BYD has unveiled the new Seagull EV with a starting price as low as $9,700, causing concern among American automakers. The affordable EV, nicknamed "Lamborghini mini," is not available in the US but has prompted American automakers to take note. With the industry shifting towards smaller, more affordable EVs, Ford and GM are adjusting their plans to compete, while BYD's aggressive push with low-cost EVs and in-house manufacturing is putting pressure on American automakers to respond.
Detroit's "Big Three" automakers have produced numerous exceptional concept cars over the years, many of which never made it to production due to their unconventional designs. Some notable examples include the Plymouth Voyager III, GM's Nomad, Chrysler's ME Four-Twelve, Ford's GT90, and Cadillac's Cien. These concept cars showcased innovative engineering and styling, offering a glimpse of what could have been in the automotive world.
American automakers are falling behind their competitors in terms of fuel efficiency, with real-world fuel economy in model year 2022 reaching only 26 miles per gallon, far from the goal of 49 miles per gallon set for 2026. The popularity of trucks and SUVs is dragging down the fuel economy of American-made cars, contributing to increased tailpipe pollution and climate change. While the emission rate of carbon dioxide from new vehicles dropped last year, trucks and SUVs offset some of that progress. American automakers have been slow to adopt fuel-saving technologies, such as turbochargers, and have been criticized for prioritizing gas guzzlers over advanced technology vehicles.
