I smell a big EV Sprinter order coming.

Hopefully the U.S.-based Fed Ex keeps the contractor U.S.-based.

@smk4565 @balthazar Your Answer is here:

FedEx Electrifies Delivery and Package Movement with BrightDrop Products - Automotive Industry - Cheers and Gears

MUCH better than those overpriced, hard-to-get-parts for Mercedes vans that start rusting out in 7 years.

8 hours ago, David said:

@smk4565 @balthazar Your Answer is here:

FedEx Electrifies Delivery and Package Movement with BrightDrop Products - Automotive Industry - Cheers and Gears

I forgot I did read about that.  I wonder if FedEx will replace all delivery vehicles with the ev600, but I suppose over 10 years or so GM can meet the demand.

10 hours ago, balthazar said:

Hopefully the U.S.-based Fed Ex keeps the contractor U.S.-based.

They should buy the best vehicle for their needs.  That “Americans will/should buy American” is what doomed GM and Ford in the 70s and 80s.  If the Japanese made a better car then Americans should buy the Japanese car because it it a better product.  Ford and GM thought they could built crap and people would buy it anyway because it was made in USA.  
 

If some Chinese company comes out with an Electric delivery van with 25% lower operating cost and 25% better reliability than the Brighthouse then FedEx would be stupid not to buy it and would be hurting their own business not to buy it.  It is up to GM to make the best delivery van if they want customers to buy it.

Fed Ex is not an individual, but a giant corporation. And giant corporations weigh fleet purchases differently than individual, such as the long-term viability of the company they're sourcing from, to insure a contract is filled and support/parts will be there long down the road. A fly-by-night Chinese EV startup is not going to rise to the top of that class in consideration.

Meanwhile, "the best" doesn't always sell the best, does it? That's why every single vehicle segment has more than 1 product in it. And zero segments have a Chinese EV startup at their top.

12 hours ago, balthazar said:

Fed Ex is not an individual, but a giant corporation. And giant corporations weigh fleet purchases differently than individual, such as the long-term viability of the company they're sourcing from, to insure a contract is filled and support/parts will be there long down the road. A fly-by-night Chinese EV startup is not going to rise to the top of that class in consideration.

Meanwhile, "the best" doesn't always sell the best, does it? That's why every single vehicle segment has more than 1 product in it. And zero segments have a Chinese EV startup at their top.

I am not saying a fly by night start up, it could be any company, Tesla, Stellantis, Daimler, or it could be a Chinese one.  My point is that FedEx is going to buy the vehicle that best meets their demands.  If the Brightdrop is the best fit, then they'll buy 10,000s of them.  But that isn't because it from an American company.

How'd that practice work out on the semi-conductor chip scene for domestic OEMs?
Why do you think there aren't any 100% Chinese automotive efforts on sale in the U.S.?

Buying from a known entity with a proven track record is a major component of Gov't & corporate contracting. It's common sense. 

What Chinese BE delivery truck company did you have in mind (if they're not a fly-by-night start-up?) 

On 3/7/2021 at 12:48 AM, balthazar said:

MUCH better than those overpriced, hard-to-get-parts for Mercedes vans that start rusting out in 7 years.

No S#!t Sherlock!

On 3/7/2021 at 9:44 PM, balthazar said:

How'd that practice work out on the semi-conductor chip scene for domestic OEMs?
Why do you think there aren't any 100% Chinese automotive efforts on sale in the U.S.?

Buying from a known entity with a proven track record is a major component of Gov't & corporate contracting. It's common sense. 

What Chinese BE delivery truck company did you have in mind (if they're not a fly-by-night start-up?) 

Did any Chinese BEV exist before 2015? 

Nope we know they did not.