Think Went Thunk: What Does Electric-Car Bankruptcy Teach Us?Think Went Thunk: What Does Electric-Car Bankruptcy Teach Us?

A little more than three weeks ago, Norwegian electric-car maker Think Global declared bankruptcy–for the fourth time, actually.
In a pithy piece published a week later, Pike Research analyst Dave Hurst suggested a few lessons that can be learned from Think’s latest collapse.
The entire article, linked below, is worth reading for the data and details behind Hurst’s lessons learned.
But condensed down to their essence, they are:

Size Is Important: Even in Europe, tiny two-seat cars like the Think City have a limited market;
Price Is Very Important: At $36,495, the two-seat Think City cost $3,715 more than a four-door, five-seat 2011 Nissan Leaf;
Brands Count: Think was unknown, whereas Nissan is well-established, with ubiquitous dealerships.

Think’s new factory in Indiana is now idle, since it’s no longer receiving City electric-car kits to asemble.
PHOTO GALLERY: Think City Assembly Plant Tour, Elkhart, Indiana
We’ve said before that electric-car startups face a bleak future due to tough competition from established carmakers, who are finally taking plug-in vehicles seriously.
Tesla Model S Alpha buildEven if they succeed in the short term, we think makers like Fisker Automotive and Tesla Motors will ultimately be sold to global auto manufacturers–for their brands, and perhaps their expertise.
Their executives, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, dispute this vigorously.
But we’re curious: What do YOU think the electric-car world has learned from the latest bankruptcy of Think?
Leave us your thoughts in the Comments below.
[Pike Research]

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