[patagonia]

If this can’t compete head to head (no tariffs or other import restrictions) with BYD and the like, then I don’t know why one would get excited. Feels like an expensive consolation prize with tons of compromises. I want competition.

[cityofdelusion]

You can't really compete in a any real sense when the labor price differential is so massive and the companies and supply chains are directly subsidized. The price does not reflect the product, but all its inputs.

[hedora]

The $20K from the article is after a $7500 subsidy.

[patagonia]

I never said that I’d expect that a US automaker would “win”. I want the best car at the cheapest price to be made available. And for that to be done within a level playing field with regards to safety / workforce / environmental / labor regulations. My expectation is that US automakers do not win, even with subsidies. But I do think keeping an industrial base in the US would be worth that compromise.

[ramesh31]

>"If this can’t compete head to head (no tariffs or other import restrictions) with BYD and the like, then I don’t know why one would get excited."

Would you prefer our roads flooded with cheap Chinese EVs that are the automotive equivalent of Shein hauls? Protectionism has its place in certain areas, and I would say building a thriving domestic EV industry that isn't beholden to a single weirdo is one of them.

[xnx]

> cheap Chinese EVs that are the automotive equivalent of Shein hauls?

Your perception of Chinese auto manufacturing is very out of date. This makes as much sense as calling Japanese or Korean cars cheap and low quality.

[patagonia]

I’m pretty sure there are more possible outcomes than “this one truck or cheap, dangerous Chinese EVs.” False choice fallacy.

A lack of import restrictions in no way prevents safety regulations. You could also subsidize the domestic automobile industry without having tariffs, so that we protect our domestic industrial base. These things take no imagination.

[dghlsakjg]

By most accounts the Chinese EVs are decent quality. What makes you think they aren’t?

[victorbjorklund]

Do you think that the rest of the world needs to protect itself from Tesla then and slap tariffs on any Tesla cars exported?

[tayo42]

Do Chinese Evs break down a lot or aren't repairable?

[Marsymars]

I mean, I’d certainly feel safer driving in a sea of cheap Chinese EVs than I feel in a sea of giant trucks and SUVs.

[maxglute]

It's a pickup for US market because it has no plans to remotely compete with BYD.

I think most Americans would go for a 15k Toyota Hilux Champ with similar design ethos, but chickentax.

[roarkeful]

I would buy 3 at that price, good grief.