Questions and replies from Persu Mobility

[scouter]

I e-mailed Persue with some questions and suggestions these are the replies I got back hope they help.

From: Clinton Sent: Mon 3/2/2009 2:50 PM
To: Ecom
Subject: dealerships
Question

GM is closing the Saturn line and facility the Saturn dealers are looking for anothner vehicle.
Also whats going on there have been no updates since the name change are ;you still in business.
Clinton Thomas

Dear Clinton,
We are sending you this email in response to your email to us.
We have been focused on engineering the vehicle. Developing a new vehicle platform poses numerous engineering and developmental challenges. We are committed to ensuring that the Persu Hybrid is sufficiently robust for the US market prior to its launch. This requires us to devote significant up-front resources to engineer the vehicle as well as to conduct reliability and durability testing once the initial engineering phase has been completed. We are anxious to get the Persu Hybrid to market but we will not compromise quality for the sake of expediency. We are currently projecting a 2010 launch in select US markets.
Regarding distribution, we are evaluating several different distribution strategies. Our preferred route would be to align ourselves with a nationally recognized automotive retailer with the appropriate level of sales experience, customer support and service infrastructure to properly support our product and our customers. Actual launch markets will depend on consumer demand and state laws.
We appreciate your interest in Persu Mobility and the Persu Hybrid.


Kind regards,

The Persu Team
www.persumobility.com (http://www.persumobility.com/)







Are you still in business? If you are what is happening whth the vehicle? Things are dismal on the Fly The Road Club site.
Hopeful future owner?
Clinton Thomas



Dear Clinton

We are sending you this email in response to your email to us.
Yes, we are still in business. We are focused on engineering the Persu Hybrid. Developing a new vehicle platform poses numerous engineering and developmental challenges. We are committed to ensuring that the Persu Hybrid is sufficiently robust for the US market prior to its launch. This requires us to devote significant up-front resources to engineer the vehicle as well as to conduct reliability and durability testing once the initial engineering phase has been completed. We are anxious to get the Persu Hybrid to market but we will not compromise quality for the sake of expediency. We are currently projecting a 2010 launch in select US markets.
Thank you for your interest in our company.
Kind regards,


The Persu Team
www.persumobility.com (http://www.persumobility.com/)

[Derwin]

scouter (clinton),

Thanks for posting the response you got from the Persu Team. But I was wondering why you said "Things are dismal on the Fly The Road Club site.". We are still up and running, and we talk about various things on the scene. No, there's not much to talk about pertaining to the Persu Hybrid, but the club is still in business and certainly not dismal.

The fact that Persu has went silent is certainly dismal in my opinion, but I still say that this is better than being PROMISED updates on a regular basis, only to be let down.

In any event, you post has proven that there are people still at the company, and that they have a pulse. Hopefully the Persu Hybrid project also still has a pulse, and that we get some kind of update in the near future.

Derwin

[JoeU]

Derwin, The wording in the reply sounds primarily 'canned" and really does not answer the question posed. I agree that things are not dismal here, but the new posts are few due to the lack of info from Persu. Perhaps with the X Prize things will change.

[RAN]

What they're saying is, they don't have a running prototype yet. They also imply that they started over from scratch, since they already *had* a vehicle platform, and now they say they're creating a new one.

How they can "project" a 2010 launch is anybody's guess.

They don't sound any more believable than they did in the past. And yes, Joe, it sounded more like Robo-Replier than a human being with any zing and passion for what they're doing.

As far as the X-Prize goes, you can't enter it without a working vehicle, which they just admitted they didn't have.

So much for progress......

[Derwin]

Derwin, The wording in the reply sounds primarily 'canned"....


Yep. I agree 100%. It was indeed a "canned" response, or at least certainly sounds like it.

Unfortunately, I also agree with RAN. It doesn't seem like any progress is being made, or at least none that we know of. And, if they don't even have a working mule yet, how can they predict a 2010 release? This puzzles me.

I remember when the release date was actually April of 2009. I think they even had a release date of 2008 also. Well, we all know how those release dates turned out. It kind of reminds me of how I have always been told as a kid that the Lord was returning anytime now. I come from a Christian heritage, and my father remembers when he was a kid, the ministers would always preach how "the second coming" was imminent. And so it went for generations before, and we are now in the year 2009 A.D. and still no return.

Unfortunately, Persu Mobility has put out arbitrary dates over the past several years that turned out completely wrong. As far as I am concerned, any "release date" that they now give has absolutely no credibility.

At this point in the game, it all comes down to "I'll believe it when I see it", and nothing will change that. No amount of enthusiastic words, or uplifting updates. The only thing that will suffice at this time is the release of pictures, videos, or any other "hard" data that shows they have made true progress.

Listen, most of you know how I have supported Persu (formerly Venture) over the past few years, and how I took a lot of grief for it. I stayed true to the dream. But the dream needs to begin to take shape after this many years, or people will begin to whisper the "V----Ware" word. I'm not there yet, but if another year goes by with no substantial progress, then how long do we go until we can give this project that designation? How long? Do we enter 2010 with no substantial updates? How about coming up to 2011? There comes a time when you just have to sit back and come to the realization that something just is not right.

Like I said, I am not at that point yet. I AM STILL A VERY STRONG ENTHUSIAST OF THIS PROPOSED VEHICLE. I am hoping that this year brings some very nice updates that will make us all happy.

Derwin

[rogwild]

As far as the X-Prize goes, you can't enter it without a working vehicle, which they just admitted they didn't have.

RAN, I'm not so sure about that. I think that if they have their 'Business Plan' to submit and their $5,000; they can be a 'Registered Entrant'. The problem is that when the Vehicle 'testing & evaluation' phase begins later this year......If they are a 'No Show' (ie. have no vehicle to present) they will have just 'donated' their $5,000 to the Prize Money!!!!!!!

Derwin, I hope you didn't have to 'pay' too much to be the PM 'Licensee'; since all that I see it has done for the FTRC, is to put a HALT to some of our projects (RC model, paper cut-out) at Persu Mobility's request;.......I was really hoping for a 'tilting' RC model (or kit) for last Christmas.dr:ive1)

[Derwin]

Derwin, I hope you didn't have to 'pay' too much to be the PM 'Licensee'; since all that I see it has done for the FTRC, is to put a HALT to some of our projects (RC model, paper cut-out) at Persu Mobility's request;.......I was really hoping for a 'tilting' RC model (or kit) for last Christmas.dr:ive1)

Well, rog, I was also upset that they put a halt to our RC project. That was something that was a really exciting project, and something that Ian himself gave us the green light for. But everything was smoothed over with the company concerning this, and they did the right thing.

What I am wondering is if we should come up with a Carver version of this. I suppose, though, that we would need to get approval from Carver.

What do you think?

Derwin

[scouter]

Derwin I wasn't criticizing the site its great. But I was criticizing the lack of updates and infromation from Presumobility.

[cobraphx]

My take on it is that the PH is still in the running for my next car up to the point that I have to buy a new car. When that day comes, if there isn't a PH for sale, then I will throw in the towel and get the next best thing, maybe something like the Volt.

Luckily my daily round trip is 14 miles, my daily driver has 57K miles and is is paid for, it also gets 23-26 mpg with my stop and go commute, and around 35 mpg if I get it on the highway and stretch it's legs. So, I'm good for a few more years to find something that will transport at least 2 people in air conditioned, all weather comfort and allow me to plug it in at night and drive to work and back gasoline free. I'll be thrilled if the PH is the vehicle I get when the time comes.

But, like everyone else here, I'd love to know what's going on behind the scenes. It would be nice to know things are progressing toward the day we can all buy a PH if we so choose.

[rogwild]

What do you think?
Derwin

Since we already have the frame and 'tilting' mechanism.....and a 'running prototype'... how about a 'GENERIC'...."TRI-TILTER"?? We don't even need a body...just a kit (with mounting points) that we can add a body to later. Or a generic aero body shell that can be replaced later with a detailed one with the actual vehicle's final design.

[Derwin]

I was contacted by a fellow club member today, and he stated that there already existed a Carver remote control vehicle. Does anybody else know about this?

Maybe Riko Kruit can help us out?

Derwin

[RAN]

RAN, I'm not so sure about that. I think that if they have their 'Business Plan' to submit and their $5,000; they can be a 'Registered Entrant'. The problem is that when the Vehicle 'testing & evaluation' phase begins later this year......If they are a 'No Show' (ie. have no vehicle to present) they will have just 'donated' their $5,000 to the Prize Money!!!!!!!

What I meant was, there's no way they can actually compete without a working vehicle, but it would be a measure of their hubris to see them enter anyway and end up just donating the $5k.
I suppose they figure they have several months left to actually get the prototype running. I'll believe it when I see it.


Since we already have the frame and 'tilting' mechanism.....and a 'running prototype'... how about a 'GENERIC'...."TRI-TILTER"?? We don't even need a body...just a kit (with mounting points) that we can add a body to later. Or a generic aero body shell that can be replaced later with a detailed one with the actual vehicle's final design.

How about making a Clever body shell for it? Might even spark a revival of interest in it that could get it back on the development table.

[Riko Kruit]

Phiaro has made a "one-off" remote-controlled demo, I will put the video on youtube when I have found it.

Also Nikko has made a TriJumper.
Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPRaazbQM2E
http://www.m-detstva.ru/linkpics/800200.jpg

[Riko Kruit]

By the way, we have tried to make it a Carver.
Minimum order = 20.000 pieces ...

[Derwin]

Riko,

Thanks for the post! The TriJumper that you posted was actually sent to me by Ian Bruce last year when we were first talking about making a remote control car for Venture Vehicles.

What did you mean by "we have tried to make a Carver"? Do you have the files and all of the specifications? If you do, then I would like to talk with you about it. Since Persu has put a halt on our rc project, then I would be very excited to make a Carver RC.

Please give me more details about this. You can contact me by personal message, or email.... derwin@flytheroadclub.com

Derwin

[rogwild]

The 'Tri-Jumper' looks interesting, but I could only find it available in Europe and NZ since 2007; but not in the US. Seems like it could be 'reskinned' with a PH/Carver body (perhaps the wheelbase is a bit short) without too much problem. $200+ is a bit high for a toy RC car, but as scaled replica of a Persu Hybrid it might sell to enthusiasts.......don't know about the 20,000 units though.

[rogwild]

Phiaro has made a "one-off" remote-controlled demo, I will put the video on youtube when I have found it.


Thanks, I would really like to see that!!!

[Derwin]

Thanks for the email, Riko! I'll be posting what you sent me soon. (Riko sent me an interesting file, and I'll get it up on the server asap)

Derwin

[Hoosier]

that they have started over again from scratch, anyone want to hazard a guess as to what would necessitate such a dramatic move?

I guess I would have assumed they were well beyond that and safely in the "tweak" zone.

[Derwin]

that they have started over again from scratch, anyone want to hazard a guess as to what would necessitate such a dramatic move?

Many have guessed that they had to "start over" again when they announced that they were going from the serial hybrid (the original plan) to the parallel hybrid (what they are currently working on).

Derwin

[rogwild]

Since this was a 'canned' response from PM and meant for New people (as well as those that have been following it for the past couple years); I would/could take the comment about a 'new platform' as starting back when VV wanted to bring the DVC technology to the US and NOT that they 'started from scratch' recently when they switched from the Serial drive train to Parallel. But without clarification from PM, we can only 'GUESS'. I would hope that they could/would still use the basic 'platform', engineering, and body design and panels developed by VV. and that they are 'perfecting' the propulsion and 'tweaking' other aspects of the design.
I guess we will see how much confidence they have in their efforts, if they turn out to be a 'REGISTERED' entrant in the Automotive X-Prize Race or show at least a 'mock-up' (not foam) at one of the Auto Shows! A running 'prototype' would be NICE also!!!!!!

[Derwin]

...But without clarification from PM, we can only 'GUESS'. I would hope that they could/would still use the basic 'platform', engineering, and body design and panels developed by VV. and that they are 'perfecting' the propulsion and 'tweaking' other aspects of the design.


Yep. I have no idea what is going on behind the scenes. But, as I said, many have "assumed" that they had to start from "scratch" when they switched to the parallel (I am not one of them!). But who really knows.

C'mon, Persu.... Get us some kind of update. You've been in radio silence far too long.

Derwin

[rogwild]

Speaking of 'Radio Silence'; how about that 'Blogtalkradio' interview/update that was promised a month or two ago. Or are we still waiting for significant progress/developments? At least they could confirm that they 'submitted' their paperwork for the Automotive X-Prize, even if it has not been approved/accepted yet.

[Derwin]

Speaking of 'Radio Silence'; how about that 'Blogtalkradio' interview/update that was promised a month or two ago.

Well, rog, that's another one of my "grand" ideas that went nowhere. My desire was to have a weekly, or even monthly, talk show where we could talk with members of the persu team. Last I spoke with them about this, they said that they would be very happy to appear on the show when they have any new information to share. So, I guess they don't have anything new to tell us.


Or are we still waiting for significant progress/developments? At least they could confirm that they 'submitted' their paperwork for the Automotive X-Prize, even if it has not been approved/accepted yet.

Significant progress is what I was told. But your right, I would think they would want to make all of us enthusiasts/watchers happy with the knowledge that they have finally "officially" joined the xprize contest.

Derwin

[westonlgray]

It will still be worth the wait if they produce a quality vehicle.

[Derwin]

Amen, brother.

[devilwearsprada]

Hey Guys, I can tell that I haven't been on here on a while,cuz who in the heck is Clinton? Can these guys stick with one reliable source?

[JoeU]

Clinton is Scouter's real name. Check first post.

[Derwin]

Clinton is Scouter's real name. Check first post.


Hillary or Bill? :Beer:

[tugboatwilly]

For a while there I was thinking of pointing out Derwin was cofused about the Persu "running along" . In my view Ian driving a stake in the ground and tying a rope to Derwins ankle and letting him run in circles did not constitute "running along" But as I have become less mobile I can see Derwin always sees the glass half full.

[Derwin]

For a while there I was thinking of pointing out Derwin was cofused about the Persu "running along" . In my view Ian driving a stake in the ground and tying a rope to Derwins ankle and letting him run in circles did not constitute "running along" But as I have become less mobile I can see Derwin always sees the glass half full.

O.K. Now I need you to interpret what you just said! But I do appreciate the complement at the end. I do indeed try to see the glass as "half full" in most every situation. thu:mbs:up:22

Derwin

[RAN]

Seeing the glass as half-full is one thing, but there's something to be said for admitting you just stepped in doo-doo too... that's the only way you'll be able to wipe it off and go on without fouling up everywhere you step. thu:mbs:up:22

[Derwin]

Well, all I can say is READ some of my recent posts about Persu, and I think you'll get the gist of how I feel about things lately.

Derwin

[devilwearsprada]

Oh ,ok so he's the new liaison for the club. Just kidding. Thanks for the info Scooter.