They should focus on making the standard length "US Version" van, NOT THE "XL"
Do other people share my view that focusing on the 'XL' van is actually a terrible waste of time, will result in a worse product, and is potentially a disaster for the company? Do we have Cuneo to thank for that?
Why did they do this? Did they have a direct request from UPS for longer vans? Let's hope
I feel very strongly that the company never should have shifted the design toward the 'XL' van before first developing the better looking, easier to drive, normal length 'US Van'. Everything about making the van longer is basically just catering to the demands of UPS (hopefully), but making an uglier, longer version of your van, first, as the flagship of your EV company, before you have a standard version, is so incredibly dumb on so many levels that I sometimes wonder whether I should be the CEO for ARVL.
Efficiency: They're doing this so their client can presumably cram more packages into the back and claim higher overall efficiency and reduced cost of delivery. In real life, I cannot imagine a longer, harder to maneuver EV delivery vehicle being a better option for a company like UPS. Efficiency WAS ALWAYS PART OF THE ORIGINAL, OPTIMIZED DESIGN. The original designers of the van already thought about making the most interior space possible while still keeping the whole engineering and design focus of the van in balance - so that it would be attractive, drivable, etc.... then some dumbass financial person came along and said they could get higher margins on each vehicle if they were twice as long, so without thinking much at all - they said they'd develop an 'XL VAN' and put the focus there.
Aesthetics and Drivability: Since when do they not matter, since when should the balance be entirely on how many packages you can fit in the back, with total disregard for all other considerations of EV delivery van design and sales? Of course companies like UPS, FED-EX, Amazon, etc. care about the aesthetic and brand representation. This is like TESLA turning the model 3 into a hideously long station wagon with worse handling and claiming "families want more space"; rather than making an attractive SUV.
Design and Manufacturing: Interestingly, shifting to the 'XL VAN' was apparently so important that it was worth shelving their existing engineering and design, and reworking it all over several months, while the company tries to tread water, with the premise it will result in higher margin sales and be worthwhile.
Was it a Distraction to Buy Time? I have been an incredible procrastinator in my life - as much as anybody. I know that sometimes procrastination itself becomes a way of life. Was this another move to keep them in the "planning, research, and design" phase, so they, yet again, don't have to answer about their incredible lack of ability to manufacture the nice looking EVs they've showed us for four years?
