From our perspective, it appears that we've reached a tipping point with regards to interest in the electric / hybrid automobile. No wonder considering the environmental and national security risks presented by a continuation of an oil-only approach. Unfortunately for the troubled US automotive industry (and economy), the single biggest money generator from a global fleet of electronic vehicles -- the lithium-ion battery cell -- is
likely to be manufactured in Asia along side the lithium ion batteries found in our consumer electronics. According to the Wall Street Journal, "More than four dozen advanced battery factories are being built in China but none, currently, in the U.S." That could change, however, with a little determination, private investment, and a government willing to clear the way for manufacturing of this highly toxic contributor to the US infrastructure. Already, we've seen that
Intel is being coaxed into building electric car batteries. Now, a group of 14 firms (including 3M and Johnson Controls-Saft) have stepped up to form an alliance with a US government laboratory. The National Alliance for Advanced Transportation Battery Cell Manufacture is modeled after SEMATECH, a public-private venture from the 80s that helped restore US prominence in computer semiconductor technology. The goal is to create a shared-cost, "open foundry" for members to perfect and ultimately produce automotive batteries. Problem is, they need upwards of $2 billion to build a plant to manufacture batteries that no one has ordered. Of course, that's a pittance when compared to the
bailout requests made by the Big 3. Hmm, jobs and an industry dominating money machine... hey Obama, you listening?
[Via
Ars Technica]
posted December 19th 2008 9:29AM
I don't see how the American auto industry is considered fat and bloated when they've all cut their workforce down by 85% over the past 15 to 20 years or so. Anyone hired in the last 5 to 10 years gets about the same pay as they would if they worked for Toyota or Honda. You get zero benefits until you work for several years. Nobody is making the insane wages that are being claimed and anyone making decent money is being shoved out the door as fast as possible.
The only real problem is that people stopped buying cars and not just American cars. Toyota or Honda aren't selling any cars either, not even their precious little hybrid cars that no one wants anymore since gas prices have fallen. In this economy, anyone who makes products that cost over 10 grand is going to be in trouble. Those are the things that people cut out first. They are willing to hold onto that car for a while longer after paying it off instead of trading it in and upgrading to the next model.
I really wish people would stop this nonsense. I've seen more stores and restaurants closing every day and yet somehow, everyone thinks that the auto industry caused their own collapse. They were doing just fine when everyone else was too but now no one is doing very well at all. It's not just them. Why are we not talking about the fat, bloated, archaic, out-dated electronics industry as Circuit City closes a ton of stores and files for bankruptcy? Where are the fat, bloated, archaic, out-dated coffee house industry stories and comments? * sigh *
If you don't want to spend your money to help the economy grow...that's fine, it's a free country. If you actually believe that the auto-industry wouldn't be in this mess no matter how they ran their companies...again, free country. If you think that the collapse of the auto-industry won't affect every American (and many, many others) in a terribly negative way...you have been grossly misinformed.
Sorry, I’m not trying to pick on you personally Walt. This is kind of directed at all of those who feel the way you do.
Circuit City isn't asking for 15 billion dollars to operate for 3 months.
And the unions continue to get fat and bloated, which is why they were so against GM filing chapter 11. They're afraid of losing their power and money, but good buddy Bush bailed them out, and the chosen one Obama will give them more next year. You can bet on that.
Two flaws.
1. The US does not have the natural resources to produce our own batteries (of any kind). Therefore, we will be trading one foreign dependency for another. Oil for Lithium. This is NOT was the average American wants. We want to be free of foreign resources.
2. 2bill vs. 25 or even 50bill is not a "pittance". It's a signficant amount. Think if you made $50,000 a year and the government came along and demanded that now you give up an extra $2000. I'd be pissed and most of you would too.
It's sad that the politicians were so quick to jump and give the financial industry $700 billion, yet they don't want to give the Auto industry a dime. It was the "big three" that allowed the US to survive WWII. It's been the backbone of the US since. It's also the fault of our politicians giving forcing the US into a "world market" that's caused our homegrown automakers to be in the bind they are. Open your eyes people. The news is telling only one side.
I don't even know what blog about,. But i'm saving this on my iPhone pics,.that guy us Steve jobs ,heard he real scrawny now,.
now i know y jobs isnt attending macworld.,he pursuing a career in sumo wrestling.,
You're a King of the Hill fan, and you like to talk like Con and you call yourself Shugg. I get it. I don't know why, but it just came to me. Nobody else here does, and without that it's never going to get funny.
Maybe an avatar pic would he...no just, no.
Hmm, that looks like Konishiki... who's American.
The photo may be part of this...
http://www.willisms.com/archives/2007/06/wednesday_capti_107.html
Wait, that photo shows a totally different opponent. How many matches does this kid have under his belt (or whatever that thing is called)?
The photo is of this kid if I am not mistaken...
http://www.daylife.com/photo/05DRcFd9EY5nw
Hmm. Yesterday an engadget post complains about out of hand commenters. Today, they provoke them with this. No complaints really, just confused.
Congratulations to the Asian companies for being smart enough to corner the battery market.
So, basically we in the US suck so bad we can't even make high tech batteries at a good price and still be profitable.
I find it hard to believe that this doesn't have to do with a higher profit margin, rather than not making any money at all...
I'm only commenting on this topic for the pic.
I think you are right. There seems to be reached a tipping point now for electrical cars where even an extremely low oil price won't be able to stop it anymore. Of course the route to it will have to be found out still. The range currently is from pure electrical cars with LiIon batteries to hybrids. To fundamentally change the way we do things is typically what takes longest and that's why I think that Shai Agassi's project of building battery replacement stations in cities and whole countries is not going to work as it is too expensive and takes too long. A hybrid approach seems the better short-term approach and here the company Mindset (www.mindset.ch) has not only the right name but also the right concept I think. Other guys such as Tesla Motors who are building a racing car with LiIon batteries sounds to me like building a disco into a catholic church. Wrong thing for the intended audience. Bottom line is that we will see some real action here and as for me, my future car will have a battery built in that is clear.