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One of the challenges of trying to write about current events in today’s news landscape is I’ll put together a piece — like I did yesterday — and then feel compelled to publish immediately instead of waiting for the scheduled time. That’s why you are getting two regular issues this week instead of one. Winning?!
In This Issue
Kia Unveils New EVs
Kia EV2 Concept
I often see that people don’t want EVs. Dealers don’t want to sell them. Manufacturers don’t want to make them.
If you ignore sales figures and all of the automakers making EVs (and not dropping the ball) then yes, that statement is correct. The only real constant is that dealerships, as a large group, don’t like selling EVs and don’t want to do it. Change is expensive and there’s only so much margin on EV catalytic converters.
One of those companies making EVs — and good ones at that — is Kia. Part of the larger Hyundai Motor Group, the company just debuted it’s EV4 in hatch and sedan forms. Built on the fantastic E-GMP platform — but only 400 volt here — the EV4 will likely be a success and help fill out the brand’s lineup even more.
The most interesting thing is the EV2 Concept, which is a small, functional runabout that likely will bring an excellent starting price when it goes into production. Inexpensive EVs are great, and there should be more of them.
I get that there are margins in the EV pickup trucks — at least some — but you can’t live on pickup truck sales alone.
Whether or not these Kias will be a success in the United States is a bit of an unknown, because while pre-election Donald Trump said that he was just pro-consumer choice, but now is okay with subsidizing the oil and gas industry but eliminating all support of EVs, creating a reverse-mandate that he doesn’t think is hypocritical at all.
That’s probably because brains are oozing out of his ears.
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Speaking of Idiots
If you’re going around your workplace and encounter someone who still thinks Elon Musk is a smart man, and not a stupid man pretending to be a smart man, show them this picture.
And if you want another one to show them, show them this terrifying one.
There is a mandatory retirement age of 56 for air traffic controllers. That’s why there aren’t any coming out of retirement. Maybe don’t fire a bunch of people to “own the libs” next time.
Chad Around Town
Volvo
A few weeks ago I was in Sweden with Volvo to drive the all-new EX30 Cross Country. I’m pleased to report that my first drive writeup is now live at ArsTechnica, and I encourage you all to read it. I don’t even mention Elon Musk once!
If you’ve considered signing up for the premium version of The Kirchner Report, now is the best time to do it. Now through April 20th, 2025 — that’s 4/20 for the Musk scholars out there — you can get 37% of the monthly subscription for life! That’s $1.26 United States greenbacks a month.
So why 37%? Earlier this week, once the news started getting bad about Tesla sales, Tesla stock lost 37% of its value from its peak back in December. It’s already lost a bit more than that, but I can’t make the discount real-time. At least, I don’t know how to do that.
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