The Secrets Of Vancouver BC, Canada

Why Electric Cars Aren’t Ready For Prime-Time.

$41,545

$26,995

Tyler Hamilton of the Star: Ignorance and the art of electric car bashing.

Poor Tyler doesn’t get why the majority of people won’t buy into the electric car “fever” the environmentalists have. Ignorance has nothing to do with it. Consumers are a lot smarter than he gives them credit for.

Obama forced GM to prioritize the Volt and it’s a huge Obama success. Some months it almost sells 200 units. The car is a financial disaster, and would have folded GM if there wasn’t govt. money involved.

Had they pushed forward with the Camero at the time, the financial picture would be a lot brighter. The Camero is one of the better cars they have come out with, and gives them something to compete with against the Ford Mustang.

People aren’t as stupid as government. Something that the average Liberal cannot comprehend.

Here’s why we won’t buy electric cars right now, Tyler:

1) Cars still are a symbol of our freedom and an extension of our personality. This is why Prius owners generally are smug Liberals. Tesla has a great car I’d buy in a second, if it wasn’t 100K. The Volt is the equivalent to the K car as far as sexy is concerned. Make an electric car unique and better looking than a gas one, and you stand a chance.

2) You are selling instant obsolescence. Batteries are not there yet, and who ever buys an electric car today will be left with a worthless car in a few years. Given the risk a consumer is taking, an electric car today needs to be priced less than a comparable gas-powered car to take hold. Subsidies don’t matter, and in fact hurt the sales, as it makes us wary.

3) The cost of recharging is not that much less than gas in most high-electric fee areas – meaning payback for the initial price difference will almost never happen. I can accept a 50-100 mile range. I can’t accept that it will cost almost as much as gas, after paying a 50%+ premium for it.

Make a electric car that is sporty, fun and priced close to a standard car, and you may have some luck. The good thing is that they are capable of outperforming a gas engine.

You can’t guilt consumers into buying something. It has to make sense.

Consumers aren’t “bashing” electric cars. They aren’t buying it.

Create a good reason to own one from a marketing perspective and it may have a chance. Global warming isn’t it.

photo credit: sjsharktank
photo credit: eric.schnell

Canada-US Prices: We Get Gouged. So What.

The Sun did an article on the US/Canada price gap, which seems to have grown as fast as our dollar has risen.

Anytime I bring this up – insurance, gas, cars, food… the list goes on – I hear it’s because of taxes, “free” healthcare, and lack of the competition in our market.

Really?

We have more brands of grocery chains than Washington. We have malls with all the chains. Insurance… we have a state-run monopoly here, so I’ll leave that for another day.

The way to get their attention is to revolt… with our wallets.

A month or so ago, my wife and I got up in the morning and drove to Bellingham. A short drive that was paid for in gas savings.

We bought around $500 in clothes (would have been $750+ here) and $300 in groceries. Stayed away from beer although it was hard to resist. I know this is what fears Canada Customs most.

4 hours later, back to Canada. I knew I broke the 24 hour rule and wanted to find out if they would arrest me.

I told the lonely border guard exactly what we purchased and was told “Thanks”. I asked if I have to pay anything and was told “Nope”.

Since then we go every weekend. It’s quickly become how we spent our summer holidays.

When we cross into the US, I let them know that I am going down for a few hours  to spend a lot of money. My border crossing is now under 1 minute. They appreciate the business. I am hoping they’ll start a frequent flyer club for people like me… Nexus aside.

I bought a new TV for half price on one of our day trips and had to pay GST.. still saved 40%. I buy all my electronics, tires, golf clubs there now. When they tell me to stop inside and pay tax on these purchase- about 15% of the time – I gladly do. Seems imports from Asia trigger the GST.

If all border Canadians could start doing this, the message would be sent fast. We might see prices drop. At worst, we’d all get to experience customer service, great prices and stretch our pay a bit. Did I mention chicken is 1/2 price?

Or, we can wait for Flaherty to complete his inquiry.. while the bleed us dry.

Send Canadian retail the message. It’s how we get change.

photo credit: manyhighways