THE MORNING RANT: EV Owners and Lessors Have a Problem - <i>Heavily</i> Depreciated EVs that Dealerships Won’t Take Off Their Hands at Any Price

THE MORNING RANT: EV Owners and Lessors Have a Problem - Heavily Depreciated EVs that Dealerships Won’t Take Off Their Hands at Any Price

The failed “EV Transition” has led to a widespread suspension of electric vehicle manufacturing in the United States. Ford has discontinued its flagship F150 ~~Conflagration~~ Lightning, and it also mothballed an all-new plant that was intended to manufacture that unwanted electric pickup. Volkswagen suspended production of its only American-built electric offering, and GM is cancelling or postponing most of its electric offerings too.

But the nightmare isn’t over yet. There is still a great financial reckoning to come, due to all the lithium-ion albatrosses pushed on consumers over the past few years. Those who financed the purchase of their new electric vehicle will likely be woefully “upside down” when it comes trade-in time, because they’ll owe much more to the finance company than a dealer will offer for it in trade. There’s a good chance a dealer will not make a trade-in offer on an EV at any price. For those EV customers who were put in leases, the manufacturers’ finance companies are about to take a bath when those vehicles go to auction and don’t bring anywhere near the amount of the contracted lease-end residual value.

Whether the original owner of the EV is an individual or a leasing company, they will likely face a financial bloodletting trying to make the car go away. Horror stories are mounting.

Because Audi dealers are struggling to sell their new “e-tron GT” electric vehicles - despite heavy manufacturer incentives and discounting - those dealers have little interest in purchasing used e-tron GTs that are coming off lease, and certainly not for the original lease-end value. So, Audi is offering to pay the current drivers $10,000 to stay in the leased car they’re currently driving, because sending the car to auction would result in a much larger loss.

“Audi Is Paying Lessees $10,000 To Keep the EVs They Already Have” [Car Scoops – 2/26/226]

A recent Audi BEV Lessee Buyout Option Incentive sent to dealerships on September 1, reveals that current e-tron GT lessees are being offered a $10,000 discount to purchase their vehicle at the end of the lease term.

Dealers would be paid a small stipend for handling the paperwork, but Audi loses out on the sale of a new vehicle. When manufacturers offer leasing specials, the intent is for a customer to surrender the vehicle at lease-end to the originating dealership, at which time he is both car-less and in the perfect place to buy a replacement vehicle from the same manufacturer. Instead, Audi is forgoing a vehicle sale and paying a potential repeat customer not to buy a new car.

Meanwhile...

“Porsche Taycan Owner Discovers the Brutal Reality of EV Depreciation: ‘I’m Left With a Car That’s Worthless’” [Yahoo Autos – 7/17/2026]

Lee Davey bought a new Porsche Taycan EV two years ago, paying more than $160,000. There is such a glut of unwanted used EVs that the dealer he bought it from will not take the electric Taycan back in trade at any price:

Ironically, the Porsche dealership he bought it from valued the Taycan at roughly $54,000 but still refused to buy it back, saying it was already overstocked with older Taycan models. Davey said this in the video: “I’m basically left with a car that’s worthless. Even the dealership does not want this car back.”

The financing arms of auto manufacturers are also sitting on a portfolio of soon-to-mature EV leases with a value not much greater than “worthless.” As I have been documenting, legacy automakers have lost tens of billions of dollars on their failed effort to become mass market EV manufacturers. Their problem is that there never was a mass market for EVs, nor could government regulators compel it into being. So, despite all the EV losses already booked, more massive losses are looming for the industry.

Per Experian, just about half (46%) of EVs sold in the United States in 2024 were leased. The good news for those customers is that as their leases mature, they can simply surrender the EV and go get another new car. The bad news for the manufacturers is that they will have to somehow find buyers for the impending glut of off-lease EVs. The supply and demand math will worsen the situation. There is already little demand from dealers for used EVs, and when this wave hits, the already awful auction price for used EVs will plummet even further:

“800,000 EVs Are About to Hit the Used Market; Falling resale values on returning lease vehicles may drive massive industry losses by 2028”

Leasing played a major role in boosting EV adoption in the United States over the past few years. Incentives, especially federal tax credits that applied more broadly to leased vehicles than purchases, helped to lower monthly outlays and drove car shoppers toward short-term leases. Now, those two- and three-year leases are beginning to expire, sending a wave of used EVs back into the market.
A three-year-old EV retained about 40 percent of its original value at auction by the end of 2025. Compare that to early 2022 when comparable vehicles held roughly 90 percent of their value, says Cox Automotive. Analysts say that difference could translate into losses of around $10,000 per vehicle on average, adding up to as much as $8 billion across the industry by 2028.

Legacy auto manufacturers lost money on the front-end when customers bought and leased their electric vehicle offerings, and now they’re looking at losing another $10,000 or so per unit when the customer’s EV lease matures. The capital of these auto companies is not unlimited. They cannot absorb these losses indefinitely, and there is no path to profitability with EVs. They would be wise to take their final financial hits on these off-lease EVs and then return to doing what they know how to do profitably – manufacture and sell gasoline-powered vehicles.

*****
Other Stuff I’m Writing About

On a related topic, my latest piece at the The American Spectator has been published. “Volkswagen’s Electric Suicide Pact; Caught in an EV-induced doom loop, Volkswagen continues to invest in new EV boondoggles” discusses the existential crisis at Volkswagen thanks to its catastrophic EV commitment, and how with its future at stake, Volkswagen continues to invest in new EV boondoggles – even here in the states.

Unbowed by its EV failure in North America, VW continues to plow its precious capital into other U.S. electric boondoggles. Rivian is an EV startup company that planned to sell hundreds of thousands of units per year — its business plan depended on it. Instead, Rivian is struggling to sell a fraction of that volume, and it has lost more than $24 billion since going public less than 5 years ago. Inexplicably, Volkswagen has given Rivian a $6 billion lifeline, including $1 billion just a few months ago, while at the very same time VW was weighing which of its own models to cut and what plants to close.
Even more preposterous is the fact that Volkswagen is building yet another all-new American plant to build yet another all-new EV, a pickup truck this time.

This piece is not behind a paywall. I’d be honored if you’d give it a read.

My latest piece at The American Spectator: "Volkswagen’s Electric Suicide Pact;
Caught in an EV-induced doom loop, Volkswagen continues to invest in new EV boondoggles"https://t.co/DOBrreCNf6
— Buck Throckmorton (@BuckThrockmort) September 11, 2026

[buck.throckmorton at protonmail dot com]

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Nooded.

Posted by: Nazdar at September 11, 2026 11:18 AM (NcvvS)

2 And SPONGE!!

Posted by: Nazdar at September 11, 2026 11:18 AM (NcvvS)

3 Commies ruin everything.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at September 11, 2026 11:18 AM (NSrIQ)

4 Worthress EVs?

Oh, no!

Anyway......

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at September 11, 2026 11:19 AM (lNdj6)

5 Leasing an ev is the way to go. At least it used to be when manufacturers were selling that at huge losses to build market share. Which led to the situation we’re in now 2-3 years later as the leases mature.

Buying one has to be one of the stupidest financial decisions ever.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at September 11, 2026 11:20 AM (2BUGt)

6 If Kamala had won, she'd now be preparing to use taxpayer money to bail out everyone who bought an EV. She'd call it something else, of course, but that's what it would be.

Posted by: Archimedes at September 11, 2026 11:22 AM (Riz8t)

7 It's a virtue signal for the most part.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at September 11, 2026 11:23 AM (NSrIQ)

8 The financing arms of auto manufacturers are also sitting on a portfolio of soon-to-mature EV leases "

And the picture is worse than that - the leasing groups don't have the physical structure to store thousands of vehicles. Where will this off lease inventory go?

This entire crapfest brought to us by government.

BTW, don't cry for VW - their business model has always been to rely on government support in some fashion.

Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 11:24 AM (cGjQu)

9 President Newsom will turn it all around.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 11, 2026 11:25 AM (Cqx++)

10 Buying one has to be one of the stupidest financial decisions ever.
Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at September 11, 2026 11:20 AM

I remember a commie acquaintance of mine on FB gushing about how his Chevy Volt was just teh awesomest thing ever!

I laughed. And I'm still laughing at his commie ass.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at September 11, 2026 11:25 AM (lNdj6)

11 I topped off gas in everything I own in prep for today.

Posted by: Eromero at September 11, 2026 11:25 AM (LHPAg)

12 EVs are good if you live in a warm-ish city and never need to drive far or carry much stuff with you.

But cities have been making themselves less friendly to cars EV or otherwise

So...there really isn't a market for EVs AT ALL unless governments are forcing people to buy them.

Posted by: 18-1 at September 11, 2026 11:25 AM (sKqQm)

13 Unbowed by its EV failure in North America, VW continues to plow its precious capital into other U.S. electric boondoggles.

Because they're a German company and the EU is moving ahead with banning ICE cars in 2035 or whatever.

Posted by: Ian S. at September 11, 2026 11:25 AM (2ocoG)

14 I watched a YouTube video the other day where a fellow said that anyone who has ever owned an electric car would never want anything else.

Is that not true?

Posted by: Cybersmythe at September 11, 2026 11:27 AM (Zst8M)

15 FIRST!!!!!

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:27 AM (ccf/V)

16 Has there ever been a more "a fool and his money are soon parted" than the EV boondoggle?

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:28 AM (ccf/V)

17 No mention of Tesla. How are they doing?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 11, 2026 11:28 AM (Cqx++)

18 Well.

That sucks.

Anyway. . .

Posted by: Lizzy at September 11, 2026 11:28 AM (rOKnE)

19 President Newsom will turn it all around.

Newsom's chances on Polymarket fell to some absurd new low yesterday, I think it was around 5%.

He probably knows Kamala has a better chance and she has no chance, but it's what he was born to do so he has to try.

Posted by: Ian S. at September 11, 2026 11:28 AM (2ocoG)

20 Paris has been slowly making it impossible to drive inside the city. They’ve been removing street parking and replacing it with bike lanes as well
As designating entire neighborhoods car free.

Bar-th-e-lona is also doing something similar. They may never outright ban cars in Europe but they’ll make it next to impossible to drive one.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at September 11, 2026 11:29 AM (2BUGt)

21 and the EU is moving ahead with banning ICE cars in 2035 or whatever."

Actually, the "mandates" are mysteriously evaporating. Amazing, no?

Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 11:29 AM (cGjQu)

22 No mention of Tesla. How are they doing?

Tesla is still the only company making money on EVs, in part because they actually offer things beyond just being an EV (notably their multi-camera dashcam and the self-driving stuff).

Posted by: Ian S. at September 11, 2026 11:29 AM (2ocoG)

23 My commute is an average of 100 miles/day. I'll stick to my polar bear killing gas powered vehicle.

Posted by: NR Pax at September 11, 2026 11:30 AM (RjOoY)

24 >>>A three-year-old EV retained about 40 percent of its original value at auction by the end of 2025. Compare that to early 2022 when comparable vehicles held roughly 90 percent of their value, says Cox Automotive. Analysts say that difference could translate into losses of around $10,000 per vehicle on average, adding up to as much as $8 billion across the industry by 2028.

lolgf, cultists.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 11:31 AM (dK+Kv)

25 Daughter #1 and her hubby have both a Tesla AND a Rivian - they live in California.... 🙄🙄🙄

Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, AoSHQ's Plucky Wee One - Eat the Cheesecake, Buy the Yarn. at September 11, 2026 11:31 AM (SRRAx)

26 Tesla. How are they doing?"

Fine. Car sales are down, but that's not their business model.

Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 11:31 AM (cGjQu)

27
Tesla is still the only company making money on EVs, in part because they actually offer things beyond just being an EV (notably their multi-camera dashcam and the self-driving stuff).
Posted by: Ian S. at September 11, 2026 11:29 AM (2ocoG)

While sitting at DFW waiting for Trump to depart so the airport would open again, I saw more Teslas than any other EV by far.

My town has so many Teslas roaming the streets, they put a service center here.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:31 AM (ccf/V)

28 I believe the biggest negative on EV value is the harsh fact that the batteries rarely last more than 10 years, and frequently less than that. Yet battery replacement often will cost more than the value of the car at the time, meaning it must be scrapped.

What value can there be in a vehicle which will have to be scrapped within 10 years or less, no matter how well one takes care of it? What would you pay for a 5 year old vehicle, knowing that it will go to the junkyard sometime within the next 5 years?

Posted by: Tom Servo at September 11, 2026 11:31 AM (UJfh6)

29 And don't discount the effect on residuals these lease returns will cause. New leases will be suck now too.

Posted by: AFlyingSqrl at September 11, 2026 11:31 AM (sSfeg)

30 So Audi is paying lease customers not to buy a new Audi.

Makes perfect sense.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 11, 2026 11:31 AM (wpRMV)

31 EV owners are fucked.

VW is fine. On track for $375 billion in revenue and over $13 billion in profit, and that includes prior write-offs and write-downs for EV losses.

I really really really wish I had VW's problems.

VW's 2026 results are consistent with prior years, and would have been higher but for the weakening Chinese market for non-Chinese vehicles.

Despite endless doomsaying about the auto industry and EV fallout and cratering demand and neon green dildos in tailpipes, the industry is overall doing fine, and VW is doing better than fine.

I really really really wish I had VW's problems.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at September 11, 2026 11:32 AM (iFTx/)

32 >> and the EU is moving ahead with banning ICE cars in 2035 or whatever."

I am old enough to remember when the UN quietly admitted that even if the entire planet switched to EVs, it would reduce greenhouse gases by less than 1%. Of course, they still insisted to move ahead with their goal of 100% EV because reasons.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 11, 2026 11:32 AM (rOKnE)

33 And the picture is worse than that - the leasing groups don't have the physical structure to store thousands of vehicles. Where will this off lease inventory go?

I believe we have a number of surplus military firing ranges. That's probably the safest place to put them.

Posted by: Archimedes at September 11, 2026 11:32 AM (Riz8t)

34 I topped off gas in everything I own in prep for today.

Posted by: Eromero at September 11, 2026 11:25 AM (LHPAg)

I didn't for fire season here in the sticks; I thought about it.

We don't have leftist/islamist problems here. Although we do arm up for church and home school at the church. Better safe than sorry.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 11:33 AM (dK+Kv)

35 My neighbor has 2 Taycans. I really hope they're leased.

Posted by: MJ at September 11, 2026 11:33 AM (XOmY9)

36 Buck shure writes good. I just cain't read good.
It's amazing how these companies jumped in with both feet and are now left holding the bag. I'm not sure VW will survive the many stupid decisions they've made. I guess the same could be said for Germany as a whole. The post is great, only deduct points for no car fire picture.

Posted by: Internal Combustion, FTW! at September 11, 2026 11:33 AM (Fn+3X)

37
What value can there be in a vehicle which will have to be scrapped within 10 years or less, no matter how well one takes care of it? What would you pay for a 5 year old vehicle, knowing that it will go to the junkyard sometime within the next 5 years?
Posted by: Tom Servo at September 11, 2026 11:31 AM (UJfh6)

The average age of all the drivable vehicles I own is 18.5 years.

The 96 Ranger really throws that curve off a bit, but still........

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:34 AM (ccf/V)

38 President Newsom will turn it all around.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 11, 2026 11:25 AM (Cqx++)

He'll gladly tap into those much-needed Strategic Petroleum Hair Product reserves that Trump simply won't do!

Posted by: Boswell at September 11, 2026 11:35 AM (j10i6)

39 The EV diehards, who are all "Climate Change Doomers," are as crazed as the "Abortion For Any Reason Up to As Late As You and a Doctor Can Get Away With It Up To and After Birth" crowd.

Posted by: Gref at September 11, 2026 11:36 AM (5rh/l)

40 I'm not sure VW will survive the many stupid decisions they've made. I guess the same could be said for Germany as a whole.

I believe it's finally starting to dawn on the Krauts just how f***ed they are as a country. That's why AfD is surging. Interestingly, I read an article this morning which says that the CDU and others who were, until recently, talking about denying AfD power, have decided that MIGHT not be a good look for them (although the Greens are still all in on a coup).

No Scheisse, Schulze.

Posted by: Archimedes at September 11, 2026 11:36 AM (Riz8t)

41 batteries rarely last more than 10 years"

Ah, batteries. The fun part of the conversation.

With proper controls, the battery PACK can provide service for many thousands of cycles. Individual batteries in the pack, not so much.
On average, a managed pack will provide about 80 percent capacity even years later.

Which means the vehicle is hauling around dead weight 20 percent of a thousand lb pack is ...

Fuel tanks, OTOH, never reduce capacity over lifespan...

Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 11:37 AM (cGjQu)

42 *points at EV losers*
*laughs*

Posted by: Scoffer McScofferton at September 11, 2026 11:37 AM (TbWk/)

43 I get the EV thing. People like to think they are the vanguard of some new, cool, hip thing that the rest of the poors will catch on to one day. "Silly man, park that 2017 F150 naturally aspirated 3.5L V6 dinosaur and grab a new Ford Lightning EV F150 while you can! It's hip! It's cool! It's only $48,000.00 and it will be worthless soon!".

No thanks.

Posted by: Grease Monkey at September 11, 2026 11:37 AM (cCXR+)

44 I really really really wish I had VW's problems.

You won't when the power goes out forever in Germany and Muslims burn the entire country down.

Posted by: Ian S. at September 11, 2026 11:37 AM (2ocoG)

45 Friend of mine has a Polestar and refers to Teslas as "Swastikas."

Posted by: NR Pax at September 11, 2026 11:37 AM (RjOoY)

46 What value can there be in a vehicle which will have to be scrapped within 10 years or less, no matter how well one takes care of it? What would you pay for a 5 year old vehicle, knowing that it will go to the junkyard sometime within the next 5 years?
Posted by: Tom Servo at September 11, 2026 11:31 AM (UJfh6)

The average age of all the drivable vehicles I own is 18.5 years.

The 96 Ranger really throws that curve off a bit, but still........

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:34 AM (ccf/V)

People around here are wanting $10-20K for 7.3 Diesel F-Series that have 250+K miles on them. The 7.3 F-Series was last offered in 2003.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 11:37 AM (dK+Kv)

47 The EV's will only be "worthless" until the next Democrat assumes the White House.

Then they'll be mandated. It's why they're not being scrapped by the thousands.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at September 11, 2026 11:38 AM (2Cry5)

48 Fuel tanks, OTOH, never reduce capacity over lifespan...

Are you SURE about that?

Posted by: Ford Pinto at September 11, 2026 11:38 AM (2ocoG)

49 Friend of mine has a Polestar and refers to Teslas as "Swastikas."

Posted by: NR Pax at September 11, 2026 11:37 AM (RjOoY)

Uh, do they not see the Polesmoke logo on THEIR car?

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:38 AM (ccf/V)

50 Because they're a German company and the EU is moving ahead with banning ICE cars in 2035 or whatever.
Posted by: Ian S. at September 11, 2026 11:25 AM (2ocoG)

As Buck mentions in his linked piece, the big problem in Europe is that they’re big friends with China, and in some trade deal they allowed China to ship in cheap EV’s, and now China is selling piles of EV’s in Europe at half the price that any Euro companies can sell them for.

So the mandates are now just creating Chinese jobs and helping Chinese manufacturers.

Posted by: Tom Servo at September 11, 2026 11:39 AM (UJfh6)

51 Offhand, does anyone know how/if a end of live EV battery is disposed of or recycled?

Posted by: Will Robinson at September 11, 2026 11:39 AM (A3xvt)

52 Are you SURE about that?
Posted by: Ford Pinto at September 11, 2026 11:38 AM (2ocoG)

That was just as much media bullshit as all the other "THIS CAR IS DEADLY" stories they fabricated.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:39 AM (ccf/V)

53 believe it's finally starting to dawn on the Krauts just how f***ed they are as a country. That's why AfD is surging. Interestingly, I read an article this morning which says that the CDU and others who were, until recently, talking about denying AfD power, have decided that MIGHT not be a good look for them (although the Greens are still all in on a coup).

No Scheisse, Schulze.
Posted by: Archimedes at September 11, 2026 11:36 AM (Riz8t)

You mean deliberately bringing in hordes of savages from third world Islamic shitholes to rape, murder and steal isn't a viable long-term strategy for national preservation? Who knew?

Posted by: I mean, we knew, but still at September 11, 2026 11:39 AM (TbWk/)

54 My husband works on the EV vehicles for Kia and Hyundai. He hates them with a passion because the type of people who buy them are a royal pain in the ass. Entitled dipshits.

Posted by: jaimo at September 11, 2026 11:39 AM (2noDb)

55 So a lessor takes the 10 grand spends 8 grand on a new battery and gets a much better ev.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 11, 2026 11:40 AM (NnhvP)

56 I topped off gas in everything I own in prep for today.

Posted by: Eromero at September 11, 2026 11:25 AM

*shifty eyes*

Yes...fuel...that's what I'm topping up...

*shifty eyes*

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at September 11, 2026 11:40 AM (lNdj6)

57 People around here are wanting $10-20K for 7.3 Diesel F-Series that have 250+K miles on them. The 7.3 F-Series was last offered in 2003.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 11:37 AM (dK+Kv)

I paid 35k for my 6.7 Ford diesel, used. It's now only got 135k miles. I'm quite sure I could ask 30k for it and get it, no problem, if not the 35k I paid for it.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:41 AM (ccf/V)

58 Uh, do they not see the Polesmoke logo on THEIR car?
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer

Doesn't matter. She hates Elon with the same passion she hates Trump. I usually just roll my eyes and move on.

Posted by: NR Pax at September 11, 2026 11:41 AM (RjOoY)

59 So the mandates are now just creating Chinese jobs and helping Chinese manufacturers.

Watching the Western left get hollowed out by China is kind of fun. Even though it's causing untold human suffering, like Fang Fang having to see Fartwell naked.

Posted by: Ford Pinto at September 11, 2026 11:41 AM (2ocoG)

60 The average age of all the drivable vehicles I own is 18.5 years.

The 96 Ranger really throws that curve off a bit, but still........

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:34 AM (ccf/V)

1992 F350, 460 CI. Yeah, it gets 8-12 mpg. And yeah, it is probably more economical and ecological over the long term than replacing your ride ever 6 years, which would have been about 4 replacements over that time. Myself, I've had it for 11 of those 24 years, and I plan to replace the drivetrain if necessary, so long as it is feasible.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 11:42 AM (dK+Kv)

61
1992 F350, 460 CI. Yeah, it gets 8-12 mpg. And yeah, it is probably more economical and ecological over the long term than replacing your ride ever 6 years, which would have been about 4 replacements over that time. Myself, I've had it for 11 of those 24 years, and I plan to replace the drivetrain if necessary, so long as it is feasible.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 11:42 AM (dK+Kv)

Noice.......

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:42 AM (ccf/V)

62 Are you SURE about that?
Posted by: Ford Pinto at September 11, 2026 11:38 AM (2ocoG)

That was just as much media bullshit as all the other "THIS CAR IS DEADLY" stories they fabricated.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:39 AM (ccf/V)

Like Dateline planting explosives in a Chevy truck and blowing it up to show their trucks were fire hazards.

Posted by: Fake news isn't new at September 11, 2026 11:43 AM (TbWk/)

63
As Buck mentions in his linked piece, the big problem in Europe is that they’re big friends with China, and in some trade deal they allowed China to ship in cheap EV’s, and now China is selling piles of EV’s in Europe at half the price that any Euro companies can sell them for.

So the mandates are now just creating Chinese jobs and helping Chinese manufacturers.
Posted by: Tom Servo

The Chinese are "bringing their dream" to Europe.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 11, 2026 11:43 AM (Cqx++)

64 The average age of all the drivable vehicles I own is 18.5 years.

The 96 Ranger really throws that curve off a bit, but still........
Posted by: Sponge
--------

13.3 here. Wish I still had my '95 S-10, but, a '98, '12, '13

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 11, 2026 11:43 AM (XeU6L)

65 I paid 35k for my 6.7 Ford diesel, used. It's now only got 135k miles. I'm quite sure I could ask 30k for it and get it, no problem, if not the 35k I paid for it.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:41 AM (ccf/V)

I believe I could get what I paid with inflation.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 11:44 AM (dK+Kv)

66 I used to own a '97 Silverado, 3 door version. Thing was a barely operational heap when I sold it. $5K.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at September 11, 2026 11:44 AM (2Cry5)

67 Here's the article and an extract:

Interestingly enough, despite Merz's initial red-faced umbrage at his electoral humiliation and his lukewarm endorsement of maintaining the cordon sanitaire that's kept the AfD at bay and from taking its rightful place in government so far, there seems to be a distinct lack of enthusiasm for enforcing it after Sunday's vote.

...Merz in particular seemed surprised at the Sachsen-Anhalt result. “We are all deeply shocked,” he said, “we did not expect it to happen like this.” This must raise serious questions about Merz’s information environment, given that the outcome of the Sunday vote has been eminently predictable for months. Merz further asked himself “how things could have come to this” and confided that he is “looking for the reasons within myself too” – acknowledging that his own controversies have been a constant theme in this year’s elections. As has become customary for failed politicians, Merz ultimately concluded that he needs to communicate better, but then upon realising that this is a shopworn cliché he added bizarrely that he must “try to (1 of 2)
https://tinyurl.com/23jwxj6e

Posted by: Archimedes at September 11, 2026 11:44 AM (Riz8t)

68 The Chinese are "bringing their dream" to Europe.

Their dream, and also cat meat.

But mostly cat meat.

Posted by: Ian S. at September 11, 2026 11:44 AM (2ocoG)

69 Cars are just insane. You can always get a lemon (discounting just buying ridiculous vehicle.)

Now full size trucks cost three times more than my parents paid for their HOUSE (to be fair, my parents house has also appreciated some ridiculous number of times- property tax.)

This is why the used car market being destroyed by cash for clunkers was such a bad bad no good horrible thing. It meant the $500 beater went away (as well as a lot of cool older cars.) You could take a risk on a car because it was just a stop gap to get you to work until you could afford something better. And hey, if you needed to? You could keep pouring oil into that 84' Oldsmobile with a cracked main seal because the fucker would not die- as long as it had oil.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 11:44 AM (Y/06r)

70
Like Dateline planting explosives in a Chevy truck and blowing it up to show their trucks were fire hazards.
Posted by: Fake news isn't new at September 11, 2026 11:43 AM (TbWk/)

Or the Ford Explorer, when under certain conditions, would roll over when the FIRESTONE tires they came with failed and you jerked the wheel hard to one side........

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:44 AM (ccf/V)

71 (2 of 2)

connect with people more deeply on an emotional level,” because that will make everything better.

For some reason the firewall against the AfD is no longer the flavour of the month within the Union. Angela Merkel, once its staunchest enforcer, just today said that “I didn’t come up with it and I don’t particularly like it either.” Boris Rhein, CDU Minister President of Hessen, has called the Brandmauer “the wrongest path,” declaring with newfound democratic sentiment that his party should “talk to everyone, talk about everything, build bridges to the centre and not push people beyond firewalls.” This shift in sentiment is to be expected, as Unioners realise that they and not the AfD are the ones whom the firewall will shut out of government.

Posted by: Archimedes at September 11, 2026 11:44 AM (Riz8t)

72 Because they're a German company and the EU is moving ahead with banning ICE cars in 2035 or whatever.
Posted by: Ian S. at September 11, 2026 11:25 AM (2ocoG)

As Buck mentions in his linked piece, the big problem in Europe is that they’re big friends with China, and in some trade deal they allowed China to ship in cheap EV’s, and now China is selling piles of EV’s in Europe at half the price that any Euro companies can sell them for.

So the mandates are now just creating Chinese jobs and helping Chinese manufacturers.
Posted by: Tom Servo at September 11, 2026 11:39 AM (UJfh6)
________

And buying Chinese tech. The background of all this is that the Euros were desperate to get into the Chinese car market decades ago. The price of entry was that they had to "partner" with Chinese companies and share R&D and tech.

The Euros agreed and for a while were making bank. But all the while, the Chinese were stealing the Euro's tech and business models, copying it, and making it cheaper and better (in large part because of massive gov't subsidies).

The hunter is now the hunted. Sales of Chinese vehicles (almost all EV) have exploded in Europe and UK.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at September 11, 2026 11:45 AM (iFTx/)

73 Have I got a deal for you: one EV for ten used "E.T." Atari cartridges?
... they're going to be buried in the same desert aren't they.

Posted by: 88C+u at September 11, 2026 11:45 AM (88C+u)

74 Or the Ford Explorer, when under certain conditions, would roll over when the FIRESTONE tires they came with failed and you jerked the wheel hard to one side

One thing I've learned watching way too many Arkansas State Police PITs on YouTube is that SUVs do roll quite easily, especially the full-size body-on-frame ones.

Posted by: Ian S. at September 11, 2026 11:46 AM (2ocoG)

75 13.3 here. Wish I still had my '95 S-10, but, a '98, '12, '13
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc.
------

Oooops! 18.33
Too early for maths.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 11, 2026 11:46 AM (XeU6L)

76 I really really really wish I had VW's problems."

A roughly 3 percent on sales isn't going to work. And don't forget, they're beholden to Saxony's goodwill, and if the layoffs are carried out...

That's a problem.

Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 11:46 AM (cGjQu)

77 the important part is: the right people got the money. the right pols got the contributions. the right investors made the money.

Posted by: wildman at September 11, 2026 11:46 AM (ur7Ph)

78 There is nowhere close to enough electrical generating capacity in this country for more than a small fraction of cars and trucks on the road to be re-chargeables.

There is no widespread grid network sufficient to carry it, even if there were. Residential homes, businesses, and workplaces do not have the equipment to provide it, even if the grid network were there. There aren't charging stations sufficient, and on and on and on.

Re-chargeable cars makes sense for a small number of people, maybe, in temperate climates in particular who don't drive very far.

A fucking Golf Cart would have worked, and would still be a great choice for a lot of people. But of course this isn't what they had in mind. Hell no, you gotta spend 80 grand on an elaborate paperweight. The same people who bitch about lifted trucks and hillbillies picking up a loaf of bread in their Ford F950 Earthfucker. The EV thing might be worse, actually.

Posted by: Common Tater at September 11, 2026 11:47 AM (2dVdu)

79 Government mandates, subsidies, ect. ruined whatever chance EVs had of growing as a consumer segment organically.
There's really nothing wrong with being a niche product, like sports cars or motorcycles.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at September 11, 2026 11:47 AM (zafwz)

80 The Euros agreed and for a while were making bank. But all the while, the Chinese were stealing the Euro's tech and business models, copying it, and making it cheaper and better (in large part because of massive gov't subsidies).

The hunter is now the hunted. Sales of Chinese vehicles (almost all EV) have exploded in Europe and UK.

For every problem, there is a solution. In this case, tell China to keep their crappy cars - they won't be coming to Europe. Sure, that will result in retaliation against European car companies in China, but that market is dying anyway. Cut your losses, Europe!

Posted by: Archimedes at September 11, 2026 11:47 AM (Riz8t)

81 The fans of industrial policy at The New York Times explained that Germany is in trouble because its auto companies did not fully embrace the EV revolution and now China has them on their knees.

China might have Germans on their knees, but Germans are into that.

Posted by: Jean-Claude in at September 11, 2026 11:47 AM (2ap+5)

82 One thing I've learned watching way too many Arkansas State Police PITs on YouTube is that SUVs do roll quite easily, especially the full-size body-on-frame ones.
Posted by: Ian S. at September 11, 2026 11:46 AM (2ocoG)

Any vehicle with a high enough center of gravity will roll when broad sliding at a high enough speed.

If you really want to get silly, the Jeep is the most dangerous car on the road in those scenarios, but no one cares because 'Jeeps are cool, brah!'

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:48 AM (ccf/V)

83 "The hunter is now the hunted. Sales of Chinese vehicles (almost all EV) have exploded in Europe and UK."

How are they able to charge any of them? They've been hollowing out their electrical capacity alongside all of this.

Posted by: Gaff at September 11, 2026 11:48 AM (EqzMw)

84 The same people who bitch about lifted trucks and hillbillies picking up a loaf of bread in their Ford F950 Earthfucker. The EV thing might be worse, actually.
Posted by: Common Tater at September 11, 2026 11:47 AM (2dVdu)

Ford F950 Earthfucker.

*golfclap* LOL.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 11:48 AM (Y/06r)

85 > The Chinese are "bringing their dream" to Europe.
---------
They're brining it to Canada too. Bigly.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at September 11, 2026 11:48 AM (2Cry5)

86 Yes...fuel...that's what I'm topping up..."

It comes in.... boxes, right?

Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 11:49 AM (cGjQu)

87 A fucking Golf Cart would have worked, and would still be a great choice for a lot of people. But of course this isn't what they had in mind. Hell no, you gotta spend 80 grand on an elaborate paperweight. The same people who bitch about lifted trucks and hillbillies picking up a loaf of bread in their Ford F950 Earthfucker. The EV thing might be worse, actually.

Posted by: Common Tater at September 11, 2026 11:47 AM (2dVdu)

A few years back, my township authorized on-road golf cart usage, about the same time the market for those UTVs exploded. I see about 50/50, except up here on the golf course.

The golf cart idea is not without merit.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 11:49 AM (dK+Kv)

88 I've got an idea of what to do with the mostly useless EVs. Send them down to Cuba and they can cannibalize them for parts. I hear they are desperate for replacement parts. Nothing for the engines, obviously. But they can probably use the radio knobs and door handles perhaps. Maybe the seats could be transplanted.

Posted by: Earl Schlobodowicz at September 11, 2026 11:49 AM (VUSYV)

89 If you really want to get silly, the Jeep is the most dangerous car on the road in those scenarios, but no one cares because 'Jeeps are cool, brah!'
Posted by: Sponge

I hear that's why they load them up with so many rubber ducks -- to cushion the blow.

Posted by: Bulg at September 11, 2026 11:49 AM (77rzZ)

90 Can't wait for Congress to propose a bill to bail out all the dealerships who were forced to bet big on EV's.

Posted by: Octochicken at September 11, 2026 11:49 AM (oCS0o)

91 The same people who bitch about lifted trucks and hillbillies picking up a loaf of bread in their Ford F950 Earthfucker. The EV thing might be worse, actually.
Posted by: Common Tater at September 11, 2026 11:47 AM (2dVdu)

They NEVER consider the absolute Earth RAPE required to make the batteries and the CO2 emitted in simply transporting them around the world.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:49 AM (ccf/V)

92 Or the Ford Explorer, when under certain conditions, would roll over when the FIRESTONE tires they came with failed and you jerked the wheel hard to one side
-----

The issue was actually Ford's fault. They specified an inadviseably low tire pressure, to keep the ride soft and smooth. There wasn't really anything wrong at all with the tires, per se.

Ford had a business relationship with Firestone going way back. Henry and Harvey (Firestone) used to go camping together.

That little episode ruined the business partnership Ford and Firestone had maintained for almost 100 years. Because some idiot thought the truck rode too harsh.

Posted by: Common Tater at September 11, 2026 11:50 AM (2dVdu)

93 If you really want to get silly, the Jeep is the most dangerous car on the road in those scenarios, but no one cares because 'Jeeps are cool, brah!'
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:48 AM (ccf/V)

My miata was so nailed to the ground I would literally start sliding over the bolsters of the bucket seat if I took a corner fast enough before it would lose traction. At least if it was dry.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 11:50 AM (Y/06r)

94 The Euros agreed and for a while were making bank"

This. And "euros" = VW.

Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 11:50 AM (cGjQu)

95 Jeeps are cool, bro.

Posted by: Earl Schlobodowicz at September 11, 2026 11:50 AM (VUSYV)

96 The Euros agreed and for a while were making bank. But all the while, the Chinese were stealing the Euro's tech and business models, copying it, and making it cheaper and better (in large part because of massive gov't subsidies).

The hunter is now the hunted. Sales of Chinese vehicles (almost all EV) have exploded in Europe and UK.

For every problem, there is a solution. In this case, tell China to keep their crappy cars - they won't be coming to Europe. Sure, that will result in retaliation against European car companies in China, but that market is dying anyway. Cut your losses, Europe!
Posted by: Archimedes at September 11, 2026 11:47 AM (Riz8t)
_______

I'm sure there were piles of bribes and corruption. Especially in UK, the Chinese brands built a dealer network almost overnight.

It was like the Brits woke up one day and saw BYD and Geely dealerships all over the place.

BYD now sells more cars than Tesla.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at September 11, 2026 11:51 AM (iFTx/)

97 If German politics was not fake and gay the result would be all but the most leftwing parties reducing their support for immigration with the CDU moving to an immigration/"refugee" freeze and the end of welfare for immigrants/refugees

But German politics is fake and gay so...they aren't going to change their policies just because that is what the German people want

Posted by: 18-1 at September 11, 2026 11:51 AM (sKqQm)

98 95 Jeeps are cool, bro.
Posted by: Earl Schlobodowicz at September 11, 2026 11:50 AM (VUSYV)

They ARE cool. But.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 11:51 AM (Y/06r)

99 If you really want to get silly, the Jeep is the most dangerous car on the road in those scenarios, but no one cares because 'Jeeps are cool, brah!'
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:48 AM (ccf/V)

That's why you buy an old-ass Jeep that can't go fast enough to think of outrunning a modern cruiser.

Posted by: Octochicken at September 11, 2026 11:51 AM (oCS0o)

100 Happened to see a late model Hyundai Ioniq 9 recently.
Pretty strange looking.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at September 11, 2026 11:51 AM (2Ez/1)

101 That little episode ruined the business partnership Ford and Firestone had maintained for almost 100 years. Because some idiot thought the truck rode too harsh.

Body on frame SUVs *are* too agricultural-riding for Karen, so they weren't wrong in that way. But the fix was "plausible deniability vehicles" like the Escape that are passenger cars on stilts.

Posted by: Ian S. at September 11, 2026 11:51 AM (2ocoG)

102 The same people who bitch about lifted trucks and hillbillies picking up a loaf of bread in their Ford F950 Earthfucker. The EV thing might be worse, actually.

Posted by: Common Tater at September 11, 2026 11:47 AM (2dVdu)

My retirement project idea is an old dually flatbed dodge, ford, or chevy with a modern 4x4 Cummins drivetrain. Something fine to beat on in the woods, yet still road-worthy and comfortable for the long hauls.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 11:52 AM (dK+Kv)

103 How are they able to charge any of them"

Well, based on availability in a number of areas.... they aren't.

Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 11:52 AM (cGjQu)

104 My miata was so nailed to the ground I would literally start sliding over the bolsters of the bucket seat if I took a corner fast enough before it would lose traction. At least if it was dry.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 11:50 AM (Y/06r)

Miata's are kinda homo, but they were the best starter car in the Gran Turismo Playstation series......

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:52 AM (ccf/V)

105 I really really really wish I had VW's problems.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at September 11, 2026 11:32 AM (iFTx/)

Their stock is down 70% over the last 5 years.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy at September 11, 2026 11:52 AM (okun6)

106 That's why you buy an old-ass Jeep that can't go fast enough to think of outrunning a modern cruiser.

I've seen multiple instances of people running from Arkansas State Police in a Chevy Cobalt in the YouTube videos. Generally if you're running from the cops you already have failed in IQ test, but in a Cobalt it's worse.

Posted by: Ian S. at September 11, 2026 11:53 AM (2ocoG)

107
I hear that's why they load them up with so many rubber ducks -- to cushion the blow.
Posted by: Bulg at September 11, 2026 11:49 AM (77rzZ)

Heh.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:53 AM (ccf/V)

108 I want an F950 Earthfucker.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at September 11, 2026 11:54 AM (NSrIQ)

109 That little episode ruined the business partnership Ford and Firestone had maintained for almost 100 years. Because some idiot thought the truck rode too harsh.
Posted by: Common Tater

====

No matter how much you hate Jac Nasser, you don't hate him enough.

Posted by: 2009Refugee at September 11, 2026 11:54 AM (4HoLg)

110 Miata's are kinda homo, but they were the best starter car in the Gran Turismo Playstation series......

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:52 AM (ccf/V)

Stock, yeah. Great for riding around with your boyfriend with the top down. But it's a great small platform for hotrodding (ricing?) for heteros.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 11:54 AM (dK+Kv)

111 Sales of Chinese vehicles (almost all EV) have exploded in Europe and UK."

Sure. The Chinese followed the VW model.

Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 11:54 AM (cGjQu)

112 Part of the problem, of course, is DOT and NHTSA and probably another 3 or 4 alphabet agency regs.

A Golf Cart doesn't have any of the 8,000 safety items that we have grown accustomed to. Neither does a motorcycle, but I'm sure it would factor somehow.

I think an ordinary 100 amp residential service would be just enough to keep a Golf Cart battery bank charged, with a suitable charger. Not sure, but it seems to pencil out in my head. Maybe an honest daily 20 mile range in any weather.

Posted by: Common Tater at September 11, 2026 11:54 AM (2dVdu)

113 Miata's are kinda homo, but they were the best starter car in the Gran Turismo Playstation series......
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:52 AM (ccf/V)

2001 SE. British racing green. Walnut(?) Nardi steering wheel. Brown leather. Watchdial gauges.

I said the same thing when I had seen most Miatas, but fuck, I fell in love with that car the first time I saw one. It's like a Triumph Spitfire that ran.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 11:54 AM (Y/06r)

114 95 Jeeps are cool, bro.
Posted by: Earl Schlobodowicz at September 11, 2026 11:50 AM

Get a bunch of them together in the evening in the woods and bask in the warm amber glow of their Check Engine lights...

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at September 11, 2026 11:55 AM (2Ez/1)

115
I said the same thing when I had seen most Miatas, but fuck, I fell in love with that car the first time I saw one. It's like a Triumph Spitfire that ran.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 11:54 AM (Y/06r)

Heh. Anything that thumbs a nose at the Brits......

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:55 AM (ccf/V)

116 And as for the EV financial follies . . .

It would take a heart of stone not to laugh

Posted by: 2009Refugee at September 11, 2026 11:55 AM (4HoLg)

117 It's like when you see a hot woman with big tits and a smile on her face from across the room and think: 'Oh, fuck. This is going to end badly.'

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 11:56 AM (Y/06r)

118 Morning.

Posted by: Robert at September 11, 2026 11:56 AM (dpXJq)

119 My most recent vehicle purchase was a 2004 F250 power stroke diesel for $5500. It barely ran when I bought it, but $1000 later and some home mechanics and it is now a solid vehicle. Bought it in April

Posted by: Lemmiwinks at September 11, 2026 11:56 AM (ubXQT)

120 I saw a Fiero on the road a few weeks ago.

Coffin with wheels.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at September 11, 2026 11:57 AM (NSrIQ)

121 I wonder if a government bail-out of the auto industry will become a big debate point in the 2028 elections. It sounds like the timing would be about right.

Posted by: JB1000 at September 11, 2026 11:57 AM (oWYew)

122 It's like when you see a hot woman with big tits and a smile on her face from across the room and think: 'Oh, fuck. This is going to end badly.'
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 11:56 AM (Y/06r)

https://shorturl.fm/MQWJx

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:58 AM (ccf/V)

123 I hear that's why they load them up with so many rubber ducks -- to cushion the blow.
Posted by: Bulg at September 11, 2026 11:49 AM (77rzZ)

I'm sure it works equally well whether you have the doors and roof on or off.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at September 11, 2026 11:58 AM (zafwz)

124 I saw a Fiero on the road a few weeks ago.

Coffin with wheels.
Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at September 11, 2026 11:57 AM (NSrIQ)

I can't believe those still run.

But, you're going to have to work your ass off to get it to roll over.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:59 AM (ccf/V)

125 Miata's are kinda homo, but they were the best starter car in the Gran Turismo Playstation series......
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:52 AM

Don't let VIA hear that.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at September 11, 2026 11:59 AM (lNdj6)

126 My most recent vehicle purchase was a 2004 F250 power stroke diesel for $5500. It barely ran when I bought it, but $1000 later and some home mechanics and it is now a solid vehicle. Bought it in April

Posted by: Lemmiwinks at September 11, 2026 11:56 AM (ubXQT)

Nice. All some of those older vehicles need is a little love and attention. Most people have neither the time, knowledge, or money. A car payment is easier.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 11:59 AM (dK+Kv)

127 119 My most recent vehicle purchase was a 2004 F250 power stroke diesel for $5500. It barely ran when I bought it, but $1000 later and some home mechanics and it is now a solid vehicle. Bought it in April
Posted by: Lemmiwinks at September 11, 2026 11:56 AM (ubXQT)

Buy an EGR valve and throw it behind the seat. You will need it at the most inopportune time.

Posted by: Reforger at September 11, 2026 11:59 AM (F9nWj)

128 120 I saw a Fiero on the road a few weeks ago.

Coffin with wheels.
Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at September 11, 2026 11:57 AM (NSrIQ)

I test drove one... 30 years ago a guy was selling. It was wrong. Felt wrong inside. Ergonomics were all wrong. It felt like the gas pedal was behind the console so it felt like my foot was getting trapped.

Whereas I always described my miata as 'Like putting on a warm, comfy tight leather jacket' that felt claustrophobic.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 12:00 PM (Y/06r)

129 . It's like a Triumph Spitfire that ran."

Hey - I had a Triumph. It ran, too.

Straight to the local repair shop.

Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 12:00 PM (cGjQu)

130 I wonder if there's an opportunity for some entreprenurial soul to buy these crapwagons for pennies on the dollar, rip out the battery, shove a gas generator into the space, and then flip for a profit. Sort of like all those gas to EV conversions that were going around back in the day, but in reverse.

Posted by: LGM30G at September 11, 2026 12:00 PM (I09RC)

131 My most recent vehicle purchase was a 2004 F250 power stroke diesel for $5500. It barely ran when I bought it, but $1000 later and some home mechanics and it is now a solid vehicle. Bought it in April
Posted by: Lemmiwinks at September 11, 2026 11:56 AM (ubXQT)

6.0L engine. Hope the head studs have been redone.....or was it the crank......Either way. Abuse that engine and it will abuse you back.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 12:00 PM (ccf/V)

132
Don't let VIA hear that.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at September 11, 2026 11:59 AM (lNdj6)

Meh. He can shoot me at the TxMoMe.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 12:01 PM (ccf/V)

133 I believe I could get what I paid with inflation.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder

Yep. Folks that need that muscle to haul stuff around will pay for it because new trucks are astronomical meaning much higher insurance and depreciation.

Plus 90's era up to the Obama era can usually be fixed even with new motors, trans, etc. After that, the computerization started and by 2019-2020, fixing these vehicles requires expensive parts on most models and messing around with canbus.

FWIW, we have a early 90's D21 Hardbody 4x4. Works great when we need it and it has been in our family since it was new (MIL then to my wife). Same motor, great compression on it still, no emissions problems (now grandfathered in), three clutches over 360k miles.

Posted by: whig at September 11, 2026 12:01 PM (E4rtv)

134 ttps://shorturl.fm/MQWJx
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer

Trouble. Lotsa trouble.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at September 11, 2026 12:01 PM (NSrIQ)

135 Whereas I always described my miata as 'Like putting on a warm, comfy tight leather ~~jacket'~~ assless chaps that felt ~~claustrophobic~~ fabulous.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 12:00 PM (Y/06r)

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 12:02 PM (dK+Kv)

136 like all those gas to EV conversions that were going around back in the day, but in reverse"

Not likely. There's no easy way to reverse engineer that...

Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 12:02 PM (cGjQu)

137 I plunked down $25 to get on the list to buy an REO Speedwagon.
We'll see.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at September 11, 2026 12:02 PM (2Ez/1)

138 I really really really wish I had VW's problems.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at September 11, 2026 11:32 AM (iFTx/)

Their stock is down 70% over the last 5 years.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy at September 11, 2026 11:52 AM (okun6)
________

That's a problem for VW's shareholders, or at least the ones that bought at earlier inflated prices (which IIRC was based on unreasonable expectations in China). The company's revenue is way up over the same period. Again, I would like having the problem of only making $13B in profit this year ....

Posted by: Elric The Blade at September 11, 2026 12:02 PM (iFTx/)

139 130 I wonder if there's an opportunity for some entreprenurial soul to buy these crapwagons for pennies on the dollar, rip out the battery, shove a gas generator into the space, and then flip for a profit. Sort of like all those gas to EV conversions that were going around back in the day, but in reverse.
Posted by: LGM30G

Eh, just put a go cart engine and transmission in it to relive the EV experience except with more noise. I guess you could rig up some sort of dual fuel (LP/Gas) generator in the back to charge the car going down the road.

Posted by: whig at September 11, 2026 12:03 PM (E4rtv)

140 three clutches over 360k miles.

Posted by: whig at September 11, 2026 12:01 PM (E4rtv)

*looks around to make sure my truck isn't looking*

*sadface*

I have an auto trans.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 12:03 PM (dK+Kv)

141 135 Whereas I always described my miata as 'Like putting on a warm, comfy tight leather jacket' assless chaps that felt claustrophobic fabulous.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 12:00 PM (Y/06r)
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 12:02 PM (dK+Kv)

LOL. I meant the Fiero felt claustrophobic.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 12:03 PM (Y/06r)

142 My miata was so nailed to the ground I would literally start sliding over the bolsters of the bucket seat if I took a corner fast enough before it would lose traction. At least if it was dry.
Posted by: Aetius451AD
---------

At a certain age, one must consider diapers....

:-)

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 11, 2026 12:04 PM (XeU6L)

143 *looks around to make sure my truck isn't looking*

*sadface*

I have an auto trans.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 12:03 PM (dK+Kv)

GAY!!

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 12:04 PM (Y/06r)

144 Don't let VIA hear that.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at September 11, 2026 11:59 AM (lNdj6)

Meh. He can shoot me at the TxMoMe.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 12:01

VIA told me recently he won't be able to make it.
Sad trumpet.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at September 11, 2026 12:04 PM (2Ez/1)

145
I plunked down $25 to get on the list to buy an REO Speedwagon.
We'll see.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty

Roll with the changes.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 11, 2026 12:04 PM (Cqx++)

146 I wish I could be paid a lot of money to make a horrendous blunder such as the EV F-150. Let's see, maybe an aluminum chassis bulldozer (saves fuel), or a solar-powered locomotive
--

Posted by: JM in Illinois at September 11, 2026 12:04 PM (8O9+I)

147 My commute is an average of 100 miles/day. I'll stick to my polar bear killing gas powered vehicle.
Posted by: NR Pax at September 11, 2026 11:30 AM (RjOoY)

Polar bears are like Palestinians (except more cuddly). The genocide against them is having a negative effect.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 11, 2026 12:04 PM (1z8ji)

148 It is interesting to consider how we got here. Did a) the Masters of the Universe simply believe EV would happen and they all wanted to get the money by being there on the ground floor? b)did they ignore all the signs that it wouldn't work as a mass thing, ie range, charging time, limited battery lifespan, the total lack of electric generation capability to charge a nation of them?Perceived more money for them and they assumed they could make the peons fix the problems? c) more evil and dark plot to remove mobility from the annoying peons who get in their way when they want to enjoy things? d) misjudgment that they could control government to the point where the changeover could be indirectly mandated against the public's wishes? e) just plain Hitler invading Russia arrogant stupidity, the "I want it so I will have it because I am me" mindset? What would fix the country would be if 80-90% of the top 1% were stripped of resources and deported to Lower Slobovia

Posted by: Azjaeger at September 11, 2026 12:05 PM (3/XaG)

149 I've been looking at the Slate. Plastic modular electric truck. If work puts in the free charging stations at our new building I will be buying one. $25,000 base.

If I ever actually see one.

Posted by: Reforger at September 11, 2026 12:05 PM (F9nWj)

150 GAY!!

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 12:04 PM (Y/06r)

lol, yeah

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 12:05 PM (dK+Kv)

151 Again, I would like having the problem of only making $13B in profit this year ....

Is that a good ROI? I don't know, but ROI is the number to be concerned with. If it takes me $2T in capital to make $13B, it's NOT a good investment.

Posted by: Archimedes at September 11, 2026 12:06 PM (Riz8t)

152 Polar bears are like Palestinians (except more cuddly). The genocide against them is having a negative effect.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon

Well, King Harve's only one guy. He can only do so much.

Posted by: Bulg at September 11, 2026 12:06 PM (77rzZ)

153 It was wrong. Felt wrong inside. Ergonomics were all wrong"

GM never learned. The kappa (Sky/Solstice) was a neat little car, very poorly done.

Bummer

Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 12:06 PM (cGjQu)

154 Who knew?
A free market makes better pricing decisions than a controlled economy . . .

Posted by: RI Red at September 11, 2026 12:06 PM (Ste7P)

155 Posted by: Azjaeger at September 11, 2026 12:05 PM (3/XaG)

I still think this comes back to marketing and CEOs. There was a huge ... belief that whatever they pushed, people would buy. Consumers vs customers. They saw endless dollar signs so they blew everything that worked up and went with what THEY wanted.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 12:07 PM (Y/06r)

156 That's a problem for VW's shareholders, or at least the ones that bought at earlier inflated prices (which IIRC was based on unreasonable expectations in China). The company's revenue is way up over the same period. Again, I would like having the problem of only making $13B in profit this year ....
Posted by: Elric The Blade
--------
On vast revenues, that is not a very good profit ratio and the trend analysis from analysts is not great going forward. VW is on track to shed another 50k jobs in Germany and the EVs are unlikely to attract American buyers except at a loss.

I suspect that like GM, etc. VW is now a financial company that makes cars they finance. Works until the next global upset stomach.

Posted by: whig at September 11, 2026 12:07 PM (E4rtv)

157 My commute is an average of 100 miles/day.

My commute starts at the bathroom, continues down the stairs, and finishes at the coffeepot. It's better than my old commute.

Posted by: Archimedes at September 11, 2026 12:07 PM (Riz8t)

158 I've been looking at the Slate. Plastic modular electric truck. If work puts in the free charging stations at our new building I will be buying one. $25,000 base.

If I ever actually see one.
Posted by: Reforger at September 11, 2026 12:05 PM (F9nWj)
______

My take on Slate is that it's a pump and dump stock scheme. The numbers don't make any sense to me in terms of making any money on the truck.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at September 11, 2026 12:07 PM (iFTx/)

159 buy an REO Speedwagon"

Ransome E. Olds?

Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 12:08 PM (cGjQu)

160 Is that a good ROI? I don't know, but ROI is the number to be concerned with. If it takes me $2T in capital to make $13B, it's NOT a good investment.
Posted by: Archimedes
=====
2.8 percent return in 2025. VW is hoping with job cuts to raise that to about double. We shall see.

Posted by: whig at September 11, 2026 12:09 PM (E4rtv)

161 137 I plunked down $25 to get on the list to buy an REO Speedwagon.
We'll see.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at September 11, 2026 12:02 PM (2Ez/1

_____

If it's an original vinyl album from the '80s, it's probably worth $200-$300 bucks

Posted by: Lemmiwinks at September 11, 2026 12:09 PM (ubXQT)

162
VIA told me recently he won't be able to make it.
Sad trumpet.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at September 11, 2026 12:04 PM (2Ez/1)

Oh no! Sad......

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 12:09 PM (ccf/V)

163 In the absence of subsidies, I expect that EV sales here would have been perhaps 50% lower.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 11, 2026 12:09 PM (XeU6L)

164
Especially in UK, the Chinese brands built a dealer network almost overnight.

It was like the Brits woke up one day and saw BYD and Geely dealerships all over the place.

BYD now sells more cars than Tesla.
Posted by: Elric The Blade

===================

Hmm, I wonder what kind of access to UK infrastructure China gets from those dealerships? Gotta be something they got besides car money.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at September 11, 2026 12:09 PM (mmrXZ)

165 My take on Slate is that it's a pump and dump stock scheme. The numbers don't make any sense to me in terms of making any money on the truck.
Posted by: Elric The Blade at September 11, 2026 12:07 PM (iFTx/)

Ok, counter example: Toyota Hilux. Get rid of the regs, you'd see millions of them on the road here.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 12:09 PM (Y/06r)

166 My take on Slate is that it's a pump and dump stock scheme. The numbers don't make any sense to me in terms of making any money on the truck.
Posted by: Elric The Blade at September 11, 2026 12:07 PM (iFTx/)

Yeah. I've been watching it for a few years now. I think you are right.

Posted by: Reforger at September 11, 2026 12:09 PM (F9nWj)

167 They saw endless taxpayer dollar signs so they blew everything that worked up and went with what unelected officialdom wanted."

FIFY

Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 12:10 PM (cGjQu)

168 There was this guy I knew growing up who was from Eastern Europe, some Slovakian place who just ragged on American cars. He had, get this, a Renault Fuego turbo. Talk about ghey.

One day he shows up in a red Pontiac Fierro. I'm like, what the fuck? Thought American cars were shit, man.

It burned up about 2 years later.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at September 11, 2026 12:10 PM (2Cry5)

169 Buck, would like to hear your take on the future of CAFE standards and how they have influenced the world of EVs.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at September 11, 2026 12:10 PM (2Ez/1)

170 I refuse to buy a car that I have to plug in. My house electrical isn't set up for it. I would be interested in paying a fair price for a heavily depreciated Hybrid though. Probably not many of these exist.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at September 11, 2026 12:10 PM (Dv3i1)

171 163 In the absence of subsidies, I expect that EV sales here would have been perhaps 50% lower.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 11, 2026 12:09 PM (XeU6L)

I AM seeing a lot fewer electrics overall here.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 12:10 PM (Y/06r)

172 (Insty) The holdout juror is a black man. Hahahahahahaha! Cue the picture of the guy deciding between two buttons.

Posted by: Archimedes at September 11, 2026 12:10 PM (Riz8t)

173 Repost for those who missed it.

Old, but I never saw it before now.

Art and Beauty of Sydney Sweeney

https://youtu.be/pLNdQQE7wSI

Probably NSFW.

The video editing is especially well done.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 12:10 PM (dK+Kv)

174 I still think this comes back to marketing and CEOs. There was a huge ... belief that whatever they pushed, people would buy. Consumers vs customers. They saw endless dollar signs so they blew everything that worked up and went with what THEY wanted.
Posted by: Aetius451AD
=====
The Edsel should have told them that. But marketers are full of fairy dust and unicorn farts nowadays and have about as much reality with the actual products being sold as car journalists.

Posted by: whig at September 11, 2026 12:10 PM (E4rtv)

175 The average age of all the drivable vehicles I own is 18.5 years.

The 96 Ranger really throws that curve off a bit, but still........
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 11:34 AM (ccf/V)

Did the same calc, for vehicles that are licensed and insured: 41.5 years.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 11, 2026 12:11 PM (1z8ji)

176 My take on Slate is that it's a pump and dump stock scheme"

Right up there with the Scout.

Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 12:11 PM (cGjQu)

177 167 They saw endless taxpayer dollar signs so they blew everything that worked up and went with what unelected officialdom wanted."

FIFY
Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 12:10 PM (cGjQu)

That too. They figured also that the government would FORCE people to buy it. It is like hollywood making shit no one wants to watch, part of it is they believe if you have no options...

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 12:11 PM (Y/06r)

178
Ok, counter example: Toyota Hilux. Get rid of the regs, you'd see millions of them on the road here.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 12:09 PM (Y/06r)

If it's good enough for terrorists in the middle of a desert......

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 12:11 PM (ccf/V)

179
https://reotrucks.com/

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at September 11, 2026 12:11 PM (2Ez/1)

180 172 (Insty) The holdout juror is a black man. Hahahahahahaha! Cue the picture of the guy deciding between two buttons.

Posted by: Archimedes

With small children apparently too. This hit that guy really close to home is my guess why unlike the twinks and Karen jurors that look to be either empty nesters or childless.

Posted by: whig at September 11, 2026 12:12 PM (E4rtv)

181 Ok, counter example: Toyota Hilux. Get rid of the regs, you'd see millions of them on the road here.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 12:09 PM (Y/06r)

2028 POTUS hopeful should promise to make this happen.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 12:12 PM (dK+Kv)

182 Whatever traits enable one to become a strategy-setting executive, "good judgement" and "common sense" are apparently not among them.

Posted by: SciVo at September 11, 2026 12:12 PM (ke3zm)

183 Is that a good ROI? I don't know, but ROI is the number to be concerned with. If it takes me $2T in capital to make $13B, it's NOT a good investment.
Posted by: Archimedes
=====
2.8 percent return in 2025. VW is hoping with job cuts to raise that to about double. We shall see.

The average return on investment (ROI)—often measured via metrics like Return on Equity (ROE) or Return on Assets (ROA)—for traditional American auto manufacturers like General Motors and Ford generally fluctuates between 3% and 12%, though broad industry averages often skew lower or negative due to heavy EV and autonomous R&D spending

Posted by: Archimedes at September 11, 2026 12:12 PM (Riz8t)

184 Renault Fuego turbo"

Those weren't....

Good

Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 12:12 PM (cGjQu)

185 Old, but I never saw it before now.

Art and Beauty of Sydney Sweeney

https://youtu.be/pLNdQQE7wSI

Probably NSFW.

The video editing is especially well done.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at September 11, 2026 12:10 PM (dK+Kv)

Great cinematography.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 12:12 PM (Y/06r)

186 The holdout juror is a black man. Hahahahahahaha! Cue the picture of the guy deciding between two buttons.

Posted by: Archimedes at September 11, 2026 12:10 PM (Riz8t)

I wrote this over at Insty (Holy shit, his comments section is fucking garbage)...

I sometimes black pill on American race relations. It's a bad mindset to be in, but I do get into it at times. I feel like this guy could have just said, "Screw it, this is white folk problems," gone along with the majority and gotten home in time for dinner. He did not. He sat through that trial, weighed the evidence, made his decision and stuck to his guns. He did his duty like any good and decent American should. Bless this man, whoever he is, he gives cynical jerks like me hope. If yall don't mind me going all Sean Hannity for a moment this dude really is a great freakin' American!

Posted by: Robert at September 11, 2026 12:13 PM (dpXJq)

187 Just want to say that threads like these make me so grateful for the Horde. Information from people who know what they're talking about from experience, differing viewpoints debated with a certain amount of respect- it is the Horde, after all- on so many subjects.
Y'all are a treasure.

Posted by: sal at September 11, 2026 12:13 PM (f+FmA)

188 Since it's 9/11 imma trying to not look at any boobette pics today, or engage in any talk regarding mammary glands.

Posted by: Bulg at September 11, 2026 12:13 PM (77rzZ)

189
Did the same calc, for vehicles that are licensed and insured: 41.5 years.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 11, 2026 12:11 PM (1z8ji)

You're my hero. If I throw in the one that doesn't drive, mine goes up to 28.25.

If I only still had the 66.......

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 12:13 PM (ccf/V)

190 If it's good enough for terrorists in the middle of a desert......
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 12:11 PM (ccf/V)

I'd buy one. In a heartbeat. Something useful so I can keep indulging my desire for completely impractical vehicles.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 12:13 PM (Y/06r)

191 My four gas-fired vehicles are a combined 192 years old. All of them run like new, In one case, better than when it was new.

Posted by: Infernal Combustion, FTW!!! at September 11, 2026 12:13 PM (Fn+3X)

192 172 (Insty) The holdout juror is a black man. Hahahahahahaha! Cue the picture of the guy deciding between two buttons.

Posted by: Archimedes at September 11, 2026 12:10 PM (Riz8t)

___

That's hilarious... Reality just jacked off right in their faces

Posted by: Lemmiwinks at September 11, 2026 12:14 PM (ubXQT)

193 Did the same calc, for vehicles that are licensed and insured: 41.5 years.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon
======
You kinda have an unfair advantage, you can pretty much fix anything that rolls and have the tools and inclination to do so.

You start to have issues when your cars are older than your mechanic if you can't diagnose and fix them yourself.

Posted by: whig at September 11, 2026 12:14 PM (E4rtv)

194 163 In the absence of subsidies, I expect that EV sales here would have been perhaps 50% lower.

As far as I can see, when the Trump group stopped the subsidies the sales immediately cratered. And without tax money making up for the leasing loss to the companies, the companies may fail. And yet I can't currently move my excess Lincoln Town Cars which will run basically forever at a reasonable price yet lol.

Posted by: Azjaeger at September 11, 2026 12:14 PM (3/XaG)

195 Sorry if this has been mentioned already.

Saw an article yesterday.
A gas station in California hit $9.999 for diesel.

If it goes up another notch they don't know what to do because the display will run out of digits.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at September 11, 2026 12:14 PM (6ydKt)

196 They figured also that the government would FORCE people to buy it."

Bill Ford was quoted on that exact idea during the 1st O administration...

Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 12:14 PM (cGjQu)

197 Horse, hobby, 1 each. Some assembly required.

I have a model s and a model y. Best cars I ever had.

I’m old enough to remember down draft carborators and Hearst shifters.

Posted by: Going deep. Our. at September 11, 2026 12:14 PM (+kigi)

198 That's hilarious... Reality just jacked off right in their faces
Posted by: Lemmiwinks

Then they had to break out the male juror who is a VETERAN! and he dared to criticize the holdout juror.

Posted by: NR Pax at September 11, 2026 12:15 PM (RjOoY)

199 197 Horse, hobby, 1 each. Some assembly required.

I have a model s and a model y. Best cars I ever had.

I’m old enough to remember down draft carborators and Hearst shifters.
Posted by: Going deep. Our. at September 11, 2026 12:14 PM (+kigi)

No problem with people liking them. Just want to see who actually likes them and who is just being forced to buy them by government and peer pressure.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 11, 2026 12:16 PM (Y/06r)

200 >>>Fuel tanks, OTOH, never reduce capacity over lifespan...

Are you SURE about that?
Posted by: Ford Pinto at September 11, 2026 11:38 AM (2ocoG)

That's pretty funny...

Posted by: Max Power at September 11, 2026 12:16 PM (q177U)

201 So a lessor takes the 10 grand spends 8 grand on a new battery and gets a much better ev.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 11, 2026 11:40 AM (NnhvP)

If he can get an new battery. And it's just kicking the can another 8 years down the road. And he's driving an old car. Not a cool old car, like a Studebaker, just an old unfashionable car, which is not cool to dedicated followers of fashion.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 11, 2026 12:16 PM (1z8ji)

202 Tee hee. Nobody predicted this coming. EVs may serve a very practical purpose, but as a passenger vehicle and SUV it's outside the window. I would never surrender myself to one of these death traps.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at September 11, 2026 12:16 PM (ATFmn)

203 My take on Slate is that it's a pump and dump stock scheme"

Right up there with the Scout.
Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 12:11 PM (cGjQu)
_________

Scout is owned by ... VW. I think Scout will be a flop, but it's not like Slate. Slate is owned by a bunch of rich guys who surely plan to IPO and pocket even more billions. I think they might be too late to the EV party, though.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at September 11, 2026 12:17 PM (iFTx/)

204 I saw a Cybertruck the other day that I see driving around town every now and then.

He's got his realty company logo laser etched into the stainless.
Doesn't look bad, company pays for it.

Win-Win.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at September 11, 2026 12:17 PM (6ydKt)

205 14 I watched a YouTube video the other day where a fellow said that anyone who has ever owned an electric car would never want anything else.

Is that not true?
Posted by: Cybersmythe at September 11, 2026 11:27 AM (Zst8M)

No, they have not all died screaming, as the car was engulfed in flames and the electric door handle didn't work. Only some. Those few never wanted anything else.

Posted by: SciVo at September 11, 2026 12:17 PM (ke3zm)

206 Nood Clancy Juror

Posted by: sal at September 11, 2026 12:17 PM (f+FmA)

207 OT a bit...but the Chrysler Crossfire augered in, it seems. Had it been available with a manual transmission, I might have been interested.

Just as GM was getting the Fiero sorted out, the bean-counters killed it.

A v-6 Solstice coupe would have been interesting, but, no.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 11, 2026 12:17 PM (XeU6L)

208 If it goes up another notch"

Hey, let's shut down another refinery!

Kalifornia...

Posted by: man at September 11, 2026 12:18 PM (cGjQu)

209 I wrote this over at Insty (Holy shit, his comments section is fucking garbage)...

I sometimes black pill on American race relations. It's a bad mindset to be in, but I do get into it at times. I feel like this guy could have just said, "Screw it, this is white folk problems," gone along with the majority and gotten home in time for dinner. He did not. He sat through that trial, weighed the evidence, made his decision and stuck to his guns. He did his duty like any good and decent American should. Bless this man, whoever he is, he gives cynical jerks like me hope. If yall don't mind me going all Sean Hannity for a moment this dude really is a great freakin' American!
Posted by: Robert
=====
Insty uses Disqus which is infiltrated by leftist mobys, assholes, and chicom musloid bots. I see Sven comments every now and then there but I've pretty much quit reading comments elsewhere because they are not gatekept.

Kim DuToit's blog has subscriptions and I think out of 20k or so, about 7600 were bots and shitposter commenters which he cleared out just now.

Stopped putting his totties pix on his blog too because of AI copyright trolls that threatened his access to his platform.

Posted by: whig at September 11, 2026 12:18 PM (E4rtv)

210 NOODlum.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at September 11, 2026 12:18 PM (ccf/V)

211 If you remove the battery and motor, these carcasses would make a bitchin' ride for the Amish.

Posted by: t-bird at September 11, 2026 12:19 PM (iFEms)

212 I really really really wish I had VW's problems.
Posted by: Elric The Blade

Boy, so do I. Or maybe you do, and just won't admit it.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at September 11, 2026 12:23 PM (zdLoL)

213 I sometimes black pill on American race relations. It's a bad mindset to be in
====

Check out the YouTube video of Fauci and some DEI hire trying to push Covid vaxx on folks in da hood.

Hoodrat guy wasn't having ANY of it. He was completely informed, and didn't fall for any of their rhetorical tricks and gotchas. Maybe, homie ain't as stupid as the media portrays.

It was awesome to see someone nominally "uneducted" school these bastards. Them ancient greek homo rhetoricians would be proud

Posted by: Common Tater at September 11, 2026 12:28 PM (2dVdu)

214 I plunked down $25 to get on the list to buy an REO Speedwagon.
We'll see.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at September 11, 2026 12:02 PM (2Ez/1)

Workin' on it, Boss.

Posted by: zombie Preston Tucker at September 11, 2026 12:32 PM (1z8ji)

215 EVs are for fart sniffers

Also, fuck you and your annoying reverse alert.

We already know you and your vehicle are gay

Posted by: melodicmetal1 at September 11, 2026 12:35 PM (61TgR)

216 I remember when it became apparent that Trump & Co. were not going to renew the EV federal subsidies, that the great financial movers & shakers of the world predicted "this will cut EV demand in half."

"In half." BWAH-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAAAAAAA!!!!

Posted by: NeighSayer at September 11, 2026 12:48 PM (bufu1)

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