Thanks for responding to 'Prius vs. non-hybrid Civic' yesterday

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pola @ May 11 2007, 11:03 AM) [snapback]439982[/snapback]</div>

Pola, I don't think Toyota is worried about this car. First, the entrance barriers to the American market are high. This effectively keeps out small upstart niche companies. The big corporations CRASH more cars in a year than the small company can produce. Second, the contracts of existing dealers may (probably) block them from selling the new company's products. Third, are there a significant number of Americans that will support a car without a track record of reliability from a new foreign company that could very well disappear quickly? Just look at what Toyota has gone through to manufacture and sell their hybrids. How many people do you think are going to plop down $30,000 for an electric car?

DeLorean had trouble selling a premium car and he had a solid automotive reputation. I'd like to see them compete and find success but again, and this goes for everyone, until there is one on the lot that can be purchased it's vaporware.

The Chinese company could buy advertizing space in fortune cookies. Every cookie would have "You will find true happiness behind wheel of Chinese electric car." on one side of the fortune and a coupon good at the local dealer on the other. (If this actually happens, remember that you read it here first.)