Wal-Mart is not going to sell electric cars.
Today’s NYT story by Michael Barbaro on “The Speech:”
Mr. Scott said, for instance, that Wal-Mart is talking to leaders of the automobile industry about selling electric or hybrid cars.
From the actual prepared remarks:
I have been talking with the heads of the major auto manufacturers over the past few weeks. And I have been asking them if there is a place for Wal-Mart in the hybrid electric or plug-in electric car market, so our customers do not have to spend so much money filling up their gas tanks….
Imagine your customers pulling into your parking lot, and seeing wind turbines and solar panels, and being able to charge their cars while they shop.
Lee Scott wants people to charge their electric cars at Wal-Mart, not buy them there. Of course, certain fawning environmental media outlets are already in rapture because of Barbaro’s mistake.
Do you think we should set them straight?
Update: Looks like Bloomberg messed it up as well:
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Chief Executive Officer H. Lee Scott discussed with automakers the possibility of selling gasoline-electric hybrid cars and plug-in automobiles at the retailer’s stores.
“Maybe there isn’t room for Wal-Mart in this right now,” Scott said in a speech to store managers and suppliers in Kansas City, Missouri, yesterday. “But something tells me that there may be some role for us in the future.” Scott didn’t identify the carmakers, other than to say they were “major” companies.
Perhaps the best question now is, “Will Wal-Mart set them straight or does the company WANT the public to be confused about this?”
If it wanted to, Wal-Mart cud sell Battery-Electric Vehicles [BEV] and cars
with small, gas-powered generators which charge the batteries on longer
driving cycles–yet do NOT actually power the car mechanically as that wud
require EPA jive and emissions-controls, etc… Walmart has the talent to
properly service, repair, align, etc. BEVs…What they shud do is use small
compacts without gas engines and only 4-5 speed manual transmissions.
An adapter plate allows coupling an electric motor of sufficient power to
drive the car [start in 2nd gear--up to 35 mph; 3rd to 45 mph, then 4th on
the highway, and 5th only when cruising on highways]…First is used only
to ‘creep’ up onto lifts and racks; reverse to back up without reversing
the electric motor… Wal-Mart wud equip a BEV with long-range, more
expensive batteries, middle of the road lead-acid batteries for ‘normal’
[up to 20-25 miles a day] and fewer, more compact batteries for ‘light
duty’ [like students, railroad commuters who drive to nearest station and
get on train, seniors who drive to worship, grocery store, a few errands
per week...A small on-board tank wud hold fuel for a heater/defroster
and to power the onboard generator, if installed...Normally, the owner
wud plug into a 125V or 240V charger in their garage or carport for over-
nite chargeup...Annual servicing wud require only motor commutator clean- up, replacing the motor brushes, possibly changing a battery or two.
Lube chassis, running gear, adjust brakes, etc...That's all! No tuneups,
etc...If the OEM cars/light pickups they obtain are well-chosen, there
shudn't be a big deal over maintenance/repairs...Walmart shud stick to
what it shud do [and providing its after-market auto servicing as before]
and leave bodywork, painting, trim/upholstery to independent shops…
By selling the cars as ‘store merchandise’, not loaded sales-cows, every-
one makes out. Wal-Mart gets a good sale and the customer’s maint. work,
and the customer gets a no-nonsense vehicle to get around in–not spend
a fortune on!..Happy motoring!..
Aaron Allen.
As hated as Wal*Mart TLE’s are, I don’t think they’d be a popular choice for car repair…