GM and LG expand their relationship on Bolt EV; 12 components, including PEEM
20 October 2015
GM and LG announced an expanded and deepened relationship around the coming Bolt battery-electric vehicle (earlier post), with LG providing not only the battery pack and battery heater, but also the critical PEEM (power electronics and electric machine) components; the HVAC electronic climate control system compressor; telematics hardware for OnStar; and the instrument cluster and infotainment system displays.
In a media briefing, Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president – global product development, purchasing and supply chain, observed that the expanded strategic partnership with LG marked a significant new approach to the adversarial automaker-supplier relationships of the past. Further, he noted, such a new type of relationship would be essential for electric vehicles. “The Bolt EV will be the result of an entirely different PEM/supplier relationship.”
| LG is supplying an expanded range of components for the coming Bolt EV. Click to enlarge. |
Many of the components to be provided by LG’s nascent automotive components business are GM designed—such as the motor. LG, however, has massive experience and capabilities of scale in electric motor manufacturing, said both Reuss and Ken Chang, LG Electronics vice president – vehicle components. On the display side, LG is a clear leader in its own right. The strategic partnership leverages the capabilities of each partner toward the end goal of more rapid, high quality vehicle development and production, the assembled executives said.
Leveraging the technology found in the Chevrolet Volt and Spark EV, the Bolt EV concept was developed as a longer-range BEV for all 50 states, designed to offer more than a GM-estimated 200 miles (322 km) of range at a target price of around $30,000. The production car will be built at General Motors’ Orion Assembly facility near Detroit.
The concept Bolt features selectable driving modes for preferred driving styles, such as daily commuting, and was designed to support DC fast charging.
GM held off on discussing technical details of the Bolt components during the media briefing, saving that, said Pam Fletcher, GM executive chief engineer – electrified vehicles, for the actual reveal of the car.
It would definitely be a Leaf and e-Golf killer. Full speed ahead to GM and LG. Can't wait to see what is marketing hype making and what is real when it actually arrives. 30k USD 200 miles sounds good but may not be true.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 20 October 2015 at 10:06 AM
Maybe we should call this the LG Volt instead of the GM Volt if they're making so much of the product.
Posted by: Anthony F | 20 October 2015 at 12:13 PM
If it were a hard 200 miles ... I'd really consider especially if that $30,000 was before the credit.
It still would take a while to justify... that's still $6000 of free gasoline for a comparable ICE... but it could be achieved by some people over the full life of the car.
30K is a much better offer than most long range BEVs
Posted by: CheeseEater88 | 20 October 2015 at 08:45 PM
The Detroit news report "The aim is to price it at less than $30,000 with a federal rebate." So the price is 37,500 USD at least. You could also add gas savings like Tesla does. It gas sawings are 5000 USD the price will be 42.500 USD before taxes and gas savings. Then there is the range. Is it EPA range of 200 miles or something else? Then there is other things. Does the price include delivery, free internet, free long-distance charging etc. We will see what it really is when it comes. But it sounds like a very substantial improvement to what the Leaf, i3 from BMW and the e-Golf offers today.
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/general-motors/2015/10/20/gm-partners-lg-companies-develop-chevy-bolt-ev/74263840/
Posted by: Account Deleted | 21 October 2015 at 01:19 AM
This is NOT an all weather extended range (500+ Km) BEV. It will probably do less than 120 miles under cold winter conditions and not much better on very hot days.
It will barely qualify as an all weather city car.
Posted by: HarveyD | 21 October 2015 at 06:42 AM
37,500 USD
That was the stated price before any tax credits.
I doubt the 200 mile figure, GM says it is conservative on the estimates, we will see.
Posted by: SJC | 21 October 2015 at 09:56 AM
37,500 is like sports car money... not subcompact grocery getter money... $23,000 would be the upper limits I'd pay for a car like this. Its competing with 40mpg+ gassers, that cost around $16,000.
$30,000-$17,000= $13,000
$13,000/($3/Gal gasoline)= 4333.33 Gallons of gasoline
4333.33 Gallons of gasoline * 37 mpg = 160,000 miles (even with free electricity..)
Add in electricity and it gets much longer down the road for payback...I'd be okay with driving an electric car 150,000 miles to break even... not really okay with driving 500K or more. I'd have to drive the car 100 miles a day for 15 years to see a payback.
Posted by: CheeseEater88 | 23 October 2015 at 06:21 PM
Probably not really accurate to depict the Bolt as a car whose value is only $17k, CE88. Ford Focus Electric is a good example. Sure, there are inexpensive entry level Focuses ($17k). But the $29,170 FFE is not one of them. Compares to the Titanium, which is $26k - $28k with equivalent options (depending on paint, leather, etc).
FFE comes with premium trim levels: navigation, infotainment, backup camera, etc.
Also keep in mind that most people are getting $7,500 - $12,000 off that price in rebates. On the secondary market, these discounts are passed on to the 2nd buyer, which is why unsophisticated analysis say that EVs have lower resale value - most of that is just the passed on discounts.
Also keep in mind that the MSRP we see bandied about so much is also discounted by the dealer - about $2,500 on the Focus Electric.
Still, a new EV is not an option that fits everyone's budget, but it is the reality of today's car market, where OEMs (and dealers) try hard to option everything up to ensure the best margins.
I'm sure we'll see most of the early Bolts roll off the line with premium trim levels. And they will still sell well. Just like the Leaf - lots of promo on the $28k S model, very hard to find one on Dealer lots.
Despite all that, I have no doubt that GM will set a new bar in EV price and value with the Bolt (and has with the Volt).
Posted by: electric-car-insider.com | 03 November 2015 at 08:30 AM