Justin Cox
This is why GM should have been allowed to go bankrupt…
If you spend as much time loitering on the internet as me, you may have already seen this; if not, well, prepare to be astounded. GM, the auto maker that you and I basically now own whether you like it or not, has created the future in modern transport. They’re calling it the P.U.M.A. which stands for Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility Project — I don’t know why they didn’t call it the more accurate PUMAP. Either way, this is the most ridiculous thing I’ve seen in awhile.
I'm a PUMA and I'm awesome. At least I think I am.
GM collaborated with Segway on this project, basically for the hell of it. I mean, since the Segway really revolutionized walking and everyone desired one, logically we’d all want some strange gyroscopic roadster. Hopefully you can see the sarcasm dropping off that last sentence. Really though, there’s no way anyone is going to want a roughly $5000 thing that rides at 35 MPH and goes a whole 35 miles before needing to be recharged. And by no one, I really mean no one. What exactly is the market for this thing?
And furthermore, since I’m now funding GM’s existence, I demand that my money be better spent researching and developing better, more viable products — you know, the kind that people will actually buy. Either that or the next time GM decided they can’t afford to continue being in existence, because it will happen again, maybe the government should say “no. You guys go and see what bankruptcy feels like and maybe you won’t make things that are ridiculous.”
4/9/09
Wayne
I can see this thing being used in the same types of places that currently use Segway’s, such as police departments, military bases, warehouses, corporate/school campuses or industrial sites. Also, in small, afluent communities where image is more important than substance (Celebration?). I certainly don’t see this thing being used very widely where we live, though.
I think, though, that GM is trying to build what the most vocal groups, such as the current administration, say they want. Of course, what people say they want and what they buy are often two separate things(i.e. “I want to save some money, so I’ll trade this car that’s already paid off for a Prius (or, in my case, Mustang)!”).
What kind of things do you think they should be spending money on?
to Wayne
4/9/09
Wayne
I wish I could edit my comments for grammar errors.
to Wayne
4/9/09
Justin
I find it hard to believe that this thing’s creation was spurred by any vocal group. The current Administration has been vocal about alternative fuel vehicles and better hybrid battery technology, but this would not be that at all. This is something that GM and Segway went after and decided the world needed.
I think they should continue to develop better, more fuel efficient cars. Cutting out SUVs and trucks is not what I’m talking about, but making SUVs and trucks more efficient is enterally possible. Creating things that people won’t buy (this thing along with four models of the same car with different branding) doesn’t make any sense.
I still maintain that bankruptcy is probably the best option for these companies. It will force restructuring, break contracts with the unions, and allow them to become more streamlined and efficient. It would also prevent them from creating things like the PUMA.
to Justin
4/9/09
Wayne
All car companies produce concepts like this. In the last few years, Toyota has shown their version of a Segway (called Winglet) and a crazy-looking walking egg that carries a person around (i-foot, or something). If GM weren’t in the news every day, this wouldn’t have been noticed by most people. GM probably wouldn’t have made such a big deal about it, either, if they didn’t have such an un-green reputation.
Bankruptcy is not an easy “out” for the company’s numerous contracts with suppliers, dealers, and unions. When supplier Dephi declared bankruptcy, it took almost two years to reach a new labor agreement. And, since we’d almost certainly be supporting them through the bankruptcy process, I’d rather them try to work things out with a loan that would likely be a much smaller amount of money.
I’m not saying major changes need to be made at GM. They have too many brands, dealerships, suppliers (over 500), etc., but they’ve also got great products, including cars, SUVs, and trucks that are as efficient or more efficient than their competitors. It would be a shame to see them go to crap.
to Wayne