My two immediate concerns would be whether it comes with AC and is there an AWD option. Both of those could be deal breakers towards the borders. I guess they're not absolute deal breakers (we bounced around AZ in a '71 Datsun pickup that had about the same specs as this a kid) but they certainly would be huge QOL improvements as options.
this post was submitted on 25 Apr 2025
155 points (100.0% liked)
Technology
38579 readers
606 users here now
A nice place to discuss rumors, happenings, innovations, and challenges in the technology sphere. We also welcome discussions on the intersections of technology and society. If it’s technological news or discussion of technology, it probably belongs here.
Remember the overriding ethos on Beehaw: Be(e) Nice. Each user you encounter here is a person, and should be treated with kindness (even if they’re wrong, or use a Linux distro you don’t like). Personal attacks will not be tolerated.
Subcommunities on Beehaw:
This community's icon was made by Aaron Schneider, under the CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.
founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
Growing up in Phoenix, the national ads in the '80s that breathlessly noted "comes with air conditioning" was like ... how could you sell a car that doesn't have that?
Yeah, I'm still in AZ, thus my question, haha.
load more comments
(5 replies)
I found the specs a bit interesting. 52.7 kWh battery and a curb weight of 3,600 lbs is nearly identical to the Chevy Bolt, but this only has a range of 150 miles instead of 240. Is it really that much less efficient? The only thing I can think of is the aerodynamics, but that's a 40% difference.
load more comments
(10 replies)
No paint? Sure. No touchscreen? Good.
..No radio? That's going to absolutely murder their sales.
Many will consider this a cost-cutting step too far, but the interior was designed for ease of upgrading, with easy mounting space for anything from a simple soundbar to a full sound system.
This isn’t for everyone, but if it’s easily accessible, I’d have no problem installing a basic CarPlay head unit and speakers in an afternoon.
You know what, people can just add their own bluetooth speaker.
I think it's fine.
If they are targeting work trucks - which is where most bare bones trucks go - the buyers already have a bluetooth radio they use all day.
I think it will depend on if they have lots of USB power conveniently available. Like you could literally make your own stereo with two bluetooth speakers and a phone as long as there's plenty of USB power and mounting points.
Quite possibly. They're gambling on a market for a no-frills car existing, but it might just be too small. That's what killed economy cars the first time.
load more comments
(2 replies)
Can it tow?
Probably about as much as a Civic
Range is 150 miles so not holding my breath
I would still like one, but I'd wish it had the utility of a kei truck at least.
load more comments
(6 replies)
Would definitely buy one of these. I miss having a truck, but I only need one occasionally for the occasional need to haul something that won't fit in my car (e.g. Lowe's trips). I also really dislike the "smartphone on wheels" aspect of pretty much all current EVs.
Plus, I hate the infotainment systems so I would be happy to roll my own.
Though I do wonder if it has a backup camera/screen. Aren't those required nowadays?
Touchscreens are the worst interface in a vehicle. But yes, Amercian law says all automobiles must have a backup camera installed as of 2018. I need and use a truck but I do just fine with a smaller Tacoma, which these days are basically a full size truck of yester-yore. These look nice, like the UTE style; but the 150 mile range would be an issue for me.
That's what I thought (re: backup cameras), and someone else mentioned the gauge cluster is a digital screen which switches to the backup camera view). In my case, 150 miles (round trip ) would be just around the upper edge of my use cases, though 15-20 would be more average.
which these days are basically a full size truck of yester-yore
Makes me miss my old 2003 Ranger. It was right where I needed a truck to be, size-wise.
I think there is an option to upgrade the battery to have a 240mi range
According to the articles I read about it, the gauges are a digital screen which changes to the backup camara when in reverse.
Good to know. Will have to read up, though from the little I've read, it sounds like this is just a concept for now.
This sounds kinda cool. I like that ability to be able to buy a wrap and slap it on yourself.
Saying they are cutting the EV incentive is just another form of market manipulation.
They want people to panic buy, just like they did with cell phones, just like the stock market. It's all manipulation.
USA offering this trash b/c they still can't compete with BYD.
This looks like something right up my alley! I was a bit deflated when I read that Jeff Bezos is involved though..
Imagine that, a new truck that isn't $70k, and an EV no less. I can see it selling well with enthusiasts, businesses, or for fleet sales, but I wonder if the average truck buyer has become too used to giant pavement princesses that die in five years.
The average truck buyer is looking for something that can do everything. Seating for the whole family, comfortable for trips across town or aria the country, able to pull a trailer and carry a load. Enough luxury to enjoy the drive.
This truck is for businesses. Construction or last mile delivery. Enough room for just the people necessary to load or unload it. No comfort features besides the bare minimum. No long range driving.
I expect to see these in fleet yards, not in driveways.
load more comments
(1 replies)
I really like this concept. Definitely catches my attention. But I think minimalists are in the minority these days.
What would you prefer, this for $20k, or a 6 year old truck with 50k miles and all the features for $20k? Most cheap people prefer the latter
I don't disagree about what most people want. Personally, I don't really care for the features, so I'm an outlier. The one thing I do miss on my 25-year-old Saturn is cruise control.
Plastic panels are awesome, BTW. 25 years and zero door dings.
load more comments
(1 replies)
Want.
Dope. I wonder if there's a way to customise it into a sedan. I can speak less to the mechanical aspects of having a super-bespoke super-integrated manufacturing process, but I'm confident the electronics part needs to go back to basics like this.