[Shuto]

TTAC reported back in July that the General was working on an EV that would make use of new battery tech from LG Chem to push range to 200 miles. That vehicle was to be the Chevy Sonic.

Looks like that Sonic became a Bolt...

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2014/07/exclusive-general-motors-working-on-sonic-ev-with-200-mile-range/

 

[Raymondjram]

For me it was an obvious decision to use a small body made in the U.S. because the Spark, made in South Korea, is too small, and GM Korea has labor problems which has initiated product manufacturing back to North America (because Canada and Mexico has GM plants that can take up the producton). The Bolt could be based on the Orlando, which is built in Canada.

 

[Roth33d]

There's a good chance that it also rides on the same platform as the sonic, no reason why this won't be the case.

 

[volta]

Well I think that what they have done looks better than a Sonic would. I also think that even if they made a Sonic EV, it wouldn't get nearly as much attention because the design wouldn't be new and exciting. People want electric cars for practical reasons but i also think that people like to feel as though their car has really modern and almost futuristic design.

 

[Shuto]

Well I think that what they have done looks better than a Sonic would. I also think that even if they made a Sonic EV, it wouldn't get nearly as much attention because the design wouldn't be new and exciting. People want electric cars for practical reasons but i also think that people like to feel as though their car has really modern and almost futuristic design.

Teslas are relatively boring in terms of styling. The Leaf is unassuming.

Why is it that people think that an electric car (or motorcycle mind you) has to be vastly different in apperance then a regular car? Is it an ego thing, like how else will people know I'm driving an EV if its not funky and plastered with badges?

I'll tell you what give EV's conventional styling and it will outsell some over styled for the sake of style mess...

The electric car isn't about re inventing the car, its about reinventing propulsion. Cars as they are sell... keep as much the same as what works and thats the route to success... t

 

[volta]

I think that you can have both when it comes to EV design. An EV can look like a modern and technologically advanced car while also being rather conventional. Its all a spectrum.

By your argument wouldn't the Tesla be more popular then because it has more conventional styling than the Bolt.

 

[Roth33d]

Well I think that what they have done looks better than a Sonic would. I also think that even if they made a Sonic EV, it wouldn't get nearly as much attention because the design wouldn't be new and exciting. People want electric cars for practical reasons but i also think that people like to feel as though their car has really modern and almost futuristic design.

of course it does
there's no way they can just shove an electric powertrain, jack the price up to $30k and call it a day.
It has look and be along the lines of what an EV in this industry is like

 

[Shuto]

I think that you can have both when it comes to EV design. An EV can look like a modern and technologically advanced car while also being rather conventional. Its all a spectrum.

By your argument wouldn't the Tesla be more popular then because it has more conventional styling than the Bolt.

Are we comparing the Tesla that doesn't exist to a Concept car GM is on record saying is unfinished?

Brilliant...

 

[LightningBolt]

Turns out LG isn't just helping with the battery but with the entire drivetrain and the interior displays. No wonder their investment into the Bolt was around $250 Million.

 

[Roth33d]

That's smart of them since all of that can come into play as one whole eco-system to operate from, which when proposed correctly can show the soundness of the idea. Looks like it might be a good time to invest in LG

 

[LightningBolt]

Does LG help produce the Electric components or do they just design it and have GM produce them?