Chevy Volt Tech to Underpin Minivan

Rumors pointed to Cadillac as being the first recipient of of the Voltec powertrain, but General Motors looks like it plans to build a minivan that uses the drivetrain from the Chevy Volt first. This will mean that the carmaker will get a better return on its large initial investment into the green car model.

So when can we expect the Volt-van? “In the next few years,” according to a recent statement made by General Motors Co. CEO Dan Akerson at the 2011 Automotive News World Congress. According to AutoWeek, he also said that the second generation of Volt, currently being developed, will “focus on cost reduction” of the technology.

The CEO believes that at least 10 percent of all GM products sold will be hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric vehicles within the next 10 to 15 years. The automotive giant wants at least one car of the four core divisions (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC) to offer a vehicle that is underpinned by the Volt’s technology.

The company is on track to sell some 25,000 Volts this year, up from the initial estimate of 10,000 to 20,000 units expected when production began. “We have been pleased and a bit surprised with the initial demands, initial orders for Volts. We don't want to miss the opportunity,” Akerson said.

On a less green note, GM's North American president, Mark Reuss, also said GM is accelerating other vehicle programs, especially trucks, in order to recover the ground lost during the 2009 bankruptcy. Full-sized GMC and Chevy pickups were put on hold when the crisis began, so the redesigned models are expected to arrive in 2013.