I think they knew what they were doing. This is the second time for this founder, though technically separate companies. They were launched in the middle of EV

I think they knew what they were doing. This is the second time for this founder, though technically separate companies. They were launched in the middle of EV hype bubbles both times, they got govt subsidies the first time at least, and buyers paid in advance. It's easier to hype an EV than it is to make one actually better than Tesla, Kia, BMW, etc.