Quote:
Originally Posted by laserwizard
Let's not get excited about Government Motors' technology - first, until recently, GM has not built a hybrid vehicle despite the marketing and the labels - GM nearly committed fraud (and the consumers have seen through the charade) by claiming their vehicles were hybrids when they were essentially start assist and nothing more. And while Government Motors has wasted development dollars on these frauds and putting hybrid systems in trucks and SUV's, Ford is on its SECOND GENERATION TRUE HYBRIDS and has left the competition in the dust with them.
Second, Ford has electric vehicles coming on board - which will offer an interesting comparison with the VaporVolt which to date is a promise and not a reality despite the fraudulent 230 mpg claim that Government Motors has offered to the public. Perhaps the VaporVolt will be as it is described, but Government Motors is stuffing an off the shelf engine into the system that is way too large for its purpose and not efficiently packaged. From what I've seen the VaporVolt is not impressive - especially considering that most of what VaporVolt can do, the Ford Fusion Hybrid already does and for nearly $12k less!
Third, Government Motors will still trail Ford in the deployment of small, fuel efficient B and C class vehicles and with Ford pioneering technology like laser ignition systems and other improvements on internal combustion technologies - not to mention ecoboost and Direct injection systems, Government Motors is still trailing Ford.
Fourth, Ford has a superior development system - the world's best automotive computer design and implementation system bar none - Government Motors was squandering money on CTS station wagons and coupes while Ford was using money on systems improvement. So while Government Motors might have an electric vehicle first, it won't even be world class - the Nissan Leaf will be superior to the Volt and Government Motors will still have the stigma of stealing $50 billion in taxpayer funds.
Fifth, and most important, Ford is streamlined and has a plan and is executing the plan. Government Motors is a morass of confusion and divergent interests and lacks clear leadership. My money remains on Ford - not because it is the company I drive and buy, but because it is the best Domestic company bar none and is poised to become one of the most efficient in the world. I also believe that Ford Employees now believe that they can achieve anything and won't allow Government Motors a leg up on them anywhere.
Government Motors - Vaporware by the dozens - promises all over and nothing to show for it.
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That is where you go wrong. GM has vast engineering resourses. No other company on earth compares.
Do not get me wrong, its amazing what Ford does with the little they have. That said, GM invented the Hybrid concept. With trains, now owned by GE.
They went on to make Hydrid and CNG buses and now dominate city transport in the US with their CNG and Hybrid buses. They have been building Hybrids longer than Toyota.
Lastly, I am glad Ford does not make the mistake of underestimating GM's Engineering capabilities.
GM may be slow, but when they hit a market, they hit with a Vagance.
Take the SUV market, GM came in late and at the peak of it, they controlled a whooping 65% of the market.
Even as we speak, if you count their chinese sales under GM brands, they are still the largest automotive company company in the world.
They also have a pipeline full of small efficient cars. Full. Do not count GM out just yet. I am sure Mullaly is watching them like a Hawk.
On global engineering capabilities, GM owns one of the fastest cray computers in the world. Ford does not compare. Do not even lie to yourself. Ford definately is more efficient, but from a platform stand point GM is ahead of Ford in Global intergration. You got to be very careful to not to under estimate compatation. The CTS wagon is not a waste, its one more way to pay for a platform. The only area GM has not intergrated its global vehicles is RWD platforms between Cadillac and Holden, And Cadillac needs to use a more expensive layout to compete with the bigger boys.
Otherwise, all GM brands are now running on global platforms accross all markets, utilizing same powertrains, and components. Ford has still not intergrated its FWD platforms accross its global markets. If you look at ecoboost, and look at the Turbo Di ecotecs, power to displacement ratios, you will quickly understand GM is ahead of the game, also look at the 2.8 liter powerplant going into the SRX, DI turbo,... Its not ecotec, but you cannot urgue with its numbers. especially since its much more fuel efficient due to smaller displacement.
Nissan leaf superior to the Volt? you are kidding, right? They are not competing. The Volt is completely different from the leaf.
Lastly GM now seem to have a board that gets it.
You might have misunderstood my post. I did not say GM was ahead of Ford. All I said is, they should not be ignored, becouse they seem to be on a roll with their Hybrids. It may take time, but knowing them, they will rule when they are done.
Let me give you an example. When the C5 corvette came out, GM was using the small block which was by all accounts inferior to the DOHC V8's from Ford, Japan, Europe. What did they do? They took to improving their Engine. Racing. First off, they started the C5R program, what came out of that is what the resulted in a 403 HP, 400 HP Cadillac escalade all aluminum powerplant or the 505 HP, 500 lbs ft of Tq 26 mpg power plant in the Z06, that will screem at the same rews a honda v tech will and is more compact than Camry 4 banger. In a mere 7 years.
That Engine has evolved into a technological marvel, in the ZR-1. its direct injection, its VVTi, intake and outlet VVT, Toyota even said VVT could not be done in a pushrod set up. Today their new V10 Supercar cannot produce enough power to match a ZR-1. No one today would dare question a GM V8 small block engine. Its a technological marvel to behold.
GM may be down, but one would be foolish to count them out. The cost of BAS is really going to be meaningful if it can improve mileage to 20% above where it is now. Its not going to be a joke, if it can knock 40 mpg or 30 mpg city in a malibu. Its going to be a serious player at that point.
second-generation mild hybrid system Vs. Fusion Hybrid
Linear Mode
