Kia Venga Concept

[aptera1213]

http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/172605-630.jpg


This is what I think/thought Honda and Ford should have done.

Making the Fit or Fiesta into an EV...Kia could beat them at it with a car that is in the size class of the Fit and Fiesta.

Still waiting for somebody to follow Nissan and fast track an EV.

This could be an affordable option. Battery in the floor keeps it stable...looks nice....fast charging...etc etc.

Make it Kia...and Fiat make the 500 EV too .... This year please :)

Gavin

http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/07/geneva-2010-kia-venga-ev/

[NeilBlanchard]

I like this car, too.

[aptera1213]

I like this car, too.

Yeah...I wonder if Mitsubishi pulled an Aptera and just waited too long.

Both Aptera and Mits seemed to have the field to themselves...both had working models back in 2008....

Now 2 years later and both Aptera and Mits still have models that are "ready" but not shipping...In the meantime lots of other companies have jumped in to have models likely around the same time, if not before surprisingly, as the iMiev and 2e.

The Leaf for sure. The Th!nk likely. Then the Ford Focus. Toyota could surprise us with an IQ electric (though they might have too much on their plate right now with the brake issue).

On top of that, I could see Kia jumping an EV out quickly. The Venga is already made and for sale in Europe. Getting it into an EV shouldn't be too hard. And Fiat, if it has the will, could have the 500 EV made and ready this year.

Sweet. It will be good to have options.

Of those cars I would be happy to buy almost any of them. The Venga looks pretty solid. The Fiat is just damn sexy. The next Focus is a very good looking and solid car. I actually really like the Th!nk also, just would love them to rip on the Fiat and put a 500ish body over the frame.

I still like the iMiev, but others have jumped ahead....And the LEAF isn't my favorite body or size (bigger than I need), but even that car would be a good first EV.

Gavin

[aptera1213]

Which raises a question:

Is it better to be first...have the market by yourself of a year or so.

Or is it better to enter the field after somebody has already laid the groundwork?


Gavin

[Antjel]

Which raises a question:

Is it better to be first...have the market by yourself of a year or so.

Or is it better to enter the field after somebody has already laid the groundwork?


Gavin

Well one could argue that Honda missed by releasing the Insight first and losing to the Prius. But IMHO Honda slipped by not releasing a 4 door hybrid until now. I love my '03 Insight and would have upgraded or added a 4 door to my driveway if they made one. Now I just one a 3 wheel EV that can go 100-150 freeway miles on a charge!!!!

[aptera1213]

Well I guess I shouldn't kill of Mits and the iMiev just yet...they just inked a deal to sell 100,000 to Peugeot of France...

http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/08/mitsubishi-and-psa-finalize-deal-for-100-000-electric-vehicles/

Can we please start seeing some EVs for sale in the states...

Gavin

[chijayhawker]

You mean that are affordable. I mean the Tesla is already available, but who the hell can afford one of those except a rare few?

[aptera1213]

Yes...I mean EVs for the "common man". :)

Gavin