More Audi Arrogance: Audi President "Volt is car for idiots"
09-03-09, 08:53 AM
#1
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More Audi Arrogance: Audi President "Volt is car for idiots"
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs...x?post=1247701
I am assuming he is taking from experience seeing as the A3 is a great car but no one wants to pay 30-40k for it here.
I used to really like Audi but between the Ads, comments like this and the new owner attitude, I might have to pass...
Audi President Has Verbal Jolt for Volt
Predicts the Chevy hybrid will fall flat with consumers
Posted by Lawrence Ulrich on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 10:07 AM
I’ve come to know Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen as a passionate advocate of fuel-sipping diesel engines. That passion was on full display when I sat with de Nysschen at a media dinner in Carneros, Calif. (after test drives of three new Audi models), during which he sharply criticized electric vehicles -- including GM’s Chevy Volt.
He dismissed GM’s upcoming plug-in hybrid as “a car for idiots,” saying that few consumers will be willing to pay $40,000 -- the Volt’s estimated base price -- for a car that competes against $25,000 sedans and conventional hybrids. Nor, he noted, is the Volt a luxury car whose green-technology costs will be excused because it also delivers prestige or performance.
“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 did add that plug-in hybrids are good in concept and hold advantages over diesels in stop-and-go driving. But for the moment, de Nysschen noted, electric vehicles (EVs) are more about making a statement.
“They’re for the intellectual elite who want to show what enlightened souls they are,” he said.
De Nysschen expressed frustration with regulators and policymakers, saying the public has been hoodwinked into believing that EVs are the only answer to global warming. The U.S. government, he said, is pouring billions of dollars into EV technology, yet diesel technology could deliver a more immediate and dramatic decrease in global-warming emissions. And the man knows of what he speaks: Modern diesels already power half of Audi’s cars in Europe and have helped Audi dominate recent runnings of the 24 Hours of LeMans. Diesels have been shown to emit 25 percent less carbon dioxide than gasoline engines, while using 25 to 35 percent less fuel.
Mass electrification of cars, he argued, would result in a net increase in carbon dioxide emissions, because so much of America’s electrical grid relies on dirty coal for its energy. Cleaning up the nation’s power grid is the real priority, he said, and only then can EVs make environmental sense.
The Audi of America president ended with a bold prediction: The Volt will fall flat. And the federal government, having publicly forced GM to develop electric cars, will subsidize the Volt to save face and boost sales.
Whether that comes to pass or not, expect de Nysschen to continue to lobby Washington to ensure that diesels get their fair share of federal support.
(Photo: Johan de Nysschen; courtesy of Audi)
I am assuming he is taking from experience seeing as the A3 is a great car but no one wants to pay 30-40k for it here.
I used to really like Audi but between the Ads, comments like this and the new owner attitude, I might have to pass...Audi President Has Verbal Jolt for Volt
Predicts the Chevy hybrid will fall flat with consumers
Posted by Lawrence Ulrich on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 10:07 AM
I’ve come to know Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen as a passionate advocate of fuel-sipping diesel engines. That passion was on full display when I sat with de Nysschen at a media dinner in Carneros, Calif. (after test drives of three new Audi models), during which he sharply criticized electric vehicles -- including GM’s Chevy Volt.
He dismissed GM’s upcoming plug-in hybrid as “a car for idiots,” saying that few consumers will be willing to pay $40,000 -- the Volt’s estimated base price -- for a car that competes against $25,000 sedans and conventional hybrids. Nor, he noted, is the Volt a luxury car whose green-technology costs will be excused because it also delivers prestige or performance.
“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 did add that plug-in hybrids are good in concept and hold advantages over diesels in stop-and-go driving. But for the moment, de Nysschen noted, electric vehicles (EVs) are more about making a statement.
“They’re for the intellectual elite who want to show what enlightened souls they are,” he said.
De Nysschen expressed frustration with regulators and policymakers, saying the public has been hoodwinked into believing that EVs are the only answer to global warming. The U.S. government, he said, is pouring billions of dollars into EV technology, yet diesel technology could deliver a more immediate and dramatic decrease in global-warming emissions. And the man knows of what he speaks: Modern diesels already power half of Audi’s cars in Europe and have helped Audi dominate recent runnings of the 24 Hours of LeMans. Diesels have been shown to emit 25 percent less carbon dioxide than gasoline engines, while using 25 to 35 percent less fuel.
Mass electrification of cars, he argued, would result in a net increase in carbon dioxide emissions, because so much of America’s electrical grid relies on dirty coal for its energy. Cleaning up the nation’s power grid is the real priority, he said, and only then can EVs make environmental sense.
The Audi of America president ended with a bold prediction: The Volt will fall flat. And the federal government, having publicly forced GM to develop electric cars, will subsidize the Volt to save face and boost sales.
Whether that comes to pass or not, expect de Nysschen to continue to lobby Washington to ensure that diesels get their fair share of federal support.
(Photo: Johan de Nysschen; courtesy of Audi)
09-03-09, 09:14 AM
#2
Lexus Champion
Interesting read. This guy is really shooting himself in the foot if he is trying to win people over on diesel. Sure there are a lot of politicians who are behind the Volt and he may disagree, but to call people idiots is a bit irresponsible of the president of a company.
If he's such a believer in diesels, he needs to bring over more models than just the Jetta and Toureg. Put your money where your mouth is buddy.
If he's such a believer in diesels, he needs to bring over more models than just the Jetta and Toureg. Put your money where your mouth is buddy.
09-03-09, 09:22 AM
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I will have to agree with him that the car is severely overpriced compared to conventional hybrids and clean diesel vehicles. I think that the way of vehicularizing his thoughts, however, is severely out of touch.
I will also have to agree that electric cars make no environmental sense... most power plants in the U.S. still burn coal and oil to make energy. I personally think that the electric car fad will fade away like the E-85 one, when it was discovered that the production of ethanol equalled or surpassed carbon dioxide emissions produced by cars alone. Until the U.S. and, really, the world has turned towards 'greener' ways of making energy such as wind mills, solar plants, tidal plants, and heck even nuclear power plants (the nuclear is a virtually untapped source of power), electric cars will not be envrionmentally feasible.
I will also have to agree that electric cars make no environmental sense... most power plants in the U.S. still burn coal and oil to make energy. I personally think that the electric car fad will fade away like the E-85 one, when it was discovered that the production of ethanol equalled or surpassed carbon dioxide emissions produced by cars alone. Until the U.S. and, really, the world has turned towards 'greener' ways of making energy such as wind mills, solar plants, tidal plants, and heck even nuclear power plants (the nuclear is a virtually untapped source of power), electric cars will not be envrionmentally feasible.
09-03-09, 09:25 AM
#4
Lexus Champion
Interesting read. This guy is really shooting himself in the foot if he is trying to win people over on diesel. Sure there are a lot of politicians who are behind the Volt and he may disagree, but to call people idiots is a bit irresponsible of the president of a company.
If he's such a believer in diesels, he needs to bring over more models than just the Jetta and Toureg. Put your money where your mouth is buddy.
If he's such a believer in diesels, he needs to bring over more models than just the Jetta and Toureg. Put your money where your mouth is buddy.
09-03-09, 09:32 AM
#5
Technology is expensive when new.
Remember when the iPhone was $600 new?
To create groundbreaking technology, you have to start with something limited and (quite frankly) experimental. When it becomes more mainstream, the technology advances, prices go down, and demand goes up.
And the demand peak for electric vehicles will far surpass the demand peak of diesels (well, the peak of diesel demand peaked decades ago...).
Remember when the iPhone was $600 new?
To create groundbreaking technology, you have to start with something limited and (quite frankly) experimental. When it becomes more mainstream, the technology advances, prices go down, and demand goes up.
And the demand peak for electric vehicles will far surpass the demand peak of diesels (well, the peak of diesel demand peaked decades ago...
).
09-03-09, 09:50 AM
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I will have to agree with him that the car is severely overpriced compared to conventional hybrids and clean diesel vehicles. I think that the way of vehicularizing his thoughts, however, is severely out of touch.
I will also have to agree that electric cars make no environmental sense... most power plants in the U.S. still burn coal and oil to make energy. I personally think that the electric car fad will fade away like the E-85 one, when it was discovered that the production of ethanol equalled or surpassed carbon dioxide emissions produced by cars alone. Until the U.S. and, really, the world has turned towards 'greener' ways of making energy such as wind mills, solar plants, tidal plants, and heck even nuclear power plants (the nuclear is a virtually untapped source of power), electric cars will not be envrionmentally feasible.
I will also have to agree that electric cars make no environmental sense... most power plants in the U.S. still burn coal and oil to make energy. I personally think that the electric car fad will fade away like the E-85 one, when it was discovered that the production of ethanol equalled or surpassed carbon dioxide emissions produced by cars alone. Until the U.S. and, really, the world has turned towards 'greener' ways of making energy such as wind mills, solar plants, tidal plants, and heck even nuclear power plants (the nuclear is a virtually untapped source of power), electric cars will not be envrionmentally feasible.
The bottom line is Audi does have a huge vested interest in diesels but AMERICANS DO NOT WANT THEM. So he is bashing GM for the Volt b/c Audi either cannot figure out or are not trying to figure out alternative methods.
Diesel is oil derived for goodness sakes lol
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09-03-09, 09:52 AM
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09-03-09, 10:00 AM
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09-03-09, 10:08 AM
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Do people not understand the economics of new technology? Surprised that the president of Audi wouldn't get this simple concept.
Corolla competitor?
Let's face it, if not for a $40K price tag, the Volt wouldn't be coming at all and therefore no new technological leap in the auto industry.
Corolla competitor?
Let's face it, if not for a $40K price tag, the Volt wouldn't be coming at all and therefore no new technological leap in the auto industry.
09-03-09, 11:05 AM
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Let's face it, if not for a $40K price tag, the Volt wouldn't be coming at all and therefore no new technological leap in the auto industry.
the volt is innovative and interesting, but a) it's still not here, and b) it will be a NICHE vehicle, really ONLY of use to city commuters who will still need ANOTHER car if they want to go any longer distance without stopping overnight to recharge.
you'll see celebs and yuppie city dwellers driving them, and that's about it.
09-03-09, 11:05 AM
#12
Lexus Test Driver
Electric cars are like ethanol, it’s a great idea until too much people have it and drive up demand, then other areas such as corn crop or power plants is affected.
Is it possible that the word idiot is lost in translation, maybe he just meant dumb
Anyways, he just might be right. Americans drives a lot of highways, Hybrid and electric cars are not efficient on the highway. Diesels are far more efficient on the highway and the diesel engine components are more heavy duty. Yet us idiot American still drives expensive hybrids and electric cars because of status symbol, maybe its that green badge on the car they want to seen in. God forbid if we are seen driving a diesel, since diesel is a dirty word. Sometime I wonder if all these earthy crunchy green car owners do actually care about the environment or they just want to project that image.
Is it possible that the word idiot is lost in translation, maybe he just meant dumb
Anyways, he just might be right. Americans drives a lot of highways, Hybrid and electric cars are not efficient on the highway. Diesels are far more efficient on the highway and the diesel engine components are more heavy duty. Yet us idiot American still drives expensive hybrids and electric cars because of status symbol, maybe its that green badge on the car they want to seen in. God forbid if we are seen driving a diesel, since diesel is a dirty word. Sometime I wonder if all these earthy crunchy green car owners do actually care about the environment or they just want to project that image.
09-03-09, 11:12 AM
#13
Lexus Champion
Electric cars are like ethanol, it’s a great idea until too much people have it and drive up demand, then other areas such as corn crop or power plants is affected.
Is it possible that the word idiot is lost in translation, maybe he just meant dumb
Anyways, he just might be right. Americans drives a lot of highways, Hybrid and electric cars are not efficient on the highway. Diesels are far more efficient on the highway and the diesel engine components are more heavy duty. Yet us idiot American still drives expensive hybrids and electric cars because of status symbol, maybe its that green badge on the car they want to seen in. God forbid if we are seen driving a diesel, since diesel is a dirty word. Sometime I wonder if all these earthy crunchy green car owners do actually care about the environment or they just want to project that image.
Is it possible that the word idiot is lost in translation, maybe he just meant dumb
Anyways, he just might be right. Americans drives a lot of highways, Hybrid and electric cars are not efficient on the highway. Diesels are far more efficient on the highway and the diesel engine components are more heavy duty. Yet us idiot American still drives expensive hybrids and electric cars because of status symbol, maybe its that green badge on the car they want to seen in. God forbid if we are seen driving a diesel, since diesel is a dirty word. Sometime I wonder if all these earthy crunchy green car owners do actually care about the environment or they just want to project that image.
There is zero advantage to a hybrid vehicle if you do more highway miles than city. There are advantages to both technologies, but the Audi execs comment was uneccessary.
Today's clean diesels are still trying to get past the old stigma of diesel being a dirty technology.
09-03-09, 11:16 AM
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the volt is innovative and interesting, but a) it's still not here, and b) it will be a NICHE vehicle, really ONLY of use to city commuters who will still need ANOTHER car if they want to go any longer distance without stopping overnight to recharge.
you'll see celebs and yuppie city dwellers driving them, and that's about it.
you'll see celebs and yuppie city dwellers driving them, and that's about it.
Seems as though perception still puts the Volt at a 40 mile limit as if it is just a pure electric. Fact is, you can drive all day long.
09-03-09, 11:21 AM
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Electric cars are like ethanol, it’s a great idea until too much people have it and drive up demand, then other areas such as corn crop or power plants is affected.
Is it possible that the word idiot is lost in translation, maybe he just meant dumb
Anyways, he just might be right. Americans drives a lot of highways, Hybrid and electric cars are not efficient on the highway. Diesels are far more efficient on the highway and the diesel engine components are more heavy duty. Yet us idiot American still drives expensive hybrids and electric cars because of status symbol, maybe its that green badge on the car they want to seen in. God forbid if we are seen driving a diesel, since diesel is a dirty word. Sometime I wonder if all these earthy crunchy green car owners do actually care about the environment or they just want to project that image.
Is it possible that the word idiot is lost in translation, maybe he just meant dumb
Anyways, he just might be right. Americans drives a lot of highways, Hybrid and electric cars are not efficient on the highway. Diesels are far more efficient on the highway and the diesel engine components are more heavy duty. Yet us idiot American still drives expensive hybrids and electric cars because of status symbol, maybe its that green badge on the car they want to seen in. God forbid if we are seen driving a diesel, since diesel is a dirty word. Sometime I wonder if all these earthy crunchy green car owners do actually care about the environment or they just want to project that image.
Also outside the Prius/Insight, hybrids look like normal cars. Escape, Camry, Altima, LS, GS, RX, Milan, Fusian etc etc. So again, the CEO is WRONG.
The CEO and any madness toward hybrid owners is misplaced especially since in my experience, most don't crap on diesels. They just feel hybrids are better.
Its up to AUDI and anyone else to convince and make diesels better if they feel it is indeed better. I can appreciate the new advertising somewhat by BMW and VW.
But then VW has the dumbass add poking fun at the Prius. Insecurity?
