% Bolt EV being built on Sonic platform/underpinnings ... ?Is the Bolt a way for GM to reuse the Sonic production line? = ? Bolt will be a compliance-EV-gen2 ? %
https://transportevolved.com/2015/02/23/bolt-or-volt-general-motors-admits-theres-confusion-over-plug-in-car-names/ Bolt or Volt? General Motors Admits There’s Confusion Over Plug-in Car Names February 23, 2015 By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield [images https://d290b3p3ki7y5s.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2015-Chevrolet-BoltEV-Concept-exterior-004-580x386.jpg?3786b3 The Chevrolet Bolt concept car is being made — but will it keep that name? https://d290b3p3ki7y5s.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2016-Chevrolet-Volt-019-580x420.jpg?3786b3 Said aloud, ‘Chevrolet Volt ‘ and ‘Chevrolet Bolt’ sound indistinguishable. https://d290b3p3ki7y5s.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2015-Chevrolet-BoltEV-Concept-exterior-001.jpg What would you call this car other than ‘Bolt’? ] When General Motors unveiled the 200-mile, all-electric Bolt EV Concept Car at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, it caused instant confusion around the world, because its name when spoken — the Chevrolet Bolt — is almost indistinguishable from the name of GM’s established range-extended electric car, the Chevrolet Volt. Indeed, the words are so indistinguishable from one another in many languages that motoring journalists have taken to appending “the letter V” or “the letter B” to the end of each car’s name when discussing them verbally as a way of differentiating the two cars from one another. It’s even lead some outlets — including this one — to write entire pieces discussing why the Chevrolet Bolt is a bad name for GM’s first-ever long-range electric car. Initially, GM kept relatively quiet on the issue of the Chevy Bolt’s official name admitting that the name was at least originally just a concept car name. Now the Detroit giant has confirmed the 200-mile plug-in will enter production next fall as a 2017 model-year car however, it’s having to admit that the Bolt/Volt homophone is just too confusing. Talking with the Detroit Free Press, GM North America President Alan Bradley admitted the name is already causing some headaches. “Some people think it’s confusing,” he said. “People are having some fun with it. It is generating awareness, which is good. It’s so conversational.” Creating a marketing buzz over the Chevrolet Bolt is one thing, but creating a sensible differentiation between it and the Volt to help avoid service-desk, customer and dealer confusion is a far bigger concern. “We’re still in the decision phase,” Bradley said when asked if the Bolt name would stay. “It could go either way,” he stated, saying that GM has a year or so to make up its mind on the issue. Despite the confusion we and other news outlets have seen however, Bradley says it may not be as big an issue as some think. “The Volt and Bolt are different vehicles for people with different needs,” he added. With a promised range of 200-miles per charge and a target price tag of $30,000, the Chevrolet Bolt Concept Car we saw in Detroit this January certainly stood out against the more conventional-looking second-generation Chevrolet Volt range-extended electric car. Also unveiled in Detroit, the second-generation Volt — which will go on sale later this year as a 2016 model year car — features an 18.4 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and a claimed range of 50 miles in electric mode before a 1.5-litre four-cylinder range-extending gasoline engine kicks in to provide extra range. It’s a far more conventional-looking five seat hatchback than the tall, urban-centric, ultra-modern Bolt, and there is at least some argument to be made that the two won’t be easily confused in person. The two offer different functionality too: the Bolt is designed to operate in and around major cities with the occasional long-distance road trip facilitated by on-board DC CCS quick charge capability. The Volt meanwhile, is designed to operate in electric mode for the daily commute, but offer range-extending capabilities for well over 500 miles of total range without needing to stop for fuel. Yet when it comes to the name itself, we’re convinced GM will have to change the name of its 200-mile four-seater before it enters production next year. The alternative is just too confusing for everyone, most of all customers. [© transportevolved.com] http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20150225/orion-assembly-to-halt-production-for-a-week-in-march Orion Assembly to halt production for a week in March By John Turk 02/25/15 [image http://www.theoaklandpress.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/OP/20150225/NEWS/150229652/AR/0/AR-150229652.jpg Workers on a Chevrolet Sonic line at the GM Orion Plant in Orion Township. General Motors is planning to slow production in March to account for lower demand. Tim Thompson-The Oakland Press ] General Motors’ Orion Assembly plant is expected to slow production on its Chevrolet Sonic and Buick Verano lines in March to cut back on stocks of the models. But the news of idled production of its current cars comes on the heels of good news for the plant’s future, and Orion Supervisor Chris Barnett is excited to see a new car built at the plant. “I would say that we knew this was coming,” Barnett said of the slowdown. “With gas prices being at a longtime low, the condition of our roads and winter in Michigan, people aren’t clamoring to purchase compact vehicles, which is what is produced at the Orion plant.” Orion Assembly, which employs about 1,900 workers, is scheduled to idle production of all lines from March 9 to 13 due to a dip in demand for the Sonic and Verano, according to Automotive News. Car dealerships in the area had some of their best business last year, and are off to a great start this year, Barnett said. Township officials are optimistic about the long-term future of the plant, which in late 2016 will welcome production of the all-electric Chevrolet Bolt. The Bolt is described by executives to be an affordable, long-range all-electric vehicle designed to offer more than 200 miles of range and starting at about $30,000. GM Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra has said the Bolt EV concept was designed to be attainable. “Chevrolet believes electrification is a pillar of future transportation and needs to be affordable for a wider segment of customers,” Barra said. Barnett said the news of the Bolt coming to Orion is drawing more interest in business, as well. “I’m getting calls on an almost daily basis from businesses all over the country that are interested in locating near the plant,” said Barnett. “People want to be located near the next big thing for GM.” General Motors has pledged to invest $200 million at plants in Orion Township and Pontiac, though a timeline was not made clear on when. Orion will receive $160 million for tooling and equipment, and Pontiac will receive $40 million for new dies. Layoffs of 160 employees at the plant began in January and were expected to come in phases throughout 2015. The employee cuts were likely due to low demand of subcompacts in the winter months, said GM representatives. The Orion Assembly plant has seen production of four different car models in the past 10 years, and now has production of the Bolt on the horizon. In 2010, GM made $545 million in renovations at the plant to accommodate building the Sonic and Verano. GM launched the Sonic in 2011. From 2005-2009, the assembly team made Chevy Malibus and Pontiac G6s. The plant was idled in 2009 during the GM’s bankruptcy and the Great Recession. Orion Assembly also was stopped last week due to high inventories of the Sonic. GM had high, 216-day supplies of the small car on dealer lots or on the way to dealerships, the Auto News report stated. GM Orion Communications Director Christopher Bonelli ... said only that the company is “aligning production capacity to best build to market demand.” ... [© theoaklandpress.com] ... http://www.engadget.com/2015/02/12/chevy-bolt-michigan/ Chevy is making its long-range Bolt EV concept car a reality Engadget-Feb 12, 2015 GM's Orion Assembly plant is also where the Chevy Sonic and Buick ... A company representative says the site makes sense for the Bolt ... ... http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/general-motors/2015/02/12/chevrolet-bolt-built-orion-assembly/23287301/ GM confirms it will build Bolt EV at Orion The Detroit News-Feb 12, 2015 ... https://transportevolved.com/2015/02/09/200-mile-2017-chevrolet-bolt-electric-car-enter-production-october-next-year/ 200-mile 2017 Chevrolet Bolt Electric Car To Enter ... Feb 9, 2015 - “Bolt EV ... will share its production platform with the next-generation Chevrolet Sonic ... ... http://insideevs.com/more-production-details-leak-out-on-chevrolet-bolt-will-share-platform-with-sonic/ Production Details Leak Out On Chevrolet Bolt - Will Share ... Feb 6, 2015 - The Sonic and Bolt will be built off the same platform. ... http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1096270_2018-chevrolet-bolt-electric-car-what-it-is-isnt-what-it-means-for-tesla 2018 Chevrolet Bolt Electric Car - Green Car Reports Jan 13, 2015 - Chevrolet Bolt EV concept, 2015 Detroit Auto Show ... the Bolt, using underpinnings from the next-generation Chevy Sonic ... 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