In this week’s post:
- Selling cute, tiny electric SUVs is the way to go!
- What will the next Chevy Bolt be like?
The first question comes from a viewer who’s comment I used in an old article I posted, which featured tiny electric SUVs that are very boxy, and downright adorable.
Q: (Via: AskNathan@TFL.com) RE: Tiny electric SUVs that look like Suzuki Jimnys will sell like hotcakes!
Hi Nathan and crew! Thanks for your answer about the Baojun Yep. It kind of made me sad because I know there’s no way that electric SUV will come to America. I’m telling you Nathan, selling tiny electric SUVs over hear would be a game changer for whoever has the guts to do it! Look people, no one wants a boring looking car. Make it cool and rugged looking and customers will come!
– B. Buck
A: Howdy!
I might have some good news for you. A tiny, boxy EV SUV very similar to the vehicle you liked may be coming here in the fairly near future. Like the Baojun Yep, it will be front-wheel drive, hold four and have a range that sits around 125-miles. Best of all, if it sells here, it should be one of the least expensive EVs on offer. Prices are projected to come in under $20,000.
These photos are of the VinFast VF3, a vehicle that’s already going in to production overseas. Its overall length is 125.6-inches more than two-feet shorter than a two-door Mini Cooper. Yet, it appears to have room for four humans. Maybe not large ones, but that remains to be seen.
I wrote about the VF3 back in June of 2023, and that was before its surprise appearance at this year’s CES. I’m sure VinFast is pleased with the positive reception it received. There is nothing solid on the battery, nor are there any technical specifications. VinFast has access to a variety of battery packs, but we’re expecting something on par with Mini and Fiat, who would be its main competition in the United States.
Something to remember: VinFast is already working on its U.S. manufacturing plant in Chatham County, North Carolina. It should be open some time in 2025. This could be a big deal as locally sourced components, especially batteries, can create to opening for tax credits. It could make the VF3 into a compelling option.
The interior design is clean and simple. There is a 10+inch center infotainment screen, which also houses driving information. Similar to the Volvo EX30. The bigger, more premium VinFast I drove had comfortable seats, but the interface needed work.
VinFast should have led with the VF3…
Look, we all know by now that the VinFast VF8, an EV that is supposed to rival the Ford Mustang Mach-E, was poorly received by automotive journalists. I was one of them. While I was impressed with its power, the simple fact was that the price and quality were serious issues. The idea that you’re competing at the level, right out of the box, against the likes of Tesla and Ford (to name a few), is absurd.
The way to compete is to start from the ground level, like Honda, Hyundai and just about every successful large, foreign automaker has – from the bottom. Offer affordable vehicles that have tons of content, and bring in entry-level consumers. Over time, as you improve your higher-end products, many of those entry-level consumers may return, yearning for something a little nicer.
That’s it. That’s how you start. If you offer a slick little product like the VF3 stateside, maybe that will happen.
We’ll see soon enough!
– N
This is the next VinFast product to be offered here.
This next question is about the returning Chevrolet Bolt (2025), and what to expect.
Q: (Via: NathanAdlen@Twitter) Don’t care what the jaded say about EVs. I’m looking forward to replacing my 2018 Chevy Bolt with the next one!
I travel from Turlock, CA to Reno, NV about 3 times a year. I drive my Bolt as a commuter and as my business hauler. Spent about $500 on tires after 30,000 miles. Had the recall deferment and even got into a small fender bender. The car never gave me any problems. Never. Best car I ever owned.
I am at about 70,000 miles and I am a happy owner. Now I am beginning to think about what’s next. I think I’ll stick to Chevy as long as the Bolt is improved.
Do you know what’s happening with the next Bolt? I was so happy to hear that it’s coming back!
– Ester
A: Hi Ester!
The good news is: the Chevy Bolt is definitely coming back, and it will only be sold as the slightly larger EUV. There is very little news about the next Bolt, and some of that might have to do with the painful rollout of the Blazer EV. While it’s a great driver, the serious glitches it suffers from prompted an immediate stop sale. Not a great way to launch into the world of EVs.
I think that SNAFU didn’t help. As such, bringing customers back to the fold with an affordable, (hopefully) reliable EV might be the way to go. In doing that, GM is backtracking on their higher entry-level, EV prices. It still should be competitively priced.
We know that the LFP-battery should make an appearance in the GM Ultium platform that will underpin the Bolt. In addition, there’s a pretty good chance that GM will stick with its dual 11-inch IP and infotainment screen combo. Its charge speed, undoubtedly its current major handicap, should improve. I’m not sure if it will match the upcoming Equinox EV’s 150 kW speed, but it will/must be better than its current 50 kW max performance.
We should know a lot more in a few months.
Stay tuned!
– N
