Can we wean Elon Musk off government support already? (opinioin piece)

Tesla Powered Mercedes B Class

Example of how Tesla is moving the technology forward.

a reply to: hitparader

Looks more like Mercedes playing catch up. The B-class was a pathetic "compliance car," in the same league as the i-Miev. They didn't actually want you to buy one; they just needed to have it available.

With them buying the drivetrain from Tesla, the newer B-class will almost certainly be priced out of the low-end segment, so it'll still be a compliance car. (Especially if it still looks like that lame Ford Focus ripoff.)

a reply to: AndyFromMichigan



I have to agree with you that the aesthetics aren't there in many of the other production EVs. Hopefully in time, we will see a more modern car representation emerge from these other manufacturers.

a reply to: hitparader

There seems to be a certain aesthetic for EV's that they mostly look like small hatchbacks, and I honestly think that's one of the key factors holding back their acceptance. Make the damn car look like something people want to drive.

Of course, auto designers are as prone to groupthink as everyone else. Remember a few years ago, when seemingly every Japanese auto designer forgot how to draw curves? We got an entire genre of boxy abominations like the Nissan Soul and the Scion xB. They looked like cars from a 1980's video game.

Why? So the US can buy more war instead?