Again, the U.S. Auto Industry Tries to Save Itself with Poorly-Conceived Ideas

Appears to be more of a toy than a viable mode of transportation. (in my mind)

This is likely what GM sees their new owners wanting them to build. You're likely to see a lot of things no one wants coming out of gov't-owned Detroit over the next few years.

More likely they want to irritate us into demanding the big gas guzzlers again. It's called the engineering of consent.

As I said in another comment forum the other day:

This two-seat monstrosity presents a quandary. How do you find someone you dislike enough that you don't mind them sharing the shame of being seen riding in it but who you also like enough to put up with for the duration of a long 35mph trip?

It's ugly but appearances can be improved. However, I think it's something that's ahead or out of this time.

I wouldn't want to ride in something like that in the presence of fast moving cars and trucks. The only advantage it has is that it increases the chance that you'll be instantly killed instead of going though a slow agonizing death.

I can see this being viable if all our cities are car/truck free. We park our cars outside the city and take the little single seaters into the city to our place of work. There will be no other vehicles except for these things.

Larger vehicles (such as delivery vans, buses) use a special lane and are speed limited so any encounter with their little brothers will result in a slow agonizing death instead of instant death.

In short, no, I don't think it's a good idea.

regards,

Vulcan

seems like another money sink to me, here's a strange idea? how about making affordable reliable efficient cars?

I doubt it's as embarrassingly stupid as adapting the HumVee for civilian use.

There are lots of people in the world (and even the US) who walk, ride push-bikes, ride step-thru motor bikes or drive small two door cars every day. This sort of thing could be a winner, the only way to really know is to build prototypes, iron out the bugs and and gauge the reactions.

Besides trying new ideas is never a waste, even if you don't get a viable product, you'll at least develop some valuable expertise for the next project. Oh yes, it also employs lots of deserving engineers

How can an idea be "poorly conceived"? The point of displaying the little prototype is to evaluate the possible implementations of (and the eventual market for) an idea. Such testing of different conceptions is just what GM has for so long avoided doing...to its own diminishment!

I suspect this uses Segway's software and computer controls to keep it upright. The flaw is when there is a control issue it just tips over at 35MPH in front of traffic. Even if this is a rare occurrence it is to often. A more stable platform could be used but it wouldn't look as hip. Remember the incidents, and recalls, when the Segways would loose its brains ,and balance, and plant the operators face into the concrete ? I think this car(?) would do the same thing. I wish GM would use their (our?) money for more practical prototypes. This inherent flaw makes this device a no starter!

I bet GM is fully aware of this fatal design flaw but is just grandstanding to look progressive. A lot of taxpayers dollars on the table don't ya know.

Why the hell GM does not get this money and invest in the very promissing project of the Volt? This is a good idea that people is willing to see soon!