Chevrolet Volt's E-Flex to Underpin New GM Models

General Motors is banking on its E-Flex architecture to make a big difference to its bottom line, starting with the Volt and

then followed by with other plug-in series hybrid models.

Following a pattern proven successful by Toyota and its Lexus luxury line, Cadillac will be the first to get a spin-off E-Flex vehicle other than an Opel-badged version of the Volt itself. In markets like Brazil, where GM only sells its Chevrolet brand and even goes so far to re-badge its Opel/Saturn models with Chevy golden bowties, the Volt will be sold as a Chevrolet. Whether the crested-wreath vehicle would be closely related to the Volt or something very different is unknown, although it would be much more luxurious and probably more sporting than the bowtie car.

The General is also considering a crossover SUV with E-Flex underpinnings, and like the Volt it would fall under the Chevrolet brand. GM will soon sell a plug-in hybrid SUV through Saturn, but it is more conventional in design than E-Flex, using the internal combustion engine (ICE) as the primary source of power, where E-Flex uses an electric motor to power the vehicle and an ICE to generate electricity for replenishing the battery packs.

The decision to hold fast to the Volt launch date of 2010 and commit to further expand the E-Flex range amidst the greatest financial challenge GM has ever faced, and one that has caused it to push back the launch dates of several key vehicles, shows just how important this initiative is to the automaker's long range plans.