SEMA Show 2006: Ed Begley Jr. promotes Phoenix SUT, encourages aftermarket involvement with EVs
Ed Begley Jr. says the aftermarket should look at electric vehicles and hybrids. While promoting the Phoenix Motorcars sport-utility truck, Begley acknowledged that electric vehicles have "lacked style," and that the aftermarket should embrace the segment. "We need SEMA. We need to work with all the aftermarket to give style to this vehicle," he said, noting that SEMA members have the "style, innovation and engineering" necessary to customize electric vehicles and hybrids.
Begley didn't waste a second of his press conference, touting the advantages of EVs and hybrids. He acknowledged that an electric vehicle can't perform some tasks but for most chores it is reliable. "You don't need a sledgehammer to put in a carpet tack," he explained. "I've been driving electric vehicles since 1970. I know they work and they've come a long way. If you can get the style and performance and do it cleaner, I say why not."
Officials from Phoenix Motorcars and Altairnano, the manufacturer of the NanoSafe battery system, were on hand during the brisk, unscripted press conference. Dan Reigert of Phoenix said a production run of 500 units is planned for 2007. Since the vehicle is based on a Korean-made chassis, the technology may be transferred to Korea for expanded production. The goals include 6,000 units in 2008 followed by 20,000 in 2009 and 100,000 in 2010. Besides the truck, Phoenix wants to develop an SUV.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
George Krpan 1:20AM (11/01/2006)
The Phoenix SUT is fugly.
I guess a company that wants to sell an electric car has little choice but to make their own car.
There's probably not much chance that Toyota, for example, would sell them a car.
So, they have to design their own without the resources of a large automaker.
Tesla is an exception, their car is made by Lotus.
It's understandable that Begley is making this appeal. It will be interesting to see what comes of it. If someone comes forth with good designs how will the status quo respond?
An alternative is to convert customers cars to electric power. They could start with bestselling model like the Camry, Accord, Civic, Corolla, etc.. They wouldn't have to re-invent the car. They would just have to invent the installation. It would have to be cheaper for someone to have their car converted than buying a new electric car.
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Howard Lee Harkness 3:04PM (11/01/2006)
I like the vehicle pictured in the lower panel, although I would prefer to trade the back seat for a larger cargo bed (a pallet of violins, while not heavy, is bulky), since I have little need for hauling passengers. Fugly? Not compared to several current domestic models I've seen lately.
The article made it sound like this truck would use the NanoSafe system. 500 in 2007? How do I get on the list?
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Mirko 3:36PM (11/01/2006)
George said
"I guess a company that wants to sell an electric car has little choice but to make their own car."
Phoenix doesn't make their own car. The Phoenix SUT is a SsangYong they retrofit with their electric drive system. SsangYong is a Korean maker of SUVs and minivans, which are all powered by Mercedes-Benz licensed engines.
Look at this thing:
http://www.smotor.com/en/Actyon_m/index.html
This is what Phoenix are using...
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George Krpan 6:14PM (11/01/2006)
Mirko, is that a Croatian name?
It's made by SsangYong? No wonder it's so fugly.
I'll check out the link you sent, thanks.
Howard, Phoenix has a good looking replica of a 1937 Ford on their website. It's feautiful but the SUT is fugly.
I think the creativity exists among SEMA to come up with something really good.
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George Krpan 6:40PM (11/01/2006)
I checked the rating of the SUT in the British magazine, Car, December 2005 issue.
It's sold as the Rexton in the UK.
They gave it a two star out of five but they seemed to respect it somewhat.
Their comments:
For: Tough, well equipped.
Against: Price could be better.
Verdict: Respectable new home for the old Mercedes diesel engine.
Prices for the various models, in pounds followed by the conversion to US dollars in parentheis at a conversion rate of 1.90780.
320 SX 5 door Automatic (7 passenger), 27,314 ($52,110).
270 Xdi SX 5 door, 22,819 ($43,534).
290 E 5 door, 17,319 ($33,041).
They're actually fairly expensive so they must be luxuriously equipped. And, they have a Mercedes diesel engine although it is not the current model but rather the old model.
They sell another car there called the Rodius which Car magazine gives a one star out of five rating.
The comments are amusing, those cheeky Brits.
For: The Foo Fighters could stage a gig inside the thing.
Against: Massively ugly, dire quality, body control.
Verdict: So ugly it's almost endearing. Almost.
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Louis 8:18PM (11/02/2006)
Phoenix Motors is on the right track. The SUT looks fine but I'd prefer a SUV version. Of course it's really difficult to develop an informed preference without all the vehicle specifications(e.g. Cost, range, safety equipment, crash test results, ect.)
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