Articles and Videos of Interest That Don't Merit Their Own Threads

[motorolas]

The American Car Industry Can’t Go On Like This
Ford is taking drastic steps to compete with China’s cheap EVs. Even that might not be enough.

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/08/ford-china-electric-cars/683880/

“It’s fantastic,” Farley said about the Xiaomi SU7 on a podcast last fall. “I don’t want to give it up.”

I opened in private mode to get past paywall. That or if you have a “reader” option like on iPhone for full article.

 

[AZFox]

I opened in private mode to get past paywall. That or if you have a “reader” option like on iPhone for full article.

Another way:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/the-american-car-industry-can-t-go-on-like-this/ar-AA1Ky4qo

 

[KevinRS]

Late 2026 doesn't mean December 31 or something. With the simplified build, and not really making anything new and advanced, it seems it's less likely to be delayed than others, and to me "late 2026" could be anywhere from July-December.
It's entirely possible they were conservative in that time frame, and they will be slowly rolling out the first trucks to customers around July or close to that, and getting up to higher production rates by the end of the year.
They have built 70+ working prototypes, crash testing most of those to prove the design, they are working on the production facility, pouring new floors where needed etc. Sure tooling and setting up the automation takes time, but with the reduced part count it isn't going to take 2 more years. Another 6 months or so and we'll be seeing more solid pricing, and accessory pricing.

 

[AZFox]

Late 2027 doesn't mean December 31 or something

I presume you meant to write Late 2026, not 2027.

Actually, turns out it does mean that.

In talking with the team at the Space Needle this week, the target to ship is around CHRISTMAS 2026 - so yes, Q4 2026...but late Q4. Most deliveries are slated (pun intended) for Q1 2027.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I presume you meant to write Late 2026, not 2027.

Actually, turns out it does mean that.

"So, you're sayin there's a chance!"

 

[KevinRS]

I presume you meant to write Late 2026, not 2027.

Actually, turns out it does mean that.

Those teams don't necessarily have much inside info. If the CEO or someone else ranking in the company said that, or someone in a position to give an official interview, sure.

 

[AZFox]

This is such a Deep Cut that I found it with 1 view (and that could have been me viewing it at the time).

They appear to enjoy discussing (to death) what cars are available and they have some thought-provoking insights.

 

[cadblu]

Hmmm, they predict that a used Slate with 60K miles can be had for about $10K. Now that's a good deal!

Then put a wrap on it to give it a new look, add the open-air kit, and you will end up with a stand-out vehicle for $15K. That sounds pretty awesome to me.

Wow, 2 views, I am the second viewer!

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Hmmm, they predict that a used Slate with 60K miles can be had for about $10K. Now that's a good deal!

Then put a wrap on it to give it a new look, add the open-air kit, and you will end up with a stand-out vehicle for $15K. That sounds pretty awesome to me.

Wow, 2 views, I am the second viewer!

I clicked on it to give them 3 viewers. (and a thumbs up. I like to encourage some content creators.) A $15K used vehicle would be a fabulous kid college car or golf car replacement or errand-runner or whatever.

 

[Luxrage]

There are number of advantages to a Telo. Battery sizes are for 260 and 350 miles. Max speed is 135mph. You can choose two or four wheel drive with one or two motors. The rear seats can be folded down so that eight foot panels can be slid in while shutting the tailgate. It has a default sun roof. Telo is 22.6 inches shorter than Slate. Telo has a charging speed of 400kW if you have a suitable charger otherwise it is 250kW.

Everything there is a positive for me but the sunroof. I have already posted about it before, but I've seen a leaky sunroof total out a Volkswagen*. Just more things to go wrong. Optional I can say OK to, but give me the option to not have it.

*Why would you put the BCM under the driver's side FLOOR?

Edit:

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Everything there is a positive for me but the sunroof. I have already posted about it before, but I've seen a leaky sunroof total out a Volkswagen*. Just more things to go wrong. Optional I can say OK to, but give me the option to not have it.

*Why would you put the BCM under the driver's side FLOOR?

Edit:

I feel you. Only issue I had from my GX460 was a leaking sunroof - leaked going through car washes. Took it to Lexus twice to lock it down as tightly as possible and then we never opened it....now it has me spooked about using the sun/moon roof(s) on the Kia or Lightning....

 

[KevinRS]

I don't know that the used prices will drop that much, the base utility isn't going to shrink with age, there are a bunch of people driving 80s-90s 2 door pickups still, because they are useful.

 

[AZFox]

You can have the steak, but you need to subscribe if you want sizzle.

Fortune.com:
Car buyers have to pay extra to unlock horsepower on Volkswagen vehicles—an ‘uphill battle’ subscription model that has drawn the ire of customers

https://fortune.com/2025/08/19/volkswagen-horsepower-subscription-economy-cost-features/

 

[Doctors Do Little]

You can have the steak, but you need to subscribe if you want sizzle.

Fortune.com:
Car buyers have to pay extra to unlock horsepower on Volkswagen vehicles—an ‘uphill battle’ subscription model that has drawn the ire of customers

https://fortune.com/2025/08/19/volkswagen-horsepower-subscription-economy-cost-features/

I hope that don't try that with Scout...seems like that model would be DRT (Dead Right There)?

 

[bartflossom]

I don't know that the used prices will drop that much, the base utility isn't going to shrink with age, there are a bunch of people driving 80s-90s 2 door pickups still, because they are useful.

Just saw a beautiful beige Datsun king cab driving around yesterday. Looked like it just drove off the dealer lot.