Chevy Volt coasts closer to reality, first bona fide model now in production

General Motors has just cut the ribbon, metaphorically at least, on the production of the first genuine Chevy Volt integration vehicle. Unlike previous versions, which have been "developments mules" made using parts from the Malibu / Cruze lines, this will look (and hopefully feel) 100 percent like what the company plans to start pimping out this November. The pre-production model will be put through the paces in case the design needs to be refined and tweaked before going full steam ahead. GM is sticking pretty close to its original plan of building at a rate of ten a week by mid-July, with "several hundred more" going into production early next year, and with any luck, it'll be packing some standardized EV plug by then.

[Gorilla800lbs Posted May 28th 2009 8:08AM]

Focusing on the car itself: I just can't understand how a production vehicle can have all these blue illumination accents. I don't know of any state in the Union where blue light is not proscribed for use on any vehicles but law enforcement and emergency first response services. Maybe Volt has gone into production, but Engadget's pic is sure ain't showing the production model.

[GeekPI Posted May 28th 2009 12:40PM]

"GM is sticking pretty close to its original plan of building at a rate of ten a week by mid-July, with "several hundred more" going into production early next year"

Wow, ten a week? Tesla is already at 20 roadsters a week and will be ramping up to 30 (which is their break even, profit point). Way to lead the way GM. It's not like you have a massive skilled workforce and idle assembly lines around the country . . . oh, wait, you do.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/tesla-delivers-250th-roadster-accelerates-production.html

[sitruc Posted May 28th 2009 5:18PM]

There is a difference between pre-production and production.

[(Unverified) Posted May 28th 2009 1:28PM]

Funny how the ignorant talk as if they have knowledge. First,these vehicles are NOT production cars.They are pre-production models intended to work out any flaws BEFORE the "real" cars go to production in the assembley plant. Second,those of you who wish the failure of any DOMESTIC automaker are clueless as to the effect to the economy. Are you people Americans???? Never,in my 52 years, have I seen so many people think that the subsidized foreign products flooding this country is an ok thing.What you people are advocating is the collapse of THE UNITED STATES of AMERICA. Personally,I think you people must be Chinese or North Koreans that also want our country to collapse.Why,after the japanese killed 250,000 Americans would you buy their subsidized crap? Why after the Chinese killed(after we helped them during WW2) 30,000 Americans in Korea, would you buy products produced there? Why after the Germans killed 10,000,000 people from 1939 to 1945,would you buy their crap? Amazing how quickly the fat,spoiled people of this country forget.I truly hope that you reap the HELL that you sow when you you support foreign takeovers. Funny how you demand a livable wage for whatever you do but begrudge and/or hate anyone else that wants the same. GO to hell!!!!!!!