It's an old Sinatra tune, but it gives me trouble: "Got my tweed pressed, got my best vest, all I need now is the girl."

What does that mean? The guy in the song has nothing without the girl.

I have the same trouble with all the talk from General Motors about building the 100-miles-to-the-gallon plug-in electric hybrid Volt in 2010. Robert Lutz, the Vice Chairman, says there is an internal target for production by that year. Other GM people also have used that date, but Lutz is not afraid to stand up and say this for attribution. The problem, says Lutz and others from GM, is that they do not have the batteries yet.

All they need is the batteries? Without the batteries, there is nothing. And GM's battery people, who held a briefing Monday, say lots of work remains to be done before the battery systems are ready for production. Lots. After listening to that briefing, I would not expect mass production in three years. 

So how can the other side of the company talk of building such a vehicle if you do not have the batteries? Mind you, I think Robert Lutz is the best, the heart of the GM recovery. He has done wonders, and more vehicles reflecting his terrific influence are on the way. Lutz is honest, too, and he showed some doubts about the electric car: "I would say there is still a ten-percent chance this will fail." MORE--