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There have been plenty of things that the US government has done poorly the last couple decades but I think forcing foreign auto companies to produce their vehicles here was a great move.

"Rakoto, Senior Engagement Manager – Global Automotive Practice Leader, and Ling, Senior Analyst – Automotive Knowledge Manager, note that Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and Volkswagen are among the OEMs following Tesla’s lead in the use of mega-castings, in spite of the industry’s limited experience with the technology." https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2022/06/06/ducker-oems-show-interest-in-mega-castings-despite-many-doubts-about-their-performance/ After reading a bit about mega castings, the worry is if there is even the slightest damage, the vehicle is a total loss. It sounds like companies are going to get exactly what they want and that's disposable vehicles.

All of those reasons are why I said it is a VERY long-term solution and there are so many things that need to be sorted out before it can efficiently be used. I never said it would be feasible in the next 5, 10, or 20 years. But, I still believe it will be the very long-term solution.

Personally, I think the VERY long term solution will be hydrogen but I don't think we are anywhere close to that yet. It is, by far, the most sustainable energy source. They just need to figure out all of the...well...everything still.

Short answer: Toyota a few years back is GM in the early 1970s, at least in terms of complacency. Unlike GM back then, Toyota did not stay complacent. I have never understood why Toyota went with hydrogen when EVs are the future in the first place. Yes, Toyota is playing catch up. Will they succeed in the EV race against Tesla and the other legacy automakers competing in the EV space? Who knows? Failure is still the greatest teacher, and it sounds like Toyota is listening (maybe).

Seems Hyundai is very serious about raking in EV subsidies and sales as they move production of EVs here to the U.S. in 2023 and now this about battery production. Hyundai breaks ground on $5.5 bln U.S. EV, battery plant | Reuters Hyundai says new U.S. EV plant could begin production in 2024, produce 500,000 vehicles annually | Reuters