Comments for Do You Have Questions for Rick Wagoner? at http://www.ecogeek.org , comment 1 to 37 out of 20 comments http://www.ecogeek.org Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:50:02 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-25928 my question: What's your favorite alternative fuel ? - Jonn Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:40:53 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-25168 Here's 2 questions... 1. When are you going to build a bigger HUMMER with an engine that has more balls than the current one? 2.When will you realize that this truck requires a larger fuel tank? One thing gnawes my balls more that green fags is having to stop for 35 gallons of fuel every other day - Stu Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:48:15 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-23091 Why have you agreed to supply the engine for the Fisker Karma when they may compete with you (Cadillac) in the future? Are you planning to licence Fisker Automotive's technology? How will GM spend money from the DOE ATVM loans? Ask about LG vs. A123, domestic concerns. - Curious Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:47:41 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-22946 With the NIMH battery, you could have released affordable, efficient cars that might have revolutionized the industry and made America the leader of clean car technology. Why did you sell the battery to Texaco, an oil compnay? - Eth Sun, 11 Jan 2009 08:35:47 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-22932 "You see Gregg we at GM sold the NIMH battery patent to Texaco/Chevron to make sure NO ONE could build that car anytime soon. Not even us. So we had to go with the ridiculously expensive lithium 40mile range volt solution. OH and we purposely made the all electric range on the volt about the same as the typical LEAD ACID home built conversion range so people would not think EV's are all that great. We are just biding our time until we can scam the people of earth on Hydrogen Fuel cells which are a FRACTION as efficient a FRACTION as green and VERY VERY expensive both to make and for you to refuel (ie that's the point)" You can produce the EV1 with Lithium batteries to give it the same range as the technology they sold. So while their selling of that patent to a company which has reasons to not use it was a bad CONSUMER choice, it's not a reason to take an existing car and it's research and utilize it to expedite the delivery timeline on an all electric car. RE: 40 mile range. Difference is the Lead Acid home brew version will cost you about 30K less than the VOLT to complete. RE Hydrogen - Those who have researched and read on this know it's a dead tech ... but people like the idea of a new "gas" to put in their cars. - Gregg Sun, 11 Jan 2009 02:10:03 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-22930 My goof that should say $13,000 NOT $1300 - Chris Taylor Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:51:09 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-22929 "-- Why build the Volt when you could have simply taken the EV1, a proven and reliable ALL electric car, and sold it (or it's internals in an existing popular 4 door sedan) and saved the time and money (both of which you by your own claims you have little left (pre bailout) of doing an all new car?" I can answer that for you. You see Gregg we at GM sold the NIMH battery patent to Texaco/Chevron to make sure NO ONE could build that car anytime soon. Not even us. So we had to go with the ridiculously expensive lithium 40mile range volt solution. OH and we purposely made the all electric range on the volt about the same as the typical LEAD ACID home built conversion range so people would not think EV's are all that great. We are just biding our time until we can scam the people of earth on Hydrogen Fuel cells which are a FRACTION as efficient a FRACTION as green and VERY VERY expensive both to make and for you to refuel (ie that's the point) - Chris Taylor Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:47:59 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-22927 We have the technology to build an over 100 mile ALL electric car for under $1300 TO the consumer. ALL we need are the batteries. Exactly why did GM sell the NIMH battery patent to Texaco/Chevron? That's the only question I want answered. - Chris Taylor Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:43:51 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-22925 Can we have our money back? - Matt Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:06:28 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-22924 massive orders of EVs - not the Volt obviously - Susan Kraemer Sat, 10 Jan 2009 19:37:38 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-22923 Has he heard CalCars idea: To encourage people to put $1,000 deposits on electric vehicles (and PHEVs) that congress would then gradually add up to $10,000 [i](and your money would be safe in escrow if they don't get the Volt out, you'd get your deposit back)[/i][b] to help them with getting the Volt out the door[/b]. (Most of the deposits would go to it, obviously) - Susan Kraemer Sat, 10 Jan 2009 19:35:28 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-22921 Ok, here is my list of questions. 1. What ways is GM lightening the weight of its vehicles? What are some of the more promising technologies to lighten vehicles in the future? 2. With the new incoming administration, what kinds of government policies would you like to see ratified to remain competitive with foreign competition? For example, subsides for advanced technology batteries. 3. Why did GM choose to develop the Volt with an internal combustion engine generator, as opposed to a pure electric vehicle? 4. How is GM aiding the growth of alternative fuel infrastructures such as, ethanol, hydrogen and vehicle to grid. 5. What has GM done to make its day to day operations more energy efficient? What does GM plan to do in the future to make its operations more energy efficient? 6. What are some ways besides fuel economy that GM will make their vehicles more environmentally friendly? By the way Hank, welcome to Detroit. We just got pounded with a bunch of snow (the perfect way to start the auto show). I'll be at the show this Tuesday. Maybe I'll see you there. - Greg S. Sat, 10 Jan 2009 18:58:26 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-22919 One of the biggest challenges GM and all other automakers face is fact that customers tastes and preferences in regard to fuel mileage change faster than their ability to plan their model lineups. I.e. It takes 3-5 years to plan a new model, but gas prices can move dramatically as we have seen in 2008. Would GM be in favor of federal regulations which would establish a base price for gas (say $4 through a federal gas tax which would phase in and out depending on world gas spot prices or based on a carbon tax?) This could both preserve the economic logic for moving to high gas mileage vehicles for climate reasons and properly influence consumer behavior while allowing the automakers to properly plan their models. - Shawn Sat, 10 Jan 2009 18:43:50 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-22917 I would love to know when GM will finally open their factories and research lines to fledgling car producers and allow cutting edge design to be created instead of more repulsive eco-boxes. We want economy cars to be like Honda CRX-Si & Cadillacs to be like the big finned 1950's OTT machines, not the bland cr8p being released now. Will GM expand it's vision beyond different shades of the same? If not, can they shut down by June? - Steve Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:05:07 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-22916 y?? @SS abdhjnjhujbndgbsjkuiqa - ur momma Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:18:48 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-22914 Will you commit to rolling the PHEV technology in the Volt out to all of GM's brands and global markets by 2015? If not, when do you think you will be able to commit to this, wait to long and it will be impossible. - Kyle Cherrick Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:02:35 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-22913 -- Why build the Volt when you could have simply taken the EV1, a proven and reliable ALL electric car, and sold it (or it's internals in an existing popular 4 door sedan) and saved the time and money (both of which you by your own claims you have little left (pre bailout) of doing an all new car? - Gregg Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:56:57 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-22912 1. What is your 5 year plan for innovation as the Americans' interest in SUVs, your best-selling product category, begins to dwindle? 2. 2 major perceptions of your cars are that they are unreliable in the long-term and gas-guzzlers (compared to outperforming Japanese brands). What are the top 3 things that GM is doing to change this? 3. How does your old electric car design stack up against the current competition? Could you bring it back in its previous incarnation or would significant new R&D be necessary for it to stand up against available models from other companies? 4. Some of your models that sell in Japan and Europe are smaller and more fuel efficient. Could GM help itself significantly by bringing some of their more international successful designs to the US? - Cat Laine Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:31:17 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-22910 Why not come up with some kind of new stock option or something, which is tied to research and development, and use the money from that to do huge amounts of researching and development quickly? Of course, to get them to sell, you would need to already have some things in the works. - shea Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:50:20 +0100 http://www.ecogeek.org/automobiles/2454#comment-22909 Ooooo I got one, Given the current crisis with your company & the current trend towards electric vehicles, why dont you try to partner with Tesla Motors? You need the range of the Tesla battery packs for your proposed Volt & Tesla needs a couple of factories to ramp up their production of the Roadster & subsequent models down the line. Maybe u could run this by the Pres.-Elect & ALSO receive help in doing so! - Fsh Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:45:12 +0100