General Motors may be in the midst of some pretty dire straits, but the Detroit automaker is committed to spreading its Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid technology to other models. The Volt and other plug-in hybrid vehicles are seen as crucial to GM’s survival as they will give the automaker a truly green vehicle line.
According to a GM spokesperson, the Volt’s E-flex architecture is highly flexible and can be used more widely than just niche market vehicles. Cadillac is reportedly next in line to receive an E-flex vehicle – although it remains unclear if that model would be based directly on the Volt – with a Volt-based Opel slated to hit the European market early next decade.
In addition to those models, GM is also considering an SUV with the Volt’s plug-in capabilities. The E-flex SUV model would wear the Chevrolet Bowtie, but production wouldn’t likely begin until at least 2012.
Although GM has delayed the launches of several new vehicles, the Volt’s 2010 launch date is still on, indicating just how important the program is to GM.
