If there were any teeth left in the old truth in advertising laws, it'd be the "P.O.S." Let's see now, the original Segway, not exactly an unqualified success to begin with, was effectively banned everwhere it might have provided useful transportation. What could be better than to expand upon that concept and come up with something more prone to cartwheeling than the Isetta, but with less room & road capability? They didn't even mention the free "Snuggie" included with every purchase. :24:The EV-1 died do to lack of battery technology. Who'd buy a car with a proven range of 40 miles? Where GM screwed the pooch is in discarding what was learned from that project. Fact is the entire domestic car biz has been turning out one P.O.C. stupidmobile after another for the last 4 decades. This joke is merely icing on the cake. If the general public really knew how GM, Ford & Chrysler have been run since the `70s there'd be no US-based marques left. Oh wait...come to think of it we're well on the way...:30:
There were high hopes for the Smart car, but in this market it's a toy. A vehicle this small should deliver amazing mpg and it doesn't. The German auto makers haven't exactly been turning out successful product in recent years either; at least theirs are grossly overpriced. The Smart might make sense where population densities are high and a car the size of a large dog makes life easier. But the US of A mostly developed after the automobile. You could buy a Fit, Yaris, Aveo or other econobox for less money, realize the same cost per mile since, unlike the Smart, they run on regular. Plus you'd get enough room for more than 2 passengers and a pack of gum (and a real transmission).
