Nothing 'new' actually, as every business is always trying to reduce input costs to maximize profit. While one stamping for the underbelly is faster than 5 or 6 pieces welded together, it's not like the ROBOTS get a longer lunch break ! Yes, the game is to make stuff faster(supposedly cheaper then ) BUT if all that does is fill up the parking lot faster with unsold cars, then you've lost.
There's a LOT of 'pencil pushing' to decide IF it's actually profitable to design a new part to replace a current one.'Little' details like what grade steel, what size rolls,need a 1M t press ?, production line for THAT stamping(bigger building ?),testing of course, 'integration' into the existing assembly line,probably dozens more like changing computer programs, safety protocols, etc.
In the end, it's the 'bottom line' that usually dictates IF a change is actually done. Shareholders want to see healthy dividends NOT unsold cars in the factory parking lot.
As for cheaper batteries,THAT is the bigger problem. The public is now finding out 'they' have lied (OK, skewed the numbers) as to the actual runtime capacity of batteries, the replacement costs and of course charging nightmares.
Do EVs have a place, sure,but not as THE one and only way to get around.
globalnews.ca
