So hybrids aren't good business Mr. Lutz?
Several times on this blog I've posted quotes from GM Executive Robert Lutz, who argues that hybrids are only "emotional" or that they don't make "business sense".
Now Mr. Lutz, General Motor's "new-car czar" according to BusinessWeek, is making risky moves to save Saturn.
Lutz, who recently claimed that hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Accord Hybrid don't make business sense, is creating a Saturn Sky Roadster to save Saturn.
This is the kind of move that makes sense in the world of Lutz.
Now, Saturn does have a history of buyer loyalty, so I can understand trying to save Saturn, in fact I agree with saving it. Business sense requires taking care of loyal customers, but let's play with some numbers just for fun.
Saturn is already losing $1 billion per year, and another $800 million is to be spent to update Saturn production.
Recently, Lutz argued that a $100 million investment in hybrid cars didn't make business sense. So, investing almost a billion more in something that loses a billion per year is an example of good business sense?
Even worse, the new Sky Roadster will sell for more than $20,000.
The Toyota Prius lists for $19,000. The Prius is incredibly fuel efficient and offers great performance and comfort for four - there is more leg room in the back of the Prius than the Ford Escape hybrid.
The Roadster might be a very good vehicle, but it will certainly not match the technological advances of something like the Prius. In my opinion, one car exudes the future, the other the past.
Not long ago, a struggling Nissan was taken over by Renault, and our Mr. Lutz stated that Renault could have just as easily thrown the $5 billion into the Pacific Ocean and end up with the same result.
Just six years later, Nissan has the highest profit margins in the auto industry.
Regardless of what happens to Saturn, I feel good about Lutz's negative statements regarding hybrids. Based on his Nissan predictions, hybrid cars are sure to dominate the market even faster than the most optimistic hybrid adopters.
Join the Soultek Hybrid Car Buyer's Club to stay informed on hybrid vehicle issues.
Now Mr. Lutz, General Motor's "new-car czar" according to BusinessWeek, is making risky moves to save Saturn.
Lutz, who recently claimed that hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Accord Hybrid don't make business sense, is creating a Saturn Sky Roadster to save Saturn.
This is the kind of move that makes sense in the world of Lutz.
Now, Saturn does have a history of buyer loyalty, so I can understand trying to save Saturn, in fact I agree with saving it. Business sense requires taking care of loyal customers, but let's play with some numbers just for fun.
Saturn is already losing $1 billion per year, and another $800 million is to be spent to update Saturn production.
Recently, Lutz argued that a $100 million investment in hybrid cars didn't make business sense. So, investing almost a billion more in something that loses a billion per year is an example of good business sense?
Even worse, the new Sky Roadster will sell for more than $20,000.
The Toyota Prius lists for $19,000. The Prius is incredibly fuel efficient and offers great performance and comfort for four - there is more leg room in the back of the Prius than the Ford Escape hybrid.
The Roadster might be a very good vehicle, but it will certainly not match the technological advances of something like the Prius. In my opinion, one car exudes the future, the other the past.
Not long ago, a struggling Nissan was taken over by Renault, and our Mr. Lutz stated that Renault could have just as easily thrown the $5 billion into the Pacific Ocean and end up with the same result.
Just six years later, Nissan has the highest profit margins in the auto industry.
Regardless of what happens to Saturn, I feel good about Lutz's negative statements regarding hybrids. Based on his Nissan predictions, hybrid cars are sure to dominate the market even faster than the most optimistic hybrid adopters.
Join the Soultek Hybrid Car Buyer's Club to stay informed on hybrid vehicle issues.
Labels: Accord hybrid, bob lutz, Escape hybrid, Ford, Ford Escape hybrid, GM, Honda, Hybrid Vehicles, prius, toyota
posted by Dahcredyns at
1:11 PM
1 Comments:
More people should learn about electric vehicles as a solution. "Zero emissions" is something that's going to be required by law one day (you know it will). Making the decision to go electric is far cheaper anyway, like 10 cents on the dollar vs. gas. (source: zapworld.com)
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