Chevrolet Volt Wants To Friend You on Facebook

The fan page, less than a month old, has 2,305 fans as of midweek. GM says the "mission" of the page is to allow people to "engage in intelligent discussion about the Volt, electric vehicles and the electrification of the automobile." From their comments, at least a few of the fans appear to be well-informed employees of GM or supplier firms or otherwise involved in the Volt's development.

So far, users are posting links to news stories about alt-energy development and making pointed comments such as, "Charging Port Revisited: I understand the reasons for moving it, but for the love of aesthetics, please don't leave it as a standard-issue round fuel-filler door. Can't you make it shaped like the Chevy Bowtie or something less conventional? This is a revolutionary car, after all. Think WWHED: What would Harley Earl Do?"

Other cars, of course, have beaten the Volt to Facebook — either with official company fan pages or those created by individuals. One of the Dodge Viper's fan pages has 28,206 members. The Ford Fusion + Hybrid page has 1,193 fans. Facebook's search bar lets you browse your marque of choice.

Pontiac G8 will live on as a Chevy Caprice

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Bob Lutz: Pontiac G8 will live on as a Chevy Caprice

Only hours into his latest tenure at General Motors, Bob Lutz was back at what he does best, namely, slipping product information to the media and giving enthusiasts a reason to believe in the beleaguered auto company.

Asked about the future of the Pontiac G8, slated to end production with the 2009 model year, Lutz told Automobile Magazine the car would find its way into Chevrolet showrooms under the Caprice name.

"The last time we looked at [the G8], we decided that we would continue to import it as a Chevrolet," Lutz said. "It is kind of too good to waste."

CEO Fritz Henderson has repeatedly denied that the G8 would survive as part of another brand, saying he's "not a fan of rebadging."

But Lutz, citing export agreements with Australia and the fact that the Holden Commodore is already sold in many countries as a Chevrolet, assured us GM would not let the car die.

Lutz also confirmed that the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe was still very much in the pipeline, and noted that members of the government taskforce took special interest in the super coupe.

"When we went through design and looked at the future product, the procession stopped at the model of the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe," Lutz told us. "I think that some of these guys are personally going to buy CTS-V Coupes."

Lutz also noted that a CTS-V Wagon is still a possibility, saying, "I think that'd be fun. I'm sure we'll build at least one."

GM beginning to backpedal on Lutz' G8-turning-Caprice comments?

2009 Chevy Caprice SS (Middle East) - Click above for high-res photo gallery

When General Motors' Bob Lutz talks, we listen. The reason, of course, is that he always gives us something good to write. Over the weekend, we told you about an interview Lutz had with Automobile Magazine where the Maximum One said that the G8 will live on as a Chevrolet Caprice. Lutz's comments looked like a sure thing to us, as it's hard to misinterpret these words.

"The last time we looked at [the G8], we decided that we would continue to import it as a Chevrolet. It is kind of too good to waste."

Just a few days later, Blogger Bob sounded a bit less certain about the future of the G8 as Chevrolet. On the company's Fast Lane Blog, Lutz simply said "we're studying the feasibility of bringing (the G8) in as a Caprice for both law enforcement and the public." That doesn't sound nearly as certain as the Automobile interview.

Kicking Tires reportedly received a similar statement from GM brass, saying "As part of its reinvention, General Motors is exploring every opportunity of effectively utilizing its global portfolio of vehicles, facilities and talent. While this exploration includes the possibility of extending imports of Holden vehicles (such as the recent Pontiac G8) to North America, no decision has been made at this time."

We're hoping this is corporate speak for 'We're going to do what Bob says, but we just don't want to promise anything just yet.' Turning the G8 into a Chevrolet model looks to us like the cheapest possible way to keep a terrific vehicle available in the States, and with the Bowtie's significantly larger dealer network, maybe GM can finally figure out how to turn a profit with with the awesome Aussie.