GM is facing a new problem with its Chevy Volt. Recently the battery of a vehicle crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) caught fire three weeks after being crashed. GM announced that it will loan cars to Volt owners if they are involved in a crash. The company is also working with the NHTSA to understand the causes leading to the fire.
Currently, the details of the offer are limited, but GM has said that any Volt owner who suffers from fire anxiety can get a free GM vehicle loan. GM North America president Mark Reuss said, ”A vehicle loan program of this nature is well beyond the norm for a preliminary investigation, and it underlines our commitment to the vehicle and its owners. These steps are the right ones to take regardless of any immediate impact on our operations.” In a separate statement released by GM the fire was directly addressed. The company said that a senior engineering team has been assembled to ”develop changes to eliminate concern of potential post-crash electrical fires and work with industry to ensure appropriate electric vehicle protocols were in place.”
The fire at NHTSA is a one of a kind incident. No other fires have been reported in post-crash Volts. The NHTSA released this statement, ”Chevy Volt owners whose vehicles have not been in a serious crash do not have reason for concern.” The Volt received a 5-star crash rating and the fire broke out int the test vehicle three weeks after being crashed. The NHTSA is investigating the incident, but assures current owners and those perusing this season’s Chevy Volt incentives that the incident is isolated and should not be of concern at this time.