]

Chevy making a comeback!  The new malibu is nice, the Cruze too.  About time they started bring their european cars over here. 

Volt will pick up.  No doubt about it!

Yeah! Way to go! USA USA USA!!!!

 

[doison]

first round of any new vehicle with a new technology is going to be super expensive, flawed, and tough to service.

will that change when it's available in 45 more states?  Sure it will.  it's a START.  taht's all that matters.  If you don't like early runs of ipads or cars, or computers, or anything, don't get it.  I don't.  But some people will be okay with the tradeoff.  And over time, it'll become cheaper and more efficient.

Seriously?  That's all that matters?  

What kind of timeline for being a "finished" product are we looking at when all that matters initially is that "it's a START?"  How many generations of engineering design until this kind of "start" becomes a legitimate player in the auto industry?  It's certainly not going to be second generation....there needs to be major improvement in many areas before electric cars are a legitimate every day auto for the average person.

When the only thing that matters in the beginning is a "start;" when quantitative equivalency with the I.C. engine is viewed as a total non-issue, then be prepared for decades to pass before this turd sandwich of a "start" reaches any kind of legitimate finish.

[blacken700]

I heard on either Rush or Hannity, that Chevy has only sold abouy 1,700 Volts. IF that's correct, what a PATHETIC showing for this hunk of junk that Obama and his cronies tried to pimp to the nation.

People actually had their "clunkers" crushed for this?

 

[240 is Back]

it might be decades before a reasonably priced electric car becomes available.  Sure.

Volt generations 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and others may be overpriced, low value, and bought very slowly.

But over time, the design will improve, price will fall, etc.  I remember in the 1980s when when VCRs would cost $800 and they sucked.  Today they're $25 at Walmart and can do many more tasks.  (Assuming you don't want digital recording).

I'm sure people made fun of this silly technology in 1985.  "Who would pay $800 for something just to watch tv"... heck, wait a decade or two and they're dirt cheap and do ten times more. 

Electric cars may be the same way.

[tu_holmes]

it might be decades before a reasonably priced electric car becomes available.  Sure.

Volt generations 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and others may be overpriced, low value, and bought very slowly.

But over time, the design will improve, price will fall, etc.  I remember in the 1980s when when VCRs would cost $800 and they sucked.  Today they're $25 at Walmart and can do many more tasks.  (Assuming you don't want digital recording).

I'm sure people made fun of this silly technology in 1985.  "Who would pay $800 for something just to watch tv"... heck, wait a decade or two and they're dirt cheap and do ten times more. 

Electric cars may be the same way.

The technology that electric cars need to meet up with is simply the longevity of batteries... People like fast cars, and while the Tesla is fast and looks good, they can not be driven for long times or distances... ESPECIALLY at high speeds.

When electric cars can do that... then they will be better.

They also need to sound good... because that quiet engine shit is dangerous.

[240 is Back]

The technology that electric cars need to meet up with is simply the longevity of batteries... People like fast cars, and while the Tesla is fast and looks good, they can not be driven for long times or distances... ESPECIALLY at high speeds.
When electric cars can do that... then they will be better.
They also need to sound good... because that quiet engine shit is dangerous.

I know people 'like' fast cars.

But if/when gas moves up to 8 or 12 dollars a gallon (isn't it that high in europe already?) I bet we have a lot more college kids and elderly give up the gas guzzlers they 'like' and opt for a car they can afford.

I have no problem with anyone driving a gas guzzling monster, but I do like the idea of electric cars being available cheap for those who want to buy one.

[tu_holmes]

I know people 'like' fast cars.

But if/when gas moves up to 8 or 12 dollars a gallon (isn't it that high in europe already?) I bet we have a lot more college kids and elderly give up the gas guzzlers they 'like' and opt for a car they can afford.

I have no problem with anyone driving a gas guzzling monster, but I do like the idea of electric cars being available cheap for those who want to buy one.

You can't even drive an electric car very far at 70 miles an hour...  140 miles is about average.

That's all I'm saying... batteries need to catch up and so do proximity detection systems for these quiet ass cars.

[240 is Back]

You can't even drive an electric car very far at 70 miles an hour...  140 miles is about average.
That's all I'm saying... batteries need to catch up and so do proximity detection systems for these quiet ass cars.

still... for a little old lady who drives to church and the grocery store once a week, an electric car would be a good option.

for a college kid with a shoestring budget, and can't drive all that well... being able to putt putt around campus in a small electric car is a good option.  A lot of parents might prefer it to giving their kid a gas guzzler that can go 110 mph. 

[tu_holmes]

still... for a little old lady who drives to church and the grocery store once a week, an electric car would be a good option.

for a college kid with a shoestring budget, and can't drive all that well... being able to putt putt around campus in a small electric car is a good option.  A lot of parents might prefer it to giving their kid a gas guzzler that can go 110 mph. 

Yes for that 1 in a 100 person... It's great.

You do realize that this is America... Where most people live about 30 miles from their jobs... It will be an issue.

[240 is Back]

Yes for that 1 in a 100 person... It's great.

You do realize that this is America... Where most people live about 30 miles from their jobs... It will be an issue.

\


We are at 10% UE....  so at least 10 in 100 people doesn't need to drive that far to work

Toss in maybe 10% of the population being old/retired (another 1 in 100)

and 5% of people being students or working from home (another 5 in 100?)

That's 1 in 4 drivers (at least) that could "get by" with an electric car.  And that's just with the CURRENT crop of electric cars - they will get better with time.  We have the equivalent of the 1985 VCR for electric cars today.  Where will they be in 10 years?