One way to keep future electric cars inexpensive? Co-develop them with another car company–at least that’s what Honda and GM are banking on:
The companies [Honda and GM] are working together to enable global production of millions of EVs starting in 2027, including compact crossover v…
Well, sometimes they make the cars possible when they wouldn't have been otherwise. So, yes?
I think this is good. GM's good at powertrains. GM's not good at a lot of other stuff that Honda is good at. These are two really big companies, which means a lot of volume which bodes well for cost and servicing. This could go well.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
Also, another opportunity for Colin to Photoshop a battery onto a car.
I'd like to take this moment to remind everyone of the last Honda/GM joint venture, the Saturn Vue with the CVT...
David S. Wallens said:In reply to Keith Tanner :
Also, another opportunity for Colin to Photoshop a battery onto a car.
It was so well done I thought that was a prototype!
In reply to David S. Wallens :
I'll never pass up the chance.
Javelin said:I'd like to take this moment to remind everyone of the last Honda/GM joint venture, the Saturn Vue with the CVT...
Not so much a joint venture. GM used Honda V6/Automatics in the VUEs.
The CVT was awful, but unrelated to Honda. I guess I shouldn't find this part suprising (from wikipedia) "The VTi is assembled at a General Motors/Fiat joint venture plant"
The Vibe/Matrix worked very well for both GM and Toyota. I can see this working if they do it well. If it results in an EV Odyssey with 400 miles of range for $30K, I am in. I'd also accept a Civic EV (esp hatch) with Bolt-esque specs. If it results in a Honda badged Equinox with 250 miles of range for $40K, I am out.
A Honda badged Equinox for $40k with 250 miles of range is pretty much exactly what the mass market wants.
400 miles of range in an EV Odyssey for $30k will never happen, the economics don't work. The MSRP of the ICE Odyssey is 10% higher than that.
Agreed on both of Keith's points.
I wouldn't mind a Civic Si hatch with a bolt-ish drivetrain though. But again, not for $40k.
Keith Tanner said:A Honda badged Equinox for $40k with 250 miles of range is pretty much exactly what the mass market wants.
400 miles of range in an EV Odyssey for $30k will never happen, the economics don't work. The MSRP of the ICE Odyssey is 10% higher than that.
I didn't speak for the mass market, I spoke for me. Check back with me in a decade on the last line, though, and adjust for inflation.
Sure, if we're allowed to adjust for inflation...maybe. We know that people don't really do that with car prices :)
I don't believe in the magic battery that's always 2 years away from a lab demo. I don't think the market will pay the significant premium to get 400 miles of range over 250-300, and there will always be a price premium for extra range. Will the market demand that? I do mean the mass market, not you, because there's a lot more profit in selling more than one of something after all that R&D.
Seeing the market decide on the best trade off between purchase price and range is going to be interesting as more people experience EV road trips and daily life. Right now, it's the perceived weakness so it's what everyone focuses on. But after some experience, will they be willing to pay extra to avoid an occasional extra stop on a road trip? We shall find out.
How about this.... Give us a car that you can drive 600 miles. That doesn't have GPS,Internet,TVs for passengers/driver and all the other things that modern autos have. Why the he'll they have all that crap oh wait I forgot. MONEY to be made by others. Cars would be more affordable and drive further without all the extras sucking on the battery.
But I just see in 2030 is large 4 door SUV's & huge trucks all electric with one person in it , only able to get 100-200 miles before a charge.
I think you overestimate the draw of all the crap that modern autos have versus the amount of energy required to motivate it down the road. There's an enormous difference. Moving a car is a huge energy suck compared to the hotel load.
What people will have discovered by 2030 is that you simply don't need to pay for 600 miles worth of battery.
I would have to imagine all the stops for a recharge is to keep it safe for drivers. They don't want you to drive from let say Denver to Milwaukee in 24 hours..
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