Government Motors (GM)

[Gaspar]

Announced today that they will spend half a Billion dollars to upgrade their manufacturing plant. . . in Ramos Arizpe, Northern Mexico.

Easier for the union when they don't have to deal with American workers, or unions.

LOL!

[Gaspar]

Here's something I don't understand.  GM's is still under government control.  They are now making political contributions.  pancakes?

The carmaker gave $41,000 to groups associated with lawmakers, the vast majority of it -- $36,000 -- to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the company reported on a disclosure form last week.

The whole country has turned into Chicago!

[we vs us]

Cite?  And cite?

[Gaspar]

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100803-721411.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/04/AR2010080407086_pf.html

[stageidea]

I knew I invested in Ford for a reason..

[Conan71]

I knew I invested in Ford for a reason..

How about it being nearly a ten-bagger for starters...

[Gaspar]

Article out today estimates that the Chevy Volt now costs tax payers $250,000 per vehicle.


(MCC) — Each Chevy Volt sold thus far may have as much as $250,000 in state and federal dollars in incentives behind it – a total of $3 billion altogether, according to an analysis by James Hohman, assistant director of fiscal policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

Hohman looked at total state and federal assistance offered for the development and production of the Chevy Volt, General Motors' plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Hohman included in his analysis 18 government deals that included loans, rebates, grants and tax credits. The amount of government assistance does not include the fact that General Motors is currently 26 percent owned by the federal government.

The Volt is subsidized by multiple companies on its way to production. The analysis includes adding up the amount of government subsidies via tax credits and direct funding for not only General Motors, but other companies supplying parts for the vehicle. For example, the Department of Energy awarded a $105.9 million grant to the GM Brownstown plant that assembles the batteries. The company was also awarded approximately $106 million for its Hamtramck assembly plant in state credits to retain jobs. The company that supplies the Volt's batteries, Compact Power, was awarded up to $100 million in refundable battery credits. These are among many of the subsidies and tax credits for the vehicle.
http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16192

Quote from Audi USA CEO Lawrence Ulrich: "No one is going to pay a $15,000 premium for a car that competes with a (Toyota) Corolla," he said. "So there are not enough idiots who will buy it."  He also said that the Volt would only appeal to the "intellectual elite who want to show what enlightened souls they are."

[Conan71]

In all fairness, this monstrosity will cost less per unit as more roll off the line, but again, look at the high cost when the government steps in and picks winners and losers.

One thing we know for sure though is you won't be able to charge your Volt with solar panels from Solyndra.

[Gaspar]

In all fairness, this monstrosity will cost less per unit as more roll off the line, but again, look at the high cost when the government steps in and picks winners and losers.

One thing we know for sure though is you won't be able to charge your Volt with solar panels from Solyndra.

It's already behind the curve (as happens with all government technology endeavors).  Volkswagen is getting ready to announce a 70mpg electric/diesel, and so is Audi.  Nissan leaf already beats it with estimated 99 mpg.

I think Volt could have been a successful product, but with only 6,000 on the road and recalls for major engineering flaws caused by a political rush to market, the brand has been irreparably damaged.

[Townsend]

Nissan leaf already beats it with estimated 99 mpg.

How?  The Leaf is 100% electric.

I think Volt could have been a successful product, but with only 6,000 on the road and recalls for major engineering flaws caused by a political rush to market, the brand has been irreparably damaged.

What are the major engineering flaws?

[Ed W]

It's already behind the curve (as happens with all government technology endeavors). 

Why is it an article of faith among conservatives that the government cannot get involved in technology and do a better job of it than private industry?  Two that worked very well were the Manhattan Project and the Salk polio vaccine.

[Gaspar]

Why is it an article of faith among conservatives that the government cannot get involved in technology and do a better job of it than private industry?  Two that worked very well were the Manhattan Project and the Salk polio vaccine.

I don't think you can include those, because there was no direct economic consideration/limitation.  The Manhattan Project was a top secret Military endeavor where any and all resources were made available to the scientists no matter what the cost.  The polio vaccine was a scientific endeavor outside of economic consideration too.

I suppose you could make the comparison if every American was required to drive a Chevy Volt.  We could then look back 50 years from now with different eyes.

[we vs us]

Why is it an article of faith among conservatives that the government cannot get involved in technology and do a better job of it than private industry?  Two that worked very well were the Manhattan Project and the Salk polio vaccine.

Oh, and then there's that whole space program thingy, which gave us the microwave oven, Tang, and a burgeoning private space program. 

[dbacks fan]

 How?  The Leaf is 100% electric.

What are the major engineering flaws?

For the Volt, they have had a couple of battery fires and leakage from a battery after crash testing, but from what I have read and heard they were being tested well beyond normal crash test limits. Will have to see if I can find an article about it.

General Motors staunchly defended the Chevrolet Volt on Monday, even as it offered to loan replacement vehicles to any Volt owner concerned about a federal inquiry into the safety of the car's battery pack.

GM responded assertively and candidly to what the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration called "a formal safety defect investigation" into the Chevrolet Volt's lithium-ion battery. The probe, announced Friday, was prompted by two fires that followed crash tests. The agency said it is not aware of any real-world crashes causing fires but is "concerned" that tests "explicitly designed to replicate real-world crash scenarios" led to fires.

The inquiry comes at a critical time for cars with cords and threatens the reputation of a vehicle GM has made the centerpiece of its push toward greater fuel efficiency. Several automakers are following the Volt and Nissan Leaf to market, and the Obama administration wants to see 1 million plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles on the road by 2015.

There has been no shortage of hyperventilating media coverage, but industry analysts said a little perspective is in order. At issue are two fires, both of which started long after the car and battery in question were crashed. This doesn't reflect a problem with the technology, analysts said, but rather a need for protocols outlining how to deal with batteries after a crash.

"This is more of an issue with post-crash procedures, not the technology itself," said Mike Omotoso, senior manager of powertrain forecasts at LMC Automotive

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/11/gm-defends-safety-of-chevrolet-volt/

[Conan71]

Why is it an article of faith among conservatives that the government cannot get involved in technology and do a better job of it than private industry?  Two that worked very well were the Manhattan Project and the Salk polio vaccine.

Those weren't consumer products to start with, so major difference. 

The other difference is green energy and all those initiatives have been heavily politicized.  It represents a bonanza for those who can peddle the most influence, regardless of the merits or lack thereof.  In some cases, they don't even have to prove they have the current capability to turn out products that consumers or industry can use or they can produce at a competitive price without huge government subsidy. 

There most definitely are many items we all enjoy now as a result of government investment and research which likely would have never come to the consumer level through free-market innovation.  Composite and nano-technology, and the whole GPS system are several things I can think of, as well as medical research which has resulted in many lives improved and saved.