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> Once China introduces the EV equivalent of the Chevy Spark [...] it's game over for many of these American manufacturers. Then why aren't the streets full of

> Once China introduces the EV equivalent of the Chevy Spark [...] it's game over for many of these American manufacturers. Then why aren't the streets full of Chevy Sparks?

endisneigh 3y ago
Though cheap, the Chevy Spark had a notoriously bad transmission. This is a similar problem the Nissan Versa has, which is similarly cheap. An EV doesn't have a transmission, fortunately, so that class of problem isn't a thing. The problem with cheap cars is that cheap ICE components result in the car failing unnecessarily early. EVs can also fail, obviously, but it's less likely to happen due to design differences.
- nebula8804 3y ago
  There is no redeeming factor of the Spark other than price. And history shows that is not a guarantee at the top of car sales. Just look at the Versa (as you mentioned) and the Mitsubishi mirage. In the following list there is no real cheap car there. [1]:https://www.caranddriver.com/news/g39628015/best-selling-cars-2022/ https://www.caranddriver.com/news/g39628015/best-selling-car...
  - endisneigh 3y ago
    #5 is the Toyota Camry, which is cheap. #12 is also cheap, as is #13, #16, #18, etc. I consider cheap to be under $30K. This is calculated by looking at the median car sale price for new cars and taking the beginning of the 2nd quartile. Or to put it another way, cheap is when about 75% of cars are more expensive. The Versa, Mirage and Spark would be firmly in the "cheapest" category, where 95% of cars are more expensive. Of course, they are also in the "cheap" category, but a car doesn't need to cost that little to be considered cheap (for a brand new car).
    - nebula8804 3y ago
      The Toyota Camry is not in the same boat as the Spark. I guess we need to clarify. You examples are talking about bottom of the barrel cheap (9K-16K in 2023). The Camry is cheap but at 26K base it is not in the same segment as the cars you describe.

> Once China introduces the EV equivalent of the Chevy Spark [...] it's game over for many of these American manufacturers. Then why aren't the streets full of Chevy Sparks?

endisneigh 3y ago

Though cheap, the Chevy Spark had a notoriously bad transmission. This is a similar problem the Nissan Versa has, which is similarly cheap. An EV doesn't have a transmission, fortunately, so that class of problem isn't a thing. The problem with cheap cars is that cheap ICE components result in the car failing unnecessarily early. EVs can also fail, obviously, but it's less likely to happen due to design differences.

nebula8804 3y ago
There is no redeeming factor of the Spark other than price. And history shows that is not a guarantee at the top of car sales. Just look at the Versa (as you mentioned) and the Mitsubishi mirage. In the following list there is no real cheap car there. [1]:https://www.caranddriver.com/news/g39628015/best-selling-cars-2022/ https://www.caranddriver.com/news/g39628015/best-selling-car...
- endisneigh 3y ago
  #5 is the Toyota Camry, which is cheap. #12 is also cheap, as is #13, #16, #18, etc. I consider cheap to be under $30K. This is calculated by looking at the median car sale price for new cars and taking the beginning of the 2nd quartile. Or to put it another way, cheap is when about 75% of cars are more expensive. The Versa, Mirage and Spark would be firmly in the "cheapest" category, where 95% of cars are more expensive. Of course, they are also in the "cheap" category, but a car doesn't need to cost that little to be considered cheap (for a brand new car).
  - nebula8804 3y ago
    The Toyota Camry is not in the same boat as the Spark. I guess we need to clarify. You examples are talking about bottom of the barrel cheap (9K-16K in 2023). The Camry is cheap but at 26K base it is not in the same segment as the cars you describe.