On Sun, 10 Feb 2013 07:48:18 -0800, whoyakidding's ghost wrote:
I pointed out earlier that the Volt is right at average new car cost after tax credits. About $33k. In one ear, out the other.. Most people have poor understanding of finances. What's the "average" car? There is none. My cars have always been low-cost used, and I've done most the maintenance myself. The lowest cost in the link you posted above is leagues beyond my cost. But I have 2 daughters who recently bought Hyundai Santa Fe's and paid right near Volt price. Which, I repeat, is "average" new car price. To them the Santa Fe is the head turner. The same people who won't flinch at a $40k pick-up truck used almost entirely to commute and fetch groceries are real quick to yell "Too expensive!" about the lesser cost of a Volt. Then you get into actual yearly miles. For me I would hardly ever have to put gas in a Volt. Ideal in that respect.. Sweet, so sweet. My electric rates are very low too. And I also know IT HAS A GAS TANK, AN ENGINE, AND UNRESTRICTED RANGE. Just about every joker knocking the Volt still thinks it's a purely "electric car" and restricts you to driving 40 miles a day. No matter what how many times you correct them, they forget in about 5 minutes. They move their mind control to the "no logic" setting. Why? It's not about logic. It's all partisan politics. reactionary response to perceived "greenies," or GM hatred engendered by being a sucker for a Vega or some other GM model that screwed them.
"Individual responsibility" never seems to work too well work well in this - maybe "mass responsibility." That's reflected by the politicians elected, and that's largely dependant on the market force of gasoline price. The success of plug-in hybrids, electrics and alternative fuel vehicles are largely determined by how gasoline price shapes regulation and law. But it always comes back to almost pure supply/demand in the U.S. Most countries put a fed tax on a gallon of gas of +$3.00. U.S? 18 cents. That's one big reason for a bridge collapsing. But hey, this is the U.S., land of wide open ranges, cowboy hats, and pick-up trucks. I think it will really take +5 buck a gallon gas to ramp up "non traditionally" powered cars in the U.S. Europe might be testing that now for the Volt market. The Ampera has helped boost "Volt" sales to +30k for 2012. One option for GM to make the Volt "acceptable" is to produce a Volterado. That's a pick-up with a beefed up Volt drivetrain, 4 feet of battery space in front of an 8 foot bed, 20" wheels and a lift package so it rides way up high, way up high. Them cowboys would cough up $70-80k for that bad boy. Just need to sell a good charger with it. Top Gear was uncharacteristically laudatory toward GM with their Ampera review.