Posted on 02/28/2010 10:02:37 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
Marc Korchin thought he had found his mission in life: to benefit the environment and save his fellow Bay Area residents money by selling zero-emission all-electric cars. Two years later, after burning through his life savings, he was forced to close his Berkeley dealership.
And Korchin is not alone. The Bay Area's independent electric car dealerships are in perilous shape, even as electric cars are being hailed as the next big thing by major auto manufacturers.
A number of dealerships, including Zap of Concord, Davis Electric Cars in Davis and EcoMotors in Santa Rosa, appear to have closed within the last two years or so. Ethical Approach Electric Vehicle Center of San Jose has given up selling electric cars and switched to electric off-road vehicles. ELV Motors, in Santa Clara, now markets electric bikes and motor scooters
The phenomenon extends to dealers of conventional brands who offer electric cars on the side. Anthony Batarse, head of the otherwise-thriving Lloyd Wise dealership in Oakland, purchased 10 electric cars in 2008, sold only three and ceased selling the cars. Alameda's O'Connell Electric, the electric division of successful dealership O'Connell Volvo, is barely surviving, said owner Mike O'Connell.
"From the beginning, they were doomed," said Will Beckett, vice president of the Central Coast chapter of the Electric Auto Association. "You can't take them on the freeway. That's why Marc Korchin and his ilk went out of business," said Ed Thorpe, past president of the East Bay chapter of the Electric Auto Association.
"People would come to my dealership and they would see what the car would and wouldn't do," said Korchin. "I'd say, 'Don't you want to help save the planet?'
They'd say, 'Let someone else save the planet. I want something with good speed.' "
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
I remember them, I was born in 1930...;)
Thanks MD, the Lightning runs as good as it looks. ;)
We also have a ‘90 full size, 4X4 Eddie Bauer Ford Bronco, it’s my wife’s daily driver, it has less than 100K miles on it and she loves it.
Ya gotta watch those pesky deer. ;)
Then why don't we hear and see gasoline powered cars exploding in every crash?
Perhaps fuel shutoff valves and other safety features prevent this.
Your fear of explosion is unfounded.Gas storage tanks blow up in MOVIES because the special effects people make sure of it.
Really back at you!
When you hear about a house blowing up ??? Maybe a dozen times a year in this country.
It’s not because it had an oil burning furnace.
Not because it used electric heat.
Not because of a wood burning stove.
It’s because of a gas leak, whether in the house or nearby underground and seeped in.
I’m just saying!
1956 for me. I’m a kid. :-)
Kitchen grease fires and food left cooking are also more common causes of house fires.
Americans seem to be poorly skilled at cost to benefit ratios and analysis.
Feelings is a song but not the best way to make policy decisions.
Five of my children were born in the 50’s. ;)
This is exactly what happens when “feeeelings” trump common sense.
GOOD RIDDANCE. Maybe they can take their next spin on a GE windmill.
Marc and his cat. BTW what is a Marc?
"TOYS!"
Joe Dubois' father on CBS' Medium.
Do tell! My late mother had the first four of us kids from 1953, 54, 56, and 58, She took a breather and had the last three in 1960, 62, and 65. We had a large and loving family. Dad was a bricklayer, mom was a nurse. We always had a roof over our heads, never went hungry and four of us went to college. My oldest brother served a hitch in the USMC in the mid-70’s. He was a 1st. Lt., 5th. Marines, 3rd. Battalion. God Bless you’’ blackie’’ and please keep in touch. John
John, my fist born was in ‘50, second born (2nd wife) was ‘53, third born way ‘54, fourth born was ‘56.
In ‘63 I remarried for third and last time, she came with a nipper who was born in ‘53, I adopted him.
I have seven Grandchildren, three Great Grandchildren.
Blackie
Sometimes idiots are funny.
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