GM Will Produce Cadillac Converj EREV
11 January 2010
Detroit News. GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, at a conference of the Society of Automotive Analysts on the eve of the North American International Auto Show, announced that GM will produce the Cadillac Converj extended-range electric vehicle. (Earlier post.)
Cadillac included the Converj concept car at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. The Detroit News previously reported it had received board approval for production. (Earlier post.)
Lutz said Sunday the car is starting development now and is at least a couple years from going on sale. It will have a future generation of the Voltec system that uses a small gasoline engine to recharge the lithium ion batteries to extend the range of the electric vehicle from the 40 miles it can run on electricity alone.
With the Chevrolet Volt and the Opel Amerpa in Europe (earlier post), the Converj will bring to three the number of vehicles GM has so far committed to produce based on the Voltec platform.
GM is closely watching the success of the Tesla. They must like what they're seeing enough to put another toe int water.
Posted by: danm | 11 January 2010 at 07:28 AM
It will be interesting to see if this succeeds. Since Cadillac is one of the four brands remaining, it must do well to stay around. The Volt design may work in higher priced models like this, there is more margin.
Posted by: SJC | 11 January 2010 at 08:33 AM
Thus making GM the clear leader in PHEV production cars. Looks like the world will once again be benefited by U.S. automotive engineering skills. With the recent battery plant opening and the hundreds of millions being spent on R&D worldwide - we can expect a very strong showing from GM going forward.
Their IPO is reportedly oversold.
Posted by: sulleny | 11 January 2010 at 12:38 PM
sulleny:
Hope that you are right on new GM. Some competition is far ahead and GM will have a lot of catching up to do.
Ford, Toyota, Nissan-Renault, Hyunday, Honda, and many others have more than one toe in this game.
Posted by: HarveyD | 11 January 2010 at 02:13 PM
The Volt and Converj are actually EREVs, and due to their cost, will not be in many driveways. Forerunners of a new movement? Perhaps.
Posted by: Will S | 11 January 2010 at 07:00 PM
Great idea...stupid name.
Posted by: ejj | 13 January 2010 at 07:25 PM