Coda Automotive (formerly Miles Automotive Group)

[smoothoperator]

Perfect for fleets. Not too flashy and a semi-US car company.

I wonder what the safety rating will be on the Coda....

The prius was a sales dud in its early form, when Toyota actually made the Prius look different from the Echo is when sales took off...I just cannot see people plunking down 40k for this car. It just looks uninspired.

[jerry33]

The prius was a sales dud in its early form, when Toyota actually made the Prius look different from the Echo is when sales took off...

Actually, Toyota didn't make that many on purpose. They were really just testing the waters. The 2001-2003 Prius typically had a long waiting list--I waited nine months for mine--except at the end of the 2003's sales when people held off to purchase the 2004 (I also have one of those).

Also the Echo was modeled after the Prius--not vice-versa. (See: The Prius That Shook the World Downloads )

[smoothoperator]

Actually, Toyota didn't make that many on purpose. They were really just testing the waters. The 2001-2003 Prius typically had a long waiting list--I waited nine months for mine--except at the end of the 2003's sales when people held off to purchase the 2004 (I also have one of those).

Also the Echo was modeled after the Prius--not vice-versa. (See: The Prius That Shook the World Downloads )

This is getting a bit off-topic but do you think there is a reason why the Prius has outsold the Civic hybrid? Why did you chose the Prius over the Civic?

My thoughts are the Prius does not look like the typical econobox? If Toyota made the Prius look exactly like the Corolla or Yaris etc I do not think the "Prius" model would be nearly as popular.

I think that this may be the problem with the Coda, it looks like a $13,000 dollar Kia.

[doug]

This is getting a bit off-topic but do you think there is a reason why the Prius has outsold the Civic hybrid? Why did you chose the Prius over the Civic?

My thoughts are the Prius does not look like the typical econobox? If Toyota made the Prius look exactly like the Corolla or Yaris etc I do not think the "Prius" model would be nearly as popular.

Please see this thread: does auto design matter for green cars
and watch the linked video. The Coda guy would have been better off not saying anything.

[EVNow]

Coda is delivering its first car to a retail customer today.

First Coda delivery - Electric Auto Association

Quick note to invite you to a special event at the new Coda dealership on Steven's Creek.

What: First Coda Retail Customer Delivery

When: Friday March 16th, 2012 12:30PM - 1:30ish PM

Where: Coda Silicon Valley, 4175 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95051

[doug]

That's cool. I wonder who the customer is and why he/she chose the Coda.

(I still don't like how they're using that name. Sounds like "the End," or "the Death.")

[jerry33]

This is getting a bit off-topic but do you think there is a reason why the Prius has outsold the Civic hybrid?

I'd like to think it's the difference in the hybrid systems. The Honda system basically replaces the flywheel with an electric motor and leaves all the other old fashioned car part alone. So you have the hybrid parts and the conventional parts. Toyota has dumped a bunch of the conventional parts--in particular the automatic transmission with its hundreds of parts has been replaced by a simple planetary gear system.

Why did you chose the Prius over the Civic?

I originally chose the 2001 Prius my wife drives because the only Honda was the original Insight--two passengers, manual transmission, a non-starter. When Toyota offered the Pioneer Program to get a 2004 Prius I bought it sight unseen because the 2001 Prius was so good and I really wanted to dump the horrible VW TDI--I could have almost purchased a Prius for what I spent on maintenance for that turkey.

My 2004 Prius MPG from the logbook. (Complete years only):
2003-2004 -- 50.8 mpg 17,628 miles
2005 -- 52.6 mpg 14,688 miles
2006 -- 56.3 mpg 16,174 miles
2007 -- 57.3 mpg 18,384 miles
2008 -- 59.9 mpg 21,755 miles
2009 -- 61.4 mpg 16,177 miles
2010 -- 65.2 mpg 12,134 miles
2011 -- 66.9 mpg 11,272 miles

My thoughts are the Prius does not look like the typical econobox? If Toyota made the Prius look exactly like the Corolla or Yaris etc I do not think the "Prius" model would be nearly as popular.

That may be true. The hybrid Camry isn't nearly as popular. Then again, it might just be that most people who are buying a hybrid only look at the mpg rating.

I think that this may be the problem with the Coda, it looks like a $13,000 dollar Kia.

You certainly got me there

[benji4]

Coda to Make Battery-Powered Cars With China's Great Wall - Bloomberg

Coda Holdings, the Los Angeles- based maker of electric cars, plans to produce battery-powered autos with China’s Great Wall Motor Co. (2333) to be sold under the U.S. company’s name starting in 2014. Motors and batteries from the U.S. company’s Coda Automotive unit will be used in Great Wall vehicles, Chief Executive Officer Phil Murtaugh told reporters today by telephone. The cars also will be sold in China under the Great Wall name, he said. The partnership doesn’t include equity ties.

Coda deal could lead to cheapest electric car yet

"This marks the launch of our partnership with Great Wall Motors that will enable us to bring EVs to global markets in a very efficient and cost-effective manner," said Phil Murtaugh, CEO of Coda Holdings

[vfx]

Talked with a sales guy this weekend. He said they have sold 8 cars.

[smoothoperator]

Talked with a sales guy this weekend. He said they have sold 8 cars.

8 cars total? not a good sign