Probably should be filed under, never thought I'd see the day, article from a car magazine. https://www.motorbiscuit.com/bmw-toyota-going-opposite-directions/ Apparently Motor Biscuit thinks so and bemoans where BMW is headed, but knows this is a business decision. They are pointing out all the positives Toyota is producing like their GR series, TRD in their trucks and SUVs, reintroduction of manuals, and the intro of power hybrids while thrumming the negatives BMW is introducing into their car lineup. Personally Toyota Europe and Lexus Europe are getting the majority of the new car types, like the new 2024 Yaris, GR Yaris, Aygo X, 2024 C-HR, Lexus LBX, and many more including some you can still get with a manual and/or diesel powertrain. Apparently Toyota's foot dragging approach to EVs, unlike the avalanche the European car makers are driving towards, is getting noticed. Not too sure Toyota is there yet and they better keep an eye over their shoulder for the Korean car makers.
I honestly buy a Toyota eV over a BMW eV. Toyota is the undisputed King of hybrids. Toyota has also been the biggest automaker in the work for some time now. I know their first Bz4x has some issues at first but I believe they will make a reliable eV.
Toyota regularly swaps with VW for biggest. Funny thing about the wheel issues with the bZ4X, it was because of the wheel bolts, which Toyota likely thought of using from the BMW made Supra.
I wouldn’t buy either unless it was a vehicle I wasn’t ever going to travel in. With 3rd party charging companies adopting the NACS, my next car will be a Tesla, GM or Ford.
You should see the Tesla forums. Those guys are nuts over Tesla sharing their chargers. Even in California, there are lines to wait for a supercharger. Imagine if Fords and GM gets to use them. I almost pulled the tigger on a Tesla but I do not have a dedicated place to charge. I'd go full eV if I get a charger installed at home and only use the public chargers for road trips.
Which ones? I follow: Insideevs - primarily for charging technology. There has been some pushback by non-Tesla owners who don't want to use an App and luke warm support for RFID readers. Their primary interest is in getting car authentication like Tesla owners. Initially I wasn't happy until I reflected how many times Tesla Supercharger stations had less than 20% utilization. When I visited my Los Angles aunt, I never had a problem charging at a Supercharger. Tesla Owners Online - for technical content specific to Tesla, I'm not seeing a lot of outrage. There are concerns about EVs that can only charge at 50 kW or less. Then there is the "free charging" fiasco by non-Tesla EV sellers. If Tesla can tap into Federal funds to expand the network with dual-mode charging stations, fine by me. Bob Wilson
I do see the Tesla forums. Most people are very excited at this development. Lines at Superchargers have happened, but they are rare. Adding Ford and GM vehicles will only increase the ‘fleet’ by a minor ratio. I believe, by about 10%.
Tesla Motor Forums. Depending on location, I guess. Here in the Bay Area they are mostly full. The supercharging rates are almost $0.50 per kWh at many of the locations in the East Bay area. Unless you want to charge at 12a-4am. Many of the Bay Area Supercharging stations are full all the time when I pass by. I do see some are spots taken by eV-holes. They charge slower when there are more cars being charge. There's a unwritten etiquette when using a Supercharger, always use every other stall when possible, like a Men's restroom. Because you'll slow down the person next to you at the Supercharger. But of course, like the restroom, if there's a line, you got to take the empty stalls. Rare in Minnesota, but daily occurrence here in SF Bay Area.
There are several versions available: V2 - every pair of charging lanes share the maximum, 150 kW. So parking every other spot ensures the peak rate. When two cars share the same pair, the peak rate is 75 kW until one leaves. V3 - every charging lane has independent 250 kW. The every other charging lane is more habit and gives everyone easier door access. Bob Wilson
Toyota has always made more rugged trucks and SUVs than BMW. BMW calls their SUVs sports activity vehicles, and they are very good, but I wouldn't take a jeep trail in one. Toyota's best sports car is using bmw parts the supra. US car mags say they did a better job than bmw. The GR series, I don't really know The major gripes about bmw is they have gotten too heavy, and the electronic power assist steering is not nearly as good as the old hydraulic. Manuals are dying because automatics are both more fuel efficient and provide better acceleration. Pretending an automatic is a manual is fine, but I doubt it really makes it a better vehicle. We have video games and movies for that.
