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The withering dream of a cheap American electric car

(www.wsj.com)
152 points voisin | 3 comments | 17 Nov 24 23:52 UTC | HN request time: 0.568s | source
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snakeyjake ◴[18 Nov 24 16:51 UTC] No.42174229[source]▶
There are inexpensive EVs in the US. A local dealer has new Nissan Leafs available for $24.5k (after rebates) all day, every day.

There are also inexpensive cars. A local dealer has new Mitsubishi Mirage Hatchbacks available for $17k all day, every day.

People don't want them.

They're not being tricked, cajoled, strong-armed, forced, pressured, misguided, or hoodwinked.

American consumers WANT and CAN AFFORD gigantic $65k SUVs with heated and cooled seats and wifi and huge screens that take up the entire dashboard.

"Oh but they're prioritizing higher-marg..." yeah no shit Sherlock literally all a consumer has to do is not buy one of those.

But Toyota can slap a limited edition retro paint job on an SUV, mark it up $5k and the dealer can mark it up $10k and people will walk past the cheap cars to sign up for a waiting list to get a chance to earn an opportunity to put down a non-refundable deposit to maybe, potentially, pay $75k for an middling SUV with a limited edition retro paint job.

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1. nunez ◴[18 Nov 24 17:18 UTC] No.42174547[source]▶
People don't want Leafs because they come with too many compromises.

Small battery, slow, weird and phased-out charging port; list goes on. It's a first-gen EV through and through.

However, Nissan's second EV, the Ariya, is selling much better! Crossover CUV (which America wants), bigger battery, fast, stylish, starts at $39.5k.

We also now have sub-$30k used Tesla's out in the market too.

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2. xur17 ◴[18 Nov 24 17:35 UTC] No.42174750[source]▶
> We also now have sub-$30k used Tesla's out in the market too.

I purchased a 2023 Model 3 from Hertz over the summer for $23k, which I've been very happy with. I'm not eligible for either tax rebate (used or new), so 1 year ago I would have paid north of $40k for it.

There are definitely some good deals out there.

3. syndicatedjelly ◴[18 Nov 24 20:25 UTC] No.42176532[source]▶
People not wanting a Leaf is how I got mine for dirt cheap. I also happen to live in a state with an extraordinary EV tax credit.

The annoyances of the Leaf are overstated, and the benefits are way better than people give credit for.

If people do what’s popular, they have to accept a popularity tax for the “keeping up with the Joneses” lifestyle