Mercedes is working on their own "Volt"... And...

[jasaero]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Heh heh... Yup. Exactly.
THe only big question mark is, "How long of a lead can GM maintain to establish EFlex in the market before the competition catches up?"

Mercedes will have no competition in the luxury market.

I think GM will lead for a LONG time in the truely "mass produced" electric car/hybrid space. MB might be able to sell quite a few high dollar Hollywood variety electric cars, but doubt such a vehicle would sell enough or be producable enough to be considered a true EFlex competitor. Probably the biggest problem something like BMW and MB entering this space might cause is even more inflated battery prices as they will be able to spend more on the battery. I'm still a bit confused how the battery industry is going to be able to feed all these companies diving head first into the Electric car/hybrid space? I think GM's head start on Li-Ion for cars with Volt will give them a real head start that's going to be tough to catch up too. The Tesla is doing it, but in very low volume and high priced package, that is also traditional Li-Ion based rather than the newest chem batteries. MB might be able to get away with a Tesla like approach to get in the game, but they will have to start over at some point if they plan to catch up with GM.

[jasaero]

Also, in response to everyone questioning how far along MB and other competitors to GM are in the EV race, just read some clips of the initial response by these same execs to GM's initial plan to put Volt on the road before the end of 2010. Also many articles have been written about what insiders are saying about GM's plans. Most insiders were very skeptical GM could succeed with the Volt. They are now scared GM WILL succeed and are reacting that and the Gas crunch by turning on their "ME TOO" PR machines.

[genjy]

Originally Posted by Mr. Burns

ummm no, god knows how long they've been working on this, them and other manufacturers. GM is just a lot more vocal about their projects, something which I think should be changed.

I've always been a believer that there is no secret among major auto manufacturers.

Every company pretty much knows what everyone else is doing.

[CobaltSScrazy]

Well, debut the DT7 with the Volt powertrain as the most fuel efficient large size vehicle in the world, better than a LS430h...on top of the most fuel efficient midsize car in the world.

Make lots of money on both and hypersuperturbocharge Chevrolet and Cadillac's image.

CobaltSS

[johnstarnes]

. I do know that Cadillac will be getting the E-Flex very soon (could be a matter of 6 months) after the Volt hits.[/quote]


That is excellent news!! I have been hoping for that all along! E-Flex could be a way for GM to WAY beat the new CAFE rules while offering outstanding torque and acceleration. Perhaps within a few years a fuel cell will replace the ICE.