In an effort to stem bad publicity from depressed sales and speculation about its financial durability, General Motors has escalated the timetable for a production model of the much-discussed electric Chevrolet Volt to September.

According to sources cited in an Automotive News report, GM is counting on the Volt to push the company into the leading position for fuel efficiency on the eve of the automaker's 100th anniversary.

Spokesmen at GM declined to comment on an escalated timetable for the Volt's debut saying only that designers and engineers are "getting very close."

A concept version of the Volt was shown in January 2007 followed by a near-production model demonstration to a focus group in Los Angeles. At that time the time table for a salesroom-ready version was late 2010.

Last week GM stock hit a 54-year low, another factor driving the need to reinforce the confidence of both investors and consumers. GM is expected to use the upcoming circuit of auto shows, starting in Paris in October, to unveil a number of fuel efficient vehicles and to move farther away from the truck and SUV market.

Vehicles expected to be shown in a production ready form include the Chevy Beat, which will take the place of the Aveo hatchback, and a vehicle to serve as a replacement for the small, Chevy Cobalt sedan.