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150 MPG with AFS Trinity’s PHEV Technology

Matt Kelly — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:26:35 +0000

Prior to the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), one news story getting a lot of traction was the conversion of a Saturn Hybrid into a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) capable of 150 miles per gallon. So I was quite excited to speak with Don Bender, chief technology officer for AFS Trinity, the company behind the conversion, about their soon-to-be patented Extreme Hybrid drivetrain.

Tags: AFS Trinity, Don Bender, Extreme Hybrid, hybrid, NAIAS, North American International Auto Show, PHEV, Saturn

Cadillac Provoq’s a Response at NAIAS

Matt Kelly — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:15:24 +0000

During the North American International Auto Show, (NAIAS), I spoke with Clay Dean, global design director for Cadillac about the Provoq, the luxury SUV concept based on the Volt E-flex platform, unveiled at CES.

Tags: Cadillac, CES, Clay Dean, E-Flex, NAIAS, North American International Auto Show, Volt

EVS 23: Chelsea Sexton and the Volt

Matt Kelly — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:53:12 +0000

I’ve never been this close to the Chevy Volt, so during EVS 23, the Electric Vehicle Symposium in Anaheim, CA, I thought it was an interesting juxtaposition to speak with Chelsea Sexton of Who Killed the Electric Car and Plug-In America, about GM’s E-Flex concept vehicle.

Tags: Chelsea Sexton, Chevy Volt, E Flex, EVS 23, Plug In America, Who Killed the Electric Car

EVS 23: GM’s Jonathan Lauckner

Matt Kelly — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 22:35:17 +0000

At EVS 23, the Electrical Vehicle Symposium held this year in Anaheim, CA, Jonathan Lauckner, General Motor’s VP for Global Program Management, addressed the audience during the opening plenary session, detailing GM’s plans and goals regarding sustainable transportation and specificially their E-Flex platform and the Chevy Volt.

LA Auto Show: GM’s Dave Barthmuss

editor — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 01:37:47 +0000

After Chevy’s hybrid Tahoe SUV won Green Car of the Year at the LA Auto Show, I spoke with Dave Barthmuss, group manager of GM’s western regional environment and energy communications team about the win.

Tags: Chevy, hybrid, Green Car of the Year, LA Auto Show, GM

LA Auto Show: GM Press Conference

Matt Kelly — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 02:50:49 +0000

During the LA Auto Show, I attended the GM Press Conference, where Vice Chairman of Product Development Bob Lutz and Chevrolet GM Ed Peper, introduced the company’s lineup of gas-friendly to gas-free vehicles, including the Chevy Malibu hybrid, the all new Chevy Silverado hybrid, Chevy Tahoe hybrid, and of ourse, the Chevy Volt.

Tags: LA Auto Show, Bob Lutz, Chevrolet, Ed Peper, Chevy Malibu hybrid, Chevy Silverado hybrid, Chevy Tahoe hybrid, Chevy Volt

LA Auto Show: Green Car of the Year

Matt Kelly — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 06:37:47 +0000

During the 2007 LA Auto Show, Green Car Journal announced the winner of it’s 2008 Green Car of the Year award. The contenders were the new Chevy Malibu hybrid, Saturn Aura hybrid, Mazda Tribute hybrid, Nissan Altima hybrid and Chevy Tahoe hybrid. The winner? Watch and find out!

Tags: LA Auto Show, Green Car Journal, 2008 Green Car of the Year, Chevy Malibu hybrid, Saturn Aura hybrid, Mazda Tribute hybrid, Nissan Altima hybrid, Chevy Tahoe hybrid

AtTask is Used by Apple, Disney, CBS, and More…

Brad Baldwin — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:18:55 +0000

AtTask provides on-demand project and portfolio management software. Scott Johnson, CEO and Founder, and his team have self-funded and enhanced the @task offering over the past six years with dashboard UI, Web 2.0 collaboration, workflow, templates, APIs, and global language support. In that time, AtTask landed an impressive customer list, including Apple, Chevron, Johnson & Johnson, Toyota, and more. To accelerate their business, AtTask recently completed a $7M funding round from http://www.openviewpartners.com/ OpenView Venture Partners.

Johnson introduces AtTask, the company, and provides details of the new Enterprise version of @task. AtTask also launched Project Daily, a blog with the best thoughts coming out of the project management industry.

Tags: AtTask, Scott Johnson, @task, Web 2.0, Apple, Chevron, Johnson & Johnson, Toyota

RIDE DRIVE: Chevy’s Equinox Fuel Cell Vehicle

Matt Kelly — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:22:40 +0000

During GM’s Electric Drive University in Newport Beach, Calif., I had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the new Chevy Equinox fuel cell prototype vehicle for a ride and drive with Brad Beauchamp. He’s a driver relationship manager for GM’s Project Driveway, and is a veritable wealth of information of the crossover hydrogen-fueled, electricity-powered SUV. A skeptic of hydrogen for vehicle power, I was amazed at how quiet the vehicle was and thoroughly enjoyed my time in the auto, and am warming to the idea of this as an alternative fuel for the future.

Tags: Electric Drive University, Chevy Equinox, fuel cell, Brad Beauchamp, Project Driveway

Meet Davi Kutz

Matt Kelly — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 23:00:27 +0000

Davi Kutz is your ordinary Joe, living in North Hollywood, Calif. An avid outdoorsman, he’s also one lucky fellow. That’s because for the next three months, he’ll be one of 100 people in L.A., Washington, D.C. and New York City who will be driving a new Chevy Equinox hydrogen fuel cell vehicle as part of GM’s Project Driveway. The goal of the program is to put these test vehicles into the hands of average citizens, as well as some celebrities and policy makers, to obtain real-time driving data and consumer feedback. I met with Davi in Newport Beach, Calif., while at GM’s Electric Drive University, where I also got the opportunity to get behind the wheel of one of these prototype crossover SUV’s. Want to be a part of the project? Click here to see if you are elegible.

Tags: Davi Kutz, Chevy Equinox, Project Driveway, Electric Drive University

GME’s Anthony Lo on the Opel Flextreme

Matt Kelly — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 19:54:02 +0000

During the Frankfurt Auto Show, I had the opportunity to sit down with Anthony Lo, design director for General Motors Europe Advanced. Anthony led the team that brough the Opel Flextreme from drawing board to it’s unveiling in Germany last month. Designed on the same E-Flex platform as the Chevy Volt, the Flextreme came to be in a remarkably short time, less than 9 months.

Tags: Frankfurt Auto Show, Chevy Volt, Flextreme

Chelsea Sexton Speaks, Pt 2

Matt Kelly — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 12:30:51 +0000

In part two of my interview with Chelsea Sexton, the unlikely star of Who Killed the Electric Car?, our conversation continues covering many topics from the EV1 to the Chevy Volt and everything in between.

Tags: Chelsea Sexton

Chelsea Sexton Speaks

Matt Kelly — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 23:23:09 +0000

Recently, I sat down with Chelsea Sexton, the unlikely star of Who Killed the Electric Car? Our conversation covered may topics from the EV1 to the Chevy Volt and everything in between. I like Chelsea - her unassuming attitude is refreshing. Plus, her convictions and extensive knowledge of alternative fuels is inspiring. And despite her experience with GM, Chelsea remains hopeful about the company, still driving a Saturn, her 8th one to date.

Tags: Chelsea Sexton, Who Killed the Electric Car?, Chevy Volt

GME Unveils Opel Flextreme

Matt Kelly — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 01:07:31 +0000

During the Frankfurt Auto Show in Frankfurt, Germany, we had the chance to be on-hand for the unveiling of GM Europe’s Opel Flextreme hybrid concept, the European version of the Chevy Volt. The concept uses the monocab design popular in Europe and comes with a loading bay perfect for two Segways. The series hybrid electric vehicle can be plugged in and charged to yield a 40-mile range and uses a 1.3L four cylinder diesel motor to charge the lithium ion battery pack.

Tags: Frankfurt Auto Show, hybrid, Chevy Volt

WPPI

Matt Kelly — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 21:25:39 +0000

While at Hybridfest in Madison, Wisc., I had the chance to speak with Wisconsin Public Power, a regional power company serving 49 customer-owned electric utilities. WPPI is very involved in clean, renewable energy, converting a hybrid Prius to a PHEV, among other projects.

Tags: Hybridfest, Wisconsin Public Power, renewable energy, Prius, PHEV

Argonne Nat’l Labs Theodore Bohn

Matt Kelly — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 12:30:35 +0000

During Hybridfest 2007 in Madison, Wisc., I met Theodore (Ted) Bohn of Argonne National Laboratory. As a power electronics engineer, Bohn is at the forefront of assessing advanced and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technologies for the FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies Program. I found myself mesmerized by him and his vast knowledge about hybrid and alternative fuel technologies.

Tags: Hybridfest, Theodore (Ted) Bohn, Argonne National Laboratory, hybrid, electric vehicle, HEV, FreedomCAR

GM’s Alternative Fuel History

Matt Kelly — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:30:12 +0000

GM’s history dates back to the 1960’s with the concept ElectroVan. In this episode, at the Heritage Center, outside Sterling Heights, Mich., HC manager Greg Wallace shows us the Impact, EV1, Skateboard and the insides of the Chevy Volt.

Tags: ElectroVan, Heritage Center, Greg Wallace, Impact, EV1, Skateboard, Volt

The History of Chevy Trucks

Matt Kelly — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:50:10 +0000

Chevy trucks have a long and rich history, as I found out after touring the GM Heritage Center in Sterling Heights, Mich., with HC manager Greg Wallace.

Tags: Heritage Center, Greg Wallace

Formula: 409

Matt Kelly — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:30:57 +0000

While at the GM Heritage Center in Sterling Heights, Mich., HC manager Greg Wallace showed off the collection’s Chevy Belair 409.

Tags: GM Heritage Center, Greg Wallace, Chevy Belair, 409

Corvette: An American Icon

Matt Kelly — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:30:23 +0000

For 54 years, Corvette has been a symbol of the quintessential American sports car. It’s come a long way since its debut in 1953. During my tour of the GM Heritage Center in Sterling Heights, Mich., HC Manager Greg Wallace introduced me to several models of this icon, including the ‘58 roadster, the ‘63 split windshield as well as the concepts Mako Shark, Manta Ray and AeroVette, and many others. Enjoy!

Tags: Corvette, Heritage Center, Greg Wallace

The 1957 Chevy

Matt Kelly — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:27:44 +0000

My most favorite car of all time has to be the 1957 Chevy Nomad (and the ‘57 Belair…). So I was definitely in car heaven when I visited the GM Heritage Center in Sterling Height’s, Mich., for an up-close and personal tour of this living repository of automotive history with Heritage Center Manager Greg Wallace. More than just a museum, the HC is an automotive enthusiast’s dream garage, housing such famous classic, antique and concept vehicles as the 1931 V-16 Cadillac, the 1938 Buick Y-job, 1949 Buick Roadmaster, and 1957 Chevrolet Nomad and Belair convertibles — and it’s only open to GM employees, scholars, analysts and the media. While I was in car heaven during my personal tour, my only regret was not being able to get some of these beauties out on the open road!

Tags: Heritage Center, Greg Wallace

Chevy’s Classic Camaro

Matt Kelly — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:07:27 +0000

There are days I consider myself one of the luckiest people on earth. When I visited the GM Heritage Center in Sterling Heights, Mich., I knew it was one of those days. More than just a museum, it’s a living repository of automotive history, housing such famous classic, antique and concept vehicles as the 1931 V-16 Cadillac, the 1938 Buick Y-job, 1949 Buick Roadmaster, and 1968 Chevrolet Camaro. Only open to GM employees, scholars, analysts and the media, I was in car heaven during my personal tour of this ultimate automotive enthusiast’s garage.

Tags: Heritage Center

Interview with Troy Clarke, Pres. GM North America

Matt Kelly — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 20:18:16 +0000

Here’s an interview with Troy Clarke, president, GM North America after a tour of the HRL Laboratories in Malibu and a delicious lunch. Joining me was Jody Devere of AskPatty.com and John Grafman of LAcar.com. As the interview had to be cut short so Troy could head to a meeting with GM dealerships, I only wish we had more time to speak with him and get deeper into our discusion about the Volt, EV1, diesel fuel, fuel efficiency and other subjects.

Note: My apologies for the audio quality of this interview (due to wind problems and a clipping issue with the microphones) but we’ll be better next time!

Tags: Troy Clarke, Jody Devere, AskPatty.com, John Grafman

Troy Clarke at HRL Laboratories

Matt Kelly — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:30:54 +0000

At HRL Laboratories last week, GM President North America Troy Clarke spoke to a group of journalists and bloggers about the Volt, GM’s hybrid plans and the upcoming Vue, among other topics.

Tags: HRL Laboratories, GM, Troy Clarke, Volt, Vue

Nick Zielinski Promises: The Volt is Coming

Matt Kelly — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 22:03:43 +0000

GM’s Chief Engineer of the Volt, Nick Zielinski, has been in the news a lot lately. So, I thought I’d post this interview I did with him back at the Detroit Auto Show that never got published. A lot of skeptics think the vehicle will never be built. I, however, am an optimist, particularly with Nick most recently on record saying, “I am personally working on this project and this vehicle will be built. Last week we re-assigned 500 Engineers to various divisions to work exclusively on the Volt. The President of GM says this vehicle will be built and it will be built period.” ‘Nuff said.

Tags: GM, Volt, Nick Zielinski