GM to Provide Concerned Volt Owners with a Free Loaner after Fire Probe

General Motors is about to reach the affected customers that their vehicle Volt batteries can ignite under certain circumstances, after a crash, by offering a free loan car until the company fixes the problem.

The first problem arose in May when a Chevy Volt lithium-ion batteries caught fire while the car was parked on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration facilities [NHTSA] WI, three weeks after he was exposed to a side impact test.

The three additional simulated NHTSA side impact tests with different Volts on November 16, 17 and 18, which caused a fire up battery, smoking and emitting sparks when a car came out completely clean.

The Detroit-based automaker said if the company was not aware of these incidents on public roads, it will take all necessary precautions "to ensure customer satisfaction and safety."

"Our customers peace of mind is very important to us that there is any concern or anxiety. This technology should inspire confidence and pride, does not pose any problem or doubt," said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America.

"The question is how to handle the battery of days and weeks after a serious accident, so it's not just a matter of interest in V, but we continue to advance our search for the electric vehicle industry," he added.

Maria Barra, senior vice president, Global Product Development, said that GM has already installed a design team to develop more changes to remove any concerns of possible electrical fires after the accident.

"We work with NHTSA and we all have an understanding of these risks and how they can be avoided in the future," said Barra. "It's not just a problem of Volt. We are carrying an electric vehicle jointly with the Society of Automotive Engineers and other automotive companies to address new problems, such as protocol stacks depower after a serious accident."

As for the Volt owners concerned about the safety of their cars, GM has said that the company can contact you and arrange a loan without GM vehicles.

"A vehicle loan program of this nature are by far the standard for a preliminary inquiry, and underlines our commitment to the vehicle and its owners," said Reuss. "These measures are the right person to take into account any immediate impact on our operations."

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NHTSA Probes Chevrolet Volt after Battery Catches Fire

Federal safety regulators are seeking the safety of lithium-ion batteries after a Chevrolet Volt was on fire in a parking lot to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration testing center in Wisconsin.

An Agency official said the incident took place three weeks after the Chevrolet Volt went to a side impact test, May 12

The incident forced the authorities to ask the automakers to sell cars equipped with Volt lithium-ion batteries in the U.S., including GM, Nissan and Ford, the potential risks of fire, the sources said agency familiar with the matter.

Lithium batteries, such as turning on the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, are considered more efficient than nickel-metal units used in other hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius.

Even Toyota will move to its lithium-ion hybrid model Prius, RAV-4 EV and will soon launch in the U.S.

GM and the NHTSA tried but failed to replicate the event in May Volt falls in the month of June. GM spokesman Greg Martin Blooomberg said in a telephone interview that the company deals with the safety of the V and the battery after the incident, and added, "these had been followed, there was a fire."

Today, Jim Federico, chief engineer for General Motors for electric vehicles, issued the following statement:

"First let me say very clearly: .. Volt is a safe car, and we will work with NHTSA when it has completed its investigation, however, NHTSA said that according to available data, there is no more risk of fire with a voltage of a conventional engine gasoline car.

Security protocols for electric vehicles are clearly a concern in the industry. At GM, we have security protocols to depower the electric vehicle battery after a major accident.

We work with other automakers, the first, operators of tow and rescue organizations in order to implement industry-wide protocols. "

Story References: GM and Bloomberg

 

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NHTSA Investigates Complaints Of Engine Fire 36,000 Mini Cooper S Models

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) announced that it has launched a preliminary inquiry into the Mini Cooper S from 2007-2008MY to engine fires.

In a posting on its Web site, NHTSA said it received 12 complaints of engine compartment fires in the affected models.

Eight of the owners claim that the fire started in the engine compartment when cars were parked and the key is removed, while the five complaints, said the Mini flames risk investments and transactions as a result of the vehicle a total loss.

If research leads to NHTSA recall affects about 36 000 cars sold in the U.S. So far, there is no injury or death associated with fires.

 

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