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The withering dream of a cheap American electric car

(www.wsj.com)
152 points voisin | 1 comments | 17 Nov 24 23:52 UTC | HN request time: 0.001s | source
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latentcall ◴[18 Nov 24 16:08 UTC] No.42173727[source]▶
I would love a 10-15K BYD. I was told recently desiring a BYD is un-American when I can spend 3 times the price on a Tesla. No thanks! I’ll hold out for something truly cheap. Cars in America are insanely priced.
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solardev ◴[18 Nov 24 16:34 UTC] No.42174041[source]▶
Half of America doesn't want to support the incoming administration either, and Musk has decided to closely and personally align himself with it. I wonder if that will affect Tesla sales.
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dec0dedab0de ◴[18 Nov 24 16:39 UTC] No.42174084[source]▶
I kinda think the whole thing is just Elon tricking republicans into buying electric cars.
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1. MetaWhirledPeas ◴[18 Nov 24 17:11 UTC] No.42174475[source]▶
I think there are a lot of little reasons all combined, and that is definitely one of them.

- Heavy criticism over the past 6 years from traditional news sources (even tech sources like Ars Technica)... basically ever since the Tham Luang cave rescue*

- Thick hate from people in the comments sections

- Government agencies interfering with SpaceX and Tesla

- Biden administration ignoring his carbon tax suggestion

- Biden administration snubbing Tesla at the EV Summit

- His family transgender drama

- COVID mandates shutting down his manufacturing for a period of time

- Conservatives not buying EVs

If you look at all his points of friction in recent years it's not much of a surprise to see the transformation.

*The cave rescue was a sad turning point for Musk. He endured excessive ridicule for pushing for a technological solution, then really stepped in it with his bitter accusations against that rescue diver.