Auto Execs Fly Corporate Jets to D.C., Tin Cups in Hand

[AGDee]

I love the Volt and would drive one in a heartbeat. If I never had to buy gas again, I'd be willing to pay in the mid 30's (the anticipated cost that I've read for it) to never buy gas again.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by AGDee

I love the Volt and would drive one in a heartbeat. If I never had to buy gas again, I'd be willing to pay in the mid 30's (the anticipated cost that I've read for it) to never buy gas again.

Well, different strokes for different folks I guess. But the battery is only supposed to last for 40 miles on a charge, so you would have to buy gas...that is, if you ever drive more than 40 miles when you're out and about, which I do practically daily. Right now it wouldn't work for me because I live in an apartment with no power outlet nearby to charge it. And it is supposed to retail for 40k, but they're trying to get it elligible for a tax credit that would bring it down to around 35k. But still, people could buy a cheaper BMW for that.

My point was that the Chevy Volt is ONE car - that won't be out for another 2-3 years - that GM is hanging its hat on. Why is it the only one, and why didn't they have the vision to come up with it years ago? Toyota and Honda have been working on their hybrids for about 15-20 years.

[AGDee]

GM has numerous hybrids on the market already and has for several years. It's not as though GM is hanging it's hat on the Volt. The Chevy Malibu hybrid was selling so fast they couldn't keep up with demand until the credit freeze hit. The Saturn Vue Hybrid is a hot seller also. They are hard to get. GM is also testing hydrogen fuel cell cars but there is nowhere for people to get the hydrogen fuel cells recharged, so that's an issue.

My commute to work is 44 miles so I'd have to use gas for maybe 10 miles a day with errands if I planned them right. That sure beats using gas for 54 miles a day. You'd be talking like a gallon or two a week! That would be so cool. The Honda electric car can currently only go 10 miles without a charge so the 40 miles is a big improvement.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by AGDee

GM has numerous hybrids on the market already and has for several years. It's not as though GM is hanging it's hat on the Volt. The Chevy Malibu hybrid was selling so fast they couldn't keep up with demand until the credit freeze hit. The Saturn Vue Hybrid is a hot seller also. They are hard to get. GM is also testing hydrogen fuel cell cars but there is nowhere for people to get the hydrogen fuel cells recharged, so that's an issue.

My commute to work is 44 miles so I'd have to use gas for maybe 10 miles a day with errands if I planned them right. That sure beats using gas for 54 miles a day. You'd be talking like a gallon or two a week! That would be so cool. The Honda electric car can currently only go 10 miles without a charge so the 40 miles is a big improvement.

Honestly, I didn't even know Honda had an electric car out.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Honestly, I didn't even know Honda had an electric car out.

It's not out, it's in development, like GMs.

And, it's possible it's the Hyundai... I get those "H" car companies confused.

ETA: Oops, it's a Toyota, the Mini-E as they're calling it now. A two seater.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by AGDee

It's not out, it's in development, like GMs.

And, it's possible it's the Hundai... I get those "H" car companies confused.

Electric, or hydrogen fuel cell? I don't see anything about an all-electric car from Honda...they've decided to go more in the way of fuel cell rather than electric, I think.

ETA: I also had no idea that Honda has a Natural Gas Civic out! http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-gx/