September 15th, 2019 by Paul Fosse
The Tesla Mannequin Y on unveiling evening in Hawthorne, California. Picture credit score: Kyle Discipline | CleanTechnica
I’m a giant fan of the Tesla Mannequin Y. I’ve written about the Model Y’s 3rd row being the key to it becoming the best selling vehicle in the world, the Model Y beating the Lamborghini Urus (which is over 3 times the price), styling tricks that Tesla used to make an SUV looks like a performance sedan, and most recently Tesla cutting Model Y prices.
I wasn’t initially a giant fan of the crossover, however after doing the analysis for an article on “crossovers for dummies,” I made a decision that they’re simply what I want. All the great issues I really like about my Mannequin three — protected, enjoyable to drive (or not drive with Autopilot), and economical) — with the added bonus that: I can throw extra cargo within the again (so I don’t need to lease a truck to choose up one thing I purchase or promote), I can match my entire household within the automotive without delay (with boyfriends), and it’s simpler to get into and out of as I age. It took me a couple of month after the disclosing to order it as a result of I thought of it a small improve to my Mannequin three, and since I’m ready for the 7 seat possibility, I gained’t be getting it early anyway (the 7 seat possibility isn’t anticipated until 2021). For distinction, I ordered the Mannequin three earlier than it was unveiled, as a result of it was anticipated to be a big improve over my 2012 Nissan LEAF (and I used to be not dissatisfied, as I have made clear in my many articles since Zach drafted me).
The purpose of this text is that, not like the Mannequin three, which got here to market with its gasoline and diesel rivals operating away and discontinuing sedans (not due to the Mannequin three, simply because they had been shifting manufacturing to crossovers, SUVs, and vans), the Mannequin Y will come to market within the white scorching midsized crossover class. Fuel and diesel crossovers are at present promoting very effectively. Whereas the Mannequin three didn’t have (and nonetheless doesn’t have) any vehicles that actually compete in its class (electrical small/midsized sports activities sedan), the Mannequin Y may have a number of competitors from gasoline automobiles, such because the Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, Chevy Equinox, Jeep Cherokee, Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, Ford Escape, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Compass, Honda Pilot, and others promoting over four.5 million vehicles a 12 months within the US alone and plenty of extra worldwide. However not like the Mannequin three, it’ll have many aggressive EVs to compete with. This 2020 crop of crossover EVs gained’t be Tesla killers, they are going to be ICE killers!
We don’t know sufficient about these vehicles to know which shall be profitable and which shall be flops. Even when different corporations make nice EVs, like our 2019 Car of the Year, the Hyundai Kona EV, it may be an actual disappointment when the company has only sold 577 this year in the US, compared to 94,250 Model 3 sales. So I’m simply going to say what I do know concerning the crossovers coming in 2020 (and some in 2021 too). We may have a number of later articles about which is the very best as we study extra about them.
I’m assured of 1 factor after this subsequent 12 months. The genie gained’t return into the bottle and Pandora isn’t returning to her field. This crop of EVs will show to the largest doubting Thomases within the business that EVs aren’t simply small financial system vehicles just like the LEAF, costly luxurious vehicles just like the Model S and Model 3, and costlier electrical SUVs just like the Model X and Audi e-tron. There’ll quickly be many decisions proper in the course of the section each household in America is seeking to purchase. Not will I hear from individual after individual after driving in my Mannequin three, “I’d purchase it in a second, however my partner needs a crossover.” Subsequent 12 months my response shall be, “Nice, you will have so many nice decisions for electrical crossovers, why even take into account a gasoline automotive?”
Byton M-Byte
The M-Byte on the Los Angeles Auto Present. Picture credit score: Kyle Discipline | CleanTechnica
This automotive is for extra daring people (like me) who’re keen to purchase a automotive from an organization that not solely is unknown to US prospects, but in addition a automotive that is likely one of the first vehicles imported from China. Initially supposed to be obtainable within the US in 2020, it has slipped to 2021. The automotive was simply unveiled this week on the Frankfurt Auto Present, and Kyle coated it here and here. I coated a primary drive of the M-Byte in this article.
Byton may sound like a fly-by-night firm, but it surely’s backed by the Chinese language tech big Tencent Holdings and has many former BMW executives from the i3 who had been annoyed by BMW’s lack of dedication to electrical automobiles.
BMW iX3
Picture courtesy BMW
This shall be BMW’s first totally electrical SUV, and though the corporate had an enormous lead on the business when it got here out with the designed-from-scratch i3, administration blew it and is now simply changing the lengthy wheelbase X3 (that was designed to be a gasoline and diesel automotive) to an EV by changing the drivetrain. It’s likely to have less range, less power, less autonomy, and less room than the Model Y, yet cost more. Since it’s delivery first to Europe in 2020 and later to China and the US, it’ll doubtless even be late to the social gathering within the US. For BMW followers, it could take many gross sales away from BMW gasoline and diesel vehicles, however it’s unlikely to tempt many house owners of different manufacturers.
Chevy Menlo
Picture courtesy GM
This crossover that we first reported on in August should be coming to China quickly and the US someday in 2020. This can make a pleasant low-end possibility for some. For me, I assume it looks as if while you examine the Bolt to the Mannequin three. The Bolt has good specs, however you simply get a lot extra with the Mannequin three for a number of thousand extra dollars. I anticipate this to be the identical when evaluating the Menlo to the Mannequin Y. It will likely be lacking the efficiency, security, autonomy, model, and over-the-air updates that I’ve fallen in love with on my Mannequin three.
Mustang-Impressed Crossover from Ford
Picture captured from Ford YouTube channel
Ford is making some daring claims about its first electrical SUV, due out subsequent 12 months as a 2021 mannequin. This week the corporate unveiled this website, the place they declare it’ll have 600 km (370 mi) vary utilizing the WLTP commonplace, which could convert to about 330 miles EPA vary. This might be the best vary within the class! Since this in a Mustang-inspired automobile, and from watching the YouTube video they launched final week, I’m anticipating this crossover to be quick. Since it’s branded a Ford and never a Lincoln, I’m anticipating it to be reasonably priced. Will they promote it nationwide or solely in Europe, China, and California? Will they make a number of or will they make sufficient to fulfill shopper demand. Will they promote it or will they simply put it behind the lot like occurs at many sellers with at the moment’s EVs? I don’t know, however I’m hoping this can be a good reasonably priced possibility and broadly obtainable.
Mercedes-Benz EQC
Picture courtesy Mercedes
Mercedes, like BMW, is basing its first electrical SUV on a gasoline and diesel cousin, on this case the GLC. It seems to be a couple of 12 months forward of BMW, since Mercedes is giving journalists review vehicles this summer already. It’s anticipated to be between the benchmark Mannequin Y and the laggard BMW in energy and vary. It needs to be much like BMW in value and autonomy, which means virtually double the worth of the Mannequin Y and fewer autonomy. For individuals who drive rather a lot, the financial savings over the gas- and diesel-powered GLC in gas and upkeep needs to be enormous and may pay again the premium value rapidly. The busy conventional inside will enchantment to conventional Mercedes homeowners, however will really feel too cluttered for Tesla followers. Don’t anticipate it to steal many patrons from the Tesla pool, but it surely might displace loads of gasoline/diesel Mercedes gross sales.
Nissan IMx
Nissan IMx electrical SUV Idea courtesy Nissan
This week we coated the upcoming electric SUV shown to Nissan dealers. We are going to know extra when it debuts subsequent month on the Tokyo Auto Present. Like BMW, Nissan had an enormous lead in EVs with its LEAF, launched in 2010, and has not completed as a lot as is required hold its lead. The IMx is predicted to have second-generation ProPilot and a complicated inside like a Tesla. It ought to have an excellent value, however I’ve been very dissatisfied with the dearth of effort Nissan has expended to advertise its new LEAF, which has first rate vary and a horny mainstream design. I don’t know whether it is due to the corporate’s CEO bother or whether it is simply very laborious to coach sellers to advertise EVs that can cut back their service earnings.
We additionally don’t know if the IMx has lively battery cooling. In Florida, I simply wouldn’t take the possibility on a brand new Nissan with out lively battery cooling after my expertise with my 2012 LEAF and the dearth of help Nissan offered till it was compelled to take action by a category motion lawsuit.
Regardless of issues, I’m hoping Nissan surprises me and knocks it out of the park.
Conclusion
Clearly, my cash is on the Tesla Mannequin Y, however I believe the Byton and Ford (and even the Hyundai Kona EV if Hyundai expands manufacturing and makes it obtainable in Florida) have some probability of inflicting me to purchase their fashions as a substitute of the Mannequin Y, since they’d all be reasonably priced EVs with first rate vary. The Chevy Menlo and the Nissan IMx will discover patrons, however it’s unlikely I’ll purchase them. The Mercedes EQC, BMW iX3, and already obtainable Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-PACE are simply an excessive amount of cash for a small SUV for me to buy them. They’re good vehicles and can discover patrons in search of a extra unique picture and a premium conventional inside, although, so long as their sellers work to promote them.
Use my Tesla referral hyperlink earlier than October 1st to get 2,000 miles of free Supercharging on a Tesla Mannequin S, Mannequin X, or Mannequin three (you possibly can’t apply it to the Mannequin Y but). Right here’s the hyperlink: https://ts.la/paul92237 (but when another person helped you, please use their hyperlink).
Concerning the Writer
Paul Fosse A Software program engineer for over 30 years, first growing EDI software program, then growing information warehouse programs. Alongside the best way, I’ve additionally had the possibility to assist begin a software program consulting agency and do portfolio administration. In 2010, I took an curiosity in electrical vehicles as a result of gasoline was getting costly. In 2015, I began studying CleanTechnica and took an curiosity in photo voltaic, primarily as a result of it was a menace to my oil and gasoline investments. Comply with me on Twitter @atj721 Tesla investor. Tesla referral code: https://ts.la/paul92237
