Management created a new team dedicated to getting hybrid and electric cars to market. The R&D Budget was increased from US$ 6.6 billion in 2006 to US$ 8.1 billion in 2007. Several new models were canceled to free up resources. The battery lab was under pressure to design batteries that could propel the volt 40 miles before a smell gasoline engine would recharge the battery and extend the range to 600 miles. Douglas Drauch, battery lab manager, said. “fifty years from now. People will remember the volt-like they remember a ’53 corvette’