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People really viewed the Peapod as an incredible case study in how you could – in modern times – bring forward a completely new idea in the automotive sector in the space of just several months. It was pretty phenomenal
Remember the PeaPod? It was “the new wave car for the younger set” masterminded by former Chrysler “Chief Innovation Officer” Peter Arnell, during the chaotic “try anything” years of Cerberus ownership. It was supposed to start going on sale last October, but the division (formerly known as GEM) was spun out of new Chrysler during bankruptcy and hasn’t been heard from since. Surprised?
Despite having previously insisted that the 25 mph PeaPod would create a new category in private transportation he called the “mobi” (otherwise known and reviled as “Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), Arnell admits to Edmunds that if he were to re-create the PeaPod, he would make it capable of speeds higher than 25 mph. In other words, everything he said and did at Chrysler was unmitigated bullshit that offered nothing and went nowhere. How Arnell ended up at the ruins of the sportscar maker DeTomaso after such an embarrassing interlude defies explanation.
Read some of the stories about Alejandro de T. and you will know that Arnell should be feeling right at home…
One of our client sites has a GEM car. Decent for what it is and looks more upscale than a golf cart. You’d have to be insane to take it on the road though.
It looks like an enclosed golf cart, but with a higher price and goofier looks.
My suburban neighborhood has speed limits up to 40 mph. This wouldn’t work.
And who can charge a car at work?
For twice the price, Nissan has a real (or semi-real, for detractors) EV on the way.
Another in a long line of automotive charlatans moves on.
Good point. All those EV advocates who think they’re going to be charging their green-mobiles at work all day may be overestimating their company’s benevolence.
I worked at one psycho company where, although not banned outright, the charging of personal devices (cell phones, ipods) was frowned upon.
PeaPod?
Will it deliver groceries?
Yes, with the optional roof rack.
A fun comparison test would pit the PeaPod against a Model T. The Model T would win the performance category.
Peter Arnell had the delusion he was the next steve jobs.