7 RISKY VEHICLES AUTOMAKERS GAMBLED ON

There was a time in the automotive world that cars and trucks would take years of product development and huge investments by automakers. Automakers took huge risks on their investments, because if the vehicle failed to be accepted by the consumers buying vehicles, it could damage the company’s reputation for years. The times they are a changing.

Automakers are hedging their bets on vehicles that will take their brands in different directions. These automakers are thinking outside the box, and maybe a car company that was known for giving it's car all the bells and whistles, now will offer a car with an electric motor. Or maybe a company that was famous for durable trucks, will now offer a truck with different body armor.

Take a look at seven vehicles that are soon to hit dealer's showrooms, that are a definite gamble for the auto manufacturers.

1. Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Crossover

Let's say that you are a Hyundai car salesperson, and you tell your prospective buyer that they need a hydrogen station to fill up a car’s tank, you would have a gamble on your hands. 

This isn't stopping Asian automakers from paving the road for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. California drivers (who else?) will be the first at getting a taste of the innovative technology.

The Hyundai Tucson and other fuel-cell models have electric motors on board and has sparked a feud between electric car makers that will power their vehicles using hydrogen and those that already do so with lithium-ion batteries.

The Korean automaker is eliminating most of the risk it is taking in the rollout. The gamble comes in the bet the technology will catch on and the automaker’s extensive investment in development will be worth it.

 Hyundai is going ahead with its fuel-cell Tucson that produces only water vapor emissions. By March 2014, customers will be able to lease the crossover in Southern California at $499 a month with fuel and maintenance included. 

2. 2015 Ford Mustang

You know the old saying, If something isn't broke, don't fix it. But if you are a car manufacture, you want to keep your line up fresh. There is still one problem. If part of your lineup is a legendary icon, you are walking a tight rope keeping your icon looking improved, yet keeping the customer base happy. It's a draconian gamble.

Ford walked that tight rope when the redesigned the 2015 Mustang. I, through the power of the internet had a chance to view early renditions, let's call them test balloons of the '15 Mustang, and I wasn't impressed, neither was my 33 yr. old daughter, who fits the demographic for the Mustang. Luckily (for Ford), the finished product has a lot more sex appeal.

The '15 Mustang will be offered with a four cylinder engine, and before you get your ponies in a bunch, it will also have the option of the fire breathing V-8. Ford is reaching out to a global market, and I believe that's where the four cylinder fits in. Countries like India and China will appreciate the fuel economy of a four cylinder.

3. Cadillac ELR

A Cadillac you plug into your garage wall electrical outlet. This definitely isn't you grandfathers Cadillac.

I was told a story once about how when electricity first became available to people for use in their houses, some people feared it.
I wonder what they would think of this.

Cadillac's borrowing  the Chevy Volt powertrain,
which delivers electric-only power for more than thirty miles.
Cadillac is taking a serious gamble with the ELR. The lack of the Cadillac growl in electric mode may turn off some loyal fans.
The steep price tag presents a far bigger challenge. At a base price over $75,000, it’s reasonable to wonder who's going to pay such a sum when some other highly regarded Cadillacs cost far less.

Plus the all-electric Telsa Model S, which also has a lower base price than the ELR and a much greater all-electric driving range.

 

4. Honda FCEV

Sweet Mother of God ,what have we here! Oh, ok, It's a Honda. I didn't want to blame this creature on an American car company. This article I'm writing is all about Risk, Friends, this vehicle took 1st place for the biggest risk.

What we have here is Honda's answer to the fuel-cell vehicles. It's already being test-marketed in California, .........go figure. This vehicle, which appeared at auto shows in late 2013, is the fuel-cell car with the most futuristic design.

Besides the hydrogen factor, which still must pass numerous hurdles to make it to the general public, Honda is taking a major gamble on the styling front, and that's the truth. Much like its competitors, it is powered to travel over 300 miles after fueling the hydrogen cells that power an electric motor.

Are car buyers really ready for a car that looks at home in a sci-fi flick ?

5. Kia K900

When you think of luxury cars, does the name Kia come to mind? If you are Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Cadillac, you better look in your rear view mirror, there's new competition in town.

Sure, it's a gamble for Kia to enter the luxury car market, it's unchartered waters for Kia. Seriously, I believe they have what it takes. Consumers looking for a long-wheelbase top of the line automobile have yet one more choice to look at in that market segment.

The new Kia K900 has a lot of things luxury car buyers want, long wheel base for a better ride, rear wheel drive, a 420-hp V-8 and a more spacious interior than it's luxury counterparts.

The Kia K900 is worth an honest look.

6. Toyota FCV

OK, Honda FCEV, Bad news..........This Toyota, which ALMOST looks less appealing than the Prius, is going nose to nose with you for this post's biggest Risk.

The development of the Prius hybrid family remains one of the most draconian game-changing moves in recent decades. I can't believe the American consumer fell for it. And they said the Edsel and AMC Pacer were hard on the eyes.

Toyota has cornered the market when it comes to gambling on innovative technology. Toyota is showing it is not done making history, with the introduction of a fuel-cell vehicle.

 The Toyota FCV will appear by 2015 and use hydrogen to power electric motors that emit water vapor as the only emission, like the Honda and Hyundai fuel-cell vehicles.Toyota is taking a significant risk in betting hydrogen will supplant lithium-ion batteries in the coming decade.Toyota could have doubled down on plug-ins in the line of the Prius and Model S.

 7. 2015 Ford F-150

This is daring and risky, and if it works everybody building trucks will follow, and Ford will be a hero.

Ford  will introduce an aluminum-body F-150 for the 2015 model year redesign.To mess with the runaway best-selling vehicle in the United States for 30+ years is an enormous gamble.

“Ford Tough”-ness  has made the vehicle so popular among construction workers and other people relying on this vehicle for their jobs. F-Series pickup owners depend on the durability.

 Another question is pricing. Will Ford be able to keep the cost low with an aluminum body?