AMG Holding Off On Hybrids Until 2020 Because No One Wants One

If I'm paying exotic car prices, I can afford the gas. A high-tech hybrid sports car impresses me NOT.

Matt,

Simplifying is good. Oversimplifying is not always better.

Some folks paying exotic prices still care about the environment. (Note that I am not suggesting electrical is better for the environment; that debate needs to happen with solid facts but I have no interest in it at this time) Some folks actually see the complementarity of electric and gas power, as with the three options mentioned by vdiv below. Yet for others, it's just about having what others don't have.

These may be small markets but, for now, very high end markets. I would think getting in early and running down the experience curve would generate some benefits.

But apparently, I don't run AMG... :)

@ATrain I understand your thinking, but I disagree.

I believe that many wealthy people want to appear to care about the environment because it's trendy at the moment. The Tesla Model S isn't selling because the wealthy are clamoring to save the planet. It is selling because it creates a very comfortable illusion of caring about the environment.

My mother and father-in-law just got a Tesla--and it is a nice toy--but he has a Ghibli . She has a 300C Varvatos edition Chrysler. They have an Escalade. They could not care less about saving the environment. They are good people, but they love "arriving" at the country club in style much more than their carbon footprint.

I--however--care very much about my cabron footprint. I think I an succeeding.

We might be seeing things in a similar manner but concluding differently.

Your in-laws are different from you. I am different from them and you. (I think) That might constitute 3 segments, of which at least 2 might consume a hybrid or pure electric solution.

I am no greenie but I do care about the environment. However, I care about other things also, like racing, etc. So I have different sets of wheels for different purposes.

I don't know if I'm making this clear or muddy. Perhaps i should just go to bed...

@Atrain given how stringent tailpipe standards are, ALL new cars are good for the environment. The insipid environmentalists who are clamoring about EVs, PHEVs, and hybrids act like conventional cars are billowing toxic soot out of their tailpipes and that obviously isn't so.

Hmmmm.... choosing *NOT* to produce a vehicle that doesn't have meaningful consumer demand.

Looks like sound reasoning to me. This is like the opposite of political correctness. No hybrid AMG. No EV AMG. No hydrogen AMG. No fuel cell AMG.

I wonder why European countries have incredibly efficient and comparatively economical diesels, while we in North America don't. Oh yeah, that's because we believe expensive hybrids, EVs, and fuel cell vehicles are "better," so we subsidize them and allow them in HOV lane and in reserved parking spots. In North America, it's more important to let some of the affluent feel like they're making a difference, than to allow the non-affluent masses to actually make a difference by saving some money and emitting fewer pollutants.

@TheSteve have you ever experienced a TVR? I have a Cerbera Speed Twelve project in cobbled parts. I am bidding on Typhon parts. Interested?

No one wants one? Ha! Ever heard of the i8? BMW literally can't build enough of them.

P1, 918, La Freaking Ferrari?!?

But why bother? Tesla has shown the way and it is pure electric.