Comments on: If dumping GM’s Wagoner is part of the deal, get rid of Bob Lutz, too http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/08/if-dumping-gms-wagoner-is-part-of-the-deal-get-rid-of-bob-lutz-too/ The Latest on Climate Science, Solutions, and Politics Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:55:22 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: charlie http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/08/if-dumping-gms-wagoner-is-part-of-the-deal-get-rid-of-bob-lutz-too/#comment-24166 charlie Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:33:25 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/08/if-dumping-gms-wagoner-is-part-of-the-deal-get-rid-of-bob-lutz-too/#comment-24166 The Volt is a mirage designed to get Democrats in congress to agree to federal loans. Now that GM gets those loans anyway, the Volt can be killed. It is a turkey anway -- who is going to be paying 40K for new a car next year? [<em>JR: Actually there are a lot of people who will pay 40k for a new car in 2010, especially with a $7,500 tax credit, assuming the vehicle is any good. I expect emand to vastly exceed sales.</em>] The Volt is a mirage designed to get Democrats in congress to agree to federal loans. Now that GM gets those loans anyway, the Volt can be killed. It is a turkey anway — who is going to be paying 40K for new a car next year?

[JR: Actually there are a lot of people who will pay 40k for a new car in 2010, especially with a $7,500 tax credit, assuming the vehicle is any good. I expect emand to vastly exceed sales.]

]]> By: Eli Rabett http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/08/if-dumping-gms-wagoner-is-part-of-the-deal-get-rid-of-bob-lutz-too/#comment-24153 Eli Rabett Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:56:34 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/08/if-dumping-gms-wagoner-is-part-of-the-deal-get-rid-of-bob-lutz-too/#comment-24153 Two years ago Eli wanted to buy the Ford Fiesta Diesel which is available in the UK. The dealers laughed and tried to sell me the US model which lagged about ten years behind the Euro models. The new one is even better (caution UK gallons are imperial) Two years ago Eli wanted to buy the Ford Fiesta Diesel which is available in the UK. The dealers laughed and tried to sell me the US model which lagged about ten years behind the Euro models. The new one is even better (caution UK gallons are imperial)

]]> By: Bob Wallace http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/08/if-dumping-gms-wagoner-is-part-of-the-deal-get-rid-of-bob-lutz-too/#comment-24123 Bob Wallace Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:32:12 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/08/if-dumping-gms-wagoner-is-part-of-the-deal-get-rid-of-bob-lutz-too/#comment-24123 As for dumping GM's CEO and other top management.... It might be a very good idea. Ford brought in Alan Mulally a few years ago and Ford appears to be in much better shape than does GM. Bring in someone who understands where US car manufacturing needs to go over the next few years. Someone who understands the need for better efficiency will save/improve the Volt. Replace the top few guys. Put the rest of management on notice that if things don't improve quickly there will be wholesale replacements down the ladder.... As for dumping GM’s CEO and other top management….

It might be a very good idea. Ford brought in Alan Mulally a few years ago and Ford appears to be in much better shape than does GM.

Bring in someone who understands where US car manufacturing needs to go over the next few years. Someone who understands the need for better efficiency will save/improve the Volt.

Replace the top few guys. Put the rest of management on notice that if things don’t improve quickly there will be wholesale replacements down the ladder….

]]> By: Bob Wallace http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/08/if-dumping-gms-wagoner-is-part-of-the-deal-get-rid-of-bob-lutz-too/#comment-24122 Bob Wallace Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:27:12 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/08/if-dumping-gms-wagoner-is-part-of-the-deal-get-rid-of-bob-lutz-too/#comment-24122 As stated in your quote, the Prius gets 48 mpg and the Punto 41.5 mpg (or less than 38 according to some reports). In city driving. That's 25% better. Hybrids do not offer a highway advantage. Those who do the majority of their driving under highway conditions would not benefit from a hybrid. Additionally, hybrids are a stepping stone away from petroleum fueled cars. First hybrids, then PHEVs, and finally BEVs. As stated in your quote, the Prius gets 48 mpg and the Punto 41.5 mpg (or less than 38 according to some reports). In city driving. That’s 25% better.

Hybrids do not offer a highway advantage. Those who do the majority of their driving under highway conditions would not benefit from a hybrid.

Additionally, hybrids are a stepping stone away from petroleum fueled cars. First hybrids, then PHEVs, and finally BEVs.

]]> By: Paul K http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/08/if-dumping-gms-wagoner-is-part-of-the-deal-get-rid-of-bob-lutz-too/#comment-24120 Paul K Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:14:19 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/08/if-dumping-gms-wagoner-is-part-of-the-deal-get-rid-of-bob-lutz-too/#comment-24120 It is likely the Fiat Grande Punto can't meet U.S. environmental and/or safety standards. As a one-time GM employee and UAW member, I must point out that GM is required by law to produce a percentage of fuel efficient cars. The ones they make now and have for the last few years are excellent. For a variety of reasons, one of which is labor and retirement costs and another is perception, foreign cars makers have held an advantage in the market. After 10 years of competition, GM has beaten Toyota to the electric plug -in. That should be rewarded. Anyone who has purchased a Honda or Toyoto (Prius excepted), especially one built in a non-union U.S. plant, rather than a comparable GM car has little place criticizing them. It is likely the Fiat Grande Punto can’t meet U.S. environmental and/or safety standards.

As a one-time GM employee and UAW member, I must point out that GM is required by law to produce a percentage of fuel efficient cars. The ones they make now and have for the last few years are excellent. For a variety of reasons, one of which is labor and retirement costs and another is perception, foreign cars makers have held an advantage in the market.

After 10 years of competition, GM has beaten Toyota to the electric plug -in. That should be rewarded. Anyone who has purchased a Honda or Toyoto (Prius excepted), especially one built in a non-union U.S. plant, rather than a comparable GM car has little place criticizing them.

]]> By: paulm http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/08/if-dumping-gms-wagoner-is-part-of-the-deal-get-rid-of-bob-lutz-too/#comment-24117 paulm Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:48:22 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/08/if-dumping-gms-wagoner-is-part-of-the-deal-get-rid-of-bob-lutz-too/#comment-24117 What a lot of bull... <blockquote> Detroit’s Second Trip to Washington: Still Not Very Efficient http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/08/detroits-second-trip-to-washington-still-not-that-efficient/ .... What’s wrong with this picture? For starters, although these vehicles may be hybrids, by any real-world standard they are not particularly fuel-efficient. Hybrid technology can only do so much to improve the gas mileage of a huge, heavy, overpowered car. A reality check for those who would like to compare: The Toyota Prius — a hybrid — averages 48 m.p.g. in the city and 45 on the highway. Here in Italy, the popular and highly praised Fiat Grande Punto (not a hybrid) can get nearly twice the gas mileage of Mr. Nardelli’s car — 41.5 m.p.g. in the city, and 56.5 on the highway, depending on engine size. What a lot of bull…

Detroit’s Second Trip to Washington: Still Not Very Efficient
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/ 2008/ 12/ 08/ detroits-second-trip-to-washington-still-not-that-efficient/

….
What’s wrong with this picture? For starters, although these vehicles may be hybrids, by any real-world standard they are not particularly fuel-efficient. Hybrid technology can only do so much to improve the gas mileage of a huge, heavy, overpowered car.

A reality check for those who would like to compare: The Toyota Prius — a hybrid — averages 48 m.p.g. in the city and 45 on the highway. Here in Italy, the popular and highly praised Fiat Grande Punto (not a hybrid) can get nearly twice the gas mileage of Mr. Nardelli’s car — 41.5 m.p.g. in the city, and 56.5 on the highway, depending on engine size.

]]> By: Greg http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/08/if-dumping-gms-wagoner-is-part-of-the-deal-get-rid-of-bob-lutz-too/#comment-24116 Greg Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:39:03 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/08/if-dumping-gms-wagoner-is-part-of-the-deal-get-rid-of-bob-lutz-too/#comment-24116 Hold on. Lutz was instrumental in pushing for development of the Volt-- which, let's be honest, is the best hope in the entire auto industry of weening us off oil and replacing it with green electricity. Who cares if he's a denier? He's a crazy old kook, absolutely. But he's (inadvertently) doing a lot of good for clean energy. Let's keep our eye on the ball. Hold on. Lutz was instrumental in pushing for development of the Volt– which, let’s be honest, is the best hope in the entire auto industry of weening us off oil and replacing it with green electricity. Who cares if he’s a denier? He’s a crazy old kook, absolutely. But he’s (inadvertently) doing a lot of good for clean energy. Let’s keep our eye on the ball.

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