Don't call the Volt a hybrid?

The Volt hybrid. I mean range-extended vehicle

On the Eve of the LA Auto Show I had the pleasure to personally dine with GM's product guru, Bob Lutz. During the course of the evening, Mr. Lutz actually called the Chevy Volt a series hybrid - a good technical description of the Volt - yet I couldn't help but be amused.

Why? For many months now, GM has been on a major PR campaign to disassociate the words Volt and hybrid. Even though the Volt can correctly be called a plug-in hybrid vehicle, GM really wants to start defining itself as an electric drive company.

And, let's be honest, the Volt is a very different plug-in hybrid than would be a Hybrid Synergy Drive plug-in hybrid, such as the Toyota Prius hybrids that have been converted into plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Ultimately, however, if the Volt is successful, it won't matter whether you call it a plug-in or a range-extended vehicle, all customers will know is that they want the Volt.