When General Motors announced that 15 select individuals – all part of the Chevrolet Volt Customer Advisory Board – would get to tool around in Chevy’s plug-in prior to the general public, Lyle Dennis was rightfully ecstatic. Why’s that? Well, for one reason, he was one of the individuals selected to join the board and the members of the board got to, “experience the Volt every day under real-world conditions during a three-month vehicle and charging evaluation program starting in late October.” The group of 15 also provided input to GM, which the automaker evaluated and, if deemed necessary, modified Chevy’s plug-in before its launch.
So, what types of changes did GM make? According to Dennis’ GM-Volt.com, the Volt’s charging port door was improved to provide better latching and the vehicle’s software was tweaked to give a more linear brake pedal feel. In addition, Volt vehicle line director Tony Posawatz told Dennis that the production cars that buyers are starting to receive are noticeably more refined than the captured test fleet that the Customer Advisory Board members have been driving. It doesn’t stop here, either. Posawatz adds that GM will continue to respond to customer feedback and may make software upgrades or physical changes to the Volt throughout its production cycle.
