The Compact Van Is Dead in America

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by teoman

Kocaeli is far away from the earthquake and was not affected.

The last US-spec variants of the Transit Connect have been sourced from Spain, and the full-size Transit AFAIK seems to rely mostly on American-made parts. Not so sure about the source of CKD kits for the Uruguayan assembly of the full-size Transit, but it might be either Turkey or even China. Kocaeli has been however the only production site for the Cargo since the Brazilian truck factory was shut down in 2019.

[kach22i]

Prior articles posted gave scant details, this one below provide a bit more clarity.

Ford doubles down on electric vehicle push in Europe
https://www.reuters.com/business/aut...on-2022-03-14/

As part of its push, Ford deepened its existing partnership with Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) under which the U.S. carmaker will produce a second electric vehicle for the European market based on its German rival's platform.

Ford will as a result double its planned volume of vehicles to be produced based on Volkswagen's modular electric-drive platform, known as MEB, to 1.2 million units over a six-year timeframe.

As my brother mentioned to me in our conversation on his topic, this production line is intended for the European market (also in articles I've since read as well). Therefore all the supply line issues generated by the recent earthquake would affect Europe, not the USA one would assume - to address Teoman's point.


In related news......................

Electric cars will be mobile generators for earthquake victims in Turkey
https://www.litsuit.com/haber/140551...tims-in-turkey

Continuing its support to the regions affected by the earthquake since the first day, Doğan Trend Automotive has now rolled up its sleeves to provide energy support to the region. The company, which has decided to cancel the launch of the new electric MG models and to use the vehicles to be used at the launch for earthquake victims, is preparing to launch the electric MG models to the region. Electric MG models with V2L ( Vehicle to Load) technology, known as vehicle-to-vehicle charging function, will act as mobile generators to meet the need for lighting and heating in the earthquake zone. Thanks to its special cable, which is connected to the car at one end and has a triple socket at the other end, a car can provide 70 kilowatt hours of electrical energy. The cars that turn into generators with the installation of the V2L cable can meet the basic needs of a family for 1 month............................

While MG's new electric models with V2L technology were on their way to European countries, the vehicles were quickly sent to Turkey with the instruction of MG's senior management. Since the first day of the earthquake, MG Europe has made a great effort for the early delivery of electric vehicles to our country and the emergency delivery of special V2L cables to Turkey. The cables necessary for the vehicles to supply electricity to the devices were primarily sent to Turkey by plane. The MG Turkey team, on the other hand, took charge in the port as a team in order to speed up the import processes by making great efforts to take action quickly. Along with these efforts, Doğan Trend Automotive is preparing to take its 20 electric SUVs to the earthquake zone to be used as mobile generators in the first stage. As more vehicles reach Turkey, they will continue to be sent to the points in need.

[freebeard]

Electric MG models with V2L ( Vehicle to Load) technology, known as vehicle-to-vehicle charging function, will act as mobile generators to meet the need for lighting and heating in the earthquake zone.

Have they thought this through completely?

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Have they thought this through completely?

I don't think so, not unless those cars are trailering a bunch of PV Solar panels.

[Piotrsko]

I suppose the more important question is where are all these cars needed actually located. I am not sure they have actually produced enough to make a difference

[freebeard]

There're a thousand right here:



fullfact.org/online/electric-vehicles-from-failed-business/

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I'd still rather work around a 250cc Yamaha engine into one of those scrapped EVs instead

[freebeard]

changing consumer preferences and market demand

Doesn't make it right.

[redpoint5]

I know you like those old dinosaurs (I do too), but air-cooling is a non-starter for a serious vehicle.

[Isaac Zachary]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I know you like those old dinosaurs (I do too), but air-cooling is a non-starter for a serious vehicle.

I've owned an aircooled VW. I don't see how it's a non-starter. It worked well for the intended purpose, moving my butt from point A to point B. I wasn't too happy about the RWD nature of the car, but it was better than RWD on any other car.

My current car has antifreeze that only protects down to -30°F. Let's hope it doesn't reach -60°F here again any time soon.