Episode 856 – Another One Bites the Dust, Jeep Unveils New Concepts, Good Vibrations
March 28th, 2012 at 12:00pm
Runtime: 9:52
There’s another disaster in the electric-car market. Azure Dynamics, which was converting Ford Transit Connects into electric vehicles, just filed for bankruptcy. Jeep, along with Mopar, just unveiled six different models at the annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. The new Cadillac XTS will be the first car available with a driver’s seat that vibrates if a crash is imminent. All that and more, plus we’ll be talking about how Chrysler is using a very unique process to bring new talent into the company in That Ah-Ha Moment.
Visit our sponsors to thank them for their support of Autoline Daily: Bosch, Bridgestone and Dow Automotive Systems
»Subscribe to Podcast | 
| 
| 
| Listen on Phone 
Welcome to Autoline Daily. I’m John McElroy and there sure is a lot happening in the automotive industry today.
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST
And we start out with another disaster in the electric-car market. Azure Dynamics, which was converting Ford Transit Connects into electric vehicles, just filed for bankruptcy. Azure needed Ford to sell around 3,000 of the electric Transit Connects to make its business plan work, the Wall Street Journal reports. But Ford only sold 800 in the U.S. and Europe. I thought we’d see a big shakeout in the EV market sometime around 2014, but it looks like 2012 will be the year of reckoning.
EV’S MAY LOSE GREEN IMAGE IN JAPAN
Meanwhile, in Japan, the Associated Press reports that electric cars could lose the green cache that they enjoyed before the giant tsunami triggered a nuclear crisis in the country. If Japan remains committed to nuclear power, says one Japanese expert, “then the green image of the car will get bashed to bits.”
DIESEL TRANSIT HEADS TO U.S.
The Transit van is the big brother to the Transit Connect and it will replace the ancient Econoline in North America. It’s about time! The Econoline tooling was probably paid for when Jimmy Carter was president! But here’s the latest news. The Transit will have Ford’s proven 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, but it will also get a diesel. Ford offers a 3.2-liter inline-five elsewhere in the world and we bet this is the oil-burner they’re talking about. Ford says we can expect a 25 percent boost in fuel economy thanks to the diesel and the fact that the Transit is about 300 pounds lighter than the outgoing E-Series.
CHEVY AD AGENCIES COMBINE
In a move that could save General Motors $400 million a year, it is forcing two of its ad agencies to form a joint venture to handle all Chevrolet advertising around the world. Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, which is based in San Francisco, and McCann Erickson, based in New York, will form a joint venture called Commonwealth, which will be based in Detroit. So how can that possibly save so much money? Because right now Chevy uses 70 different agencies around the world to handle that business.
JEEP UNVEILS NEW CONCEPTS
Big new for Jeep enthusiasts. Working with Mopar, the brand just unveiled six different models at the annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. First up, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk concept. This vehicle features a number of upgrades including new 18-inch wheels and tires, as well as rock rails to protect the lower body from damage. Next up, the Wrangler Apache. This mudslinger features a 6.4-liter V-8 with an estimated 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. That’ll move you down the trail! Looking in the rear-view mirror, the Mighty FC concept takes inspiration from the Jeep Forward Control model built in the 1950s and ‘60s. It features a laundry list of off-road upgrades from coil-over springs to bead-lock wheels. Like its predecessor, the cab of this flat-faced truck sits right on top of the front axle. The J-12 concept is a stretched version of the JK-8. It’s about 18-inches longer than the Wrangler pickup it’s based on. This gives drivers a full six-foot bed to play with. Rounding out the list, are two special Wrangler models. One has been blasted with more than 250 Mopar accessories including a few prototype parts. The other one is called the Traildozer, which, like the Apache concept I just mentioned, is also powered by a big ole’ HEMI. This machine is an off-road monster with all kinds of skid plates, bumper bars and suspension upgrades.
I’M PICKIN’ UP GOOD VIBRATIONS
Many new vehicles have visual or audible systems to warn drivers if they’re about to get in a crash, but the new Cadillac XTS will have its own unique way to warn drivers. The XTS will be the first car available with a driver’s seat that vibrates if a crash is imminent. Called the Cadillac Safety Alert Seat, it will be offered in a package with other safety features. The left or right side of the seat will vibrate depending where the collision will take place. Both sides will pulse if it’s from the front or rear. It can also be used to help park the car as well. GM first developed the seat about a decade ago as part of its V2V technology.
Coming up next we have That Ah-Ha Moment, where we’ll be talking about how Chrysler is using a very unique process to bring new talent into the company.
THAT AH-HA MOMENT
Earlier this week I sat down with Laurie Macaddino, the vice president of Corporate Audit and Compliance for Chrysler. She reports directly to Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne. I asked her to give me one of those “Ah-Ha Moments” that really helped her in her career, and to talk about a new program within Chrysler to recruit new talent to the company and to train those people for a quick career path to upper management. I want to thank the Automotive Next program at Inforum for helping to arrange this interview and to Chrysler for sponsoring it. Let’s go to that interview right now.
(The Ah-Ha Moment is only available in the video version of today’s program.)
Thanks to our Partners for embedding Autoline Daily on their websites: Autoblog and WardsAuto.com
Share
Embed
Permalink
Comments (67)
March 28th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Any guesses on what GM’s re-org of marketing suppliers will have on other car makers? I also wonder how many job descriptions within GM are going to the evaporator.
March 28th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Vibrolla Cadillacs
Hmmn . Like they didn’t ‘ vibrate ‘ enough already without this new ‘technology ‘
And ……. am I the only one having visions/memories/deja vu of Cheap Hotel rooms in the 60′s and 70′s when reading/hearing about the ‘new ‘ Vibrolillacs ?
Hmmn ; Wonder if the XTS comes with a lifetime supply of quarters : or at least a coin tray ?
—–
I truly hope Mz Macaddino has a Plan B . If not , she seriously needs to consider formulating one . Soon .
( memories of L Soave’e recent treatment coming to mind )
March 28th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
Hey my Vibrolla vibrates all the time and it ain’t cost me nothin’ to get it to be that way, I guess I’ll never get into an accident then? I got the perfect date car and I don’t ever take advantage of it!
March 28th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Yeehaww….Jeep is showing more concept vehicles that they will probably never build.Just like the pickup that they wheeled out back in 05 I believe.Even if they do produce some of them…beware of the quality,or actually,the lack there of.
@ TJ Martin: Don’t get your hopes up yet bro,jeep has a long way to go to improve their quality despite the great looks that may hit the roads.I’ll wait for a few years AFTER they come out,IF they come out.
March 28th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Feels to me like Peggy Olson of Sterling/Cooper would be the one to market this new ‘driving aid’ for Cadillac. Hmmmm?
crickets? do I hear crickets? (Joel got it)
March 28th, 2012 at 12:40 pm
If JEEP ever makes these high boys, I want to be there to see Motorweek praise their slalom performance.
March 28th, 2012 at 12:45 pm
@ #6: I’m not sure if they ever tried the JK’s (wranglers)yet.
March 28th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Maybe Motorweek can develop a new test for these JEEP concepts: the brake, boink, and squat. Or maybe a mini skirt evaluation for ingress/egress.
OK, I’ll stop now
March 28th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
G.A. Branigan
Yeah like you I’m lovin the JEEP concepts , but also like you won’t be holding my breath for them to make production …… or with FIAT running the show , improve their quality/reliability either
Damn JEEP’s . Keep getting your hopes up n’ then crushing em like a bug on a windshield at 80 mph .
—–
@HtG – re; Motorweek
MW has become the opposite of that old cereal commercial way back when .
” Give it to Motorweek [ if you're needing a positive review ] They LOVE everything “
March 28th, 2012 at 1:04 pm
This is nothing to do with today’s show, but AW liked the new Yaris a lot better than did CR, which really panned it. See:
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120328/CARREVIEWS/120329840?utm_source=DailyDrive20120328&utm_medium=enewsletter&utm_term=image4&utm_content=20120328
March 28th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
John McElroy, I get the feeling you think the electric cars will just fade away, because of all the negative electric car news you propagate. I have not seen you talk positive about electric cars.
I read the news and look at both sides of it, and believe me the FUTURE IS ELECTRIC and it is today, with the Volt leading the way. Electric cars will do like the Flat screen TV’s did. At first no one could afford them, but look at it today.
People have a natural resistant to changes even when they are for the better, but ultimately they see the light. Alvin Toffler wrote a book called “Future Shock” and is an excellent book about how people resist changes.
GM is already testing a battery that is much cheaper and much more dense. IBM is also near a big break through on batteries, so it’s coming although many don’t think so.
March 28th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
john787
We understand your enthusiasm . Really . We do . But we all know ( as so should you ) that the E/V’s future is tenuous at best and more like non-existent .
The infrastructure is not there ( power plants grids etc ) nor can any nation currently afford to upgrade them to the needed requirements
The technology is no where near Viable and Functioning
Battery technology . especially as long as E/V makers insist on using Li’s will never be safe or reliable ( with all the so called ‘break throughs being in fact more hype and myth than reality )
The ingredients needed , along with manufacturing etc of E/V’s are in fact ten times more damaging to the Environment than even a Full size P/U over a ten year period .
Disposal of batteries etc from E/V’s are in fact a Bio- hazard
So ….. this is not a ‘ Future Shock ‘ scenario when it comes to the resistance to E/V’s
Its simply resistance to a technology that at this point in time ( and for the foreseeable future ) Does More Harm than Good .
Read ; ” Break Through ” ; Nordhaus & Shellenberger as well as get on their website .
e.g. Don’t believe the Obamaganda and Vapor Ware fluff ( or the extreme rights garbage either ) Read what genuine Scientists without an agenda and not being paid off by someone who does has to say
E/V’s are no ones future
BTW – The VOLT IS NOT an E/V ( Society of Automotive Engineers ) Never has been . Never will be . Its a Hybrid ; plain and simple
March 28th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
What happens now if you bought an electric Transit Connect? Will Ford honor the warranty? Replace them with gas powered TC’s? Give you a discount on a future Ford product?
March 28th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
Given the European invasion of the full-size vans, when will the Fiat version show up at Dodge dealers? Dodge dealers did a great job promoting the Mercedes Sprinter van. Does GM have anything in the pipeline to replace the Express/Savanna vans?
March 28th, 2012 at 1:54 pm
Rather than continuing to hint at bringing back a Jeep pick-up, they should just do it. Stretch the JK chassis, give it a 6′ bed, standard 3.6L V-6 and optional diesel. This will help Sergio reach his goal faster than Alfa-Romeo.
March 28th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
Vibrating seat before an accident? So if the seat does NOT shake, your irratic driving is ok? Lawyers are lining up to the right, or big yellow disclaimer on the instrument cluster.
March 28th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
What I find problematic with these types of “Management” fast-track programs is that you wind up with a bunch of MBA’s who become “jacks of all trades – masters of NONE” who are now in charge of a division. A receipe for mediocracy.
March 28th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Woooowwweeee, those jeeps (especially the two pickups) are cool…They look like something “real” as opposed to some goofy, overdone concepts…I honestly don’t remember a concept car that I could see myself actually driving as much as these..especially the red pickup…Eventhough Chrysler quality is crap, it might be worth the problems just to have one…PLLEEEESSSEEEE build ‘em, Chrysler!!!
Wait a minute… Seems like one company’s success always hurts someone else’s business,though, since the company that makes Viagra will probably go broke if Chrysler builds these Jeeps…Because no one who buys one of these Jeeps will ever need to buy their product again!!!!!!!!
March 28th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
#15..Now, you are making my lust for the Jeep pickups even more since you suggest one with a diesel…The Jeep Comanche pickup of the late ’80′s and early ’90′s was actually offered in really limited quantities with a Renault diesel, and Fiat has produced successful diesel engines in European trucks(Iveco, Fiat) for years…I agree, that would be a real winner!!
March 28th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
#16 these car-makers don’t seem to realize the can of worms they’re opening up with all these warning and safety extras that could be used by lawyers in case of accidents, we already have one douche bag locally blaming the injectors on his Bentley for causing him to hit and kill another driver (he was actually quite drunk)
March 28th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
#12,
“Disposal of batteries etc from E/V’s are in fact a Bio- hazard”
Wow, now batteries have dangerous bacteria and viruses in them.
March 28th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
Do not dispose of your worn out EV battery in an open fire or incinerator, collateral damage may occur. Only dispose of in an approved EPA facility.
March 28th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
It’s hard to figure why they don’t just go ahead and build a Wrangler pickup. The current chassis, at least of the 4 door Wrangler, would work be long enough for a pickup with a 6 foot bed, and with the body-on-frame construction, it should be (relatively) cheap and easy to do.
March 28th, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Fumes from such burning batteries could make you behave like a Jet Blue pilot.
March 28th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
Toyota apparently has their own arrangements for disposing of and recycling battery materials. So far, they haven’t had many to deal with, but when the hybrid cars near the end of life, there will be quite a few of them. So far, Toyota is using only NiMH batteries. The whole process will be a lot different with the Li batteries.
March 28th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
So what you’re saying is GM won’t be leaving the Volt unattended at Burning Man?
March 28th, 2012 at 2:34 pm
#24,
…and I just flew on Jet Blue, and we made it ok.
March 28th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
No crazy Capitan at the cockpit?
March 28th, 2012 at 2:42 pm
If so, he hid it well.
March 28th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
If one can afford the sticker shock of $30k plus of a unlimited, whats another 20k for cheesy Mopar add-ons made in China? Seems like the good ol’ days when SUV’s were making big profits for the Big 3. Same for the sub-compact car market with the more standard features and cheesy options to drive the price up on a car that starts at 15k and easily tops out at $21k, i.e., Ford Feista $22,300 decently equipped. Oh well, if people are dumb enough to sign the dotted line, so be it.
March 28th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Bad move GM . Very bad move ;
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/03/gm-issues-media-black-out-for-ellesmere-port/#more-436955
No better way to garner a ton of negative publicity than a media ‘ Blackout ‘
—-
#21 Yeah yeah , so now you’re a pedantic genius . Like you’ve never stuffed your foot in it . Oh wait ! You just did the other day
Environmental Hazard
That make you happy ?
And just what are those methods Toyota has devised to dispose of their Hybrids batteries ? Which BTW there are multiples of needing disposal .
Funny thing ! I just called two local Toyota dealership as well as Toyota USA and neither had a clue what you’re on about
March 28th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
The whole mopar thing last Thursday was kind of funny. A European guy telling three Detroit Lifers the history of Mopar!!!!!! Sorry John, It just seamed strange.
Ralph Gilles seams like to good of guy to stay a Fiat/Chrysler.
March 28th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@ aliisdad
#18
Buying a JEEP might negate the need for Viagra temporarily , but unfortunately after you’ve owned it for 30 days or more , will require a lengthy prescription of Anti Depressants , AntiAnxiety meds as well as extensive Therapy /Counseling/ Anger Management . Which will then mandate another round of Viagra . So no one loses .
Well ….. except the poor schmuck that bought the JEEP to begin with
March 28th, 2012 at 3:37 pm
just saw an ad for Ford today, $2k rebate on Focus, nothing ever changes with these companies, charge too much and then you gotta give a big discount to move inventory, and it’s not even close to year’s end sales. Ps that should do wonders for Fiesta sales.
March 28th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
#31,
Here’s one of several reports on Toyota’s battery recycling plan:
http://green.autoblog.com/2010/10/29/toyota-launches-nimh-battery-to-battery-recycling-program/
March 28th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
#34,
It’s too bad Ford chose to overprice Fiesta and Focus, because, in hatchback form, they are both rather nice cars. The trouble is, it’s way to easy to get the price of a Focus up to the price of a Prius, which uses a lot less gas.
March 28th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
A few of the Jeep bumpers appear to be at windshield height. Would they be street legal?
March 28th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
It’s really unfortunate that Chry products are sub-par because I think the Grand Cherokee is the best looking unit on the market.
March 28th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Vibrating seats are just a rediculous idea. I know I may go to Hell for saying this,but the only benifit I can see is that some drivers would then be able to remove the batteries from their toys while on the road.
March 28th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
#31,
“Funny thing ! I just called two local Toyota dealership as well as Toyota USA and neither had a clue what you’re on about”
The local dealers might not know, because the batteries rarely fail, but I seriously doubt that you called Toyota USA. If you did, and the person you talked to didn’t know about the battery recycling plan, that person needs some more training.
March 28th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
#39,
I agree. It seems that any maker of “premium” cars needs to come up with something to justify the price difference between Chevy and Cadillac, Toyota and Lexus, etc. Even the companies that sell only expensive cars in the U.S., like M-B and BMW feel the need to be “different,” thus iDrive and similar systems. Then, all of these “innovations” eventually move down market, often to our detriment, as in the case of all the driver distraction crap.
Maybe these vibrating seats will be one “innovation” that dies an early death, but too many “premium car innovations” have survived.
March 28th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
Many of you probably don’t know this,but (un)Manley who runs Jeep had a JK (wrangler) specially built just for him.Why you ask? Because bone stock off the showroom floor the wranglers are junk….expensive junk at that.My brand new 08 JK in one year had 6 factory recalls,and I received the 7th 2 weeks after I traded it in.My first week of ownership resulted in the stereo being replaced,and more importantly,the computer brakes/abs controller had to be replaced.Again,bone stock,at 4800 miles doing 65mph down I-5 heading to a VA appointment I got death wobble.If you don’t know what it is,look it up.In fact,after my VA appointment I went and traded it in for a new truck.Jeeps look cool and everything,they just ain’t built worth a shit.And don’t let anybody tell you “it’s a jeep thing”.You won’t settle for sub-par reliability in a car,you shouldn’t accept it in a jeep.
March 28th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
GA you still have that Focus? if so how has it worked out for you?
March 28th, 2012 at 5:49 pm
The vibrating seats aren’t a bad idea; one other way they work is, if a departure from a driving lane is detected without the use of the turn signal, the seat will alert of this occurrence. This could come in handy; and remember, this is an option and I’m sure you can turn it off if you want to.
As far as the ‘electrics’ that come and go (these days), well it’s a little of deja-vu of say the 1910′s (when all sorts of different vehicle propulsion were battling it out) and the strongest, or the stronger of a few, made the cut, and survived.
March 28th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
@tfMartini #12 — Last week when I mentioned that the idea that gas had to be $12.50 in order for an electric car to compete with gas cars was absurd, you responded with “Interesting method of doing math if I do say so .Been taking math lessons from Obama lately perhaps?”
Well, since anyone with half a brain understood the claim was ridiculous on its face, people did a little digging. What they found was the $12.50 number originated with some conservative blogger who arrived at it by multiplying the number of kWh needed to fully charge a Volt by ten hours. Oops. Small problem. Since kWh already contains hours (that’s why it’s called kilowatt HOURS), doing this gives you kWh^2, which has no meaning, and which throws your number off by a factor of ten.
The right answer, if one can handle 9th grad physics and 3rd grade math, is that it costs $1.25 not $12.50 to charge a Volt. Or stated differently, in order to be competitive with the Volt even a car that got 40 MPG would have to use gas costing $1.25 a gallon. See the difference?
March 28th, 2012 at 6:44 pm
@ Pedro:No,I sold it after my wife passed away 2 years ago.I sold it to my niece and to date nothing has gone wrong or required anything more then oil changes.BTW,my niece bought a new JK the same time I did,and had it about as long too.Her’s was stock and it just spent most of it’s life at the dealership where she bought it.She extremely happy with the Focus,and loves the heated leather seats too.
March 28th, 2012 at 7:17 pm
@ #44
So if I understand correctly, if you do not use your turn signal to change lanes in the Caddy with the shaker seat, then it will let you know? In that case, add electric shock to the seat.
March 28th, 2012 at 7:19 pm
GA Sorry for your loss, I was not aware of this. You would think the Jeeps should be simple and trouble-free, so much for perceptions.
March 28th, 2012 at 7:21 pm
@ #38
The Grand Cherokee is actually one of Chrysler’s better products and stacks up well against its competitors.
March 28th, 2012 at 7:27 pm
@ Pedro: Thanks bro.Jeeps,at least the Wranglers are fairly simple.The quality of the parts,and the way they are put together is the problem.
@ C-Tech:You shouldn’t have much to worry about with the Grand Cherokee.Although nothing is perfect,the quality of the build,and the quality of the fit and finish is pretty much top notch.The rest of the jeep line especially the JK’s is where the problems are.
March 28th, 2012 at 7:30 pm
@ #42
Part of the problem with the Wrangler is that in trying to be “simple” (solid axle suspension front and rear) sometimes lends itself to problems that technology has solved. The “death wobble” issue is not unique to Wranglers, many large 4X4′s with solid axles front and rear are susceptible to this. That is one of the reasons why most SUV 4X4′s have front independent suspensions, if not all independent suspensions.
March 28th, 2012 at 7:35 pm
The amazing thing about Wranglers (to me) is the amount of money people spend on accessories and modifications BEFORE they leave the dealer. Lift kits and tire/wheel packages for $6,000 (I saw a lift kit on a 2WD Wrangler!?!) side steps, bumpers, tubular doors, etc.
March 28th, 2012 at 7:45 pm
#12—You write as if your an expert on the topic of electrically powered vehicles, but from what I see, you are full of air.
March 28th, 2012 at 8:00 pm
# @53
You will find Mr. Martin has a strong opinion about many things. We are all sometimes right and sometimes wrong.
March 28th, 2012 at 8:52 pm
#52,
Until recently, I didn’t realize they even sold 2WD Wranglers. I guess they only sell, or sold, the “unlimited” 4 door Wrangler as 2WD.
March 28th, 2012 at 9:31 pm
#45,
I’ve had a couple things sent to me from right-winger acquaintances which just plain mis-stated the cost of electricity by a factor of ten. What I received said that electricity cost $1.16 per kWh, when it is actually is about $0.116 per kWh average in the U.S.
March 28th, 2012 at 9:33 pm
All except the Rubicon I believe can be ordered 2 wheel drive.
Solid front axles lend themselves to off roading much better then IFS.Also IFS have more moving parts then the solid axles.Solid axles are also tons more maneuverable too.I have had many of both.
As to DW,yes solid front axles are prone to that but with QUALITY parts and more substantial attach points that is vertually eliminated.I had two dodge rams that had solid front axles and never had a problem with DW,fyi.
March 28th, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Six concept vehicles from Jeep that make no mention of EPA mileage estimates, hybrid or EV powertrains, or the latest and greatest technological driving distractions; what a breath of fresh media air! It’s nice to see that some automakers still recognize a market for vehicles that are just plain fun–in one form or another. Sure there are others, but at least these got some air time.
March 29th, 2012 at 7:37 am
arrivaDC, mi gente
March 29th, 2012 at 8:15 am
#57,
Using the “build my own” tool on the Jeep web site, it looks like 4WD is now standard on all Wranglers.
March 29th, 2012 at 8:21 am
They sold 2WD Wranglers from 2007-2010, but they were automatic-only in ’09 and ’10.
Since a majority of Wranglers are bought for “the look,” I don’t know why they quit selling them 2WD, except to retain the “purity” of the vehicle as an off-roader.
March 29th, 2012 at 11:08 am
BIG BROTHER Is Here …. Compliments of GM
http://jalopnik.com/5897429/gm-will-let-you-spy-on-your-spouse-for-just-pennies-a-day
And you thought Rupert Murdoch has unlimited access to your ‘ private ‘ life
——–
#61
Same reason they stopped selling the Wrangler P/U . extended wheelbase 2dr , etc etc etc
NOBODY WAS BUYING THEM !
Business 101 . Supply & Demand you know
March 29th, 2012 at 11:17 am
@ john787 ( C-tech as well )
Prove me wrong on one solitary point I made about E/V’s in the above post .
Just one !
Problem is …. you can’t . Mainly because my info on E/v’s is based on F-A-C-T-S….. not Vapor Ware – Pie in the Sky – Dreamy Eyed – ObamaGanda – Wishful Thinking
Errrrr. Not to mention the FACT that BMW /Daimler Benz etc engineers all agree with the facts I have . Fact is much of my info comes from them . Not any Righty Tighty – NeoCon – Tea Party – Head in the Sand fools !
( take special notice of the ‘ engineers ‘ word in that sentence )
But please . Entertain me . Prove me wrong on just one statement I made above .
March 29th, 2012 at 11:20 am
I suppose the people who would be buy the 2WD Wranglers still buy Wranglers, rather than something else. They didn’t sell a lot of them with 2WD, but it wasn’t a big deal to build them that way. Also, there was certainly a “precedent,” with the Jeepsters of the 50′s and 60′s.
March 29th, 2012 at 11:30 am
EV’s work as a very small niche of the market, where the range is adequate for the intended use.
As far as the infrastructure and power grid, it is fine for a certain number of EV’s which would normally be plugged in at home, overnight, when power demand is relatively small.
Yes, they will probably never be “do everything” cars for road trips, etc., but they serve a purpose for some people.
As far as the electric Transit Connects, if the sales goal was 3000/year, it seems that their goal was way optimistic. A vehicle like that would seem to have only one use, some kind of delivery service driving a limited number of miles, and with the van parked for charging overnight. That’s not a big market.
March 29th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
@ # 60:When you go to build your own on the wranglers,please note you have to check the 4×4 box.If you don’t,you just built a 2 wheel drive.
March 29th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
Using the 4-door Wrangler chassis to re-pop the old CJ-8 “Scrambler” form-factor is a good idea, IMO.
Cheap to create and with the various top styles, it might find some buyers. I was always fond of the original, myself.