4 ms·
Won't happen. Automobile companies are so deep into our politicians, you sometimes see them looking out from the throat. For example the federal state of Niede
by martin_a 7y ago
Won't happen. Automobile companies are so deep into our politicians, you sometimes see them looking out from the throat.
For example the federal state of Niedersachsen has more than 20% of the shares of Volkswagen. They will not do anything that might harm VW.
- icebraining 7y agoIncreasingly, not switching to EVs will harm VW, regardless of what German states do.
- paganel 7y agoAfter Dieselgate VW has been the most committed major auto-maker when it comes to EVs, problem is there have been some hiccups [1] [1] https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/audi-recalls-model-year-2019-e-trons-061719.html https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/audi-recalls-model-year...
- agumonkey 7y agoGerman brands have acknowledged it a bit, enough to make some cars and try the mainstream market too. I know Porsche also made a version with gears so they can retain their high speed property.
- clouddrover 7y agoVolkswagen is investing 80 billion euros in EVs: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-volkswagen-electric-insight-idUSKCN1PV0K4 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-volkswagen-electric-insig...
- martin_a 7y agoYeah, but only lately. They should have started 10 years ago. Now it's probably too late. Not only for VW but all the others, too.
- clouddrover 7y agoVolkswagen is one of the biggest car companies in the world: https://www.jato.com/global-car-market-remains-stable-during-2018-as-continuous-demand-for-suvs-offsets-decline-in-sales-of-compact-cars-and-mpvs/ https://www.jato.com/global-car-market-remains-stable-during... They'll be fine. They don't care what drive train they use. They just want to sell cars.
- martin_a 7y agoThey have just now started developing all of this, while lots of manufacturers only need to ramp up their production, see Hyundai, Kia, Renault, Tesla, which are all already selling full electric cars and just struggle with fulfilling the orders. If those manage to scale their production (probably of batteries), VW will have a hard time.
- clouddrover 7y agoThey'll release multiple models of electric vehicles across multiple brands every year from now on. You want a fanciful narrative that somehow ends in Volkswagen's ultimate doom, but it's not the practical reality.
- martin_a 7y agoWe'll see, up to now it's only talk and pre-orders.
- clouddrover 7y agoAn 80 billion euro investment from a company that sells over 10 million cars every year is not just "talk". You're clinging to a fantasy.
- martin_a 7y agoShow me cars built on that new base driving on the street and I'm fine with it. Up to now it's just talk and mockups and nothing more.