Amidst Disappointing Sales, Auto Industry Has A Change Of Heart About EVs
4 Months 20124 Months 2011BMW ActiveE879–Smart electric drive279Chevrolet Volt5,3771,703Mitsubishi i215–Nissan Leaf2,1031,025Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid2,552–Total plug-in11,1282,807EV share0.2%0.1%Table courtesy Automotive News
“A disconnect is emerging between the White House and the auto industry over the short-term future of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids,” says Automotive News [sub]. The White House wants to go forward. The auto industry is backpedaling.
The Obama administration still wants to see 1 million plug-in vehicles on U.S. roads by 2015, even if that costs more tax payer money in the form of added subsidies.
Already generous handouts could not energize tepid EV sales. Automakers are now “emphasizing more traditional fuel-saving technologies in the short term,” AN says.
“Everybody rushed toward EV vehicles and hybrid vehicles,” said Mark James, director of Lotus Engineering to AN. “Now, they’re going back, and saying, ‘Actually, we need to look at engines.'”
Michael Martin, owner of Dudley Martin Chevrolet in Manassas, Va., found a use for the Volts in his showroom:
“We’re still seeing a strong demand for small cars They’re looking at the Volt, but they’re going to a gas-powered vehicle.”
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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Why doesn't GM just put a regular hybrid system in the volt to compete with the Prius?
Maybe I'm naive, but I don't see "Disappointing Sales" on the chart. Sales quadrupled in just a year. "EV Sales Quadrupled Since Last Year" would also be an accurate headline, no? Perhaps compared to the "1 million cars by 2015" target, sales are currently disappointing. But if the numbers continue to increase at this rate -- admittedly, a big IF -- you'll crack 1,000,000 cumulative EV sales before 2014 is over. Looks to me like electric cars are EXPLODING.
...“We’re still seeing a strong demand for small cars They’re looking at the Volt, but they’re going to a gas-powered vehicle...” This is the part where I say, ehem, I TOLD YOU SO. Customer walks into showroom to look at a Volt, drives off in a Cruze Eco - that's a win for General Motors. The Cruze Eco is sold for profit, the Volt is sold for a loss. I'd rather GM sell 1,000 Cruze Ecos that a million Volts right now. [INSERT PROVE GM IS MAKING A PROFIT STRAWMAN ARGUMENT HERE]
Dear Shaker, No. Each dollar wasted by DoD is far more beneficial to the nation than one "invested" in green....anything.