New electric car start-up survives!

Rybold · 06-25-2008, 06:38 AM

Eight years ago, most people thought it impossible for a new start-up company to compete against the already-established major auto manufacturers. However, with the Prius PHEV two years away (and that's just fleet cars), and the Chevy Volt two years away (and that will only be the $40K plus market), right now is a prime opportunity for start-up companies to jump into the market and seize the opportunity. A large number of start-ups are already attempting to do just that. Here is one company that is succeeding so far:

"With the establishment of Think North America, the City will be available to US customers by early 2009."

Th!nk Ox: An Electric Car With Style and Smarts : Gas 2.0

daniel · 06-25-2008, 09:11 AM

The thread title is grossly misleading: "New electric car start-up survives!" might be appropriate AFTER they've actually sold enough of the cars to insure that they will survive. This car does not yet exist, you cannot buy it, and the claims are dishonestly stated in the present tense even though the car is not available for purchase!

There ought to be a rule that cars that DO NOT YET EXIST cannot be described in the present tense, as though the claims had some basis in reality!!!

That said, I hope they do actually market this car.

Mormegil · 06-25-2008, 10:19 AM

Looks promising, especially at $25,000 in Europe. Curious how much the US MSRP will be.

Also curious what the top speed is.

bredekamp · 06-25-2008, 12:08 PM

Very attractive. Hope they can actually make and sell them....

BIGGDOGG · 06-25-2008, 12:33 PM

I would look into buying it if it kept the look once it came over to the states.

joe_g · 06-25-2008, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mormegil

Looks promising, especially at $25,000 in Europe. Curious how much the US MSRP will be.

From the North America FAQ it's $31,388 plus $314 / per month for the battery and maintenance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mormegil

curious what the top speed is.

65 MPH

ceric · 06-25-2008, 01:49 PM

It will sell well only if gas price hit $10 and above.

**Tideland Prius** · 06-25-2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe_g

From the North America FAQ it's $31,388 plus $314 / per month for the battery and maintenance.

65 MPH

That's quite pricey, isn't it? $314/month in battery and maintenance? I spend that much on maintenance on the Prius in 2 years!

Mormegil · 06-25-2008, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe_g

From the North America FAQ it's $31,388 plus $314 / per month for the battery and maintenance.

65 MPH

Yikes. +$314/month.

That's suddenly seems a bit steep. So if you keep the care for 5 years, that's an extra $18,840.

nyty-nyt · 06-25-2008, 03:27 PM

Interesting. I think Ford owned this company at one time, and spent money developing the chassis and styling before selling it back to some Norwegians. Probably paid out a big bonus for those corporate decisions.
The big battery replacement insurance cost makes me wonder if a Plug-in Prius would come with this extra cost...are lithium-ion batteries going to be prone to a short lifespan?

06-25-2008, 06:38 AM	#1
Rybold Double Gold Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 519 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	New electric car start-up survives! Eight years ago, most people thought it impossible for a new start-up company to compete against the already-established major auto manufacturers. However, with the Prius PHEV two years away (and that's just fleet cars), and the Chevy Volt two years away (and that will only be the $40K plus market), right now is a prime opportunity for start-up companies to jump into the market and seize the opportunity. A large number of start-ups are already attempting to do just that. Here is one company that is succeeding so far: "With the establishment of Think North America, the City will be available to US customers by early 2009." Th!nk Ox: An Electric Car With Style and Smarts : Gas 2.0

06-25-2008, 09:11 AM	#2
daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 9,125 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: New electric car start-up survives! The thread title is grossly misleading: "New electric car start-up survives!" might be appropriate AFTER they've actually sold enough of the cars to insure that they will survive. This car does not yet exist, you cannot buy it, and the claims are dishonestly stated in the present tense even though the car is not available for purchase! There ought to be a rule that cars that DO NOT YET EXIST cannot be described in the present tense, as though the claims had some basis in reality!!! That said, I hope they do actually market this car.

06-25-2008, 10:19 AM	#3
Mormegil Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 161 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: New electric car start-up survives! Looks promising, especially at $25,000 in Europe. Curious how much the US MSRP will be. Also curious what the top speed is.

06-25-2008, 12:08 PM	#4
bredekamp Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Somerset West, South Africa Posts: 345 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: New electric car start-up survives! Very attractive. Hope they can actually make and sell them....

06-25-2008, 12:33 PM	#5
BIGGDOGG Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Morristown,NJ Posts: 298 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 4	Re: New electric car start-up survives! I would look into buying it if it kept the look once it came over to the states.

06-25-2008, 01:49 PM	#7
ceric Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 806 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: New electric car start-up survives! It will sell well only if gas price hit $10 and above.

06-25-2008, 03:27 PM	#10
nyty-nyt Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 59 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: New electric car start-up survives! Interesting. I think Ford owned this company at one time, and spent money developing the chassis and styling before selling it back to some Norwegians. Probably paid out a big bonus for those corporate decisions. The big battery replacement insurance cost makes me wonder if a Plug-in Prius would come with this extra cost...are lithium-ion batteries going to be prone to a short lifespan?

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