I would be really bummed to see that even though I’m not an edition 1 reservation holder. Mainly because I want people to get them in their hands and give some real world thoughts and reviews. I want to get as much feedback as possible before they start making calls for the 3x. Definitely don’t want them to put sales over safety, but just eager to get them out on the roads
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Will the HummerEV Be Delayed?
With the latest Bolt battery crisis and a likely deteriorating relationship with LG Chem I am leaning towards a delay in Hummer Ev deliveries. While GM may or may not deliver the first couple as planned in the fall, I would think quality control on the battery supply is going to be "extremely cautious"(with individual inspections on each cell, and high rejection rate), and deliveries will start very slow. I had been thinking GM would deliver between 1000 and 1500 HummerEv's in 2021, I am now assuming that number will drop dramatically, perhaps around 100? GM put out a video yesterday where Plant Manager Jim Quick and EVP of Manufacturing Gerald Johnson discuss the HummerEV Launch. They seem to softly mention production by the end of the year, and deliveries in 6-7 months. I think this was recorded in early July, as the video matches a video GM posted dated 7-2. Note timestamps 5:40, and 8:15
There is lot's to like about this video and the information contained, however I say once again GM executives seem too scripted, and stuffy. IMO, this Bolt thing is a full on crisis at GM, not only expensive, but also sews fear and doubt about GM's ability to transition efficiently to EV's. Mary Barra has some work to do in public relations to soothe nerves, and get the wheels back on the car so to speak, and the sooner the better.
There is lot's to like about this video and the information contained, however I say once again GM executives seem too scripted, and stuffy. IMO, this Bolt thing is a full on crisis at GM, not only expensive, but also sews fear and doubt about GM's ability to transition efficiently to EV's. Mary Barra has some work to do in public relations to soothe nerves, and get the wheels back on the car so to speak, and the sooner the better.
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Great points, I do not think media drives or initial deliveries will be delayed, I only expect the initial production rate to be slowed, and each battery cell to get extensive inspection until they are confident the production system is working as intended with zero defect rates.I would be really bummed to see that even though I’m not an edition 1 reservation holder. Mainly because I want people to get them in their hands and give some real world thoughts and reviews. I want to get as much feedback as possible before they start making calls for the 3x. Definitely don’t want them to put sales over safety, but just eager to get them out on the roads
Now its possible GM and LG get into a fight, and then we could see substantial delays, but I think that is less likely. .
I too think the inspection process for batteries/ cells will become much more extensive due to the Bolt disaster. This may slow production as with most EVs the batteries are already the production bottleneck. I also wonder if the pouch cell design has evolved any since the newest pack design in the Bolt? The 2020+ battery pack in the Bolt is effectively a two year old design at this point.
Ultium is a totally different pouch design, larger, more layers (20 as I recall), different base chemistry, etc.. I think the trouble is GM did not have a robust enough supervision of LG's processes and quality control. LG also pushed the production system too hard in search of growth. That is certain to change with Ultiumcell LLC, and now GM knows how painful EV's can be if you get any part of the battery wrong. Making batteries is a tough business, and even one defective cell in 100k slipping through quality control is too many.I too think the inspection process for batteries/ cells will become much more extensive due to the Bolt disaster. This may slow production as with most EVs the batteries are already the production bottleneck. I also wonder if the pouch cell design has evolved any since the newest pack design in the Bolt? The 2020+ battery pack in the Bolt is effectively a two year old design at this point.
Therein lies the defect issue. They are doing the folding over the various layers and that appears to be the root cause of the defects, not just for the Bolt, but also the Kona.more layers (20 as I recall),
They need to do some kind of x-ray or CT scan on each cell to check it.
It is going to be interesting to see how this all plays out... Certainly quality control at LG is under pressure. I am a bit nervous about my E-Tron now, lowered the top charge to 90%, and not charging it at night while we sleep anymore.Therein lies the defect issue. They are doing the folding over the various layers and that appears to be the root cause of the defects, not just for the Bolt, but also the Kona.
They need to do some kind of x-ray or CT scan on each cell to check it.
I am the same as you... And since this will be my/our 1st EV vehicle.... I want it to be right and I want to make sure that it is going to work for our family. I am sure that for the most part it will be fine, but I want to hear about real world users and their range and charging experiences and what not... But DAMN I am excited to see and touch and look at one even if it is just at the dealership and I have to wait another year before I can get my hands on my own...I would be really bummed to see that even though I’m not an edition 1 reservation holder. Mainly because I want people to get them in their hands and give some real world thoughts and reviews. I want to get as much feedback as possible before they start making calls for the 3x. Definitely don’t want them to put sales over safety, but just eager to get them out on the roads
@Aloppen blocking a beautiful view here...I am the same as you... And since this will be my/our 1st EV vehicle.... I want it to be right and I want to make sure that it is going to work for our family. I am sure that for the most part it will be fine, but I want to hear about real world users and their range and charging experiences and what not... But DAMN I am excited to see and touch and look at one even if it is just at the dealership and I have to wait another year before I can get my hands on my own...
The good news is GM has put tons of miles on their test mules and I’m sure they have put these new batteries to the test as far as charging and keeping an eye on the battery temps. Based on what they have seen it’s possible they aren’t worried about the new ultium battery tech at all. Doesn’t mean their focus won’t shift a little to damage control on the Bolt but if they aren’t seeing any issues with the Hummer batteries maybe they’ll stick with the current production plan
Yeah, they are testing the heck out of it, and I think during initial production there are no concerns for me, but as production ramps up and QC tends to get a little slack is when problems typically happen. Batteries are tough, as any flaw in one cell in the pack can be a fire risk, so cell production has to be perfect. LG, is teaching a painful lesson to the industry about ramping up too fast (LG went from also ran, to the worlds leader in Lithium Cell production very quickly), and I would imagine their inspection process has let some known imperfect cells slip through. The worst part, is battery cells with a slight flaw do not fail for years typically, if ever, so it is easy for managers to take risks, and get away with it for a while before disaster strikes. Having been around high level manufacturing there is so much pressure to increase production and eliminate rework or failed parts, sometimes managers let their risk tolerance rise too high. I mean each Ultium cell is worth about $50, are you going to throw away $50 parts if there is just a minor defect? That can take a plant from profit to loss quite quickly, so you can see where the pressure ramps up for risk tolerance of the management.The good news is GM has put tons of miles on their test mules and I’m sure they have put these new batteries to the test as far as charging and keeping an eye on the battery temps. Based on what they have seen it’s possible they aren’t worried about the new ultium battery tech at all. Doesn’t mean their focus won’t shift a little to damage control on the Bolt but if they aren’t seeing any issues with the Hummer batteries maybe they’ll stick with the current production plan
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