More Videos
- GM A Step Closer To Exiting Bankruptcy
- Are Gas Prices Still Scaring Car Buyers?
- Ford Passes Toyota For #2 In The U.S.
- Studs, Duds, And The Musical Chairs In Autoland
- Going Fast. Deals And Models Harder To Find
- GM Enters Stretch Run To Exit Bankruptcy
- Marchionne's Silence Speaks Volumes
- Texting And Driving Worse Than Drinking and Driving
- Ford's Favored Status
- The Electric Car Race Heats Up
|
CNBC'S MOST SHARED
- A Goldman Trading Scandal?
- Rich People With A Death Wish
- Facebook Director Sees 'Billions' in Revenue in 5 Years
- The Threat of Ballooning Pensions
- Lehman CEO: Firm Deserved Bailout or 'Wind Down'
- FedEx Sees Signs of a Turnaround: Report
- Texting And Driving Worse Than Drinking and Driving
- Market's Monday Blues
- Hey, What's Up Doc?
- Judge Gives Control of Jackson Estate to Executors
- March Lows Will Hold — So Buy Equities: Strategists
- Lacoste Runs Full Page Ad With Roddick Loss
- Brandt: Bing, The Little Search Engine That Couldn't
- 5-Star Manager's 5 Top Stocks
- Hey, What's Up Doc?
- Busch: Summertime Blues Hits Investors
- Chadwick: Recession and Scandals Pave the Way for Romney 2012
- Art Cashin: The S&P's 'Head and Shoulders' Number
- Michael Jackson: Death And Taxes
- Second Half: Wait For Pullbacks, Then Buy the Best
- Accused Ex-Goldman Sachs Programmer Out on Bail
- Discover Shares Fall on Word of Stock Offering
- California General Obligation Bond Rating Cut
- GM to Get Final $20 Billlion From US This Year
- World Trade Center Developer Threatens Arbitration
- The Weirdest Currencies on Earth
- Judge Gives Control of Jackson Estate to Executors
- Recession Special: Wine Cheaper Than Water!
RSS FEED
Text Size 
 |
Chevy Volt |
Nissan/Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn is expected to announce his company plans to sell its first electric cars in the U.S. by 2010--according to the New York Times. While Nissan [NSANY
Loading...
()
] will make a limited number of models at first, Ghosn tells the Times that he expects the automaker to eventually have a full line-up of electric cars, perhaps by 2012.
Nissan's declaration, along with GM's [GM
Loading...
()
] plan to roll out the Chevy Volt by 2010, shows the automakers are more serious than ever before about electric cars. Yes, I know that some of you will point out that firms like Tesla and Venturi are already building electric cars. But the plans of the major automakers elevate the electric car race to a whole new level.
It shows that this is not just a token effort to appease environmentalists or make the companies look eco-friendly. Electric cars have the potential to ultimately raise the fuel efficiency ratings for the entire line-up of vehicles the company's produce. There's also the potential boost the bottom line by selling electric cars at a premium. In theory, these cars could provide a real jolt to auto sales as people decide to upgrade to an electric car/truck/SUV.
The cynics will say we shouldn't get to enthused about electric cars because there are still many technological hurdles. And there are many (battery development, meeting safety standards, etc) the industry needs to conquer. But make no mistake, the race is on.
Questions? Comments?
Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes