GM confirms leasing lithium ion batteries for Chevy Volt and Opel Flextreme is a possibility

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Tideland Prius, Nov 17, 2007.

  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Remember the Opel Flextreme? We haven't heard too much about this version of the E-Flex platform with the Segways in the back since it was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September. But General Motors has repeated an interesting announcement regarding the high-tech lithium ion batteries in the Flextreme - and in the Chevy Volt - during the current LA Auto Show: the General is seriously considering leasing, not selling, the new and expensive batteries to consumers. So says Just Auto (subs req'd), which got the confirmation from GM today and adds that leasing the batteries would solve "a number of issues that would otherwise significantly slow their launch."

    GM has been talking about leasing the batteries for these cars since at least August. In September, Nick Reilly, the president of General Motors Asia Pacific, explained that leasing costs for the batteries could cost as much as gas does today. Looks like this story is not going anywhere, which certainly hints that we'll be seeing it again in the future.

    Source: AutoBlog
     
    #1 Tideland Prius, Nov 17, 2007
  2. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Leasing the batteries gives GM the potion of doing a EV1 by recalling the batteries and making the cars useless. It also sounds like GM want to pass on a very high proportion of developement cost to early adopters because they expect the model to be short lived. I have been wrong before and hope I am now.
     
    #2 patsparks, Nov 17, 2007
  3. boulder_bum

    boulder_bum Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Nov 17 2007, 12:03 PM) [snapback]540975[/snapback]</div>
    I agree. I don't see a reason why anyone in their right mind would lease Volt/Flextreme batteries given what happened with the EV1.

    I would buy a Volt, but only if the battery was sold with it.
     
    #3 boulder_bum, Nov 17, 2007
  4. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    This would sabotage the entire program...GM needs to quash this rumor immediately or at least clarify and state that buyers will have the option of buying or leasing.
     
    #4 efusco, Nov 17, 2007
  5. donee

    donee New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Nov 17 2007, 07:52 PM) [snapback]541038[/snapback]</div>
    Or at least buying the batteries from the vendor that supplies them to GM, in a third part transaction. That would aleviate GM of any responsibility for battery failure. Which is what they tell the public was their goal in crushing the EV1.

    The problem with GM is they think the status quo is riskless. Which they should have already learned is far from reality. They appear to think they can marketeer their way into the future, without doing any real improvement to the vehicles, and taking the risks that entails. If those guys want to run a car company, there are no riskless positions. If they want riskless, they should make towels in the lowest cost off-shore location.
     
    #5 donee, Nov 17, 2007
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