Quote:
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Originally Posted by cody
Title: The Truth About Hybrids
Bob Elton is an automotive engineer who, over the last 30 years, has worked for all of the big 3 and a number of suppliers as well.
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It's not surprising what-so-ever to see this type of attitude from a big 3 engineer. This type of thinking is exactly what is keeping them uncompetetive. Having met many engineers from big 3, I can confidently say they are not the cream of the crop. Everyone I've known who was a reasonably intelligent person who worked for them quit because they hated the work enviroment. I've heard countless stories from my friends about the same. Among my peers working for GM in particular is literally a joke.
What many American companies seem to fail to realized is that technology needs to be brought to market in a young stage before it can be justified to develop more fully and see it's real potential. Most of what he says is true, but also irrelavant. Current hybrids do in fact get significantly better mileage than gas cars, I rented a Prius for a week and
I got over 40 mpg in it and I assure you I don't drive like an old lady. Is that the 55 mpg that the EPA says it gets? no. Is it significantly better than any non-hybrid could possibly do? absolutely. So maybe the next Prius will only get 70 mpg instead of 94. By the time the next generation one comes out, they will probably be pushing a realistic 100 mpg. What will GM have? A Tahoe that gets 18 mpg and a bunch of consumers paying $3.20 a gallon for gas.
The decontented stuff he says is a bunch of bullshit. That might have been true when they first came out, but not now. Anyone seen the new Lexus L600h? That car has a stretched wheelbase, every option under the sun, and 19 inch rims. They also say it will be the quiestest luxury car around because the motor won't always be on. You can also get a Prius with leather, navigation, HIDs, stability control, whatever.
Also a GM guy talking about Toyota creating waste is hilarious. I have no doubt that they have the cleanest plants of any automotive manufacturer and I assure you they have the best manufacturing process. As for battery disposal, Li batteries are non-toxic and all batteries can be recycled. It's not a like a car is going to be thrown in a trash can and forgotten about. I'm sure a decent industry will develop around recycling hybrid batteries once they starting older.
http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-20.htm