- Posted on Monday, October 15th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Thinking Green
By Bob Boniface
GM Design Director, E-Flex Systems
Bob Boniface led the exterior design team for the Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric concept car, which was revealed in Detroit last January. The Volt can go up to 40 miles on a single electric charge, meaning that 75% of American commuters could go to and from work without ever needing a drop of gas. Here are some thoughts from Bob as part of efforts to help celebrate Blog Action Day.
Twenty years ago this month I started working one of my first “real” jobs, in Boston. I had an office just off Fanueil Hall, which as anyone who’s visited Boston knows, is an inspiring sight. And while I was living in Boston, I began my quest to become an automotive designer. It’s been a long, fun, and amazing 20 years as I’ve reached that goal. And so it was with some pride, not to mention a little bit of irony, that 20 years later, I returned to Boston last week with the Chevy Volt — the car I am leading the design team for — parked just outside my old office.
Working on the Chevrolet Volt has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my career at GM. One aspect of my job that I’ve particularly enjoyed lately is having the opportunity to take the Volt across the country to show people what we’re capable of, in terms of achieving fuel-free, cleaner living.
In July, we took the Volt to Washington, D.C., positioning it in public spaces like the Georgetown Waterfront, RFK Stadium and Union Station, so that locals on their way to work or out with friends could see the vehicle and let us know what they thought of it.
Last week, we did the same thing in Boston — displaying the Volt at Faneuil Hall, South Station, M.I.T, and other local spots — and I had the good fortune of being able to be there with the car. I love seeing people’s faces as they approach the vehicle, and it’s even more gratifying for me to answer their questions and watch them nod in approval at what the Volt can accomplish. Yes, the Volt is still a concept car, but GM has taken many affirmative steps toward making it a reality in the next few years.
These photos of the latest stop on the Volt tour capture the excitement and curiousity that Americans have about this car. I am just happy to have been a part of the team that created it.
Next stop: Miami!
To see more of the Volt in Boston, make sure to check out our Volt Flickr set.
14 Comments
noel park
Somebody said today, on the “gm-volt.com” blog that, “It’s survival time for US automakers.” Too true.
The Volt is a critical part of that survival. I have my money ready in the bank. I have volunteered many times to put down a four figure,non-refundable, cash deposit RIGHT NOW.
Let’s make it happen, sooner, not later!
Edward Hayes
Bob,
There is a huge gaping hole in the Chevrolet product line that I need you to fill for me. That large chasm between the Cobolt and Malibu. The safe spot where cars like the Nissan Altima and Honda Accord rule the roost.
There are four ingredients to a vehicle’s success today.
1. Style
-which has mostly to do with newness or novelty. It does not even matter anymore if a new design is better or worse just that it has changed to a new dress. And those customers will follow especially if it’s the same…
2. Brand
-and this too is important. And brand here does not mean just Chevrolet or Toyota it is Camry, Prius and Malibu. These too are brands. So to measure the Volt’s success we must observe how GM handles the brand called Volt through the next decade and not call it a success or failure after the first 3 months or 3 years. Brands are built up over time, not overnight.
3. Category
-The right segment, filling those product holes like a mid-size Chevrolet to compare in size to Altima and Accord. GM is still virtually dead in this segment. It has only recently caught up with crossovers but we are not satisfied till we see GM compete with the best selling Lexus RX 350 Crossover and shows something of a crossover for Saab. A Volt power train introduced in any of these categories would kill two birds with one stone.
4. Fuel Economy
Notice the order and I think I got the right order. Fuel economy is important especially today but customers will not ignore or sacrifice style for it and we know that with the hybrid duds like the Ford Escape and Honda Accord hybrids.
Hybrids just like their muscle car counterparts of the 60’s, vehicles driven by style that reflect the intention of their power trains needs to be stated and stated clearly through style.
So you cannot compromise on style. You have to take a stand and get this thing to production as close to your initial design as possible.
If you don’t consider hybrids as the modern equivalent of the muscle car design and power war of the 60’s and 70’s then GM will absolutely fail just as Honda failed with the uninspired Accord.
It’s still after all about style and image, and image today says, “Hay look at me I’m saving the world!”
edvard
ahhh…. Boston. I lived there myself for 2 years. Great city- COLD winters. The Volt still looks as good as it did when I first saw it revealed. I have many friends who’ve expressed an interest in it.
Build it right, deliver the style, and you will have a winner.
noel park
Edward, 6:25 PM:
I think that your last four paragraphs sum it up extremely well. Well done!
Zachary Sherman
The Volt would be a major sucess for GM. If it can be produced, I believe it could radically alter the automotive world, and that is just what GM needs to do right now. Bring it to market with the style and promise of the concept and I will be first in line to buy it.
getalifeagain
The design of the Volt will be popular as an E-Flex or gasoline auto. It just has the good looks and is futuristic in design.
Gary Dikkers
Mr Boniface,
I couldn’t help but notice that you said can accomplish, not what it has accomplished.
When are you actually going have a prototype you can drive around the streets of Washington, DC and Boston instead of offloading it from a carrier and having it do nothing more than sit on display?
I know you’re waiting on the Li-ion batteries, but why not build a driveable prototype now with NiMH batteries? At least you could demonstrate “proof of concept.” Think how gratifying it would be for you if you could actually demonstrate the Volt as opposed to just displaying it?
Volt range
I do have a question for you: Mr Lutz has repeatedy talked about a driving range of about 40 miles for the Volt on one charge. That sounds fair enough.
But, the EV-1 had a range of about 75 to 100 miles on one charge even though it used NiMH batteries.
No one has satisfactorily explained why the Volt will have inferior range with supposedly superior batteries.
Care to take a crack at explaining that?
Regards,
Gary Dikkers
Jim
GM is leading the future of the auto industry with the Volt and the E-Flex system. The US currently sends over 250 billion dollars a year to other countries to buy oil. A large percentage of this oil is consumed by our vehicles. Most electricity is produced in the US from US coal & nuclear, etc. We can keep the money for ourselves (more jobs, etc). Using electricity to power a car also pollutes a lot less than fossil fuels. It is a no brainer. I predict GM will sell 10 million of these vehicles within 7 years after production is started. I know they will have my business.
J.T. Feeney
I’am ready to test the Volt, please let me know when you need people to lease or buy the Volt!
lylel
Jim on October 22, 2007 6:54 PM has it on the nose. There is so much talk about the environment and saving the planet. GM, saving the planet is all well and good, but there are those of us that have a very strong desire to not buy gasoline period. The Volts 40 mile range will satisfy my requirement. I have no desire to fund countries that seek our destruction or conversion to their culture/religion. If only more people would realize what Germany is doing. They have a goal to get 20% of their electricity needs from photoelectric cells (solar cells) by the year 2020 and are ahead of schedule. (the government and citizens) “get it” when will we Americans “get it”? Germany thinks the technology exists to proceed. If only Washington did to.
lylel
Jim on October 22, 2007 6:54 PM has it on the nose. There is so much talk about the environment and saving the planet. GM, saving the planet is all well and good, but there are those of us that have a very strong desire to not buy gasoline period. The Volts 40 mile range will satisfy my requirement. I have no desire to fund countries that seek our destruction or conversion to their culture/religion. If only more people would realize what Germany is doing. They have a goal to get 20% of their electricity needs from photoelectric cells (solar cells) by the year 2020 and are ahead of schedule. (the government and citizens) “get it” when will we Americans “get it”? Germany thinks the technology exists to proceed. If only Washington did to.
AES
Gary Dikkers-
The EV1 had the aforementioned range on NiMH batteries because it had almost half a ton of those batteries, and no internal combustion backup power source. If you ever sat in an EV1, the center-mounted battery pack was like being in the car with an elephant sitting in the middle.
The EV1 also had an aluminum chassis, and many other weight-saving features that simply aren’t easily executed in mass-production vehicles.
Giving the Volt a 40 mile range on lithium ion was probably a careful balancing act between range, interior space, weight, and cost.
Another factor is that the EV1 achieved its range by deep-cycling the batteries. This puts a severe strain on their useful lifespan, but does extend the range. The Volt’s lithium ion pack could probably deliver over 80 miles of range if it were deep-cycled, but discharging it to only a 40-mile range will greatly increase its lifespan.
Ron
It is one thing to have a car and another to just show off the concept. All to frequently the concept never comes to market. What I am trying to say is, until it is built and at the dealership, it is still in question as to whether or not GM will even build it as a production car. Until then, it feels like they are just saving face for failing to recognize the need for more economical cars and trucks.
Bob
The Volt is a great concept. But with a price tag of 40K it is sure to be the biggest flop in the auto industry. To make any impact on North American car sales, the price of the price of the Volt should remain around 20K. I swear that upper management at GM is trying to put the company out of business.
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