Plastics in the Chevy Volt

General Motors Corp.'s production version of the Chevrolet Volt has been getting plenty of press since the first photos began leaking out a week ago. Now with its official unveiling at GM's 100th birthday party on Sept. 16, the media has finally started getting a close look at it. There are some big differences between the concept Volt that rolled out at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2007 -- especially in the body structure. While GM engineers aren't saying much about it, they did say that the body panels will be made of metal, unlike the concept which had a lightweight thermoplastic skin. But plastic is still making a statement in the plug-in electric car, with splashes of white plastic in the interior. GM's Global Design Director Ed Welburn told the Los Angeles Times that the carmaker wanted to mimic the design cues of today's industrial design icons, including Apple Inc.'s iPod. You can check out the inside view yourself through a GM video of the interior here.

Finally, special thanks to Rhoda Miel, our staff reporter in Detroit, for contributing this item to the blog today.