General Motors

[Marx]

 

[BlackLantern]

How am I supposed to pick up women in this?? hope they laugh hard enough and pass out and I can just hoist them into the seat??

 

[Kelly]

Actually it's happening (or has already happened for a number of years now). There are a good number of people and entire communities who drive electric vehicles. In Seal Beach, California, there are some families who drive around town in an electric cart like the one shown above. It is easier to get around that small town and you don't have to pay for gasoline.

Pretty much the entire island community of Catalina off the cost of California uses electric vehicles (mainly golf carts) since the island is a conservancy and the pollution from the exhaust of petroleum fueled vehicles could seriously hurt the environment. I wouldn't say that 100% battery powered cars won't work since it is already happening. It all depends on what type of market will be there as to whether it will grow any more than it already is. I have a feeling that with the price of gas being just over $2.00/gallon and the fact that people are not making enough to match the rise in the cost of living we may be seeing more people looking towards alternatives to gasoline fueled vehicles.

Oh yeah, that'll work on Houston highways.....

Of course it works on the island, but a city of 4+million....not seeing that happen. I'll stick with the hybrids for now.

I'll check out these cars when I retire on the 18th hole.

 

[Marx]

How am I supposed to pick up women in this?? hope they laugh hard enough and pass out and I can just hoist them into the seat??

You could put some flames on the hood? Add some hydrolics? Or hell, add some cool 'spinners' or even under car 'light effects'? Oh, and don't forget the fuzzy dice on the rear view mirror!

 

[SuBe]

Did the Government of that Island mandate this Golf Cart thingy, or was it the populace?

Damn, free market solutions....

 

[The Major]

Oh yeah, that'll work on Houston highways.....

Of course it works on the island, but a city of 4+million....not seeing that happen. I'll stick with the hybrids for now.

I'll check out these cars when I retire on the 18th hole.

The reason they're a good example of electric battery technology is that it's a vehicle a community has successfully used. They're not meant for the highways, just that island. No-one is expecting the auto industry to start mass producing these nationally in their current stage.

 

[BlackLantern]

Did the Government of that Island mandate this Golf Cart thingy, or was it the populace?

Damn, free market solutions....

I live in an area with a lot of hills....I doubt one of those things could make it over a speed bump??

 

[Timstuff]

At my university the maintenance crews use golf carts to get around, but that's easy when you're not traveling very far, and that's also why it works on that island. Electric cars work great for short distant travel, just like a bicycle (which I use for short distance travel), but unfortunately they just don't cut it for long distance. You're not going to make it on the highway in a 100% electric car, and you're not gong to make it from Hartford to New York City, either. The battery on that thing is going to die, and when it does it can take hours to fully charge it. I just plain don't see 100% battery-powered cars happening. Hydrogen fuel cell cars will be much more practical, and until those are availible, hybrids are the next best thing.

 

[BlackLantern]

you won't get from Hartford to Farmington....much less NYC

 

[El_Citrus]

What I've tried to figure out is why not install an alternator to go along with the batteries in these electric vehicles? Even if the batteries are suppose to drain down, why not have it so that when the batteries start getting low, it hits a switch in the electric motors that start the alternators to recharge them. Sorry if it's completely impractical, but just trying to think of ideas.

 

[Timstuff]

What I've tried to figure out is why not install an alternator to go along with the batteries in these electric vehicles? Even if the batteries are suppose to drain down, why not have it so that when the batteries start getting low, it hits a switch in the electric motors that start the alternators to recharge them. Sorry if it's completely impractical, but just trying to think of ideas.

People in the electrical field get this question all the time, but the answer is really pretty simple: electricity doesn't work that way. If they wanted to they could set it up so that the cars wheels turn an alternater to replenish the battery, but the problem is that the amount of electricity this would save is pretty much negligible, especially when compared to how practical it would be. There's no free lunch in the electric world, unfortunately.

 

[El_Citrus]

People in the electrical field get this question all the time, but the answer is really pretty simple: electricity doesn't work that way. If they wanted to they could set it up so that the cars wheels turn an alternater to replenish the battery, but the problem is that the amount of electricity this would save is pretty much negligible, especially when compared to how practical it would be. There's no free lunch in the electric world, unfortunately.

I suppose you would need an alternator for every battery and an alternator big enough to handle the more powerful batteries. Blah, and hydrogen technology seems so far off. I hope that the business of cultivating ethanol from algae and other methods develop quickly, but I know it won't be til I'm probably ready to retire (50-ish years if I work til I'm 70) that we'll see truly innovative methods of transportation.

 

[BlackLantern]

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/sto...FACB-AE20-4915-ACC0-382664116BBC}&dist=msr_17
GM is gearing up for bankruptcy filings

 

[Kelly]

Which is what we knew would happen in the first place....and yet, billions of dollars were spent anyway....*shakes head*

 

[TheShadow]

I don't even think the New Camaro Can Save GM. I say cut Pontiac, GMC and Saturn. if those are cut from the company at least company has a decent chance of surviving

 

[Marx]

I don't even think the New Camaro Can Save GM. I say cut Pontiac, GMC and Saturn. if those are cut from the company at least company has a decent chance of surviving

I thought Saturn was doing pretty well...why cut a successful line?

 

[BlackLantern]

I thought Saturn was doing pretty well...why cut a successful line?

Don't let those new commericals fool you, they are struggling and just trying to put on a brave face....

 

[Malice]

The only think that can save GM...is declaring bankruptcy, renegotiating its debts...and reboot itself.

It just have too many long term debts

 

[BlackLantern]

I'd be more inclined to buy a Saturn if they just straight up begged for people to buy their cars....begged...on their knees

 

[Kelly]

I'm just really pissed about this whole deal. We wasted a hell of alot money on this company.......knowing damn well it was going to end up in bankruptcy.

 

[BlackLantern]

I'm just really pissed about this whole deal. We wasted a hell of alot money on this company.......knowing damn well it was going to end up in bankruptcy.

You're right Kel....let's go to the big GM edifice/office building and reposess some stuff....office chairs, mugs, desks, I'll take my tax money back in goods

 

[Kelly]

If anyone in Washington tells me ....no, no, no.....we truly wanted to give them a chance and we thought it would work......I will call them a liar to their face.

This is ridiculous.

 

[redfirebird2008]

So long as Chevrolet sticks around and my extended warranty that I paid for isn't going down the drain on my '09 Chevy Malibu (which I bought BEFORE the financial crisis), I really couldn't care less if GM goes under. Chevrolet is a pretty famous brand so hopefully the brand itself can stay afloat and I can have my full warranty protection that I'm paying for.

 

[hippie_hunter]

If anyone in Washington tells me ....no, no, no.....we truly wanted to give them a chance and we thought it would work......I will call them a liar to their face.

This is ridiculous.

Yeah, the Obama Administration and Congress really ****ed GM and the tax payers over on this one if they do declare bankruptcy. They just pissed away so much money and never gave them a ****ing chance.

 

[Kelly]

I want to line them all up and point and say...."you're a liar"....."you're a liar"....."you're a liar"..........all the way down the line.

"Oh and BTW, stay away from my money unti you know what the hell you are actually doing...."