Ed Peper on Volt and Camaro
By Bill Betts
GM Blogs Manager
The Chevrolet Volt “…is not hype…we’re going to get there…,” says Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper at the Chicago Auto Show. Peper talks optimistically about plans to develop the Volt concept vehicle into a production vehicle during an interview with Matt Kelly of Podtech.net. Peper also explains why he thinks customers are going to be surprised by the affordability of the stylish next generation Chevrolet Camaro. Check out his site to listen in.
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Great interview, Chevy (and GM) no doubt have great things coming! Get them here asap.
Volt – when?
I’ve got no doubt that you’re “going to get there.” The question is, how fast?
I’ve got a car that’s going to be replaced in at most two years. I want to replace it with a car that gets over 40 mpg in the city and over 50 mpg on the highway.
Will GM have this car available by the time I’m ready to buy? Time will tell.
I go back to my comment last week.
Build it and they will come,
But if it’s not beautiful, you never really built it.
Let me put it this way, we all did art work while in art class. That did not make us all artists and what all we created will not be considered art.
“No, son, you were just in art class, that does not make you an artist. No grandma is not an artist either, she is just in therapy. Kinkade is the artist, he creates art.”
In that spirit I say it,
GM welcome back to the car business.
In short…
No more excuses GM. Yeah I was going to put your art work on the fridge but the dog ate it. Yeah I was going to put your car in my driveway but I took a wrong turn and ended up buying a Honda.
Ed Peper has this undeniable enthusiasm that’s infectious.!
I would love to hear some more tidbits on the upcoming Camaro.
It’s a surefire winner.
I think the upcoming Camaro heralds a real turnaround by GM. The Camaro and the commitment to more real drive make me optimistic about the Generals future. I think the Camaro should be the inspriration for all larger Chevys. The future Impala and Monte Carlo should have a Camaro resemblance and styling cues. Let the Camaro halo and excitement shine on all larger rear wheel drive Chevys. You will love the sales results and someone will get a big promotion. Make American cars cool again. Like they used to be long ago.
James, you nailed it buddy. Thats really what makes Americans smile, they love their cars and how it makes them feel. Thats why I have an old one around to take out every once in awhile, just to make me feel KOOL again.
If the Camaro stays price competitive with the Mustang it will be a huge hit. It looks much better in person with more curves to the body than pictures or even video show.
The VOLT is a must do no matter what it takes. The positive responses that this car received from “Green” sites were amazing. Admittedly they also all had skepticism along with them and rightly so. GM has talked the game before, and that is why it is a “must do”.
The buzz is there as is some genuine desire for GM to pull it off. That in itself should be more than enough – I have never seen that much enthusiasm from the “Green” group for a GM product. Yes – it is even higher than the EV-1.
The VOLT is a great idea that some Hot Rodders are even talking about, don’t be surprised to see a ‘57 Chevy with a Hot Rodded VOLT powertrain at a future SEMA show. There are a few dozen waiting for a Tahoe Twin-Mode Hybrid drivelines for projects for next years SEMA show.
Build the Volt by 2010 with E-85 capability and GM’s public image will soar.
In my opinion the Chevy Volt also has to be available in Europe ASAP. In the meantime there’s so much discussion about CO2-limitations at the European Community. I think this would lead to a tremendous chance for the Volt also on our roads.
Hi Noel,
I think, all the people who ask for a certain date, when the Volt will arrive, should consider this: The car has to be affordable and I think that’s not really possible already today, but maybe in two or three years. Regarding innovative technologies anybody could know this on own experiences. Just compare, how much a TFT-display for your computer did cost seven years ago and today…
As I believe an introduction of the Volt wouldn’t be too late, even if this would be delayed until 2010 or 2011. Not to forget: Many other manufacturers don’t even offer a mild-hybrid yet.
Hi Paul,
just one last word regarding the mileage of the Astra. As I saw, you found this data at KickinTires. But, do you know, what’s funny? I didn’t find any rating about the Astra, as I searched for it at the EPA-Homepage. How will KickinTires know about the Astra’s fuel-efficiency before the EPA itself released any data and before the first official Astra arrived in the US? In my opinion, that’s no serious journalism.
Listen, GM needs to change their wheels. I see tons of Toyotas and I’m in Texas! You should be targeting the buying power of the gen Xer’s now! Come on! GM should get some of the old bulldogs out and realize the Green Revolution that is coming in the next 10 years. We want fuel efficient small cars. Hello Toyota!
–Daughter of 2 GM retirees
WHAT? No RWD car for Buick? I’ve just heard that Lutz showed the Buick dealer body a RWD vehicle and they said NO? And you’re listening to them?! If you want to catch exactly the same customers you’re getting now, then continue along the same path until they die out and you drop another brand in ignominy.
This is ridiculous. The dealers are being morons for clutching the Lucerne so tightly. COME ON. The car is on a platform that debuted in the fall of 1991 under the Seville and Eldorado. It’s OLD. It’s a nice car, but it’s not the unequivocal leader in its class. It needs more power, better space efficiency and a no-excuses amazing interior. It also needs styling that looks like something other than a 2004 Mercury Sable and current VW Passat welded together in the middle. The Buick dealer body hasn’t had an interesting model since the ‘95 Riviera, which was underpowered and underdeveloped, and they didn’t know how to sell it, either. It’s been more than 20 years since the GNX and powerful Buicks that have given the brand such a legendary past. Of COURSE they’re going to have a hard time accepting the transformation. The status-quo has been ingrained in them.
But what’s just as moronic is that you guys showed the dealers a Statesman-based model with V6 and V8 engines. Of COURSE if they release the car soon, it’ll compete with the Lucerne. The Statesman-based car needs to be V8-only, and available with AWD…maybe even a wagon variant. Definitely coupe and convertible models. It also needs to be a bit bigger than the Lucerne, so that when you finally can it and the LaCrosse (which are within 3″ of each other in overall length), they can replace them with one product (hopefully a Commodore-based V6/V8 model) and then add a smaller V6 RWD model (Kappa sedan?) to start the line off. Make AWD optional on all of these cars.
The Lucerne isn’t going to last forever. It shouldn’t last past 2009, in my opinion. And the LaCrosse needs to be replaced posthaste. Buick isn’t going to get anywhere by standing still with their much-improved-but-only-90%-there bread-and-butter models, and the sooner your company and the BPG dealer body realize that, the better. Otherwise, Buick’s dead in the water and irrelevant, even with the Enclave.
Remember how you canned Olds right as they launched the much-improved and competitive (for about 12 minutes) Bravada?
I’m really frustrated.
The Camaro does indeed look great, along with the future Alfa 8C. I am not so hopeful about Buick’s future.
As usual Paul, 2/19/07, 7:12 PM, nails it.
I can keep our 95 Impala SS running for another 10 years. My wife drives it to work, and we have just moved much closer to her work. Thus, we are saving fuel by other means – driving less.
Nevertheless, we would like to make a statement about resource conservation with our car. We are loyal GM customers, so we are not buying a Toyota, or whatever.
If we have to wait until 2010 or 2011 for a Volt or equivalent, so be it. It just doesn’t sell any cars for GM.
Gereon: I take your point. I have tried to reply several times, but my comments are not appearing. I am not ignoring you.
I kind of like the Lucerne. The platform is already well-developed, and you have all the tools and people who know how to build it. I have an ‘05 Bonneville and ‘98 Seville STS, both purchased used within the last two years. They’re much more substantial cars than all the V6 versions of midsize FWD imports, which are very popular and expensive. I also prefer the size and the way they drive over GM’s own W’s and Epsilons.
I was considering a Lucerne, but was a little turned off by the requirement to step up to CXL if I wanted 17″ wheels and the dark grill. Plus the dealers were loading it with a million unnecessary options. Probably a V8 Lucerne with cloth seats would have tempted me too. I’m not sure why that isn’t offered. If the platform is ever refreshed again I would suggest folding rear seats if practicable.
I think people will continue to buy large FWD sedans in the foreseeable future. The G/K platform does well in rain and snow, and gets better mileage than AWD cars. I think it could be more fun if you got some weight off. My Bonneville SE at 3600 lbs. jumps around and is actually very fun to drive. The 3800 engine is familiar and works much better than its numbers suggest. The STS weighs more but the expensive engine and suspension more than make up for it.
In summary, I think GM is going the right way as it is. RWD and AWD are nice, but so is FWD. You have a great FWD platform, so I see no reason to stop selling it. I’m thrilled that you brought the G8 to Pontiac, but let’s not go overboard.
Hi Noel,
oh, I see… In the meanwhile it’s my impression, that fuel-savings become increasingly important to the drivers even on the German Autobahn. As you know there’s no general speed-limit, but a recommended speed of 130 km/h (=80.8 mph), which I am actually driving more often than in earlier times. Using the cruise-control helps against the seduction running faster. But even at this moderate speed you already are among the faster moving traffic. The time saving from higher speed doesn’t play that big part, neither, at least not over here at this relatively small country.
Opel already announced a new generation of gasoline-engines with lower displacement, but at the same time higher power-output and further improved fuel-economy. A first test-drive from a car-magazine which I was reading about seemed to be very promising. So, check out the Saturn Astra later this year. Have a nice weekend.
Hi Gereon:
I hope folks don’t slow down too much on the Autobahns! One of our great dreams has been to bring our Corvettes to Germany to challenge the Porsches on the Autobahns and/or at the Old Timers Grand Prix at the Nurburgring. Alas, the dream seems to get farther away as time goes on. As it is, we are lucky to marshal the energy to get to Portland International Raceway.
I changed my e-mail address and didn’t inform the blog. Maybe this is why my comments went missing.
I was wondering what happened to the plug-in Vue. It caused quite a splash at the LA Auto Show, but was then sort of eclipsed by the Volt. If the Volt is several years away because of battery technology, or other technical challenges as you rightly suggest, maybe the Vue can plug the gap (no pun intended). If it is substantially bigger, maybe it can go forward with exisitng heavier batteries in the meantime. I would be extremely tempted by that.
We are only 5 or so miles from my wife’s work now, albiet with a very big hill to climb, so maybe she could make it without the engine. The Vue is more the size she would prefer anyway, although I keep holding out for something smaller.
Amyway Bob, what’s the status of the plug-in Vue?
Hi Noel,
you might be amazed, the Corvette had strongly improving sales in the last years, especially since the introduction of the C6. A sports-car with a 6 liters-V8 and 400 HP already beginning at about 60.000 Euro normally would be absolutely unthinkable in Germany. But the Corvette actually is available for that money. Even German car magazines acknowledge that it’s a fantastic sports-car at an incredibly low sticker price. My dealership even had a (used) Corvette C5 Convertible with an LPG-System. So the stops at the gas-station wouldn’t hurt, even if you’d prefer the left lane ;o)
I hope they bring the Hybrid drive-system of the 2008 Vue Green Line over here, too. Since the Opel Antara basically is the identical vehicle, this would be a great thing for Opel.
If the problems with your comments persist, I’d like to recommend cleaning up your browser (delete temporary Internet-files and cookies). This might be useful.
Please build the Volt immediately. I’ll buy one if no-one else beats you to market with a plug in.
The one thing I really like about this blog is mixing the Camaro with the Volt. I’m so glad people here know about NEDRA. But the weirdness about safe lithium battery technology only doing 40 miles and holding back production of a good car? Halibut. I’d rather have an affordable BEV with a rental genset trailer for long trips, but this is second best and can be done now.
“not hype” followed by Chevrolet General Manager “talks optimistically.” So it is hype? Stop contradicting yourselves. I looked at the 2 year old background of the podcast company you use – “The company aims to make money … by distributing … podcasts hosted by people who feel they haven’t been getting enough mainstream media exposure.”
I actually listened carefully to the cast. This is an inward-looking attempt to deflate reasonable questions about your lack of commitment and timely action and clearly designed to lower expectations. This seems far from real viral marketing designed to support demand backed by real product development and imminent production.
Why can’t you get the mainstream media exposure – credibility gap? Please get your marketing department to not kill this car, too.
I with inline6 on the complaint over the proposed Buick platform. The Lucerne is far from a bad car, but it is not the car Buick needs. It’s a bore to look at compared to the Chrysler 300.
I’m the son of a GM retiree.
I would like to buy american and better yet GM but nothing I see excites me. Until I see the Volt.!!! I want one and I don’t want to wait until 2010 or later. You already have the technology. For crying out loud the EV-1 gen II would go 100 miles on a charge! I realize the transpartent beltline and roof will probably go away for the production car but that is OK with me as long as having the wheels at the forward corners maximizes front seat leg and head room.
Let’s “get ‘er done” GM !!!
Make my dad proud of GM again!
There was an article in the LA Times this weekend about a reaearch project being done by Pacific Gas and Electric regarding plug-in hybrid cars. Evidently they are working with the guys in California who convert Prius(es?) into plug-ins by adding additional batteries.
They are looking to charge the cars at night off-peak, and then plug them back into the grid at peak times and, evidently, buy back the energy.
Alas, the papers got recycled, so I can’t reference the exact article. I believe it was Saturday.
I know this sounds pretty wild but, as the late, great, Jim Healy used to say, “I don’t make ‘em up pally”. Somebody must sense a lot of plug-in hybrids coming if PG&E is getting into this.
Come on Vue/Volt!
Hi Noel-the term you reference is V2G or Vehicle to Grid technology where PHEV’s (Plug-In Electric Vehicle’s) are charged off-peak and then plugged back in to handle the peak energy demands is coming, but a few years away. The concept is amazing especially when you think about the electric being generated coming from solar or wind–solar energy is at its strongest between 10a-2p and wind energy is strongest at night. And if everyone had solar panels on their hose here in SoCal and then sent it back to PG&E, the concept is amazing. And in Germany of all places, which gets less sun than Seattle, you sell back your solar power to the electric utility and by law they have to give you 10 times the going rate…hence solar panels are getting harder to obtain here in the US because everyone in Germany realizes they can make money by being their own little electic genearting station. And the article you reference is here:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-pge24feb24,1,2986949.story
Economist-thanks for your response to my podcast. I was not paid by GM to produce it and they had no edit control over it. They are not “using” us. Rather, I had the great opportunity to speak with Ed and to interview him, asking questions submitted to me by a participants of a Volt discussion group I am part of. I was, and am, proud to be able to get access to people such as Ed, and to convey these discussions to the public such as yourself, in order to facillitate conversation and insure this vehicle comes to production, and not remain only a concept.
“Peper also explains why he thinks customers are going to be surprised by the affordability of the stylish next generation Chevrolet Camaro.”
personally i like the styling of the mustang more than the camaro concept but if i can get a camaro with a fully modern IRS and an ls v8 for anywhere near the price of a mustang gt, my choice will be an easy one.
that camaro backseat better be easy to access for child car seats or im gonna be really bummed……also id like it better if it were a firebird!!
Dear GM relase the Volt now in 2008.
Below is a link to a battery that would suit your needs.
Offer battery packs that can be added over time to increase all electric mileage. Its simple you can run from the electric generator more or from the batteries more based on how many battery packs you have purcahsed.
1 pack 40 miles all electric range.
2 packs 80 miles
3 packs 120 miles
Cost increases with the number of packs.
Help save this country and God Speed.
Bob
http://thefraserdomain.typepad.com/energy/2006/12/phoenix_install.html
Matt, 2/26, 5:10PM and Bob, 2/27, 10:15 AM:
Thank you and well done!
For about the umpteenth time, you guys are awesome!
Hurray for the Camaro. A car with great looks and a legendary name. As a former New Car manager at a GM store in the 80’s, had to deal with the Camaro’s with marginal quality (Norwood, VanNuys…the worst), Rumor has it the Camaro will be built in Oshawa which has consistantly put out quality. Great design, good quality and legendary Chevy pricing should make this good seller.
Mr. Lutz/Mr. Waggoner,
Stay the path as you are taking on difficult issues to improve a great American company. Eventually the press will realize what quality products GM is producing.
Dear Ed Pepers,
I can’t believe the ad you’re running for Chevrolet. The theme: “Not the jet set, we’re the ole Chevy set”. I’m driving an 03 Impalla since all those good Cadillac years. I like to think I’m somewhat of a jet setter, but I guess Chevrolet is not after my business. My friends are laughing at the trailer park image protrayed in these ads. I’m looking to buy a new car, but have now, lost interest in Chevrolet. Do you get my jest?
Alternative Energy
I find that there is more and more information out there but we need to do as much possible to get the word out about how each person can do their part to help the energy situation in the world today.