• CmdrShepard42@lemm.ee
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    1 day ago

    It is a big, untapped market but it’s not a big market for the Leaf. Tesla sold 3x more Model 3 in the last year alone than Nissan has sold in the entire 14 year production run of the Leaf. It’s a hot mess.

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldM
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      23 hours ago

      The Model 3 is over $40,000. It’s selling more because Americans are barely even aware cheaper EVs exist.

      • CmdrShepard42@lemm.ee
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        11 hours ago

        I think it’s more that they don’t want to choose the lowest quality option when making such a large purchase. I’d rather spend an extra few thousand, spread over 5 years or whatever term length you choose, to get something that gives more power, range, and features than be stuck with a low quality EV that barely gets a 100 mile range after my loan is paid off.

        The Bolt is another cheap EV that sells quite a bit better than the Leaf but still it’s a tiny fraction of what more expensive models like the Model 3 or Ioniq 5 sell because it’s so limited. You aren’t going to fit your family of 4 or 5 inside on comfortably, so why not just spend a little more to get something that can be used outside of solo work commutes if you’re going to be spending tens of thousands on it either way?

        It’s the same reason why people buy trucks even if they only need a truck 2-3 times a year. It’s better to have a vehicle that can check all the boxes than something that’ll perform well in only a few areas of use.

          • CmdrShepard42@lemm.ee
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            6 hours ago

            Well, we are talking about buying new cars, so I wouldn’t consider that the right choice for someone living paycheck to paycheck.

            I’m simply pointing out that it doesn’t make sense to spend $35k on a shitbox when you can spend $40k on something decent. When cash is tight, it makes sense to go for the best value even if it means spending a fraction more up front (or in this case, spread out over multiple years). How will you feel about the $35k you spent on the car when you can’t use it because the range is shit and the battery wears out quickly from constantly draining and recharging its entire capacity?

            This is not any different than buying a $1000 used car that costs you $5000 in gas per year versus a $5000 car that costs $1000 in gas per year. Which one would you pick?