"I love electric cars. So when I heard this week that both the F-150 Lightning and the Volkswagen ID. Buzz getting axed, my response didn't quite mirror the industry's. I'm not sad; I'm rejoicing. The bad EVs are finally going away, and it can't come soon enough. (Technically, the Buzz is not officially dead forever, just "paused" for 2026 and returning for 2027. Historically, however, cars rarely come back from a "pause.")"
"These are not bad cars. On the contrary, I would be absolutely delighted to drive a Buzz or Lightning every day. They are luxurious, practical, refined cars. But they're bad products. Both represent a 2018-era view of the EV market, one where mere participation would lead to boundless growth and soaring products. Consumers were desperate for electric options, the thinking went, so electric versions of our existing iconic products must work."
Both the F-150 Lightning and the Volkswagen ID. Buzz are described as luxurious, practical, and refined yet considered poor products because they reflect outdated EV-market assumptions. Automakers assumed mere participation in electrification would capture sustained consumer demand and set optimistic price expectations that proved unrealistic, such as a $40,000 Lightning starting price that never materialized. Initial enthusiasm for EVs waned as many buyers prioritize familiarity and risk avoidance when spending $50,000–$90,000. Tangible EV benefits often accrue over time, while range anxiety, charging logistics, and sticker shock remain powerful deterrents to adoption.
Read at insideevs.com
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