Kalistan

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Kalistan automakers begin largescale EV push
"Infrastructure is a limiting factor" says MotorVrassa CEO
Addisjah, Duchy of Vrassa
June 30, 5712


Sedans under production at MotorVrassa Plant in Addisjah

Already major names in EV production, both of the two major automotive producers in Kalistan, Kalistani Motor Company (MoCo) and MotorVrassa have stepped up electric vehicle production, looking to take lead in international markets. Both Plants have already increased orders for new vehicles in the next five years with the aim of increasing Kalistani exports.

"Kalistan has somewhat limited exports of electric vehicles," said MV Chief Officer Hannah Glenn, who oversees the Addisjah operations. "The main limiting factor we see internationally is that nations are so married to internal combustion engines that switching to an electric vehicle infrastructure is often cost prohibitive. But we are seeing more and more nations creating infrastructure for electric vehicles, and we are seeing demand increasing for Electric Vehicles globally."

MoCo, who had to shut its Gaduri operations earlier in the decade due to forced divestment in the Gaduri economy, has announced plans to build a new plant near Kaliburg. Meanwhile, MV has recently opened another line in Addisjah, hiring more than 2500 new workers last year alone to increase production by nearly 40%. The worker owned company also announced that it is considering opening a Dana plant if international sales are robust. "Both MV and MoCo do have connections throughout Seleya and Western Dovani," said Glenn. "We also export to Dolgava and Hutori, though in significantly lower volume than we do to closer areas. However, as you can imagine, more than 85% of our production is for local markets." MoCo reports similar numbers.

One reason MV says they wish to open a new plant is so they can begin building hybrids for foreign purchase. "We in Kalistan seem to believe that if you build it, a market will develop to accommodate the products. But if you have a mismatch of technology with the petroleum based infrastructure, where there are not public charging stations, you can sell a million cars but nobody can charge them. A hybrid is perhaps a good compromise, because it still utilizes gasoline, but the gas engines are assisted by electric engines that can be used to enhance gas mileage. In this sense, we are still helping drivers use less gasoline, but not denying them the opportunity to buy our cars." MV market research demonstrates large unmet demand for hybrid vehicles.

As MV prepares to expand to hybrids, MoCo says their thrust will be to export infrastructure for EVs abroad. MoCo's Director of International Sales Henry Minimoto says the company said that MoCo has opened ten new dealerships across Seleya and Dovani thus far this year. "The point of the dealerships is, of course to sell cars," said Minimoto. "But each dealership we open locally, whether it be through direct investment or working with local partners in a franchising relationship, will also contain the infrastructure for charging electric vehicles, so that as people buy our automobiles, they can also charge them, at least within several hundred miles of the dealership. It is also our hope that our local partners will accept assistance to begin building EV infrastructure."

MoCo says that Kalistan is in an excellent position to outcompete foreign suppliers in the region. "We can produce and ship at volume," said Minimoto. "We still have one of the world's leading shipping industries our of Port Elga, with plenty of excess capacity. And Kalistani corporations, even private ones like MoCo and MotorVrassa tend to offer a lower price point than foreign manufacturers, due to heavy anti-market policies from our National Government." Minimoto said it is not too unbelievable that Kalistan could make a move to expand its automobile market to capture a larger share of the Kerisian Market too.

"Nothing is outside of the realm of possibility," said Minimoto. Wherever Kalistan begins exporting its automobiles, increases in Kalistan automotive exports are certainly the future for Kalistani automotive manufacturers.

@TheRepublic