Confirmed: First Production Chevy Volt Engines Will be Imported From Austria

A key component of the Chevy Volt is the combustion engine that will act as the range-extender, turning the generator to make electricity for continued driving beyond the first 40 mile between charges.
One chapter of the Volt story was that a 1.4 L Family 0 normally-aspirated engine had been chosen for this task. Last year a Flint Michigan facility was chosen by GM to produce those engines for use in the Volt, and a turbo variety for use in the upcoming Chevy Cruze. However, GM’s financial difficulties has led to a suspension of that plant’s construction. This has not led to any delays in Volt production though, because engines for the initial Volts it turns out were never intended to come from that facility.
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neutral - 2/4/2009 2:59:25 PM

0 Boost

Well, considering the low volumes in the near term, this makes perfect sense, especially coupled with the current state of GM's financial situation (as well as the entire world). I can't wait for a short-sighted GM hater to make this a focal point of why GM is bad and they should die. Ahh, here it comes....... (probably from TV by some guy who has his MBA and no technical knowledge of anything).

veyron1001 - 2/4/2009 6:22:08 PM

-2 Boost

You are actually short sighted deciding to buy a Chevy over an Honda or Toyota hybrid.

neutral - 2/4/2009 7:28:03 PM

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please explain? Youd be short sighted not to. Supporting japanese over your own manufacturers? I wish I had the drugs that you take.

veyron1001 - 2/4/2009 10:29:34 PM

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This main 2 reasons is that toyota and honda have over a decade of experience and success. The other reason 40k msrp excluding mark up for a "Chevy econo car"? Even the C6 is not worth the 40k that it costs plus that fact this is the first time they used the system. It would take nearly or more than 10 years to break even with the prius or insight owner and by that time the Chevy owner would have traded the car in. There is no strong arguement for someone to favor a shady Volt over a proven insight or prius. Another thing if the gas prices never escalated to nearly 5$ gal average summer 08 GM would be still making 10mpg suvs.

neutral - 2/5/2009 12:12:16 AM

+2 Boost

First, the Insight isn't proven, it isnt even out on the market. I routinely drove the first prius a decade ago, and it was a cool car but it sucked in terms of power & capabilities. I had to turn off air conditioning if I had a passenger in the car, otherwise the thing wouldnt move. Second, which SUV gets 10mpg? The Tahoe hybrid with low 20's City mpg? The Acadia with upper teens (no hybrid)? You are stuck in yesterday and its sad you can't see it.

rallyss - 2/4/2009 4:53:41 PM

+2 Boost

what a bummer for an allready devisatated Michigan.

neutral - 2/5/2009 12:13:12 AM

+2 Boost

waaaa waaaa waaaa waaaa

inspirion7 - 2/5/2009 3:38:39 AM

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Buy what you want. You have to pay the payments or purchase the vehicle out right. its your money. The Volt will be very dependable I'm sure like the EV1. I wouldn't have an issue purchasing one at all. The short sighted ones will question whatever the masses don't follow and that is all right. Be a trailblazer and let others follow your lead.

thstone - 2/5/2009 6:11:28 PM

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When the Volt arrives, I will seriously consider buying one. I only drive 16 miles a day round trip. My errands around town never take more than 3-4 miles, even though I live in LA. I may never have to buy gas again (for my commute). And no, I'm not a Greenie or a hippie. I have two new BMW's and generally like to go fast, but I'd consider parking one of the BMW's if I could avoid buying gas completely. Of course, I also realize that instead of being sold out to the oil companies, I'd be sold out to the Califoria PUC and the electric generating companies who will be sure to raise electicity rates as soon as demand increases due to eVehicles.

neutral - 2/5/2009 6:40:06 PM

+2 Boost

Get some solar panels, you californians get so much damn sun!

neutral - 2/5/2009 6:42:13 PM

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Eco-dream garage, a Chevy Volt, SMC Sierra hybrid 4x4, and a Fisker Karma. Volt for everyday use, GMC Sierra for brute force/work, Fisker Karma for its sheer sexiness.

racedogs - 2/8/2009 1:17:52 PM

+1 Boost

Your tax dollars at work.....in Europe!!! Typical GM BS!