Quote:
Originally Posted by Martinjlm
This is why the current US direction towards isolationism in the auto industry is a dangerous long term path. Keep in mind the average price of a new vehicle in the US is between $49 - 50k.
Look what's already available in two markets that are LARGER than the US market at a price of $47k. Parts of the Inflation Reduction Act that was focused on the automotive industry was put in place to allow domestic automakers to accelerate their development of vehicles to compete against vehicles like this. Now we are in a position where some automakers will lag in their ability to develop vehicles to compete.
https://youtu.be/Mb6H7trzMfI?si=D_itFXHC9KcGjy3q |
Since you’re the “expert” with so much more “insider knowledge” than the rest of us you of all people should understand the US car market is DIFFERENT from the rest of the world.
It always has been and it always will be. Even 50 years from now.
In America we have long, smooth, wide expansive highways that other than a few bits and pieces of Europe are NOTHING - and most Americans daily commute is on one of these long expansive highways to work and back.
I drive 25 miles each way. Mostly I-480 and I71 through the Cleveland area. If I’m not going at least 70+ I’m getting cussed out, brights flashed at, or worse. So I usually set my cruise at 75 and I’m good. In 60 mph zones mind you.
Americans have NEVER wanted, nor will they EVER want, the small efficient tiny cars you see in the rest of the world.
The F150 is STILL one of if not THE best selling vehicle in America. Silverado, Ram Trucks, and Sierra are all top 5.
They’re today’s version of the ‘72 Caprice your Grandather drove.
The American market is for big, roomy, comfortable trucks or cars that have V8 engines, run on gas, get 15 mpg, and can refill 30 gallons in 5 minutes.
Sure there’s”blips” over the years where “efficient” cars were the in thing.
But let’s be honest: the only people who actually wanted EVs to begin with are tech geeks with pocket protectors and horn-rimmed glasses and Green Peace tree huggers who shower maybe once a month and their other hygiene is suspect at best.
For the rest of us normal, hard working, every day Americans we Weill continue to buy cars and trucks that simply don’t even fit down half the streets in Italy or Japan.
So if manufacturers want to make REAL money in America, they’re going to make big cars and trucks with big gasoline V8 engines, and to make MORE money and INCREASE profits they can now remove all the expensive crap technology (auto start/stop, cylinder deactivation, direct injection, active grille radiator louvers, and half the O2 sensors) they’ve had to put on over the last 15 years and cut the price and STILL make more money.
They can still build the EVs and hybrids for the hippies and let THEM pay 3x the price since THEY want it so bad.
For the majority of Americans just give us the cars and trucks we want.