Industry Report: DaimlerChrysler GEM Electric Cars Transport World Leaders at G8 Summit

GEM Electric Cars Painted in G8 National Colors

To say that the worlds politicians are out of touch with reality is often an understatement. What, with their entourages always close at hand and parades of high-priced executive limos surrounded by oversized SUVs stuffed to the gills with armed secret service agents ready to pounce at a moments notice on anyone who looks even remotely subversive, they live normal lives like anyone else - not.

While this scenario might come across slightly more Hollywood than Washington, the reality of the electrically-powered, zero emissions DaimlerChrysler GEM executive shuttles transporting world leaders around at this years G8 summit in Sea Island, Georgia seems even more out of touch.

After all, the 2004 G8 summit is being held here in America. For a quick reality check, drive the streets of Atlanta, or any one of our nations major cities and a plethora of gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles line the lanes. From Chevy Tahoes and Suburbans to Nissan Armadas, theyre big, bad and about as environmentally friendly as a do-gooder environmentalists toxin-spewing 1970 Volvo station wagon.

But theres nothing like the opportunity of a photo shoot, showing socially conscious politicians whizzing around in glorified golf carts to stir up the warm fuzzies in all of us.

According to a Reuters report, First lady Laura Bush commandeered her Gemcar to pick up Canadian counterpart Sheila Martin for lunch. Another report stated German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, living up to his role as Autobahn overseer, was said to be going so quickly in his electric car that he nearly overshot the mark at his arrival on Wednesday for a summit session.

Two battery-powered DaimlerChrysler Gemcars have been allocated to each delegation, painted in national colors no less. This made it easy for a press corps to figure out who was meeting who, with Russian President Vladimir Putins car sitting outside the resorts Dunbar House next to George Bushs red, white and blue cart it was obvious something major was going on inside. Ironically Bush keeps a pickup at his Texas ranch.

Maybe if he caught sight of the Kustom Haus all-terrain Gemcar that was on display at the New York auto show earlier this year he would switch to the more economical conveyance.

Nevertheless, Austin Powers and the folks at BMWs MINI brand would be proud of British Prime Minister Tony Blairs Gemcar, which showed-off the Union Jack on both sides.

While DaimlerChrysler is the first to admit its open-air GEM may not be suitable for all of the worlds climates in base trim, a soft fabric top with cloth doors or a hard plastic top with doors make it all-weather friendly. It also wouldnt make the optimal weekend getaway car due to its 25 mph top speed and limited storage, eL pickup version aside, but its ideal for zipping off to grab groceries in warmer climes such as Florida or California. The worlds airports are now making use of the new electric cars for runway services as well, while the cars are perfect for transporting employees within large buildings such as warehouses where exhaust fumes would be unhealthy.

The uniquely styled GEM, available as a two-seat GEM e2, four-seat GEM e4, and two-seat pickup guises, the latter in both short (GEM eS) and long (GEM eL) wheelbase forms, seemed to fit in well amid the golf courses surrounding the Sea Island resort too, stated a Reuters reporter.

The GEM e2 starts at under $7,000 with the top-line GEM e4 reaching nearly $9,000 in base form. Add on the options, including a hard-shell external trunk enclosure, sideview mirrors, chrome bumper, chrome or aluminum 10- or 12-inch wheels, and fabric or hard-shell passenger enclosures with plastic doors, and the price will break the $14,000 barrier. Additional options include an Alpine audio system at $695, a dome light at $35, a heater/defroster at $395 from the factory or $575 if put on at the dealership, and more.

No doubt world leader influence will have the DaimlerChrysler electric car division building extended wheelbase, leather clad limousine versions before the year is out, which wouldnt be a bad thing in the eyes of environmentalists.