http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/...ap5368835.html

Bob Lutz is frequently entertaining.

Bob Wilson

 

This vaguely reminds me of the Soviet Union's remarks in late '69, where they mentioned that the "space race" between the USA and USSR did not exist.
That remark was made, of course, after Apollo had already landed on the moon.

 

What a dunce, that Lutz.

 

Forget the Volt. Americans do not want a 40 mile range car for close to $40,000. We want a 140 mile range car for $20K. And don't go begging the taxpayers via Congress for a bailout. At this point I'm ready to let all failing industries go belly up. We'll endure the short term pain.

 

Well, given how cruical the Volt (and eflex technology) is going to be for GM's future, Lutz is probably wise in not taking shortcuts to get the Volt to market before it's ready. I'd rather see a rock-solid Volt released six months behind schedule than a beta-test version unleashed on the public and then having to deal with a bunch of recalls and patches. (Same goes for Toyota, for that matter, except that people are generally more forgiving of Toyota).

 

This is true.
Unfortunately I think we will see new technology cars being more expensive overall than the conventional technology cars they will replace. Even now, the Prius, at approx $25,000 is a car being bought primarily by pretty well off middle class people. These folks are trading in Saabs and other fairly expensive cars for hybrids in an effort to maintain a middle class standard of living. The folks who most desperately need relief from high gasoline prices; the working poor and lower middle class, are in for a pretty hard time I'm afraid. For these less well off people, there aren't going to be any shiny new technological solutions; just the same old used cars.

 

Lutz will be largely responsible for GM's demise if it happens.

Mike,
Do you think you know what Americans want?

hint: so do the American car companies.

 

While not knowing the americans well, I still guess this can change rapidly. I hear SUV sales is up again, as oil prices went down slightly. With a gas price of say 8 USD/gallon, a 40-mile range car for 40k might be exactly what americans want. You never know.

 

denial, but I will still look at the Volt for my next vehicle if it lives up to the hype.