GM CEO: Toyota Prius is a "geek-mobile" that "I wouldn't be caught dead in"
12-14-10, 06:41 AM
#1
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GM CEO: Toyota Prius is a "geek-mobile" that "I wouldn't be caught dead in"
Big talk from Government Motors. Some of us wouldn't be caught dead in a GM vehicle Mr. Akerson. 
http://green.autoblog.com/2010/12/13...uldnt-be-caug/
http://green.autoblog.com/2010/12/13...uldnt-be-caug/
During a public appearance last Friday at the Economic Club of Washington, the chief executive officer of General Motors, Dan Akerson, slammed the Toyota Prius, calling the best-selling hybrid a "geek-mobile" that he wouldn't own or drive. The outlandish comment by Akerson, who recently took the helm at GM, could be construed as a remark that's aimed at turning the attention away from Toyota's hybrid and towards the Chevrolet Volt, but his words certainly won't sit well with the millions of current Prius owners.
Akerson's shot at the Prius rang out like this:
Akerson's blunt comment, directed at a rival manufacturer, is common in the industry, but rarely is the world's best-selling hybrid the target of such negativity. Maybe Akerson's speech was meant to show that GM is – after accepting a government bailout, emerging from bankruptcy and losing the position of the world's top automaker to Toyota – ready to duke it out and go toe-to-toe with its competitors once again, but why pick on the Prius? A geek-mobile? Call it what you want GM, it's still hugely popular.
Akerson's shot at the Prius rang out like this:
We commonly refer to the geek-mobile as the Prius. And I wouldn't be caught dead in a Prius.
GM's CEO then turned his attention to the Volt, stating, "This actually looks good."Akerson's blunt comment, directed at a rival manufacturer, is common in the industry, but rarely is the world's best-selling hybrid the target of such negativity. Maybe Akerson's speech was meant to show that GM is – after accepting a government bailout, emerging from bankruptcy and losing the position of the world's top automaker to Toyota – ready to duke it out and go toe-to-toe with its competitors once again, but why pick on the Prius? A geek-mobile? Call it what you want GM, it's still hugely popular.
Last edited by LexFather; 12-14-10 at 07:26 AM.
12-14-10, 08:18 AM
#4
Lexus Champion
Just another reason why my dollars don't support GM. 
When I needed to buy a truck last week I just couldn't bring myself to support a company that didn't get it and couldn't keep itself afloat on its own. Ford is the only American company that deserves to exist, as they kept their fingers out of the cookie jar. Hence why I spoke with my dollars and bought an F150.
When I needed to buy a truck last week I just couldn't bring myself to support a company that didn't get it and couldn't keep itself afloat on its own. Ford is the only American company that deserves to exist, as they kept their fingers out of the cookie jar. Hence why I spoke with my dollars and bought an F150.
12-14-10, 08:34 AM
#5
Lexus Champion
very stupid comment to make when a lot of Prius owners WOULD be interested in the Volt.
I love my Prius --- sure it's no beauty like a Ferrari, but I like the looks with the 17s and love the car for doing exactly what its supposed to do very efficiently, quiet, and comfortable (my 600 watt sound system also makes the ride more enjoyable!).
IMO, Prius stands for hi-tech, hi-mpg, high reliability.
I love my Prius --- sure it's no beauty like a Ferrari, but I like the looks with the 17s and love the car for doing exactly what its supposed to do very efficiently, quiet, and comfortable (my 600 watt sound system also makes the ride more enjoyable!).
IMO, Prius stands for hi-tech, hi-mpg, high reliability.
Last edited by bagwell; 12-14-10 at 08:40 AM.
12-14-10, 08:47 AM
#7
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very stupid comment to make when a lot of Prius owners WOULD be interested in the Volt.
I love my Prius --- sure it's no beauty like a Ferrari, but I like the looks with the 17s and love the car for doing exactly what its supposed to do very efficiently, quiet, and comfortable (my 600 watt sound system also makes the ride more enjoyable!).
IMO, Prius stands for hi-tech, hi-mpg, high reliability..
I love my Prius --- sure it's no beauty like a Ferrari, but I like the looks with the 17s and love the car for doing exactly what its supposed to do very efficiently, quiet, and comfortable (my 600 watt sound system also makes the ride more enjoyable!).
IMO, Prius stands for hi-tech, hi-mpg, high reliability..
Just another reason why my dollars don't support GM.
When I needed to buy a truck last week I just couldn't bring myself to support a company that didn't get it and couldn't keep itself afloat on its own. Ford is the only American company that deserves to exist, as they kept their fingers out of the cookie jar. Hence why I spoke with my dollars and bought an F150.
When I needed to buy a truck last week I just couldn't bring myself to support a company that didn't get it and couldn't keep itself afloat on its own. Ford is the only American company that deserves to exist, as they kept their fingers out of the cookie jar. Hence why I spoke with my dollars and bought an F150.
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12-14-10, 08:50 AM
#8
Lexus Connoisseur
Prius = 10 years of proven win.
Volt = All this hype for $40k?
Volt = All this hype for $40k?
12-14-10, 10:03 AM
#10
pretty ballsy for GM's CEO, who needed help from the government to prop them back up. but at the same time, a good chunk of america probably say the same thing about GM products. i did get to test drive the volt on one of chevrolet's promo tours, and though i liked the full use of electricity, i would much rather have a solid hybrid in place that has proven its effectiveness for the past decade.
12-14-10, 10:11 AM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
I actually like the latest gen Prius, (something I couldn't say about prior gens).
And I selected a Ford to replace my old Jeep last summer, no GM vehicle was on my radar.
And I selected a Ford to replace my old Jeep last summer, no GM vehicle was on my radar.
12-14-10, 10:45 AM
#12
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well, the american's do design tougher looking stanced out cars.
it's important to them.
look at chevy malibu, buick lacross, chevy camaro. No weakling, timid designs there.
but let's see how american quality holds up, too early to say.
I can say the lacrosse tranny is pretty pathetic.
it's important to them.
look at chevy malibu, buick lacross, chevy camaro. No weakling, timid designs there.
but let's see how american quality holds up, too early to say.
I can say the lacrosse tranny is pretty pathetic.
12-14-10, 10:55 AM
#13
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prius owners are unlikely to buy volts because they cost TWICE AS MUCH!
but the GM CEO is an idiot for dissing a MAJOR competitor.
it's just a bad idea.
he should have said the prius is successful but the volt is better, because....
oh wait, maybe it isn't. oh and it's not available yet.
oh and it's unproven.
fail.
but the GM CEO is an idiot for dissing a MAJOR competitor.
it's just a bad idea.
he should have said the prius is successful but the volt is better, because....
oh wait, maybe it isn't. oh and it's not available yet.
oh and it's unproven.
fail.
12-14-10, 01:01 PM
#14
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What a tasteless comment.
Poor choice of words from someone in his position.
Although, I do find the Prius to be VERY "geeky" because of its technology and gadgets and I would LOVE to be found dead in one over any GM product....except maybe the ZR1, maybe.
Horrible sportsmanship but its expected when you're number one.
Poor choice of words from someone in his position.
Although, I do find the Prius to be VERY "geeky" because of its technology and gadgets and I would LOVE to be found dead in one over any GM product....except maybe the ZR1, maybe.
Horrible sportsmanship but its expected when you're number one.
