# Chinese EVs in North America **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [January 16, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757 "2026-01-16T20:52:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/61 "2026-01-23T01:40:47Z")
Well, whether the front edge of a cyber truck is “sharp” or not is a matter of opinion, but EU law has a standard for pedestrian safety which includes a minimum radius for bent metal parts, and the cyber truck doesn’t meet that standard. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/62 "2026-01-24T12:29:49Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I’d be very interested to see just how cheap the BYD vehicles are going to be in Canada, because I’m not seeing it now, based on the CBC article. The ones I’ve seen are actually quite nice looking, but to be truly competitive they’d have to sell for about half the price listed in that article It seems to be their policy to not sell their cars in the international markets at very aggressive prices. I think the using international markets to kind of cross fund their domestic low prices. You get the same relatively high prices in Europe for them as well. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/63 "2026-01-24T14:47:22Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > Basically, Elon seems to have lost interest in the car business, he’s moved on to Freudishly-big rockets and robots. I don’t know that he’s really lost interest, but he has well and truly trashed his reputation, and that’s probably been a significant factor in Tesla’s decline. The failure of the comical Cybertruck didn’t help, either. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/64 "2026-01-24T18:05:58Z")
I hate the Cybertruck as much as anyone. But are they a failure? I see them all the time around here (San Francisco Bay Area). ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/65 "2026-01-24T18:12:08Z")
To be clear, with Trump threatening 100% tariffs if Canada becomes a drop-off point for Americans to get Chinese vehicles, I favour an agreement as Canada needs alternatives. But I am just fine with Americans not being allowed to purchase Chinese vehicles from Canada. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/66 "2026-01-24T18:12:49Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > I hate the Cybertruck as much as anyone. But are they a failure? Yes, they are. Tesla had their factory ready to make about 100K/year, IIRC. What they’re selling is about a tenth that figure. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/67 "2026-01-24T18:12:58Z")
It’s a complete disaster. > The Tesla Cybertruck is the new [Ford Edsel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edsel), taking the crown from one of the biggest flops in American car history… > > …Elon Musk’s [flailing company](https://arstechnica.com/cars/2026/01/tesla-sales-fell-by-9-percent-in-2025-its-second-yearly-decline/) managed to move only an estimated [20,237 Cybertrucks in 2025](https://evmagazine.com/news/can-teslas-cybertruck-recover-from-big-us-sales-slump). And that’s counting the units that Musk reportedly bought for himself through SpaceX and xAI to avoid further ridicule. > > “He had his private companies buy hundreds if not thousands of Cybertrucks,” [wrote Fred Lambert](https://electrek.co/2025/10/13/elon-musks-spacex-and-xai-are-buying-teslas-unsold-cybertrucks/#:~:text=But%20things%20are%20even%20more,SpaceX%20is%20expected%20to%20buy.) at EV blog _Electrek_. That’s an eye-popping [48.1% crash](https://gagadget.com/en/692599-tesla-cybertruck-sales-in-2025-plummeted-more-than-any-other-electric-vehicle-in-the-us/) from the 39,000 units sold in 2024. Note that Elon’s publicly announced target for 2025 was north of 250,000 units. > “If you say, ‘well, where will things end up?’ I think we’ll end up with roughly a quarter-million Cybertrucks a year. And I don’t think we’re going to reach that output rate next year. I think we’ll probably reach it sometime in 2025. That’s my best guess.” [https://www.fastcompany.com/91475013/2026-will-be-the-year-cybertruck-dies](https://www.fastcompany.com/91475013/2026-will-be-the-year-cybertruck-dies) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/68 "2026-01-24T18:16:09Z")
Sales of the Cybertruck have been far below Tesla’s expectations and last I heard Tesla had huge parking !ots full of unsold inventory. ---
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Nerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/69 "2026-01-24T21:34:00Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > I hate the Cybertruck as much as anyone. But are they a failure? I see them all the time around here (San Francisco Bay Area). They are so big, ugly, and strange that it is hard to not notice when one goes by or is parked. I have yet to see one carry any kind of cargo. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/70 "2026-01-24T21:58:13Z")
> [@Ancient\_Nerd](#): > > I have yet to see one carry any kind of cargo. I actually did once and was very surprised. I can’t imagine how anyone could drive one around and feel completely self conscious. ---
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Nerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/71 "2026-01-24T22:34:23Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > I actually did once and was very surprised. I Does the cover over the bed detach? It seems like it would really get in the way. It would be a giant sail if you tried to drive with it open. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/72 "2026-01-24T22:55:17Z")
It seems like it detaches. I don’t think that there is a place to store it in the vehicle. I think it also opens and closes like a regular trunk. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/73 "2026-01-24T22:58:22Z")
The problem with the CyberTruk is the design and implementation. It was supposed to be cyberpunk cool, but it’s aesthetically awful, a fifth grader’s (or Elon’s) design, too unbalanced toward the front. Plus the stainless steel were apparently glued-on panels, not part of the body construction, as there was no easy way to maintain the finish while welding the parts. A number of other issues, the excessive large one wiper, the hubcaps that dug into the tires… But I say he’s lost interest, because Elon’s diverted to a Robotaxi that I have trouble imagining being a big seller (wouldn’t he have to run the whole thing, or guarantee profits to anyone buying a rtaxi to add the the fleet?) and they’ve really done nothing new to expand their sales - no $25K car, no van or normal-looking SUV (or pickup), no bus. The Semi is taking its time getting off the ground. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/74 "2026-01-25T00:32:25Z")
> [@Ancient\_Nerd](#): > > Does the cover over the bed detach? It It rolls up into a space in front of the bed. A useful feature, which to me emphasizes the idea that if Tesla’s engineers had been allowed to design the best pickup they could, they might have gotten something that was practical and innovative. Forcing them into the angular design with stainless panels was a losing endeavor from the start. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/75 "2026-01-25T01:26:37Z")
The NYTimes in an article mentions that Tesla may be the big winner from the current quotas, depending on how long it takes to certify other models for safety (“…could take up to a year.”) > Mr. Carney also announced that China would make a “considerable investment into Canada’s auto sector” within three years, suggesting that Chinese companies would ultimately manufacture cars in the country. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/76 "2026-01-25T01:51:53Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > The NYTimes in an article mentions that Tesla may be the big winner from the current quotas I don’t think the NYT appreciates the extent to which Canadians are pissed off at the US these days. And Tesla is an extremely easy boycott target, given the prominence of Musk and his association with Trump. Tesla sales in Canada were down 63% in 2025 as compared to 2024. Some of that is down to counter-tariffs on US-assembled vehicles which would be avoided by importing Chinese Teslas, and also BEV sales declining generally due to a federal incentive program expiring. But a significant portion is due to Canadians’ attitude towards the Tesla brand. Tesla may recover a few sales by importing from China. Tesla is unlikely to be a “big winner” in Canada any time soon. The company that can bring Chinese cars easily to bring down current prices is Volvo. The EX30 is manufactured in China, and is currently not very competitive with other vehicles in its class due to price (as compared to Kona/Niro/Leaf/Bolt), but is competitive on price in that class in Europe. The car is already on sale here and so there should be no safety certification issues. Similar applies to other BEVs in Volvo’s lineup. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/77 "2026-01-25T02:07:27Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > The NYTimes in an article mentions that Tesla may be the big winner from the current quotas, depending on how long it takes to certify other models for safety (“…could take up to a year.”) I’ve read articles that suggest Canada is allowing for fast tracking of safety certification. ---
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Nerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/78 "2026-01-25T02:14:06Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > The Semi is taking its time getting off the ground. Charging time seems like it could be a big issue with an electric Semi. Owning an electric car can make sense if you do most of your charging overnight at home. The difference between five minutes at the gas station once a week and 45 minutes at the fast charger twice a week would get really annoying if it was more than occasional. The energy in a gallon of gasoline comes out to about 2 megawatt minutes. The last time at the gas pump it took about 90 seconds to pump nine gallons into my conventional ICE. The power through the hose of a gas pump is about 10 megawatts. It is true that battery to wheels efficiency is much better than tank to wheels but electric power in the megawatt range involves some really heavy-duty stuff,. For hundreds of amps at thousands of volts, you need really fat wires covered with really thick insulation. It seems like the extra time charging would be a big deal for a long-haul trucker. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/79 "2026-01-25T06:57:56Z")
> [@Ancient\_Nerd](#): > > Charging time seems like it could be a big issue with an electric Semi. There’s a standard [Megawatt Charging System - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megawatt_Charging_System) (J3271) for charging large batteries. Maximum charge rate is 3.75 Megawatts (3000 amps at 1250 volts). I don’t know how large the battery is on a Tesla Semi, but I expect it shouldn’t take overnight at that rate. ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757/80 "2026-01-25T07:30:43Z")
Trucks fill faster, and here many long distance trucks have fuel tanks both sides. They will fill both sides at once. A high flow filler runs at 120 litres a minute. So two is about 63 US gallons a minute, or a gallon a second. That is a lot of fuel, and heck of a lot of energy per unit time. Not every truck is fuelling up to drive across the country, but it puts some perspective on the energy needs. Maybe local delivery trucks are viable with overnight charging, but proper freight transportation is a much harder problem. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-evs-in-north-america/1026757.md?page=5)