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It's not about perverse incentives, it's about "the secret sauce". Traditional car manufacturers perfected the ICE and dealership network, while the "secret sa
by gyjvdf 10y ago
It's not about perverse incentives, it's about "the secret sauce".
Traditional car manufacturers perfected the ICE and dealership network, while the "secret sauce" of electric cars is batteries and network of charging stations.
Practically, GM is right now at a disadvantage relative to Tesla
- mc32 10y agoI don't see much disadvantage. It's not like Tesla is designing and manufacturing the batteries they use all by themselves. Sure, they have input --as Boeing has input w/re GE engines. Given that Tesla will be charging for their networks, it's not an advantage over other charging networks, so overall it'll be a non-issue. Having dealerships does grant the traditional MFGs some advantage but that may erode in the future if dealerships become less necessary in helping the sales of cars (ie. become more on-demand fleets). ICE car MFGs also have _capacity_. Tesla does not have the capacity right now.
- greglindahl 10y agoTesla designs and manufactures battery packs. GM is on record saying that it took them a long time and a lot of money to develop the battery pack for the Bolt.
- kuschku 10y agoActually, most of that IP belongs to Panasonic, with whom Telsa is cooperating. And German manufacturers have bought access to that IP already. I wouldn’t be surprised if Telsa dies very quickly once the actual EV sales start.
- mc32 10y agoTesla uses Panasonic cells to make their batteries[1]. I'm sure Tesla has some circuitry/electronics to control the cells, but it's not like the key battery technology is all Tesla's. The Gig Factory allows Tesla to ensure they have enough batteries for their car fleet so that they don't suffer from shortages as other MFGs put a demand on suppliers. [1]http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1104609_panasonic-to-build-electric-car-battery-cells-at-tesla-gigafactory-this-year-report http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1104609_panasonic-to-bui...
- dangrossman 10y agoGM didn't develop the battery pack for the Bolt. The battery cells, battery pack, charging systems, motors, computers and infotainment systems in the Bolt are all designed and manufactured by LG Chem.