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Think Announces US Electric Car Factory Plans

March 12th, 2009 | Posted in: Competitors

Norwegian electric automaker Think has recently been on the brink of bankruptcy but was rescued by US lithium-ion battery manufacturer EnerDel.

Now they are coming back from the dead with new plans to travel across the Atlantic.

Today they announced plans to build an electric car manufacturing plant in the United States. The company is in discussions with eight states including Michigan to build the plant which will begin production at 16,000 per year and be able to ramp up to 60,000 per year.

Think CEO Richard Canny said “We see ourselves playing a small but potentially growing role in re-inventing the U.S. auto industry by bringing back new manufacturing jobs to the U.S. to replace internal combustion engine vehicles that are expensive to operate and maintain with clean, efficient electric vehicles.”

Think is working with both A123 and EnerDel on developing lithium-ion packs for the cars and runnig developmental prototypes exits. They will also be applying for advanced vehicle technology loans from the DOE.

The initial vehicle will be the 2-seat Think City that has a 112 mile electric range and a top speed of 62 mph.

The pricing is not yet announced but the goal is under $20,000 minus battery lease and with incentives. U.S. production is expected to start in 2010, with the first-year volume of 2,500 units being available to pilot and demonstration fleet projects.

The Think OX is the 4-door hatch model which would come later.

Source (Th!nk)

The

Posted by: Lyle

141 Responses to “Think Announces US Electric Car Factory Plans”

ThombDbhomb Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 11:43 am

More momentum!

I guess all the government talk/money is spurring EV and EREV business plans.

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FME III Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 11:49 am

“under $20,000 minus battery lease and with incentives.” Makes me wonder what it costs without incentives, and what it would cost if the battery were built into the cost as GM is doing with the Volt..

It will be interesting to see how the battery-lease business model goes over. Lots of readers of this blog have dissed the notion. I’m not sure I like it either. One upside to leasing, though, is that as the technology improves (like the previous post reporting a new breakthrough) the owner is not locked into old tech.

Down the road, if A123 could supply the new fast-charge LiFePO4 battery discovered at MIT, Think will have a winner on its hands. But they won’t be alone.

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PLJ Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 11:57 am

I’m sure there’ll be a market for it, but it looks very uncomfortable.

And I just would not want to be seen in that thing.

And safety? Barely better than a motorcycle. It’s just too small for most American roads. Maybe OK for around the city.

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CorvetteGuy Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 12:03 pm

112 mile range with no extender. More than enough for a daily commuter. But, dang! I thought SMART cars were small. It takes a brave person to drive that next to an 18-wheeler.

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Dave B Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 12:08 pm

No more OPEC– Keep that in mind people! Welcome Think!

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Soda72 Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 12:10 pm

Best of luck to them, but a car that small will be a tough sell here in America

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rickj Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 12:11 pm

“under $20,000 minus battery lease and with incentives.”

Why is the Smart shell so special that it is worth more than $20,000 without incentives? How long before someone sells a $2,500 Tata Nano and a battery lease? If this is Th!nk’s business plan, get on with the bankruptcy.

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ROBERT M. SPERRY Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 12:14 pm

I don’t think that the publicis going to go for two-seaters.
They never did before and i don’t see them doing it now. Nevertheless,the more electric cars on the road the better. GO VOLT!

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statik Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 12:15 pm

If press releases were electric cars…we would all have at least two.

I guess if they do make good, it is a win-win for us the consumer. I’m more than a little skeptical of a company that is going bankrupt one month, with no US footprint, then turns around and says it is not only coming to NA, but is going to start ’small’ at 16K, and will ramp up to 60.

/hope it happens

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DaV8or Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 12:17 pm

Not fast enough for the freeway, questionable safety, range anxiety, nearly 10 hour charge time, battery lease not purchase, two seat utility, not even painted, poor transportation value, oh boy! This is a perfect recipe for bankruptcy in the US as well. Good idea, build a plant, fail and then ask Obama for a bailout. Every time a new alternative is announced, the Volt looks better and better.

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Barry L Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 12:24 pm

“This is a perfect recipe for bankruptcy in the US as well. Good idea, build a plant, fail and then ask Obama for a bailout”

Gee that doesn’t sound like any other company we know at all. Like GM maybe?

Good for Think, this car fills another niche. The more the merrier.

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PLJ Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 12:35 pm

I’ve said this before about other pure electric vehicles and I’ll say it about this one: Without a range extender it is not in the same league as the Chevy Volt.

I think for most Americans the RANGE EXTENDER will be the deal maker. Because of the range extender there is no lifestyle change required. Just drive as usual. Anywhere, anytime. No worries about running out of juice. Just plug it in when you get home. That’s it. Nice. You give up nothing in comfort, safety, roadability, and usefulness.

This is the genius behind the Chevy Volt.

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Read the article, please. Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 12:39 pm

#3
“it looks very uncomfortable.”

It’s an errand runner and town commuter, not a suppository.

#6
“car that small will be a tough sell”

It’s a runabout, ideal for a grocery getter in small cities and large towns, where 75% of the population now lives.

Ex-urbanites can lobby for a version with a power take off for their land stewardship.

Speaking of land stewardsihp, ice storms don’t cause power outages. Poor land stewardship and lazy utilities and property owners who don’t keep trees trimmed do.

#10
“the Volt looks better and better.”

It’s not trying to directly compete with the Volt. Did you even read the article? It’s a complement, not a substitute. More choices are always better for the consumer. Or do you not want the US manufacturing jobs that this would create and the diffusion of electric vehicle manufacturing expertise that this would encourage?

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Redeye Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 12:50 pm

I hope they do well.

The more we can move away from petrol the better.

These little cars might be just right for some people.

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CaptJackSparrow Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 12:52 pm

@DaV8or 10
“questionable safety”
This car was originally engineered by Ford and was owned by Ford. It meets NA standards.

“range anxiety”
City driving, HELLO?! This is where idiots buy cars not understanding what it’s limitaions are then bltch about it. Kind of like when they built houses by the Airport and residence now complain about the noise, or better yet, “Adjustable Mortgages” WTF?

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Dan Petit Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 12:54 pm

Too many cooks. You’ve got the car payment, the battery payment, the insurance payment, the (modest) electricity payment, and, you don’t even know yet what the figures are if you have an A/C in there.
There might not be systemic redundancy for failure, (i.e, the range extender getting you home if there is an electrical fault).
It may cost just the same, if not more in the short run or long run, in monthly payments as an E-REV. But the options regarding a battery technology upgrade * somehow * has lots of merit.
Dan Petit Austin TX

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CaptJackSparrow Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

I notice a common theme to smaller EV/Cars here. Everyone always screams safety against a large SUV. Which happens to be one of the problems in getting people off of such guzzlers. I think the Insurance industry was right to suggest that rates increase per large SUV/vehicles because of their ability to “Cause more damage to person & property”.

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sudhaman Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 12:56 pm

hey u fool who talks of the tata nano which is priced at $2500 does not even have tensile strength required for minimum safety features. that bastard ratan tata thinks that he is henry ford of this century.die in accident or pay $$$ on medical insurance to buy such a cheap car. besides the obama admin should tax it at 1000% because india doesnt allow import of cars.so why buy a car from india. indians cheap products can equally kill u as those of chinese

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Vats Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 12:57 pm

# 7 rickj

Its interesting that you brought up Tata Nano. I’m sure that car does not meet the US safety requirements in its current design. Once it does, it won’t stay as a $2,500 car. The price will have to go up to meet the costs.

That car (Tata Nano) is so compact in its current design, I’m sure it won’t be able to fit the 6 footers comfortably. And yes, you would need a lot of courage to drive it next to a 18-wheeler.

Talking about Think City, I think its not going to be a big success here in US. A tough competitor would be the electric mini which has a similar design and would probably win with better safety features and with an advantage of being in the game earlier than Think.

As far as I’m concerned, I’m staying with Volt (for now)!

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CaptJackSparrow Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 12:58 pm

@Dan Petit 16
“There might not be systemic redundancy for failure, (i.e, the range extender getting you home if there is an electrical fault).”

LOL….
Umm…..that can occur on the Volt as well. Funny you mention that, it doesn’t affect the Prius, Civic or Insight when it comes to “Getting you home”, of course it really all depends on what went wrong, say the electrical connection to the traction battery.

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PLJ Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:01 pm

It might be useful as a pizza delivery vehicle.

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CaptJackSparrow Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:04 pm

@DaV8or 10
“battery lease not purchase”

Here’s what Th!nk said about it. The lease ensures the battery ownership belongs to Th!nk so if anything goes wrong with the battery or if tech moves foreward to better tech, they have the responsibility to manage/maintain it.

I dunno how much the lease really will be though. I prefer tou build my own pack with a BMS and charging but they said they would not allow it.

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Shawn Marshall Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:07 pm

Th!nk it’s a niche car but when gas prices go way up the niche might get pretty good for a short commute beater, 2nd car like carcus1 wanted.

Can’t believe the S man is Skeptical!!!! Why aren’t you trading / Ain’t you busy today?

Sudhaman – express yourself.

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ThombDbhomb Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:10 pm

Be careful about safety assumptions. Safety facts would be better. Think City website says
…………….
Safety and reliability are crucial factors for any car manufacturer. Think believes that electric cars should have the same level of safety and comfort as any conventional vehicle.

Safe and reliable
The key to a safe car is a structure with a good crash performance. The backbone of the TH!NK city is a strong lower frame made of high tensile steel. This frame carries all the suspension and crash loads and is designed with a stiff passenger compartment and deformable zones in the front and rear.

An extruded aluminium space frame is mounted to the lower frame. The thermoplastic body panels and all other components are attached to the frame. The material used for the dash board, knee bolster and the door panel trim is expanded polypropylene (PP). The density of this material has been carefully selected to provide maximum safety for the passenger.

The interior safety system consists of state-of-the-art seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters. The car is equipped with dual airbags.

Numerous computer simulations and full-size crash tests have been done to optimise the crash performance. TH!NK city is homologated for European markets.
………………..
That sounds better than motorcycle safety features.

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DonC Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:11 pm

#20 CaptJackSparrow

Given that the drive train is an electric motor which should give minimal problems, having two separate propulsion systems should minimize the potential of becoming “stranded.”

The Prius system with its planetary gearing and carrier is probably the most touchy since it has a lot of pieces and if one goes down they all go down.

But yes, if the wheel comes off then the drive train and propulsion system hardly matters.

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CaptJackSparrow Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:11 pm

Oh yeah, the “Not Painted” thing is for the eco friendly, recycle all parts kind of shlt.
If the Volt never makes it, this is my second choice for a commuter fo 10 miles one way. But if the Ford Focus BEV comes out first…
Let’s just say first one out wins.

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Dan Petit Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:14 pm

Far worse can happen with the Prius, which proof I have in the scan and dealer estimate of one case of it’s complete self-destruction electrically, where the owner lamented that his previous Prius NADA retail value of $15,900 suddenly was trashed to “$1,500 value if you trade it in on a new one”. All because there was no backup power reduction in function when the 12 volt battery went dead and his sisters’ boyfriend abused it.
GM does extremely well in backing up the ways that it’s vehicles limit damage for whatever reason. That Prius owner did not laugh out loud when I scanned it and confirmed the extent of damages that took place during abuse. GM has something called “Abuse Management” and “Power Reduction” in their PCM subroutines, which goes very far in helping preserve powertrain components when, say, someone kindly lends their vehicle out for someone else to use, (and sadly abuse). I recommend GM give us permission to get the clock date and time and put the responsibility where it belongs.
Dan Petit Austin TX

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CaptJackSparrow Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:14 pm

@DonC 25

Hey, I got to drive my wifes rental car Prius yesterday.
I don’t like it. She was right. I think the 2010 will be much better than this one. I think this is a 2007 or 08.

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Your state may vary. Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:15 pm

@ CaptJackSparrow 17

“common theme to smaller EV/Cars here. Everyone always screams safety against a large SUV.”

Large SUVs roll much easier, some of them explode when rear ended and they seem to have tremendous trouble keeping in their lanes, staying on the road, taking corners and fitting in parking lots spaces. The best gains to safety are the car systems that take it out of the hands of the nut behind the wheel (traction control, lane keeping and self parking technology, etc.). (What 2010 car comes with all those systems available?)

The best way to minimize damage from accidents is to avoid them in the first place, if possible, through care, defensive driving and driving skill. Not being hyperagressive, having road feel and having a vehicle with decent handling are critical components to avoiding accident, compenents that large overpowered (when not towing tons of commercial goods, as they so often aren’t) SUVs simply do not have.

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Sasparilla Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:18 pm

It’d be funny if Ford ended up buying them again. They did the engineering for the current model anyways (Ford owned them at the time).

Bring them over, Ford engineered the vehicle thinking they’d sell it in the US market, the more choices for the consumer the better. Its definitely a micro-vehicle though, a seriously 2 seat 2 seater.

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Taxman Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:18 pm

These cars are perfect for our modern urban areas. A small usage/recharge tax may be in order as these new hybrids may soon start flooding our urban transportation infrastructure which may not be able to handle a large influx of EVs. With an adjustable tax applied creatively to all new hybrids entering/leaving our wonderful cities we should be able to keep growth at suitable (optimum) levels. I am sure that gasoline customers do not want to pay a tax to support the EV neighbor who is trying to make his/her gas vehicle obsolete. Our new local taxes should be directed solely at the user of these new city services (i.e. charging stations, EV lanes, inspection stations, EV tolltags etc).

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DonC Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:18 pm

#26 CaptJackSparrow says “this is my second choice for a commuter fo 10 miles one way”

If it were real the Persu would be my choice for a short commute, especially if freeway driving was minimal:

http://flytheroad.com/

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Bearclaw Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:25 pm

The OX looks pretty cool. I’d want to hear more solid specs and stats on it though.

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BillR Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:25 pm

To me it would seem that this car would have a difficult time to compete with a 4/5 passenger Cruze that gets ~ 40 mpg, costs less than $20k, and has no battery lease payment.

I’m not saying there aren’t people who will want one just to drive electric, however, I don’t forsee this becoming a mainstream vehicle for the masses.

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CaptJackSparrow Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:28 pm

It looks like Aptera is having some problems with getting the govt loans…

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2009/03/aptera-legislat.html

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Jeffhre Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:28 pm

Bearclaw

The Ox looks awesome to me, but alas I think it will never be.

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Timothy Geithner Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:35 pm

@Taxman

The U.S. will oppose a congestion tax or mileage tax at the federal level. However, each city will have to decide on appropriate tax levels to apply to new EV owners based on the burdens applied to local transportation infrastructures. I would assume nominal fees applied during inspection cycles and purchasing outlets. City permits may be a useful method of generating the required revenue stream to support the anticipated influx of these new alternative vehicles on your roads.
Bear in mind that an EV may reduce pollutants in your city, but they will cause extensive damage to your local roads over time, just as conventional vehicles do today, no change there. You might want to consider special EV lanes within your jurisdiction, this is an excellent way to maintain control of the situation with a municipality.

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LauraM Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:43 pm

I like it. It might not make it as a mainstream car in the US, but it looks great for the city.

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David K (CT) Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:49 pm

#13 Read the article, please. Says:

“It’s an errand runner and town commuter, not a suppository.”

I don’t do…errand and town commuter, I do the errands on the way home from work to save energy.

“It’s a runabout, ideal for a grocery getter in small cities and large towns, where 75% of the population now lives.”

My groceries won’t fit, unless I go everyday, instead of once every two weeks…to save energy.

I’m glad it’s not trying to compete with the Volt! I don’t care if its made here in the US, I’m not buying it, so don’t try and make me.

I want my Blue Volt!

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ccombs Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:50 pm

This will have a small nice market, but anything that increases EV visibility and gives business to battery makers is a great thing. The more people buying batteries, the better they get (and the cheaper they get for you and me in the future!).

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CaptJackSparrow Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:53 pm

@PLJ 21
“It might be useful as a pizza delivery vehicle.”

Pizza & Beer bro!
Speaking of, it’s that time……

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noel park Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:59 pm

I’m not afraid of the size, and I love the range. The 62 mph top speed is a little sketchy though. I have to do about 15 miles each way on the freeway for my daily commute.

I think that in CA an electric car can still get a one person in the carpool lane sticker, but you’d better not drive 62 mph in the carpool lane, or you’ll become roadkill.

Would it even be freeway legal in the slow lane? I wonder what happens to the range if you flat foot it at 62 mph on the freeway?

Other than that, I’d try it.

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N Riley Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:00 pm

The Th!nk City is OK, but for my uses I like the Ox better. Four doors plus a front and back seat makes all the difference. Not counting the Ox looks so much better.

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N Riley Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:04 pm

Instead of Th!nk selling the car and leasing the battery, they should just lease the whole thing. There should be a market for that option, I would think. Especially since you are already paying one lease fee. Plus as technology changes (and it will) the customer would not be “stuck” with a car that is only able to use older battery technology. Th!nk could upgrade the cars after the lease period is over and lease them out again with improved technology, etc.

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Dave G Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:05 pm

#12 PLJ Says: I think for most Americans the RANGE EXTENDER will be the deal maker. Because of the range extender there is no lifestyle change required. Just drive as usual. Anywhere, anytime. No worries about running out of juice. Just plug it in when you get home. That’s it. Nice. You give up nothing in comfort, safety, roadability, and usefulness. This is the genius behind the Chevy Volt.
————————————————————————————–
Yes, well said.

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N Riley Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:08 pm

#9 Statk

“If press releases were electric cars…we would all have at least two.”
——————-

Just precious. You keep me laughing at times and crying at others. This time I am laughing. Thanks.

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N Riley Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:11 pm

#12 PLJ

“I’ve said this before about other pure electric vehicles and I’ll say it about this one: Without a range extender it is not in the same league as the Chevy Volt.”
————————–

Agreed. But, I don’t think they are claiming to be in the same league as the Volt. No one else is in the same league as the Volt and that includes BYD. Maybe BYD will be one day, but not at the end of 2010. Assuming GM gets the Volt out into the market place.

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ChuckF Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:12 pm

Range extenders are for wussies. If you can’t look at a guage and plan your trip accordingly, maybe you shouldn’t be driving.

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statik Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:14 pm

#26 CaptJackSparrow said:

Oh yeah, the “Not Painted” thing is for the eco friendly, recycle all parts kind of shlt.
If the Volt never makes it, this is my second choice for a commuter fo 10 miles one way. But if the Ford Focus BEV comes out first…
Let’s just say first one out wins.
====================================
I share your sentiment…maybe a little moreso, but this (Th!nk) is just another in the pile of companies threatening to do business with me. I prefer the Volt over almost all comers (except the iMiev), but I’m buying the first thing that comes down the pipe.

/I was done with waiting years ago, lol

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CBK Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:14 pm

The only niche th!nk fills is a 6 foot hole in the ground. I won’t be in one,
but give me my Volt yesterday please.

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statik Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:16 pm

#49 Statik (me)

Sorry I wanted to add a disclaimer to the, “I’m buying the first thing that comes down the pipe” statement.

That is ‘buy,’ not lease…I have to own it (and the pack), and it has to be able to be serviced within the vehicles electric range.

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David K (CT) Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:17 pm

#48 ChuckF Says:

“Range extenders are for wussies. If you can’t look at a guage and plan your trip accordingly, maybe you shouldn’t be driving.”
——————————————————————————

I don’t think the problem would be me not checking the gauge.

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N Riley Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:17 pm

I see the Th!nk and other small neighborhood or commuter electric cars as a good thing. It is good for our economy and it is good for the environment. Cars like this are very handy for running to the store or visiting around town. Just think of all the short hop drives we all make when we are not at work. I know my wife drives 5 to 7,000 miles a year just running around the local area within a 25 mile circle. An electric car that could haul two or three small kids would be ideal for her.

I say come on and give us as much choice as possible. We all don’t fit into the same mold. Like I used to tell my wife (until she started hitting me too hard): “Variety is the spice of life”.

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ThombDbhomb Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:20 pm

#35 CaptJackSparrow

Aptera started fighting their “motorcycle” classification only when free government money was at stake.

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KentT Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:33 pm

Incredibly pathetic. I hope the US government does not give a penny to Think. They have a clear track record of failure (at least it took GM 100 years to reach their breaking point!).

In fact, that “failed” car company, GM came up with this same car 10 year ago. It was called the EV1, a two passenger all electric car that could also go 112 miles on a charge.

Why is Think trying to get our taxpayer dollars for a 10 year old design? At least the EV1 met all the government regulations of it’s time. The current Think will have to be totally redesigned for the US market.

Give the money to GM. They are totally worth saving and we will all be able to drive a vastly better and more practical electric car than Think will ever be able to produce no matter how much money you give them.

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HenryF Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:37 pm

This looks like a re badged old ford electric.
I th!nk that U.S. version will top 62mph.
That is the euro version currently on the road and unlikely to run into a Volt anytime soon I might add.

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k-dawg Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:39 pm

This will never work in Michigan or any Northern snowy place. Pure BEV’s wont like cold. And that little thing would be stuck on the first day of snow. Florida/Arizona/California people have fun w/it though.

Side note: why does every BEV look like Dr. Suess should be driving it?

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Dave G Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:44 pm

#48 ChuckF Says: Range extenders are for wussies. If you can’t look at a gauge and plan your trip accordingly, maybe you shouldn’t be driving.
————————————————————————————-
Plan your trip accordingly… How often do things go according to plan?

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Starcast Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:48 pm

Welcome to Michigan Think. I hope.

Your not for me (I don’t have a death wish) but if you build it and keep the price down they will buy it.

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Read the article please. Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:57 pm

@ David K(CT)

Why the fear?

1. “I don’t do…errand and town commuter, I do the errands on the way home from work.”
Er, that’s the same thing, errands and commuting, however you want to do or combine them. Most people who know how to use space and shop efficiently can easily fit a week’s groceries in there. The back obviously has more room than the average sedan trunk. I suppose you think it’s also useless because a family of ten doesn’t fit in there and it doesn’t tow a 9,000 pound luxury pleasure motoboat.

2. “I’m not buying it, so don’t try and make me.”

No one is making you buy one or even trying.

Simply because you don’t want one doesn’t mean that thousands won’t. Your fallacy is arguing from the specific (I don’t want one) to the general (therefore, no one wants one, a false conclusion). You’re assuming that everyone has the same preferences that you do, a false assumption.

3. The point I made in #13 is that some people will want them as it is appropriate for them (if not for you) and that it’s a complementary product to, not a substitute for, the Volt, which means that the better it sells, the better the Volt will sell. The more well know and prevalent all electric vehicles are, the sooner you’ll get your Volt and the more sales GM will get.

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Steve K Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 2:58 pm

For those thinking about driving next to 18-wheelers on the highway, doesn’t the name ‘Think City’ give you an idea of the purpose of this car? I think some are underestimating the market for this type of vehicle. It is not intended for highway driving at all. As stated in the story, they are looking to fill a niche. Of course there are 8 million people in NYC alone.

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CaptJackSparrow Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 3:13 pm

@KentT 55

Let me try and clarify if I drunkenly could….

“In fact, that “failed” car company, GM came up with this same car 10 year ago. It was called the EV1, a two passenger all electric car that could also go 112 miles on a charge.”

Yes, you are correct as well as they killed it to. It WAS called EV1 now it’s called Dead. Th!nk is just pickung up where they left off on a BEV. Also, how often do you drive a car over 100miles in the city? So what’s the big deal on the range when it’s clearly for the “City”?

“Why is Think trying to get our taxpayer dollars for a 10 year old design? At least the EV1 met all the government regulations of it’s time. The current Think will have to be totally redesigned for the US market. ”
Why, why, why….Why does a dog lick it’s Ba11s? Because it can, therefore they will apply. Doesn’t mean they should though. Sure the EV1 met NA crash standards and whatnot but if you research it, FORD designed/engineered this car during their ownership of Th!nk for the US market. So it’s ready for the US market so, no redesign.

Good car for my commute.
Battery charge time sucks A$s though.

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David K (CT) Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 3:20 pm

#60 Read the article please. Says:

“Why the fear?”

For one think I don’t own a boat to tow, so don’t assume.

Secondly, I’ve seen firsthand what a Smart Car (looks very simular to this Th!nk in size) looks like hauling groceries and I’m sure you can organize your groceries to fit it the back as long as you don’t care about being able to see out the rear window!

This thing is a golf cart! And I simply can’t afford to have single use limited vehicle, I have to be able to go on the highway with it.

Dude…go buy one…power to you, but I seriously doubt that THOUSANDS of people will buy this thing. Just READ some of the posts just on this web-site.

I REALLY want my Blue Volt!

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Dave G Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 3:20 pm

#57 k-dawg Says: …why does every BEV look like Dr. Suess should be driving it?
————————————————————————————–
LOL!

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David K (CT) Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 3:26 pm

“…why does every BEV look like Dr. Suess should be driving it?”

It’s the whole cartoon/toy thing.

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CaptJackSparrow Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 3:34 pm

David K (CT) “…why does every BEV look like Dr. Suess should be driving it?”

It’s the whole cartoon/toy thing.

I’m going to put that windup thingy the Mini has on the back of mine.

Like I said, for me, first one out wins.

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David K (CT) Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 3:38 pm

CaptJack…

I was wish I could say the same thing, but I can’t. I need a REAL car.

The Blue Volt!

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N Riley Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 3:40 pm

OK, so why do you think it is called the Th!nk City. Not City and Country or City and Across Country. It is called a “city” car because it is designed for running around town. Not going cross country or making 200 mile round trip commutes. It is a CITY car.

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N Riley Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 3:44 pm

Hey! No one is going to think bad of anyone who buys one of these. Some of us want the Volt while others want a car to help reduce petroleum usage. This car can do just that. Not, it is not the ideal car, but it does serve a good purpose and one it was designed to fulfill. If you want a more flexible car, wait until the Th!nk Ox comes out. Or, better yet, wait for the Volt. No big deal here. To each his own. Or her as it may be.

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CaptJackSparrow Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 3:45 pm

@David K (CT) 67

This little Th!nk car is for the other 20% in the bell curve distro of range drivers have on average. It’s a vehicle for a specific purpose/design. You, the 80% will want the volt for it’s specific purpose/design. It’s all good. The more EV areound the merrier.
Besides, we all know you’re getting the Grey Volt

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N Riley Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 3:49 pm

#70 CaptJackSparrow

Well said. Have another beer.

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David K (CT) Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 3:51 pm

Capt…

Yeah, I can agree “the more EV’s, the better.”

Just out of curiosity…does anyone have any numbers on how many Smart Cars are out there?

JACK!…the BLUE Volt!

Gotta go…picking up the wife on the way home from work. Daughters home from college and she’s got the wife’s car. Talk later.

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N Riley Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 3:54 pm

I don’t know how many Smart cars are out there, but we have a local dealership and they seem to be moving a good number through the place. I am starting to see more of them on the streets around Jackson, MS. I looked at one last summer, but just wasn’t my type of car. Even less in front of you than the Th!nk City has. I think it will be more of a niche car than some of the others. The cost is kinda steep and Premium gas is required. 46 MPG, though.

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N Riley Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 3:57 pm

Wasn’t there some comments a few months ago about the Th!nk being sold in Florida? Anyone know for sure?

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N Riley Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 3:58 pm

Any of you see Jay Leno’s Garage entry for the Electric Mini-E? Here is the link:

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/video_player.shtml?vid=1052621

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noel park Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 3:59 pm

#62 CaptJackSparrow & #68 N Riley:

The difference between the Think and the EV1 is that the EV! would do what, 80 mph? It was a viable freeway car for at least some distance, whatever the impact to the overall range.

Whare we live, it is well over 50 miles from one end of the City of LA to the other, not to mention dozens of other satellite cities “in search of a center”. If you can’t drive on the freeway, you can’t get around the “city” effectively. If you tried to go from San Pedro to Chatsworth, both in the City of LA, on the surface streets, it would take you all day, and you would be banging your head on the steering wheel in frustration by the time you got there.

If it can’t go on the freeway, it ain’t gonna make it in LA. Might as well have one of those Chrysler “NEV” glorified golf carts.

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Zach Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 4:00 pm

There’s going to be SO much competition! It’s going to be amazing!

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CaptJackSparrow Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 4:02 pm

@N Riley 74

“Wasn’t there some comments a few months ago about the Th!nk being sold in Florida? Anyone know for sure?”

I don’t recall but there are a lot of the old Ford Think NEV/Golf carts beoing sold from Florida and SoCal on ebay.

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N Riley Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 4:03 pm

#76 Noel Park

Granted, it will not work in every situation. But there are so many other cities, towns, villages and what not that it will work in. Even in L.A. for a lot of uses too. You don’t need t go across town every day. I suspect there is a tremendous amount of neighborhood driving even in L.A. But, I see your point and understand it.

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Read the article please. Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 4:04 pm

@David K (CT) 67

For the last time, if you don’t want one, please don’t buy one.

A REAL car is a box, usually with 4 wheels in parallel tandem, that physically exists. Feel free to start making sense any time.

@ CaptJackSparrow 70

No, according to David K, taking a cue from Ford, you can have any color so long as it’s BLUE (until the paint fades, wears off, scratches, etc.)

and @ David K(CT) 63

“I’m sure you can organize your groceries to fit it the back as long as you don’t care about being able to see out the rear window!”

You’re referring to a full size SUV will a full complement of passengers, a pickup truck towing a horse trailer, an RV, a panel van, a delivery truck or a semi tractor-trailer, right? Those all fit your description.

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N Riley Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 4:05 pm

Noel,

I haven’t been in L.A. since 1966. I suspect it has changed just a little bit since then. It was a chore to move around then, I remember. Pretty different for a boy from Mississippi with mud still between his toes. Of course I was in good company with a lot of other Marines going through L.A. to and from Vietnam. But I do remember the traffic and the number of people was staggering to me.

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CaptJackSparrow Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 4:08 pm

@noel park 76

I’ve been to SoCal several times in the past 6 months. Funny thing is, I bang my head in traffic on the freeway on I5 everytime I go there. I find myself thinking to other drivers “All you have to do is go straight, it’s a freeeway…..”
But I do understand your point.

Hey! I got censored! Sup witdat?

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N Riley Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 4:17 pm

#82 CaptJackSparrow

It is not that you got censored. It is the mixture of beer and pizza. What kind of pizza? It might not mix well with the beer you are drinking. You might be seeing things.

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N Riley Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 4:22 pm

Pininfarina and Bolloré Taking Orders for B0 Electric Car.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/03/pininfarina-bollore-b0-electric-car-taking-orders-europe.php

I still like the looks of this car. It looks great with 4 doors. Sure wish it was here for less than $25,000. Leasing only in Europe soon. I don’t know if they will have a purchase option. Still, great looking car. Wipes the Th!nk City out in looks.

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solo2500nt Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 4:24 pm

I think it looks better than the Smart, but with a top speed of 62 mph, it’s strictly an urban runabout. I wish them luck, the U.S. can use every manufacturing job it can get.

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D. Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 4:26 pm

think is a good concept. small is good, decent range. Manufacturers are finally making the right product. Now we’re gonna have to get city traffic planners to accomodate the new paradigm. For example, smallish evs gonna need their own lane on congested urban freeways full of speeding land barges, like in LA Without, it won’t be pretty. Early adopters will be slaughter like flies. T he Move to electrification will be blunted. It’s only reasonable that they get their own relatively safe space.. …In the alternative, all suvs and other large gassers could be restricted to one lane, Whatever works. I’m open.;-)

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noel park Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 4:30 pm

#79 N Riley:

Quite right. I would just love to have something like this which I could use to commute. I think that the lack of that capability will SEVERELY limit the market. Although, if gas goes back up over $4, anything can happen. Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to wait for my Volt.

#81 N. Riley:

It just gets slowly worse every year. I always like it to the old adage about putting a frog in a pan of water and slowly turning up the heat.

#82 CaptJackSaprrow:

Yeah, that’s very true. As bad as the freeways are though, the city streets are even worse. I guess it all depends on your commute pattern. Someone who went to downtown LA and back at the “rush hour” (7 AM to 10 AM and 2 PM to 7PM, MINIMUM) could probably do it in a Think. They would never get going over 25 mph anyway, LOL.

(Quote)
ThombDbhomb Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 4:32 pm

#76 noel park

I’ve been on those so cal freeways. I think the average speed was about 35 mph.

(Quote)
noel park Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 4:42 pm

#84 N Riley:

Now THAT’S what I’m talking about!

#86 D.:

Good idea. We’ve got to start somewhere. In CA, you can dirve an electric car by yourself in the carpool (”HOV”) lane. The problem is that gas car drivers think the “HOV” means “No Speed Limit”, and they would run right over your 62 mph Think. Maybe we just run them out, LOL.

#88 ThombDbhomb:

Yeah, see my #87. Again, it all depends on your commute pattern. We (my carpool partner and I) are fortunate enough to at least be going “against the traffic”. So there are some pretty good stretches where the traffic is flowing freely. If you can’t go at least 65 – 70 mph there, you are in grave danger of being rear ended. Or at least getting a whole lot of one finger salutes!

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Jim I Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 4:54 pm

It would be a fun “toy” car, but not at $20K plus battery lease…..

And I think (no pun intended) that the person that thinks just because the battery pack is leased they will somehow get new technology (see post #2). A leased pack would be replaced, but with a refrubished pack of exactly the same specs.

I my experience, very little really new technology is backward compatible. Want VIsta or Windows 7? Buy a new system, because your old one won’t work. Want that really high power new video card? Buy a new motherboard, because the connector on the video card doesn’t fit your “old” board. There are so many different incompatible versions of HDMI video out there, it is almost funny. Or if you can upgrade an older system, it usually costs more than buying the new model.

Sorry for the rant….

It is going to be a long wait until Nov, 2010……..

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CaptJackSparrow Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 4:59 pm

@Jim I 90

You forgot one example….

OnStar is upgrading their new system, if you have an older GM vehicle of 1.5 years, you will no longer have service. You want service go buy a new car.

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David L Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 4:59 pm

I think that the Think City will sell much better than most people think (pun intended). Personally, I would wait until the Think Ox is available … the extended range and larger size would make it a much more useful electric car.

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Ralf Lee Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 5:00 pm

What a complete and blatent grab for taxpayer dollars. Think had no plans, and had published statements against any such plans, until the US stimulus bill was signed. Then, all of a sudden, they came up with this “great” idea to build a US plant just when all of the stimulus money says it can only go to US companies. So Thinks government and investors in its country won’t give it any money so they are going to fake up a factory plan and make a grab for US taxpayer dollars when we already have too many US car companies.. GIVE ME A BREAK! This is a corrupt idea.

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Mark Z Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 5:06 pm

California Th!nk drivers were shown protesting in the movie, “Who Killed the Electric Car?”

For a history of the Th!nk car, check out: “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th!nk_City”

(The “!” makes the link stop, so quotes were added to force you to copy the text.)

(Quote)
Jim I Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 5:10 pm

N Riley #84: Re: Blue Car

This is a quote from the article: “The B0 (B Zero) electric car created by Italy’s Pininfarina and France’s Bolloré looks quite promising, in good part because it isn’t just a concept car and the partners say that the first units will be delivered in about a year.”

I just wonder how is this car has a working model when there are no companies producing supercap packs for cars yet? Or have I missed something?

(Quote)
David L Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 5:14 pm

#93 Ralf Lee said:
Thinks government and investors in its country won’t give it any money so they are going to fake up a factory plan and make a grab for US taxpayer dollars when we already have too many US car companies.
—
In early 2008, Think, General Electric (GE) and battery manufacturer A123 Systems had entered a partnership to enable global electrification of transportation. GE is a minority owner of Think. Much on the bridge load that Think received in January 2009 came from one of its battery suppliers: Enerdel. There are lots of financial connections between US companies and the Norwegian Think Global.

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CaptJackSparrow Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 5:15 pm

@Jim I 95

An UltraCap doesn’t necessarily need to be produced specifically for cars. Their just capacitors. Look up Maxwell Ultra Capacitors. The already have on for Busses and other High Voltage High Current products, for at lest 2 years now. Basically all you need to do is wire them in serires till you reach the voltage of your bat and connect them parallel to your bat. They have a cycle count of over a million and can drian 100%.

http://www.maxwell.com/ultracapacitors/products/modules/bmod0063-125v.asp

(Quote)
Mark Z Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

This link works:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Think_City

(Quote)
noel park Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

In the end, I guess it just goes to show the brilliance of the Volt concept. All of these issues about range and viable freeway speed go away.

#90 Jim I:

At 20K plus the battery lease, it starts to make the Volt look like a pretty good deal!

#93 Ralf Lee:

And GM is actually a legitimate US based company.

OK guys, I’m convinced. No Think.

LJGTVWOTR!!

(Quote)
David L Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 5:17 pm

For some photos of the Th!nk Ox:
http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/th-nk-ox/678708/

(Quote)
David K (CT) Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 5:56 pm

Noel @ #99…

Tell that to Mr. or Ms. “Read the article please”…(I wonder why he/she has a name like that?)

He or she thinks all I want is a gas sucking “SUV will a full complement of passengers, a pickup truck towing a horse trailer, an RV, a panel van, a delivery truck or a semi tractor-trailer.”

All I really want is my Blue Volt!

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CaptJackSparrow Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 6:03 pm

What’s ” a panel van”?

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David K (CT) Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 6:08 pm

No clue

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DaV8or Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 6:09 pm

Bottom line: They can’t make a profit selling them in Europe where gas is $8-9 a gallon. Why in the world would they do better here? $20,000 + monthly battery lease payment vs. $14,000 Smart car that can easily handle the freeway and be fueled anywhere. Which one is America likely to choose for their urban city “grocery getter”?

(Quote)
Read the article please. Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 6:10 pm

Wow, this is way too much attention to no big deal.

Welcome to synergy.

Bashing non-competitor complements to Volt does nothing to help the Volt, quite the opposite.

Imagine a leaf blower enthusiast site that bashes rakes so I can demonstrate my point. They each have a role in doing different types and scales of property maintenance, and each tool has very different characteristics. When you do shopping for property maintenance equipment, isn’t it nice to go to a sales world where there is more than just one product trying to do all things for all people? You might see a neighbor use a rake, but have a bigger yard so you think their rake is too small with too limited a range for your yard. Then you go shopping to get something for your leaves, see the leaf blower and say, “That’s what I’ll take if it comes in BLUE.” The original rake just helped sell the BLUE leaf blower, which was too powerful for the rake owner to use anyway.

If you really think that Think sales would threaten Volt sales, than Volt is a not what it is claimed to be. Think of the Volt as an electric Chevy Malibu and the Think as an electric SmartCar. Not a lot of overlap there, is there. Despite the bashing on this thread, the SmartCar is safe (USA Today:”The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Smart two-door car its top score of five stars in side testing because of its protection against injuries.
FROM NHTSA: 2008 Smart Fortwo crash testing. The vehicle received four out of five stars in the front-end crash on the driver’s side.”) and it’s a large niche success and brand icon without coming anywhere close to the vehicles sales of the most popular vehicles of the majors.

Think started out with Ford, so how legitimate does a company in the US providing US manufacturing jobs, manufacturing US cars that use US domestic energy, instead of imported oil, sold to US consumers, need to be?

Why all the fear and hate in this thread? If they fail, what do you care? If they succeed, that’s more manufacturing jobs, more $ in the US, more choices for consumers, and more attention for all electric vehicles, including the Volt. If the Volt is so much better, then it’ll make the Volt look good by comparison. That’s a good thing for the Volt.

(Quote)
Dave G Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 6:14 pm

#77 Zach Says: There’s going to be SO much competition! It’s going to be amazing!
————————————————————————————–
I hope so, but I haven’t seen it yet.

I believe any viable EV for the masses must have a range extender and must be sold by a major car maker with a network of dealers throughout the U.S.. The only car like this with an announced production date is the Volt. So right now, there is no real competition.

No real competition a bad thing. Competition does many things:
1) validates the market
2) forces manufactures to listen to customers
3) lowers prices, which increases volume, which lowers manufacturing costs
4) makes consumers feel at ease

In the end, it’s a win-win for everyone involved. Let’s hope another major manufacturer announces an EREV production date this year.

(Quote)
Dave G Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 6:27 pm

#105 Read the article please. Says: Bashing non-competitor complements to Volt does nothing to help the Volt, quite the opposite.
————————————————————————————–
Great analogy. I just wish there were some Volt competitors to compare.

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Read the article please. Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 6:28 pm

@ David K(CT) 101
“He or she thinks (referring to my post #80) all I want is a gas sucking “SUV will a full complement of passengers, a pickup truck towing a horse trailer, an RV, a panel van, a delivery truck or a semi tractor-trailer.””

No, I was simply pointing out in post #80 that your particular complaint, in post #63, about the Think, “I’m sure you can organize your groceries to fit it the back as long as you don’t care about being able to see out the rear window!” also applied to all those other types of common vehicles, hardly a barrier to sales.

Making fun of my name is an ad hominen attack, a logical fallacy, an argument without merit.

@ CaptJackSparrow 102

“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panel_van”

“A panel van (or panelvan) is a form of van; it applies to any solid (rigid-bodied, non-articulated) van, smaller than a lorry or truck without rear or side windows. Panel vans are widely used for transporting goods. Every major car manufacturer has a panel van in their line-up.”

Go to a large moving truck rental lot, such as Budget, Penske, U-Haul, etc. on a slow day and you’ll see plenty of them.

And I thought people on this site knew something about vehicles and auto manufacturers.

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kdawg Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 6:34 pm

Speaking of BEV’s… Lyle what’s the status of your wait list entry on the Mini E? I thought some had been delivered now. I assume you’re not driving one and not telling us about it.

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noel park Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 6:36 pm

#101 David K (CT):

Hey it’s the blogosphere man. Anything can happen. Actually this is a very genteel and collegial blog compared to some I’ve commented on. Don’t sweat it. People just need to vent.

#102 CaptJackSparrow:

A panel van is just a common big work/delivery van with no side windows behind the doors. Like the old Ford Econoline. I think GM calls it a Sierra(??)

Ford has a smaller version in Europe called the Transit. According to the allcarselectric.com blog, and other sources, the are going to start bringing it here next year. An aftermarket group in the UK has been converting them to electric operation for several years. I think that Ford is going to take control of that operation, and bring the electric one here too. It’s a really nice sized smaller unit. The van is made in Turkey, LOL. Pretty neat. Too bad it’s not a Chevy.

(Quote)
Read the article please. Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 6:39 pm

@ Dave G 107

Nope, the Volt has absolutely no direct competition, existing or planned.

That’s how multiple smart businesses in the same sector operate – their products are differentiated and complementary at best.

The Volt is a leapfrog and may its birth continue strong and uncomplicated. I’m no Volt hater.

(Quote)
Koz Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 6:43 pm

Ever go to one of the large retirement golf cart communities? The Villages in Central Florida has more than 50,000 residents. They don’t seem to mind spending $10,000-$20,000 on fancy golf carts that can’t realistically go outside of their community gates. There may be a market for the Think but it has to be <$15,000 w/o the battery. It sounds like they need the Advanced Vehicles loans to make it happen and they need to be “viable” to receive those. Sounds like a chicken and egg problem.

(Quote)
Read the article please. Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 6:44 pm

@ CaptJackSparrow 102

I meant a panel truck, which is a van. Frasen rasen jargon.

My apologies to all for conflating the two terms.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panel_truck
“A panel truck is a windowless cargo van… frequently used for delivery of flowers, retail bakery products, diapers, laundry, and other consumer conveniences. Panel trucks are often used by construction and maintenance contractors.”

Anyway the point with all the vehicles I mentioned is that all have either no or an obscured rear window in their normal operation, which matches David K’s compaint about the Think if you totally loaded the back of it up to its ceiling.

(Quote)
David K (CT) Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 6:53 pm

Well maybe we should petition the car companies to forego the rear windows because we really don’t need them anyway.

After all we see plenty of people in snow teritory that only clean a small spot on the front windshield so they can see where they are going. No side windows needed either…money saver.

(Quote)
Read the article please. Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 6:54 pm

@ Koz 112

Someone may have to run your empty vehicle over in a 592 ton electric drive mining dump truck for that remark.

So much for gentility in the thread – I knew it couldn’t last.

What golf cart can go 62 mph and has a range of 112 miles? That’s better than quite a few vehicles in the 20th century.

(Quote)
CaptJackSparrow Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 7:00 pm

The next Gen Th!nk….

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/03/12/think-city-coming-to-the-u-s-info-overload/

Quote: “For the America market, Th!nk will likely use a 50 Kw motor to get 72 or so mph.”

Wait a minute, Where the first gen????

(Quote)
Shawn Marshall Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 7:00 pm

There are competing ideas(just look at this site) and, as you say, differentiated products.
I’m pro Volt also but the truth is a Th!nk would serve me very well for the driving I have to do(retired). IF there was a choice, as S. points out there is not, my dearly beloved would probably make me buy the cheaper car if the difference is over $5k or so.

(Quote)
Read the article please. Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 7:04 pm

Trying this on for size. Other thoughts welcome.

Directly competitive = make perfect substitutes, such as two grains of wheat.

Perfect Complement = hot dog and bun. One without the other is just no fun. Lowering the cost of one increases consumption of both.

Complementary = provides external benefits to similar products.

Prius, Volt and Think = mini vac, leaf blower and rake?

(Quote)
David K (CT) Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 7:06 pm

Well said, you’ve convinced me.

Now where’s my Blue Volt!

(Quote)
Read the article please. Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 7:13 pm

@ David K (CT) 119

It’s Blue!

No, wait, what was the question?

(Quote)
David K (CT) Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 7:18 pm

No, no question, because I know exactly where my Blue Volt is…and it ain’t in my garage!

(Quote)
George B. Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 7:37 pm

Do any of you remember the Isetta? It was a small car made by BMW that opened from the front. THat is, the whole front of the car swung open. REally a fun little car. The Think City looks like an Isetta from the side…They were rolling death traps, too.

(Quote)
CorvetteGuy Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 8:21 pm

Last entry:

Let’s all take a moment to thank the people of Norway for creating at least a few more manufacturing jobs in the U.S.A.

With luck, they will not be crushed by lobbyists from the UAW.

Good Luck Boys!

(Quote)
CDAVIS Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 9:12 pm

______________________________________________________
Think Announces US Electric Car Factory Plans

…translated…

Norwegian Electric Automaker Thinks Wants The American Government To Give It Hundred of Millions of American Taxpayer Dollars.

I don’t blame Think for getting in line with everyone else for the “Great American Dollar Give Away”. I do have a problem with our Government borrowing money from the Arabs and Chinese to give away to a Norwegian car company.

Do our politicians get it that America is broke…as in we are out of money? Our politicians are in a drunken orgy giving away as fast as they can that which we don’t have to give away.
______________________________________________________

(Quote)
Inhaling in L.A. Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 9:54 pm

I can smell a lipo ultralite personal aircraft in the making. They will do 90 mph and avoid traffic issues. Aptera with wings? Backpack powered paraglider? Quiet and inexpensive.

(Quote)
Ryan Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 10:32 pm

Get to work on the OX guys. It’s the only THINK model I see having any real success in the US.

(Quote)
Jim I Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 10:49 pm

All this fun about Th!nk and now GM doesn’t even want their next $2B loan!!!

And the other funny thing I read today – As soon as the government started talking about limiting the pay of the bank’s top managment, they have decided that they really don’t want the TARP money, and are going to give it back.

It is a miracle!!!

Now that was pretty good, but here is the line that really made me laugh out loud:

“Yet another unanswered question is what will Treasury actually do with the refunded money.”

Are they kidding?????????????

You can’t make this stuff up. Here is the link:

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/106724/Banks-Take-My-TARP-Please

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Lurtz Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 11:02 pm

These Think cars were around San Francisco from 1995-1998 as part of a BART (subway system) “station car” experiment. You would see them occasionally on the street or parked. Until the Mini Cooper and Smart Fortwo they were the only tiny car on the road. One negative was the matte plastic body looked really odd — like an oversized child’s toy.

As far as freeway-capability, I believe they are (were) allowed, otherwise they wouldn’t have been able to cross the Bay Bridge (a freeway). Going around the Bay would have been longer than their range.

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Frank D Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 11:14 pm

I have been tracking the Think Ox and it could be a very good addition to the growing line up of EV’s. The news just keeps on getting better and better…good riddens oil!

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Brian Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 11:58 pm

I’ve said it before, I dont want an EREV.

I want a second car for trips around town.
If I am driving across the state or country I will take my gas car.
I dont want the complexity and weight of 2 complete propulsion systems.
I have no range anxiety.
I want a pure EV.
The first company that makes one for under 40K gets my money.

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The Grump Says:
March 13th, 2009 at 12:53 am

The Honda Insight hits the dealers showroom floor in 11 days – March 24, 2009. Not 2010, not 2011, not 2012 – IN JUST 11 DAYS. WOO HOO !!! Up to 62 MPG in ECON mode confirmed – I will have to retire my lead foot. Playing the “Screw OPEC” game with the Insight’s ECON mode will be too much fun. Link provided – do try to keep drooling to a minimum.

http://automobiles.honda.com/insight-hybrid/events.aspx
——————————————————–
A car, no matter if it’s a plug-in, strong hybrid, EEStor powered, MIT battery powered, flux-capacitor powered, or even the Volt, is NO GOOD unless you can actually buy it. Until then, the car is just a dream. You can’t drive a dream – the license tags keep falling off.

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john1701a Says:
March 13th, 2009 at 2:15 am

Up to 62 MPG in ECON mode confirmed
_____________________________

It will be interesting hearing those first reports. Even with just a 10kW motor, there will indeed be circumstances that provide impressive results.

But in the end, it always boils down to the overall results… the lifetime average… real-world data… not just particular situations.

SMTD

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AutoElectric Says:
March 13th, 2009 at 3:43 am

I think the Th!nk is awesome. Wean us off of foreign oil at whatever the cost.

Actually I’m HOT for the Tesla Roadster, but at least this Th!nk car is more within the range of a kind of vehicle that everyone can buy.

Still – whoever said that inexpensive electric vehicles have to look like cheap toys? I wish people would just stop that. People will buy sexy looking cars. Make it look like a sports car and people will line up to buy one.

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Dave G Says:
March 13th, 2009 at 6:44 am

#130 Brian Says: I’ve said it before, I dont want an EREV.
I want a second car for trips around town.
————————————————————————————–
What about your first car? Why is it that most EV advocates seem to want their other family car to be a regular gas engine car and not an EREV?

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Rashiid Amul Says:
March 13th, 2009 at 9:18 am

I don’t see this as a hot seller.
2 seater, $20K, plus battery lease, limited storage.

My 2¢

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Starcast Says:
March 13th, 2009 at 9:20 am

D. Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
think is a good concept. small is good, decent range. Manufacturers are finally making the right product. Now we’re gonna have to get city traffic planners to accomodate the new paradigm. For example, smallish evs gonna need their own lane on congested urban freeways full of speeding land barges, like in LA Without, it won’t be pretty. Early adopters will be slaughter like flies. T he Move to electrification will be blunted. It’s only reasonable that they get their own relatively safe space.. …In the alternative, all suvs and other large gassers could be restricted to one lane, Whatever works. I’m open.;-)

LOL LOL This is what I hear when I read your post.
I want a very small car so give me my own lane! Or better yet make every one else drive in one lane!
I want what I want it may not be safe so keep everyone else away from me.
Give me give me give me!

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BillInInd Says:
March 13th, 2009 at 9:58 am

I’m all for BEVs but a battery lease agreement is a deal breaker for me.

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jake Says:
March 13th, 2009 at 1:47 pm

#134 Dave G

Simple: an EREV costs more money. If they have a gas car already, the ideal situation is they leave that car at home for longer trips and just get a small BEV (if they can make one in the $20k range it’ll be perfect) for daily commuting. This also guarantees they will make their whole commute on electricity alone.

If the EREV & BEV costs the same then it depends on if the EREV makes enough of their commute and whether they care about using some gasoline in the daily commute.

So it’s not a forgone conclusion that the EREV is always the better choice. It really depends on the price point of EREVs vs BEVs and the customer’s situation.

The thing I don’t like about the Th!nk is the battery leasing. Sure, there are some advantages, but I don’t like being tied down by monthly fees.

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Reel$$ Says:
March 13th, 2009 at 7:53 pm

It is a positive move for Enerdel, to have saved this Norwegian outfit from going BK. But you have to wonder just what the government in Norway, with the world’s second largest petroleum trust $+400 billion and growing – is doing letting a Norwegian alternative energy business fail? Sometimes these nations that lecture the rest of the world on conduct – do not set a very good example.

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jbfalaska Says:
March 15th, 2009 at 12:02 pm

GM announces first and appears destined to enter in the back of the pack. Typical fashion for the company.

Took GM 8 years to put together the Saturn brand and made a profit only once – now, after 20 plus years, cancelled the brand. Come on GM, take a chance on your inventions. I’m a 3 car Buick owner and recently moved over to Lincoln (2 this year). Speed up the line please. Get the Volt out there.

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Michael Robinson Says:
March 16th, 2009 at 1:05 am

Think approached bankruptcy for a reason. Lithium ION batteries
depend on Lithium which comes from unstable unfriendly parts
of the world. There is a Lithium shortage looming. Too much
focus on Lithium ION based EVs instead of fuel cell based
EVs is a huge mistake. Nitrogen doped vertical carbon nanotubes
can replace platinum in fuel cells already and these are resistant
to CO poisoning. Battery electric cars that are not fuel cell cars
are a huge mistake. Lithium ION is already a developed technology
that doesn’t promise to get much better or cheaper. Gas isn’t going
to get cheaper, why should Lithium which is more rare?

(Quote)

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