General Motors to launch Volt electric car in Calif. next year

The U.S. carmaker announced the decision as the Los Angeles Auto Show got underway, one day after the surprise departure of the auto giant's chief executive Fritz Henderson.

GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz said the Volt, which can be charged by a conventional electrical power outlet and can run for up to 40 miles (64 kilometers) without fuel, would be released in California in late 2010.

Other markets for the car, which analysts expect to retail at between 30,000 and 40,000 dollars, would be announced later Lutz said.

“California has long been a leader in environmental change and we at GM are excited to offer the Volt's technology to consumers,” Lutz said.

The company also announced a partnership with California utilities which would see them receive a fleet of around 100 Volts. The scheme would also see the installation of more than 500 charging stations across the state.

Between four to six thousand cars would be available initially, Lutz said, while production would increase to around 10,000 units in the first full year of manufacturing in 2011.

“Eventually we will be ramping up to full capacity of 50-60,000 vehicles a year,” he told reporters.

Lutz meanwhile refused to be drawn on the subject of Henderson's abrupt departure on Tuesday, which took the auto industry by surprise.

“I think all of us were surprised and the whole General Motors team is genuinely saddened over what transpired,” said Lutz. “He guided General Motors through perhaps the most difficult period in its history.

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