Feb. 28 at 4:25 p.m.
Filed under:
Autos
By Reuters
A Chevrolet Volt sits plugged into a newly installed electric charging station outside General Motors' world headquarters in Detroit, Oct. 12, 2010. (Reuters/Rebecca Cook)
General Motors’ mostly electric Chevy Volt turned in a lackluster performance for efficiency in its first series of road tests by product raters at Consumer Reports.
“We would have really liked to have loved it,” David Champion, director of Consumer Reports auto test center told Reuters on Monday after announcing the organization’s top picks for 2011.
“It was fun to drive and the ride quality was pretty good. But when you look at the finances, for us it doesn’t make any sense,” Champion said. Get the full story »
Jan. 11 at 3:27 p.m.
Filed under:
Autos,
Bankruptcy
By Associated Press
A big cut in product development spending while General Motors was in bankruptcy protection set the company’s product development plans back by about a year, its top executive told reporters Tuesday.
Chairman and CEO Daniel Akerson said the company is working to accelerate vehicle plans that were postponed when research and development spending was cut to $5 billion per year as the company was trying to save money during its 2009 stay in bankruptcy protection. The spending has since been restored to $7 billion.
Jan. 6 at 2:41 p.m.
Filed under:
Autos
By Mary Jane Grandinetti
A licensing agreement among LG Chem, Argonne National Laboratory and General Motors will result in lighter, more powerful lithium-ion batteries for the Chevrolet Volt.
The deal, announced Thursday, gives LG Chem and GM U.S. access to Argonne’s patented lithium- and nickel-manganese-cobalt cathode combination that will be used to extend range between charges, increase battery life and improve the safety of lithium-ion cells.
“This is cutting-edge technology that is going to improve future electrified vehicles — pure electrics, extended-range electrics and plug-in hybrids,” Jon Lauckner, president of GM Ventures, said of the second generation cathode material. Get the full story »
Nov. 30, 2010 at 11:38 a.m.
Filed under:
Autos,
Energy,
Jobs/employment
By Reuters
The Chevy Volt. (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
General Motors said on Tuesday it would hire 1,000 engineers and researchers in Michigan over the next two years to develop more electric cars and hybrids as it launched its battery-powered Chevrolet Volt.
“Volt clearly demonstrates that we are well on our way and it is especially true when it comes to the electrification of the automobile,” GM Chief Executive Dan Akerson said at a ceremony marking the start of production of the plug-in hybrid.
The Volt, which tops the Toyota Prius for fuel economy, is a first-of-its-kind vehicle that GM has touted as a symbol of its commitment to pushing for gains in fuel efficiency and developing new technology. Get the full story »
Nov. 18, 2010 at 11:40 a.m.
Filed under:
Autos,
Energy,
Environment,
Green
By Reuters
(Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
The Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric car, the centerpiece of a revitalized General Motors, was named 2011 Green Car of the Year on Thursday.
The highly anticipated Volt received the industry’s top environmental honor the same day GM shares began trading on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges.
The Volt edged out the Nissan Leaf, Ford’s Fiesta, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid to win the award. Get the full story »
