Is there a more American car than TESLA? (alarm, MPG, pickup trucks)
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Sorry, Jeep is the most "American" name out there. It was the face of America during WWII, and the design worked well as both a tidy city car and a back woods conqueror.
Until recently, it was an impractical novelty for the uber rich, not an everyman's car. Now there is a more affordable version, however after paying a $2000 deposit, my SIL has been waiting for nearly two years for the opportunity to buy one.
American to me means common - something that most American families experience. Something that represents a thing of the people.
Tesla could get there one day. It might be as American as Ford or Chevy in 15 years. Today? No. Today it is still a novelty that is mostly for the uber rich.
It may have difficulty reaching the "American-ness" of a brand like Ford or Chevy. It was not developed in the American dream way, though hard work and hard knocks. It was financed by the government. It was developed as a toy for the uber rich initially. It has a very different back story, and is missing the start from scratch, work slowly to success American dream element. Maybe it will eventually get there and re-characterize the stereotypical American success story.
In all likelihood, other makers will catch up on the electric cars or something better will replace them altogether, or Tesla will get bought out. They will end up neat collectibles and get a footnote in automotive history like Packard, or Delorean or maybe even Tucker.
In all likelihood, other makers will catch up on the electric cars or something better will replace them altogether, or Tesla will get bought out. They will end up neat collectibles and get a footnote in automotive history like Packard, or Delorean or maybe even Tucker.
Electric cars had their best chance when gas was approaching $5, but they didn't go anywhere, no pun intended. It's going to be all downhill from here unless government props them up.
Calling for people to buy a brand of car for patriotic reasons died decades ago. If people bought their vehicles just to show their patriotism through a domestic badge, the Japanese automakers would not have survived here, much less thrived.
Cars have to meet the needs, wants, and expectations of buyers. Build a better car, at a competitive price, and they will sell.
Tesla has had some success as a boutique, niche market automaker and has generated a lot of buzz. If they want to play with the big boys, however, they still have a LOT to prove. The Model 3 will be very telling as to whether they are ready for a step to mainstream or not.
I have 3 friends with Teslas and all of them love the cars and they have NOT been in the shop for repairs (one of the nice things is that if there's a software problem, or an update that fixes a software problem in one of the cars, Tesla can remotely update every car out there, or remotely fix the one that's affected. Only one of my friends' cars needed a software update to fix a glitch, and that was done almost instantly without affecting driveability of the car and without the need to go to a dealer service bay).
Absolutely amazing cars, and yeah, I do root for a home grown American company to succeed. And yes, I do believe we should support home grown companies more, and support smaller companies over bigger ones.
Calling for people to buy a brand of car for patriotic reasons died decades ago. If people bought their vehicles just to show their patriotism through a domestic badge, the Japanese automakers would not have survived here, much less thrived.
The converse may be true. Without "patriotism," the US automakers may not have survived the dark years. Have you ever tried to find a Honda Dealership in Michigan? (Sure there are some, but even in the metro area you may have to drive 40 miles to get to one as opposed to 1-5 miles or so to Ford, GM or FCA). I am not sure whether patriotism is the correct term, more knowingwhereyourbreadisbutteredism
The converse may be true. Without "patriotism," the US automakers may not have survived the dark years. Have you ever tried to find a Honda Dealership in Michigan? (Sure there are some, but even in the metro area you may have to drive 40 miles to get to one as opposed to 1-5 miles or so to Ford, GM or FCA). I am not sure whether patriotism is the correct term, more knowingwhereyourbreadisbutteredism
Buying cars and trucks solely for patriotism is not completely dead yet, especially for pickup trucks buyers. I have heard many times, I buy only american. I know families who for generations drives nothing but fords or Chevy, and you can't sell them on anything else. This is perhaps different in various parts of the country though.
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