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Lookig at sales figures it seem US demand is doing well. Its euroean demand even for domestic USbrands that are falling fast and the emerging market competition is only getting tougher to compete in.Even many luzury european brands are seeig demand drop lately.The combination of dropping european sales and China now being the largest market for auto sales changes everything on auto industry.
Smart Auto Maker would have come up with something other than Oil-mobiles. Grim-pickings, there.
Consumer demand for the electric and hybrid vehicles has been underwhelming, with the notable exception of the Toyota Prius. What sort of "other than oil-mobile" offerings would you suggest for a "smart auto maker", in addition to the ones already out there? Or perhaps as replacements for the ones already out there? I am aware that all hybrids other than plug-in models are still "oil-mobiles", as all of their power is derived from gasoline, the electricity being recaptured from kinetic energy via regenerative braking. So for clarity, do I correctly assume that your term "oil-mobiles" includes all non-plug-in hybrids?
Would you agree that a change as massive and far-reaching as a switch from gasoline/diesel powered cars and trucks to something else pretty much has to start slowly and will take some time to accomplish?
Consumer demand for the electric and hybrid vehicles has been underwhelming, with the notable exception of the Toyota Prius. What sort of "other than oil-mobile" offerings would you suggest for a "smart auto maker", in addition to the ones already out there? Or perhaps as replacements for the ones already out there? I am aware that all hybrids other than plug-in models are still "oil-mobiles", as all of their power is derived from gasoline, the electricity being recaptured from kinetic energy via regenerative braking. So for clarity, do I correctly assume that your term "oil-mobiles" includes all non-plug-in hybrids?
Take the Volt, for example. Aside from the idiots building it with only 2 back seats -- when it goes beyond its electric charge range, the only other fuel it runs on is . . . [drum roll, please] Gasoline.
The idiots could have at least Flex Fueled it for E85 -- let alone better to E100. Nope. Sticking with Good old Gasoline. Total dumbasses. Between the seats and fuel options (or lack of), yes, they lost us a customer, too.
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Would you agree that a change as massive and far-reaching as a switch from gasoline/diesel powered cars and trucks to something else pretty much has to start slowly and will take some time to accomplish?
If you look at other technology shifts, 40 years is not unusual.
Circa 1900 Horses to 1940 Automobiles.
1980 Land Line Telephones to 2020 Cell Phones.
The new does not eliminate the old -- it just passes them and shelves them.
Consumer demand for the electric and hybrid vehicles has been underwhelming, with the notable exception of the Toyota Prius. What sort of "other than oil-mobile" offerings would you suggest for a "smart auto maker", in addition to the ones already out there? Or perhaps as replacements for the ones already out there? I am aware that all hybrids other than plug-in models are still "oil-mobiles", as all of their power is derived from gasoline, the electricity being recaptured from kinetic energy via regenerative braking. So for clarity, do I correctly assume that your term "oil-mobiles" includes all non-plug-in hybrids?
Would you agree that a change as massive and far-reaching as a switch from gasoline/diesel powered cars and trucks to something else pretty much has to start slowly and will take some time to accomplish?
Dead on. Ford dropped it's Escape Hybrid for this very reason. Even the Prius is on questionable ground depending on how it is used and how long it is kept. You can buy a Toyota Corolla for $16K and a Prius starts at $24K. The Corolla is 27/34 and the Prius is 51/48. If you drive 10,000 miles a year of mixed city/hwy you can expect 30 MPG from the Corolla and 50 MPG from the Prius.
10000/30=333 gals per year
10000/50=200 gals per year
@ $4 a gallon the 133 gallon savings will net you a savings of $532 a year. It will take you 15 years to break even. Small wonder people aren't flocking to hybrids!
If you drive 20000 miles annually and all city driving you might break even in 5 years, your battery warranty will be up and that will have a huge impact on trade-in or resale value.
We just are not there yet. But, a step in the right direction.
Take the Volt, for example. Aside from the idiots building it with only 2 back seats -- when it goes beyond its electric charge range, the only other fuel it runs on is . . . [drum roll, please] Gasoline.
The idiots could have at least Flex Fueled it for E85 -- let alone better to E100. Nope. Sticking with Good old Gasoline. Total dumbasses. Between the seats and fuel options (or lack of), yes, they lost us a customer, too.
If you look at other technology shifts, 40 years is not unusual.
Circa 1900 Horses to 1940 Automobiles.
1980 Land Line Telephones to 2020 Cell Phones.
The new does not eliminate the old -- it just passes them and shelves them.
You have your facts wrong the Volt never runs on gasoline. The gas motor charges the battery only to extend its range. If you use it as intended you may never need to add fuel. It is intended for short commutes.
The real issue is the range makes it unacceptable for many people. Not to mention it's price. What does that mean about "only 2 back seats"? How many do you want? How many people drive around with more than 4 occupants?
The whole economy is running on a frack boom (real cost of energy dropping) and .gov spending.
Either or both taper, and we are heading back down the slope.
This is partially true, especially the part about gov spending. No offense, but I suspect your close affiliation with alternative energy colors your opinion, as alternative energy initiatives rely heavily on government subsidies and energy costs remaining high.
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Originally Posted by Philip T
BoA and others are getting ready to start dumping their real estate holdings after the election.
It is not unusual for a struggling entity to sell real estate to raise money and cut costs.
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Originally Posted by Philip T
Even the CBO (Congressional Budget Office) has done the math for the other side of the hurricane to hit in early 2013.
First Quarter could be a rough ride.
Possibly true, but CBO is basing predictions on fiscal cliff variables. A budget deal and tax initiatives may moderate that substantially.
I should add That I hold deep reservations about the economic and environmental costs/challenges associated with fracking. With oil, there are no free rides!
Call it a collapse if you wish; I prefer to characterize it as another phase of an ongoing pogrom, courtesy of the EPA and the tree-hugging bullyboys/girls.
You have your facts wrong the Volt never runs on gasoline. The gas motor charges the battery only to extend its range. If you use it as intended you may never need to add fuel. It is intended for short commutes.
I believe the Volt does in fact use gas when a). the gas motor kicks on to charge the electric motor and b). at highway speeds and beyond.
Also, when you factor in the inititial purchase price of over $32k(that's after the federal alt energy tax credit), a high mileage gas alternative like the Ford Focus or Chevy Cruze makes far more sense.
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