GM CEO: Toyota Prius is a "geek-mobile" that "I wouldn't be caught dead in"

In a couple of years we will all know if the Volt has a sustainable market. Personally, I think it has to be no more expensive than the LEAF to have a chance, assuming it does not carry on the tradition of GM unquality.

Its immediate problem is emissions. Californians and DC suburbanites have proved that they will pay a high premium to drive in HOV lanes. Until the Volt is PZEV that perk is denied the car and a big chunk of the early adopter market. Letting the LEAF have that market uncontested has to be one the really brain dead moves of the Volt "misadventure in hype."

 

No disagreement from me on this.

EVs and PHVs are too new for miles/kWH too have much meaning to buyers. Everyone is still thinking that electricity is so much cheaper than gas or diesel that mpkwh doesn't matter.

But the most gas efficient car should make the most electric efficient car - Prius wins!

I was not aware that "PHV Prius is slightly more efficient in running on gas alone than the [current] HV Prius" ... Even better

 

See studies like the 2 month one on the Prius PHV form CCSE -

http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-...ial-toyota-prius-plug-in-hybrid-vehicles.html

We have cheap electricity, so I'll use $.13/kWh and $3.15 / gallon to compare PHV vs. 2010 Prius -

PHV energy cost in study = 42 * $3.15 + 300 * $.13 = $171.30

2010 Prius = (3,455 miles / 50 MPG) * $3.15 = $217.66

So, @ 12k mi/yr, PHV saves = 12k/3,455 * $46.36 ~ $161 / year

Early adopters will buy Volt, PHV because it uses less gas for their driving routines.

 

Giving it a Euro slant where fuel is 2.5 times more expensive the savings would be £260 or $400 a year (approx). Not a great deal, but obviously beneficial for those who do higher mileages - ie ME! I do 36k miles a year so would save £260 * 3 = £780/$1200 each year. Definitely worth looking into.

 

Yeah. Do most PHV ower's remain faithful to plug-in when needed? Or, for some, does it get old after a while, they get lazy and skip it sometimes? (who's going to incriminate themselves )

It would kinda stink to forget to plug in Volt.

 

volt goes 380 miles on a tank and charge
prius goes 500 miles on a tank



i want to be the one giving him the finger as i pass him at the gas station

 

Crude........
But succinctly put...
+1

 

My VW TDI went 700+ miles on a tank, I could have given both of you my whole hand.

 

Volt's top speed is 100 mph. Prius is 112 mph.

 

Since I am already a hybrid owner, I am much more likely to buy a Volt than other consumers. BUT, now that the CEO took the trouble out of his important schedule to insult me, I really want to buy a Volt. I am very worried that people will think I am a Geek because of my unattractive car. I thought it looked fine, but now I know that only a geek would think this. Buying my new Volt will solve my image problem and I will have many friends if I buy one and people will like me. Yes, thank you so much for insulting me, Mr. CEO. It endears me to you so much.

 

Two key factors:
- Scheduled charging: plugging the car in will not begin the charging so you don't have to wait until off-peak to plug it in.
- Plugging it in doesn't affect utility. A car isn't something you carry around with you to maximize utility. You go to your car to use it.

You park. You get out. You plug it in.
You unplug it. You get in. You drive away.

Forgetting will only be an issue if your charging space is blocked and you have to wait to gain access to it.

 

It's this type of forward thinking that got GM where it deserves.

/GM = crap
//duh

 

Volt: 40 AER
Prius PHEV: 13 AER
My commute 41.4 miles round trip.
Gallons consumed per commute day in Volt: 1.4/25* ~= 0.056. Fill every 142 days.
Gallons consumed per commute in Prius PHEV: 27.4/53** = 0.517. Fill every 19 days.

I'd still prefer a LEAF unless Toyota released a Prius-40.

* Volt would be doing a very short distance on the engine so would be particularly inefficient in that distance. The Prius' penalty would be less significant so I was generous and ignored it.
** Based on my 2010 mileage logs.

 

^^^ Meaning that for the Volt to not have new fuel added in close to 5 months, meaning the octane rating of fuel reduces, and over the long term operation of the vehicle, get sludge build up and jellyness of gasoline...

But, only a little thing

The CEO comments that initiated this discussion is a reflection of a problem which is actually affecting most major manufacturers - similar to recent incorrect comments on the vehicles operation by previous CEO and directors...

Not enough people running these companies (Toyota included) that have experience in both: Mechanics, engineering, Dealership operations, Sales etc - soooo many of these bozo's are University taught paper pushers that actually have little idea about how ANY of the technology works... Let alone giving them the ability to explain it to an unknowing public...

He is a right twit for alienating what MIGHT have been his biggest conquest segment (open minded Prius drivers looking for the next big thing - regardless of maker, more focused on MPG/L100klms and emissions etc.)

Good for him I say! Bad for Holden (GMH) and GOOOOD for Toyota

 

Um, winter temps in Main? If you're talking winter in Main, you'd be lucky to get 20 miles EV with a Volt ... that is if you don't use the heater too much. Ask any Canadian, Alaskan, or extreme northern cold state hybrid owner who does real cold winter driving. Cold and batteries have a funny way of effecting e/other. Around mile 20, the ICE will kick in, and in (Cold weather) charge sustain mode, you get maybe 27mpg. That's a mighty underwhelming statistic, for a $41,000 so called "high mileage" ride. Meah ... maybe if you add an EBH ... and grill block ... and pre-heat the Volt's battery pack, etc, you'll do so-so ... just like a Prius ... only you'll be doing it for an extra five figures.

 

Sorry but who's queer?

[IMGLINK]http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:EDN4lYwDcryXGM::forums.kilometermagazine.com/showthread.php?5025357-Sexy-Vdubs-and-BMW-s-only-post-your-pictures&t=1&usg=AFrqEzcGfhxZFOLNrVZWNpZJ_TT7GfHTQg[/IMGLINK]

NOT THAT THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT! LMAO


ohhhh that was fun. good times...

 

Totally proud to be a Prius geek..!
Geeks unite!

The ocean thanks us, BTW.
I'm making a film series on acid oceans now about how the pH is changing faster than nature can buffer it - due to our carbon emissions - this finally pushed me into buying the Prius I've always wanted. It all suddenly felt very, very urgent.

Leaving BMW behind and not even looking back.

I am grateful for all you Prius drivers, more than I can ever say.

 

Sounds interesting. Never knew about changing ph levels in the seas before. Is this really due to carbon emissions? When do we get to see these films you're doing?

 

At least the Edsel wasn't wildly more expensive than Ford's other cars...

 

You are ignorant and biased.