[AdamB]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', ' ')

It saddens me to say it, but we are approaching the end of the automotive era. The auto industry is on an accelerating change curve. For hundreds of years, the horse was the prime mover of humans and for the past 120 years it has been the automobile. Now we are approaching the end of the line for the automobile because travel will be in standardized modules. The end state will be the fully autonomous module with no capability for the driver to exercise command. You will call for it, it will arrive at your location, you'll get in, input your destination and go to the freeway. On the freeway, it will merge seamlessly into a stream of other modules traveling at 120, 150 mph. The speed doesn't matter. You have a blending of rail-type with individual transportation. Bob Lutz is a former vice chairman

[AdamB]

First Tony Seba see's it. Now the ultimate car advocate sees it.

But can the zealots of oil-poclypse dogma accept the obvious when it comes to the end of their malthusian doom based wet dreams?

[asg70]

Well, to be honest, Lutz called global warming a crock, so I don't think his opinion will move people off the sidelines.

[AdamB]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('asg70', 'W')ell, to be honest, Lutz called global warming a crock, so I don't think his opinion will move people off the sidelines.

[evilgenius]

And people think sub-prime in '07-'08 was a problem. Wait until the vast numbers of Uber and Lyft drivers are all out of work, and can't pay their mortgages. Wait until the good paying delivery jobs at UPS are all gone, and those people can't pay their mortgages. No more truckers. I was looking at the comments for this article on the front page. Many people doubt this will ever happen. So, on the plus side, it's another opportunity to place a big short.

[asg70]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('evilgenius', 'A')nd people think sub-prime in '07-'08 was a problem. Wait until the vast numbers of Uber and Lyft drivers are all out of work, and can't pay their mortgages.

[Tanada]

A few short years ago Lutz was pushing E-85 vehicles, now he is pushing EV's and when the 'next big thing' shows up I expect he will be pushing that as well.

[AdamB]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('evilgenius', 'A')nd people think sub-prime in '07-'08 was a problem. Wait until the vast numbers of Uber and Lyft drivers are all out of work, and can't pay their mortgages.

[AdamB]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tanada', 'A') few short years ago Lutz was pushing E-85 vehicles, now he is pushing EV's and when the 'next big thing' shows up I expect he will be pushing that as well.

[Cog]

Tesla's hyperloop track has been less than successful unless you count the hype part.

[Plantagenet]

Bob Lutz is on the PBS business show right now predicting the end of car ownership in 20 years. I don't have any problem with the idea that AI robots will be driving taxi cabs in the near future---but the 20 year timeline for the end of individual car ownership seems too fast to me.


Robot cab drivers reporting for work

I really disagree with the contention that as soon as driverless cabs are on the road, everyone will immediately get rid of their own cars, and switch to only using the robot cabs. Some of us like driving our own cars. Some of us even like to get on a motorcycle and ride it and steer it ourselves. If you have a driver's license and you own a vehicle, why do you even need an autonomous driverless cab?


Some of us like riding our motorcycles---why would we need autonomous cabs?

[AdamB]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', ' ') Some of us like driving our own cars.

[Outcast_Searcher]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tanada', 'A') few short years ago Lutz was pushing E-85 vehicles, now he is pushing EV's and when the 'next big thing' shows up I expect he will be pushing that as well.

[SeaGypsy]

Market research seems to show everyone wants everyone else to be in automated transport, while everyone wants to be in control of their own. In other words, there's no market, except for blind & otherwise disabled folks & parents sending kids to school.

Btw, Uber & Lyft drivers don't even make minimum wage, they aren't paying mortgages.

[Plantagenet]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('baha', '.')...maybe your personal transport can only go 35 mph and has a range of 50 miles.....

[asg70]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', 'W')hy would anyone want to swap the vehicles we have now for crappier vehicles with highly restricted range and poorer performance?