Chinese EVs... may be better than we think

[jefrank]

Interesting read... https://insideevs.com/features/719015/china-is-ahead-of-west/

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[Grumpy2]

I think they started 16 years ago with the 2008 Beijing Olympics when the China air was so bad. In 2006 we read the "Inconvenient Truth", but generally ignored it.

Today they have terrific electric bullet trains, as well as high quality electric cars, as well as really cheap electric cars. We are trying to fence them out as we struggle to catch up.

 

[Heliian]

Contrary to popular belief, China does produce some quality goods.

They also produce a whole lot of poor quality goods.

The Porsche ev knockoff is one example of just terrible quality cars.

 

[rlbussard]

I won't buy anything Chinese if I can help it. The hit on our economy would be costly if they allowed all these EVs from China to come to our market without a high tariff.

 

[lancersrock]

I think the best option is for US companies to work with or license battery tech from these Chinese companies. I do believe Ford has taken steps in that direction but with the recent slow down on ev based growth idk what Ford is doing now.

 

[Steven Walsh]

Interesting read... https://insideevs.com/features/719015/china-is-ahead-of-west/

Good article. Spot on. We better get with the program — get the kids heads out of their phones and into the classrooms focused on STEM subjects. And get rid of the participation awards. Reward merit and excellence.
I’ve become bitter partly because I’m old but mainly because I’ve witnessed such a decline in competence and ambition in our youth.

 

[Tony Burgh]

1970’s redux - the Japanese cars are cheap junk, so buy a Chevy Vega and slap an American flag decal over the rust.

 

[Joe.....Montana]

The Economist has been running different articles regarding Chinese EV's for awhile. Chinese EV's are a genuine threat to the American auto industry. They are already pushing out major European car makers in the EU. Biden signed legislation yesterday that increases the tariffs on Chinese EV's. Hopefully American auto makers continue to be protected but also use that protection to build quality vehicles and not rest on their laurels.

The challenge will be Ford et al competing with the nation of China. Fairly certain everyone recognizes at this point the Chinese government funds and aids (intellectual property theft) companies.

Let me put on my tin foil hat...no doubt EV's help China breath cleaner air. But the dark side of me also wonders about future wars. What do militaries need more than anything during war? Carbon based fuel. If your civilian population has largely transitioned to electricity that leaves more carbon fuel for your military. By transitioning to EV's the civilians will still be "happy" because they can drive their cars freely. In the event of a global conflict and fuel shortages you will see American's flipping out that they have to pay $6 a gallon and only get a limited amount of fuel.

EV's offer a ton of positives (and have some challenges) but I feel national security and path to energy independence should be highlighted more.

 

[climateguy]

I found this podcast "Electric Vehicles and Chinese Dominance Unveiled with Michael Dunn" very interesting. Dunn points to Chinese dominance in solar panels (see this IEA report) and says the same Chinese policies that produced that result are in place there now as they aim to take over worldwide EV production.

 

[Scorpio3d]

Much of this article is probably true. in my opinion we are behind. However, there are many other factors to consider! One Is that the Chinese companies steal technology partially by making foreign companies partner with Chinese companies to make and sell their products in China. China does not have the UAW and other labor unions so of course they can make their products much much cheaper. The Chinese government got behind their technological advancement many years ago and now those investments are paying off. Whether or not you agree politically with the CHIPS act and infrastructure act it is basically us trying to catch up. For those of you that are older like me remember in the 80s when Japan was kind of doing the same thing they had surpassed us technologically and we’re selling cars cheaper so we put a bunch of tariffs in place. Truly, we are not that far behind and will be caught up in a few of years I believe. Also, they did not have a bunch of legacy auto makers trying to do things in a different way. Look at where Tesla is compared to everyone else. If you look at some of the cool products that companies like Rivian Fisker canoo And many other non-legacy car makers that failed trying to bring products to market. Of course this is only part of it!

 

[climateguy]

Another interesting podcast episode on Chinese EV production is "The Secret Superpower of Chinese Automakers?".

 

[The Weatherman]

1970’s redux - the Japanese cars are cheap junk, so buy a Chevy Vega and slap an American flag decal over the rust.

You want a true example of a piece junk American made car in the ‘70’s, look no further than an American Motor Hornet. It was built from a little here and little there.

My wife had one when got married. Kept her but ditched that thing QUICK.

 

[F150ROD]

Tesla needs to step their game up. I still see a collar between Ford and Tesla.

 

[Tony Burgh]

You want a true example of a piece junk American made car in the ‘70’s, look no further than an American Motor Hornet. It was built from a little here and little there.

My wife had one when got married. Kept her but ditched that thing QUICK.

The best engines AMC had were the 327 (from Chevy) and the 390 (from Ford). Ugliest vehicle in US was a toss up between the Gremlin and the Pacer.

 

[VTbuckeye]

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