Chevy Volt Based Cadillac Converj Given Green Light

General Motors will be bringing the electric Cadillac Converj to market, according to the Detroit News.  The Converj was first seen as a concept car in 2009 and received a lot of attention from the media and consumers.  The Converj will be based on the Chevy Volt electric car, which will go into production this month.

Cadillac Converj Concept

The Cadillac Converj and the Chevy Volt on which it is based will be able to travel up to 40 miles on pure electric power before the gasoline generator kicks in and begins recharging the battery. Unlike traditional hybrids, the Chevy Volt and Cadillac Converj will be powered exclusively by electric motors. The gasoline engine’s only purpose will be to provide extra charge for the electric motor.

GM’s Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said that a Cadillac electric car would be better for the company than the Chevrolet version. Customers are willing to pay more for a Cadillac than a Chevy, and the extra price of the Caddy would help the company more quickly recoup the more than $1 billion it spent on the Volt electric car project.

The Converj will fit in well with the Cadillac brand’s plan to compete more directly with European luxury brands by building smaller luxury cars. Currently, none of the European car companies have an electric vehicle, so green-leaning buyers who normally would never consider a Cadillac will be drawn by its eco-friendliness. It will definitely be strange to see an electric Converj parked next to a mammoth Cadillac Escalade on dealer lots.

GM will also use the Chevy Volt platform for a new Opel car called the Ampera.

Picture Via Autoblog.