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Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

fortune.com

51–60 of 140 posts

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#51
post #5

Correction: ...as demand for non-Tesla EVs plunges. Demand for Tesla EVs is... booming. Tesla sold 83% more cars in the most recent quarter than in the same quarter a year ago.[a] [a] https://digitalassets.tesla.com/tesla-contents/image/upload/...

What causes Tesla's demand to be so high ? price only ? or did VW EV effort failed ? I didn't read about it but it, but last year or so, IDn cars prototypes were reviewed favorably.

Teslas are seen as a status symbol in the Bay area for some reason.

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#52

Who is buying a new car these days anyway? Maybe the older generation who are living in their cheap paid off homes. But i dont know anyone below 50 who ever bought a new car. 50k for a small refrigerator? Compared to a 10 year old bigger car for 15k with similar operating costs and no hassle.

The past few years have been some of the historically best times ever for buying new cars. Used cars are crazy expensive right now[1]

[1] https://www.motor1.com/news/688040/used-cars-more-expensive-...

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#53
Considering how many times our 5yo VW has been in the shop for major system breaks, I wouldn’t want to get a whole-new-drivetrain VW without massive warranty protection. We have a 15yo Toyota that’s been in the shop far less.

Plus, (a) reviews for the electric VW aren’t impressed, (b) [charging] network matters, (c) pay the VW “premium” for first-gen tech? Seems like a poor bet.

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

yeah everything non-Tesla is a complete non-starter for me until they actually use the harmonized charging network, so I guess the 2025 models? Tesla models are a somewhat starter, too few options in look and then the price and its a weird quagmire, the people that can afford to live in dense high cost of livings cities are the exact target audience for EV’s but have the most perplexing and inconvenient charging arra…

This is not an issue in Europe fwiw, all cars use CCS2 there. In most european cities you probably have a parking garage if you have a car (and sure you have to deal with the HOA), street parking is an absolute nightmare there.

nice, yeah the US government is mandating something like that and simultaneously Tesla is opening their charging system to others (because of US government sentiment that will turn into pressure)

seems like they’ll both happen at the same time

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#55
post #35

Range and price still holding me back. I’d love to own one otherwise.

I’d encourage you to log your actual driving for a week or two, along with how long your vehicle sits idle. Most range anxiety (IMO) is a supposed of opportunity cost rather than actual risk.

Like companies assuming piracy is equal to a lost sale. It might be true in some cases, but not all. Also, most late model EVs offer a couple hundred miles on a single charge.

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#56

Who is buying a new car these days anyway? Maybe the older generation who are living in their cheap paid off homes. But i dont know anyone below 50 who ever bought a new car. 50k for a small refrigerator? Compared to a 10 year old bigger car for 15k with similar operating costs and no hassle.

> Compared to a 10 year old bigger car

Why does so many people act like the bigger a car is, the better?

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They just cut the price on the model x and s. They have thousands of model ys with discounts on their website as they are waiting to be sold at a dealership. That not even including all the huge promotions on the model 3. I wouldn't say Tesla isn't at least slowing down based on their nearly 3 month old earnings report.

And both model S and X have been completely discontinued in the UK due to the lack of interest. The only Tesla you can order here is a model 3, and it's got fierce competition from other brands.

S and X discontinued in Australia as well.

But 3 and Y seem to be doing well, despite the boss's attempts to dissuade buyers.

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#58

Working in Tech, I love a lot about electric cars. I just have a few issues I cannot seem to overcome (this is a personal ME thing about EV's and some new gas vehicles, your mileage may vary....pun intended). All new cars spy on you (well most do), but EV's are completely software driven and seem to be more intrusive. I want a car I can connect to the internet when I want to for updates and that is it. I also want an…

We seem to be inching more and more towards the dystopian future we always feared. The sad thing is we seem to be willingly and collectively marching towards it ourselves.

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#59

Its funny how the EU is now 'investigating subsidies' in China. China has been building this sector for like 30 years. While Europeans were so proud of their diesel vehicles and how clean they were and the Germany companies endlessly talking about hydrogen and green fuels. While Europe has basically no resource extraction related to batteries or much of any battery refinement for most of that period. But now that thi…

Traditional automakers largely got trapped in the innovator's dilemma. China had no attachment to ICE technology and skipped straight to BEV. Dieselgate was a blessing to VW because it forced them to discuss BEVs to save face.

Europe leads the world in legislation and regulation, both good and bad. Their labor laws are the strongest in the world. Manufacturing in Europe can't compete on price, and the price disparity will be significant, so they will regulate and tax imports.

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#60
post #25

I am not so sure this is a bad thing. Electric vehicles still seem to be part of the same pattern of planed obsolesce and profitable waste production. Looking at the production and expected lifetime sustainability seems little more then an image from the marketing campaign. Not a surprise but maybe something worth mentioning given the hype.

My daily driver is over a decade old and has only ever entered a tire shop. It was the first generation of EV. When should I plan it's obsolescence? What is your experience with EV expiration that leads you to your conclusion? Please inform me in any form other than links to idle speculation by obviously biased parties like Motor Trend etc.

How many miles are on it? City/hwy?
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