It is a mystery as to why technologies solutions, such as the ones engineered by AFS Trinity on their XH-150 have not been more widely adopted by mainstream car manufacturers.
The gist is that half of the automobile consumer mass wants to feel empowered, while the other just wants a car to get them from point A to B. The rise of hybrids, HEV, especially these last few years have been promising and we should have seen more hybrid flavours by now. Yet, manufacturers are slow to adopt them, sometimes even clumsy in their approach.
Mainstream Versus Startups. For a strange reason, people are in awe of big corporations, even if these corporations do not function well or even offer the best they can. When we compare the lightning fast results electric and hybrid car startups have achieved compare to more traditional car companies, it is obvious the genius lies with the smaller guys. When we test drove the
AFS Trinity XH-150, it was obvious this was what an HEV should be.
As a side note, some of us are not fans of bulky SUVs and while HEVs are interesting, the real interest lies with pure electric vehicles, EV. However, our view of hybrids, and even, to some extent of SUVs have changed the day we climbed on board of the XH-150. Here is an HEV SUV that lets you decide. Here is an SUV that handles very well. Here is an SUV that has enough room, comfort and space cargo to satisfy professionals and soccer moms. Yet, it is puzzling as to why mainstream automobile makers have not followed their lead in the better engineering of hybrids? Why have car manufacturers not leased AFS Trinity's unique advanced technology to offer better products?
The answers are many, and often enough center around the inevitable cost of production and sales price. With the head spinning amounts of funds being given away from governments, it almost seems these giant corporations are more interested in reinventing the wheel, rather than partner with a local manufacturer, which would better serve the nation as a whole.
It is a mystery as to why technologies solutions, such as the ones engineered by AFS Trinity on their XH-150 have not been more widely adopted by mainstream car manufacturers.
The gist is that half of the automobile consumer mass wants to feel empowered, while the other just wants a car to get them from point A to B. The rise of hybrids, HEV, especially these last few years have been promising and we should have seen more hybrid flavours by now. Yet, manufacturers are slow to adopt them, sometimes even clumsy in their approach.
Mainstream Versus Startups. For a strange reason, people are in awe of big corporations, even if these corporations do not function well or even offer the best they can. When we compare the lightning fast results electric and hybrid car startups have achieved compare to more traditional car companies, it is obvious the genius lies with the smaller guys. When we test drove the AFS Trinity XH-150, it was obvious this was what an HEV should be.
As a side note, some of us are not fans of bulky SUVs and while HEVs are interesting, the real interest lies with pure electric vehicles, EV. However, our view of hybrids, and even, to some extent of SUVs have changed the day we climbed on board of the XH-150. Here is an HEV SUV that lets you decide. Here is an SUV that handles very well. Here is an SUV that has enough room, comfort and space cargo to satisfy professionals and soccer moms. Yet, it is puzzling as to why mainstream automobile makers have not followed their lead in the better engineering of hybrids? Why have car manufacturers not leased AFS Trinity's unique advanced technology to offer better products?
The answers are many, and often enough center around the inevitable cost of production and sales price. With the head spinning amounts of funds being given away from governments, it almost seems these giant corporations are more interested in reinventing the wheel, rather than partner with a local manufacturer, which would better serve the nation as a whole.
I have been following AFS Trinity and the development of the XH-150. I don’t really understand what the major care manufacturers have against this invention, other than it wasn’t their own idea. I can’t believe that consumers would not be excited about this develpment if it was offered. Even if it only got 100 miles to the gallon it would still be a break-through. The Chevy Volt is advertised at 234 mpg! But facts are hard to come by and it wouldn’t begin production until 4th Qtr of 2010. The Volt would cost approximately $40,000 while the XH-150 would cost approximately $30,00. You can assure yourself that gas prices will continue to increase. Let’s get going on making us independent of foreign oil.
Comment by Frank — August 13, 2009 @ 8:05 am
Electricnick responds: Thanks Frank for your comment. Yes, indeed it is mind puzzling and makes one wonder, have mainstream car makers really changed at all? Why won’t they buy them if it benefits consumers?
The XH-150 is superbly re-engineered, and maybe this rubs GM the wrong way. What we felt was one of its selling point is that it empowers people. It lets the driver choose how he or she wants to drive the car through the different modes. And there again lies the rub, most car makers are not very keen on letting consumers choose, opting for rigid “what we give you is what you will get”. As far as the Volt’s 234mpg, we feel these ad campaigns are disingenuous since MPG depends on so many factors with advanced hybrid designs. We cannot give any real numbers but a range estimates. Even then, it will be interesting to see how much the CARB numbers will deffer… 1000mpg?
We hope AFS Trinity will be able to buy a closed GM factory and built these SUVs. It is a great product.
The Electricnick.com team.
Comment by Nick — August 13, 2009 @ 9:49 am