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The irony is that the batteries are virtually identical to those GM declined to put in first generation vehicles back in the 1990s, as related in a recent documentary Who Killed The Electric Car. (http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1811773,00.html)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2007_TCH_NiMH_battery_pack.jpgJoseph Szczesny - Time - June 4, 2008

An opporunity for supercaps? - Ed

Automakers are scrambling for more small and fuel-efficient cars and hybrids as sales of once popular trucks and sport utility vehicles evaporate under the weight of rising fuel prices. "This was a watershed month," says Jim Farley, Ford Motor Co.'s group executive for marketing and sales, following news that the company suffered another huge drop in trucks sales in May. Trucks and sport utility vehicles accounted for 47% of Ford's sales as recently as February but only 34% in May, as consumers opted for compact and subcompact passenger cars. General Motors is adding a third shift at a two assembly plants to meet the rising demand for smaller cars even as it prepares to close four truck plants and puts its entire Hummer operation under review for a possible sale.… http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1811773,00.html

Hi Chuck:

"This was a watershed month"
___Like none of us didn’t see this coming four years ago? Well maybe not this hard but we knew it was coming :(

___I gave a presentation at a Fortune 100 the other day and there was a Ford Marketing rep presenting just before I did. I asked a few questions after the rest and his answers were somewhat disturbing. Imho anyway? His ideas were molded by a corporate mindset and group think of course but it was to sell the heck out of the 3.5 with the 6-speed in the Crossovers (the Ford Edge with its incredible 19 mpg combined saw a small sales decrease last month :rolleyes:) which are going to be ECOBoosted in the near future. He stated that the Fiesta and Focus will get little in the way of resources for the ECOBoost program. That does not bode well for Ford :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

It seems like a trend in this country. Give the majority of the resources to that which has the least potential.

Anyone know for sure if the the supply constraint in the actual manufacturing of NiMH batteries? Or is there a raw material shortage (or price increase) behind it?

...Or is there a raw material shortage (or price increase) behind it?...

Raw materials. China has imposed limitations on the export of rare earth metals used mainly in the production of high yield NiMH vehicle sized cells.

Fortunately both Toyota and Honda have managed to secure other strategic alternatives beyond whatever supplies Australian production can sustain.

Cheers;

MSantos

I just watched "Who Killed the Electric Car" last night and was wondering if the lack of batteries for the Prius during the surge in fuel prices was a throwback to the shenanigans that caused the end of the electric car.

I am SO glad I got my Prius when I did this March!