Henderson: We're Changing the Culture at GM

GM is now undergoing the biggest restructuring ever, not only at the product range level but also at the way the company sees customers and the market per se. Fritz Henderson, GM President and CEO, said yesterday when announcing GM's product plans for the next two years that changing the culture at the company is now a priority and the best way to support it is by launching new products better complying with the consumers' demands.

"We're changing the culture at GM, and today is a good indication of that," he said. "Speed is one of the hallmarks of our new culture... and you'll see lots of evidence of that today."

Additionally, he also revealed more details about the Volt, the company's plug-in hybrid which is expected to hit the market in November 2010. Chevrolet currently builds around 10 units a week, but the brand wants to boost production as the official release date is quickly approaching. General Motors expects demand for Volt to be high, as it sees the flagship model as the best way to turn the company around.

"Today, we're announcing that under this new draft methodology, the Chevy Volt extended-range electric vehicle will achieve unprecedented fuel-economy performance," he said.

"We expect the Chevy Volt will be the first mass-produced vehicle to claim a triple-digit composite fuel economy rating, including a city rating of at least 230 miles per gallon. That's right: 230 miles per gallon. It's also projected to achieve an electrical efficiency of about 25 kilowatt-hours per 100 miles, under the EPA methodology."