TA.b - EV Talk 7.20

It's been awhile since I talked about electric vehicles and a lot has happened. Many automakers (including some new ones) have introduced, or at least teased, new EVs. The new EVs have come in mostly large(er) sizes even though many folks want a compact- or sub-compact-sized vehicle. VW, for example, is introducing the iD3 compact EV (Golf-sized). Many folks, including a friend that has a GTI, would love the new V-dub but Volkswagen won't bring the car to the US. I guess they assume that all we want are large SUV-like vehicles plus they expect a large demand in Germany, so maybe we'll see it eventually. In fact the iD4 that will come to the US market is Tesla Model Y-sized and while there may be some truth to the size issue, not everyone wants SUVs. I mean, look at the numbers of Bolts, i3s, Leafs (Leaves?), Niros, etc. that are on the road today. When I talk to folks with those vehicles, the car's size is one of the things they like about their EVs. The others include no (or little) maintenance, no emissions, and EV economy (EVs cost less to run than ICE cars). And with these newer cars waiting to be introduced, range anxiety is a thing of the past. I mean the new Tesla Model S long-range + gets over 400 miles to a full charge according to the EPA while still giving you the Tesla speed experience.

Ford's Mustang Mach-e is about to hit your dealer later this year, but since the order books opened recently, Tesla's sales model has come back into discussion. Since the Mach-e is a worthy competitor to Tesla it is expected to be popular, but Ford's dealers have gotten in the way marking up prices by as much as $10,000 (reportedly). (It has now been reported that Ford is now offering incentives on the Mach-e.) This would make the Mach-e more expensive than the comparable Model Y. It has been reported that this mark-up has cooled orders for Ford's first true EV. Maybe Ford should consider marketing their EVs directly to customers ala Tesla. Not to mention that most legacy carmaker dealers don't know how or care about servicing EVs and their customers. In Ford's case, they only want to sell F-150s (to the tune of tens of thousands a month btw). Of course Ford is developing an F-150 EV that's due soon, so...

And while we're talking about Ford, it has been reported that the Lincoln Continental (above) has been cancelled. Sales were okay for the luxo Ford (especially with the "coach" doors shown), but not to the levels that Ford had hoped. I guess Ford has forgotten what a "halo" car is that sits usually at the top of your model mix and brings in customers to you local dealer (or website). It also occurs to me that the Continental (great heritage name) would make a great Model S competitor especially if Lincoln can match Tesla's 400+ range numbers. They could even build it on a stretched Mach-e platform. The Continental already has the looks and the "killer" interior so why not Ford?

Anyway, these next few months will be interesting COVID-19 not withstanding. Stay safe out there and wear your mask to protect yourself, your loved ones, not to mention everyone you come in contact with. Stay tuned...