[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by snizzle

Even on the topic of EVs, where is the groundswell of support from a consumer perspective (<6% in 2022 sales) that in a theoretical free market would urge automakers to continue. We've discuss ad nauseam the other driving factors. I believe "they" want us to rent these cars and associated features with a recurring revenue model. It's not a one and done purchase anymore. The tech industry is doing this as well which is now tied in via a software defined vehicle concept. Say a pandemic arrives, wouldn't it be nice to lock everyone down and turn off their vehicles OTA (for the "greater good" of course).

It’s only 6% in 2022. Up from just over 3% in 2021, so almost a 100% increase in demand. This is to be expected because availability is not on par with availability of ICE vehicles. But in some of the segments where EV and ICE compete head-to-head, EV more than holds its own. In Luxury Sedan segment, for example, Tesla Model S, 10 year old design and all, outsells new generation BMW and Mercedes sedans, even though it’s priced higher than both of them. And Tesla earns more profit per vehicle sold than either of them.

As EVs extend to more mainstream product segments at lower prices ($30k Chevy Equinox EV coming later this year) similar shifts in demand are expected. S&P Global Mobility forecasts EV will be about 44% new passenger vehicle sales in the US in 2030.

As for the OTA enabling of features, it’s not just an EV thing. It can be and is being done now with ICE vehicles. Even if EVs suddenly ceased to exist, that capability is in place and expanding.