@TurboBrick [LIGIER]: Does that mean that the new Chevy is pronounced "Vega" even though it's spelled "Volt"?
In all seriousness, I'm excited for both of these cars. However, the Converj makes much more business sense since the brand and the trimmings can cover the premium in price. The Volt feels like much more of a halo-style car in the Chevy lineup.
@Franzouse: Good point. If GM makes any effort to market this correctly, it could be a huge win for them (and maybe, just maybe, it will poop Segways). #converj
@Franzouse: I think the logical step up for the wealthy Priusers is the Lexus HS250h since it has the same powertrain and is at least as ugly. #converj
@jark: Fair point -though affluent is one step down from wealthy in my mind-, but I know several Prius owners who are on their first foreign car and would prefer to drive something American, like a Lincoln or a Cadillac. #converj
@Franzouse: I think most Americans (myself included) would prefer to drive something American. I'm hoping the Cadillac ATS/alpha platform rumors come true for that reason. #converj
I'd say that Cadillac has been "walking the walk" for quite sometime now. Barring the ancient DTS, which in and of itself is not a horrible car, Cadillac's line up is well-worthy of the competition it faces.
If they are going to design cool things like this, maybe we better go back to the old World of Tomorrow idea of electrifying the roads and just plopping these lovely cars onto the electric connection, like an old trolley. Or antique slot car.
@Paul-Michael Van Hook: Agreed. That leaped out at me even before I took in the image of the car. Sounds like an 80s name for a J car, you know, Conver--J.
Wow. Caddy really has its design language locked down. Other GM divisions, this is your take home assignment. Forward looking, family resemblance, tight. I'm not Caddy's demographic, but it makes me wonder if maybe I shouldn't be?
I've always thought that GM would be best to introduce EV or hybrids through Caddy or other high prestige/low volume platforms. Make it classy and sought after. Then when you spread it out over the Malibus and Cobalts folks will think they're getting something special, rather than Caddy buyers being limited to a Chevy powerplant.
Plus you can hide your early R&D and production costs in the higher sales price of the upmarket cars, while doing your warranty work/beta testing on a smaller number of cars where folks are likely to have a second car if this one needs to sit for two months while the engineers figure out a patch for the power train.
11/09/09
11/09/09
No, really, this one actually looks very nice. Looks futuristic, and much more serious & less toy-like than other hybrids. #converj
11/09/09
In all seriousness, I'm excited for both of these cars. However, the Converj makes much more business sense since the brand and the trimmings can cover the premium in price. The Volt feels like much more of a halo-style car in the Chevy lineup.
11/09/09
11/09/09
This would easily win over many affluent Prius owners. #converj
11/09/09
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01/12/09
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01/12/09
Converj: ...free bwhat?
Fusion: Oh...oh, nothing. Sorry, I forg...it's nothing! Move along.
Converj: ...I'm pretty sure you said something about a b--
Fusion: You misheard. Must be those teeny-tiny ears.
Converj: Ears...?
Fusion: Yeah, you know, your mirrors. I tend to think of them as ears. Yours are freakishly small.
Converj: Tut tut, my chromy friend! I can't even see what your grille looks like in this convention lighting!
Fusion: At least it's functional.
Converj: Where's the free bar.
Fusion: I'm NOT TELLING.
Legacy Concept: Will you two SHUT THE HELL UP over there?!!!
Converj: Touch-y...
Fusion: I know...have you seen him? I think he's had one too many this evening...
Converj: HOW?!!!
01/12/09
01/12/09
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01/12/09
And the headlights? Some folks call it a kaiser blade.
01/12/09
Hahah, Ash said "dingo"!
01/12/09
01/12/09
I'd say that Cadillac has been "walking the walk" for quite sometime now. Barring the ancient DTS, which in and of itself is not a horrible car, Cadillac's line up is well-worthy of the competition it faces.
01/12/09
01/11/09
01/11/09
01/11/09
01/11/09
01/11/09
I've always thought that GM would be best to introduce EV or hybrids through Caddy or other high prestige/low volume platforms. Make it classy and sought after. Then when you spread it out over the Malibus and Cobalts folks will think they're getting something special, rather than Caddy buyers being limited to a Chevy powerplant.
Plus you can hide your early R&D and production costs in the higher sales price of the upmarket cars, while doing your warranty work/beta testing on a smaller number of cars where folks are likely to have a second car if this one needs to sit for two months while the engineers figure out a patch for the power train.