[Dave B]

Although we all know there's a difference between a PHEV and ERev, this caught my eye. With a possible 60 miles of total all electric range, that is mighty interesting:

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/03/byd-wants-to-sell-hybrids-in-europe-by-2010/

I know it's Chinese, but don't count BYD or Miles out of the picture because they CAN keep costs at the $30,000 threshold.

 

[Jim I]

So how are you so sure these companies "CAN" keep the price under $30K, and still meet all USA and EU guidelines for safety, etc?

 

[Dave B]

So how are you so sure these companies "CAN" keep the price under $30K, and still meet all USA and EU guidelines for safety, etc?

Just a hunch. Miles is the group that went after Tesla for requesting a waiver for airbags in their Roadster. I assume Miles can exceed safety standards when they go bashing competitors. With production costs in China, things are just too darn competitive in any industry. As for safety, I'm yet to hear about any tests but understand they are to begin any day now. Time will tell.

 

[Jason M. Hendler]

With the radical change over in new technologies, we will see some new entrants succeed, while some older companies fail. Who really knows who will come out on top?

I can say that GM, Tesla, Fisker and Aptera are all well positioned for future growth in the EV market, because each has a strength they are leveraging:

GM - E-REV config at $40K or less is very marketable, they have all the money, manufacturing and design capability in hand
Tesla - high tech for high price is viable, with a smart business plan to move down market
Fisker - Quantum Tech is an established Tier 1 supplier and Heinrich Fisker is the greatest living auto stylist in the world
Aptera - greatest range / kWHr of stored energy of any proposed vehicle, by at least a factor of two - their aero design / styling is a factor that matters, and they have that advantage

 

[Dave B]

With the radical change over in new technologies, we will see some new entrants succeed, while some older companies fail. Who really knows who will come out on top?

I can say that GM, Tesla, Fisker and Aptera are all well positioned for future growth in the EV market, because each has a strength they are leveraging:

GM - E-REV config at $40K or less is very marketable, they have all the money, manufacturing and design capability in hand
Tesla - high tech for high price is viable, with a smart business plan to move down market
Fisker - Quantum Tech is an established Tier 1 supplier and Heinrich Fisker is the greatest living auto stylist in the world
Aptera - greatest range / kWHr of stored energy of any proposed vehicle, by at least a factor of two - their aero design / styling is a factor that matters, and they have that advantage

I don't care to see a clear winner. I want to see some serious competition to help out the consumer. I'd like to see the foreign compeitors get in the fight as well, to encourage everyone to be their best. Miles, BYD, Mitsui, Suburu, even the dreaded Toyota. That's the quickest chance we have at giving the bird to OPEC.

 

[Jason M. Hendler]

I don't care to see a clear winner. I want to see some serious competition to help out the consumer. I'd like to see the foreign compeitors get in the fight as well, to encourage everyone to be their best. Miles, BYD, Mitsui, Suburu, even the dreaded Toyota. That's the quickest chance we have at giving the bird to OPEC.

The Japanese will be offering high fuel economy gasoline ICE vehicles for our car market, like the Honda Civic, and parallel hybrids like the Toyota Prius. Not to worry, the Japanese will be selling many, many vehicles.

 

[Dave B]

Missed this article pasted below. What caught my eye was the paragraph about the E6 model with the 248 mile range already operating in China as a taxi. Wonder if that's true?!




BYD China looking to build Euro hybrids by 2010


Nate_Martinez
Posted Yesterday 01:33 PM by Nate Martinez
Category: Auto News, Industry News, China

Chinese automaker Build Your Dreams (BYD) is planning on using its experience in mobile phone battery development to construct dual-mode, gasoline-electric hybrid plug-in vehicles to be sold in Europe by 2010.

Automotive News reports that company owner Chuanfu Wang indicated at last month's Geneva Motor Show that there is a strong potential market for BYD's hybrid cars in Europe. The Chinese automaker is in negotiations with several European car distributors for rights to the brand.
2008_byd_f6_front

BYD's gas-electric plug-in cars will use ferrous battery technology that is said to allow for an operating range of 110 kilometers, or about 68 miles, versus the reported 20 kilometers for the plug-in Toyota Prius, which uses lithium ion battery technology.

This fall, BYD plans to sell their F6DM gasoline-electric hybrid in China, followed by the smaller F3DM hatchback hybrid. Both cars will carry a 5000 euro ($7800) premium over regular gasoline versions and will have a targeted production run of 2000 vehicles per month in 2009.

Wang predicts the European market will demand upwards of 2000 BYD hybrids per month and is currently looking for locations to produce the cars in Europe to cut production and shipping costs. BYD's parent group, the BYD Group, already has battery production facilities in Romania and Hungary and will supply ferrous batteries.

Wang hinted that the automaker will bring its new all-electric version of its E6 model sedan that features a 248 mile range to Geneva in 2009. The all new sedan is currently used as a taxi in the busy streets of Beijing, China.

Of course, as with any major announcement from a Chinese automaker regarding future products for Europe or the U.S., especially models with high-tech powertrains, we'll believe it when we drive it.

Source: Automotive News

http://wot.motortrend.com/6237544/a...king_to_build_euro_hybrids_by_2010/index.html

 

[Jason M. Hendler]

So how are you so sure these companies "CAN" keep the price under $30K, and still meet all USA and EU guidelines for safety, etc?

Now that the dollar has sunk so deeply against foreign currencies, and since the UAW has settled longterm liabilities and lowered new hire wages, the US automakers are well positioned to greatly increase production in the US:

Detroit link

The lesson here: If you do the right things business wise, you will be well positioned no matter what economic conditions hit you.

 

[Dave B]

I'm yet to see one of these prototypes actually work...BUT the WSJ picked them up and allegedly we're to see this car on Sunday. If it is true, I'm certainly interested in listening.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120849294773525787.html?mod=googlenews_wsj