EVcast #153: EV Plans for 2009

there is no such thing as a production prototype!! it is either a prototype or it is in production.

the detroit auto show is full of prototype models. any high school kid can make a prototype EV.
GM and the others are just clinging on to what is left of the vanishing stockholders and more BS about how advanced they are. meanwhile the companies that are producing a quality plug in auto aren't going to waste their time with Detroit bullshit.

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There is a range of prototypes

1) R&D prototype, where ideas are not firmed up
2) Early prototypes, made from soft-tooling (aluminum molds)
3) Hardtooling prototypes, make from production intent tooling
4) Initial factory run prototypes, made in the factory during bringup of the factory.

Once the tooling has been approved and the production factory equipment has been approved, and product made from this tooling and factory equipment has been tested and approved, then you are in production.

  Everything up to that point will probably be scrapped.  It is a long process.

  I think the idea behind "Production prototype" is that this is a "prototype" that looks like the production model.  This is the phase where the look is correct but some of the tooling or factory equipment is still being worked on.

   There is actually an art to figuring out the BS level of a prototype.  By the time the manufacture is using hard-tooling, they are pretty committeed to the project.  I think GM may be close to that point with the Volt.  But you have to ask the right questions about how the parts of the car were produced.

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Th!nk rising from the dead!  Or least getting a respite:  http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/01/13/th-nk-saved-by-outside-investors-ener1/

I hope they are able to make it thru 2009- I do like their product, and especially their plans for the Ox.

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"Some Country That Doesnt Care If People get Killed" , should be replaced with "Some country where the environmental and safety laws are run by government and the big automakers to keep complete dominance and control of the market."

You also forgot BG auto group that has yet to miss a deadline.

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I think the EV car manufacturer should focus more on the EV parts. I own a Nissan Leaf and right now its doing great for me but I heard and read a lot of articles that says that EV car parts are less durable compare to gas cars due to the excessive effort of the manufacturers to make the whole car "green" if you know what I mean. I suggest they should use parts that are reliable and has reputation to market, Let say catco parts and other reputable parts producer in the market to ensure the quality of EV cars.

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