[Rashiid Amul]

More publicity is good.
The plant is being built here and will employee Americans.
God knows we need more jobs.

 

[Rashiid Amul]

From the article:
“Because of advances in the manufacture of these batteries, their costs are expected to come down by nearly 70 percent in the next few years,” he said. “That’s going to make electric and hybrid cars and trucks more affordable for more Americans.”

“It also means we’re going to be less dependent on foreign oil,” he added.

I hope he knows something I don't. A price drop of 70% in a few years would be excellent.
And wide adoption of these vehicles is not going to happen until the price comes down and the masses can afford it.

 

[JohnK]

It is good that the USA is going to be building batteries, and in particular Michigan. But that is one ton of taxpayer money. There has to be a better way. I guess that capitalism is on the wane.

 

[TedinFortMyers]

Finally we can make something, we can build something. An industrial base is absolutely necessary for the survival of America as something other than a third world country. I can feel my electric car already. The time is so near. My Chevy Volt will be ordered by my dealer in November. I am so excited like a little kid at Christmas time.

Take Care,
TED

 

[TedinFortMyers]

JohnK : It is good that the USA is going to be building batteries, and in particular Michigan. But that is one ton of taxpayer money. There has to be a better way. I guess that capitalism is on the wane.   (Quote)

The Government helps maufacturers in every part of the world. Why not in the United States?
Beats the heck out of signs by the side of the freeway to tell us how the stimulus is financing road projects.

Take Care,
TED

 

[JohnK]

Rashiid Amul : I hope he knows something I don’t. A price drop of 70% in a few years would be excellent.
Not so sure that would be all that good. Many people would not volunteer to be early adopters if they thought that their $40,000 car was going to have a trade-in value of only $20,000.

 

[JohnK]

Any ideas on what color the Volt is? It seems to have a reddish tint when light hits it from the side. Of course that might be red lights that are shining on it.

 

[nucboy]

JohnK : Not so sure that would be all that good. Many people would not volunteer to be early adopters if they thought that their $40,000 car was going to have a trade-in value of only $20,000.

This might be another reason why mass producing Volt Version 1.0 is not the greatest idea. Version 2.0 could be cheaper and easier to produce.

 

[Rashiid Amul]

In the third picture, President Obama looks like a cardboard figure.

 

[nucboy]

JohnK : It seems to have a reddish tint when light hits it from the side. Of course that might be red lights that are shining on it.

That tint is the reflection from the bright orange car sitting next to it.

 

[ChrisC1]

Obama's on the right track, so many presidents have talked about our oil addiction but he is the first to do something about it. Without him the Volt would not have been possible. Good job GM and welcome to LG Chem.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

The LG Chem Pres and VP look downright giddy. Too funny.

Welcome LG Chem. With all of the investment the US has made in Asia it's always good to see Asian companies return the favor and open facilities here. I still view Asian companies as our economic competitors, but the common ENEMY is the House of Saud.

 

[nucboy]

Chris C : Obama’s on the right track, so many presidents have talked about our oil addiction but he is the first to do something about it. Without him the Volt would not have been possible. Good job GM and welcome to LG Chem.

In reality, the Volt was started before he took office and the previous congress put up money for battery research and to help save the auto business. Obama followed up with an auto bailout for sure.

The point is, the Volt is not an Obama project nor is it the project of any govt entity. GM made this happen and Lyle is probably more responsible than our govt.

 

[John_W9]

I'm glad I got to see this article before people come on here and start mercilessly bashing Obama. I'm a registered republican who voted for the guy. Sure, some of the money spent is probably gonna be wasted but I honestly think the free market, every big company manufacturing their goods in China and the U.S. being a bunch of managers, designers and sales people is really bad for the long term of our country. Some people like to build, they'd love to put together an iphone all day. At least for a while. At least they are producing something and there is something to show for their days work. Our systems rewards companies for doing things with the least amount of people at the lowest wages. And with our country at a trade deficit and the rich getting richer that means the middle class is smaller. It's unsustainable. I think we need someone to step in and lay down some rules. I think Obama is trying to do that.

 

[nucboy]

Jim in PA : With all of the investment the US has made in Asia it’s always good to see Asian companies return the favor and open facilities here.

I read elsewhere that after federal + state + local tax breaks and incentives, this plant was essentially a give away. I am glad we have it and hope Michigan becomes the battery building capital of the US and a major player world wide. I am just suggesting that an Asian Company did not do us any favors in this case.

 

[Eco1]

JohnK : It is good that the USA is going to be building batteries, and in particular Michigan. But that is one ton of taxpayer money. There has to be a better way. I guess that capitalism is on the wane.   (Quote)


yea, the Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles was right out of the soviet 5 year plan.

 

[Chris3]

As someone else stated other countries (most) have provided government support to their industries for decades. Japan/Korea/China/Germany all come to mind. Instead we did nothing except for the politically connected industries (Banking/Finance/Oil) about time Americans woke up and used their rational senses rather than emotional and understand how the world really works rather than listening to some talking head pushing a political agenda. I'm predicting the Volt will be much more popular than most suspect.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

nuclearboy : I read elsewhere that after federal + state + local tax breaks and incentives, this plant was essentially a give away. I am glad we have it and hope Michigan becomes the battery building capital of the US and a major player world wide. I am just suggesting that an Asian Company did not do us any favors in this case.

Well geez, I try to be gracious at least once or twice a year, and look what happens!

I would argue that a Korean plant also would have been built with heavy Korean govt subsidies. My guess would be that it would have been a wash for them wherever they built it, and that we have GM to thank for this plant being built here, in all reality.