SUVs plunge toward 'endangered' list

Patrick Degan · Post by **Patrick Degan** » 2008-06-04 02:19pm

Once again, Detroit went out of their way to bet on the wrong horse in a race they saw to it was fixed. And once again, it's biting them on their asses. Hard.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2008-06-04 02:39pm

how long has it been since the seventies?

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2008-06-04 04:27pm

Admiral Valdemar wrote:Killing off the H2 as they're doing may win them some points in my book, but they need to radically rethink their strategy to stave off death. The Volt coming out in 2011 is too little, too late. And EVs have horrible longevity with current technology given the price.

The Volt? It's been downgraded to 'EV with range extender'. A 12 gallon tank.

Crayz9000 · Post by **Crayz9000** » 2008-06-04 04:34pm

SirNitram wrote:The Volt? It's been downgraded to 'EV with range extender'. A 12 gallon tank.

To be honest, if the price point is right, I'd seriously consider a Volt. The 40 mile battery range is enough to cover my daily commute, and the "range extender" (AKA generator) is good for the occasional long trip.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2008-06-04 05:07pm

Crayz9000 wrote: Problem is, all the automakers fall into that boat. Ford has no projected EVs or serious hybrid designs beyond the Escape at the moment. Chrysler is even worse.

Nissan is actually the only automaker other than GM that I'm aware of with plans to release an all-electric vehicle.

When you start talking about hydrogen fuel cell cars, it's even worse because there is no hydrogen infrastructure, and the automakers know that -- so they won't put any models into production.

Which is why the auto industry, along with the airline industry, is doomed.

Ma Deuce · Post by **Ma Deuce** » 2008-06-05 12:29am

SirNitram wrote:The Volt? It's been downgraded to 'EV with range extender'. A 12 gallon tank.

Downgraded? That's what it's always been from the start. And I'd also seriously consider one if it was relatively affordable (say, in the $30K range or less); One battery charge would last me the better part of an average week.