DETROIT — General Motors is down to the details on the production version of the Chevrolet Volt, says Edward T. Welburn Jr., the automaker's vice president of global design. Welburn told Inside Line on Thursday that the "Volt is our absolute highest priority."
"We've about completed work on the body shape and now we are working on the details...every single detail," Welburn said in a Thursday morning chat session on GMnext, the automaker's debut of its Web-based Virtual Media Forum. "There are some interesting aerodynamic surprises throughout the vehicle. And you'll just have to wait to see them. At the end of the day, it still is obviously the Chevy Volt."
"I am thrilled with what the team is doing with the development of the interior — it's creative, spacious...far better than the original concept vehicle," Welburn said. Writing about the exterior of the Volt, Welburn said "it's all about aerodynamics.... It's a far newer front end design than the concept," he added. "The shape of the front end was designed by our work in the wind tunnel."
When asked what is his number-one design priority, Welburn said, "The Volt is our absolute highest priority. It's got its own dedicated separate studio dedicated to its interior and exterior design." But he was quick to note that "everything is important — absolutely everything. Certainly global Chevrolet is important. We've had an all-out effort to really harness the creative power of seven of our global studios in this effort — just for Chevy."
Welburn emphasizes that the Detroit automaker has its "global design organization in place. It's more than a novelty — it's a fast-moving machine."
"The studios in China, Brazil, Korea and India are taking on much greater responsibilities than they did in the past," he said.
He confirmed that "a new line of concept and production vehicles are coming soon" for Saab.
The debut of Gmnext, set to celebrate the 100th anniversary of General Motors, kicked off with more than 25 of GM's executives from around the world chatting with the media. GMnext is set to make its debut for the public later this month, with executives such as GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz on tap for talks with the buying public.
What this means to you: GM is starting to fine-tune the Volt, which means it is closer to becoming a reality for you. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
"We've about completed work on the body shape and now we are working on the details...every single detail," Welburn said in a Thursday morning chat session on GMnext, the automaker's debut of its Web-based Virtual Media Forum. "There are some interesting aerodynamic surprises throughout the vehicle. And you'll just have to wait to see them. At the end of the day, it still is obviously the Chevy Volt."
"I am thrilled with what the team is doing with the development of the interior — it's creative, spacious...far better than the original concept vehicle," Welburn said. Writing about the exterior of the Volt, Welburn said "it's all about aerodynamics.... It's a far newer front end design than the concept," he added. "The shape of the front end was designed by our work in the wind tunnel."
When asked what is his number-one design priority, Welburn said, "The Volt is our absolute highest priority. It's got its own dedicated separate studio dedicated to its interior and exterior design." But he was quick to note that "everything is important — absolutely everything. Certainly global Chevrolet is important. We've had an all-out effort to really harness the creative power of seven of our global studios in this effort — just for Chevy."
Welburn emphasizes that the Detroit automaker has its "global design organization in place. It's more than a novelty — it's a fast-moving machine."
"The studios in China, Brazil, Korea and India are taking on much greater responsibilities than they did in the past," he said.
He confirmed that "a new line of concept and production vehicles are coming soon" for Saab.
The debut of Gmnext, set to celebrate the 100th anniversary of General Motors, kicked off with more than 25 of GM's executives from around the world chatting with the media. GMnext is set to make its debut for the public later this month, with executives such as GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz on tap for talks with the buying public.
What this means to you: GM is starting to fine-tune the Volt, which means it is closer to becoming a reality for you. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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