>My non EV List duties had me POST to the Think_EV and >Ranger-EV discussion groups a message from a Ford R&D >Engineer who works with Ford Think. >http://groups.yahoo.com/group/think_ev/message/1547
>I point this out, not to have your vote (it does not apply >to the EVList), but to make you aware of his comments. I think it's good to hear from those who work on the inside. From his comments you can get good impressions of the internal dynamics involved and how Ford and GM approach this technology. I learned several things reading his post. >Correct me if I am wrong, but hasn't all automaker 'future >technology' statements, supposed to be that those future >technologies are the fix, the God-send, the panacea, the >savior of the earth ... >(vs the EV which can't be sold and does not go around the > world on one charge). With the alt fuel concept cars shown on the auto show circuit automakers make all kinds of claims that their vehicles are the next panacea. You can show off but not necessarily commit. >Yet he POSTs to make them work is a pain in the butt. One >wonders how much it will take to maintain one, once one >finally gets one. A typical US automaker response. Personally, I think the Japs will beat the US with the first available fuel cell vehicle marketed to the public. The US automakers will continue to banter it around for several years as the Hydro Jap cars invade our shores. In respect to the Th!nk. Its obvious from this guy Ford had concerns with the NiCd batteries, but he's not telling the whole story. They tried lead acids which weren't appropriate for the vehicle and in doing so compromised the performance and handling. I think their battery issue was a convenient excuse to get out of the Th!nk program. They didn't want to consider NiMH because they claim that would cost too much or they were concerned that was the best solution and a successful Th!nk running NiMH would mean a bigger committment. Killing the program early with their lame battery excuse was probably their best plan to get out of it. I think this guy will be up front on some issues to tow the party line but I'm sure he won't tell all. Some of his facts, particularly with respect to Ford Ranger EV and Postal service EVs are pretty informative as far as technical issues and lease agreements. I wouldn't bar him from the Th!nk list. Let him join and most of us will be able to read between the lines on what he says. Chip
