General EV Discussion

[RRocket]

Remember when I/Others here predicted this?


The Electric Pickup Truck Boom Turned Into a Big Bust
https://archive.ph/ooJPC

[Johnnymac]

And yet I saw an article about Fords plan for a $30k electric pickup.  You would think they had learned something from the Lightning and Mach E but no, they think going down market will make it successful. 

[Oliver]

And yet I saw an article about Fords plan for a $30k electric pickup.  You would think they had learned something from the Lightning and Mach E but no, they think going down market will make it successful. 

I think that misses the point entirely. High prices is a big part of the reason why people aren't choosing EVs, but I think the intent with that new EV truck is to start with a more niche product before ramping up production and expanding to other product lines.

[Johnnymac]

And yet I saw an article about Fords plan for a $30k electric pickup.  You would think they had learned something from the Lightning and Mach E but no, they think going down market will make it successful. 

I think that misses the point entirely. High prices is a big part of the reason why people aren't choosing EVs, but I think the intent with that new EV truck is to start with a more niche product before ramping up production and expanding to other product lines.

I think you might be missing the point, the chances of a $30kUSD EV pickup being both good and profitable are minuscule.  They couldn't sell their higher priced EVs at a profit beyond the initial craze of buyers (which last what, one year).

It's so much more possible that Ford could make a $30k ICE pickup that is both good and profitable.

[RRocket]

Would you buy ANY new Ford EV knowing the company is up to 94 (and counting) recalls this year?

[Oliver]

And yet I saw an article about Fords plan for a $30k electric pickup.  You would think they had learned something from the Lightning and Mach E but no, they think going down market will make it successful. 

I think that misses the point entirely. High prices is a big part of the reason why people aren't choosing EVs, but I think the intent with that new EV truck is to start with a more niche product before ramping up production and expanding to other product lines.

I think you might be missing the point, the chances of a $30kUSD EV pickup being both good and profitable are minuscule.  They couldn't sell their higher priced EVs at a profit beyond the initial craze of buyers (which last what, one year).

It's so much more possible that Ford could make a $30k ICE pickup that is both good and profitable.

The Mach E is in its fifth full year of sales and has gone up every year. Granted, 2025 sales will likely be lower, for various reasons. Lightning sales also peaked in 2024. At the same time, the Lightning in particular is almost certainly not selling in the numbers that Ford wanted it to – but both products came out at a time when we had a ton of economic uncertainty, supply chain issues, and big inflation. It doesn't help that the current U.S. administration is not particularly friendly to EVs. I suspect that buyers are being squeezed more by pricing than by a lack of interest in EVs.

I'd take any target price for a vehicle that's two years from production with a big grain of salt, but it certainly sounds like the innovation of this new platform centers around efficiency in parts and production. 20% fewer parts, 25% fewer fasteners, 40% fewer workstations along the assembly line, 15% faster assembly time, a 10 kg lighter wiring harness, and batteries that cost less, weigh less, and take up less space while being part of the structure of the vehicle are all very significant in terms of being able to create a profitable product. And if other automakers are building $40k EVs I don't see why Ford couldn't make one at the same price point.

[Johnnymac]

You quoted sales figures and I am talking profits.  Remember when both had big markups their first year, actually not even a full year, and then had to heavily discount them and convince dealers to make more inventory.

Is there demand for a $30k EV pickup, sure, but do I think they can make one that is both good, $30k, AND profitable? No, I don't think that's much will happen, at least not in the next couple of years.

[Johnnymac]

Anyone notice Porsche switching gears on the whole EV only Boxster and Cayman and will in fact offer ICE versions of these vehicles as well as some SUVs.

Gee, who could have predicted going all EV for your sports car lineup was a poor direction...

[Oliver]

Supposedly only the "top models" of the new 718 will be ICE. I wonder if that means just RS models or will there be an equivalent of the current GTS 4.0.

The new ICE Macan due in 2028 will be the first Porsche ever on a FWD-biased platform, shared with the new Q5.

[Johnnymac]

Supposedly only the "top models" of the new 718 will be ICE. I wonder if that means just RS models or will there be an equivalent of the current GTS 4.0.

The new ICE Macan due in 2028 will be the first Porsche ever on a FWD-biased platform, shared with the new Q5.

It might start out that way, but I'm sure they'll offer lower trim levels at some point during the lifetime of that generation.

[Blueprint]

Apparently Kia quietely stopped importing the EV6 to Canada. Made in 'Murica, so tariffs. That, and interest waning. But social media is stoked about the upcoming EV5, and they'll have the EV4 as en entry-level EV option.