186282@ud0s4.net
2024-12-03 07:01:54 UTC
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PermalinkWorkers at Volkswagen factories across Germany have begun
strikes after the manufacturer threatened to close plants
amid falling demand and a slower-than-expected transition
to electric vehicles.
Workers on their morning shifts went on strike for two hours,
while those on the evening shift plan to leave work early
in protest at the carmaker's demands, which include a 10%
wage cut.
At Volkswagen's main plant in Wolfsburg, which employs 70,000
people, a two-hour strike means several hundred cars cannot
be built, union sources said.
In addition to Wolfsburg and Hanover, which employs a further
14,000 staff, plants affected include Zwickau, VW's EV-only plant,
where workers will strike today and tomorrow.
It is the first time the company has threatened to close
factories in Germany in its 87-year history as European
manufacturers battle foreign competition, high production
costs and slow uptake of electric vehicles on the continent.
. . .
Let's get real ...
EU govts, under the Rasputin-like influence of 'green'
cults, decided factories should produce almost entirely
nothing BUT EVs.
Thing is - NOBODY WANTS THOSE PIECES OF CRAP. They
do NOT fit most needs. Range is WAY too short,
re-charge is WAY too slow (assuming you can find
any place to re-charge) - and just forget replacing
the batteries because they cost almost as much
as the entire vehicle. Oh, the batts tend to EXPLODE
at random too .....
Some EVs basically box-in the batts so much that
something like TOTAL dis-assembly would be needed
to even GET at them. Insane expense.
SO ... most EU auto-makers were forced to commit to
a product nobody would BUY. Now there seems to be
confusion as to why they are GOING OUT OF BUSINESS.
CHINA will rule the EV biz, all money to THEM, not
to the EU or anyone else. Cash OUT, none IN.
Work that out.
In the FURTHER FUTURE I expect EV tech to improve.
There's nothing "wrong" with them IN THEORY. The
problems now are IN PRACTICE. It's gonna be that
way for AT LEAST 20 years, likely 30. They are
like "atomic-powered cars" promised in the early
1950s ... SOUND great, but ......
STILL waiting for those "flying cars" they used
to promise.
"We had a hover conversion done in the early 21st
century ....." :-)
Hydrocarbon engines can be improved at least a
little bit more. Not all cars need 999 horsepower
either to be useful. Loved my ancient Falcon with
the 200ci straight six - Good Enough. I'd say
sit tight with that kind of tech for 30 years,
after which EVs really MAY be all-around practical.
In short, let EVs *earn* their loyalty.
Meanwhile, I'll probably buy a Corolla or
Outback or something similar (no, not an
Expedition or other land-yacht thematic clone
no matter the macho tv commercials).
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