Automakers’ Costly Gamble on EVs: A Lesson in Ignoring Consumer Demand

[rangerrebew]

Automakers’ Costly Gamble on EVs: A Lesson in Ignoring Consumer Demand
22 hours ago Charles Rotter 

In the ever-evolving automotive industry, listening to consumers has always been the cornerstone of sustainable success. Yet, in recent years, many automakers have turned a deaf ear to consumer preferences, betting big on electric vehicles (EVs) despite clear signals that the market wasn’t ready to fully embrace them. The result? A multibillion-dollar debacle, with these companies now clinging to hopes that government intervention will save them from their missteps.

The Money Quote That Says It All

A recent article in the New York Times highlights this perfectly:

“But they have already invested billions in a transition to electric vehicles, and fear that if Mr. Trump made an abrupt change as he has promised, they could be undercut by automakers who sell cheaper, gas-powered cars.”


https://archive.is/qyry3#selection-937.85-937.305
This admission is staggering. Automakers have sunk vast sums into EV production, prioritizing a politically charged vision of the future over actual consumer demand. Now, they’re worried that a rollback of EV mandates could leave them vulnerable to competition from companies that stuck to producing affordable, gas-powered vehicles. The fear is justified because these companies chose to ignore basic market principles: satisfy your customers, or someone else will.

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2024/11/23/automakers-costly-gamble-on-evs-a-lesson-in-ignoring-consumer-demand/

[rangerrebew]

The real problem isn't auto makers.  The real problem is an out of control federal bureaucracy that doesn't listen to consumers and forces businesses to engage in practices they normally wouldn't.

[Fishrrman]

Could the [former] "Big Three" automakers all go bankrupt and disappear from the market...?

[DefiantMassRINO]

It's a good thing Pothole Pete dragged his feet installing those EV charging stations,

EV's are a lesson in the perils of centralized Government planning of the economy while ignoring free market economics.

Still driving my 2008 ICE automobile.  Will drive it until it dies.  My next automobile purchse will be an ICE vehicle.

The weight of the lithium ion batteries kill the highway mileage and distance of hybrids.

[Smokin Joe]

EV's are a lesson in the perils of centralized Government planning of the economy while ignoring free market economics.

QFT!

That Stalinist crap has a lot of losers.

[catfish1957]

Reminds me of the scene in Animal House:

Boone (The government) to Flounder (Auto big 3) , you can't spend your whole life worrying about your mistakes! You f'd up... you trusted us!

[Wingnut]

Reminds me of the scene in Animal House:

Boone (The government) to Flounder (Auto big 3) , you can't spend your whole life worrying about your mistakes! You f'd up... you trusted us!

Bigly

Reminds me of the scene in Animal House:

Boone (The government) to Flounder (Auto big 3) , you can't spend your whole life worrying about your mistakes! You f'd up... you trusted us!

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Could the [former] "Big Three" automakers all go bankrupt and disappear from the market...?

I certainly hope not.

The next war will take a massive domestic manufacturing capability and we will need those facilities.

The proposed tariffs Trump will be enacting on foreign autos will most certainly improve their financials as those competitors will be less attractive except to the well-heeled.

[jafo2010]

The tariffs are intended to keep Chinese cars out of the USA that are assembled in Mexico. 

The Democommies have been the fascists with their continued forced development of battery powered cars while subsidized by the federal government.

With Trump coming in, he should move to end all subsidies for EVs.  There is no market without them.  Time to end this nonsense, which largely helps those WITH MONEY.  You don't see working class folks tooling around in EVs, they are intended for folks with money.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

The tariffs are intended to keep Chinese cars out of the USA that are assembled in Mexico. 

The Democommies have been the fascists with their continued forced development of battery powered cars while subsidized by the federal government.

With Trump coming in, he should move to end all subsidies for EVs.  There is no market without them.  Time to end this nonsense, which largely helps those WITH MONEY.  You don't see working class folks tooling around in EVs, they are intended for folks with money.

Those tariffs will also reduce the amount of American cars assembled in Mexico, where 34 American brands are now made.

Also, the tariffs will level the playing field with the EU, which limits American car imports via a 10% tariff, while the US only puts 2.5% tariff onto European made cars.