04-17-2008, 03:29 PM | #1 | |
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Americans unwilling to pay for big fuel economy gains, carmakers say
Very very interesting read you all should take a close look at.
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"Let the rest of the world dream of Ferraris, Lamborghinis and dinky little British two-seaters. In this country speed doesn't look like that." Got SS?
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04-17-2008, 04:36 PM | #2 |
Camaro Fanatic
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Its funny that they didnt mention the huge amounts of shale oil deposits in america or the massive amount of oil in Alaska how the hell can they want to end foriegn dependancy and not even mention all the oil that we have here. where the hell do they expect to grow all of this soy at? looks like the 5th gen may be the last car I EVER BUY!!!. The way things are headed, I feel sorry for my kids.
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04-17-2008, 05:08 PM | #3 |
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Well, for one...I'm willing to pay a lil' extra for the VOLT. Heck yeah...
Two....Coskata IS going to play a HUGE role in the future. And I think there's going to be a lot of followers in this. Once all the dust settles, I think fewer trucks will be sold (with a higher price tag), more hybrid veh's will be sold, and more gas/ethanol veh's will be sold. I know this might sound crazy to some, but I'd be willing to pay a little more and have my Camaro electric able. For the times I drive to work and back (which is literally everyday) I wouldn't mind being able to flip a switch and have my 450hp Camaro be silent. How'd you like them apples?!?! Suddenly, and completeley without warning, a Camaro silently screams up behind you with those halos just staring at you to "get outta da way!" like my "silently screams?" hehe Gasoline engines are here to stay. Gas prices might go through the roof. But, the majority of veh's on the road will be a hybrid of some sort...and eventually the most being electric.....most. And as per the consumer paying those higher prices for the hybrid? It'll happen. But, not for long. Once the technology is here, it'll be just like the combustible engines of (yesterday and) today. And another thing....I know it'll never happen...but if the big three got together and shared info on their electric/hybrid, the good old USA would swipe the majority of foreign auto sales right up...keeping those US dollars right here in our homeland. THAT, is just an opinion. I'd prefer for GM to clean house, but ya'll know what I mean...... |
04-17-2008, 06:01 PM | #4 |
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I don't think there's any one solution, because clearly there isn't. As years pass and research continues going more in depth there will arise viable long term solutions, it's jut going to take time to get there. As for paying more? Well Americans won't have much of a choice, will they? Spend more at the pump annually with more frequent trips, or making a one time investment with the purchase of a highly fuel efficient vehicle that makes fewer trips to the gas pump that's a little pricey? I know which alternative I'd opt for.
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"Let the rest of the world dream of Ferraris, Lamborghinis and dinky little British two-seaters. In this country speed doesn't look like that." Got SS?
Last edited by Scotsman; 04-18-2008 at 12:04 AM. |
04-17-2008, 06:10 PM | #5 |
I used to be Dragoneye...
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It's interesting that they made that remark about E85 OR gasoline at the end. In an article about "educating" consumers...they don't seem to realize that flex-fuel vehicles can run on any blend of ethanol & gas all the way up to E85...
I digress. I don't think full-hybrid systems (ala Tahoe/Silverado, etc) will ever be as cheap as a regular powertrain...mostly because we're talking about two full power sources in one car. It really is insane. But mild hybrids (like the Malibu) I can totally see going into a LOT of vehicles for no extra cost in the future. GM's improving their version so that you can run on electric only (which they current edition cannot do) for up to 5mph. Ethanol, and biofuels are going to be big. You watch! Turbocharging and high-octane fuels (like Ethanol ) like each other very much. Oh, and did you hear? The US's use of Petroleum has STOPPED growing for the first time in History! The local news had a little segment about it. These politicians just need to get their thumbs out and start realizing that simply setting a bar real high, (coughcafecough) isn't going to work if no one can reach it!! Now, if the gov't funded the difference in vehicle costs to reach CAFE...that's a totally different stroy, and an instance that I might support! Current hybrid systems that cost freakin' thousands of dollars, just do not make any sense right now. You'd have to own the vehicle for 5+ years before you see any return, and even then, the savings are negligable...Ugh, I'm ready for my E85 Camaro. |
04-17-2008, 09:06 PM | #6 |
Moderator.ca
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The general population won't want hybrids unless it can make life cheaper for them. And right now, they don't, for the most part. The added cost of the systems doesn't pay itself off.
As far as the government helping to keep costs of ultra efficient vehicles down, they do already, sorta -incentives and rebates. But in order to get enough money do do what is proposed, they would need to increase the gas guzzler tax on the order of doubling the fees and increasing the minimum to something like 27.5 instead of 22.5. That would deter people from buying gas hogs, and the money from it would go to offset the costs of more fuel efficient cars. BUT doing that would esentially kill off any affordable V8. If they are still made, the starting price would end up in the range of 35k. Not cool at all
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04-17-2008, 09:19 PM | #7 | |
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04-18-2008, 12:27 PM | #8 |
Moderator
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I would pay for it.
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