Biker16

Hmm, that's a long time from now.

PLacing this Article here to Explain what an EREV really is. The New Acronym In The EV Revolution Is EREV (Extended Range Electric Vehicle) - CleanTechnica The TLDR. These are Electric Vehicles with a Gas Generator—more EVs than hybrids. These are popular in China, primarily on people movers. If there is a danger to Ford's Skunkworks EV strategy project, this is it. A large EV with a tiny extender would solve a lot of issues with Cost and range. The downside is complexity and cost. The question is, at what point is it cheaper to add more cells than adding an engine and all of that complexity? The specs look like this.

General Motors Sold A Record Number Of EVs In Q2 2024 (insideevs.com) Feb 22, 2024: GM Promised An Electric Car Revolution. Here's Why It's Stalling (insideevs.com)

Hyundai confirms three-row IONIQ 9 SUV, EREVs with +550-mi range are coming to the US

These Vans look very competitive. It's nice to see GM leveraging its Ultium manufacturing base to build high-quality EVs.

GM moves BrightDrop electric vans to Chevrolet brand to expand customer base General Motors Co. is bringing its BrightDrop electric commercial vans under the Chevrolet brand in an effort to expand sales beyond delivery companies. Since commercial customers pay close attention to the overall cost of ownership over the life of the vehicle, EV commercial sales have consistently been seen as a growth opportunity by automakers, who argue that EV products come with lower fuel and maintenance costs. GM introduced BrightDrop in 2021 at the Consumer Electronics Show as a startup that would bring the company millions in revenue with products focused on servicing delivery companies, including electric vans. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/general-motors/2024/08/29/chevrolet-dealers-will-soon-offer-brightdrop-electric-vans/74994416007/ https://www.gmenvolve.com/fleet/electric-vehicles/brightdrop-zevo

This may sound controversial, but your average buyer does care if it's a Sedan, wagon, or hatchback. All they want is grey body cladding and "more" ground clearance. Grey Body Cladding

Ford is 100% focused on reacting their way to success.

I wonder if this one will have a 3-row option?

I enjoyed the Escape rentals I had; they were fun vehicles.

It's important to note that this is the only Small Electric Van in the US. It costs slightly more than the E-transit cargo (there is no passenger version) but has 50% more range, more Horsepower, available AWD, and faster Level 3 charging. The other competition for 3-row EVs includes the EV9, Rivian R1S, and Tesla Model X. The Buzz is more practical, with more interior room and sliding doors, but it is behind the competition in range and performance. The ID Buzz is less expensive than its Competitors, except the 240-mile-range EV9. Overall, VW is looking to move 30k vehicles per year, which it shouldn't have any issues doing. If VW Followed Kia's lead and moved production to the US, you could expect the price to drop and the volumes to increase.

I was watching the podcast about the dilemma the legacy Automakers are in and this stood out to me. "Does Ford believe They can React their way to success, or do they think they need to take step back to take two steps forward." https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxGCgVdtxSi-rlwcxlIuKW0YTd4INI0Cye?si=0XPb0sY_h7rJNGpT

I don't think BYD is selling EVs at a loss. https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/26/business/byd-profit-soar-after-beats-tesla/ The support China gives its Companies are not simply handout, it's part of a comprehensive industrial strategy, that even Tesla has taken advantage of. How did China come to dominate the world of electric cars? | MIT Technology Review The US government has committed 245 billion in subsidies to Compete with China on EVs.

Exactly!!!! It's the only Product Ford consistently invests in. no other product has had a consistent product cadence, except the F-series. Imagine if Ford Invested that energy into a small or midsized car? Holistically, the skills required to build a profitable small car aren't much different for those needed to build a profitable EV. Sales volume Efficient and economical product development Efficient production systems (Tesla takes 10 hours to build a Model 3) Vertical integration where needed (taking more things inhouse is how the Chinese and Tesla make profitable EVs, Toyota doesn't waste time and money shopping for the cheaper components they build consitancy and share thier risk with their suppliers) Denso is a good example of this. Invest wisely Remember the biggest plant in the US, makes EVs, and the highest US content cars, at a gross margin of $8,268 per vehicle.