Here's a question: would anyone here actually buy a hypothetical Sony car or an Apple car? Why? What would make you buy an Apple or Sony or Google car versus one from a more established automaker?
Obviously Sony has said they're not planning on actually making this car, but if they did... why would you buy it?
I think it is safe to say that a number of us are driving Teslas, so there is your answer.
I would wait for all the safety tests and such, of course, and I would wait a couple years to let them work some of the kinks out, but I would not rule out a car from a non-traditional manufacturer just 'because.'
That said, I'm not really expecting to see it happen. Unlike what someone else said in this thread, making EVs isn't so simple that just anyone can do it. Regardless of powertrain, a car is a complex machine, and mass-production is difficult. Someone like Apple certainly has the cash to make a go of it, but it's well outside their core competency so ... why?
>it's well outside their core competency so ... why?
That's the crux of my question. Tesla is a car company. It's a no-brainer to buy a car from them. Making cars is what they do, and their entire existence depends on making good cars. Apple/Sony/Google are not car companies. Making cars is not what they do, and their existence does not depend on making good cars.
If everyone waited a couple of years for them to work the kinks out, they would stop making cars because no one was buying them. Someone has to buy first, right? But why?
> If everyone waited a couple of years for them to work the kinks out, they would stop making cars because no one was buying them. Someone has to buy first, right? But why?
I imagine some version of Tesla's strategy would need to play out. I don't think Sony has the brand cachet to make an EV play work, but I absolutely think Apple does. And to a lesser extent, even Google. Tesla made it a long ways by relying on enthusiasts who would overlook much just to have the latest gadget to drive the roads. Apple has a lot of fans as well, they may be just as forgiving. Though it would be easier for me to see that happening when Jobs was still around to be a figurehead. Tim Cook is competent, but he is not a visionary leader.
Because trusted media entities will get to try them out and deliver judgement that may (or may not) encourage people to take the plunge and try a test drive.
I don't think it's rocket scienc.. oh, wait, Musk's got feet in both fields there.
Obviously Sony has said they're not planning on actually making this car, but if they did... why would you buy it?