GM Increases Production Of The Volt

[William Maley]

GM Increases Production Of The Volt

William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

May 19, 2011

General Motors has made it official: the Chevrolet Volt will see a production increase. On Wednesday, GM announced they will build 1,000 more Volts for this model year, bringing the total to about 16,000 Volts. GM also announced that production will increase from 45,000 to 60,000 vehicles for 2012 and will begin building the Opel Ampera for the European and Chinese markets.

To make way for the increase in production, GM announced that the Detroit-Hamtramck plant which builds the Volt will shut down for four weeks in June to retool. The plant will get new tools, equipment and overhead conveyor systems throughout the facility. Also during this time, work will continue on getting the plant ready for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.

So what will this shutdown mean for sales of the Volt? Cristi Landy, director of Chevrolet Volt Marketing said the shutdown will further constrain supplies of Volts for dealers, but will better prepare the company for the 2012 Volt's nationwide rollout in the second half of this year.

"By taking the time to reconfigure the plant, we will be better able to meet the tremendous consumer demand," Landy said.

No word yet on whether GM will add new jobs for the Detroit-Hamtramck plant due to increased production.

Source: The Detroit News

Press Release is Below

Chevrolet Volt Plant Prepares for Production Boost, Exports

2011-05-18

• Planned Four-week shutdown to prepare for 2012 Volt and Opel Ampera
  
• 2012 production rate to increase significantly for additional U.S. and global markets
  
• Exports of Volt and Ampera to Canada, China and Europe begin later this year
  

DETROIT – General Motors’ Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant, home of the Chevrolet Volt, will close for four weeks beginning in June for planned upgrades to prepare for a significant increase in the rate of Volt production, along with assembly of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan.

Already in tight supply, the number of Volts available for delivery to retail customers will be further restricted over the next three months before production resumes and the Volt and the Opel Ampera begin being exported to Europe and China.

“The Volt will be available to customers nationwide by the end of 2011,” said Cristi Landy, director of Chevrolet Volt Marketing. “By taking the time to reconfigure the plant, we will be better able to meet the tremendous consumer demand.”

The 2011 Volt was launched in California, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The Volt will be available nationwide and in Europe, China and Canada by the end of this year.

As a result of the plant upgrades, planned Volt and Ampera production capacity this year will increase to 16,000 units, including exports and a fleet of several hundred demonstration units sent to U.S. dealers. In 2012, global production capacity is expected to be 60,000 vehicles with an estimated 45,000 to be delivered in the United States.

During the four-week shutdown the plant will complete some pre-scheduled upgrades, including the installation of new tools, equipment and overhead conveyor systems throughout the facility. This will prepare the plant for 2012 Volt and Ampera production and continue work on projects in preparation to launch the 2013 Malibu next year.

Coupled with already low dealer inventories and strong demand, the suspension of production, will result in limited availability and reduced sales in June and July.

The Volt is an electric vehicle that offers a total driving range of 379 miles, based on EPA estimates. For the first 35 miles, the Volt can drive gas- and tailpipe-free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full change.

Production of the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu will begin next year. Building on Chevrolet’s reputation of providing the most fuel-efficient passenger cars, the 2013 Malibu launch will be led by the Eco model, expected to achieve 38 miles per gallon on the highway.

[Drew Dowdell]

No word yet on whether GM will add new jobs for the Detroit-Hamtramck plant due to increased production.

Probably not. From a capacity perspective, the capacity being allocated to Malibu and Volt is coming from the discontinuation of the DTS and Lucerne. I believe the Malibu will also be built at Fairfax with the Lacrosse.

Anyone know what's going into Kansas City after the current Malibu leaves there?

[William Maley]

Anyone know what's going into Kansas City after the current Malibu leaves there?

Not at the moment.. GM hasn't said anything and no is reporting what will happen to Kansas City

[daves87rs]

No word yet on whether GM will add new jobs for the Detroit-Hamtramck plant due to increased production.

Probably not. From a capacity perspective, the capacity being allocated to Malibu and Volt is coming from the discontinuation of the DTS and Lucerne. I believe the Malibu will also be built at Fairfax with the Lacrosse.

Anyone know what's going into Kansas City after the current Malibu leaves there?

Yes-there will be a bit of hiring, for both for increased and a few other reasons.

And I though KC and DH were both building the Bu'...with KC getting the regular Bu, and DH getting the Eco.

[Drew Dowdell]

Malibu is moving to Fairfax with the next gen.

[Maxy]

This is good news

more means better production manufacturing process, which means the development of additional batteries, which means lower costs and better range very soon, which leads to higher demand and therefore higher production which improves manufacturing process which leads again to the mass development is good because it reduces costs and increases the range of stimulating more .........

[Drew Dowdell]

This is good news because it's a sign that the car is being accepted by the buying public and GM needs more to satisfy demand.