Opel scraps EV version of the Adam

[DOCTOR]

Opel/Vauxhall has stopped development of a planned electric version of its new Adam minicar, citing high costs.

The project had progressed to the development of a working car using the technology from the forthcoming Chevrolet Spark EV minicar.

"It was a business decision," Opel's chief engineer for the Adam, Dieter Metz, said. "We could not charge the customer the price needed to make it work on the cost side."

Opel's head of sales and marketing, Alfred Rieck, said sales of electric vehicles are slow because customers are not willing to pay higher prices for EV technology.

"If you look at the technology that's available on the market today, it's very expensive," he said. "You end up with a certain price of the car and consumers are not interested in it."

He said only increased sales would drive down prices of EVs.

Opel currently sells the Ampera plug-in hybrid, a sister model to the Chevrolet Volt. These cars run on electric power but have a small gasoline engine to feed additional power to the electric motor when the batteries are depleted.

Chevrolet plans to launch a Spark EV in the United States and other unspecified global markets starting in 2013.

Opel will begin sales of the Adam in January with prices starting at 11,500 euros in Germany. The car is aimed as a competitor minicars such as the Fiat 500 and Mini.

The Adam will initially be offered with 1.2-liter and 1.4-liter gasoline engines. A version with a 1.0-liter turbocharged engine will go on sale during 2013 with CO2 emissions below 100 grams per kilometer.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/2012...#ixzz2BdXXYY3V

[DirtyMoney]

In the midst of Europes economy woes, this would appear to be a good decision.

[Rick_VT]

They might go for a small diesel instead which should get amazing economy

[fakeout]

I could continue to insist even though no one will listen that the cars that need it the most in my opinion are the AWD utility vehicles. Or, actually maybe plug-in hybrids like the Volt I mean. 100% electric with no backup motor wouldn't interest me anyway.

[mchicha]

This is more interesting than a small electric toad

170 MPH Insignia


Buick should be ashamed to call itself a Luxury brand.

[MechEng]

Sad to hear but not suprising. I think GM will likely sell the Spark EV in Europe as well. No need for two small EV's in Europe at this point.

BTW the Spark EV should be one quick car. With a 84KW (112hp) electric motor (and gobs of torque) that car will move.

[spidge]

This is more interesting than a small electric toad

170 MPH Insignia


Buick should be ashamed to call itself a Luxury brand.

Right now, Buick is a near-luxury brand.

It's all about not stepping on Cadillac's toes here.