The familiar box vehicle which was the Grumman LLV (long-life vehicle) was the best design you could ask for. It used the 1985 Chevy S10 engine/chassis which was reasonably bulletproof. But then again so was the Chrysler 225 6 cyl. and the Ford 289 V8! Almost everything made back in the 80's was bulletproof compared to today's engines. The LLV had mirrors providing vision around the entire truck. The body was aluminum and it could turn on a dime. There's still a ton of them on the road after 40 years!
They’re not leaving RAM for RAM, they’re leaving RAM for Toyota, which only offers a V6, not a straight six.
Perhaps Stellantis should have used a hemispherical combustion chamber in the Hurricane engine. (Isn’t the Ford’s 6.2 a “Hurricane”?).
That is indeed an extremely low price, but isn’t most of it due to how basic the vehicle is, not the technology or manufacturing behind it? It provides everything that is required and not much more — in China anyway, since US version may require safety upgrades.
It’s tiny, 4 seater, light at well under 3,000 pounds, battery under 40 kWh, only 55 kW FWD motor, etc. They even have only one windshield wiper and none for rear, not that there is anything wrong with that if marketing to the right group. As a second or third car in family for students or just short local trips, it meets many “needs”, though maybe not wants.
Anyway, if Tesla as low-cost domestic EV manufacturer built a similar vehicle, what would it cost? A lot more than $11,500 I’d bet, but likely well under $25,000. The problem isn’t lack of technology in my opinion, it’s more that US manufacturers would include a lot more content like self-driving capabilities, larger battery, more power, and so on. For an entry level EV I like the Seagull concept because if most EV trips are short, how much space and comfort are really needed? I wouldn’t buy Chinese, but would love to see others market a similar affordable barebones vehicle a step or two above a four-wheel motorcycle. Agree with you technology isn’t the main problem, at least with Seagull and similar ultra affordable choices.
This morning's gas prices in Hamden, CT (New Haven)
$3.27 Regular (Cash) @ Gulf
$3.27 Regular (Cash) @ Citgo
This morning the Citgo station prices dropped for all grades, matching the regular grade price at the Gulf station and becoming more competitive with Gulf for midgrade and premium blends. I'll expect the Gulf station prices to change again in the next day or so, as Gulf's regular grade price is usually as much as $0.10 less that the Citgo station.
What did you get? I am glad you walked away from it instead of keeping it and whining about it for a couple of years like some other posters have done.
I just purchased a 2017 MKZ and the shift buttons are worn. Thank you for posting the photo of the stickers. Now that you have installed them, would you have purchased the whole set or just the buttons that needed to be covered?