Bob Lutz, GM, The Volt

Bob Lutz Visits Seattle:

Bob Lutz is on a mission.  He's talking to car enthusiast, industry, and press all over the globe and working hard to ensure we all understand the changes that GM is making across it's line.  From powerplants (and power sources) to fit and finish on even the most affordable cars in the GM line.  GM contacted some local car enthusaists and invited them to a brief meet & greet / presentation from Bob Lutz while he was in the great Northwest. 

Photo is of Bob Lutz of GM speaking to Richard Griot of Griot's Garage today at the Fairmont in Seattle, WA.

Sam and I happened to be invited and we went hoping to hear more about the Volt. 

We were not dissapointed - there was a great deck of slides (no pictures please was asked so I made sure to put away the camera) around the battery as well as the overall chassis layout of the anticipated build that the car will have.  Bob (and his small contingent of GM staff with him including Dee Allen and Dave Barthmuss) all seemed very confident that the Volt will be out in November 2010.  It was good to see their confidence - but I certainly have my doubts.  I look forward to more choices in the electric market.  I'm sold on wanting a 20-40 mile electric car with backup of another fuel source of some type.  It just makes sense to me for so many reasons.

Bob on Alternative fuel:

It was GREAT to hear bob talk about his personal belief (which I share with him) that biofuels (non-foodstock E85) is a good stopgap, and that electric is likley a better solution long term than fuel cell.  I still don't understand how the fuel cell proponents are going to a) produce their fuel for a lower total energy cycle cost than electric and b) set up a distribution network - which is why I pick electric as the long term winner fo that question.

Other photos from today at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/threefourfive/tags/boblutz/show/