Some people want to go electric… but are waiting for the perfect car. A pretext that the Jamais Content finds bogus, because it will not exist, as it does not exist in thermal.
For some people, the grass is always greener on the other side. With cars too apparently. Greener maybe not, but better. To understand this, just read the comments under the Automobile Propre articles devoted to cars not offered by us and which obviously appeal to readers. Recent example: the electric Kia Ray, a small, connected chip with interesting characteristics: a pocket size (3.60 m), a sufficient engine (86 hp), a good battery given the size of the model (35.2 kWh)…
Some people wonder why it is not sold in Europe. Remarks that the chief complainer often reads, particularly with the small Chinese electric models that Automobile Propre regularly presents. In the bingo of essential remarks under this type of article, we also find the classic: “If they import it, I will buy it immediately to replace my…”. How stupid are these manufacturers who do not want to sell you cars that would nevertheless sell well!
It’s obviously not that simple, primarily for economic reasons. The trendy Kia Ray costs the equivalent of €20,000. Imported into Europe, the price would already be higher, you shouldn’t dream. This would bring us closer to the prices of vehicles already on sale with us, for example the Dacia Spring or the Renault Twingo. Models that seem capable of fulfilling the same mission as the Kia Ray: ensuring everyday electric travel, in a small four-seater, four-door vehicle, with the essentials. “Yes, but the Twingo doesn’t offer this, the Spring isn’t enough of that…”.
This is certainly true, but we don’t really know if the Kia Ray is perfect, we don’t really know it well. And the Never Happy doubts it, because no car is. In more than 20 years of reading the automotive press, the complainer has never seen a car receive 20/20 during a test, except perhaps for fire pumps which make the journalist lose the subjectivity.
Once again, how stupid these manufacturers are. After a century of car development, no one has had the idea of developing the perfect car, which can do everything well. Because it’s impossible, everything is subject to compromise. Rolls can make the best electric car in the world in presentation, equipment and performance, it’s at a crazy price. Conversely, a Spring is at the lowest price by imposing sacrifices on services.
You have to know how to play with the sliders. Just as customers must know how to do this in their search criteria for an electric car. Fortunately, the offer is growing, and models can now meet your expectations. But it will always have a fault for your neighbor. Never mind, he will go and buy another one, which may have a defect from the point of view of his colleague. And so on. Some people want to go electric but are waiting for the perfect car. An almost bogus pretext, because it will not exist, as it does not exist in thermal.
However, commentators always have good ideas. A colleague showed me this message from a reader painting a sketch of the ideal electric car: a nice design, practical tips, a good Euro NCAP rating, 400 to 450 km of autonomy, 800V architecture for fast charging, all for €25,000, or even less than €20,000. Just that. How stupid are these car brand bosses who haven’t thought about it.
Cars still progress with each generation. Example with the R5 in preparation at Renault. It will have nice styling, four doors, 400 km of autonomy, good equipment. Proof all the same that the big guys are not that stupid.
The fact remains that the price of the R5 will be higher than initially hoped for by Luca de Meo, boss of Losange, the industrial context having evolved with Covid and geopolitical tensions. The entry ticket should be around €25,000 to €30,000. A price that for many is still too high, because they want an electric one, but if it really costs nothing. Except that a car manufacturer is not a charity, ready to sell its car at cost price because it meets a primary need for mobility.
The Losange still seems to have an interesting project in its pipeline, precisely inspired by small Japanese cars, and which should cost less than €20,000. Some commentators will think it’s thanks to them.
The final price is still the big black spot in the equation of the ideal car for most brands, which must invest heavily to go electric, which is reflected in prices. Specifications worthy of a Santa Claus list can also become reality once electric technology is more mature and more profitable.
It’s simpler when you’re ahead of the curve like Tesla, which has just refined the first electric car it designed for the general public, the Model 3. Already offering an unbeatable price/performance ratio on the market. the electric (and even makes thermals pale in comparison), the new version is even better (autonomy, presentation, equipment) for barely more money.
However, horror, misfortune among certain aficionados. There’s not the camera they were expecting up front. Obviously a tragedy, because articles on this fact alone have been written. Clearly, there are some who are never happy, it’s crazy.
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