the air

At first glance, this sleek looking vehicle looks like a new speedy sedan from Chevrolet. However, do not allow your eyes to deceive you. This is the incarnation of the Chevrolet Volt concept. It most likely will not make its debut until the next decade and not much is known about this vehicle. However, what we do know is that the numbers this vehicle will put up on mileage will be quite astounding.

I have long been a strong dissident of current hybrid cars because of their cost and insignificant savings professed by their respective manufacturers. However, the Chevy Volt is definitely a vehicle that could change my opinion rapidly. GM hopes to sport an advanced lithium ion battery pack that can be recharged by a conventional 110 volt within 6 to 6.5 hours and provide up to 40 miles on sole electric power. Afterwards, the 3 cylinder gasoline or ethanol fuel based engine will kick in and provide approximately 600 additional miles before the need to refuel and it will recharge your batteries. In addition, if you fill the nominal 12 gallon tank with E85 flex fuel (ethanol), you can achieve an innovating 525 miles per gallon. Here’s a quick rundown:

If these specifications hold up, GM will literally force Toyota and Honda to step up their hybrid technology tenfold. However, my argument about hybrids commanding premium prices will still stand if the Chevy Volt is unable to compete with popular gasoline only powered models. I realize that companies need to recoup their R&D costs for these new technologies, but consumers cannot be expected to “help” the environment if the cost to them is already beyond models that cost less and offer more. For example, if the Volt costs $30,000 while a regular Camry still costs around $22,000 and offers me more amenities than a comparable Volt, why would I want to pay $8,000 more? I may be able to save money on fuel due to the higher range of the Volt, but how soon can the car literally offer me these savings? In addition, I suspect that the Volt will not be offered at a major premium cost. Rather, GM will probably sell this vehicle competitively with the Prius (if it is still offered at that time).

You can learn more about the Volt from Jim Mateja’s article on Sunday’s, January 7, 2007 article here. For your convenience, I have uploaded the article as well. Page 1 of the article is here and page 2 is here. To find more pictures of the Chevrolet Volt, go here.

The Volt is a very promising vehicle that GM hopes to introduce by 2010. However, they are expected to encounter delays from battery manufacturers and it is possible that other competitors might have an ace up their sleeve to put more pressure on GM. If the Volt is priced to move and really does become reality, I will surely be re-evaluating my own position on hybrid vehicles. However, the government desperately needs to enhance the popularity of these hybrid vehicles to ensure that the public does not encounter any inconvenience. For example, if E85 is the next step, the government should encourage mass adoption and introduction of E85 fuel pumps and stations. Till then, I will be awaiting the production model of the Volt eagerly and let’s hope that GM does not falter in the steps leading up to this true hybrid.

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A little over a week ago, I wrote about the possibility of Toyota overtaking GM as the world’s largest automaker. However, the one question that I did not really explore was “what is wrong with GM?” Furthermore, it is important to understand what differentiates GM from Toyota. Surprisingly, the root of the problem is not quality or workmanship. Rather, the root of the problem seems to lie with the fact of who runs the company. This article talks about a first hand negative experience with GM vehicles. In addition, the writer goes on to talk about the failure of GM to properly recognize mass market demand.

To keep it simple, GM is mostly run by accountants and marketing. They have a great ability to paint flowery images of their lackluster products while doing their best to push volumes out the door to try to earn some meager profit. Antithetically, Toyota is run mostly by engineers, people who are able to recognize the needs of their target consumers and develop products that cater to their exact needs. GM has also banked on producing niche vehicles such as the Hummer and Escalade. Both of which are classified as gas guzzlers and notorious for putting a large dent in their drivers’ wallets. In addition, GM seems to focus on vehicles that seem to be too specialized and not enough that most consumers want.

Look at GM’s introduction of the Pontiac G6. This vehicle was designed to replace the aging and somewhat successful Grand Am.

Thanks to slushy steering, the car meanders all over the road.

Among several other design lapses: a clunky shift-lever whose settings are unlit in the dark, pull-up door locks located in hard-to-reach places, the absence of exterior key locks on doors other than the driver’s. This last omission would be less annoying if the master lock on the driver’s door unlocked the other doors (as it does on comparable imports). But GM does not include that feature.

And let’s not forget the G6’s most prolific event:

This was the car launched with a stunt hailed as one of the greatest product-placement coups ever. In September 2004, GM paid Oprah Winfrey an estimated $8 million to give all 276 souls in her studio audience a new G6. For several raving minutes, Oprah endorsed the product.

The question remains whether or not GM can turn around their failing image and lackluster lineup of vehicles. I think that GM can easily recognize better numbers and better image if they allow those who understand consumers to run the company. The company should not simply be focused on numbers but rather look at what the consumer wants and cater to those wants exactly. GM should spend some more careful time studying the competition and understanding what the competition does highly successfully. I strongly think that if GM’s corporate culture was towards helping the consumer and not about painting nice pictures, GM can see more success. Regardless of what I may think or say, GM definitely is in trouble and should rethink its corporate planning strategies.

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I am a huge fan of Mercedes vehicles. I am measuring my own financial success on my future ability to own and drive a prestigious Mercedes. Most of all, I love the beauty and serenity of German vehicles (e.g. Audi, Mercedes, and BMW). In addition to all that, I am a sucker for four door sedans. However, all that is about to undergo a transformation once the Mercedes Ocean Drive Concept is unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show.

The Mercedes Ocean Drive Concept is based on the venerable and luxurious S-Class platform and is one of the most unique convertibles. It will be one of the extremely rare four door convertible sedans on the market. You can definitely bank on this car being a hot seller among hip-hop artists and professional athletes. Not only that, this car will steal looks from everyone on the road.

This vehicle shares the same engine as the 2006 S600 sedan. Basically, that means a 510 hp, 612 ft-lb of torque with a nice big V12. What does that mean? It means this is going to be one fast convertible sedan that will have bystanders staring at awe at your nice topless car. Before you all get your checkbooks out, remember it is only a concept and there is a chance it may never see production.

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2006 was the year of the muscle car. GM and Chrysler unveiled the concept Camaro and Challenger respectively. BusinessWeek has this great article with a slideshow that “documents” the hottest 2006 concept cars.

Perhaps the best part of many of the concept vehicles was the fact that many of them will retain their edgier styling for the final production version.

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When many of you think of Jaguar, we all assume retro vehicles with a slight modern flair. However, all that might change with the C-XF concept car to be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show. If this design is any indication of what to expect, we can clearly see that Jaguar is headed for a more futuristic appeal. I think this is a trend long overdue for Jaguar.

It appears that the C-XF is being designed to compete with Mercedes’ CLS 4 door coupe. I had the pleasure of test-driving the CLS and I have to admit that it is a very pleasant car. However, getting into the rear seat is absolutely horrendous and I could never avoid hitting my head on the low entry door. In addition, the C-XF is set to replace the aging S-Type and perhaps set a whole new design direction for the floundering company. Before you hold your breath, do realize that this design is most likely not final and will most likely go through some significant changes before production.

This is one sweet ride that I cannot wait to test-drive. My only hope is that this car is going to be present at the Chicago Auto Show.

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