Future (of) Cars

[Goodspeed]

So, as 2008 draws to a close, I think we can safely call this one of the most monumental years for the history of the automobile. '08 brought with it more advances in technology (albeit matured ones from years earlier, in a more widespread fashion) than I can recall...direct injection, regenerative braking, and various safety features to name a few, that I'm sure we'll be seeing more of in the future.

2008 also held a lot of turmoil for the auto industry that we're going through right now, as previous $4/gallon gas and current financial troubles upset the status quo of your average consumer. You know the deal...small and frugal is in, big and excessive is out.

I thought I'd take a shot at putting some perspective on what is going to happen in the near future and beyond with others opinions.

What's going to happen, and what is important?

What's going to happen to sports cars?

What's going to happen to motorsport?

IMO,

Detroit is in big trouble. - GM's market share is currently below 20%, the lowest since the 1920's, and currently in America the best selling vehicle is now a Honda, with the F-series truck at 5th. Estimates are that they won't recover to pre-'08 levels for 3 to 4 years at the least (and thats when they were still sliding). Consumer confidence is gone and its going to be very difficult to bring themselves back from the brink. Their apology letter really did them in, but no one is feeling sorry for them.

The bailout has stagnated, the Bush WH is contemplating an answer to be given in the next few days. The word "if" has been used a lot, the whole car czar deal...strange (desperate) times lie ahead for the Motor City. Plants are currently stalled (Chrysler's are on a month-off break).

I'm expecting whole brands to disappear (Saturn, Hummer...Buick? Lincoln? Mercury? the list is endless). Ford is finally bringing a full Euro-spec Focus by MY 2010, GM already badge-engineered some Opel's...I think the future for Detroit is a vastly smaller/trimmed production scale featuring Euro/South Am. market-vehicles for a few years until USA HQ's can build their own.

Sports cars and motorsport...well, I can't really comment on these. Its definitely sad to hear the latest news about the shelved concepts and the automaker's exit from motorsport. I couldn't guess what the market trends are for sports cars in the future, just that they are somewhat depressed right now, depending on the model. Corvettes are still halted (I think?) and Mustang sales dropped heavily in '08.

Lastly, this is (hopefully) the future for all brands...

http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity/

I remember when this was just a concept/pipe dream. Now they're trial-leasing them in SoCal (hopefully the plug doesn't get pulled...GM EV1?)

James May did quite an eye-opening review lately that reminded me of this thing....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s92j97qx-gs

This car could be mass-produced by 2018, or so Honda estimates. JL makes a great point in the video (that I've been thinking of often), that such accessible alt.fuel vehicles like this would save the gas cars of yesteryear for enthusiasts and collectors.

Thoughts?

[Evan]

Introducing the 2012 Pelosi GTxi SS/Rt Sport Edition

It's in the way you dress. The way you boogie down. The way you sign your unemployment check. You're a man who likes to do things your own way. And on those special odd-numbered Saturdays when driving is permitted, you want it in your car. It's that special feeling of a zero-emissions wind at your back and a road ahead meandering with possibilities. The kind of feeling you get behind the wheel of the Pelosi GTxi SS/Rt Sport Edition from Congressional Motors.

All new for 2012, the Pelosi GTxi SS/Rt Sport Edition is the mandatory American car so advanced it took $100 billion and an entire Congress to design it. We started with same reliable 7-way hybrid ethanol-biodeisel-electric-cleancoal-wind-solar-pedal power plant behind the base model Pelosi, but packed it with extra oomph and the sassy styling pizazz that tells the world that 1974 Detroit is back again -- with a vengeance.

We've subsidized the features you want and taxed away the rest. With its advanced Al Gore-designed V-3 under the hood pumping out 22.5 thumping, carbon-neutral ponies of Detroit muscle, you'll never be late for the Disco or the Day Labor Shelter (as long as you start out early enough). Engage the pedal drive or strap on the optional jumbo mizzenmast, and the GTxi SS/Rt Sport Edition easily exceeds 2016 CAFE mileage standards. At an estimated 268 MPG, that's a savings of nearly $1800 per week in fuel cost over the 2011 Pelosi.

Even with increased performance we didn't skimp on safety. With 11-point passenger racing harnesses, 15-way airbags, and mandatory hockey helmet, you'll have the security knowing that you could survive a 45 MPH collision even if the GTxi SS/Rt were capable of that kind of illegal speed.

But the changes don't stop there. Sporty mag-style hubcaps and an all-new aggressive wedge shape designed by CM's Chief Stylist Ted Kennedy slices through the wind like an omnibus spending bill. It even features an airtight undercarriage to keep you and a passenger afloat up to 15 minutes -- even in the choppy waters of Cape Cod inlet.

Available in a rainbow of color choices to match any wardrobe, from Harvest Avocado to French Mustard. A special high-capacity hatchback holds up to 300 aluminum cans, meaning fewer trips to the redemption center. And the standard 3 speaker Fairness ActoPhonic FM low-band sound system means you'll never miss a segment of NPR again.

Best of all, the Pelosi GTxi SS/Rt is made right here in the U.S.A. by fully card-checked UAW unionized workers and Detroit's famous visionary jet-set managers. Even if you don't own one, you can enjoy the patriotic satisfaction that you're supporting the high wages, good benefits, and generous Demo political donations that are once again making the American car industry the envy of the world.

But why not buy one anyway? With an MSRP starting at only $75,000, it's affordable too. Don't forget to ask about dealer incentives, rebates, tax credits, and wealth redistribution plans for customers from dozens of qualifying special interest groups. Plus easy-pay financing programs from Fanny Mae.

So take the bus to your local CM dealer today and find out why the Pelosi GTxi SS/Rt Sport Edition is the only car endorsed by President Barack Obama. One test drive will convince you that you'd choose it over the import brands. Even if they were still legal.

[BLINGMW]

Congressional Motors! *shudder*

*edit*
Sorry I don't have much useful feedback for this perfectly good thread topic Goodspeed. But I have no freaking clue what's happening in '09. 6 mo ago I would have said for sure we would finally be getting some more diesels. Now that fuel prices are back to 10 years ago prices, I don't know.
I'm guessing the big 3 aren't going anywhere in the next couple years now that we've committed to some form of bailout. Might have been a bluff anyway.
Will the unions eventually choke them out anyway? Or is customer confidence already so damaged that they're doomed?
What do customers even want (if anything)? Big? Small? Fast? Utilitarian?
The only thing you mentioned I agree with is that brands are likely to disappear. We'll end up with fewer choices as they cut options and reduce inventory to reduce costs.
Maybe if 1 of the big 3 fail or close some factories, we'll see some room made for a new or small company to do something different? Zaap or Tesla maybe? :dunno: Would Hyundai be interested in producing more here?
And on the topic of motorsport, I don't see much changing in club racing level stuff, but it's clear the pro market is drying up fast. I'll put my money on club racing actually becoming more popular as those drivers will still want to race. Maybe GRM subscriptions, NASA and SCCA memberships will grow, and we'll all be watching Spec E30 and Miata on TV. 8)

More questions than answers.