Global Green Cars unveils plans for three new models: two all-electrics and a PHEV
We've heard a few snippets about Global Green Cars, a new electric and plug-in hybrid automaker down in Kentucky, earlier this year. Back in April, the company was giving out test rides in a converted Geo Metro right after announcing plans to build EVs in the Bluegrass State. The company has now put images of three new vehicles on its website that it plans to produce, should additional funding come through.
First up is the G-1 (pictured), which currently only exists in pictures (as far as we can tell) and will start at $18,000. Top speed is 100 mph and range is dependent on options. 100 miles is offered in the base model, 160 miles will cost $25,000 and 250 miles will run you $30,000. The other vehicles are not nearly as exciting. The G-2 is an SUV with a range of 100 miles and a top speed of 90 mph. Global Green Cars calls it "the most convertible Electric Vehicle ever built," but we can't quite figure out what that means. MSRP is $26,950. Lastly, the G-3 is a little plug-in hybrid pick-up truck-like vehicle with a range of 150 miles (depending on how you drive) and a top speed of 85 mph. The GGC tagline for this vehicle: "It is the most American-made small pickup in America."
These are ambitious specs for a company that hasn't been on the radar long. Green Car Advisor says that the company has already received $15 million from the state to build the vehicles and is asking for another $24 million from the feds. Thanks to Elwood for the tip!
[Source: Global Green Cars, Green Car Advisor]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
guyledouche 11:13AM (7/14/2009)
SPAM ALERT!!!!! This is just another pile of SH*T marketing company with no idea as to what it takes or what is legal to build in this industry. I hope no one invests in this company unless they enjoy losing money. I am a huge fan and proponent of EV's, but I am also very much against those who make the industry a joke by releasing random pictures, renderings, and BS specs just to start the fund raising efforts. Also if they are serious, they should fire their current PR and marketing person and hire someone who A. doesn't segment their proposed clientele as "Soccer mom's and dad's" and who B. knows how to speak and write the English language. There are numerous grammar errors and lots of dopey verbiage all over their site. Also, their "G3" is a nothing more than a KEI class "mini truck" vehicle, undoubtedly sourced from China, and would NEVER be able to pass our current safety standards or be allowed to travel faster than 25 MPH on any public road in the United States (Except maybe in Kentucky) These guys have a striking resemblance to another joke in the EV industry AKA ZAP! I can also think of at least 3 other "companies" that made a very similar appearance in this industry and have all but vanished since.
I am all for EV's and personally own 2 converted S10's, so don't start jumping down my throat about being an EV hater. I just hate to see the EV industry fouled again by another BS half assed marketing firm that wants to "go green" and thinks that they can become an overnight automaker producing high performance EV's at a cheap cost. It doesn't work like that.
Honestly, I wish them the best of luck and I hope to God they prove me wrong, but the signs are definitely pointing towards SPAM and lots of it.
Reply
monica 11:58AM (7/14/2009)
agree!
DasBoese 3:19PM (7/14/2009)
I very much agree on all aspects.
I think companies like these are primarily formed by people with one of 2 backgrounds: Either folks who are honestly enthusiastic about EVs, possibly built their own electric car in a back yard and are naive enough to think they can make a business out of it, or people who think they can cash in on a trend with minimal development and production effort.
I don't know what type the people responsible for this company belong to, but the fact that the other two seem to be conversions of a cheap Chinese SUV and Kei truck kinda point to the latter. The G1 is just a trainwreck that I don't know what to make of, except that they sorely need a competent industrial designer.
Success in the automotive industry -especially with EVs- requires extraordinary effort. Not only does your product need to fulfill a myriad of safety regulations, it has to exceed them as far as possible. From visual design to technology to build quality, it needs to be absolutely perfect. Furthermore, you need to pay excruciating attention to patents, IP laws and potential liability issues. Because all of that costs tons of money, so you better have an absolutely bulletproof business plan.
EMC 4:19PM (7/14/2009)
Not sure I can attest to the viability of this firm, but for what it's worth, the image seems to be a photoshopped Matra P72/M72...
http://matrasport.dk/Cars/Prototypes/Gallery1/P72/Gallery1/index.html
Reply
Chris M 4:49PM (7/14/2009)
Yep, that's what it looks like, alright. The G1 looks like they were trying for a "dune buggy" look, but failed badly. Poor design, atrocious color scheme, and bad aerodynamics.
The description of the G2 reminds me of the Pontiac Aztek, it too was supposed to be convertable to different uses. Of the critics are correct, the G3 is an undersized and underpowered pickup.
There are better companies out there, with better EV and PHEV designs.
guyledouche 5:02PM (7/14/2009)
LOL, what a joke!!!
EMC - Good find by the way. I would have never found that.
So to recap,
"THEIR" G1 is a non production based french ICE "concept car" - NOT HAPPENING
"THEIR" G2 is probably a Chinese or korean ICE car - Again, NOT HAPPENING
and "THEIR" G3 is a chinese KEI class mini truck - Definitely never happening
Do these people really think that the American populous is this stupid? This is almost insulting. It is also extremely damaging to the EV industry as a whole. I am surprised to see this company even do this. They had to have done a little bit of DD and realised the many half assers before them that failed. To be successful in the EV industry, you need R&D money and a real product with IP and real world testing/certification, Plain and simple.
Tesla has proved that it can be done, but not every Tom dick and Larry can just take out a loan and start an EV business. Again, I wish them all the best, but I also wish they would have done their research and gotten their act together before they started the hype/bullshit machine and put it into gear.
ray 10:10PM (7/14/2009)
You guys probably think the same thing about the company that built my car. EV Innovations. But it works I have 6,700 miles on it since mid January 2009. 110 miles in the winter and 133 in the summer. The 110 was city driving in winter. The 133 was 70% at 55 mph with the airconditioner on.
Reply
wdmtaj 5:50PM (9/06/2009)
I hope they are real, but the website indicates it is doubtful. I was nearly doubled over in laughter reading through their marketing material and product descriptions.
Reply