Lutz Expects E-Flex Sales to Reach 1 Million Units by 2020

[FenwickHockey65]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/28/l...dwide-by-2020/

The first Chevy Volt and its E-Flex brethren are still more than two years away, but vice chairman and corporate quote machine Bob Lutz is already targeting 2020 for 1 million annual worldwide sales. The lofty target would go a long way towards the General's goal of meeting tough fuel economy and CO2 standards in the U.S. and Europe, while also providing customers a mass-market choice that can run mainly on electricity. While E-Flex will be a big part of GM's long-term plans, the technology will be slowly introduced to the buying public and ramped up as battery costs drop. Europe will get 30,000 E-Flex equipped vehicles in 2011, but at a starting price of about £32,000. GM introduced its E-Flex based Flextreme concept last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

We're excited about any vehicle that promises 40 miles on electricity alone and 150 mpg or more for extended driving. Here's hoping we see 1 million units in 2020 or even before, and lets hope Mr. Lutz, who will be nearly 90 by that time, is around to see it.

[ronald mcretard]

Hey Lutz, STFU about the Volt already.

[fp115]

I would be very impressed if those predictions hold up! If that is true GM will be the leader once again.

[HoosierRon]

Bob Lutz: 30K E-Flex cars in Europe in first year, 1M worldwide by 2020

GM has already previewed its Flexstream concept car — a hybrid vehicle that is part of the company’s E-Flex programme — which it hopes to launch in America by the end of 2010. By 2011 it intends to sell the car in Europe as a Vauxhall or Saab. Although very cheap to run, the price will be high — about £32,000.
...
The first E-Flex model will be based on the next generation of Vauxhall Astra, which will be made at Ellesmere Port. GM anticipates first-year production of 30,000 cars for Europe. Bob Lutz, GM vice chairman in charge of production development, believes that worldwide production of E-Flex cars could be 1m by 2020.

[johnstarnes]

Originally Posted by fp115

I would be very impressed if those predictions hold up! If that is true GM will be the leader once again.

I agree and hope that materializes. But I am also inclined to agree with McRetard's suggestion to Lutz...........GM has over-promised and under-delivered too many times now....they are rapidly encroaching on the territory of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf".

[mgescuro]

Prius hit 1M sales in half that amount of time Mr Lutz.
By 2020... you'll be dead.

[paul8488]

Doesn't matter what he says (or what anyone in his postion says). Who is going to hold him to task in 11 years? Anyone going to say "Hey, didn't you say..."?

GM had some specific fuell-cell goals... I believe they were for 2010... someone should look themk up to see if GM is on track to meet them...

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

By 2020... you'll be dead.

Nice.



....and how about you?



.

[fp115]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Prius hit 1M sales in half that amount of time Mr Lutz.
By 2020... you'll be dead.

Yearly sales? I didn't think Prius had that many...

[tholland]

Originally Posted by fp115

Yearly sales? I didn't think Prius had that many...

Didn't they just sell the 1 millionth unit recently? And over what period... 10 yrs?

[fp115]

Originally Posted by tholland

Didn't they just sell the 1 millionth unit recently? And over what period... 10 yrs?

There is a HUGE difference between selling your millionth car and doing 1 million annual sales. Lutz is saying they want to sell 1 million E-Flex vehicles per year starting 2020.

[Hurricane]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Prius hit 1M sales in half that amount of time Mr Lutz.
By 2020... you'll be dead.

Ouch!

[CaptainDan]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Prius hit 1M sales in half that amount of time Mr Lutz.
By 2020... you'll be dead.

Veiled threats of murder shouldn't be so easy to trace back to you.

I'm not a lawyer, I'm just saying.....

[CaptainDan]

It's impossible to predict the future tech and product mix twelve years into the future (anybody predicting hybrid-electric anything powertrains twelve years ago would have been branded an idiot).

But if nothing major changes, and things continue as it currently looks, 1 million is WAY, WAY understating annual e-flex type vehicle production (not just Volt).

[Bokl]

Lutz should just keep his mouth shut. Toyota will make 500 000 prius next year and in 2010 they will produce additional 150 000 units in MS. Plant. Lutz is telling us that e-flex will sell at 1 million units per year by 2020. We do not know if gm will be in business that long.