You’ve had several months now to collect data, providing a real-world example rather than those generic assumptions.

So… let’s see it.

SMTD

Sorry to be a PIA, but I do agree they are looking most likely of all car manufacturers to hit 20k plug-in EV of any flavour. I’m happy to see their commitment to the EV market but I’m skeptical of their design. It just seems very compromised, at least for the NAM. I believe their is a lot of pent up demand for a plug-in EV, so I suppose first out might get a lot of those sales.

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Your very right.

The design is very, uh, how do you say…incongruent with the North American Market. Just given the way it was rolled out, and it was always ‘maybe’ for NA, or ‘later,’ or never even in left hand drive until a couple days ago…I’m wagering it was never intended to come here at all.

The unbelievable demand increase for EVs ever since $4 gas, the $7,500 rebate and Mitsu’s very sudden decision to draw a line in the sand, put their flag down and say ‘we are the company that is going to build EVs’ has brought this to market.

No way the iMiev2 exists here…the platform has to be reworked (if not completely changed) when there is competition in the future, however, I think it will be 2014 or later before any of us can go out and compare EVs for sale at our local dealerships (at least in the sub 35k bracket)

“So far Mitsu has underpromised/overdelivered. Originally was going to be 2,000 in 2010, and 8-10K in 2011.
”

Overdelivered on announced production goals? Can you do that?

Sorry to be a PIA, but I do agree they are looking most likely of all car manufacturers to hit 20k plug-in EV of any flavour. I’m happy to see their commitment to the EV market but I’m skeptical of their design. It just seems very compromised, at least for the NAM. I believe their is a lot of pent up demand for a plug-in EV, so I suppose first out might get a lot of those sales.

http://www.vehix.com/new-cars/new-car-gallery/saturn/2008/vue/

The key is to make the exterior stylish looking but not TOO stylish. Subtle styling. Maybe a little like this Lexus LF-Xh concept in the rear.

http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2007/10/17-lexus-lf-xh-concept/Lexus-LF-Xh-Concept-2-lg.jpg

Not too much, not too little. That’s how good art is. A good artist with a trained eye knows what to add to the painting and what he should leave out.

Of course, I can definitely visualize a Voltec powertrain in a future small SUV by GM, whether it’s a Chevy or a Saturn. Maybe soon. Who knows?

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/reviews/top10/08.top10.suvs.best.residual.value/08.subaru.tribeca.500.jpg

I don’t particularly care if a SUV has a super “unique look” to it. A little style and sleekness is fine with me. No need to overdo it. In an SUV, I think people are looking for rock solid quality and reliability, a good looking interior and the usual features of carrying cargo and maybe pulling a boat or something.

GM should focus a LOT on the SMALL SUV market. Then the mid-size SUVs and perhaps one or two big SUV models. The small SUVs look like the “sweet spot” part of the market that GM has GOTTA start to getting some bestsellers and award winners in. High volume, worldwide selling models. Make one REAL good one at a time and THEN move on to other ones.

Statik #116

Certainly no point to discussing overall production capabilities or buying power of Tesla vs Mitsu. I’ll believe 20K/year iMIEVs/year when it happens, just as I’ll believe the features of the Model S when they get a “real” prototype on the road. I’m surprised you stated a Lithium constraint for Tesla. Do you really believe they will have difficulty getting batteries?

Incidentally, I do think Tesla will get funding one way or another and some form of Model S will be produced.

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I believe the Mitsu 20K a year quote. Because they have a track record here. And I have seen pictures of the factory…and they are actually producing pack today, hehe.

On top of that, they are actually increasing volumes capacity as time ticks away…where generally the inverse is true. So far Mitsu has underpromised/overdelivered. Originally was going to be 2,000 in 2010, and 8-10K in 2011.