Vauxhall

[Prufrock]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

They do indeed, Jon. But if you and I were having a conversation over a drink isn't it likely that that discussion would also naturally develop into other areas? It would become extremely stilted if we attempted to stick strictly to the point at issue, I fear.

I see these threads in much the same way as a conversation in a pub, and actually enjoy the diversification of views therein expressed.

Regards, John.

The difference being if you have a conversation in a pub you usually have the good manners to listen and acknowledge what your friends say.

Jon.

[GreenBrick]

Originally Posted by eternal optimist

Anyhow, to wrestle this back to Vauxhall....

Wasn't the Tesla a GM car to begin with? And didn't they also create the Ampera?

What stopped GM/Vauxhall producing cars like the Tesla, or even something like the Leaf?

I have owned 5 Vauxhalls and would prefer one over a Ford (owned 2 of them).

Someone in GM has a lot to answer for in terms of electric cars, and how far behind the game they are.

[eternal optimist]

Originally Posted by GreenBrick

Wasn't the Tesla a GM car to begin with?

Not quite. It’s always been Elon Musk’s company. However he did use a Lotus Elite chassis to make his first commercial electric car. Lotus were owned by GM at that time, I’ll eat my hat if GM had anything to do with its design.

Originally Posted by GreenBrick

And didn't they also create the Ampera?

What stopped GM/Vauxhall producing cars like the Tesla, or even something like the Leaf?

I have owned 5 Vauxhalls and would prefer one over a Ford (owned 2 of them).

Someone in GM has a lot to answer for in terms of electric cars, and how far behind the game they are.

Yes, they did make the Ampera. And GM still make the second generation Ampera, they just don’t sell it in the UK yet. What stopped them producing cars like the Tesla etc? - nobody other than themselves, their customer base and their inability to react to events.

[GreenBrick]

Sorry, I was thinking about GM squashing the EV1 project, not the Ampera (which is a hybrid).

[eternal optimist]

Originally Posted by GreenBrick

Sorry, I was thinking about GM squashing the EV1 project, not the Ampera (which is a hybrid).

The second generation Ampera isn’t - it’s fully electric.

[biggbn]

Originally Posted by eternal optimist

Not quite. It’s always been Elon Musk’s company. However he did use a Lotus Elite chassis to make his first commercial electric car. Lotus were owned by GM at that time, I’ll eat my hat if GM had anything to do with its design.



Yes, they did make the Ampera. And GM still make the second generation Ampera, they just don’t sell it in the UK yet. What stopped them producing cars like the Tesla etc? - nobody other than themselves, their customer base and their inability to react to events.

Lotus Elise, I think...?

[Dippydog]

Part of it of course comes down to how much GM were willing to pump into both Vauxhall and Opel to sustain their viability especially in these days of globalisation.For instance wherever you go in the world you can buy a Ford,be that here in England over in America or down in Australia.With GM you bought a Vauxhall in Britain and that was it,in Ireland and continental Europe you bought an Opel in America a Cadillac[or other GM brand]and in Australia a Holden and what works in one market doesn't always work in another.A more specific example is the Omega B in Britain you got a Vauxhall in Ireland and continental Europe you got an Opel and in America you got a Cadillac Catera,whereas no matter whether in Europe or America[not sure about Australia] you bought a Ford Focus,same car,same name.