Mulally: Americans drew the line at $3.50/gallon

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by Vladimir1978

Intelligent discussion? You've flamed a number of people in this thread, including myself, simply because they have viewpoints that disagree with you. Then when your flames are returned, you turtle like a little girl doggie and try to take the high road. You haven't spurred intelligent discussion in these forums, since well, never. Or maybe you consider your virtual molestation of Barry Bonds the last few years 'intelligent discussion'.

Yup. You are incapable of intelligent discourse. You're intent on flinging insults instead of debating like an adult. And this isn't the first thread you've proceeded along this path either.
Barry Bond's playing has nothing to do with $3.50 gas. I rest my case.

Originally Posted by Vladimir1978

Because it's not economically feasible and it's a waste of dollars that can be used elsewhere. Why is this so hard to understand?

Of course it's economically feasible, if GM actually diverted resources to getting it done, instead of nonsensical cars like Cobalt SS and ZR1.
If GM had really turned the corner to be more Green, then resources would have been diverted.
The BAS system is inexpensive, and returns 2-3mpg better mileage. If that system was introduced across the Epsilon and Delta lineup, GM would have been attained economies of scale and better market recognition for being Green.

Originally Posted by Vladimir1978

Please give us the long list of vehicles in the compact class that have 6 speed automatic transmissions and DI. The technology has to be priced accordingly for the segment. The technology has to be priced accordingly for the segment. The technology has to be priced accordingly for the segment. I don't know how many more times this has to be said. A 30% premium in this market is a sure road to failure. All this business sense and you still haven't figured it out.

The VW compacts have 6's. Most of the Japanese have 5's and CVT's. The lowest end ones have 4's.
And the reason GM doesn't have 5's or 6's in this class is....? Price?

And the reason people are paying above MSRP for fuel efficient cars nowadays is?? market perception. GM doesn't have it. And it doesn't translate into sales.

Originally Posted by Vladimir1978

15,000 copies of something is an economy of scale? What planet are you living on? The Prius sells more that 15,000 copies per month. You actually think 15,000 Equinox taxi cabs would lower the 10k option to 5k? You're delusional.

again, you missed the point of the argument. Entering the fleet market with such a product would allow GM to drop the price on these because of the higher numbers and economies of scale.

Fact of the matter still remains... GM has done nothing to really, significantly change its images as a purveyor of gas guzzling hogs. They are hoping Volt will do that. But Volt and a ton of GMT-900's isn't going to change squat.
Seeing cars that have included a hybrid system across the board.... fleet vehicles that have been upgraded to 2Modes.... plus E85/BioPower systems.... plus Hydrogen..... PLUS EFLEX.... will change the market perception of GM as an out-of-touch company that can't build anything but trucks.

But GM hasn't done anything. You have a smattering of hybrids here and there without tackling the true volume products that will really make a difference.

[moman]

I agree that GM has really screwed the pooch on thier over reliance on SUV and pickups. I do believe they finally get it, but it will probably be too late to save the company from bankruptcy.

Yesterday for the first time ever I took a shuttle 2 hrs to the airport. It saved my dad from driving me and the shuttle cost $45 and the driver said it got 20 MPG on the highway. There were 10 of us riding, and it was wonderful. I also felt great about doing something small to help the environment. If others would get out of their damn suvs and gas guzzlers and do something small to make a difference it wouldn't matter what gas prices are.