Article Comments High-low Hybrids - READ ONLY

21 messages, Last post on Jul 22, 2007 at 3:54 PM

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Article comments for High-low Hybrids - It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when gasoline prices will hit $4 per gallon. And with every nickel of increase, there'll be a decrease in the sales of gas-gulping full-size sport-utility vehicles. In the last two years, sales of big SUVs have plunged by 35 percent. (more)

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#12 of 21 Bugs by mirth Aug 16, 2006 (8:27 am)
My problem with hybrids in general is that in order to function properly they are heavily reliant on sensors and computers to interpret the readings from the sensors and react accordingly. Granted, any modern engine has to do this, but with hybrids it's complicated by a factor of ten. And I already have had problems with O2 sensors and the like failing. As a computer programmer, the thought of my car becoming even MORE dependant on a computer makes me very nervous. Domestic or import. This high-low hybrid seems, if anything, even more complicated than the current hybrids. As to my original comment, the author of the article seems to think that three large companies working together can get something done way faster. I have yet to ever see this in the business world. Replies to this message: gagrice (Aug 16, 2006 8:36 am) terry92270 (Aug 16, 2006 8:39 am)
#13 of 21 Re: Bugs [mirth] by gagrice Aug 16, 2006 (8:36 am)
Replying to: mirth (Aug 16, 2006 8:27 am) As a computer programmer, the thought of my car becoming even MORE dependant on a computer makes me very nervous. I have to agree. I do not plan to keep my hybrid PU past the warranty period. Too many electronic sensors & modules to go bad. The HSD system is even more complex. For those that believe that Electronics "DO NOT go bad with age", all I can say is "ignorance is bliss". Do I think all this high tech stuff is cool? Yes I do. I just know from 45 years in the electronics business, age is the enemy of all things electronic. Replies to this message: terry92270 (Aug 16, 2006 8:39 am)
#14 of 21 Re: Bugs [gagrice] by terry92270 Aug 16, 2006 (8:39 am)
Replying to: gagrice (Aug 16, 2006 8:36 am) You both are completely right! Age and heat.
#15 of 21 Re: I don't see... [jray4] 2 mode hybrid - NOT NEW by midnightcowboy Sep 08, 2006 (12:13 pm)
Replying to: jray4 (Aug 16, 2006 4:34 am) I think hybrids are a bandaid fix for the transportation infrastructure problem and are akin to the knee jerk turbo and diesel retrofit engines of the mid 70s. Hybrids are not cost effective and the pay-out for the hybrid premium is 3-5 years before break-even occurs. What problem are hybrids even trying to solve? It sure isn't to save the consumer money. what is foreign? If it is a foreign brand built in USA plants by USA workers? is that foreign? If is a USA car brand that is built outside the USA is that foreign? If it is a foreign car built with the majority of USA parts is that foreign? If it is a USA car built with majority of foreign parts is that foreign? I am a proud American! GM is trying to stay afloat; they lay off workers. GM is trying to stay competative, they now offer 4yr 50,000 mile warranty. GM is trying to get in the hybrid game; two mode hybrid Have you read what the two mode really is ? (1) displacement on demand - not a new idea. it works somewhat. (2) two sets of gears- woo hoo. There are cars that already do this. And CVT is infinite gears and luxury vehicles are up to 8 gears now. Good luck GM- your answer is a marketing solution. Cheers, MidCow Replies to this message: anythngbutgm (Sep 08, 2006 2:58 pm)
#16 of 21 Re: I don't see... [jray4] 2 mode hybrid - NOT NEW [midnightcowboy] by anythngbutgm Sep 08, 2006 (2:58 pm)
Replying to: midnightcowboy (Sep 08, 2006 12:13 pm) And it still amazes me that just 1 year ago hybrids were lambasted by the GM faithful for their uneconomical, overcomplex systems that were going to be dead on the side of the road within the year or contaminate their occupants with battery acid...
#17 of 21 technological leapfrog by timothyf Sep 15, 2006 (11:05 am)
Why are the OEM's continuing to dedicate resources to hybrid transmissions? Any idea which major manufacturer is going to make the technological leapfrog first to a direct electric drive (a la the Mini QED) and get rid of the transmission altogether? Replies to this message: terry92270 (Sep 15, 2006 11:26 am) midnightcowboy (Sep 19, 2006 6:02 am) toyolla2 (Jul 22, 2007 3:16 pm) gagrice (Jul 22, 2007 3:54 pm)
#18 of 21 Re: technological leapfrog [timothyf] by terry92270 Sep 15, 2006 (11:26 am)
Replying to: timothyf (Sep 15, 2006 11:05 am) LMAO!
#19 of 21 Re: technological leapfrog [timothyf] by midnightcowboy Sep 19, 2006 (6:02 am)
Replying to: timothyf (Sep 15, 2006 11:05 am) Look closely at Toyota's HSD system and/or the Tesla Roadster ( only $100k) My son had an electric scooter that had only a chain drive. Does that count ? MidCow
#20 of 21 Re: technological leapfrog [timothyf] by toyolla2 Jul 22, 2007 (3:16 pm)
Replying to: timothyf (Sep 15, 2006 11:05 am) The problem GM has is with the Allison transmission division. This is a mechanical engineering company that clearly believes in stepped transmissions. That's always been their business and as an organisation they need to preserve the status quo in order to survive. The idea of an inverter driven induction motor driving through a single reduction gear is an anathema to them. That would be the end of their business. When you're a hammer it's natural to view all your problems as nails. So this company will not go quietly into the night. It has the most access to the ear of GM and the advice it puts out is part of its survival strategy. To put it bluntly no one at Allison is likely to recommend that GM get serious with high power semiconductors and get a FAB built ASAP, which is what they should be doing. GM could be partnering with a US company like International Rectifier, for instance - in the same way that Toyota partnered with Toshiba in the Prius project. It must be technical weakness in the upper echelons of GM management that allows this lunacy to continue. T2 Replies to this message: gagrice (Jul 22, 2007 3:54 pm)
#21 of 21 Re: technological leapfrog [toyolla2] by gagrice Jul 22, 2007 (3:54 pm)
Replying to: toyolla2 (Jul 22, 2007 3:16 pm) Where have you been since June? Allison is sold making your argument invalid. General Motors has agreed to sell Allison Transmission, an Indianapolis-based maker of transmissions for commercial trucks and military vehicles, to two private-equity firms for $5.6bn. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19482848/