• Head of BMW North America Jim O'Donnell forced to apologize over comments regarding Electric Vehicles?

                    
      		   
      Published on 05-02-2011 04:52 AM
      14 Comments Comments
      Recently, Jim O'Donnel was quoted in an article about the ActiveE by The Detroit News. In the article, the head of BMWNA responded candidly with his thoughts on electric vehicles. One quote was that he felt diesels were far more likely to be adopted than electrics stating he was "far more optimistic" about their chances. He went on to say, "(EVs) won't work for most people. For at least 90 percent and maybe more of the population, (an EV) won't work (at the current battery range)."

      That is not all, he also shared his political views on how he believes diesels in particular are facing a disadvantage due to tax credits for electrics. "I believe in a free economy. I think we should abolish all tax credits. What they are doing is putting a bet on technology, which is not appropriate. As a taxpayer, I am not sure this is the right way to go."

      Now what is wrong with this exactly? In our opinion, nothing. Mr. O'Donnel is quite correct and should not have to apologize for his opinion. The issue really is the BMW "i" brand which is going to be focusing on electrics. It would seem BMW nudged him to apologize since they felt it didn't look too good for their head of BMWNA to be advocating leveling the playing field for diesel powerplants and not using taxpayer's money to fund EV's.

      BMW should be patting him on the back for not being a green lemming and actually saying what we are all thinking. BMW should focus more on diesel power in the United States. The BMW "i" brand won't be the answer for the majority of commuters. BMW has lost focus. We commend him on saying what he feels and it is about time BMW got their swagger back. Mr. O'Donnel, we need more execs at BMW like yourself. We understand why they made you apologize, but thank you for speaking your mind.

      The apology that came later:

      This article was originally published in forum thread: Head of BMW North America Jim O'Donnell forced to apologize over comments regarding Electric Vehicles? started by Sticky View original post
      Comments 14 Comments
      1. DBFIU's Avatar
        DBFIU - 05-02-2011, 06:17 AM
        wait so what was wrong with what he said?

        Still trying to find it...
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 05-02-2011, 06:20 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by DBFIU Click here to enlarge
        wait so what was wrong with what he said?

        Still trying to find it...
        Nothing was wrong with what he said at all. He pissed off EV fanatics by saying EV's are not the solution and should not be given huge breaks by the government. With BMW developing electric vehicles now he apparently ruffled some politically correct feathers.
      1. Sorena's Avatar
        Sorena - 05-02-2011, 06:45 AM
        who the fuk is in charge in BMW now ?
        he is screaming "Kick me in the face" with all the recent BMW's policy changes.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 05-02-2011, 06:56 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sorena Click here to enlarge
        who the fuk is in charge in BMW now ?
        he is screaming "Kick me in the face" with all the recent BMW's policy changes.
        I'm not sure I really understand your statement here?
      1. Sorena's Avatar
        Sorena - 05-02-2011, 07:06 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        I'm not sure I really understand your statement here?
        come on, my English is bad, ok but it isn't that hard to understand what i said.
        the BMW boss makes me angry, got it?
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 05-02-2011, 07:07 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sorena Click here to enlarge
        come on, my English is bad, ok but it isn't that hard to understand what i said.
        the BMW boss makes me angry, got it?
        Your English is fine I'm just trying to get clarification.

        What did he say that made you angry? I like what he said, about time someone at BMW said it.
      1. Sorena's Avatar
        Sorena - 05-02-2011, 07:14 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        Your English is fine I'm just trying to get clarification.

        What did he say that made you angry? I like what he said, about time someone at BMW said it.
        No No, not Mr.O'donnell.
        Norbert Reithofer is who i meant, he has changed BMW and turned into Toyota.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 05-02-2011, 07:19 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sorena Click here to enlarge
        No No, not Mr.O'donnell.
        Norbert Reithofer is who i meant, he has changed BMW and turned into Toyota.
        Ah, ok, gotcha.
      1. 654's Avatar
        654 - 05-02-2011, 11:47 AM
        O'Donnel is sorry if he offended the electric vehicle advocates by telling the truth about the EVs having an inadequate operating range. However, the EV advocates are to be blamed for being offended by the fact that should be known by anyone, not just by O'Donnel. He did not take it back as he spoke the truth.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 05-02-2011, 11:50 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by 654 Click here to enlarge
        O'Donnel is sorry if he offended the electric vehicle advocates by telling the truth about the EVs having an inadequate operating range. However, the EV advocates are to be blamed for being offended by the fact that should be known by anyone, not just by O'Donnel. He did not take it back as he spoke the truth.
        Yep, but he still was forced into an apology which is lame considering he did nothing wrong. Politics... all it was.
      1. fastgti69's Avatar
        fastgti69 - 05-02-2011, 12:17 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        Yep, but he still was forced into an apology which is lame considering he did nothing wrong. Politics... all it was.
        you have to be fair and nice with your competitors...
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 05-02-2011, 12:20 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by fastgti69 Click here to enlarge
        you have to be fair and nice with your competitors...
        When you are a high ranking CEO, yep.
      1. black bnr32's Avatar
        black bnr32 - 05-02-2011, 09:08 PM
        aww, some ev fans at bmw are butthurt because of a differing opinion.

        cry me a $#@!ing river.
      1. susan28's Avatar
        susan28 - 05-03-2011, 03:48 PM
        Damn... Paul/O'Donnel 2012!