Last week it was reported that year-over-year sales for advanced-technology vehicles increased in the first quarter by nearly two-to-one compared to conventional internal combustion vehicles.
To be more precise, electric and hybrid vehicle sales increased 37.2 percent from January through March compared to the same period in 2010. In contrast, sales for internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and trucks rose 20.2 percent.
As documented by Edmunds.com, new hybrid and electric vehicle models added 10 percent to the advanced-tech category. These included the Lincoln MKZ, Honda CR-Z, Lexus CT 200h, VW Touareg, Chevrolet Volt, and Nissan LEAF.
Because the Volt is being rolled out slowly, its sales contributed only a sliver toward the aggregate numbers. On a percentage basis, however, starting with just over zero sales, and selling 1,210 Volts in three months is at least something, and more significantly, many people are showing strong interest for the deliberately limited Volt. Last week GM also said as much.
Chevrolet’s advanced-tech car is just starting to make a dent in sales statistics. Numerous accolades already cannot hurt its future sales potential. The Motor Trend Car of the Year is shown at the GM Aerodynamics Lab at the Warren Tech Center facility.
“Demand for the product is very, very high,” said vehicle line director for the Chevrolet Volt, Tony Posawatz, at a conference in New York. Consumers “can’t get enough of them.”
Analysts have pinned a few causes for advanced-technology vehicles sales, with the number-one reason being escalating fuel prices.
Edmunds noted the national average price for regular gasoline at the end of March was 82 cents higher than a year prior. This jump from $2.80 per gallon to $3.62 is more than 25 percent, and no doubt shifted attitudes among car buyers.
The most recent quarter’s advanced-tech numbers do not beat the 2007 hybrid sales spike, however, when U.S. gas prices topped $3 per gallon for the first time. And compared to overall ICE sales, they remain a small minority.
Give it time though, said analysts. Some expect regular gasoline will be $5-per-gallon in many U.S. regions by year’s end, and more increases – if not also new records – in advanced-tech vehicle sales are thus predicted.
Beyond oil prices, other factors affecting supply and demand are believed responsible for increased advanced-tech sales.
As for supply, the aforementioned new models were responsible for a tenth of the advanced-tech surge. “Having nearly a dozen new models to choose from is certainly helping hybrids appeal to a broader audience than in the past,” said Edmunds sales analyst Ivan Drury.
Americans are getting the message about finding long-term solutions for diminishing oil supplies, developing national self-reliance, and doing it in ways that don’t harm the environment overly much.
As for demand, the Toyota Prius – which also just set new U.S. and global sales records – its March sales spiked when supply was threatened after the Japan earthquake March 11. That car, having been on the U.S. market since 2000, has a huge head start in its popularity, and accounted for the majority of advanced-tech vehicle sales.
By the Numbers
Advanced Technology Vehicle Sales by Manufacturer
1st Quarter 2011 – 1st Quarter 2010 – Change
BMW: 94 – 64 – 46.8 percent
Ford: 7,704 – 7,047 – 9.3 percent
GM: 2,323 – 1,585 – 46.6 percent
Honda: 11,354 – 6,160 – 84.3 percent
Mercedes-Benz: 110 – 458 – <75.9 percent>
Nissan: 1,728 – 2,072 – <16.6 percent>
Porsche: 432 – 0 – NA
Toyota: 54,609 – 39,861 – 37 percent
VW: 169 – 0 – NA
All Advanced-Tech Vehicles: 78,523 – 57,247 – 37.2 percent
Unknown at this stage is whether advanced tech vehicle sales would continue to increase if gas prices were to stabilize.
“We’re seeing the same pattern in buyer behavior that we saw when gas prices last hit record highs in 2008,” said Edmunds.com sales analyst Ivan Drury.
After the most recent time prices seemed more stable for a while, hybrid sales slowed down. So, would they slow down again if rising gas prices again seemed to taper off or decline? No one knows.
Monthly Advanced-Tech Sales by Manufacturer
March 2011 – February 2011 – March 2010
BMW: 13 -15 – 0
Ford: 3,276 – 2,569 – 3,050
GM: 1,006 – 556 – 640
Honda: 4,908 – 3,345 – 2,231
Mercedes-Benz: 57 – 39 – 0
Nissan: 843 – 433 – 394
Porsche: 114 – 140 – 0
Toyota: 24,739 – 16,461 – 16,714
VW: 44 – 41 – 0.
All hybrids: 35,000 – 23,678 – 23,029
Things are changing by degrees though, particularly among the cars themselves. This year Edmunds re-named its reporting criteria to include the Volt and LEAF. The category of “hybrids” was no longer adequate, and became “advanced technology.”
While still a small portion of the total, more Americans are looking to park advanced-tech cars at their homes. The trend will continue. The question is how fast will it?
Between the Volt and LEAF, the Chevrolet is definitely enjoying a more robust start, but both are expected to increase their sales.
A third, broader driving factor is also helping the Volt, LEAF, and all advanced-technology vehicles: Middle East conflicts, an increased focus on need for American energy independence, and potential oil shortages.
All this said, old habits in America appear to be dying hard. Less-efficient vehicles are still the dominant seller in the overall growing U.S. auto market.
Although hybrid and electric vehicle sales did beat them, their actual numbers were only 78,523 vehicles sold. Thus, advanced-technology vehicles represented just 2.5 percent of first-quarter sales compared to 3.1 million traditional cars and light trucks sold in the same period.
Sources: Edmunds, Detroit News
This entry was posted on Monday, April 11th, 2011 at 5:55 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
+12
Apr 11th, 2011 (7:43 am)I have no-doubt the number for electric cars will continue to increase by precent over that of regular internal combustion engine vehicles; even if fuel prices stabilise (for now). This is because there is NOW an opportunity to buy them.
So many people want to be early adaptors, the surface is just being scratched… they are selling faster than they can be built. Double production, double the sale, quadruple production and you’ll still not be building enough. Don’t just think the US, think planet! The US is only a part of the market when you think globally, and even with ridicules naysayers we still can’t furnish the US’s wants for electrics.
Then eventually, fuel will become an even scarcer resource and electric will be there to pick up the slack.
+4
Apr 11th, 2011 (8:44 am)What Xiaoweil said.
+3
Apr 11th, 2011 (8:46 am)Although higher gas prices hurt while we still have our gas guzzlers, it will definitely help to speed up EV sales and that is a good thing. Hopefully GM’s Volt will lead the way!
-6
Apr 11th, 2011 (8:56 am)Let’s not forget what was happening with Toyota this time last year. Of course, relative percentages are misleading anyway.
It’s all about replacing traditional vehicle sales.
That’s where the “too little, to slowly” concern came from. $4 gas its a reality already.
+2
Apr 11th, 2011 (9:27 am)Three data points a trend does not make.
+5
Apr 11th, 2011 (10:04 am)Good article Jeff. I had not seen that picture of the Volt in the wind tunnel before. It’s really a good one. The 40 ft fan is made of spruce and the wind tunnel had it’s 30th anniversary last year.
+4
Apr 11th, 2011 (10:12 am)George S. Bower,
Thanks George. Have you personally been to the GM Aerodynamics Labs at the Warren Tech center facility? That is one monumental structure, isn’t it?
+4
Apr 11th, 2011 (10:15 am)Engineer,
The “trend” was “more Americans are looking to park advanced-tech cars at their homes,” not the three data points represented by three months necessarily, although they are indicators of something already afoot. It’s a pretty basic assertion.
+5
Apr 11th, 2011 (10:16 am)Another outstanding report, Jeff. Keep up the good work.
+1
Apr 11th, 2011 (11:35 am)Unfortunately many people do not look ahead/plan (see credit card debt) and they will buy a cheaper traditional ICE with more HP instead of a fuel efficient car. Yes, there is probably some justified concern about buying “advanced technology”, but an 8 year warranty should help settle that. What I do see is the advanced technology slowly creeping its way in via the manufacturer, wether consumers know it or not. The e-assist Buick LaCrosse is a good example; or cars that turn off cylinders when stopped. I dont know if Edmunds puts that under the advanced technology catagory or not. Manufacturers are doing it because of the CAFE and also simply to compete; but its going to take more pressure from the customer’s end to create some real #’s (however this pressure is created; high gas prices, lower battery prices, gov. incentives, etc).
PS: I’m back in the US of A (finally (Houston airport ..ugh)). Regarding US cars in Asia, there wasn’t too much shakin’ (pun intended). I was hoping to see more of a US presence, especially w/the Cruze being out for some time now. And at the least, I expected to find Buicks in China, but no such luck.
+5
Apr 11th, 2011 (11:35 am)Volt helps alleviate ‘gas price anxiety.’ And that’s worth a lot.
+2
Apr 11th, 2011 (11:45 am)#2
Me too. +1 to all except one. No prize for guessing which one, LOL.
+1
Apr 11th, 2011 (11:47 am)#10
Why am I not surprised? Nice to have you back safe and sound though. +1
+2
Apr 11th, 2011 (11:48 am)#11
Amen. +1
+1
Apr 11th, 2011 (11:51 am)#6
Wow, is that thing actually real? I though that it was just some sort of a jazzy CG advertising backdrop, LOL. You could put a semi or a fair sized airplane in the thing, right? Way bigger than I would have imagined for cars. Thanks for pointing it out. +1
+1
Apr 11th, 2011 (11:52 am)But if someone wants to save money, that may well be the right thing to do.
You can buy a new Ford Fiesta for half the price of a Volt after tax rebate. $16000 buys a lot of gas…
Trying to promote the Volt *solely* on *absolute* price is, as numerous debates have shown, a non-starter. Certainly higher gas prices may make people think harder about the efficiency of their vehicle, and in some market segments the Volt will end up being cheaper than some competitors. But that’s not the point. Buying a Volt just to save money on gas generally just doesn’t make sense. If you’re that concerned about cost per mile, then you should probably be considering something different, and probably second-hand.
There’s a wealth of reasons why someone should be interested in a Volt. I don’t see the point in advancing an argument as weak as this.
+2
Apr 11th, 2011 (12:47 pm)N Riley,
Thanks. It seemed the most newsworthy topic I could pull together in time.
+4
Apr 11th, 2011 (1:21 pm)Yesterday, I did 4 VOLT presentations to ‘walk-in’ customers off the street.
3 of them placed orders.
Not bad for a Sunday.
Stuff it john-boy.
Network news reported over the weekend that there aren’t enough parts to build Toyotas for awhile anyway. So much for your mighty Prius.
I see it everyday… There is a new attitude (or an old one coming back) about cars…
BUY AMERICAN !
We’ve been taking in a number of Honda, Lexus, and M-B trade-ins lately. I think people know that our economy needs help, and the quality of American cars has increased in a big way.
Test drive a VOLT and you will agree!
+3
Apr 11th, 2011 (1:45 pm)mmalc,
Let me put it this way. If a group of people each has $35K to spend on a car; how many will go for the most horsepower/luxury/whatever that money will buy, before they look at fuel efficiency?
Yes, I am very (too) familiar w/the cost justification argument of the Volt, and that wasn’t my point. My point was in regards to what people’s priorities are regarding their spending. A lot of the time it’s short-sighted and does not look at the bigger picture. If someone could buy a Volt for $16,000 or a V-8 350HP car for the same price… how many do you think would go for the Volt? I think most of us here would, but we are not the majority. How “cheap” will these “advanced technology” cars have to become until they chosen over traditional ICE cars? I think even at the exact same price as ICE’s they still won’t necessarily be chosen until they can match/exceed all of the perfromance characteristics of the ICE cars being considered. A good test will be the Lincoln MKZ vs its hybrid version at the same price.
Apr 11th, 2011 (1:47 pm)FYI – I think there’s a web-chat (somewhere) with Andrew Farah at 6pm today.
Apr 11th, 2011 (2:02 pm)Yup, that’s 6pm EDT and “you know where.” Also Frank Markus.
Webchat with Volt Chief Engineer Andrew Farah & Motor Trend Editor Frank Markus
Apr 11th, 2011 (2:04 pm)That’s a different point from the one you made previously…
+1
Apr 11th, 2011 (2:12 pm)Wouldn’t all those traded-in imports cause their premature depreciation? Maybe you can resell them as a special for those buyers who still wants imports. This will reduce the number of new imports sold. So the net amount of imports will stay the same (since you are “recycling” the traded-in vehicles), but the increased sales of Volt will reduce the average amount of emissions on the road. You win both ways (selling the Volts and the trade-ins).
Raymond
+3
Apr 11th, 2011 (2:18 pm)Very impressive! Keep it going, CVG.
How many have you sold so far? Are you getting as many as you need?
+1
Apr 11th, 2011 (2:33 pm)Where are the hybrid minivans? That is one category where higher MPG would definitely help.
+3
Apr 11th, 2011 (2:36 pm)#18
God send that it shall be true. +1
+1
Apr 11th, 2011 (2:38 pm)#19
I dunno about that. If gas stays over $4/gal all bets are off IMHO.
-6
Apr 11th, 2011 (2:43 pm)Truth : Toyota is sweeping the market. Ford is doing a nice catch up game here.
Rest all ages behind.
Ex: Volt: GM took 10 years to find a PSD not violating Toyota patents ,Still you can buy 2 Prius on that price and the CS mode is ( hybrid mode ) is less efficient ( 37 mpg vs 52 mpg of Prius ). I have no comments on the EV mode which prius doesn’t provide. But CS mode – Long way to go to reach ULEV and mpg.
Volt is a good start but its only one demo, they need to get all other products a hybrid version( specially products like Imapla, Equinox ,Traverse etc ) .They should not go one step back and say we get almost same as others ( example eassist ) , Instead they should say we use same strong hybrid like others but we do more than others on same resource and price. They should point like do the right thing and reduce cost by scaling/mass application.
Was talking last day with an old couple. They want to move to a 5 seat hybrid and they want a crossover/high ride as its easy to get in and out. The best part is there is only one car in that market which fits these description and was ford escape hybrid ( i know equinox lovers will say Equinox gets better high way but combined is the question. )
+1
Apr 11th, 2011 (3:16 pm)Hey Unni, IMHO, I think Ford should make the Escape a PHEV, they’ll corner that market quick if they did that. Even if it is just a 10AER and 40MPG. They’re already licensing the HSD, why not license the PHEV as well from Toy.
A good Hybrid sedan is already highly available, Fusion, Prius and Civic. A small SUV or Minivan would make the next step.
/of course i’m still rooting for an EREV Colorado.
Apr 11th, 2011 (3:24 pm)Um, me? And, apparently, Warren Buffet…Different people have different preferences.
There are a lot of people who want an expensive car purely because they want an expensive car. Preferably one that everyone will know what they spent on it. Historically, expensive cars have meant more horsepower. But many of the people who own high horsepower cars may not actually care about horsepower. As long as the car has a high ticket price, with a name brand–they’re good.
Apr 11th, 2011 (3:27 pm)From last summer (GM & Bright Automotive). Hopefully we see something soon.
http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_gm.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Aug/0803_bright
+3
Apr 11th, 2011 (3:29 pm)I hope you’re right. I still get weird looks when I tell people that I check for the “made in the USA” origin for sunscreen. Or vitamin supplements.
Apr 11th, 2011 (3:30 pm)Reverse your thinking. Since no ICE ever made, past , present or future, offers maximum torque from 0 rpm, perfectly smooth, near linear, instant, strong accelereation and electric drive does, why does any full gasser sell anymore? According to your logic, they don’t because they don’t match/exceed all of the performance characteristics of cars that include electric drive.
In this model year’s configurations, it’s different strengths and weaknesses for now, with complete domination of electric drive as bone standard (w/ or w/o ethanol/nat gas/biodiesel/other fuel engine) over time, utterly inevitable. For consumers, it’s increasingly a question of who’s last in line to get electrc drive in their ride. I suspect the tipping point will be a 20 year old sparkly purple low rider i-miev with monster tires and a built in margarita blender.
I keep waiting for the after market crowd to get a clue and sports tune a 1997 Prius (hint: strip it raw for the weight, toss an extra power pack in the back and gear in two Agni 95Rs near each rear wheel.) 134 hp stock + 120 hp at the rear = 254 hp @ 3500 lbs. with massive torque at the line. woot.
Apr 11th, 2011 (3:37 pm)I agree everyone is different, that was sort of my point, but more specifically, that fuel efficiency is not a top priority for most (now). Maybe you could list your car priorities? I also do agree that some people buy luxury cars as status symbols and get HP as a bonus, but there are also gearheads (and people that simply like acceleration) out there that want the most HP they can get for $1. Look at the Camaro for example. Even the base Corvette is cheap for the amount of ponies you are getting. In the truck world, HP/towing ability tends to be a big factor (even if the owner just cruises around). HP can be a status symbol too.
Apr 11th, 2011 (3:51 pm)EVO,
You & I may know this, and enjoy this, but not everyone. They are looking at different things. And I’m talking about the year 2011. Electric drive will of course continue to increase, but I was commenting on Jeff’s article relating to the last 2 years of sales figures, and why I think there would still be a lot of resistance. I don’t expect to see 2.5% marketshare to grow to 25% next year (barring a major oil problem) unless the manufacturers just sneak in the “advanced technology” or offer it at the same (or less) cost. People will continue to buy their “gassers” placing priorities besides fuel efficiency ahead of fuel efficiency until gas spikes to $10/gal (or whatever). Then we will have a bunch of reactionary people scrambling. The average person does not seem to be a planner or proactive IMO.
+2
Apr 11th, 2011 (4:09 pm)I know that there are gear heads who love horsepower. But I suspect that the status symbol element is much more a part of it than you think. And it goes all the way through the price spectrum. Mid range cars are status symbols compared to cheaper cars.
People like consumption for the sake of consumption. Look at bottled water. True, most people swear they can tell the difference. But given blind taste tests, 90% of people can’t. Or, look at wine. They’ve given taste tests, and it turns out most people who buy the $100+ bottles of wine can’t really tell the difference between them and a $20 bottle. And yet people still buy wine at all sorts of prices. And those $100+ bottles of wine still sell. And not just to dedicated wine enthusiasts.
My personal priorities? Fuel efficiency. Reliability. Convenience. And as much American content as possible. Also, I’d prefer not to buy something too flashy.
Apr 11th, 2011 (4:26 pm)I’m afraid it’s not at all clear to me what your point is, and it seems to keep changing.
LauraM’s already made most of my points for me, but the fundamental issue comes down to this: Talking about cost is largely irrelevant (except insofar as it currently sets a high-ish barrier to entry) and is simply unlikely to make many converts.
For me, and I suspect many others, the main argument revolves around oil. If you want to reduce your oil consumption, whether for environmental, or for economic/national security reasons, and you want to buy a well-appointed new car, then the Volt is likely to be a good candidate (assuming a given driving pattern).
If you’re just interested in cost per mile, then buy a cheaper car. If you’re just interested in environmental impact, then insulate your house or buy high-efficiency appliances.
+2
Apr 11th, 2011 (4:31 pm)I agree that fuel price increases are not the main reason that is driving the sales of advance technology vehicles. “No Plug – No Sale” is the reason why I waited to purchase a Volt. If the plug-in was not available, I’d still be filling up the gas hogs that get half the MPG. For every mile the Volt is driven, those other vehicles are not used!
+3
Apr 11th, 2011 (5:01 pm)I’ve personally written 14 orders so far. The dealership total is 20 or 21. Not sure.
With Regular gas here at $4.23 to $4.31… Selling VOLTs is really easy.
Selling the CRUZE ECO is even easier. Now it’s up to the General Manager to fight for more allocation.
Apr 11th, 2011 (5:14 pm)This was my point/opinion: If you polled all American car consumers, fuel efficiency would not be their #1 or #2 priority (now). They will have lots of different priorities placed above efficiency. This will cause “advance technology” vehicle sales to increase slowly. Unless gas severly spikes or battery costs significantly come down, I see this remaining the status quo. That’s about as simple as I can make it. We’ve seen America tends to be a reactionary society (see 2008), and not proactive. I think people get tired of hearing the world is ending, and it sort of becomes like the boy who cried wolf, and any possible real concern gets ignored.
+2
Apr 11th, 2011 (5:17 pm)Gas price isn’t much of a motivator for me either. I just want an electric vehicle. But I think i’m in the minority of the American car-buying public.
+1
Apr 11th, 2011 (5:34 pm)John at number 4.
“Too little too slowly”, sir, is just what is causing widespread harm over in Japan..
Dealing with plutonium leakage is no matter for structured denial or not “thinking out of the box”.
“Too little too slowly” is not what is happening at GM, sir. It is happening most tragically in Japan.
The entire island and culture may become bankrupt in several more months as well, so, this is not a time for anyone to be glib about such a phrase, even for yourself, and most certainly, your conversion-denial of what conditions actually are now in fact are terribly-affecting all Japanese auto makers and the entire Japanese populace, not GM whatsoever.
That’s the most extreme of bad form indeed.
+2
Apr 11th, 2011 (5:46 pm)Great, and congratulations!
That helps give a glimpse into the future Volt demand when/if other areas in the country reach $4 and 1/4 per gallon, too.
+1
Apr 11th, 2011 (6:08 pm)In the for-what-it’s-worth-column: A friend is an auto dealer in SoCal. He sells, among other cars, Lexus. He said, the other day, that their quality has deteriorated quite a bit over the past two years and he is thinking of dropping the line.
I think that all companies go in cycles.
Apr 11th, 2011 (6:10 pm)kdawg,
Funny, fuel efficiency, or indirectly its benefit in the face of higher fuel prices, wasn’t on my list of how electric drive beats or assists gas. At all. And it was a substantial, desirable list. Just because it is also more efficient isn’t my fault.
If a consumer’s priority is low end grunt off the line, instant responsiveness, superior handling, liquid smooth and quiet, electric drive has all that built in. Vehicle makers’ jobs are to get in the way of those intrinsic qualities as little as possible, combine all the strengths and mitigate any weaknesses for any blended configurations (one example – Volt).
A third way – taken as a stand alone vehicle, without regard to the drivetrain details or fuel sources, the Volt rocks. The drivetrain is simply what allows it to rock. And it’s gen 1 of only one of many great configurations possible.
Wait until folks have owned their Volt five years and gradually discover that their motor is just as powerful as the day they bought it (as opposed to up to 20% reduction in power over several years with full gassers.)
Apr 11th, 2011 (7:02 pm)I am one of those. That’s why I love electric drive. Because horsepower is useless without torque (twisting force), which literally goes to where the rubber meets the road, and electric offers up its maximum torque instantly every single time you hit the go pedal.
It’s also easier to handle, smoother and more consistent than the most expensive luxury full gasser, even with that display of torque on tap.
woot.
Apr 11th, 2011 (7:31 pm)When you look at how well fat and sugar free foods sell, even though you’d be hard pressed to find someone who thinks they taste better. Electric drive cars should be an easy sell in the future, when prices compare with ICE cars.
+3
Apr 11th, 2011 (9:07 pm)I know exactly what you mean. I check for made in USA on just about everything. To add to what you were saying, it almost takes an act of discipline as well to do the right thing and buy American. A few weeks ago I bought tires for our Jeep. The tire guy presented me with Chinese made tires and American mades. The American tires were $10.00 more per tire and the salesman was sort of pushing the cheaper Chinese tires. Finally I said, “I’ll take the American tires. You know, we all complain when there’s no jobs, but what do we do the first time we are presented with a choice?” He just looked at me and said “I like your attitude Schmeltzie!”. I’m $40.00 poorer, but I like to think maybe I had a small hand in saving or maintaining someone’s job here in the U.S. I just wish more people cared about the “Made in USA” thing! I’ll get off my soapbox now.
Apr 11th, 2011 (9:43 pm)My brother told me he is spending over $200 per month to commute 14 miles each way to work in the city.
… and he is driving a Honda that is supposed to get 25mpg in the city.
If he bought a VOLT he would be saving approx $200 per month or $2400 per year because he would be driving all electic and with our 9cent elec rate even including charging and paying $1 a day for elec he would still be saving over $2000 per year…. so…
He could pay $35,000 for a Volt and end up paying less than $20K after 8 years of savings in gas if gas stays the same price as now… what do you think the chances of that are?
I think the VOLT right now is the best economy car going.
+1
Apr 11th, 2011 (10:56 pm)You keep forgetting the motivation for a lot of early adopters on this blog….. to bring our soldiers home. If we don’t burn imported oil, we don’t have to guard the Straits of Hormuz, we don’t have to defend Kuwait, and we don’t have to bomb Libya. We can put more people to work building windmills, mining coal, and installing solar arrays.
Forget oil.
Apr 12th, 2011 (5:39 am)In San Diego, no less, somebody’s converting electric cars to gas powered!
Apr 12th, 2011 (6:07 am)Amen. Exporting dollars out of our economy and sending our boys overseas to die for our ability to buy oil. Those were my motivations.
Take Care, TED
-1
Apr 12th, 2011 (8:53 am)I didn’t forget it, I just didn’t mention it. It’s actually #2 or #3 on my list of priorities; but again, I think im in the minority of the 100 million + drivers in the US. This goes back to my statement where I said people don’t plan ahead, or think long term, or look at the big picture and typically take care of their personal immediate desires first. Sorry to sound like a downer, and I’m not not disagreeing with you; it’s just my opinion of the American consumer.
Apr 12th, 2011 (10:22 am)You’re a car enthusiast. Agreeing that your priorities match that of mainstream consumers isn’t going to happen.
Middle-Market wants a balance of price, size, efficiency, and conveniences, in addition to doing their part to reduce emissions. Performance is one of many criteria and most definitely not on top as many enthusiasts would like.
This is why focus has shifted to the second generation. Replacing traditional vehicles takes far more than just heavy emphasis on electric drive.
Apr 12th, 2011 (10:31 am)I agree. That’s why I ended with my first two electric drive vehicles.
The point I keep trying to make is that no matter what you have as the motive, elecric drive wins every single time. The only things holding anything back now now are marketing, deep, persistent ignorance at dealerships, cost and breadth of product configurations.
Apr 14th, 2011 (2:46 pm)CorvetteGuy and few others excepted, of course. my bad.
Apr 15th, 2011 (7:56 pm)The first of these are why I keep coming back to the KISS principle to focus on one idea: For many people, the Volt reduces the amount of gas you’ll use, perhaps to almost zero.
This is a clear, simple marketing message that should appeal to the majority of the sentient population for one reason or another.
It is something that almost no other vehicle can offer.
Concentrate on this, and the Volt probably has at most as many competitors as fingers on one hand. Then you can start doing other comparisons *with just those*…