2012 Ford Focus Electric: Small Ad Budget Due To Low Sales Of Volt, Fisker

[HermPerez]

In theory it is so.. but these electronic items will be expensive until they are mass produced at the million quantity level.

Capacitor durability in the inverter is an issue.. they do dry out after a few years if proper design margins are not kept. An easy way for OEMs to skimp on costs.

From the www.factorynissanparts.com, a replacement Leaf 80kW inverter is $3870, and the motor is $2054.. note a Volt uses two inverters and two motors but GM surely does not pay retail for those items. Anyone has the cost of the GM parts?

[optiongm]

I really don't know why Ford hasn't been like EVERYONE ELSE and created a standalone model to market independent of everything else. Volt, Prius, Leaf... everyone else is building up their brand credibility and using a single model as a sort of halo model. Ford? It's like a trim level on Focus and no one knows about it.

Maybe Ford believes that in the not to distant future hybrid/EV power-trains will be interchangeable in all models just like ordering a V6 or V8 in your Mustang now. Why spend Millions on marketing a Prius brand when that technology will spread to even your F150. The power train will be the focus and an option on all models across the board. Building up a Volt brand should really be building up the Voltec power-train that will be an option in the next Malibu, Impala, and Silverado etc in the future.

[georgewerr]

thinking outside of the box, if the government installed wires in the overhead of all roads then cars could run like electric trains do and not need batteries.

[HermPerez]

you could also put the wires under the road bed, and pickup energy that ways.. The S. Koreans have such a program under development.

[georgewerr]

you could also put the wires under the road bed, and pickup energy that ways.. The S. Koreans have such a program under development.

I like this idea, The train lines are ugly to look at

[ne_one]

I really don't know why Ford hasn't been like EVERYONE ELSE and created a standalone model to market independent of everything else.

Ford didn't do the EV system engineering for the Focus, it was developed by Magna.

[Suziebob]

Ford didn't do the EV system engineering for the Focus, it was developed by Magna.

So I wonder if Ford is going to actually ante up and try to build a Voltec competitor?

[2b2]

So I wonder if Ford is going to actually ante up and try to build a Voltec competitor?

their plug-in-hybrid "Energi" is in the same (broad) category, no?
(not saying it's as advanced or complex as Voltec)

Maybe Ford believes that in the not to distant future hybrid/EV power-trains will be interchangeable in all models just like ordering a V6 or V8 in your Mustang now. Why spend Millions on marketing a Prius brand when that technology will spread to even your F150. The power train will be the focus and an option on all models across the board. Building up a Volt brand should really be building up the Voltec power-train that will be an option in the next Malibu, Impala, and Silverado etc in the future.

what you wrote also makes me think that "OneFord" has something to do not 'endowing' a subsidiary brandlet

on another point,
I'm not sure Ford has had a really strong position on not having a particular electrified model(s) ... they used to sounds like that
but now they're changing tricks with the hybrid-only C-Maxeses - in the U.S.,
while dropping the hybrid from the new Escape.

I'd like to see electrified drivetrains available on every model;
really like the little I've read about GM's eAssist;
also very enthused about Volvo's coming V60 which will have what I've called "Virtual AWD": petrol front, electric rear - Plus their very-cool-imho Pure-Hybrid-Power driver selections

and
have been pondering a lot about a more complete approach for Lincoln models...
...since at one time Fomoco was saying Lincoln will lead in alternative drivetrains in the Luxury segment

[HermPerez]

also very enthused about Volvo's coming V60 which will have what I've called "Virtual AWD": petrol front, electric rear

This will prove popular in years to come, since everyone wants AWD or RWD.. both Citroen and Peugeot will be offering this thru-the-road hybrid system.. very easy to retrofit into most cars.. eAssist is also easy to retrofit since all cars need an alternator, plus it is very low cost.

Google the new hybrid concept for the Citroen DS9, about 30 miles electric range, 0-60 under 6 seconds.

[germeezy1]

Why has Ford not sent a memo straight to Mr. Farley to immediately create a marketing name for their Electric cars? I would like to volunteer my carefully thought out brand name for consideration " Electroboost " .

[optiongm]

their plug-in-hybrid "Energi" is in the same (broad) category, no?
(not saying it's as advanced or complex as Voltec)



what you wrote also makes me think that "OneFord" has something to do not 'endowing' a subsidiary brandlet

on another point,
I'm not sure Ford has had a really strong position on not having a particular electrified model(s) ... they used to sounds like that
but now they're changing tricks with the hybrid-only C-Maxeses - in the U.S.,
while dropping the hybrid from the new Escape.

I'd like to see electrified drivetrains available on every model;
really like the little I've read about GM's eAssist;
also very enthused about Volvo's coming V60 which will have what I've called "Virtual AWD": petrol front, electric rear - Plus their very-cool-imho Pure-Hybrid-Power driver selections

and
have been pondering a lot about a more complete approach for Lincoln models...
...since at one time Fomoco was saying Lincoln will lead in alternative drivetrains in the Luxury segment

Well it's easy to believe that what ever power-train becomes the mainstay in the future will be just that a power-train and NOT a Volt or Prius nameplate. The manufacturers have spent to much money and years burnishing their nameplates i.e. Camry, Malibu, Taurus, F150, Silverado to just dump those and suddenly only produce a Prius or Volt. Ecoboost is a perfect example of a power-train technology that Ford has spread from their lowest priced car Fiesta to their highest volume truck the F150. This is the only way you can get economies of scale and instill your brand/nameplate identity. The future if hybrid or EV or some new power-train must be interchangeable in all a brands models for it to be price competitive and readily acceptable to the buying public.

[Suziebob]

Why has Ford not sent a memo straight to Mr. Farley to immediately create a marketing name for their Electric cars? I would like to volunteer my carefully thought out brand name for consideration " Electroboost " .

... That's kinda lame and kinda awesome at the same time. I like it.

[germeezy1]

... That's kinda lame and kinda awesome at the same time. I like it.

Is not Ford in many ways exactly as you described my suggested trademarked name for the Ford Electric vehicle program?