Recently, there’s been some bad news out of Detroit. Ford’s backing off on some upcoming EV models, including a three-row SUV many had been looking forward to, and will instead be focusing more on hybrids. GM has been having different problems with software, recently laying off 1,000 developers after a string of Silicon Valley types failed to acclimate to more traditional corporate culture.

While these companies would like to have us all believe that making EVs and software for EVs is simply too hard, other companies like Tesla and Rivian have been doing a lot better. Tesla is now making more EVs than anybody, even beating out ICE models in some segments. Rivian is still climbing the profit ladder, but is selling software to Volkswagen, a pretty good sign that “legacy auto” is struggling in odd ways while newcomers are having no problem churning out EVs.

So, we need to ask ourselves why these established players are struggling while newcomers are doing just fine.

  • wewbull
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    2
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    3 months ago

    The concept that 7 seats is a prerequisite blows my mind.

    • ebc@lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      3 months ago

      I have 4 kids. If we want to travel as a family and not have to take 2 cars, it is a prerequisite.

      • wewbull
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        3 months ago

        That’s not most people though, is it.

        • ebc@lemmy.ca
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          3 months ago

          There’s more people than you think in this situation, but yeah, it’s not the majority.

          Most people don’t need to tow 10 000 pounds on a daily basis either, but car manufacturers still trip over themselves to make huge trucks that’ll mostly be used to get groceries.