General Motors’ bankruptcy announcement probably didn’t come as a shock to many, but the news left questions about the future of the company’s much-hyped entry into the electric car realm, the Chevy Volt. Would the greener vehicle be scrapped along with the American-based car company? According to General Motors, no. In fact, they’re saying that not only will the Volt be a key part of the streamlined New GM that’s expected to launch in a few months, it will still be produced in time to meet its originally set debut date of 2010. What’s more, GM has stated that they will follow through on their commitment to have 14 hybrid models available for purchase by 2012 and a 65% of their vehicles capable of running using alternative fuels by 2014.

The news is encouraging from an environmental standpoint and seems to indicate that creating greener cars will be a key focus of the New GM—a smart move considering the rapid increase of interest in such vehicles over the last few years. However, with general car sales down noticeably, hybrid car sales on the decline, and electric car sales barely measurable even this green-geared lineup might not be enough to rebound the company. Still, a greener New GM emerging from the rubble of a company that focused more on big gas guzzling vehicles than anything else seems like a silver lining to the gray cloud hanging over General Motors.

Stay tuned to see if the New GM can follow through on its desire to launch the Volt on schedule, and if they do, give the Chevy Volt the benefit of the doubt and take it for a test drive in support of the North American car industry evolving in environmental ways.

Powered by Bookmarkify™