Cadillac Converj may get Green Light
The Cadillac Converj surprised everyone last January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Based on the Volt’s range-extended electric powertrain, the Converj was essentially going to be a luxury version of the Chevy Volt for the Cadillac brand, a brand which is better known for high output V8s than “green” cars. When initially producing the Converj concept, GM was hoping to spread the development costs of the Volt with the Converj, a move that could have helped it reduce the price of the Volt to better compete with the upcoming Nissan Leaf electric vehicle. But when GM filed bankruptcy, it appeared the Converj was dead, although recent news states that the Converj could be revived.
According to Business Week, the Converj was essentially axed because GM North American President Tory Clark and Cadillac-Hummer-Saab lead Mark McNabb were against adding an electric car to the performance/luxury Cadillac brand. On top of this, the US Treasury Department’s Auto Task force didn’t think it was prudent for GM to take such a risk. Today, both Clark and McNabb, the Converj’s biggest foes, are gone from GM, and Bob Lutz, vice president of Global Development, along with others inside GM, are trying to revive the project.
Lutz and Co. believe that the Cadillac brand should represent more than just power and luxury, and instead represent the forefront of technologic advances. Cadillac wants to be seen as a technology leader and an electric car would push it in the right direction. While the Chevy Volt is slated to go on sale in late 2011, the Converj wouldn’t be able to become a reality until 2014 or later, due to the lead time necessary to produce and test this type of vehicle. The Converj may share the same Voltec powertrain technology, but expect the Cadillac to have increased power and weight due to luxury trimmings, most likely reducing the 40 mile electric range and 230 mpg (preliminary) rating. A positive public reception of the Volt next year could convince the remaining brass at GM to green light the project.
