[Stromfahrer]

I didn't see that anyone had yet posted this:

http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-lutz-qa-20170330-story.html

 

[bro1999]

"Model X looks like a loaf of bread."
lulz

 

[snic]

"If he [President Trump] works with the business alliances and the car industry and gets a list that says these are the 10 regulations that have to go, and if he actually gets rid of those, it will create tons of American jobs."

I wish he'd explain how, exactly, getting rid of automotive industry regulations would create jobs. Without detail, this is just blowing smoke. And speaking of smoke, I wish he'd also reveal what the effects on safety and the environment would be.

 

[Bacardi]

What? He's still bitter that Tesla hasn't gone under? lol

"Model X looks like a loaf of bread."
lulz

I somewhat agree, I always thought the X looked more like a minivan than a "SUV" but at least there's some elevated ground clearance unlike most vans...

 

[Mcgsp]

"If he [President Trump] works with the business alliances and the car industry and gets a list that says these are the 10 regulations that have to go, and if he actually gets rid of those, it will create tons of American jobs."

I wish he'd explain how, exactly, getting rid of automotive industry regulations would create jobs. Without detail, this is just blowing smoke. And speaking of smoke, I wish he'd also reveal what the effects on safety and the environment would be.

While I differ with him on many issues including his politics. He at least gave a sobering account in short phrases of real issues confronting us with one remedy that I agree with. 1. being increasing the federal fuel tax by .25¢. Though he did not elaborate he realizes like many americans the time wasted in traffic both from health and economic standpoint and though he did not give any real answers on that subject, it is not hard to come up with a number of solutions just by asking that question.
There other sobering thought he put out is how little the market share for EVs is currently and will be in the future. Like many on this forum I'm disappointed on how few EVs are actually sold compared to ICEs. Unfortunately for Lutz and many would be potential EV owners, the question of the time required to recharge seems to be prevalent on the mind of potential buyers. The sad part for those buyers, they do not compare the time wasted going to gas stations, having oil changes or general maintenance at garages. And unfortunately the media has not been helpful on this matter.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Blastphemy]

What? He's still bitter that Tesla hasn't gone under? lol.

He's probably more bitter that Tesla now has a market cap greater than Ford's, and that Tesla is slowly catching up to GM.

 

[Bacardi]

While I differ with him on many issues including his politics. He at least gave a sobering account in short phrases of real issues confronting us with one remedy that I agree with. 1. being increasing the federal fuel tax by .25¢. Though he did not elaborate he realizes like many americans the time wasted in traffic both from health and economic standpoint and though he did not give any real answers on that subject, it is not hard to come up with a number of solutions just by asking that question.
There other sobering thought he put out is how little the market share for EVs is currently and will be in the future. Like many on this forum I'm disappointed on how few EVs are actually sold compared to ICEs. Unfortunately for Lutz and many would be potential EV owners, the question of the time required to recharge seems to be prevalent on the mind of potential buyers. The sad part for those buyers, they do not compare the time wasted going to gas stations, having oil changes or general maintenance at garages. And unfortunately the media has not been helpful on this matter.

Thanks for sharing.

What is more realistic and is currently being piloted in a few areas is "pay by mile tax"...As minor bonuses, it could help lessen traffic, promote carpooling and people to make errand runs on planned trips...Charge EVs a lesser amount than ICE vehicles...

Here's a recent news article on the program in the state of Washington http://www.king5.com/traffic/traffic-news/state-shares-more-on-pay-per-mile-pilot-program/424302837

He's probably more bitter that Tesla now has a market cap greater than Ford's, and that Tesla is slowly catching up to GM.

He's probably kicking himself for not acquiring Tesla when they could have paid next to nothing for them in the late 2000s...

In this article he states:

"What do you think will happen with Tesla down the line? Bought by a traditional auto company?

Maybe, but who needs it? [Musk] has no technology that’s not available to anybody else. It’s lithium-ion cobalt batteries. Every carmaker on the planet has electric vehicles in the works with a 200-300-mile range."

Yet a year ago he says "'like members of a religious cult'"...Tesla is ADORED (outside this forum, lol), Lutz wishes any of his projects were as adored...

 

[Steverino]

In this article he states:

"What do you think will happen with Tesla down the line? Bought by a traditional auto company?

Maybe, but who needs it? [Musk] has no technology that’s not available to anybody else. It’s lithium-ion cobalt batteries. Every carmaker on the planet has electric vehicles in the works with a 200-300-mile range."

Yet a year ago he says "'like members of a religious cult'"...Tesla is ADORED (outside this forum, lol), Lutz wishes any of his projects were as adored...

He was right, but missed the marketing aspect and the dealer challenge aspect. Chevy is simply awful at marketing the Volt and so far the Bolt EV. They don't have a Musk working the social media angle and they don't make up for the deficit with other marketing. And Musk was right about traditional car companies having a hard time selling against their ICE products. Both give Tesla an advantage, as well as using the speed and styling to his advantage. It's always been true that GM could out-engineer and outsell Tesla if they had the will to do so.

 

[jupitermoon]

"If he [President Trump] works with the business alliances and the car industry and gets a list that says these are the 10 regulations that have to go, and if he actually gets rid of those, it will create tons of American jobs."

I wish he'd explain how, exactly, getting rid of automotive industry regulations would create jobs. Without detail, this is just blowing smoke. And speaking of smoke, I wish he'd also reveal what the effects on safety and the environment would be.

It won't create jobs....it'll only create money for the status quo shills who support the archaic oil and gas industries and the current idiotic auto industries that support them. Lutz is a dinosaur just like the crap that's being pumped out of the ground.

I am in disbelief in how these people can get away with such blatant lies. If this country wants to "lead" the world...which is a loaded statement to begin with...then it better get fast-tracked into alternative energy where ten times as many jobs will be created and had not just for the present generations but for the future.

Is Lutz that brain-dead to think current generations of young folk will or want to have the lives of the older/former ones living in some old energy schemes when there are so many more elegant and efficient solutions to our energy problems available? What a jokester.

 

[Bacardi]

He was right, but missed the marketing aspect and the dealer challenge aspect. Chevy is simply awful at marketing the Volt and so far the Bolt EV. They don't have a Musk working the social media angle and they don't make up for the deficit with other marketing. And Musk was right about traditional car companies having a hard time selling against their ICE products. Both give Tesla an advantage, as well as using the speed and styling to his advantage. It's always been true that GM could out-engineer and outsell Tesla if they had the will to do so.

All of the above still has issues...Someone greenlighted the Volt at launch under the worst GM brand which by default is the worst dealers...They still launched the Gen2 Volt under Chevy...Now the Bolt, they added the dealership requirement to add DCFC, perfect opportunity to put a Caddy/Buick badge on it which would improve the dealership experience...

Then let's look at bad dealerships, are there folks who go to the dealership because they're intrigued with the Volt/Bolt, a bad salesman says "Volt/Bolt, Really? You look more like a Corvette guy", are folks so turned off they run to the Toyota dealership? Of all the dealerships who sells EVs vs ICE, Nissan has had by far least amount of complaints...

Agreed with the marketing...

 

[DonC]

Lutz always makes for good copy. I miss him if for nothing other than entertainment. But he does know the business.

He's probably more bitter that Tesla now has a market cap greater than Ford's, and that Tesla is slowly catching up to GM.

Well there is GoPro with stock that went from 80 to 8, and Valeant with a stock price that went from 250 to 10. And those companies actually have earnings, which tend to be a big plus when valuing stock.

I doubt Lutz or anyone at GM or Ford cares about Tesla's stock valuation. Why would they? Won't effect them one way or the other.

It won't create jobs....it'll only create money for the status quo shills who support the archaic oil and gas industries and the current idiotic auto industries that support them.

I'd be interested in learning what ten regulations he thinks would have that kind of impact. Seems crazy. At some point you'd hope that the meme that all that keeps us from unending prosperity is government regulations would die a deserving death. Do people seriously think that places with no government regulation, like Somalia, are good places to do business? It's particularly special coming from a guy who needed the government to bail out his company after it ran itself into the ground.

All of the above still has issues...Someone greenlighted the Volt at launch under the worst GM brand which by default is the worst dealers

The stated purpose of the Volt, from GM's perspective, was to increase mind share for Chevrolet among high paid workers on the coasts. From that perspective the Volt has been a success and the Chevy brand was the right brand to use. (I believe that the Volt is the best selling Chevy in some parts of California, such as San Francisco).

 

[Steverino]

The stated purpose of the Volt, from GM's perspective, was to increase mind share for Chevrolet among high paid workers on the coasts. From that perspective the Volt has been a success and the Chevy brand was the right brand to use. (I believe that the Volt is the best selling Chevy in some parts of California, such as San Francisco).

The Volt was the first American car I have bought. And I never cared much for GM. So I am what is called a "conquest sale".

 

[mikeg3]

He's probably kicking himself for not acquiring Tesla when they could have paid next to nothing for them in the late 2000s...

In this article he states:

"What do you think will happen with Tesla down the line? Bought by a traditional auto company?

Maybe, but who needs it? [Musk] has no technology that’s not available to anybody else. It’s lithium-ion cobalt batteries. Every carmaker on the planet has electric vehicles in the works with a 200-300-mile range."

Yet a year ago he says "'like members of a religious cult'"...Tesla is ADORED (outside this forum, lol), Lutz wishes any of his projects were as adored...

Tesla without Elon Musk would be like Apple has become without Steve Jobs. Musk lacks Lutz's political savvy and Lutz's clout in GM and Musk would soon quit in disgust. Tesla's value lies in Musk's creative spark, not some particular bits of technology.

 

[jupitermoon]

I'd be interested in learning what ten regulations he thinks would have that kind of impact. Seems crazy. At some point you'd hope that the meme that all that keeps us from unending prosperity is government regulations would die a deserving death. Do people seriously think that places with no government regulation, like Somalia, are good places to do business? It's particularly special coming from a guy who needed the government to bail out his company after it ran itself into the ground.

The bailout of the auto industry wasn't so much for the auto industry as it was to keep the link between the industry itself and the products it consumes to make it work. The tie between the oil and auto industry is undeniable and anyone who claims there is no link is a complete utter dissolutioned fool.

I agree with you about the ludicrousness of most shills who shout that government involvement and regulation should be abolished are loonies. There needs to be oversight and protection against these companies towards the citizens who pay through the nose to keep the government funded and paid for.

The unfortunate breakdown comes when the very same people in government...who are supposed to support the people of the country...support and brown nose to the companies and corporations instead. The current government has turned into a corporate whore house and nothing less. The sad part of it is that they aren't smart whores...because the public has a lot more money than any corporate entity could ever have but it's not seen that way.

There are a lot of reasons as to why these crooks in government keep supporting these corporations....out of fear, out of greed, out of complacency being content with their highly paid, low effort, excellent benefited jobs with great perks, longevity, and real pensions for life. Who wouldn't get their noses full of crap to keep such a role?

 

[charliebrown]

There is a scene in the movie "Revenge of the Electric Car" where Lutz is asked his reasons for developing the Volt and he quips "We're not about to be out-done by some startup in California" (sic).

 

[jupitermoon]

There is a scene in the movie "Revenge of the Electric Car" where Lutz is asked his reasons for developing the Volt and he quips "We're not about to be out-done by some startup in California" (sic).

This is precisely the attitude that most aholes in power have...including the crooks in companies and the government. This isn't about doing the right thing for people, or the environment, or for future generations or anything at all...it's only...and I mean ONLY about their egos and how to satisfy it and not let them feel left behind.

We look around us and wonder why the world is in the state that is in...with solutions to many of the problems we face that are never implemented or technologies that are held back from current use even though they could very well be used...or conflicts around the world that could so easily be resolved with simple hand-shakes and logical ways....it all falls apart because of ego and greed and power complexes.

 

[quirkySquirt]

The Volt was the first American car I have bought. And I never cared much for GM. So I am what is called a "conquest sale".

Same here. Never owned a car of my own and was saving for a Honda or Toyota until I started shopping and learned about the Volt.