223: Branding That Doesn’t Matter

Does branding matter? Yes! Does it matter for GM’s Ultium technology and Toyota’s bZ4X crossover EV? Probably not, and on this week’s podcast, we talk about why. We also discuss another Toyota EV crossover that’s on its way, Mazda moving to NACS (in Japan), Xiaomi being like totally super fake, and more! Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify, PocketCasts, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and more! Or heck, use your favorite podcast application. Perhaps you prefer to watch as well as listen. If so, we’ve got you covered. SHOW NOTES GM Unveils LMR battery chemistry: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/13/gm-new-ev-battery-tech.html Toyota bZ4x now just bZ: https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-bz-all-electric-suv-adds-range-charging-and-exterior-updates-for-2026/ Toyota C-HR is coming back to the U.S. as EV: https://www.theautopian.com/the-new-338-horsepower-electric-toyota-c-hr-seems-surprisingly-whelming/ Mazda adopts NACS…in Japan: https://www.teslarati.com/mazda-chooses-tesla-nacs-japan/ Chinese EV enthusiasts upset when they discover Xiaomi SU7 Ultra’s hood ducts are fake: https://www.thedrive.com/news/xiaomi-su7-owners-big-mad-over-useless-ducts-on-6k-carbon-fiber-hood Xiaomi-backed EV company JMEV shows its Small Sports Car SC01: https://www.theautopian.com/small-sports-car-sc01-2/ Mercedes teases 1,000-hp AMG EV super-sedan: https://electrek.co/2025/05/11/mercedes-amg-teases-first-ever-bespoke-1000-hp-electric-super-sedan/ This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. Sanchez Episode art courtesy Toyota Music courtesy Twisterium at Pixabay Website: https://www.thewattcar.com Buy merch: https://www.thewattcar.com/store YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewattcar