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The leader of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People of San Diego was dismissed by the National Committee
The mini Hongguang mini electric car is the best-selling electric car in China, surpassing Tesla.
The pure electric car starts at only US$4,500 and has become popular in many crowded Chinese cities where parking spaces are hard to find. It can reach a speed of 62 mph and a range of slightly more than 100 miles.
General Motors owns 44% of the Chinese company that produces the car. However, it has not announced whether it will consider launching a vehicle here.
Some automotive analysts said that the US market may not be ready to accept such a small car, the long distance between American cities makes it impractical, and its speed can not keep up with the traffic in many cities in the United States.
Q: Can Hongguang Mini EV be used in the United States?
James Hamilton, University of California, San Diego
Yes: I have seen a niche market for such products in the US market. I have seen some people walking around in small tricycles, which are nothing but scooters with rain covers. People who are very concerned about protecting the environment (or protecting their wallets) might consider such a thing. But I will not take one out on the California highway. If you drive armored trucks, these are dangerous enough!
No: A car of this size and power cannot appeal to the vast majority of American consumers, nor can it meet many road safety and performance requirements. Many years ago, smart cars were equally promising, but they had to be modified and never gained significant traction. I (and the environment) will appreciate the shift in the domestic market to small electric vehicles for daily use.
Chris Van Gold, Scripps Health
Not yet. It may not have much appeal in a crowded city like New York, but it has limited appeal in large cities such as the automotive society and California. In addition, battery life needs to be extended, and vehicles must meet U.S. safety standards. But if our standards can be met, low-cost electric vehicles may be attractive to some people.
Noam Miller, University of San Diego
Yes: A GEM electric car costs $7,700, can only travel 40 miles per hour, and has a moderate cruising range. It can be purchased for use in urban areas. The cheapest non-electric road car is the Chevrolet Spark, which starts at $13,400. The three-wheel electric Arcimoto has a top speed of 75 mph, and currently starts at $17,900, and it is selling well. Therefore, if Hongguang can increase the speed to more than about 70 mph (compared to 62 mph now), even if the basic price ($4,500) in China doubles, the demand will be very high.
No: 11 years later, Mercedes-Benz withdrew its Smart Car products from the U.S. market in 2019 due to insufficient demand and declining demand for mini cars in the U.S. Americans generally prefer larger and more spacious ones Vehicles meet commuting, family needs and lifestyles, while mini-cars usually attract specific target markets. Mini cars like Hongguang Mini Electric Vehicles may be suitable for short-distance driving, but they are not suitable for large cities like San Diego, because these cities are more widely distributed and require longer daily driving mileage.
David Ely, San Diego State University
No: Light trucks and SUVs are becoming more and more popular in the United States and now dominate the automotive consumer market. For most of the past decade, buyers have favored trucks and SUVs because they provide comfort and performance. Hongguang Mini may meet the needs of niche markets, but it seems unlikely that a large number of US buyers will look for small electric vehicles to facilitate travel in crowded cities.
No: Although it may appeal to a very small niche market, most Americans prefer large vehicles. This is one of the reasons for the failure of smart cars in the United States. Its low prices and low operating costs may appeal to those who can't afford a car, but most Americans see it as a novelty rather than investing in mini-electric cars.
Lynn Reaser, University of Nazareth, Point Loma
No: Its novelty may only attract a few buyers. Its low price and small size can cope with crowded cities, making it more suitable for China or India. In the United States, consumers need vehicles with greater speed and range. SUVs or trucks now account for three-quarters of car sales. For highways, even slow lanes may challenge the top speed of Mini EV 62. The 100-mile cruising range will also lead people to look for cheaper cars in the used car market.
Reginald Jones, Jacobs Community Innovation Center
Yes: The EV speed is not applicable to the main route, but the vehicle has a market in the United States. It is best suited for communities that can be reached without a major road. In the San Diego area, the beach community is top-notch. Most have good community-based resources. Think of Coronado, people walking around on golf carts. However, not all communities have local amenities. Especially those where electric vehicles can become an affordable transportation option.
Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Economic Research Institute
No: Micro-electric vehicles with questionable quality and limited range may not perform well in wider areas of the United States, except for a few crowded urban areas. Smart Car EV has been launched, but it has not been successful. Other small mature electric vehicles, such as Mini or Kia Soul Electric, are better choices, with higher quality and greater range. Cheap vehicles that cannot be used for commuting on crowded California highways will not succeed here.
Yes: I think Americans are eager to use electric cars, and more importantly, leave the cost of gasoline behind. Over time, mini electric cars will greatly reduce oil imports and their pollution and the carbon footprint of oil across half of the world. Americans have clearly stated their support for climate change, so the carbon footprint is very important.
Gary London, consultant for Moeder London
No: Certain parts of the market are attracted by its size, price, and electronic features. Although it is cheaper than a good-quality electric bicycle, you will get more exercise on the bicycle, unless Hongguang has a peddling function. The Smart Car launched a few years ago was not particularly successful, probably because it would fail if attacked by an SUV, even if you can squeeze into a smaller parking space.
Alan Gin, University of San Diego
Yes: But it will be a niche market. Due to its top speed, it cannot be used as the main car for most families. This is especially true in new cities, where there is a lot of sprawl and a lot of highway driving is necessary. But it may be a good second or third car that can be used for short trips. Its cost is very low, and it is electric, so it is very suitable for this purpose.
Bob Rauch, RA Rauch & Associates
No: This car will definitely have a niche market, but it is limited to drivers in downtown or suburban communities as a substitute for golf carts or a second car. Safety is of the utmost importance to the driver. The car is too small to handle all the SUVs on the road, and it is not driving fast or far enough on the highway. Will you let your child drive?
Have any thoughts on EconoMeter problems? Email me phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com.
Follow me on Twitter: @PhillipMolnar
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