Dirk Adelmann advised Autocar {that a} revival of the small Good Roadster as an electrical automotive to increase the model’s mannequin vary was an possibility. “If we do a Roadster, relaxation assured will probably be very compact – for certain a two-seater,” he stated.
In Europe, Good presently sells the electrical SUV #1 and the SUV coupe #3 – learn our newest evaluation of the mannequin right here. The bigger SUV named #5 is because of comply with subsequent yr. A examine was proven at Auto China in April, and pictures and preliminary knowledge on the collection model had been revealed in June. Good can be nonetheless creating an electrical successor to the unique Good, the Fortwo. Nevertheless, Good says it must share the platform with one other producer to cut back prices within the small automotive section.
As quickly as this core vary of electrical fashions is in place, the model may start “to shift focus to extra enthusiast-minded, low-volume propositions,” Autocar writes within the report. The large downside is that with such compact automobiles, the costs and margins are often so low that earnings (and even the break-even level) are solely attainable with excessive unit numbers – an issue that Good already has with the Fortwo successor. Area of interest fashions for fans are very tough to grasp economically, particularly within the small and compact automotive section.
Good is aware of this. With a manufacturing time of solely three years, the first-generation Good Roadster was not a business success. The excessive costs, minimal reductions, and an unconvincing drive system led to low demand. By the tip of manufacturing at the start of November 2005, 43,000 items had been constructed, round 11,000 of which had but to be bought.
That Adelmann is nonetheless so open to the thought of a brand new Roadster version might be due to his “very emotional relationship with that automobile,” as he places it – a Good Roadster was as soon as his first firm automotive.
autocar.co.uk