- “This documentary about the apparent forced extinction of the non-polluting electric car in the early part of this decade is monumentally depressing in the light of its brother environmental doc, ‘An Inconvenient Truth,’ which shows the death grip that big oil and corrupt government have on mankind.” — Tom Long, Detroit News
- “The story of the electric car is greater than one zippy ride and the people who loved it. From the polar ice caps to Los Angeles, where many cars truly are to die for, it is a story as big as life, and just as urgent.” — Manohla Dargis, New York Times
NOW Interview with Director Chris Paine on June 9, 2006
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Consider writing a letter to:
Editor, MotorTrend Magazine
RE: Interview with Rick Wagoner
Dear Editor:
The GM CEO who killed the EV1 has admitted that it was his “worst decision” (“Interview with Rick Wagoner”, June, 2006).
EV1 drivers, who were loyal to GM and endured its bullying and leasing tyranny, remained fanatically devoted to their oil-free EV1 cars.
These EV1 drivers felt betrayed by GM. Toyota seized the opportunity, selling their excellent oil-free RAV4-EV. Consequently, all this loyalty was transferred to Toyota, which now has the reputation not only for its hybrid cars, but for the cachet of those hundreds of well-heeled RAV4-EV drivers who now sing the
praises of Toyota as the only true “green” car company.
Wagoner handed this powerful corps of Evangelists to Toyota, along with the plug-in technology it had acquired when it bought Hughes.
Instead of assessing blame, isn’t it time General Motors started reclaiming some of the clean-car image it has handed to Toyota?
An apology to former EV1 drivers for killing their car, a resumption of plug-in serial hybrid and EV1 production, and the sale on the open market to willing purchasers of pollution-free EV1 cars would be a timely way for Wagoner to capitalize on this lost asset, and to turn scorn into admiration.
Name__
Addr__
City__
Phone__
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“Motor Trend, June 2006, p. 94
“Interview With Rick Wagoner
“His worst decision?
“…’Axing the EV1 electric-car program and not putting the right
resources into hybrids. It didn’t affect profitability, but it did
affect image.’”
