If they ever make more than 50 of these at twice that cost I'll become a monk
Mexican government unveils a prototype for a new homegrown, ultra-affordable EV
141–150 of 217 posts
Re: Mexican government unveils a prototype for a new homegrown, ultra-affordable EV
#142The Ford CEO is not wrong. Allowing foreign imports into the country at prices far below what US producers are able to make will decimate the local car industry in the US. There are 4 possible solutions to this problem; a) convince Americans that it's worth paying more for a locally built product. This is the simplest approach, but there's only so much margin here that the consumer will tolerate. At the moment this g…
Where do interest rates factor in to your calculus? We've just had really cheap money for a really long time in the US and the car makers seem to have adapted and found ways to sell vehicles for more. A top of the line raptor has a tremendous amount of power and interior amenities. Oddly, they're not uncommon, I see landscapers driving them around. Maybe not the very top line Raptors, but I do see Raptors and that seems like an awful lot of truck to pull some lawnmowers and sprinkler parts around in. Low-interest financing and then we've never had high gas prices for terribly extended periods of time.
I don't know that I think the US manufacturers have taken "inexpensive, but good value" cars seriously for decades. The least expensive Ford vehicle, I think is a Maverick which starts around $28k, Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, Mazda and Honda all have cars under $25000.
Re: Mexican government unveils a prototype for a new homegrown, ultra-affordable EV
#143Earlier quoted context omitted.
Well I'll be surprised if it's ever actually used anywhere.
Dunno man, once you’ve seen a family of four plus cargo riding a moped you’ll realize people will use anything that gets them where they need to go.
For the people who don't believe this, spend some time watching urban traffic in a place like Oaxaca. 4 is a bit of a stretch unless it's a couple of small kids (that happens) and the moto is not really a moped, but not much more powerful. There's occasional bulky cargo. I am also reminded of the multiple times we were riding in a bus in Cairo Egypt and passed a donkey cart in the left lane of a 6 lane-ish "free"way.
One of the first things I thought when I first saw this thing is, oh, there will be mods.
Re: Mexican government unveils a prototype for a new homegrown, ultra-affordable EV
#144The Ford CEO is not wrong. Allowing foreign imports into the country at prices far below what US producers are able to make will decimate the local car industry in the US. There are 4 possible solutions to this problem; a) convince Americans that it's worth paying more for a locally built product. This is the simplest approach, but there's only so much margin here that the consumer will tolerate. At the moment this g…
(Is "foreign imports" redundant?)
I'd be OK with tariffs if they are not meant to simply keep foreign car companies out of the US, but rather to encourage foreign car companies that want to enter the US market to build factories in the US and build their cars here with US labor.
There would probably still have to be tariffs on parts so they can't just ship all the parts here and just assemble in the US, but if they come here and build cars with US labor and with much of the supply chain being here too and are still causing headaches for the US car makers I don't see why American consumers should care.
Re: Mexican government unveils a prototype for a new homegrown, ultra-affordable EV
#145Earlier quoted context omitted.
I know absolutely nothing about Mexico in terms of geography or driving so I wonder how feasible an EV that you presumably constantly have to charge is going to fare. In the US, a range of 77 miles is a complete non starter. You'd have to charge it every single day. If not multiple times a day in some peoples cases. It's interesting that info about the car is only half the article. The other half is a commentary on h…
28% of trips are under a mile, 52% under three, 64% under five, 79% under ten, 93% under twenty-five, and 98% under 50 miles.
This is the kind of misleading fact that motivated me to make my post. (Former 2014 Leaf leaseholder.)
Americans buy the car for the 1% trips. In my case, most of my car trips are short, but most of my milage is from long-range trips.
What's more informative is this post that explains Mexican driving behavior: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48634740
Re: Mexican government unveils a prototype for a new homegrown, ultra-affordable EV
#146If they ever make more than 50 of these at twice that cost I'll become a monk
Have you ever paid attention to what's on the road in Mexico? I've driven there for 30 years and I've seen it all.
Then, there's the idea that Mexicans might not be able to manufacture a quality vehicle. My 2001 Toyota Tundra was manufactured in Mexico and I will drive it until I die. Basically a grail vehicle.
Places like Monterrey have multistory quite modern BYD dealerships. You might start shopping for monasteries ;-)
Re: Mexican government unveils a prototype for a new homegrown, ultra-affordable EV
#147Earlier quoted context omitted.
For a significant segment of the US population, that thing wouldn't get them to work and back, so they'd have to charge it both at home and at work. And in many cases, forget running any errands, picking up kids from daycare, etc. And minimum speed on US interstates is typically 40mph, so that reduces its usability even more.
I think you wildly overestimate how many Americans are white-collar workers commuting 100 miles to a 6-figure job. A remotely aiming at that market to begin with.
With a range of 77 miles, I wouldn't make it to work and back. Everyone I know (yes, it's anecdotal, but a widely-shared one) has to commute on roads where the average speed is well above 30mph.
This is a non-starter for the US.
Re: Mexican government unveils a prototype for a new homegrown, ultra-affordable EV
#148Earlier quoted context omitted.
I know absolutely nothing about Mexico in terms of geography or driving so I wonder how feasible an EV that you presumably constantly have to charge is going to fare. In the US, a range of 77 miles is a complete non starter. You'd have to charge it every single day. If not multiple times a day in some peoples cases. It's interesting that info about the car is only half the article. The other half is a commentary on h…
> In the US, a range of 77 miles is a complete non starter. You'd have to charge it every single day. If not multiple times a day in some peoples cases. It's true that some people drive more than 77 miles per day. But a pretty big chunk of people never do, except road trips/vacations. It could easily be worth it to buy a cheap EV for everyday use and then rent a vehicle for long trips.
(2014 Leaf leaseholder here)
At the time we were a 2-car household and used the gas car for longer trips. That being said, there were a few times we had to scramble:
Once, when it was very cold my wife and I both needed to drive a long distance. I took the Leaf because I had access to a charger.
On our last year of the lease we ended up having to move 90 miles away. When we bought the Leaf, we never planned on driving that far. Due to circumstances, I had to make multiple 90-mile trips in the Leaf.
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Case in point: I now only recommend that class of Leaf to people who need a 3rd car for a teenager and no intention of moving.
Re: Mexican government unveils a prototype for a new homegrown, ultra-affordable EV
#149Earlier quoted context omitted.
For a significant segment of the US population, that thing wouldn't get them to work and back, so they'd have to charge it both at home and at work. And in many cases, forget running any errands, picking up kids from daycare, etc. And minimum speed on US interstates is typically 40mph, so that reduces its usability even more.
I don't think this car is designed for them, similar to how trucks are not designed for urban areas. Not every car has to cater to every demographic.
People move around: that's what cars are for. Trucks may not be "designed for urban areas" (whatever that means), but they certainly go into them on a daily basis.
Re: Mexican government unveils a prototype for a new homegrown, ultra-affordable EV
#150Earlier quoted context omitted.
The tariff route is what happened in the 1970s under the "chicken tax", which still exists today to protect the US light truck industry, and is pretty much the reason why SUVs reign supreme in the US market. SUVs are classified as "light trucks", which has caused a Galapagozation of the US car industry/market.
I see this take on SUVs all the time, and I can't help but think it's wrong. Americans just like bigger vehicles and will downsize if gas gets too expensive. There's a reason almost all electric car companies start off with a CUV/SUV/truck, and it's not because they're allergic to sedans or coupes.
Idk if I'd say that Americans like bigger vehicles. There are just a lot of incentives that push us that way.