NICELY UNDER $30,000

.

Someone new at the helm, finally recognizing that traditional (non-hybrid) vehicles are the actual problem, is what’s always been needed. Fighting the very hybrid helping to promote change in favor of plug-in vehicles never made any sense.

“I’ve lived in many parts of the US. California’s as real as the rest. It just gets an enviable amount of really nice weather.”

—————————————————————————————-

True, but as a native Californian, that has traveled to all the four corners and love much of my state, I can tell you that the vast majority of the state is as real as it gets. However, there are pockets of the state that are definitely from some other planet or at least some silly part of Europe.

They lost money. GM is a car business. The most important thing a car business can do is make money. Losing it is not a good plan.

I was wow’ed by the Solstice, too (the Sky? Not so much). But the market for these things is small, so the investment must be sized to match. GM put too much money into this and, as reported “nearby” on GM-Volt, by Statik, GM lost about $10K/car in that product line.

Lutz put a very attractive car on the road. But almost anyone can do that, if price isn’t a consideration. What’s needed is to put a car on the road that will recover the investment and then some.

—

#76, N Riley, “Noel, you live in California and that is like living on another planet as far as the majority of this nation is concerned.”

What? California isn’t part of the “real America,” Mrs. Palin?

I’ve lived in many parts of the US. California’s as real as the rest. It just gets an enviable amount of really nice weather.

Sorry, I disagree with you to some extent. I think Lutz was closer to the truth than many of you may want to believe. Noel, you live in California and that is like living on another planet as far as the majority of this nation is concerned. Most of us want vehicles that will get us to and from work in the style that we are “accustomed to” in the past. Sure, that is changing some, but most of the people I know could care less about hybrids versus electrics and such. Plus, saving the planet comes in a long distant 10th place behind saving their jobs, paying bills, raising their families and a number of other things. We are just now beginning to see cars that offer really good mileage, but to get one you have to give up the ability to carry a family of five with all the gear they need for vacation, etc. And no one makes fuel efficient trucks or vans, yet. A large portion of the trucks and vans purchased are for business use, not recreational or just because a persn wants a truck or van to commute to work in. Sure, too many are purchased for commuting and how are we going to change that? I know people who buy 4×4’s and never get off the hard surface roads. Stupid, yes. But, still their decision.

It is going to take many years before change can be brought out. That or we have to go through some sort of terrible crisis that forces change. Anything is possible, except expecting the average Joe to do something he doesn’t really want to do. He will resist and find ways around it if he must.

Bob Lutz has been a good force for change, lately. He did a lot of things in earlier years that advanced sporty cars, but lately he is advancing more efficient vehicles and he deserves our thanks for that.

If you read this blog – I’d like to thank you for taking the lead on the Chevy Volt project, and in doing so, spark the beginning of the greatest revolution in automotive history. While it is relatively easy for a start-up to try innovative ideas and ground-breaking products – it is much harder for heavily entrenched industry. It was your willingness to take a chance and respond to the challenge from Tesla that has driven electrification from a niche, political market to mass production.

From all I can tell you are a good Marine, a good executive and a guy unafraid to speak his mind. We love your remarks on global warming! Thanks for leading General Motors out of the petroleum spiral and into the future. You will be long remembered for colorful dialogue and electrifying character. God speed.

Can somebody explain this to me? I am fairly confused here…