DETROIT — The Cadillac Converj, a luxury gas-electric touring coupe concept that debuted at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show here, has not yet been given the green light for production, the automaker told Inside Line on Wednesday.
A report in Motor Trend had said that the Converj, which uses the Chevrolet Volt's hybrid-electric powertrain, will go into production as a 2012 model. The report also said that there may be a Buick crossover based on the Volt.
"There is no change to the status of Converj," said Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell on Wednesday. "It is a concept — a proposal — and it's being reviewed, and the review is not completed."
He said he had no timetable for completion of the Converj review.
Caldwell emphasized that "Cadillac disputes the report" in Motor Trend. The Converj is not expected to be at the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show, he said.
Another GM insider tells Inside Line that the Converj's fate may lie in the hands of the presidential automotive task force. The task force has not yet cleared the Converj for production. Product investments of more than $100 million must be cleared by the task force, which is overseeing the restructuring of General Motors.
The four-passenger Converj was one of the stars at the recent Detroit show. It is based on the Volt platform but looks dramatically different. Like the Volt, it can drive up to 40 miles on a charge. At the time of its unveiling, it was anticipated to cost more than the Volt if it ever reached production. The Volt is expected to be priced around $40,000.
Inside Line says: Still way too early to put your deposit on the Cadillac Converj. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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