Comments on: GM and Segway Unveil La-Z-Boy on Wheels http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/04/08/gm-and-segway-unveil-la-z-boy-on-wheels/ Covering Los Angeles's livable streets movement Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:06:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ubrayj02 http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/04/08/gm-and-segway-unveil-la-z-boy-on-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-5309 ubrayj02 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:40:29 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=1980#comment-5309 Is this an April Fools thing? Is this an April Fools thing?

]]> By: David Galvan http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/04/08/gm-and-segway-unveil-la-z-boy-on-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-5249 David Galvan Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:31:56 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=1980#comment-5249 I could see these being used in semi-urban areas instead of urban ones. For instance, in Sherman Oaks, I have noticed several home-owners now have those electric golf-cart-type 4-person cars that they probably use to drive the 1.5 miles to a cafe or diner or something. Sure, I (a twenty something male) would choose a bicycle. But how about grandma and grandpa? They use electric scooters to get around already, and a scooter for two wouldn't be a bad thing. I think the complaints here should be more about the marketing strategy than about the product itself. The PUMA could bring greater mobility to the disabled or elderly because you can sit in it. Whereas the Segway required you to stand and balance. That said, it is ridiculous for GM/Segway to suggest this thing would be good for urban settings, and showing young able-bodied couples using shows that they are aiming at the wrong market. The PUMA will be a niche vehicle for a small group of people, and for them it will be very useful. But it will mean absolutely nothing for the vast majority of us. I'm less and less surprised that Obama rejected GM's restructuring plan. I don't know why they don't resurrect the EV-1 program. Oh, and, can you just remember how different the world was before the Segway? http://www.theonion.com/content/video/in_the_know_do_you_remember_life I could see these being used in semi-urban areas instead of urban ones. For instance, in Sherman Oaks, I have noticed several home-owners now have those electric golf-cart-type 4-person cars that they probably use to drive the 1.5 miles to a cafe or diner or something. Sure, I (a twenty something male) would choose a bicycle. But how about grandma and grandpa? They use electric scooters to get around already, and a scooter for two wouldn’t be a bad thing.

I think the complaints here should be more about the marketing strategy than about the product itself. The PUMA could bring greater mobility to the disabled or elderly because you can sit in it. Whereas the Segway required you to stand and balance.

That said, it is ridiculous for GM/Segway to suggest this thing would be good for urban settings, and showing young able-bodied couples using shows that they are aiming at the wrong market. The PUMA will be a niche vehicle for a small group of people, and for them it will be very useful. But it will mean absolutely nothing for the vast majority of us.

I’m less and less surprised that Obama rejected GM’s restructuring plan. I don’t know why they don’t resurrect the EV-1 program.

Oh, and, can you just remember how different the world was before the Segway?
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/in_the_know_do_you_remember_life

]]> By: Gary Kavanagh http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/04/08/gm-and-segway-unveil-la-z-boy-on-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-5244 Gary Kavanagh Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:58:51 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=1980#comment-5244 What a joke. Ride a bike. Want a ride for two, ride a tandem, it's actually cute instead of an eye sore. What a joke. Ride a bike. Want a ride for two, ride a tandem, it’s actually cute instead of an eye sore.

]]> By: Darrell Clarke http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/04/08/gm-and-segway-unveil-la-z-boy-on-wheels/comment-page-1/#comment-5238 Darrell Clarke Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:59:30 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=1980#comment-5238 It's the "doom buggy" vehicle from Disneyland's Haunted Mansion, missing only the singing ghosts! It’s the “doom buggy” vehicle from Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion, missing only the singing ghosts!

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