“In short, Detroit is drifting further and further from the starter car, while factories in China are specializing in it. Just don’t expect the latter to solve for the former anytime soon.”

https://archive.ph/xYi2U

There is a bit of union blaming in the article, but it is an overall good article. Basically import taxes, tariffs, and anti-Chinese political sentiment prevent us from having sub $20k EV car.

  • @spitfire
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    29 months ago

    There are literally hundreds of videos on YouTube of people buying these cheap Chinese alternatives and I’ve yet to see one hold up to regular use. There’s one of an ebike catching on fire after applying the brakes downhill for like 100ft. There’s another where a dude bought one of these electric starter cars and drove it around town. It was falling apart as he drove and wouldn’t work after the second trip.

    With the Chinese market being notoriously cluttered with cheap products that lack any sense of quality control and cut corners everywhere, it makes me wonder if the only well made products are the ones being produced for other companies outside of China.

    I think huawei would have been a game changer in the west and could have heavily impacted the public opinion on this, buuuuut US govt wants exclusive rights on spying on their citizens instead. 🤷🏻‍♂️

    • RuthlessCriticism [comrade/them]
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      9 months ago

      There is an insane sampling bias there since youtubers want to make exactly that video so they will actively seek out the products that let them make that video. I’d further point out that the products actual Chinese people buy largely don’t have those problems.

      • @spitfire
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        39 months ago

        I suppose you’re right, but I would think many people would be just as interested in quality products that are a cheaper alternative, perhaps more so than watching them fail. Product hype is a thing for a reason.

        I can’t speak for the domestic Chinese products as I’ve never been there.

    • oregoncom [he/him]
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      9 months ago

      All I’m hearing is that you’re a credulous dumbass who gets all their info from youtube. There’s also 1000 youtube videos saying CHINA WILL COLLAPSE IM TEN MINUTES.

    • zephyreks [none/use name]
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      19 months ago

      There’s also literally hundreds of videos on YouTube of Tesla’s falling apart and iPhone batteries bulging. A product working as intended doesn’t really get clicks.