Wagoner Heading to Bailout Hearing in Chevy Volt Prototype

Chevrolet Volt

Showcasing GM's high-tech future

By Michael Gauthier
December 4, 2008 3:17 PM
Filed Under: American, Chevrolet, Corporate/Financial, General Motors

After last months public relations nightmare where CEO's from the big three took private jets to Washington DC to ask for a 25 billion dollar government loan package, General Motor's CEO Rick Wagoner has decided to forgo the first class accommodations for a Chevy Volt mule.

The mule will be outfitted with the body of a Chevy Cruze but it will be equipped with the powertrain from the highly anticipated Chevy Volt. GM hopes this will send an important message to members of Capital Hill, stating in essence that a key part of the company's turn around plan will be based on new vehicles that will feature advanced technologies and improved fuel economy.

During GM's presentation the company will showcase the technology behind the Volt in an effort to explain to the Senators that the company's viability will be based on new energy saving technologies. With GM's plan to cut costs and focus on four core brands, the company is hoping Congress will approve their request for $18 billion in government loans.

Source: Automotive News

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Comments

IKA

December 4, 2008 3:54 PM

Looks like HON civic.One question,chevrolet was been bought by chinese?))

William346

December 4, 2008 5:09 PM

To whom it may concern etc. Fitting a Chevy Volt with a Chevy Cruze body and driving to Washington is not lateral thinking, out of the box, etc. This guy should not be applauded. If you want the American tax payer to bail you out then start thinking! Ever heard of buses and trains? Or, why not drive a standard car? Sure, I know its a marketing/persuasion idea, but how much does it cost, given you are broke, to outfit this Chevy Volt? Let's pretend it costs $1.00. That is one dollar you guys don't have. However, full marks for at least trying this time, a couple more board meetings and you guys might get back on track and save our asses too so that we can buy your products in the future.

joelynn

December 4, 2008 5:16 PM

Wikipedia- "According to GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, his worst decision of his tenure at GM was "axing the EV1 electric-car program and not putting the right resources into hybrids. It didn’t affect profitability, but it did affect image.""

well maybe it did affect profits.... GM should've been so far ahead of the game... and then they trashed their advantage

DieselDog

December 4, 2008 6:03 PM

Volt - schmolt. He rode in a Malibu Hybrid. I'll be *THAT* was fun.

car-o-bar

December 4, 2008 8:38 PM

Volt will NOT make it from Detroit to DC. It will break down.

gmfan09

December 5, 2008 12:35 AM

Apparently if made it

flyerbry

December 7, 2008 6:57 AM

Lets see... They drove the most efficient prototype that they already had sitting in the garage. The dollars to build it were already spent. The rail system in the US is a joke and the only way you are going to find a bus from Detroit to DC is by chartering one yourself - no way that's cheaper than driving the a Volt! If you are going to make a comment that doesn't make sense at least do us all the favor of making it entertaining! The EV1 was certainly ahead of its time but it failed due to the fact that miniscule consumer demand wouldn't begin to cover the development costs. Thank the politicians for requiring the car companies to build electric vehicles then rewarding the ones who didn't by dropping the requirement after GM had already invested millions. Meanwhile, the majority of the other vehicles GM produced during this time were left to rot instead of being improved.

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