GM, Ford, Chrysler

[OddSox]

But you got to look at it in terms of how people use the car on a daily basis. 90% of us would feel fine with an electric vehicle that is limiting but since you don't use it all the time, you can charge it when you are not using it.

Lots of cars available now that would meet that requirement. People aren't buying them - the cost is prohibitive and many don't like the limitations (in speed and range).

[M.Dancer]

But we could be a lot closer. I'll check into the Ballard thing. Never heard of it before.

Really? You mustn't follow business news to closely. For a while they were the NEXT BIG THING!!!

And they still might be again...

But I don't knolw about the 90% ..not when I think of the 100,000s who in Toronto alone commute back and forth on the expressways travelling over 70km a day...

[noahbody]

The only type of bailout that would make sense to me would be to restructure business taxes so that vehicles could be written off faster. This might help to stimulate the new vehicle market and help joe the plumber too.

[Oleg Bach]

Make pick ups and put the average unemployed Joe to work - Maybe the unionized essemblers should not be making vehicles but operating them to earn a living. The only thing we need is a small import for the family sunday drive - and a pick up for dad to haul or build.

[GostHacked]

Really? You mustn't follow business news to closely. For a while they were the NEXT BIG THING!!!

No I don't follow business news closely.

But I don't knolw about the 90% ..not when I think of the 100,000s who in Toronto alone commute back and forth on the expressways travelling over 70km a day...

It is a problem with urban sprawl and people living farther away from work. Many people that live in the core of any major metropolis don't even own vehicles, or use them very little. Over 70 a day total? One Way?? IF that is the case, they should rethink where they live or how they commute. Even if it was 140kms a day, the EV1 still met those goals. And while you are at work, plug the car in and charge it before you go home. It used a standard power outlet if I recall.

All it takes is a change in your view and approach to a vehicle and how you use one. When the gas price spiked, many people decided to take the bus/bike/walk to work.

I would also take note of how many occupants are in the vehilce on the expressways. Actually, check it everywhere. For the most part, carpooling does not exist. I have gotten real used to not owning a vehicle, and have not for about 8 years now. The money I have to spend on other things pleases me. I don't have to worry about gas/repairs/insurance ect. I very much like the bus. Gets me to work in about 15 minutes. Since I don't own a house it was easy for me to move closer to work.

Try this yourself. Take an average of how many clicks you drive on a daily basis for a month. If that is less than what you can do with an electric vehicle, then guess what....

[GostHacked]

Lots of cars available now that would meet that requirement. People aren't buying them - the cost is prohibitive and many don't like the limitations (in speed and range).

Missconception. The EVI was a fast car. Those who were able to lease them found that they had a pretty good top speed that was limited to 80mph/130kph according to the WIKI article I posted. Fast enough I'd say. If you are going top speed, you are breakin speed laws anyways, so even with some cars that have the spedo go up to 220kph. Unless you are on a closed track, where are you gonna use all that power??

But you are right, the electric vehicles that are comming out today seem to lack many things. Many of them are hybrids now which are probably the best bet right now. Considering how many people are buying SUVs, Crossovers, ect ect, I don't think the cost of an electric or hybrid vehicle is really that much of a stretch.

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/hybridcars/a...08/article.html

[M.Dancer]

Try this yourself. Take an average of how many clicks you drive on a daily basis for a month. If that is less than what you can do with an electric vehicle, then guess what....

I'm not representitive. I'm 50 years old, nevr had a drivers licence (had a 365 in the 80s) I bike almost 10 months of the year to my office, weather permitting...and it takes my 15 minutes usually.

But I know people who ae coming in from Georgetown, Keswick, Oakville..between 80 to 140 klicks round trip, mainly on the expressway travelling at 120k...and they can do it for a modest cost rather than spending 40k on something that isn't practical for Canada.

How do the heat a car when it's 12 below and still have enough juice to get where you want?

Edited November 14, 2008 by M.Dancer

[Bryan]

The problem with electric cars isn't what they can do, it's the limitations when you need it right now. I can refill my tank on a car in a couple minutes if something comes up without notice. Even if you run out of gas, you just grab a jerry can, and quickly get some more. You just can't do that with an electric car.

[OddSox]

The problem with electric cars isn't what they can do, it's the limitations when you need it right now. I can refill my tank on a car in a couple minutes if something comes up without notice. Even if you run out of gas, you just grab a jerry can, and quickly get some more. You just can't do that with an electric car.

It's really tough when you need a vehicle that can tow the motor home in the summer - and still take the hockey team for pizza in the winter...

[DFCaper]

Bailout: I see this from more of a Canadian perspective. We don't have a GM or Ford here in Canada. What we do have are a few plants building cars for them. Therefor, all we have here are a few plants that we can fight to keep. WHEN the US government bails them out, our Government needs to do what is necessary to keep our plants open. Keep the business case for the plants positive for GM. I do not see Canada supporting the company, but the plants. Automotive, like so many industries always has it's hands out to governments prior to opening plants. If you think Toyota doesn't receive MILLIONS for the plants in Ontario, then your not paying much attention to how the world works. It's not just the SUV thing...

I am also sick of hearing that GM doesn't sell cars people want. Looks like that's not the problem:

General Motors Corp. sold 168,719 vehicles in October

Ford Motor Co., including its Volvo brand, sold 132,278 light vehicles

Chrysler LLC’s sales totaled 94,530 units

Toyota Motor Corp. sold 152,101 vehicles.

Honda Motor Co.’s sales fell to 85,864

So that's not the problem

Electric car:

Coal powered car. Until we natioanalize our power grid, greatly increase it capacity with green only electricity. I think they are a wasteful environmental disaster as those batteries are not good.

Electric=Coal burner

[Renegade]

I am also sick of hearing that GM doesn't sell cars people want. Looks like that's not the problem:

General Motors Corp. sold 168,719 vehicles in October

Ford Motor Co., including its Volvo brand, sold 132,278 light vehicles

Chrysler LLC’s sales totaled 94,530 units

Toyota Motor Corp. sold 152,101 vehicles.

Honda Motor Co.’s sales fell to 85,864

Perhaps the problem is that GM doesn't sell cars people want at a price that allows it to make a profit on each vehicle. It spurs sales by using incentives and cashback. GM loses over $1000 on each vehicle it sells.

Unless it becomes more cost-competitive or finds products people are willing to pay premium prices for, selling more vehicles only drives GM closer to bankrupcy.

GM Leads in Loss per Vehicle in North America