Show Blogs, Silly Topics and Archives

Finished

Chicago Car News with LB

Is there an electric car in your future?

2/15/2009 Comment on This

Maybe yours, but certainly not in mine (unless I drive one around a golf course).
When gas hit $5 a gallon last year Americans panicked and began trading in their SUV's and pickups for smaller cars. By doing that many people incurred losses that ran into many thousands of dollars. Dealers had lots filled with vehicles that suddenly nobody wanted.

The "Greens" blamed the car companies for not reading their crystal balls properly and investing millions into electric car development. No one took the time to study what Detroit had to offer, well built cars at affordable prices and getting great mileage. Instead they demanded to know why no American car company was building a car that could simply be plugged into an outlet at home, then driven to work or school the next day. GM announced they had been working on the Chevrolet "Volt", a true electric vehicle that would be on sale sometime in 2010. Problem was the retail cost of the vehicle continued to climb while the projected profit was declining. GM was strapped for cash, sales of all of their brands were falling, yet they couldn't afford to pull the "plug" on Volt development for fear as being branded as "pro oil and anti environment". Millions of precious dollars were being pumped into a project that was going to add little to the bottom line. When GM went to Washington to ask for a loan, our brillant "leaders" demanded to know where the electric car was. No one asked how many consumers were willing to pay $35,000 to $40,000 for an electric car or how it would add to GM's profitability. Why? Nobody cared, no one wanted to anger the "Greens" who had recently taken over the White House. Gas pumps had to be replaced with extension cords, cost be dammed!

As I write this GM is rumored to be within weeks of filing BK, the ramifications of that will shake an already weak U.S. economy. No one will remember that GM builds a great little car that get 37 miles per gallon on the highway and retails for less then $16,500 ( The Pontiac G-6 ). Instead they'll say that the Volt should have been available sooner.

The real loser in all of this will be the American consumer who will be forced to pay thousands more for cars that are "politically correct".

Spring is coming, slow down and live to see it!
LB