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A tale of two carmakers: GM and Toyota take different electric roads in China

9 Comments
By Norihiko Shirouzu

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"The Mini EV also cuts corners that would not be allowed in the United States or Europe, underlining the challenge Toyota faces in developing a viable rival that handles easily in a crowded city and is still high in quality and performance.

The Mini EV only has one air bag, for example, with none for passengers or on the sides to protect occupants if it rolls.

The car has an anti-lock braking system but no stability control technology even though its relatively tall, stubby profile makes it prone to tipping over when cornering sharply at speed, two people familiar with its development told Reuters."

Thus, unravelling the mystery on why "Japan is 5 years behind China in EV technology", as one illustrious JT "expert/joker" blatantly put it a couple of days ago, right here on JT.

"First of all, the product meets all the vehicle safety requirements of China"

And as such shall remain in there, as it should be.

Even J-bashers, China lovers won't be driving it, despite claims to the absolute supremacy of all things Chinese.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

There is nothing of chinese supremacy

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The Mini EV only has one air bag, for example, with none for passengers or on the sides to protect occupants if it rolls.

The car has an anti-lock braking system but no stability control technology even though its relatively tall, stubby profile makes it prone to tipping over when cornering sharply at speed, two people familiar with its development told Reuters."

Is it significantly different than the Kei car vans sold widely in Japan? We can buy them used in the US. Things like the Mitsubishi Bravo, Honda Acty, Isuzu Carry, and the Subaru Sambar. We can also get a used Nissan Figaro or Nissan Pao. I have even been thinking of buying a Honda Acty. They are road legal in many states though some require you stay off of freeways. Are these any safer than this little Chinese van you are so critical of?

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@peeping_tom

Japan also trails the US and Europe by at least 5 years.

EV sales in 2020: Tesla 499,950 VW 231,600 Toyota 3,330

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huff... this article is at least a week old and that's before toyota's policy review.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"Japan also trails the US and Europe by at least 5 years.

EV sales in 2020: Tesla 499,950 VW 231,600 Toyota 3,330"

OK.

"Why Japan Is Holding Back as the World Rushes Toward Electric Cars"

"https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/09/business/electric-cars-japan.html"

Now, please read past the headline, if you don't mind.

I ALWAYS do! Always.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Now, please read past the headline, if you don't mind.

I ALWAYS do! Always.

I tried to open the link but one must subscribe to the New Yawk Times to read the article. Do you have a link to something that doesn't require a subscription or membership to read?

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/auto/why-japan-is-holding-back-as-world-rushes-towards-electric-cars/articleshow/81425552.cms

Toyota has great hybrids and their sales are doing well. Tesla charging infrastructure is only for Teslas (there are adaptors to use it).

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Tesla charging infrastructure is only for Teslas (there are adaptors to use it).

Reading things like that reinforce my dislike of all things Elon Musk. It makes me hope the eventual global standard for automotive charging stations, and you have to know that is eventually coming, ends up being completely incompatible with Teslas.

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