Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges • Hacker News Board

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#81

Post by yieldcrv » Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 1:29 AM UTC

trogdor wrote: post #77

yieldcrv wrote: post #38

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…

>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 arrangements Just one anecdote, but I live in Seattle and every garage space in my building has a Level 2 charger available. I suspect that is the case for most higher-end new construction these days.

I live in luxury buildings in LA

and there’s about 3 superchargers in this building, 3 in the last building, a couple slow chargers

emails to management about installing more are deadends

2016 construction

cant tell whats in other buildings but this is a steep bell curve from convenience to none

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#82

Post by listenallyall » Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 1:42 AM UTC

ianai wrote: post #74

wolverine876 wrote: post #65

The corporate news is the same story, over and over: Cut 5-15% of workforce because of the 'economy'. Meanwhile the economy keeps doing well, so people are making money. I suspect there's another reason for the cuts, but the following is just BS. I'm hoping someone knows something substantive - a paper, a book, a term for it, etc.: I often see a new management philosophy of hyper-aggression and disdain for all but mo…

US has had decades of thumping the mantra “MBAs are the smartest people on earth, just give them whatever they want and they'll solve all problems.” (edit-this was at the highest levels of government.) That idea has come home to roost. Lo and behold, those MBAs think non-MBAs are dime a dozen (even phds) and smart people are all in management. (They also thought computers and automation would eventually make every no…

I think you are misplacing blame in this situation. Electric cars really are not in high demand among the American public. MBA-types, looking at straight economic viability, would never have supported EVs as far as we have. No, it's been massive support from government, primarily, in the form of price subsidies, fuel economy minimums that have forced many gasoline models to be discontinued, gasoline taxes, and unending messaging and pressure about climate change that has artificially created demand. The first wave of people already own EVs, subsidies are ending, further demand is drying up.

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#83

Post by zwily » Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 1:43 AM UTC

trogdor wrote: post #75

zwily wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What about the Tesla price? You can get a new one for like $35k.

The cheapest Tesla is just over $40,000 before taxes and fees.

And also before $7500 tax credit.

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#84

Post by Corrado » Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 1:46 AM UTC

voisin wrote: post #76

yieldcrv wrote: post #38

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…

> “I just slow charge everynight to an AC outlet in my garage” How fast does a Tesla charge via a regular AC outlet?

I charged my 2020 MY using a normal 15 amp outlet for 3 months when I first got the car. I drove it as much as I wanted during the day and plugged it in at night. 99% of the time it was no problem at all. A few times I had to unplug before it was completely (80%) charged but it was fine and I was able to drive normally that day.

I eventually upgraded to a Wall Connector for Level 2 charging (40 amp circuit) which charges about 10x faster (40miles / hour). This was much more convenient but not completely necessary.

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#85

Post by deaddodo » Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 1:52 AM UTC

bluedino wrote: post #15

AniseAbyss wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Volkswagen got big (it's in the name) with building affordable cars like the Beetle and the Golf. Compact fuel efficient cars that a nurse or teacher could afford.

Your last sentence is interesting. Nurses make 2-3 times as much as (K-12) teachers in the USA

The comparison here is so vague as to be useless. There are 4 categories of nurse, and I can assure you that A) a CNA and RN (let alone an APRN) are very different jobs with different requirements and wage/salary brackets and that B) K-12 wages and requirements also vary drastically.

A CNA (the second most common "nurse") most assuredly does not earn more than the average High School teacher, let alone one with any sort of seniority or departmental/administrative responsibilities. An APRN probably earns more than any blue collar field as it's a decidely high salaried white collar position.

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#86

Post by two_handfuls » Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 1:54 AM UTC

agumonkey wrote: post #36

cs702 wrote: 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.

In the US it’s the far superior charging network. This is about to change however as other brands are granted access.

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#87

Post by dzhiurgis » Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 1:56 AM UTC

siffland wrote: post #44

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…

> I also want android auto and the apple one for my wife, I do not want a proprietary (Tesla) entertainment system.

Having used Carplay recently after few months in Tesla I couldn't believe how crap it was. Can't pinch and zoom map, can't use maps on your phone while you navigate (how do I add additional stop without using screen), it wouldn't connect about 10% of drives. Overall UX is feels about a decade behind - a bit like OEM systems before Carplay.

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#88

Post by ianai » Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 1:57 AM UTC

listenallyall wrote: post #82

ianai wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

US has had decades of thumping the mantra “MBAs are the smartest people on earth, just give them whatever they want and they'll solve all problems.” (edit-this was at the highest levels of government.) That idea has come home to roost. Lo and behold, those MBAs think non-MBAs are dime a dozen (even phds) and smart people are all in management. (They also thought computers and automation would eventually make every no…

I think you are misplacing blame in this situation. Electric cars really are not in high demand among the American public. MBA-types, looking at straight economic viability, would never have supported EVs as far as we have. No, it's been massive support from government, primarily, in the form of price subsidies, fuel economy minimums that have forced many gasoline models to be discontinued, gasoline taxes, and unendi…

Answering their later question outside of EVs.

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#89

Post by westmeal » Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 2:04 AM UTC

wlesieutre wrote: post #18

fbdab103 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

VW's site sucks on desktop as well. Ultra-wide monitor and I have to use a hamburger menu to see the navigation bar. Using the VW filters, the only electric that I see is the ID.4 SUV starting at $39k. Edit: Just went to Honda and the cheapest electric options are a CR-V hybrid at $29.5k or the Accord Hybrid at $32k.

Honda is probably not who you want to look at for EV comparisons. They have the Honda E (city car, I think being discontinued) and upcoming partnership with GM to rebadge the Blazer EV as Honda Prologue. And then there’s their “Afeela” joint venture with Sony which I’m sure will go great…

Yeahhhh Honda was only any good in the 80s-90s. Nowadays they're just resting on their laurels and abusing brand recognition.

Re: Volkswagen cuts jobs as demand for EVs plunges

#90

Post by ppetty » Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 2:44 AM UTC

New car. Small car. Expensive car. And, electric car. I don’t think this is entirely an electric vehicle issue. Interest rates and high prices for small cars seems bad enough. If the specs were the same & it was gas even at a slightly lower price; I doubt VWs are hot sellers. I think this might be trust related too. It was smart for VW to pivot from previous fuel sources they gamed, but how much do you trust the specs now that they’re EVs?