Carbon Motors already closing?

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/01/carbon-motors-pulls-out-of-indiana-plant-future-uncertain/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl5%7Csec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D292029

The worst part is, the people who expected new jobs that now will not have one.

EXCELLENT! If you need a loan to produce your better built, reasonably priced mousetrap that's going to make millions, go to a berkeleying bank, or find private investors. You are not entitled to a chunk of cash from the 50% of us who break our backs to pay federal income tax.

Their business plan was hinged on 89% of the startup capital being a government loan? What could possibly go wrong?

I like this comment regarding the news story from the link:

Not to worry! Carbon Motors is reorganizing around a different product - a turbo diesel powered RWD station wagon with stick shift transmission! Carbon expects crowd-funding, mostly from auto enthusiasts websites, to exceed $100million.

so.. we do not have to worry about their super-cop car?

poopshovel wrote: EXCELLENT! If you need a loan to produce your better built, reasonably priced mousetrap that's going to make millions, go to a berkeleying bank, or find private investors. You are not entitled to a chunk of cash from the 50% of us who break our backs to pay federal income tax.

Big +1

Typical thinking....it shouldn't be but it is. I am actually glad they didn't get the money only because they should have to get their money from a real investor that expects a return to insure they plan to make money not just spend it.

Did they ever produce anything besides concepts?

poopshovel wrote: EXCELLENT! If you need a loan to produce your better built, reasonably priced mousetrap that's going to make millions, go to a berkeleying bank, or find private investors. You are not entitled to a chunk of cash from the 50% of us who break our backs to pay federal income tax.

YEAH! YOU HEAR THAT GENERAL DYNAMICS!

Wait, what were we talking about again? ;)

Vapor ware = not real? No way.

Talking about vaporware, the next big fantasy death announcement will likely be Rivian.

^ Wow not even one pic or drawling ,that's going to be a hard sell.

These guys had the right idea. Take Crown Vic platforms and put something useful on top. We already have enough cop cars http://www.vpgautos.com/

Josh wrote:

poopshovel wrote: EXCELLENT! If you need a loan to produce your better built, reasonably priced mousetrap that's going to make millions, go to a berkeleying bank, or find private investors. You are not entitled to a chunk of cash from the 50% of us who break our backs to pay federal income tax.

YEAH! YOU HEAR THAT GENERAL DYNAMICS! Wait, what were we talking about again? ;)

From what I hear, they are one of the worst contractors to work for.

Although the car as a whole probably was not going to fly I do see some good ideas / options in there design. What they should do is take those ideas that they have and sell them to police departments or auto manufacturers as options for cars already produced. You probably only need a couple M to do that.

Wally wrote: These guys had the right idea. Take Crown Vic platforms and put something useful on top. We already have enough cop cars http://www.vpgautos.com/

Oh, that's what they are. There's a E36 M3 load of those around here and lot's parked over at the Roush building.

Wow, no one saw that coming? Heck, I could start a car company if a photoshoped car and a good story is all you need.

"Pinchvalve Motors (Pittsburgh, PA) announced today that they will soon begin production of their Ultra Mega Wagon 2000 in an abandoned steel mill in Lawrenceville. Plans are to produce 1000 vehicles per week and put 5000 unemployed steel worked back to work. The UMW2000 features an innovative turbocharged megasquirt LS block hybrid that puts out 500HP and gets 87 mpg. AWD and seating for 7 assure widespread popularity among police forces, lacrosse moms, drag racers and scrap metal thieves. The company is awaiting a government bailout loan initiative check for 189 million billion dollars to get started."

In reply to Adrian_Thompson:

A few of the Access a ride programs here have been trying them out. They mostly use small buses now but rarely carry more than two people so this makes more sense.

pinchvalve wrote: "Pinchvalve Motors (Pittsburgh, PA) announced today that they will soon begin production of their Ultra Mega Wagon 2000 in an abandoned steel mill in Lawrenceville. Plans are to produce 1000 vehicles per week and put 5000 unemployed steel worked back to work. The UMW2000 features an innovative turbocharged megasquirt LS block hybrid that puts out 500HP and gets 87 mpg. AWD and seating for 7 assure widespread popularity among police forces, lacrosse moms, drag racers and scrap metal thieves. The company is awaiting a government bailout loan initiative check for 189 million billion dollars to get started."

I want in on the ground floor. Can I join your executive board?

alex wrote: Their business plan was hinged on 89% of the startup capital being a government loan? What could possibly go wrong?

Dont' a whole lot of small businesses start out just this way? With SBA loans?

Man, steer away from the comments section on the autoblog. It's just one big descent into partisan political strife.

This one seemed pretty dubious from the start. Not shedding too many tears here. I can easily imagine a five year money pit followed by no end to lawsuits and general acrimony.

Adrian_Thompson wrote:

Wally wrote: These guys had the right idea. Take Crown Vic platforms and put something useful on top. We already have enough cop cars http://www.vpgautos.com/

Oh, that's what they are. There's a E36 M3 load of those around here and lot's parked over at the Roush building.

There is one of those as a local taxi. I love the concept and hope they do well.

Interesting vehicle. They look like the love child of a London taxi and a Honda Element.

kreb wrote: Interesting vehicle. They look like the love child of a London taxi and a Honda Element.

I thought G-Wagen - Nissan Cube.

Dammit, where am I supposed to get my cheap TDI super-cop car castoffs now?