How did General Motors respond to any negative allegations set forth in "WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR"

Question

Just wondered if they responded with any press releases to counter in allegations in that film or not?

Answer 1

Since you're asking about press releases (and I assume other corporate communication) ...

They did put this out there:

http://fyi.gmblogs.com/2006/06/who_ignor...

and also bought text ads in Google and Yahoo around the time the movie came out. I can't remember what the text ads said, but you'd see them if you did a search for 'ev1' (and probably some other related terms, but that's the only one I can remember for certain).

They also had http://www.gmev.com, and if you look in the wayback machine (below) and click on the links around mid-June 2006 (when the movie came out), you can see what kind of communication they were doing at the time:

http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.gmev.com/

Rick Waggoner, GM CEO, said in the June 2006 Motor Trend that ending the EV1 program and not investing in hybrids at the right time was one of the worst decisions he made.

http://www.motortrend.com/features/consu...

http://drivingthefuture.com/ev1line.htm

Answer 2

I think GM stopped making the electric car because they were losing a ton of money on them. The only reason they made it at all was because the economic lightweights in the California legislature made them do it if they wanted to sell regular ICE cars. So GM played along until they could get the silly legislation overturned. Which just goes to show that legislators should be taught economics before they are allowed to run for office.

Answer 3

They have responded in a number of ways:

1.) The Volt concept (gas/electric plug in) that they plan to make production capable (real world).

2.) They are the current leader in hydrogen fuel cell based cars even over Toyota, Honda, and everyone else.  Not only can the fuel cells be used to power cars but they are looking at the possibility of also using them as electric generators.  If I'm correct they're already powering a Dupont or Dow plant from hydrogen that is produced as a by-product of a chemical process.

3.) They have several hybrid vehicles that are planning to come out very soon or have already come out such as the Saturn Vue and Chevy Malibu.

4.) They were the first to introduce hybrid trucks.

5.) They are working on a dual mode hybrid with Daimler Chrysler and a couple other companies to use in SUVs and trucks.   The design originally was developed by GM and now the other companies are contributing to the design.  

6.) They designed a 6 speed automatic transmission that not only GM uses but also Ford.  Who would have thought it!

7.) GM has more car models that get over 30 miles per gallon than any other car company.

8.) GM has produced more flex fuel (E85 cars) than any other company with millions of them already on the road and GM is working with companies to get ethanol at more gas stations.

9.) Rick Waggoner, the CEO of GM, has made it a goal of GM to have the most fuel efficient car in each class of vehicle.

10.) GM has helped put thousands of hybrid electric buses across the US and the globe using it's dual mode hybrid created by Allison Transmission, saving millions of gallons of gas a year.

11.) GM has looked at saving gas differently than Toyota.  Toyota looked at making the most fuel efficient cars (small cars) more gas efficient.  Whereas GM looked at the way to save the most gallons of gas.  To save the most gallons of gas they looked at working on the biggest gas hogs first such as buses, trucks, and suv's.

You have to remember that a car has to be marketable and be able to make a profit.  The EV1 didn't fit those guidelines.  I mean who wants a car that can only travel a few miles then you have to wait forever for it to recharge.  Then if you drive too far and the battery goes dead you are stuck and have to get your car towed.  Not to mention that the car cost such an exhorbitant price that they had to lease/rent them instead of sell them.  Ending the EV1 wasn't a mistake and neither was creating it.  By creating it they came up with much of the technology that should make the Volt, a much more viable concept, possible.

Answer 4

They did not respond, which would be the normal action by any sensible person to such hogwash.

Answer 5

Who cares how GM responded?

The whole "Who killed the electric car" theme is biased and lack realistic perspective.

Make an affordable electric car with decent range at freeway speeds and it will sell.

the problem with the BEST electric cars so far has always been lack of range AT SPEED.  

OK.. the Tesla ($250,000) proves that if you throw enough money at electric cars they can work.

Make them work at a price the averge person can afford... or shut up.

Answer 6

The electric car died because they weren't practical.

Lack of good batteries was the problem.

We are finally getting batteries that MAY resolve the problem, but the range of the vehicles will be limited to about 40 to 60 miles between charges.

GM is planning to introduce the VOLT in 2010 but it will still need further development before it becomes truly practical.

What will they do with all the toxic old batteries? put them in landfills?

Answer 7

First of all, the electric car is a question of been allow to run it or not, I own a SRX Cadillac and is 100% electric and able to travel at the speed of up to 140 MPH but the range depend on your speed just like the fuel cars. At the speed of 60 MPH only I can reach up to 786 mile range but I am allow to drive this car for test purpose only and after 6 PM to 6 AM using special plates during the test... see www.santanaeffect.com

Answer 8

They have responded recently by releasing this concept car the "Volt".

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16503845

They also have a range of Hybrid vehicles

http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/adv_...

This suggests that they think they made a mistake.

My perspective is that the ceasing the EV1 programme will probably go down as one of the worst business decisions in history. GM are unlikely to admit it, so don't expect that sort of comment.

P.S. Just a reminder The EV1 was canned in favour of the Hummer.  They are now playing catch up with Toyota, Honda and Tesla motors.

Answer 9

They did not comment.

I think they effectively "responded" by continuing to stick to old technology and fall behind the Hondas and Toyotas of the world while continuing to manage an inflexible and inefficient supply chain and therefore start losing money as the Japanese manufacturers gained market share.