Detroit 3 Sitting On The Sidelines As An American Built Pickup Joins The Rivian R1T In The EV Truck Race

Atlis Motor Vehicle company is a new-ish name on the scene, but it’s soon to break out after this news.

Atlis says its XT electric pickup truck is among the most capable trucks to ever be revealed. According to the automaker, the truck can be configured to go up to 500 miles on electric by selecting the largest battery pack.

In addition to the long range, the towing capacity is impressive at up to 35,000 pounds. The payload is listed at up to 5,000 pounds, which is equally high.

Atlis XT is considered a full-size truck and, unlike with the Rivian R1T, a 6.5 or 8-foot bed can be selected. Clearly then, this is a larger truck than Rivian’s. It’s 8-lug wheel design suggests its a heavy-hauler too.

Truthy - 1/7/2019 11:23:04 AM

+3 Boost

The big manufacturers are right to sit and wait. They are reaping huge profits on the pickup truck market they dominate. Why waste R&D resources for at best incremental and non-profit business.
It only makes headlines on EV sites like the one quoted here.
It is not a failure as you try to insinuate, but a better strategy.

SanJoseDriver - 1/7/2019 3:23:17 PM

-1 Boost

Ask BMW if they're glad they sat and waited while Tesla gobbled double digits from their 3-series sales. Same will happen for trucks, and probably a lot faster since EV tech has come really far along and has even more advantages for trucks than it does for cars.

SanJoseDriver - 1/7/2019 7:12:19 PM

+2 Boost

https://cleantechnica.com/2018/09/20/us-bmw-3-series-sales-have-collapsed/

UberEnergy - 1/7/2019 12:47:52 PM

0 Boost

Anyone who is interested in Rivian, check out this forum! https://www.rivianautomotiveclub.com/home/1st-1k-members-free-gift/receive-your-free-rivian-keychain THE FIRST 1,000 members get a FREE Rivian Key Chain!

PUGPROUD - 1/7/2019 1:25:12 PM

+3 Boost

Could be wrong but why do I think this will be the last market segment to be all in on EV's?

Truthy - 1/7/2019 1:25:33 PM

+1 Boost

A free Rivian keychain to toss in a landfill.

mini22 - 1/7/2019 2:18:55 PM

+4 Boost

My gut feeling is Detroit wants to do it in steps rather than cold turkey. There is enough profit in trucks and large SUVs to start with hybrid and plug in hybrid and gradually move to electric. On the smaller compact SUV's I would think it perhaps easier to do some straight EV's. I would think the battery tech has got to come down in cost before Detroit goes all in.

Truthy - 1/7/2019 3:47:55 PM

+2 Boost

SJD, BMW was the only luxury automaker that had sales increase in 2018 vs 2017, and profitable growth at that.
There is growing concern in financial circles that Tesla demand is waning. Quarter 4 growth was slightly ahead af third quarter and earnings. Now Tesla is cutting prices. Once demand is filled growth will be slow and this is problematic for a pyramid scheme with $2 debt due.

Truthy - 1/7/2019 3:49:10 PM

+1 Boost

Jazzyjazz, SJD is making up numbers.

Truthy - 1/7/2019 4:19:27 PM

+2 Boost

Fisker, Faraday Future, where are these EVs today?

Truthy - 1/7/2019 4:35:06 PM

+1 Boost

Looked at sales figures including 4 series and pattern is similar to previous models at end of their life cycle. If Model 3 had any impact it was small.

ricks0me - 1/7/2019 5:10:36 PM

-1 Boost

Truthy: I agree with all that you posted
Truthy said > Fisker, Faraday Future, where are these EVs today?
Rick Said> Where is MDarringer?

PUGPROUD - 1/7/2019 5:42:30 PM

0 Boost

35,000lb towing capacity for how far? Force=mass x acceleration. In gas driven vehicles on average for every 100 lbs of weight you add you loose 2% in mpg. In addition to the weight being towed there is also the drag factor. A simple roof rack can cause a 5% mpg decrease in gas driven vehicles. At highway speeds 50% of engine power is needed to overcome drag.

MDarringer - 1/7/2019 6:51:34 PM

0 Boost

The Rivian is available?? The Atlis is available?

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 1/7/2019 6:59:02 PM

+3 Boost

A better question is who keeps backing these new EV companies? How can you possibly see this investment paying off vs written off as a complete loss. Who is giving them this advice? It's beyond me. There are plenty of ways to invest your money that don't involve starting a new car company.

MDarringer - 1/7/2019 7:20:32 PM

0 Boost

Google Liz Carmichael and the Dale.

PUGPROUD - 1/7/2019 10:19:41 PM

0 Boost

Rivian started by an MIT, PHD wonderkind in 2009 (under another name) when he was only 25 years old. Company has strong engineering talent/technology and well funded by big money spurred on by industry in transition and Musk's example. High risk high return venture for sure.

MDarringer - 1/7/2019 11:05:56 PM

0 Boost

And once before Rivian announced imminent production of EVs THAT NEVER HAPPENED. Rivian is NOT "well funded" far from it. The latest flurry of concept vehicles is to rope people in to giving money to the company. This is a complete swindle.

Detroitable - 1/8/2019 7:27:38 AM

+2 Boost

Cool Rivian vid. https://youtu.be/hMAK13IKnFI

UberEnergy - 1/8/2019 2:44:32 PM

+1 Boost

Anyone who is interested in Rivian, check out this forum! https://www.rivianautomotiveclub.com/home/1st-1k-members-free-gift THE FIRST 1,000 members get a FREE Rivian Key Chain!