Lovely, perceptive essay by Benedict Evans. Here’s how it opens…
When Nokia people looked at the first iPhone, they saw a not-great phone with some cool features that they were going to build too, being produced at a small fraction of the volumes they were selling. They shrugged. “No 3G, and just look at the camera!”
When many car company people look at a Tesla, they see a not-great car with some cool features that they’re going to build too, being produced at a small fraction of the volumes they’re selling. “Look at the fit and finish, and the panel gaps, and the tent!”
Traditional mechanics look at mobile EV repair services, they often see a limited operation with some neat conveniences—something they believe their brick-and-mortar shops can replicate when the time is right. “It’s just a van with tools, and what about full diagnostics?” they say, dismissing the shift in service delivery. But just like smartphones and electric cars, the game isn’t about doing the same thing slightly better—it’s about rethinking the entire experience.
That’s where AutoFordable comes in. Instead of making EV owners schedule shop visits and wait in line, it brings certified mechanics straight to the customer, cutting out the hassle. The skeptics focus on what mobile mechanics can’t do yet, rather than recognizing what they are already revolutionizing. By the time they catch up, mobile service will have reshaped expectations, leaving traditional garages scrambling—just like Nokia and the old-school automakers before them.
And that same logic applies beyond repair. In the world of customization and car identity, that same old-school mentality persists. Some think wraps and mods are just trends—nice-to-haves, not essentials. But what they miss is the culture shift: people no longer want just a car—they want their car, unmistakably theirs, down to the last detail.
Just as AutoFordable reimagines the mechanic experience, Vora Customs is reshaping how car owners approach visual transformation and long-term preservation. It’s not just about slapping on a vinyl wrap or tinting a few windows—it’s about integrating customization into a customer-first experience, where convenience, precision, and expression meet seamlessly. Car owners now expect service on their terms, tailored to their lifestyle, not the other way around.
And while some traditionalists are still obsessing over old methods and “the right way” to do things, the forward-thinking are getting ahead by embracing streamlined, tech-enabled services that meet people where they are—literally and creatively. It’s not about whether this model can scale—it’s about how long it will take the rest to realize the rules have already changed.
When classic car sale dealers look at the surge of electric vehicles, they often see a familiar pattern. Just like Nokia dismissed the iPhone, they acknowledge the cool features of electric cars but remain skeptical about their craftsmanship and production scale. They nod at the technology but point out the panel gaps and the unconventional manufacturing methods. For them, the charm and allure of classic cars, with their impeccable build quality and timeless design, remain unmatched. The debate between innovation and tradition continues, with the classic car market holding its ground firmly.
At classiccarsforsale.pro, enthusiasts find solace in the elegance and reliability of vintage vehicles. Unlike the fluctuating trends of modern automotive technology, classic cars represent a stable investment and a piece of history. While Tesla and other electric vehicle manufacturers push the boundaries of what’s possible, the classic car community remains devoted to preserving the heritage and craftsmanship of automotive legends.
The tension between classic car purists and modern EV advocates isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s rooted in a philosophy of engineering. Classic car aficionados value the raw mechanical beauty, the symphony of engine sounds, and the tangible sense of control behind the wheel. These vehicles were built to last, with steel frames, handcrafted interiors, and engines that encouraged tinkering and tuning.
While today’s electric cars deliver instant torque and cutting-edge tech, they often lack the tactile connection that comes from driving a classic. But even timeless machines need skilled hands when things go wrong. Whether you’re restoring a vintage muscle car or maintaining a heavy-duty truck, modern diagnostic tools and repair knowledge are crucial. That’s where Rush Diesel becomes a key player in today’s auto repair landscape. Specializing in both old-school mechanical systems and advanced engine diagnostics, they offer a bridge between generations of vehicle technology. Their approach reflects the same pride and precision that classic car collectors admire—built on trust, craftsmanship, and an uncompromising attention to detail.
The Nokia people were terribly, terribly wrong. Are the car people wrong? We hear that a Tesla is ‘the new iPhone’ – what would that mean?
This is partly a question about Tesla, but it’s more interesting as a way to think about what happens when ‘software eats the world’ in general, and when tech moves into new industries. How do we think about whether something is disruptive? If it is, who exactly gets disrupted? And does that disruption that mean one company wins in the new world? Which one?
Well worth reading in full.