Electric cars

[The Minsky Moment]

I recall Japan used to have the impression of being junk products before roughly the 80s, and then started to take over with smaller, cheaper cars and then other more advanced, high-tech products, and we got the feeling over the following several years that Japan was going to economically take over the US (though this ended up mostly being an illusion).

Japan had a good quality rep in the US for:
Transistor radios:  late 1950s on
TVs:  1970s on
Cars: late 70s/early 80s on (except for SUV)

[crazy canuck]

The only expensive repair I have had was to replace my tires. And last I checked electric vehicles use the same tires as ICE vehicles.

There is a difference.  If you are using tires designed for an ICE car you should probably switch.

[Tamas]

The only expensive repair I have had was to replace my tires. And last I checked electric vehicles use the same tires as ICE vehicles.

There is a difference.  If you are using tires designed for an ICE car you should probably switch.

Not really.

Manufacturers like to put fuel-efficient tyres on EVs as the range looks better. But you can put those on ICE ones for the same effect: and the drawback is the same as well: worse grip. Whether that's a worthwhile trade off is an individual choice

[Josquius]

I recall Japan used to have the impression of being junk products before roughly the 80s, and then started to take over with smaller, cheaper cars and then other more advanced, high-tech products, and we got the feeling over the following several years that Japan was going to economically take over the US (though this ended up mostly being an illusion).

Japan had a good quality rep in the US for:
Transistor radios:  late 1950s on
TVs:  1970s on
Cars: late 70s/early 80s on (except for SUV)

Except for SUV?
Surely that's one of the main areas Japan is best?

[Tonitrus]

The only expensive repair I have had was to replace my tires. And last I checked electric vehicles use the same tires as ICE vehicles.

There is a difference.  If you are using tires designed for an ICE car you should probably switch.

Not really.

Manufacturers like to put fuel-efficient tyres on EVs as the range looks better. But you can put those on ICE ones for the same effect: and the drawback is the same as well: worse grip. Whether that's a worthwhile trade off is an individual choice

Over here, there are also tires that are rated for the higher weight (for our massive electric pickups/SUVs).

[The Minsky Moment]

Except for SUV?
Surely that's one of the main areas Japan is best?

Not in the 80s, that came later.  Isuzu pushed into the market early but suffered rollover issues.