3 ms·

New things. Is it really a surprise? People not understanding tradeoffs. Governments slow to regulate. Are these surprises either? I drive a Saab. Also no surp

New things. Is it really a surprise? People not understanding tradeoffs. Governments slow to regulate. Are these surprises either? I drive a Saab. Also no surprise.

moritzwarhier 3y ago
Government was quick to hand out subsidies to buyers of these cars, after handing out huge subsidies to buyers of the previous generation of cars less than 15 years ago, here in Germany. So regulation is quick actually! And no lack of motivation to tap into the great magic generator of wealth and prosperity that is building a couple billion more vehicles with giant batteries because that will obviously help the environment. Regulation works! I guess they'll find some way to also regulate this awesome technology so that it doesn't endanger people in immediate proximity. Ah yes, "tradeoffs" about "new things". The main innovation in electric cars are large rechargable batteries. // I know this comment might sound incisive, off-topic or unreasonable to many readers, but i'm gonna leave it here and gladly collect downvotes because it's my unfiltered opinion. Nothing against electric vehicles, but their current treatment by society as innovative technology with a positive impact when used in the same way we use cars today is ludicrous to me. And when it comes to the cost of cars, direct or societal costs, I am strictly opposed to subsidies. There are already too many cars per capita and the number keeps increasing. Regarding article: I don't see anything specific to electric cars here, not even in most of the defective parts. The safety regulations shouldn't require much or even anything specific to electric cars here. Especially no exceptions or loopholes. Should be the same framework as with combustion cars.
- rad_gruchalski 3y ago
  > after handing out huge subsidies to buyers of the previous generation of cars less than 15 years ago And Euro diesel subsidies 4 years ago. > building a couple billion more vehicles with giant batteries because that will obviously help the environment There was a new memo. Not only environment, also good for the grid because batteries in cars are good oversupply storage. Apparently.
  - moritzwarhier 3y ago
    Sounds very efficient. Decentralized blockchain renewable energy, powered by Tesla [1] [1] Not the inventor, the company.
hollywood_court 3y ago
I managed an import repair shop for quite a few years. People would bring their cars from all over to have our techs work on them. We routinely had people ship in classic Rolls and Japanese sports cars from all over the country to our little shop in Alabama. The techs could work on anything. Saabs were the only cars not allowed on our lot. The lead tech refused to even look at them. My neighbor two houses down owns 3 Saabs. None of them run of course. I often wonder “what was he thinking.”
- Kaibeezy 3y ago
  Specifically considering reliability, that's a mild outlier anecdote in my experience; not common, but not unheard of. With no specialists nearby, I was warned off the classic 900 or 9000, but my 9-5 has been no bother. Considering a larger array of factors -- safety, performance, UX, design, current prices, parts availability, enthusiast community, etc. -- Saabs have, on balance, a lot going for them right now.
  - hollywood_court 3y ago
    "Right now" is an interesting choice of words; I don't believe Saab has made a production vehicle for ~10 years now. I personally think Saabs are far better than VW/Audi, Mini (the absolute worst in terms of repairs) and Land Rover/Jaguar (second worst). But my techs refused to work on them due to the electrical systems being finicky and not worth the diagnostic and labor times.

New things. Is it really a surprise? People not understanding tradeoffs. Governments slow to regulate. Are these surprises either? I drive a Saab. Also no surprise.

moritzwarhier 3y ago

Government was quick to hand out subsidies to buyers of these cars, after handing out huge subsidies to buyers of the previous generation of cars less than 15 years ago, here in Germany. So regulation is quick actually! And no lack of motivation to tap into the great magic generator of wealth and prosperity that is building a couple billion more vehicles with giant batteries because that will obviously help the environment. Regulation works! I guess they'll find some way to also regulate this awesome technology so that it doesn't endanger people in immediate proximity. Ah yes, "tradeoffs" about "new things". The main innovation in electric cars are large rechargable batteries. // I know this comment might sound incisive, off-topic or unreasonable to many readers, but i'm gonna leave it here and gladly collect downvotes because it's my unfiltered opinion. Nothing against electric vehicles, but their current treatment by society as innovative technology with a positive impact when used in the same way we use cars today is ludicrous to me. And when it comes to the cost of cars, direct or societal costs, I am strictly opposed to subsidies. There are already too many cars per capita and the number keeps increasing. Regarding article: I don't see anything specific to electric cars here, not even in most of the defective parts. The safety regulations shouldn't require much or even anything specific to electric cars here. Especially no exceptions or loopholes. Should be the same framework as with combustion cars.

rad_gruchalski 3y ago
> after handing out huge subsidies to buyers of the previous generation of cars less than 15 years ago And Euro diesel subsidies 4 years ago. > building a couple billion more vehicles with giant batteries because that will obviously help the environment There was a new memo. Not only environment, also good for the grid because batteries in cars are good oversupply storage. Apparently.
- moritzwarhier 3y ago
  Sounds very efficient. Decentralized blockchain renewable energy, powered by Tesla [1] [1] Not the inventor, the company.

hollywood_court 3y ago

I managed an import repair shop for quite a few years. People would bring their cars from all over to have our techs work on them. We routinely had people ship in classic Rolls and Japanese sports cars from all over the country to our little shop in Alabama. The techs could work on anything. Saabs were the only cars not allowed on our lot. The lead tech refused to even look at them. My neighbor two houses down owns 3 Saabs. None of them run of course. I often wonder “what was he thinking.”

Kaibeezy 3y ago
Specifically considering reliability, that's a mild outlier anecdote in my experience; not common, but not unheard of. With no specialists nearby, I was warned off the classic 900 or 9000, but my 9-5 has been no bother. Considering a larger array of factors -- safety, performance, UX, design, current prices, parts availability, enthusiast community, etc. -- Saabs have, on balance, a lot going for them right now.
- hollywood_court 3y ago
  "Right now" is an interesting choice of words; I don't believe Saab has made a production vehicle for ~10 years now. I personally think Saabs are far better than VW/Audi, Mini (the absolute worst in terms of repairs) and Land Rover/Jaguar (second worst). But my techs refused to work on them due to the electrical systems being finicky and not worth the diagnostic and labor times.