Audi of America Boss Calls Chevy Volt "A Car for Idiots"

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2NDGENTEG

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Report: Audi of America Boss Calls Chevy Volt “A Car for Idiots” : Auto News

Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen couldn’t be more clear about his thoughts on the upcoming Chevy Volt, calling it “a car for idiots.”

De Nysschen made the comments to MSN while previewing a few of Audis upcoming electric cars. He believes that there just won’t be enough demand for a vehicle that is expected to cost $40,000, when conventional hybrids are closer to $25,000.

“No one is going to pay a $15,000 premium for a car that competes with a (Toyota) Corolla,” he said. “So there are not enough idiots who will buy it.”

He went on to say how a premium hybrid or electric car can command those dollars because of the added prestige or performance it delivers. And yet, cars like the Toyota Prius have somehow elevated to the status of prestige vehicles, based purely on their environmental record.

De Nysschen has an agenda though, and like his opinions he isn’t about to hide it. The Audi exec believes that the U.S. government has worked to promote these technologies while offering little help to diesel alternatives. He also points out the important problem that much of the electricity generated in the United States comes from burning coal. Increasing diesel sales, he says, would have a more immediate impact on reducing pollution.

De Nysschen even gave MSN a prediction, that the Volt will fail initially and that the federal government will have to subsidize the car in order for it to succeed.

Our prediction is that subsidies will be available right from the start, ensuring both GM and the government that owns it look good while promoting a specific hybrid-electric agenda.

volt-new-official-pics01.jpg
 
If it looked like the concept, I'm sure it would have sold, but it doesn't look anything like it, it's nasty. By the way, for 40k, it'll be right in the price range of the Lexus HS250h which is much better looking, much more luxurious and has a Lexus badge.
 
so true about the diesel statement, but then again, why audi did not bring those in america before !!!
 
I respect a man who speaks his mind too, but let`s not go nuts with the short-sighted arguments. Ok, it costs 40k. Also, running costs are about 10-15% that of a normal car... no oil to change, no gas to put in (if you go by plug-in power alone, which should be fine for most people`s commuting needs).

So to drive 100,000km the proud Corolla owner puts in say $7000 of gas (at 7L per 100km), plus $800 in oil changes.. While the Volt owner, if he charges his car like he should, spends.. $...1000 total in electricty and doesn`t require oil changes?

So the actual premium for the Volt is more like $10,000.. which is more or less what it was for Hybrids when they started and people were willing to pay it. Granted, we have a lot of idiots, but only an idiot would ignore such an opportunity.
 
C'est très bien la Volt.

L'électricité a beau être produite à partir de charbon, au moins l'efficacité énergétique de la centrale est de loin supérieure au moteur à combustion.

C'est pas comme si le monde arrêterait de consommer de l'électricité anyway.

Ya juste à en vendre des Diesel si yé pas content.... c'est juste plate que les américains en veulent pas de son Diesel.

Go pour la Volt!
 
Pourquoi il faut absolument que les chars electrique soient laite comme le criss?

Messemble que le prototype avait l'air vraiment bien parti... Quess qui c'est passé!?
 
Pourquoi il faut absolument que les chars electrique soient laite comme le criss?

Messemble que le prototype avait l'air vraiment bien parti... Quess qui c'est passé!?

GM fait faillite, donc qu'est-ce qui prend le bord en premier? les prototypes.
c'est bien plus cost-efficient produire des gros SUV que les américains aiment si bien ...
 
If it looked like the concept, I'm sure it would have sold, but it doesn't look anything like it, it's nasty. By the way, for 40k, it'll be right in the price range of the Lexus HS250h which is much better looking, much more luxurious and has a Lexus badge.

The HS250h is just as ugly looking as the Volt. Its a glorified Corolla.
 
So to drive 100,000km the proud Corolla owner puts in say $7000 of gas (at 7L per 100km), plus $800 in oil changes.. While the Volt owner, if he charges his car like he should, spends.. $...1000 total in electricty and doesn`t require oil changes?
In teh long run the operating cost will probably be the same between a Corolla and the volt. you will for sure save a significant amount of money on gas, oil etc but in the long run the batteries will have to be replaced. although the Volt is considered to be way ahead of current hybrids in terms of mileage I really don't see it ever saving enough money in gas to offset the initial cost of the vehicle compared to a cheap economy car or a more reasonable hybrid like the Insight or Prius.
 
hit the nail on the head

He also points out the important problem that much of the electricity generated in the United States comes from burning coal. Increasing diesel sales, he says, would have a more immediate impact on reducing pollution.
 
When people start calling other people name its cause they are hating. And hate comes from fear. What is Johan scared about?
 
I think that the main reason to buy one of those electric car is for a lower carbon footprint.

- Money wise like others have said there's not really any advantages... its either a big first cost and a low maintenance cost or a low first cost but with a high maintenance cost.
- Manufacturing those kind of batteries is not very green and disposing of them is a real problem.
- I would really like to know in the total life of an hybrid such as the Prius, what is the TOTAL polution and waste footprint. From the manufacturing process to the disposal of the vehicule.

Audi as one of the most Green manufacturing plant in the world.... Please read more about it at this link below:
Audi Worldwide > Company > Environmental protection > CO2 Information
 
In teh long run the operating cost will probably be the same between a Corolla and the volt. you will for sure save a significant amount of money on gas, oil etc but in the long run the batteries will have to be replaced. although the Volt is considered to be way ahead of current hybrids in terms of mileage I really don't see it ever saving enough money in gas to offset the initial cost of the vehicle compared to a cheap economy car or a more reasonable hybrid like the Insight or Prius.

True, but noone is claiming that the premium will be offset... in the first generation. Just like the Prius and all the current hybrids, it is still not offset completely unless you take something like CARS into account... gov't sponsorship. However, Priuses (Priiiii?) are flying off the lot regardless... unlike Audi diesels. What Audi diesels? Exactly. Who's the idiot now Mr Nysschen? :)
 
What about the environmental impact of building millions of new cars every year when there are a shit load of perfectly good cars sitting in dealer lots already waiting to be driven home?

I'm pretty sure the environmental impact of destroying a 2000 Civic and building a brand new Civic is more then the extra pollution coming from the 10 year old Civic.
 
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