Comment by prottog
3 years ago
> It sold social status to wealthy customers rather than basic transportation to an abandoned market.
I thought their plan explicitly was to start with low-volume, high-margin exotic cars (the Roaster), followed by the slightly higher-volume luxury car (Model S), then progressively going towards higher-volume, lower-priced cars, with each step funding the development of the next.
Are you looking for the Toyota Corolla of the EV market?
I don’t own an EV but wouldn’t the closest one to that be the Nissan Leaf?
I see them all around me and the marked for used ones, all the way back to 2012 models seems to be strong.
Leaf is a "city car" which is an euphemism for very short range and slow charging using a dying standard.
MG4 is the cheapest EV (£30K) sold outside of China that could reasonably compete with a Corolla. There isn't much else in the cheap bracket. e-Niro and ID.3 start at £35K.
I know it’s not a Corolla, but it might be the Corolla of the EVs.
It is inexpensive for an EV and seems to be a reliable and durable car.
I’m almost sad to hear it’s going to be discontinued but for myself, when the time comes, I’ll be taking a good look at whatever Nissan will be offering.
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In Australia we now have the BYD Atto 3 (AUD$45k plus on-road costs) from China, and the MG ZS EV (AUD$45k plus ORC).
It never sold that well and is being phased out of Nissan's range:
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a40613694/nissan-leaf-bein...
While they were a dime a dozen in the bay area and a handful of wealthy urban markets, its been hugely outsold by the more expensive Model 3 and Y despite being on sale since 2011 and didn't sell anything close to Nissan's hopes for the model.
It does feel like they're pretty comfortable selling expensive cars for now while others are expanding info the cheaper segments.