Stupid Human Trick
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
I don’t know if you happened to catch David Letterman Wednesday night. Frankly, I didn’t, nor did many of my colleagues at GM. But you can bet the clip of Dave interviewing Elon Musk of Tesla Motors has certainly made the rounds here, and has people up in arms, particularly the Chevrolet Volt team.
Mr. Letterman made some gratuitously derogatory remarks about the Volt’s range, calling it “insane” and “ridiculous,” and in general appeared woefully uninformed about the Volt. For one thing, he said its 40-mile range wouldn’t get him down the driveway to pick up the newspaper.
Now, if he is that uninformed, I must point out that it’s not his fault, it’s ours. We should do a better job of making sure that Dave and everyone else who is in position to comment on national TV about our products has the right information, whether they use that information or not. Perhaps if we’d hired Drew Barrymore to be the spokesperson for the vehicle we’d have commanded more of his attention. Regardless, we’d like to rectify the situation.
I would like to personally invite Dave to come learn more about the Volt, including the hugely important but unmentioned-by-him fact that its range is 40 purely electric miles plus several hundred more miles thanks to its range-extender. Dave may drive more than 40 miles a day on his commute from the palatial Connecticut estate, but about 80 percent of Americans don’t. And those people could conceivably drive the Volt every day and never use a drop of gasoline.
I’d like Dave to drive a Volt test mule and see for himself. And I’d be happy to appear on his show, like Mr. Musk had the opportunity to do, and set the record straight on the Volt and its promise. If it happens to be Stupid Pet Tricks night, I have a swan that would be a hit!
Let me say one more thing: If I were to compile a Top Ten List of things General Motors needs to worry about at this moment in time, rebuking comments by David Letterman would not be among them, as you might guess. But that doesn’t mean we can sit idly by while misinformation spreads, especially when it’s disseminated by a respected “car guy.” That really got us, if you will, charged up.
So that’s why we’re taking a moment on a Friday to let you know we heard what was said, we don’t agree with it, and we’d like the opportunity to put things right. Simple as that.
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@Bob
I’m glad to see you are still posting and active during this tough time for GM. Like many, I was sad to hear about your retirement plans, but do appreciate everything you have done for GM, mainly bringing back the passion to everything they produce.
Thanks for killing Pontiac. I had high hopes for you as a car guy. I hope GM goes down in Flames. I supported the bailout, but not to kill an important part of American culture and G.M.s best division before you mismanaged and neutered it.
I wrote my Senator to ask him to force you to sell Pontiac. Let someone else , anyone else fix it.
enough with your lies. Long live Pontiac
Again Thanks,
Chad
“Mr. Letterman made some gratuitously derogatory remarks about the Volt’s range, calling it “insane” and “ridiculous,” and in general appeared woefully uninformed about the Volt.”
Get on his show and straighten him out. Take him for a ride in Volt around Manhattan. After all, he is only a comedian, but you’ve got to throw down the gauntlet on this one. Perhaps you can pick him up in your L39 and fly him back to Michigan.
But there are some unanswered questions about the Volt you also need to address:
1. Where is the lithium for all those batteries going to come from?
2. What can you do to drive the price of the Volt below $40k? When will we see a plug-in electric that the average person will be able to afford? (And don’t say it’s up to the government to subsidize. One person’s subsidy is just a tax on somebody else.)
3. What will be the realistic range of the Volt under normal driving conditions? (Not the ‘up to 40 miles’ figure you like to quote for ideal circumstances with all auxiliary power equipment such as the headlights and defroster turned off.)
Yes, he was misinformed and ignored the facts that it has a range extender. Do expect him to intelligently discuss details with you. Did you see how he would not let Elon explain anything about the Tesla in detail. I just wanted to take the stage and spout his opinion. I doubt his brain could understand the difference between the EREV and EV.
By the way Bob! The Model S is sport, clean and luxurious (very european) You know this is the styling that is hot (think Lexus, BMW, Audi, Mercedes). I am really disappointed in the forced and complicated but cheap look of the Volt. I really think the Malibu is a cleaner design than the Volt. I really wish you guys would take the time to redesign the Volt body.
The Volt is a history making car and it looks so common. If it looked like the Model S you would have a worthy body to contain the E-Flex heart.
“…people could conceivably drive the Volt every day and never use a drop of gasoline.”
That’s not going to make government officials very happy who depend on fuel taxes to maintain and pay for our road infrastructure, is it?
You tell ‘em, Bob!
As an East Coast liberal elite, I’d like to apologize for all those East Coast liberal elites that have this perception of GM in their minds that is 15-25 years outdated. I drive GM rental cars all the time, and really like them. I’m quite familiar with the great leaps in productivity that GM has made in various parts of its business in recent years. GM has come a long way (but unfortunately not enough to weather the current storm easily).
I really look forward to the success of the Volt.
P.S. Bob, climate change is for real. Forget all the commentators and go back to the science. There are plenty of uncertainties remaining, but what’s not uncertain is that *no one* has found a negative feedback big enough to sufficiently counter CO2 forcing and all the well-quantified positive and negative feedbacks. Plus, there’s the ocean acidification issue, for which the science is very simple (CO2 + H2O => H2CO3 => HCO3- + H+).
You’re the man Bob!!! Thank you for everything you have done for GM and all of us dealers!
Amen, Bob!!! Set him straight!
Great to see you’re still around, Bob!
I hope Dave takes you up on the offer. What’s really insane is the prospect of owning a purely electric car like the Tesla, which for all intents and purposes is on a 100 mile leash from your house, and that would be risking not getting home. For peace of mind in getting home, the practical limit might be more like 50 miles! Until an electric recharging infrastructure is built up in this country, an all-electric vehicle has very limited appeal, and even then there’s the issue of recharging time to deal with.
The Volt is the only electric car with a definite production timeframe that will be able to be used just like a normal car, letting Americans go wherever they want whenever they want with the convenience of gasoline, while still getting most of the benefits of a pure-electric vehicle on the whole.
And Bob, it may be PC to blame yourself about not getting the word out, but the real facts seem to be that anti-GM people are maliciously twisting the facts and bashing the Volt at every opportunity, whether it’s for its possible $40K price (before tax credits) or its electric-only range. Whether Dave Letterman fits into that camp is impossible to say, but he’s probably getting his information from places like the New York Times, which has been a part of the Volt naysayer camp since the beginning.
I for one am really interested in buying one when it’s available. Then later trading it in on a Converj, please!
Ease up Lutz it was a joke. They make fun of everything on late night shows from Politics and Presidents to whacky gadgets. Obviously an individual does not take the entertaining jokes and one liners as serious commentary or facts.
When the Volt is finally in production im sure people will judge for themselves the worthiness of this vehicle and all GM vehicles. it obviously was a joke that 40 miles wouldnt even get him down the driveway, although it is important to note Tesla came to the game early and is producing relevant all electric vehicles capable of 3-4 times the range that the Volt has. the products definitely cater to different markets but overall it was a joke to lighten up.
I agree that Letterman ( and everyone) needs to be more informed on Chevrolet newer products before they speak.
It really is a shame………..I deal with the public everyday and I know most Americans simply do not have a “clue” when it comes to late model Chevrolets. And I might add that I get the impression it isn’t exaclty considered “popular” to admit a good American vehicle can be made.
Good one Maximum BOB, I will deliberately not watch david’s show till he sets the record straight and should apologize to his audience for presenting mis leading information
What would be helpful from the Volt team is if they would not just focus on the 40 mile electric only range, but start publishing the numbers for a long haul and then actually talk about that as well.
This is GM’s problem. They focus on the small point of selling the car rather than presenting the whole picture. I would not buy a car if the biggest thing about it was it could get 40 miles to a charge. I can buy a golf cart to do that and for much less money. You need to tell us just how far this thing will go on a tank of gas as well. Is it 100 miles or is it 800 miles, how big is the fuel tank, if we are driving beyond the forty miles electric only range, what can we expect the official MPG to be. Start presenting the whole story GM and people will start buying into what you want to eventually sell them.
Bob – First, I’d like to know what kind of trick your swan does.
Second, I’d love to see you and Letterman together. I think he’d be gracious and allow you to present the portion of the Volt story that he missed. The Volt is going to evolutionary/revolutionary because it will allow us to drive like we always have while also allowing us to drive in a way we have never done before.
Let us know if when you’re making your late night appearance. I’ll fire up the TiVo.
Best wishes.
Yay! You’re back!!! Outstanding rebuttal! Thanks Bob! (You’re such a rock star!) T
Too bad all my efforts by I, the Noble Taipan, were for naught. I’m Asian, because u dont have to be an Irish to win. There’s no way the bondholders will accept 10% of GM equity. It’s inevitable that GM will suffer the same fate as Chrysler. Fiat will emerge as the biggest winner and as a true global automaker, with platform sharing between Opel and Chrysler. I suspect that Captain Obama planned to put GM and Chrysler into bankruptcy all along.
Bob,
I hope you do get a chance to get on Dave Letterman’s show. This left wing comu-nazi needs some educating. And you are just the man to do it. I am certain he will not listen to reason, and when he doesn’t you can respectfully punch him in the face.
Thanks for all you have done for the American car business.
-Mike
I find it ironic that so many people are dogging the Volt for its (unconfirmed) price and yet are praising Tesla for delivering an ultra low volume, expensive, impractical electric coupe that is far less affordable than the Volt will be.
I’m glad GM is responding.
Bob,
Thanks for pushing back. The way to handle a joker like Letterman is with humor. Letterman is the uncomedian, his show is designed as an irritation agenda – the Volt is too shocking for him.
Did you hear the one about uncomedian who tried to jump-start his car – he got the cables reversed. That’s why his jokes are so shocking.
Detroit needs a show of its own to bicycle around the country and push back.
Bob, I found it hard to watch the clip, it made me cringe because of Mr. Letterman’s obvious lack of knowledge, and he seemed to be doing his best to sink his own perceived goal of replacing gas with electric cars.
I disagree that it is GM’s fault that he is uniformed. Public commentators, especially those with a national stage, have a duty to be at least moderately well informed. In my opinion to be a public commentator and be so uninformed is irresponsible. It is entirely possible to have a humorous but well informed debate/talk on a late night talk show.
I would love to see you on Letterman’s show to set the record straight. Take your swan too it might bite Dave!
Mr Bob Lutz
People still can not understand the hybrid car is to be published on the convertible, too. Honda is developing a CRZ. Built-in motor in front AWD Toyota’s research and development of the prototype race car
Daihatsu in Japan to have such a cute hybrid car
http://www.daihatsu.co.jp/lineup/tokusha/cargo_hybrid/index.htm
http://www.daihatsu.co.jp/lineup/tokusha/cargo_hybrid/env/index.htm
Fitted with a hybrid system in a Mazda rotary engine
NEWRX-7 there are rumors that develops
Fitted with a hybrid system in a Mazda rotary engine
NEWRX-7 there are rumors that develops
I want to hear this request!
The next C7 Corvette Cadillac CTS or a hybrid system would be put?
Period will be classified as hybrid cars and muscle cars of the future
GM is to survive you want to achieve my request.
Buy a car that is in fact the younger generation in Japan.
In fact it may sound, the young generation that is driving a car are more people with a false sense of evil.
I have a car that is the idea that we are changing things worse
It is a generation less interested in cars and in fact Japan
The Japanese automobile companies GM and Ibar because of your company and auto parts companies in Japan have a deal with GM is worried about the future of
Friction in the past no longer to make. I would lead the Big Dipper in the world auto industry companies to create a hybrid of a real sports car for the road run tomorrow and will survive both are expected.
For us not fall for hybrid cars and electric vehicles made by the crooks on Wall Street and they still have things to do! !
Mr Bob Lutz
People still can not understand the hybrid car is to be published on the convertible, too. Honda is developing a CRZ. Built-in motor in front AWD Toyota’s research and development of the prototype race car
Daihatsu in Japan to have such a cute hybrid car
http://www.daihatsu.co.jp/lineup/tokusha/cargo_hybrid/index.htm
http://www.daihatsu.co.jp/lineup/tokusha/cargo_hybrid/env/index.htm
Fitted with a hybrid system in a Mazda rotary engine
NEWRX-7 there are rumors that develops
Fitted with a hybrid system in a Mazda rotary engine
NEWRX-7 there are rumors that develops
I want to hear this request!
The next C7 Corvette Cadillac CTS or a hybrid system would be put?
Period will be classified as hybrid cars and muscle cars of the future
GM is to survive you want to achieve my request.
Buy a car that is in fact the younger generation in Japan.
In fact it may sound, the young generation that is driving a car are more people with a false sense of evil.I have a car that is the idea that we are changing things worse
It is a generation less interested in cars and in fact Japan
The Japanese automobile companies GM and Ibar because of your company and auto parts companies in Japan have a deal with GM is worried about the future of
Friction in the past no longer to make. I would lead the Big Dipper in the world auto industry companies to create a hybrid of a real sports car for the road run tomorrow and will survive both are expected. For us not fall for hybrid cars and electric vehicles made by the crooks on Wall Street and they still have things to do! !
A respected “car guy”?
No… that’s Jay Leno. He already drove the Volt test mule, and liked it.
Letterman is a “race car guy.” Is it any wonder why he likes the Tesla?
Even though the Volt isn’t in production yet, the test mule shows off one of GM’s most important, and most ignored assets: Engineering.
If you want to get Letterman’s attention, that’s the story you need to tell.
The Tesla is a great exercise in wrapping relatively standard technology in a sexy package. But it’s no breakthrough. Under the skin, it’s not even in the same league as the Volt. You have your engineers to thank for that.
Engineering is where the value in your products is created. If you downsize that, you’re downsizing GM’s future.
Bob, amidst the turmoil surrounding GM, I have to say I am very sorry to see you go. I understand you want to retire and enjoy life with a little less stress than I’m sure every single GM employee is under right now, and I do not begrudge you for feeling that way. But your guidance, leadership, and straight forward talk is going to be missed. You were the only GM exec who never minced words and was utterly frank about your vision for GM products, and you were the only public figure from GM that told the truth. The products you are responsible for are the best in GM history, from the Sky and Solstice, Malibu, CTS, and of course, the Camaro. It is so unfortunate that those great products are out at the same time GM is living on borrowed finances.
I sincerely hope whoever steps in your position at GM is equally able to cut through the red tape and beurocracy (now that the govt. is involved, you have more beurocracy than ever!) to make the best products. Without having to deal with idiots who’ve never driven a car to DRIVE a car.
God bless you Bob. You really have no idea what you mean to some of the true automotive enthusiasts who want nothing but the best for GM. I want to wish you nothing but the best in your endeavors after GM, and I just pray GM is set for the future with continuing improvment in products and performance, irreguardless of any administration’s tinkering.
Take care, and thanks for everything you’ve done.
Bob,
Pls appear on his show and set the record straight.
In my opinion, after the collapse of the US automotive market, public (mis) perception is the single greatest threat to GM, in part facilitated by uninform media clowns like this one.
Chris
I love your no non-sense style. I hope that you are givin a chance to go on the show and set the record straight. Please announce the date in your blog if you are invited I want to make sure I do not miss it. Continue doing what you do it is a pleasure to watch….all the time.
Good to hear from you Bob! Sadly, my fellow Hoosier Dave, has been out of the Midwest for so long, he had forgotten (some of) the people who have helped make America great. Folks on both coasts need to turn down the national media and take a second look at GM and Ford. The quality coming out out of Detroit today is second to none. I know, I am driving them!
“Now, if he is that uninformed, I must point out that it’s not his fault, it’s ours. We should do a better job of making sure that Dave and everyone else who is in position to comment on national TV about our products has the right information, whether they use that information or not. Perhaps if we’d hired Drew Barrymore to be the spokesperson for the vehicle we’d have commanded more of his attention. Regardless, we’d like to rectify the situation.”
Exactly – it is your fault, not his. Posting here about the issue does not correct your mistake. You need to look at why this is occuring and why your message(s) are not effective. Communication between the public and GM is extremely poor these days and although it is widely understood that you have bigger things on your plate right now, the show must go on.
I have recently seen first hand, the outcome of very poor commuinications between GM and pre-order purchasers of the new Camaro – not a very good way to kick off a highly anticipated product. Hopefully your communications team and methodology going forward will understand the value and importance they make in GM’s ultimate success.
Bob
You are going on the show to rebutt the remarks and promote Volt and GM in a positive and friendly way?
Just checking. I would’nt want to see this handled wrong, GM needs positive energy suronding it, your Can Do self on latenight TV would be just the thing right now.
Oh and do’nt worry about Jay Leno, he will understand that Dave started this.
And you can all ways send a Volt to Jay’s show the same nite, with one of the Remarkably articulate development engineers, to interview.
This thing’s got such a silver lining, It’s going to be great!
Jason
When will American car manufacturers realize they are in a WAR for survival. Just one search on U-tube will point out the problems with many japanese vehicles. Come on guys its time to take off the gloves and stop being Mr. nice guy. At least Ford beat out toyota in sales, every time I hear someone tell me that honda or toyota are U.S. car companies it makes me want to puke. I thought Dave Letterman was a Chevy guy, they did a spot years ago about someone kidnapping his old Chevy pick-up, gee Dave what happened to you have you been drinking the japanese cool aid. Another complaint where are the new Camaro’s I searched the local dealers and the one unit each one of them got was already sold, how about a search function on the Chevy website to help people to find out who has some inventory? Since Obama has control of GM and Chrysler’s destiny why doesn’t he do some infomercials for American cars. Well if you don’t post my rant at least let someone else read it besides the head screener of this blog.
CHEVY GUY TO THE BITTER END.
How about posting the pension amounts that the almighty executives get when they leave the company?
It’s all in the news what the bottom guy gets, the production worker, and what he/she is forced to give up.
Good letter, but don’t be offended GM, use this opportunity to get the word out about your car. This is a golden opportunity, don’t blow it by trying to get “even.”
I have to agree completely mr. Lutz. This segment was quite troubling to me and all GM fans I assure you. The media is clearly under educated when it comes to these types of things, and it is seen everyday. Sad Just sad. Perhaps you should set the record straight and retort David Letterman on his program, if he would even allow it, not that I am sure he has probably been put in his place and has been recently informed on the true capabilities of the Volt, which in turn would probably result in you never being allowed on!! Anyway this is another reason I am a Leno fan!
While the Letterman comments are typical, it was refreshing to read that you think its GM’s fault for not communicating better. I fully agree, which is why all my articles address such issues, especially automotive technology. Please continue the honest, up-front comments. You are indeed respected!
Dear Mr. Lutz:
EV1 talking here. When I have to think about who to side with in terms of you or David Letterman I think of it this way: Letterman vs. Lutz
Which is worse? Bob Lutz saying “global warming is a total crock of sh*t and hybrids don’t make economic sense.” Or David Letterman calling the Chevy Volt “crap?”
With the Chevy Volt giving the driver only 40 miles per change, I’d have to agree with David Letterman. Especially after watching Al Gore’s “Inconvenient Truth.” It seems to be a random sport these days to create arguments against one of the greatest car GM has ever made; the EV1. But by whose standards are these arguments made? What’s the big cover-up? Why can’t GM bring the EV1 back? For the lack of better words I’d say GM has created it’s own “sh*t storm” by destroying the EV1. In all fairness to GM, great cars have come from the GM assembly line. EV1 may not be the Corvette, or the Chevy Silverado, but you must admit , no one has ever made a bigger fuss over a car that GM built than has been made over the EV1. GM should lead the charge and bring this wonderful car back. If President Obama asked General Motors to bring back the EV1, would GM do it? After all, GM is taking the people’s money, you should build what the people want! Don’t you want to leave behind a legacy of change and betterment of the environment by doing the right thing and having GM produce a fully electric car, namely the EV1? The electric car revolution is here. Be a part of it. Give the people what they want. They want the EV1. Thanks to Chris Paine they know what an EV1 is!
Very truly yours,
Ev Shock
Mr. Lutz,
Thank you for the many great things you have done for GM. The most important being that you stick up for a company that has in many ways done more to help our country than hurt . Even though GM has much to do I think GM has it’s best days ahead. Thanks to you. I hope to see you on Letterman.
Hey Bob – Well, you can always try to get on Leno. He gets higher ratings anyways and his piece on the death of Pontiac was based on his real car-guy knowledge. Plus you should point out to Dave the difference in price b/t a Tesla and a Volt.
Bob, as I’m sitting on my deck in Brooklyn watching a few Zipcars come out of the local garage, I have a thought. I know you really dont have alot of cash for a marketing tool like this, but when the Chevy Cruze comes out, I HIGHLY recommend that GM give as many as possible to ZipCar to use. Strike up a joint biz agreement with them. Everyone who uses Zipcars in New York City and other cities tend to be younger, and of course may not want to own a car yet. But to get a younger generation into an American car is not the easiest of tasks. Being in ZipCars could do the trick to get some buzz out there. I would probably get a few Saturn Astras out there now, and make sure they have a GM sticker somewhere to be seen.
Lastly, I still like my idea of ‘buy a G8 GXP, get a G3 for free.’ This is completely selfish, but since my wife wants to get a small urban car for her (and she’s Korean, so a Daewoo-GM would fly for her), it could help me justify getting a G8!
Glad to see you on here still! Oh, if there are any extra Pontiac 6000 STEs at the heritage center you think you can part ways with, let me know! God bless GM. The sting of losing Pontiac is wearing off, and I’ll hope to continue to support them in the future!
Eric Planey
dear mr lutz: i dont know if you read the replies here or not, but here goes. david letterman isnt worth educating period. i for one really dont expect much from this guy and his ilk, and im not sure you should either. they will never even entertain the idea OR the fact that gm or any other american corporation could come up with any thing better than their foreign made or foreign designed american assembled junk. as you have stated, you say that letterman has not got the message about the volt and have failed in that mission. i am sure that you would have liked that very much, but let me assure of one fact. I have heard of the chevy volt and what its capabilities are, and i also live in connecticut. it is all very exciting. i dont consider myself a “car guy” although i have had many in my 49 years. i would imagine that letterman either has a chauffeur, or drives a lexus or some other foreign car, and chevy, ford and dodge, or even harley davidson is not in his vocabulary if he drives at all. call me, ill drive the volt mule proudly, and tell all my friends and associates about the experience, but unfortunately, i dont currently have a tv show to help advance the cause of buying american, so i cant help you there. my biggest worry about the volt and the camaro, ect is having the feds get too mixed up in dictating what will/would be built next. in final, gm is not going to be the better for having you retire, but good luck to you in that venture as well…… ps dont expect letterman to be anything but a ridiculing attack dog if you are indeed asked to appear.
You really need to hire Jay Leno in some prominent advisory or decision-making capacity. The most influential man in GM history, Harley Earl, came from Hollywood- and Jay Leno is such a (American car) car enthusiast I’m surprised he hasn’t come to you demanding a job. Probably the first thing he’d do would be to schedule you on Letterman to rebut.
You know what..its not personal.
Its all about cars.
Repeat after me.
Its not me. Its about cars. I will never appear again on any screen showing my face instead of a GM product. I´m not the company. GM is about cars. I can´t be on stage without a car in front of me.
You are intelligent guys and ladies. Please don´t be the final part of GM history.
I didn’t see the Lettermen show either, but from what Mr. Lutz described it sounds fairly common of the types of comments that are flung about on television, radio and the web. While we can’t stop these types of commentary, GM should be offered the opportunity to get our story told – for which we have a really good one to tell!. I hope we are launching an active media campaign to pull ourselfs up out of the “down trodden” position we are viewed as being in. While success may not be achieved by media campaigns, people’s perceptions are won or lost there. It is people’s perceptions that we need to capture to sell our GREAT vehicles. So – get your SWAN and hit the media trail Mr. Lutz!
I hope Letterman will accept your offer!
Keep us informed!
Good luck!
If Letterman doesn’t accept your invitation to drive the Volt he is a coward.
Letterman is comparing electric apples to electric oranges. Jay Leno would never do that! The Volt will be able to go much longer distances, and won’t leave you stranded with drained batteries in the middle of nowhere. I’m surprised the Tesla guy let that happen. Besides, anyone can build a $100K electric vehicle. If the general public could afford those, everyone would be making them.
Dear Mr. Lutz,
your post sounds familiar to me. As the Chevy Volt was shown at the NAIAS first, also on German TV it happened, that the Volt’s character as an EREV just was not mentioned. Here are guys as well, which are regarded as car-experts, but sometimes I am really shocked about their little knowledge, especially concerning the US-car-industry. However, I am hopeful, that the majority of people, who potentially consider to purchasing a Volt (like me), are so well informed, that they already know about its true capabilities. I also do believe, that the Chevy Volt’s sibling, the Opel Ampera, may be one significant reasons, why Fiat reportedly appears to be so keen on strong ties to Opel or even an entire take-over…
I don’t know the situation in the US, but here in Europe there’s a legal tool to fight any distortions in the media. See: http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/consultations/MMSOD2004.pdf
I already recommended such measures to Chris Preuss, VP of Communications at GME, after his last post at “Driving Conversations”.
I wouldn’t tolerate all this junk, which especially has been told about Opel in the media here, recently, since I’d fear a possible negative impact on GM’s and Opel’s reputation and consequently on its sales figures. Thanks for paying attention.
Yes, I saw it last week because I was flipping through the channels and heard Tesla, so I stopped. As Mr. Musk was telling Dave about his electric cars and then brought up the Volt and was about to say some good words, Letterman said, “That’s a bunch of crap!” Sure the audience laughed, but Mr. Musk did not, my feeling was he felt bad about the situation. As for Letterman, another case of an uninformed and probably uneducated celebrity/person running their mouth to be popular. I grew up in a time, that when a neighbor had slipped and fallen, to lend my hand to help them up, not punch them in the face and laugh about it. I guess The David Letterman show is another show that will not get my viewing attention again. In fact, what Letterman did was close the slander and extremely unprofessional.
So I hope that you, Mr. Lutz, get the opportunity to show Letterman what the Volt is about, what GM is about, and how wrong Letterman was that evening.
It is one thing for Letterman to be a self absorbed jerk and its another thing for him to be a self absorbed jerk that doesn’t have a clue.
Sunday, May 3, 2009 at apx 1:30 pm pdt from Grants Pass, OR, USA
Mr Bob Lutz:
David Letterman is a professional comedian….you’re a professional car builder; both professions are very dissimilar to each other.
I enjoy watching comedians who comment about current world events. But I don’t believe I’m ever influenced by what they say to the point where it would influence my decision to purchase a new automobile.
One thing that does influence me is the way I’m treated at a GM dealership when I have my GM cars serviced or repaired. That’s one-on-one and believe me, that experience is more lasting.
So sure, let David Letterman learn about the Volt first hand; but don’t expect him to stop doing what he’s paid to do….make jokes about the world around us.
I’ll never own a Volt because it priced way over my head but I do enjoy reading about it in car magazines and on the Internet….and I even enjoy hearing jokes about it on the media!
So Bob, whats the range of the Volt? “several hundred more miles” is kinda vague. Don’t fault Letterman for spreading misinformation if you’re not willing to spread some more details yourself. Also be clear that the “range extender” is a gasoline engine so your really talking about something entirely different than building a car that gets Americans back and forth to work and on their vacation roadtrip so we dont have to own one car for Mon-Friday and another for the weekends.
I don’t watch David Letterman and neither do my friends. We don’t find him to be very funny anymore. Your idea about educating Letterman and others like him is a good idea and don’t forget those nationally syndicated talk radio hosts that already pitch GM products. They have a huge audience and do a great job of representing GM products, especially Chevrolet.
There are millions of us in the United States who don’t know much about the Volt, but we hear alot about GM’s problems, and we do not like what we hear. Having the US government involved in your business is a huge liability that will be difficult to overcome. When the Volt comes to market it had better be first class with little or no maintenance issues and outstanding dealer support. If the automobile gets poor reviews the jokes about ‘government designed’ vehicles will start and GM will never live it down.
I can see why Dave had the Tesla car on first. He likes mid-engine cars. Last I heard he still owns a Pontiac Fiero and he is quoted as saying it handles like a go cart (he is right). If you go on his show, be prepared to answer why GM canceled the Fiero, as well as, Pontiac. I see a 10% market share for GM soon. I wonder how your company convinced the govt consultants the money pit Volt should stay and Pontiac should go.
With the US government bailover of GM, cars like the Volt become fascist instruments. Since my share of the cost of this insult to free enterprise and the rule of law will be extracted from me without my consent, I will protest this outgrage the only way I can: I will never buy a Volt, or any GM car.
Bob,
Maybe you could also explain why GM shelved the EV1 when it was what the world needed 10 years ago.
Have a great day,
Bluey
One would think that Dave would remember that Indianapolis had three GM plants (to say nothing of Chrysler and Ford plants) when he was growing up. One would think that Dave would remember that Muncie had two GM plants while he was going to college at Ball State University. One would also think that Dave interacted with many students whose parents worked for GM in Anderson, Marion and Kokomo, especially considering that in the time period that he attended college, Ball State was practically funded by money coming from GM, and to a lesser extent, Chrysler workers in New Castle. I guess Dave doesn’t realize that his beloved Indy 500 is staffed during the month of May by many temporary workers who are both active and retired GM workers. I’ve always been proud that a fellow Hoosier made it to the heights that Dave made it to, but I truly believe that Dave has forgotten who the people are that gave him his start. Jay Leno should have grown up in central Indiana. He would have been a much better representative of this state.
Dear Mr. Lutz,
You would have to agree with Mr. Letterman that the Volt is NOT an electric car, but rather one of many variations of Hybrids, and as such the pure electric range is 40 miles. Aside from that, the common logic behind your Volt does not make for a solid business plan. You spend fortunes of tax payers money on a car not bigger nor better than a current Chevy Cobalt, yet make it hardly any better than a mere hybrid to compete with established icons like the Prius. On top of that, with the expected selling price, there is no way this could make a profit for GM, and the last thing GM needs at this moment is yet another vehicle that does not make money. People in this low market segment are struggling in this economy, and they really don’t want to nor are they able to take out an extra loan to pay for the extra “luxury” of being slightly more environmentally conscious. Not even the middle class can afford to this in the current climate, and the top segment of the market will not want to turn up with a mere Chevy Cobalt sized Hybrid. They were willing to that 3 years ago and only had the Prius to choose from. I am really sorry, but I do think the Volt is too little and much too late.
Guess Jay Leno would have made a better presentation of Volt since cars are his hobby
Elon Musk?! This is the CEO who dumped millions into Tesla Motors with his team of Silicon Valley “engineers” before realizing that he had been had? Now he’s hired Detroit automotive engineers to get him out of the mess. With all of their hard work, Tesla expects to start making money sometime in the future on their $100,000 car. They’re presently loosing money on every car sold.
While I applaud Musk, his investors and customers for financing the development of an electric car, it’s always been relatively easy to build high performance cars where money is little or no object. The real engineering challenge is building an electric car, or any car for that matter, that is affordable for regular people. Tesla isn’t even in this game. With their money loosing supercar, they’ve proven that being competitive in the automotive industry is very difficult–even for a startup without any financial legacy issues.
If electric cars are to be in our future, GM and Toyota will be the ones that have the engineering prowess to bring them to the masses.
Oh, and David Letterman is not a car guy. He must have been getting himself confused with Jay Leno.
I agree with your sentiments exactly. I hope you get the opportunity to provide a test drive for Mr. Letterman and appear on his show.
Mr. Lutz,
Give Letterman a break ~ I’m sure he was seduced by the fact that the Tesla Model S looks like a Maserati, while the Volt more resembles a Honda Civic. If you weren’t working for GM, where would your heart be?
It would surprise me if Letterman actually drives himself to work, let alone to the end of his driveway. Stick to the acknowledged car guy – Jay Leno, or even Jimmie Kimmel, who we know can find his way from LA to Lions stadium.
Meanwhile, last night on “The Amazing Race” I saw all those Chinese Buicks, but they had only two wheels, pedals, and electric drive. Or wasn’t it GM that put the “juice” in the traditional moped?
Bob,
The Volt is a start, but are you making any progress on a electric car for the masses, instead of what will be an expensive plaything for celebrities to buy so they can show their environmental creds as they cruise down Rodeo Drive?
You need to be designing and selling an electric car that fits the following model:
A light-weight, all-electric in the $10,000 range that can supplement the liquid-fuel cars people now use. The all-electric should have a 40-50 mile single-charge range (reduced weight allows better range) for people to use commuting and for urban and suburban errands. It should be a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) on steroids that isn’t restricted to streets with speed limits of 25 mph or less as is now the case where most NEVs are legal.
The all-electric city errand car ~ The electric to be used during the week for going to work, taking the kids to school, going to the market, hardware store, church, library, etc.
The liquid-fuel, long-range, special-use car ~ The larger, long-range liquid fuel car to be used on weekends and for special occasions and/or longer trips.
People that live in rural areas probably won’t be in the market for the all-electric supplemental car, but that would be OK.
If you can just get urban and suburban people into light, all-electrics you would rapidly build a market, plus do something good for the environment.
Unfortunately, your Volt doesn’t fit that model. It’s smack in between being a true, comfortable, long-range car, and a shorter-range urban/suburban commuter/errand car.
Jay Leno is a CA car guy. David Letterman is a NY Subway guy. How can you blame someone from NY for not knowing anything about cars? Bob, I guess we can both be thankful that Letterman doesn’t fly airplanes.
Dear Mr. Lutz
I would also chime in that the Letterman show needs a rebuttal, but has no one see the British “Top Gear” episode where they tested the Tesla? It was hilarious and points out the major problems with that car, especially if you run out of juice. It is then done, deceased, dead, finished for hours while it recharges. To quote Monty Python, it becomes an “ex-car”.
Sad to see you retire, GM needs a real car enthusiast to help them out, not bureacrats from Washington running the new “Government Motors”.
Good Letter Bob
Make sure you bring him GM ’s Top ten list on what we have done over the last 100 yrs or so.
Im as prode as you Bob to be with GM.
Dave
I was disappointed in Letterman’.s comments on the Volt, and his silly “bit” about the Tesla,
the only reason I tuned in the show was to see what was happening with the sedan Tesla.
I ‘m sure his normal audience was in stitches.
Hi Bob, You should come up with a skit if you go on Lettermans show. Like the previous blogger said, “you don’t have to get even”. Get funny but show the facts. Maybe take him around and let him deliver some newspapers. Explain the facts about the volt while he’s in the car. Then at the same time you’ll be showing the audience the volt. Just a thought…
Enjoy your retirement and thanks for all you’ve done! You helped give us a boost of confidence that we needed.
GM,
Please don’t sell OPEL to FIAT-Chrysler. This will be another another big mistake by GM.
opel HAS PROVEN during year after year that it is an important part of GM family.
Even though the German gouvernment refuses to bail OPEL out, there is still way to save OPEL and only GM can find this way and do it, but do not SELL OPEL to FIAT-Chrysler please.
Just Curious BCC -
I assume you rent GM vehicles while you’re on a trip or something, but what is parked in your driveway or what do you actually own when you’re not renting a GM product?
It does bother me that the Tesla has a so much longer electric range than the Volt. I understand that there would be a reduction of electric range on the Volt due to the weight and space taken up by the onboard charging capabilities, but not 40 miles compared to 200 miles.
I also wonder, at a projected $40,000+ price tag, who the target market is for the Volt ? I’d like to get one, but at that price it might as well cost as much as the Tesla. I thought the original concept was to go against the Prius, which, after renting one for a week, shouldn’t be hard to beat in the marketplace, they feel like junk.
Ron: Precisely, when a company’s employees all want to run 1000′ extension cords out th ewindow from their cubicle to recharge on the “man’s” dime.
Jim Mbongo: have you noticed any Opels running around? (other than rebadged Saturn Astra) I say go for it, sell it all to Fiat, then maybe we can finally get the Opel brand back as an import. Let them have the Kappas, also – the Solstice Coupe is the closest thing to a modern interpretation of the 60s-70s Opel GT (yeah, yeah I know we build a new Opel GT based on Saturn Sky – but those days are certainly numbered with Pontiac gone and Saturn being sold or gone)
Talk about a knowledge management challenge: How to transfer Bob Lutz’s experience and intuition regarding what makes a hit to the GM product development team.
Bob,
Forget Letterman, try and get on Leno, who we all know is a serious car-guy, especially the nuts and bolts of them. Not to mention, I’d expect Leno’s ratings to quite a bit higher, so you’ll get a bigger bang for you 5 minutes of air time. Hell, I suppose try to get on both shows.
Bring on the Camaro convertible, waiting for that to put my name on the dotted line. Manual/full horsepower please!
Its a shame Pontiac! had to go.. And I agree with Leo go on the “JAY LENO SHOW” and have him speak his mind on the topic of the subject @ hand.
I just leased my third new Honda. The lease deals were just too attractive on the Civic Hybrid. The lease is for three years so, hopefully, GM and I will both still be around so I can see about replacing it with a new Volt. I haven’t completely given up on GM but, it’s been hard to keep the faith!
Letterman made fun of your car. So what? Do you have one to show him? Do you have one to SELL him? Or do you have a constant stream of press releases that promise to deliver something next year – 13 model years after Toyota got gas-electric drive on the road?
Forget Letterman. Just build the damn car. Take your chances in the market.
Tesla Motors is light years ahead. Sadly, it should not had been like that but they are long gone in the race.
Sorry GM.
Mr Lutz,
I hate to admit this, but it was rather therapeutic to watch Dave throw his boot into the Volt.
His reaction is a culmination of frustrations towards GM’s past decisions on EV1, as well as GM’s current financial predicament and GM’s continual gloating about how intelligent they all are for inventing the Volt..and yet we all still wait…
Deep down inside I regret that I also feel these frustrations.
Yes you are right, Dave did not have his facts straight about the way Voltec works – BUT his frustrations are entirely valid and shared by more than a few.
Please explain why the Volt has only a 40 mile range on electric power when Tesla Model-S will be getting 300 mile range?
And why does the Tesla Model-S looks so damn sexy and the Volt..well.. it looks.. rather functional..
How about a road trip?
A long time ago – even before the birth of Maximum Bob auto manufacturers would stage long distance endurance races. I’d like to see the Volt versus competing vehicles in a realistic cross country road trip. By realistic, I mean the kind of driving a typical couple would do, with the kind of luggage they would carry, on highways they’d likely take, and stops they’d normally make. I’d like to see a comparison of costs, convenience, and time. If there were breakdowns I’d like to know how they are handled by the existing service infrastructure, not a team of specialized tag along technicians. I’d like to see if the Chevrolet Volt is truly superior, and if it is, I’d like the rest of the American public to witness it. To make things really impartial, enlist the aid of a trusted auto enthusiast’s magazine to solicit competitive vehicles from other manufacturers and conduct the competition. I think GM ought to be able to provide a Volt, and as much as I’d really like to see a fuel cell Equinox in the mix, the lack of a hydrogen infrastructure makes it an automatic loser a few hundred miles after the trip begins.
Best wishes,
Val
Get ‘em Bob! I drive less than 5 miles each way to work and rarely do I drive over 40 miles per day so the Volt will be a great car for someone like me. I do (unlike Dave) also know that the Volt doesnt just shut down at the 40 mile mark.
Uninformed people who choose to talk about something they know nothing about makes hot under the collar. Dave, you should know better even if you do have a 40 mile long driveway.
Hello Bob:
Nice to hear from you again but why Pontiac? you seem to be a good poker player and maybe in a few years after Obamas paid back, you will come out of retirement (again) and bring back the lengend that brought muscle to the street, and bring back Pontiac. and may I say bring it back with a VENGANCE! destoy toyota!
bluebaby
Bob,
Great to hear you back!!
I would love to see you on Late Night to set the record straight on the Volt. It would be a great opportunity to “plug” the Volt too!
Charlie H said it all. Read his comment several times so it can sink in, and then get on with the real business at hand.
Having Letterman make fun of you is supposed to be a hallmark of being a superstar and a household name. Maybe you should focus on turning things around by producing excellent, innovative products, and then you won’t have to do so much damage control.
Lettermans too stupid to know the difference between these two cars and it’s always those mental midgets that take a swipe at a large car company. Just let him write his own jokes and see how long he lasts over there.
GM is changing things, the volt is an outstanding achievement. Let’s get it on the streets and show it off to the public and challenge the tesla to an endurance test, with all accessories on in death valley, then we’ll see how they work in their ride!
And Davo can always ride along with us, just ask him what car he prefers to ride in with a “Real world” shake down.
Dazed:
Letterman being misinformed and shilling for Tesla has nothing to do with “frustration”. What are you talking about? GM has always maintained that it would take years to come out with the Volt and they have been providing updates during development. They have not pushed back the launch date or missed any significant deadlines. If you are bothered by the slow pace of development you can feel free to stop checking in on Volt progress and go buy a Tesla. How many cars has Tesla sold? When will this “Model S” be on sale? Where can I buy a Tesla in the Philadelphia area? I have yet to see a dealer. How long does one have to wait after ordering a Tesla? To pretend Tesla is mass producing affordable electric cars is absolutely ridiculous. They are a tiny company that has made a few hundred cars and yet they have developed a cult like following in the media as the company that has supposedy beat Detroit without trying hard. I would also like to know what “gloating” Gm has done about the Volt? They have stated what the car should do and have made it clear that it will be the first production extended range electric car. That is just fact, not gloating. 2010 may seem like a long way off but that is when the car is due. If they miss that deadline than you can criticize them but you cannot get angry at the fact that GM is providing periodic updates.
It amazing that the cost of Tesla’s roadster isn’t mentioned when so many have chatised the Volt for its as yet unlisted MSRP. I don’t really think a $100k electric roadster with limited practicality is going to do much for the mass acceptance of electric cars. I believe this sedan that has been discussed is supposed to cost at least $50k which is far more than the Volt is likely to cost. What excactly is Tesla doing that is worthy of all this praise being lavished on them?
Janet:
They are churning out excellent innovative products but many folks like yourself wont give credit where its due. See if that sinks in. Letterman is spreading false information about a critical future product and sadly a large portion of import lovers who don’t do any research before formulating opinions about GM are naive enough to believe his statements. This is why Lutz has to say something. If you allow a rumor to persist it lends credence to the rumor.
Bob-
I’m so glad you took the time to clear up the misconceptions raised by Letterman with his ill-informed comments. I would hope a man in his position would take the time to learn the facts before spewing them to a national audience.
I would also like to express my hearfelt gratitude to you for coming back to GM late in your career and making a huge difference in both the quality and product mix. I purchased a 2006 GTO and absolutely loved the car. It was equal to or better than the BMW M3 in every respect. I now own a Saturn Sky Red Line which you also championed and absolutely love it.
Please accept my thanks for a job well done. You will be missed more than you know.
Don
Who really tunes into Letterman for a factual report anyways? Chill it Bob, I think those who matter most know that Letterman is clueless.
“Let me say one more thing: If I were to compile a Top Ten List of things General Motors needs to worry about at this moment in time, rebuking comments by David Letterman would not be among them, as you might guess.”
Concur. Responding to Letterman should be well towards the bottom of what must be a huge pile in your “in basket.”
But I do recommend you move renaming the Chevy Cruze to the top of the pile. That is a horrible name.
What are we to make of that name? That you don’t know how to spell “cruise?” Is it some kind of misspelled tribute to that beautiful Spanish actress Penelope Cruz? or, do your marketing people think it’s cool (that would be “kewl” for whoever thought up “Cruze”) to spell things with a “Z?”
I don’t worry too much about Letterman and his fan base: the Michael Moore generation will rave about the glories of the Tesla and complain about the Volt loud and long with nary a valid point (all the while whining about the demise of the EV1) until they get their wish and the electric power grid melts under a heap of coal dust.
Dave Letterman is upset about the EV1 being killed off. There needs to be an EV2 Volt version!!!
Bob, you need to take this to the next level and I think the best opportunity to trump Letterman is to arrange to show off the Volt on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. You’ll have a larger audience and an educated car nut who would be more than happy to show the nation that the Chevrolet Volt is a revolution in hybrid technology. Jay Leno has always shown the love for GM cars and its technology. I certainly think this would be a good play on GM’s part in the name of damage control and educating consumers on what the Volt is really about.
sheth said:
I believe (the Tesla) sedan that has been discussed is supposed to cost at least $50k which is far more than the Volt is likely to cost.
Tesla Model S is said to be priced at $49,900 … we have no price for the Volt yet but it wouldn’t be “far” less than $49,900..
Also, still waiting for an explaination on the difference between the 300 mile electric range Tesla is reporting and the 40mile electric range from Volt.
Honestly, is Tesla telling us a lie or are they on to some seriously advanced technology?
How can mr. lutz say letterman didn’t know the whole story. He had the telsa guy on talking about electric cars. Volt gets 40 miles per charge,..Telsa gets over 200 miles per charge. So where was he misinformed? Bottom line is the Big 3 has had its 75 years of Fame. Smaller car manufacturers and also foriegn are giving what the American Public wants. Fuel Mileage and cars that last longer and with better TRADE IN VALUE. Detroit is 10 years behind in technology,..if not,..then why did they wait so long too do what others been doing,….and that would be,..Delivering!
Dave may drive more than 40 miles a day on his commute from the palatial Connecticut estate, but about 80 percent of Americans don’t. And those people could conceivably drive the Volt every day and never use a drop of gasoline.
Thats true bob L,….but of the 80% you’d be lucky if 10% could afford a $40,000 new car, Maybe 10 years after their traded in a few times the other 70% could then buy a Volt.
Bob,
I appreciate your comments on the issue with Letterman. However, giving him any more press is not going to change his mind unless you had him flying around the Lutz Ring in a C6 while mentioning the virtues of the EREV technology as you approached a sharp left right off camber turn, whilst his head was thrown back in total submission. The point is it would be fruitless. We at GM would receive more negative press for rebutting a person who makes his living by making or attempting to make people laugh at the expense of others misery. We can make our point by producing what we believe is the right approach and the market will bear that once our vehicle is sold. Rebutting him on TV only opens you and the company to more rebuke by those whose job is to sell commercials and placate those whose narrow minds can only absorb a miniscule amount of math and science along with fact that you would overwhelm them with in 5 min. Don’t lower yourself to their level, you are much too humble for that fight, nor do they deserve to sit in the same room as you. I trust you already know this, but sometimes it’s good to hear it from others, but who am I to advise you? You are the best person to represent GM and have made your impact not by words, but by deeds, hands down. I to am sorry to see you ride off or fly off into the sunset, but you have more than exceeded your ability to contribute to this industry which I am proud to be a part of both as a whole and particularly GM. Au revoir Messr!
bobj:
Can you tell me where you’ve seen the price of the Volt confirmed? No car is priced 18 months before showing up in dealerships. Not one. Tesla is giving a small number of people what they want months after they order the car. If you think they are legitimate competition for GM or Ford or anyone else you are woefully misinformed. Tesla makes a few hundred vehicles a year. That is hardly significant. Also- please tell me how people who don’t live in California are supposed to buy and service a Tesla. Deal with the facts and stop letting your hatred of GM dictate your ill conceived talking points.
FYI,
And Mr. Musk does it again…
VIDEO: Elon Musk misrepresents Chevy Volt performance, Tesla getting few new orders for Roadster
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/05/11/video-elon-musk-misrepresents-chevy-volt-performance-tesla-get/
Bobj:
I just read that the much hyped Tesla model S wont be on sale until a YEAR after the Volt and the $50k cost that you are touting is AFTER tax breaks. This means the car is really over $57k. If the Volt is $40k and gets a $7500 tax credit it will be $32,500 which is about $17k cheaper than the Tesla. Considering Tesla is two years away from production and the car is going to be very expensive I wouldn’t be touting the “success” of the Model S as of yet. At least GM has cars on the street with the Volt’s drivetrain already. How far is Tesla with the Model S? I wouldn’t take their word on the price either because they jacked up the price on the roadster after struggling with financial losses.
Sheth,
That $7,500 tax credit for the Volt is cold comfort. Unfortunately, a Federal tax credit or subsidy for one person, only means a tax on somebody else.
Ned:
You need to take that up with the environmental lobby that has urged Congress to enact this tax break. At this point there is no use in debating the merits of the subsidy because it exists and will be around for a while.
__________________________________________________________________________
No Lutz = No Voltec Program.
No Voltec Program = No Lyle Volt Blog Site.
No Lyle Volt Blog Site = No You and Others Chatting About Chevy Volt
No You and Others Chatting About Chevy Volt = No Chevy Volt Grass Roots Movement
No Chevy Volt Grass Roots Movement = No 2010 Scheduled Production of Chevy Volt
No 2010 Scheduled Production Chevy Volt = No Competing EV/EREV Car Push by the Car Majors
No Competing EV/EREV Car Push by the Car Majors = No Electric Car Revolution.
No Electric Car Revolution = Continued Hostage to Petrol ICE Cars
Continued Hostage to Petrol ICE Cars = Continued Hostage to OPEC
Continued Hostage to OPEC = Continued American Massive Export of Energy Dollars + More Young American’s Killed in Foreign Lands to Secure American’s Energy Needs
Thank You Mr. Lutz!
____________________________________________________________________________
Electric Cars + Nuclear Energy = American Energy Independence!
____________________________________________________________________________
Bob,
PLEASE explain to him that it is not 40 miles, but 40 miles PER DAY n(or more). If you multiply that by 365 you get 14600 miles per year of gas free driving. Put him on the spot and ask him if that is “crap”. If everyone drove this type of car it would make us energy independent overnight. Is that crap?
Also point out that the tesla is a great car but its batteries must be replaced after 5-7 years at a cost of 36k or something. Thats more than the volt.
The Volt is a “waste of time and effort.” safety is an issue, power is an issue, mantiance is an issue and it will ONLY take the smoke from the exhaust to the smoke stacks to charge the HIGH-PRICED batteries. Get real it won’t work, never has and never will until a battery is invented that will charge as fast as it uses power. LOL.
I’m a car guy let me antlyze it and give you an honest report. Remember it is not how many miles to the gallon you get it how many miles to the dollar you get over a 5 year 75000 mile period, bumper tp bumper cost.
This car will add to a long list of failures that G.M has created and thrown off on the public. Don’t forget the Vega, Citation, Chevette ( could have been a good car if G.M had used the Iron Duke 4 cylinder that had) and etc.
Don’t think for one minute the “GENERAL PLUBIC” will fall for this. Trust me they won’t, of course only time will tell.
How has G.M. overlooked the fact that WIND POWERED ALTERNATORS IN A CAGE ROOF TOP MOUNTED CAN OFFER FREE CHARGEING of the batteries with less restiance and enhance the range.
I talk to real people in the real world about cars, people want cars that are not loaded with stuff they don’t use that gets 35 MPG. ON-STAR is something people don’t use. People want a car NOT LOADED with equiptment for 200.00 a month. It can be built and it will be built now that GM and Chrysler has destoryed their reputations by blameing their poor products and managment on the DEALERS.
You know like, lets give our (to put it lightly) CEO who resigned ( and who by the way almost bankruped the company under his regin) a 20 million dollar retirement package.
Get real build what people want, talk to people and find out what they want. Get your head on your sholders and stop the nonsense and start building cars without the frills and that people can afford. You can out-smart some of the people some of the time, but not all the people all the time.
Until the above happens I will be driving in safety in my V-10 FORD EXCURSION with 10 A-Burnin and 4 A-TURNIN, getting the same mileage as a YUKON.
Mr. Lutz,
It is quite possible that David Letterman got his information from your own post. I am referring to the post you Sir made on 11-21-2008 on: http:fastlane.GMblogs.com/archives/2008/11/volt_the_next_phase.html
Where you stated the Volt went nearly 19 SILENT MILES ON A 60% BATTERY CHARGE.
Of course the same post has also appeared in at least one other web address that was also posted by you. So it has been posted twice.
Is it unreasonable for someone to expand on what you said 5 months ago?
You must admitt you left yourself wide open on this one.
Is it fair to interpet a Range-Extender as being: A gasoline engine? If it is indeed an internal combustion engine I would take issue with it being called a Range-Extender.
This is the kind of blog that there is nothing to gain. Its very hard to put a Twist and Spin on something of this nature.
Also as you well know the automobile business is no longer a Local market, National market, but a World market. One must ask themselves is the World ready for this type of car.
Dear Mr. Lutz,
maybe you also should invite Alec Baldwin for a Chevrolet Volt test-drive. Either he’s no idea what’s going on at GM in recent years or he watched too many Letterman shows.
See this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alec-baldwin/the-rise-and-fall-of-detr_b_204462.html
Perhaps the Letterman-Musk dialogue was based on a comparison of the cars’ single charge electric power range. I’d like to see a side-by-side product comparison of the two cars. The Model exterior S is definitely more attractive than the Volt. Tesla wins there. The Volt seems like a more practical car. With the weight of GM’s vehicle development experience and expertise behind it, it should be a much more reliable car. I’d be curious to know what the quality issues are with the Tesla 2-seater. I don’t think the stats have hit JD Power yet.
Mr. Lutz,
David Letterman is a good, fair man. He is just mad about the current state of our country, as most of us are. The fingers are being pointed everywhere and he just happened to join the masses pointing them at the US car industry. There is a lot more to the situation, obviously, and going on his show to set the record straight was great. Defending the industry is exactly what needs to be going on right now so we can bounce back, granted, trust is going to be necessarily earned back. The appearance was a step in the right direction. Letterman actually helped Chevy by bringing the Volt into the light of a large audience. I am happy with how this misunderstanding was handled and it was mutually beneficial for both parties. PS You have kept your self in excellent condition and remind me of a slightly older George Clooney.
Mr. Lutz,
DON’T RETIRE! We need this kind of passion, and “go get ‘em” attitude at GM. Are you sure you want to leave?
I saw you on Letterman last night and it was classic. Thanks for taking the bull by the horns and setting the record straight. People who promote passion are rare, and you are one of them!
Thanks Again!
Early purchase program for the Volt? ~ Don’t make the same mistakes you made with Camaro
Last night on Letterman you mentioned the Volt would be on sale in late 2010 and in showrooms in 2011.
Here’s my request when you do:
If you have an early purchase program for the Volt, please put someone in charge other than those who ran the early purchase program for the Camaro. They have done a horrible job, and you can’t stand to go through the same thing with the Volt. All it does is alienate customers.
I read today (6/3/09) that Toyota will be leasing plug in electric cars by year end 2009. It seems Toyota understands marketing. Even though the numbers they are talking about is only a couple of hundred, they can point out they they were first to market an electric Plug-In vehicle. This will surely be touted as evidence of their superior engineering.
How is it that GM excited the world a couple of years ago at the auto show with the Volt display, but is are getting beat to market by our competitors ? This looks like a great marketing strategy and typifies our largest weakeness at GM. Very Disappointing. Please send us some info on how to explain this to our friends and neighbors, who we have been touting the Volt and the technology for so long to.
Dave Letterman is proof positive that television executives will continue to hire stupid morons who can barely eat with a spoon. Dave is becoming more and more like Joe Biden who has extreme difficulty walking around with both his feet stuck firmly in his mouth. Just look at Dave’s comment about Sarah Palin’s daughter. Disgusting! We could certainly do without people like Letterman on TV.
As for GM, I know the execs have learned many bitter lessons over the past year, but let’s not forget that had our dear government stood firm and NOT permitted the Japs to come here and take a foothold in our economy, there would be no problem. Our government rolls over and gets into bed with the Japs and the Chinese every day. Oh no, don’t take a stand on buying American, you’ll start a trade war, can’t do that. But it’s okay to let the Japs sell cars in this country cheaper than they can build them. It’s okay to let the Japs hold us hostage by the economic shorthairs. It’s okay to kiss the jailer on the cheek who holds us in economic prison, but let’s not join together and revolt and send the jailer packing. Oh no, let’s forget what was done December 7, 1941. Let’s proudly display a “Support our U.S. Troops” magnets on our cars, we just won’t talk about the U.S. troops who died at Pearl Harbor, even though they deserve our support and homage too. No, let’s just keep telling ourselves that Jap cars are American cars. Just like the Germans told themselves that Hitler was good for Germany. I remember mama used to say “History — if you don’t learn from it, you’re doomed to make the same mistake.” Yep, sounds about right nowadays.
Bob, Bob, Bob….forget David Letterman….forget the Volt/Tesla debate for now….what you have to keep from happenign before you leave GM is to make sure that Pontiac isn’t killed off like Oldsmobile was. Oldsmobile shouldn’t have been killed off for Saturn’s sake like it was, it’s true, but since you still HAVE Pontiac….DON’T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE TWICE!! Both divisions were historical divisions! Both had glorious sales records once….if you’ll remember, the Catalina was consistently third in sales after Chevy and Ford in the sixties. (The Cutlass was THE best selling car in the country for about half a decade once, in the late 70s and early 80s….!) Now….why kill Pontiac off, with its sales history, classic models like the GTO, Trans Am, ‘69 Grand Prix, Firebird Formula 400, Fiero GT, Solstice, etc….when you have a diivision that’s a clone of Chevy trucks, and that’s ALL, that you could cancel…or make PART of Pontiac, as you keep Pontiac as your sport division?? I mean, YOU JUST INTRODUCED THE SOLSTICE COUPE!!!
Make sense, faith ‘n begorrah!!! And stop whittling away at your better parts!! Where will the Solstice/Sky go without Pontiac OR Saturn around??
Just my two dollars worth….
P MOrris-
AMEN!
The Volt seems like a really neat car. I would have considered owning one. Before, that is, the US Government forcibly took my tax money from me and handed it over to your company against my will. I was basically forced to buy a GM car…and I didn’t even get the car! From this point on, GM vehicles are categorically stricken from my shopping list. Chrysler vehicles as well are will no longer even be on the radar when I’m shopping. I look forward to possibly purchasing a Ford, though. I’ve spoken with quite a few other people who have expressed similar sentiments…won’t buy a car from GM from this point on due to the bailout. I think taking the bailout money, ironically, in the end may cost you ( GM ) more than not taking it.