5 ms·
Car design is about to change forever
- maxharris 6y agoUnitized body construction is standard because you can travel a longer distance for less money than with the alternative body-on-frame design. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_frame#Unibody https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_frame#Unibody Electric cars are often compared to cell phones. Why have cell phones with replaceable batteries essentially died out in the marketplace? I have the same question about modular phones: https://www.cnet.com/news/google-lg-lenovo-modular-phones/ https://www.cnet.com/news/google-lg-lenovo-modular-phones/
- elsewhen 6y agoUnitized bodies may be more economical when comparing one vehicle to another, but this design allows for multiple cars on a single platform. So a family may have 4 vehicle types and two “skateboards.” So, for an apples to apples comparison, I think you’d have to compare this setup to _four_ unibody vehicles.
- joezydeco 6y agoDetroit, 2002: https://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/24/forgotten-concept-2002-gm-autonomy/ https://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/24/forgotten-concept-2002-g...
- jqpabc123 6y agoThe missing piece; judging from the photos --- the suspension. Sure, a skate board will work --- if you don't mind bone jarring and teeth rattling. But I doubt most people will find that acceptable. There is nothing really new here for the auto industry --- they have been using multi-vehicle unibody for years.