[nicce]

> But they're far too late to the game.

Not so sure about that. You need battery and 4 x electric motors to wheels.

The idea is much simpler than regular combustion engine car. Less parts that wear out.

Idea is actually so simple that all the manufactures compete on putting as much nonsense into cars as possible, insted of making easily replaceable battery and car which would last 50 years and accelerate like Ferrari.

[gtirloni]

If it's so simple why don't we see regional manufacturers popping everywhere?

[pie420]

We do. Rivian(illinois), Fiskar (Los angeles), VINFast (vietnam), 20 chinese brands, Polestar (china), Lucid (saudi arabia), Canoo, Rimac (balkans).

When was the last time a new car company was started, pre-EV?

[sitkack]

Saturn.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_Corporation

And it wasn't entirely independent. Before that it was DeLorean? But he was kinda setup in a trap that put him into prison.

[nashashmi]

During the hayday, we saw new companies come up with new cars all the time!!! And then they slowly went belly up. Part of me thinks that the endless number of regulations prohibited new car companies from entering.

You can import a car from china in a crate that fits on the back of a pickup. But it won’t be legal on roads until it gets things like a DOT approved windshield.