Chevy Volt Halted. Who did not see this coming?

[powerpace]

Prius and Dodge PU here. 1998 Prius has 170,000 miles. Avg Gpm 45, and I drive with a heavy foot. The worst gas milage I ever got was 39gpm across the Salt Flats into a headwind.

Paid about $28,000, not the top of the line not the bottom. Save about $250 per year in Insurance by having the Prius. Never have seen a Prius broke down on the road. Never saw one towed. Never see one on a used car lot.

You might want to checkout the recent JD POWER report on Vehicle Dependability Study and Initial Quality Study.

When this Pruis hits 200,000 we're getting another and keeping the first one.

JD Power's 2011 Vehicle Dependability Study names Lincoln best brand, Toyota wins most segments
Replacement battery will run about $600 new. At about 225,000.

 

[EddieWalker]

So you (GM) cancel a car which has a waiting list of people who are prepared to pay your lease rate (without ever having ownership) yet claim that people wouldn't buy it ?

I was on a waiting list for the Smart when they were first introduced for over a year and I couldn't get one. I suppose no-body wants one and they should cancel that program too. Then I was on a waiting list for the 2009 Jetta Tdi for nearly a year and the only reason we finally got one was because of the economic crisis allowed production to catch up to demand. I suppose VW should cancel that model too. Last year, we drove it from MI to Key West FL and back for $280 worth of fuel. Try that in your SUV.

No-one is expecting to change your mind, but for those of us who differ in our opinion, allow us to have choices too. I still think that the Volt could not make it because it tries to do too much. We need a Leaf with 1/4 the HP, half the battery and have it shed about 1/3 of its weight. Then it would be a lot cheaper too. Not everything has to move like a dragster.

Did I say something to offend you?

As for the car, GM, not me or the oil companies decided it wasn't worthwhile to make more of them. While you and a couple hundred other people nation wide wanted it, GM decided not to make enough of them.

Personally, I think it's because they didn't want to lose any more money on it.

But since you bring it up, what do you drive today?

Eddie

 

[/pine]

Instead of using technology developed and proven 15 years ago, which would be a lot less expensive by now given that amount of time to cover development costs and amortize the factories, we always have to start from scratch, just like our defense contractors.

Using said technology would eliminate about 60% of the UAW workforce...producing more efficient, less expensive vehicles is not part of the equation...once factored with the political function...

I really don't think our defense dept. is buying less than state of the art goods...the competition level is too high...(however, contractors are forced to submit bids often using legacy technology and absurd labor union scales...

 

[powerpace]

Using said technology would eliminate about 60% of the UAW workforce...producing more efficient, less expensive vehicles is not part of the equation...once factored with the political function...

I really don't think our defense dept. is buying less than state of the art goods...the competition level is too high...(however, contractors are forced to submit bids often using legacy technology and absurd labor union scales...

I agree.

 

[westcliffe01]

Have you ever worked in the auto industry ? I have 19 years in it now and I must be cynical. My opinion of auto industry executives is that they play political games with other peoples money. When your paycheck is several million a year and you are flying around on your chartered jet, it is hard to stay connected to the reality that ordinary people face... And none of your personal money is invested in the business.

Currently, I am rebuilding a 92 Toyota Pickup with a 22RE, since nobody will make a basic pickup truck anymore.

Personally, I think it's because they didn't want to lose any more money on it.

But since you bring it up, what do you drive today?

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

Have you ever worked in the auto industry ? I have 19 years in it now and I must be cynical. My opinion of auto industry executives is that they play political games with other peoples money. When your paycheck is several million a year and you are flying around on your chartered jet, it is hard to stay connected to the reality that ordinary people face... And none of your personal money is invested in the business.

Currently, I am rebuilding a 92 Toyota Pickup with a 22RE, since nobody will make a basic pickup truck anymore.

Nope, I never worked in the auto industry. I did work in the freight industry and have 13 years with the teamsters, with 8 years as a steward. I understand about managment and what they do, but I also know about labor and what they do. Trying to decide who is worse can be just about impossible.

What does all this have to do with GM creating a piece of junk car that is twice as much money as one that works great?

Eddie

 

[Stimw]

I'm at a loss how this happened. How did the "greed" of the oil company make the auto industry stop making electric cars?

Is there anything to this or just more blame the oil industry for everything?

Eddie

Sometime in the 1950's GM , Firestone I think, (it was a tire manufacturer) and Standard Oil were buying up electric, rail type Trolley Buses and selling cities diesel powered rubber tired buses. Part of the terms of the sale was that ALL track and electric overhead had to be removed.
I saw a show on TV that said the total cost of that system for a city then would not install one mile today.

There was a TV show WAY back then called "Rescue 8" I think it was set in Calf. They did (fake) fire and rescue. One episode some kids were playing in a scrap yard and there were trolley buses stacked and cross stacked like fire wood about 4-6 high. One of the kids got trapped and they had to rescue him. The electric buses were waiting to be scrapped.

 

[westcliffe01]

Eddie: What is so hard about answering your own question ?

Detached management who are not really interested in either consumers, engineers or scientists - just pay checks and bonuses. Who more often that not block technological progress for political reasons. Who are hungry for public money for research and development, yet always fail to deliver a targeted product.

Do you suppose a similar level of incompetence and greed is displayed in Japan or Korea ? Do you think that might be the reason why so many Japanese and Korean cars roam the streets today ?

What does all this have to do with GM creating a piece of junk car that is twice as much money as one that works great?

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

I remember something about that. Get rid of public transportation based on electricity to allow the auto industry to grow. Something about less buses meant more cars would be sold, which also led to the Interstate system and the booming economy by helping to create the auto industry.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

Eddie: What is so hard about answering your own question ?

Detached management who are not really interested in either consumers, engineers or scientists - just pay checks and bonuses. Who more often that not block technological progress for political reasons. Who are hungry for public money for research and development, yet always fail to deliver a targeted product.

Do you suppose a similar level of incompetence and greed is displayed in Japan or Korea ? Do you think that might be the reason why so many Japanese and Korean cars roam the streets today ?

Are you describing management or the work force? What I don't think you understand is that both sides are the problem. It's not just those in charge, it's also those who make an inferior product that is dificult to sell.

In your comparison to Japan and Korea, did you consider the workforce in those countries and the pride that goes into what they make? What about those auto companies who build cars here in the US? Why are thier cars consitantly rated higher then the Union Made vehicles?

And I've never owned a Toyota.

Eddie