Foxconn: Making Progress on Fisker PEAR Production Line

2024 will be the year that affordable models start dropping into the US market. The Tesla next gen will come out of Mexico, the Pear should come out, a refreshed ID.3, maybe even an Equinox (though I am losing faith in GMs ability to build a decent EV with competitive specs). It should be interesting (and put huge strain on the charging infrastructure). 

And the PEAR should qualifies for the EV Tax credit in 2024.

Posted by: @fibrepunk

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And the PEAR should qualifies for the EV Tax credit in 2024.

Should qualify for $3,750. Unlikely to qualify for the battery/mineral portion. 

@bayoubob it’s definitely better than nothing.

This is fast becoming a crowded space. The ID.2 and the new Tesla Model built in Mexico are both going to compete in the sub-$30k (starting price) electric vehicle segment. I expect that all three (Fisker/Tesla/VW) are working to break the mindset of low-performance, unattractive, econo-hatch that plagues this segment and try to get Americans to view these vehicles as desirable rather than merely "sufficiently functional." Exciting times.  

@bayoubob ID2 will not be sold

in the USA. It’s the size of a vw polo! Americans will never buy it. And the Tesla? Well, I’ll have to see it to believe it! Still waiting for the truck and the sport car which were promised YEARS ago. And one thing also, if Tesla does make it a hatch? Still don’t think it would be the huge seller they think it will! Sure the tesla fan boys will buy anything, but it would not make the normal person switch their small SUV’s for one. It’s more for europe and China. In that sense, maybe Fisker has a little advantage since it’s more of a crossover vehicle. 

@gpvg26 I always find myself circumspect when it comes to pronouncing what Americans will and won't buy. In 1970, 10% of all vehicles were station wagons! From 1978 - 1983 five of the six years the best-selling car was an Oldsmobile Cutlass (a vehicle and brand that has disappeared). The Cutlass easily outsold the F100 and then F150. From 1982 - 1988 it was the Escort and Cavalier that were battling for #1 back and forth for best-selling cars and the segment was ~15% of the market. In the 1985-1995 decade it was minivan madness. Then they began to wane. 

IOW, tastes change, generations change, and the future is notoriously difficult to predict. The blend of attributes that makes a vehicle successful at one moment in history and then a failure at another is absurdly difficult to predict. The EV market itself is instructive. EVs were a tiny and hopeless niche vehicle until Tesla came along and made them desirable. Ten years later, no one would seriously consider the possibility that ICE vehicles will be anything beyond a tiny niche in 2040 and maybe much earlier. 

Just one scenario as a thought experiment: what if trailers of all sorts migrated to e-assist trailers? This is technically feasible. There are ways to make it super-affordable (swappable batteries, for example). Suddenly, a small hatch could tow a large load. Or what about when real autonomy actually does start to work (as usual, it will take much longer than people anticipate and then happen much more suddenly than anyone expected)? If you can summon a pickup to carry stuff whenever you need, do you really want to drive one around all the time? 

Anyway, we will all agree that compelling high quality options in this segment is a good thing. 

@bayoubob I agree with the statement that yes, taste changes, and the future is unpredictable. Still does not make my statement way out of truth! There are many automakers who have hatches in their line ups, bmw, Mercedes, etc. and they were never introduced into the American market. Why? They don’t sell. Just that simple. The crossover vehicles that are sold today have many of the good options of many different classes of vehicles. Which is why they are becoming increasingly popular with customers. I’m not talking about ridiculous cars like Chevy suburban, or hummers, or f150. The idea of having a small car tow a large trailer is insane, is not about the ability to move by itself, but just safety wise it’s insane! But I get the point, just wrong analogy I believe. I have nothing against competition, it just makes everyone work harder producing better cars for Customers at a better value. I also would not say having 3 models in a segment call it a crowded space, it’s a start! But far from it. And to give an example on the trend here in the USA, since now EV are catching on, how many “small” vehicles have you seen in development by any manufacture that actually sells in the USA? Europe has tons of small and medium hatches ev’s for years now, how many have come to the USA? All I see is hummer ev’s (tank), teslas are big cars, model 3 and y could be considered American middle size, Chevy has 2 SUV’s coming and a pick up, ford has the f150 and the Mach e which is not small either, bmw has big suv IX and big car i4, Mercedes is all SUV’s and the S class and e class, is all crossovers, big SUV’s and pick up trucks! The hatch has been tried here many times with no real success. I will not say that things might change in the future! I’m all up for that, I love smaller vehicles hence why I reserved a PEAR. I would love to see a much bigger variety of vehicles, other than just all suvs and crossovers! But atm, we are where we are, and we can argue all we want. Thanks for your comment. 👍😉

@seancallahan I hate to draw politics into this discussion, but the United States relationship to China and Taiwan where Foxconn has its headquarters could enter into their ability to perform as an independent company making vehicles in the U. S. if international relationships break down, or even war break out. Remote possibility? It was a remote possibility that Russia and Ukraine would be at war as I visited Kiev in early 2000's managing some contracts between the U. S. and Ukraine. Now Kiev has been actively bombed by Russia and an active war continues in their eastern provinces. Imagine what happens to Foxconn's ability to function as an automotive plant in the U. S. if hostilities break out between Taiwan and China and bring the U. S. into the conflict. Still a remote possibility? Perhaps, but one to consider if like me you have a reservation for a PEAR for 2-3 years from now.

Posted by: @mike2977

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@seancallahan I hate to draw politics into this discussion, but the United States relationship to China and Taiwan where Foxconn has its headquarters could enter into their ability to perform as an independent company making vehicles in the U. S. if international relationships break down, or even war break out. Remote possibility? It was a remote possibility that Russia and Ukraine would be at war as I visited Kiev in early 2000's managing some contracts between the U. S. and Ukraine. Now Kiev has been actively bombed by Russia and an active war continues in their eastern provinces. Imagine what happens to Foxconn's ability to function as an automotive plant in the U. S. if hostilities break out between Taiwan and China and bring the U. S. into the conflict. Still a remote possibility? Perhaps, but one to consider if like me you have a reservation for a PEAR for 2-3 years from now.

If something like this happens, the last thing we all will be thinking about is buying an electric vehicle. 

Posted by: @mike2977

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@seancallahan I hate to draw politics into this discussion, but the United States relationship to China and Taiwan where Foxconn has its headquarters could enter into their ability to perform as an independent company making vehicles in the U. S. if international relationships break down, or even war break out. Remote possibility? It was a remote possibility that Russia and Ukraine would be at war as I visited Kiev in early 2000's managing some contracts between the U. S. and Ukraine. Now Kiev has been actively bombed by Russia and an active war continues in their eastern provinces. Imagine what happens to Foxconn's ability to function as an automotive plant in the U. S. if hostilities break out between Taiwan and China and bring the U. S. into the conflict. Still a remote possibility? Perhaps, but one to consider if like me you have a reservation for a PEAR for 2-3 years from now.

So, you loaded up on defense stocks?

@fibrepunk 

@seancallahan 

You own an underground bunker or thought of owning one or have access to one?  I have never visited one, though I have seen some on TV.....  

Posted by: @fibrepunk

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@seancallahan 

You own an underground bunker or thought of owning one or have access to one?  I have never visited one, though I have seen some on TV.....  

No, it was a joke! Never been in one or seen one in person. 😜