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I assume that GM PUMA (the Segway thing) is just something to get people used to the fact that GM is going bankrupt. Who can look at that and not think "GM really needs to go bankrupt."?
It is basically an NEV that balances on 2 wheels. What is the point? It's like an NEV except that it costs twice as much! WTF? If you want an NEV, then go buy an NEV.
Seriously now . . . that PUMA is a joke on wheels. They are trying to get people to demand bankruptcy for GM.
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Note to Elon Musk.
He who lives in glass palaces should not throw stones. OK, EREV doesn't work for you or you think it's too expensive but GM obviously thinks it will work and that is what Plug-in America has been working towards for a couple of years now. Yes it is true that the motor is underpowered to provide enough juice to power the electric motor if the battery is dead but GM didn't design it that way. The gas engine kicks in when the battery reaches 30% SOC. Energy for acceleration is tapped from the battery and put back in after it reaches cruising speed.
GM can apparently sell it at a loss for now which may be under $40,000.00. If GM sold it for $50,000.00 it could make a profit. That price matches the Tesla Model S base sticker price. Except, oh wait, you said it would cost additional to add more batteries to get additional range beyond the 140 miles.
Fisker is way ahead of you Elon. They will be delivering a plug-in hybrid that goes 60 miles on a charge before the gasoline engine kicks in and while it's around $80,000.00 it will get a full range well beyond 140 miles but it's electric range would be sufficient for the driving most people do in a day. To get the 300 mile battery range what will the Model S cost then? $70,000? $80,000? More?
Now onto criticism of GM. I don't want to cut GM too much slack. When I first saw the urban Segway machine, PUMA, I thought it was a tiny dumpster on wheels. You gotta be kidding me! GM, stick to EREV technology and concentrate on getting the Volt out first. After that expand it to the rest of your fleet.
Rick, from the oil capitol of the world, Houston, TX.
PS: Happy Birthday Ryan. I hope your Tesla has a radio remote control.
Woo Hoo. EVCast has a Tesla Roadster.
Glad you guys told me that they had Tesla's on ebay. I was able to pick that baby up on the cheap. You know, global economic meltdown and all.
Happy Birthday Ryan. But remember to share the Tesla with Bo.
LaterJohn C. Briggs
I said before how I thought a pure EV would help GM's image but the Puma is not what I had in mind. It's a little too forward thinking and what GM desperately needs is a product that they can make now, that people can get EXCITED about today, and not 20 years from now. Not to completely pan the Puma-- I can understand the thinking behind it. It's a vehicle for densely populated urban areas. It's got a small footprint, it's fast and efficient. It's covered so you're protected from the elements. The problem is that it's a vehicle that's designed to compete well against bicycles and golf carts! GM IS SUPPOSED TO BE A CAR COMPANY.