Because they are junky when compared with overseas cars.
What criteria are you using in the comparison? Probably not high on most member's lists I suspect.
But that doesn't mean they're bad. They're great value for money - hence I DRIVE ONE!!!! Can't justify an AMGE63 so am more than satisfied with the Gen-F Senator, a bargain at less than half the price of the AMG. And yes, I drove both!
Good for you, I am pleased you are fortunate enough in this economy to afford a plethora of some of the most expensive cars on the market, yet still choose to look for the cheapest bargain. Some Australians who could otherwise afford marked-up and/or subsidised imported junk buy our local product not just because it happens to be less expensive at the time, but because they support Australian industry, jobs, and take pride in a sense of national achievement. I suppose it comes from a sense of being a part of the country you are born in, as if I were residing in say India right now I wouldn't give one flying f%*k about the impact of my car choice on the locals or the local economy, just how much I could rape the situation for my personal benefit.
The point of my post is to share just how good 100% electric cars have the potential to be. In fact, how good some of them currently are. It may be a Holden Commodore forum, but everyone here would be a car enthusiast which means they are be able to appreciate all good things in the automotive industry. Hell, from what I can see a lot of members here don't even drive Holdens!
Sure, most members have had / currently own cars other than Holden, but the fact we participate in a community which is Commodore-centric actually speaks volumes about owning a Holden that perhaps you are missing... indeed I fear most Australia will miss over coming years. That's my point, don't expect to naively declare our cars are junk compared to overseas without establishing one rational criterion, thanks.
Regarding the Tesla S: Trap speeds tell the story. The instant torque of the Tesla will beat A LOT of cars off the line. But then, the Vette catches up. Although impressive, hardly a game changer in 2014.
Weighs 10% more than a sportwagon, less than a second quicker 0-100k & 0-400m, uses 10kw x 6-8 hours every day to charge. To give some perspective that's twice what a typical six person household uses. At 25¢ per kWh off-peak that's $25/day, so using electricity over petrol is not about saving money, will actually cost $2,250 more on your power bill.
Plus apart from the wank value, the investment amortized over the serviceable life is outrageous - a relatively unproven, expensive niche vehicle the warranty is hardly adequate - 80,000k, and game is over at 160,000k when your battery is not covered, needs replacing.
Bottom line is that at more than 500% the retail price of a VF V8, imagining the potential of exotic electric cars to replace similarly-priced renewable-fuelled equivalents in the real world here in Australia in 2014... the comparison is drawing an extremely long bow, ridiculous in fact. Hell, the deposit to get a place in the queue for one of these frivolous fancy cars in Australian is more than the total cost of a similarly specced Commodore.
Glad you like our cars, I hope you keep buying Australian product on other criteria than price.
BTW calling your own car junk is bad karma!
