An interesting read. Thank
An interesting read. Thank you.
Bottom Line: What would be GM's incentive to sell this China-made EV outside China?
IMO, in the U.S., not much.
Assumptions: add US$2000 to the $14k price for shipping to the U.S. + red tape.
Now, it is a $16k EV that has ~100mi range, and a top speed of ~60mph.
Until it is crash tested, it can only be sold as a slow ~30mph neighborhood EV (nEV). Let's assume after several crash tests it passes with a high enough rating to be sold in N. America (add $100k of crashes to GM's cost to bring it to market).
Now, here are some tricky points.
What will the insurance companies' rate be for such a low rated crash tested car?
Lets assume, the insurance rate is not bad enough to deter a buyer.
Next, marketing it with competition in mind.
Not competition from other companies, but with GM's own products.
That $16k EV will steal market share from GM's profitable fuel-cars (ice) in the same price range (not good for GM's profits). As well as from GM's Bolt EV and Volt hybrid sales.
More stumbling points.
A major one being what will U.S. Labor Unions think of bringing in a cheap car they did not make? (they are not going to like it, and likely already have an agreement with GM not to do so).
Then, there is the automaker's ego to include.
GM has always been known for fine cars. We know this not because of what junk, er ... products they sell, but GM tells us so, repeatedly, in their daily advertising.
Now what is a Big Automaker to think of selling a cheapo EV made in China? It is not likely GM wants to be thought of as the Walmart of automakers (egotistical bragging rights is a big deal to automakers).
Personally, I agree with the writer, and also think it would be good to bring their low-cost EV to N. American markets.
But sadly, if we look at how badly GM has sold its Bolt EV, GM would fumble the selling of this EV as well.
Lastly, if GM were to bring this EV to sell here, I would like to see some options offered that approved-OEMs could install:
-cruise control
-level-2 6kW charging (upgrading the on-board L2 charging to 6kW)
-level-3 DC charging
- +more
The options could open up a whole new market for add-ons (similar to what people did to the early PCs). Buyers would buy a cheap base EV, love driving it, and then show that love by adding to it. Sadly, automakers like GM try to get in on some of that profit and screw it up because dealer's service departments don't like a non-uniform product (OEMs don't care).
So, lets keep hoping and dreaming it will happen (but don't hold your breath).