Re:The engine of Germany's wealth is blocking its future
by crote on Tuesday March 10, 2026 @02:45AM
(#47319814)
Well, yeah. The primary market of pickup trucks is men cosplaying the rugged, outdoorsy, blue-collar vibes. The truck is an extension of their masculinity. Selling EVs to those people? Virtually impossible.
Had Ford designed an affordable yet semi-luxury sedan or crossover, it would've sold like hot cakes.
Re:The engine of Germany's wealth is blocking its future
by jandrese on Tuesday March 10, 2026 @05:32PM
(#47329051)
I think the minivan is the perfect vehicle for electrification. It's used mostly for short trips. Getting rid of the engine means you can greatly shorten the nose and improve cargo area, or just make it easier to park. People don't use them to tow. The people who own them have a garage. Yet nobody seems all that interested in making one. The EV Hummer doesn't count, it's a giant expensive monstrosity. You want something affordable and kinda boring but practical.
Re:The engine of Germany's wealth is blocking its future
by HDThoreaun on Wednesday March 11, 2026 @01:19AM
(#47331960)
Ford did design an affordable semi luxury electric crossover, the mach-e. It did not sell especially well. $40k is about as cheap as semi luxury crossovers come in the US
Ford built a world class product in the F-150 lightning, but their dealers and customers rejected it. A big part of it is that it’s a threat - you don’t need mechanics to fix electric cars.