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This Is Why High-End Electric Cars Are Failing
There's a simple reason why high-end EVs have failed to spark the imaginations of auto buyers. To remedy this, manufacturers need to revisit the days of the Model T.
It may well be able to wade through deep water, have crawl-assist mode for sketchy terrain, and even perform 360-degree swivel-on-the-spot tank turns, but sales of the seemingly much-anticipated electric Mercedes G-Class SUV have been poor. The ICE version of the G-Wagen might not have a button-activated 720-degree on-the-spot spin —a road-chewing donuting feature first introduced by Rivian yet soon dropped—but the gas guzzler has a 500-mile range while the G580 can only manage 239 miles, a likely deal breaker for those who want to travel long distances for their off-asphalt adventures (even though electric powertrains have much to offer 4x4 action, with instant torque, better traction, less maintenance and a lower center of gravity.) The favored method by the modern auto industry of filling flagships with their best wares then letting these slowly trickle down to lower-tier cars is not realistic right now, says Dale Harrow, chair and director of the Intelligent Mobility Design Center at London’s Royal College of Art.
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