Vindy.com Newswatch
Ex-Poland man plays key role in Volt and electric Cadillac model
Published:Sunday, January 11, 2009 3:24 p.m.
Bob Boniface with Chevrolet Volt
By Don Shilling
GM unveiled a second electric car as a concept vehicle at the show.
DETROIT — General Motors is expanding its line of electric cars, and a Mahoning Valley resident is playing a key role.
Bob Boniface, formerly of Poland, designed GM’s upcoming electric car — the Chevrolet Volt — and will lead the design on others.
GM unveiled what might be its next electric car Sunday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit — the Cadillac Converj concept.
Boniface, GM’s director of design for E-Flex systems, said the production version of that car will come from his studio if the project goes forward. He said GM definitely will be offering more than one electric car.
“We’d be foolish if we included this on only a single car platform,” he said.
GM plans to have the Volt in dealer showrooms by November 2010 and then other electric models “will come in rapid succession,” said Boniface, the son of Dr. Raymond and Jacquelyn Boniface. They will include different brands and different categories, he said.
Building marketable electric cars will show that GM has a future despite its current financial problems, said Bob Lutz, GM vice chairman for global product development.
“Building products like these is the only way to fight the misconceptions about our products,” he said.
Read Don Shilling’s full reports from the Detroit auto show Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.
By Don Shilling (Contact)
Ex-Poland man plays key role in Volt and electric Cadillac model
Published:Sunday, January 11, 2009 3:24 p.m.
Bob Boniface with Chevrolet VoltBy Don Shilling
GM unveiled a second electric car as a concept vehicle at the show.
DETROIT — General Motors is expanding its line of electric cars, and a Mahoning Valley resident is playing a key role.
Bob Boniface, formerly of Poland, designed GM’s upcoming electric car — the Chevrolet Volt — and will lead the design on others.
GM unveiled what might be its next electric car Sunday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit — the Cadillac Converj concept.
Boniface, GM’s director of design for E-Flex systems, said the production version of that car will come from his studio if the project goes forward. He said GM definitely will be offering more than one electric car.
“We’d be foolish if we included this on only a single car platform,” he said.
GM plans to have the Volt in dealer showrooms by November 2010 and then other electric models “will come in rapid succession,” said Boniface, the son of Dr. Raymond and Jacquelyn Boniface. They will include different brands and different categories, he said.
Building marketable electric cars will show that GM has a future despite its current financial problems, said Bob Lutz, GM vice chairman for global product development.
“Building products like these is the only way to fight the misconceptions about our products,” he said.
Read Don Shilling’s full reports from the Detroit auto show Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.
By Don Shilling (Contact)