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That strategy was only the best if you assumed someone like a Tesla wouldn't come along. However, a Tesla did come along, and as a result, Tesla now controls a
by CydeWeys 6y ago
That strategy was only the best if you assumed someone like a Tesla wouldn't come along. However, a Tesla did come along, and as a result, Tesla now controls an ungodly fraction of the total worldwide automaker value.
Basically, it was a bad strategy, as it was practically inevitable that at some point someone would "defect" and do BEVs. Not only did the automakers use a bad strategy, but they failed to pivot from that strategy once it was already blown to hell. Any one of them could be worth a lot more money now if they had simply taken EVs as seriously as Tesla did a decade ago. But none did.
Same problem with Kodak. The new technology is inevitable, and while you may delay it, you're killing your future by doing so. It's short term thinking.
- Hypx 6y agoThe problem is that Tesla is also another Kodak. Companies need to start investing in fuel cell technology or face another disruption. The future might be companies like Hyundai or Toyota, who are investing in "all-of-the-above" technologies rather than betting everything on one idea.
- CydeWeys 6y agoTo put it charitably, it is not a widely held viewpoint that pressurized hydrogen tanks and fuel cells are a superior automotive technology to batteries.
- Hypx 6y agoWhich is why the disruptive risk is so high here. There’s already enough fuel cell cars out there that we know pressurized hydrogen tanks work safely. That so many people ignore or dismiss this fact is potentially leading many companies in the wrong direction.
- HeadsUpHigh 6y agoThere is plenty of material about why hydrogen isn't really better just a google away. Plenty of smart people have evaluated it and realized it's not worth it. Toyota is the only company left that still pretends that it's relevant... while slowly electrifying their fleet.
- Hypx 6y agoMost of that stuff is written by people with a financial motivation and are likely biased. You can’t take them too seriously. Toyota, Hyundai, Honda are all investing and expanding investment. That’s for passenger cars specifically. Once you go into industrial and heavy transportation it’s a vast group of companies. People who are paying attention knows that there’s a major revolution afoot. The people with tunnel vision are the people who don’t realize this or are ignorant of these events.
- bryanlarsen 6y ago> Most of that stuff is written by people with a financial motivation and are likely biased. You can’t take them too seriously. You're saying that without disclosing your financial stake. "HypX" is the name of a hydrogen car company.
- Hypx 6y agoThat's a coincidence.
- HeadsUpHigh 6y agoThe big EV industry doesn't want hydrogen to succeed!!! Are you even listening to yourself?
- Hypx 6y agoActually yes. The EV industry doesn't want hydrogen to succeed, since it is a threat to their business.