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MOU means that these companies have signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" to explore the participation, involvement and synergy sharing in relation to the business integration through a joint holding company. Back in August 1st, 2024 Nissan and Honda created a Joint Holding Company for the commencement of a strategic partnership focused on intelligence and electrification. This was to start the consideration towards integration of the two companies. Mitsubishi Motors has now signed onto this MOU to explore the possibility of achieving synergies at an increased level through business participation or integration. In basic terms, the three companies have agreed to join forces in sharing costs to move forward with EV platform R&D while they also look at the ICE "Internal Combustion Engine" gas side of having shared platforms to reduce costs and hopefully save the three auto companies by keeping them alive.  While Nissan and Honda have agreed to move forward in this integration of the two auto companies, Mitsubishi Motors will make a final decision by the end of January 2025 about possibly joining in with the integration of Mitsubishi Motors into this joint 3 auto company venture. Nissan and Honda have already agreed to a full SDV or Software-defined vehicles program moving forward that will allow them to have a solid crucial collaboration of intelligence and electrification for future products. Both companies have stated that the acceleration of technology and the rapid change of the auto industry will allow these two companies to maintain global competitiveness and deliver more attractive products and services for customers worldwide. Nissan global mobility product line merged with Honda four-wheel-vehicles, motor cycles and power products can allow both companies to become more attractive to shareholders and innovation of products to sell to customers worldwide according to the CEOs of both companies. Nissan and Honda have stated the following: Nissan and Honda aim to become a world-class mobility company with sales revenue exceeding 30 trillion yen ($190 Billion U.S. Dollars) and operating profit of more than 3 trillion yen ($19 billion U.S. Dollars). The expected synergies from the business integration at this time are: 1. Scale advantages by standardizing vehicle platforms By standardizing the vehicle platforms of both companies across various product segments, the companies expect to create stronger products, reduce costs, enhance development efficiencies, and improve investment efficiencies through standardized production processes. The integration is projected to increase sales and operational volumes, allowing the companies to reduce development costs per vehicle, including for future digital services, while maximizing profits. By accelerating the mutual complementation of their global vehicle offerings - including ICE, HEV, PHEV, and EV models - Nissan and Honda will be better positioned to meet diverse customer needs around the world and deliver optimal products, leading to improved customer satisfaction. 2. Enhancement of development capabilities and cost synergies through the integration of R&D functions In accordance with the MOU to deepen strategic partnership and the joint research agreement on fundamental technologies dated August 1, the two companies have started joint research in fundamental technologies in the area of vehicle platforms for next-generation software-defined vehicles (SDVs), which is the cornerstone of the field of intelligence. After the business integration, both companies will encompass more integrated collaboration across all R&D functions, including fundamental research and vehicle application technology research. This approach is expected to enable both companies to efficiently and swiftly enhance their technological expertise, achieving both improvements in development capabilities and reductions in development costs through the integration of overlapping functions.   3. Optimizing manufacturing systems and facilities The companies anticipate that optimizing their manufacturing plants and energy service facilities, combined with improved collaboration through the shared use of production lines, will result in a substantial improvement in capacity utilization leading to a decrease in fixed costs.   4. Strengthening competitive advantages across the supply chain through the integration of purchasing functions To fully leverage the synergies from optimizing development and production capacity, both companies intend to boost their competitiveness by improving and streamlining purchasing operations and source common parts from the same the supply chain and in collaboration with business partners.   5. Realizing cost synergies through operational efficiency improvements The companies expect that the integration of systems and back-office operations, along with the upgrade and standardization of operational processes, will drive significant cost reductions.   6. Acquisition of scale advantages through integration in sales finance functions By integrating relevant areas of sales finance functions of both companies and expanding the scale of operations, the companies aim to provide a range of mobility solutions, including new financial services throughout the vehicle lifecycle, to customers of both organizations.   7. Establishment of a talent foundation for intelligence and electrification The human resources of the companies are an invaluable asset, and establishing a strong human resource foundation is crucial for the transformation that will come with the business integration. After the integration, increased employee exchanges and technical collaboration between the companies are expected to promote further skill development. Moreover, by leveraging each company's access to talent markets, attracting exceptional talent will become more attainable. Method of business integration and stock listing Nissan and Honda, with the result of the consideration, plan to establish, through a joint share transfer, a joint holding company that will be the parent company of both companies. This will be subject to approval at each company's general meeting of shareholders and obtaining necessary approvals from relevant authorities for this business integration, based on the premise that Nissan's turnaround*1 actions are steadily executed. Both Nissan and Honda will be fully owned subsidiaries of the joint holding company*2. Additionally, the companies plan to continue coexisting and developing the brands held by Honda and Nissan equally. Shares of the newly established joint holding company under consideration are planned to be newly listed (technical listing) on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (“TSE”). The listing is scheduled for August 2026. With the listing of the joint holding company, both Nissan and Honda will become wholly owned subsidiaries of the joint holding company and will be scheduled to be delisted from the TSE. However, shareholders of both companies will continue to be able to trade shares of the joint holding company issued during this share transfer on the TSE. The listing date of the joint holding company and the delisting date of both Nissan and Honda will be determined in accordance with the regulations of the TSE. Regarding the organizational structure of the joint holding company, and both companies which will become wholly-owned subsidiaries of the joint holding company after the business integration, the optimal structure for realizing synergies, including the integration of R&D functions, purchasing functions, and manufacturing functions, will be discussed and considered within the integration preparatory committee, with the aim of establishing an organizational structure that enables efficient and highly competitive business operations after the business integration. The CEO's of all three companies had the following to say: Marking the announcement, Nissan Director, President, CEO and Representative Executive Officer Makoto Uchida said: “Honda and Nissan have begun considering a business integration, and will study the creation of significant synergies between the two companies in a wide range of fields. It is significant that Nissan's partner, Mitsubishi Motors, is also involved in these discussions. We anticipate that if this integration comes to fruition, we will be able to deliver even greater value to a wider customer base.“ Honda Director and Representative Executive Officer Toshihiro Mibe said: "At this time of change in the automobile industry, which is said to occur once every 100 years, we hope that Mitsubishi Motors' participation in the business integration discussions of Nissan and Honda will lead to further social change, and that we will be able to become a leading company in creating new value in mobility through business integration. Nissan and Honda will start the discussion from today onwards with an aim to clarify the possibility of business integration by around the end of January in line with the consideration of Mitsubishi Motors." Comment from Mitsubishi Motors Director, Representative Executive Officer, and President and CEO Takao Kato said: “In an era of change in the automotive industry, the study between Nissan and Honda about a business integration will accelerate synergy maximization effects, bringing high value also to the collaborative businesses with Mitsubishi Motors. In order to realize synergies and to make the best use of each company's strengths, we will also study the best form of cooperation.” Upon looking at the press releases, it makes total sense that these companies would look to merge as each company is having a challanging time. Nissan globally has seen a 33.7% reduction in sales taking the estimated 2024 market share to 5.2%.  Honda globally has seen a 9% reduction over all with a 32% reduction in the asian rim leaving them with a 2024 estimated 5.4% market share. Mitsubishi Motors globally has seen a reduction year over year of a 10.7% drop leaving them with a 2024 estimated market share of 4.6%. All three auto companies lag the industry in technology connected auto's, feature / functions and especially EVs. All three companies have seen their profits turn into negative earnings for their respective companies leaving them with no real ability to perform R&D in building EVs to compete in China or the U.S. let alone Europe that has mandates in place for the end of ICE by 2035. End result is it looks like for these companies to survive, merging into one company that shares platforms and technology especially in the software and battery sectors will be the only way to move forward. View full article

I think I'm dreaming ... this vehicle would be the oldest of my handful of favorite "blast from the past" cars. A Cutlass Salon coupe in perfect condition, the first year I liked the colonnade Cutlass (and it's last year, of 3, with round headlamps in the colonnade), those huge bucket seats, and, oddly, A/C is there, but with manual windows. It featured the new but not as popular 260 (4.3L) V8. It also featured the light enamel blue they didn't repeat. If the exhaust system is tight, this car will be whisper quiet. 1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon (Numbers Matching Drivetrain) for sale: photos, technical specifications, description See anything odd? Come on. Quick. . . . It has Buick rally wheels instead of Oldsmobile rally wheels. * sigh ... I wonder what time frame this ad goes back to *

She was on the BBC Oh..stop that!!! The British Broadcasting Corporation is what I meant and she had fame. He had fame and that means both were meant to be at that fame crossroad. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03g4wl6 You guys have a dirty mind Maybe that song of his, super freakay, was a reference to her

She can afford it ... whatever that may be. Money talks and bullshit walks, as they say.

Hyundai has given their current customers of Hyundai EVs and potential customers of 2024 EVs that have the CCS charging port the Christmas gift of a free NACS to CCS adapter starting in Q1 2025. Specifically, Hyundai has stated in their press release that Current Hyundai EV owners and new EV Owners that purchase or lease a current CCS Charging port EV are eligible to request the NACS to CCS adapter, shipping is included through the MyHyundai owner portal. This Hyundai-authorized adapter will give CCS-port-equipped Hyundai EV drivers access to more than 20,000 Tesla Superchargers in the United States. Free adapters will be available to eligible owners of the following models: Model-year 2024 and earlier: KONA Electric IONIQ hatchback IONIQ 5 IONIQ 6 Specific 2025 Models only: IONIQ 6 IONIQ 5 N KONA Electric Details, instructions, and terms and conditions related to the process for owners to claim their complimentary adapter along with pricing for adapter units will be released in 2025 via HyundaiNews.com and additional customer-facing communication channels. The Genesis luxury brand is also participating in the program, with details to be revealed early next year. The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT and Limited will be the first to be built and sold in the U.S. with the NACS port. Per Olabisi Boyle, sernior VP, product planning and mobility strategy: “To accelerate EV adoption, we started by listening to our current owners, the desire for an expanded easy charging network. These adapters will make DC fast-charging more convenient for current owners. Plus, the NACS port on new models like the upcoming IONIQ 9 along with improvements to our digital charging ecosystem, will further enhance the customer experience for future EV drivers. Our goal is to make the transition to electric seamless.” View full article

Looks Great for her age!

Happened to stumble into this buried somewhere on my homepage. The Linda Blair of current times, in front of the famous poster for this landmark movie. It's a classic and only jarring the first few times you see it. I'd like to get that poster. They've redone that house in Georgetown to drive away the looky-loos. The big money caused her to leave her native St. Louis. She supposedly lives on a spread of high desert land north of L.A. where she keeps horses and dogs. There's no husband and there are no kids. She seems to prefer the slow lane because she was once in the fast lane. Shacking up with Rick James would be considered the fast lane. What was she thinking? What was she on?

Las Vegas is a resort. Yes ... point taken. I've gotten safes in some FL hotels that could hold a 14" to 16" laptop and other stuff layered in. It comes with the territory that, when there are resort fees, there will be other cheesy ways to jack up the tab. The issue I'm lamenting is when there isn't one in the room, yet the location and price point call for it.

Add the deceptive safe thing with the deceptive Fridge in Room that is useless as the fridge is stocked with their own drinks and if you move anything to use the fridge, they charge you for it even when you do not drink their stuff. They might as well NOT say there is a fridge in the rooms. Las Vegas is terrible for this having the advertising of safes and fridges in every room, but the Safe is a joke, barely able to hold a passport and wallet and the fridges are stocked with for charge stuff, so there is no Fridge for use by the room renter.

Who said Germans don't have a sense of humor? Happy Sunday.

@Robert Hall Thank you. There is now some "advertising" in hotel websites calling out a "laptop safe" when it's bigger than a regular one. What is really off-putting is when it's a brand of hotels that should have in-room safes ... and they don't. Or, worse yet, when the description shows that there is a safe and, then, it's not there because the website description hasn't been updated: they're either transitioning to another model or they've removed them altogether.

When I've traveled for work in recent years, I keep my laptop with me in my backpack usually, since I'm traveling between the hotel and the office..sometimes I'll leave it in the room when I go out for dinner or drinks after work for a few hours. Haven't seen a hotel room safe big enough for a laptop. A couple times in the past when I've had a laptop on vacation, I put the backpack in the trunk of my car if I'm going out of the hotel for all day or something. My most recent vacation/road trip I only took my iPad, less bulky than my laptop... I'd put my wallet and iPad in the room safe when I'd walk down to the beach w/ my phone.

If you are in a hotel and there is a (laptop) safe in the room, you'd probably use it for your laptop if leaving the room and/or hotel for a while. If you are in a hotel without one, what do you do (with your laptop)? I often have them pass on room service ... that's for sure. It would be beneficial for some of you to weigh in.

Random thoughts: Saw many German imports sporting medium enamel grey exteriors with darker red leather interiors in affluent desert communities and this combination looks nice. Was following a recent Dodge Challenger on the freeway tonight and I love that rear light bar, so I think it's the best looking of the 3 pony car rehashes. Saw an immaculate black 2007 or 2008 Cadillac DTS on the freeway tonight and they still look good, even timeless. I happened onto a dog video last night and it had "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan in it. I read about him and he once ran a "Dog Psychology Center." Ha. He does not have a degree in psychology, animal husbandry, or anything. Then, L.A. douchebag groupthink shines through. The list of celebs who used him (one refers or copies another celeb) is lengthy. Remember when celebs were snapping up Priuses, almost as if to make a statement? About 40% of my music collection consists of African-American artists. I notice this as I surf Bluetooth. Some of my friends joke that I was Black in a previous life. Come on. Some white artists - even hard rockers - are more starched than many Black artists ... smooth, earthy, sassy, passionate, gravelly, and/or powerful ... that's what I like in music and they put out some great musical tracks. Happy Friday.

I so want to travel to Korea and just food binge on street food. Korean TRADITIONAL Market Street Food Tour in Seoul | Watch

This is way too funny, I have to say the Circus next year is going to be amazing to watch. ‘President Musk’ talk infuriates Trump officials amid spending bill negotiations I like cheesy pasta, and this makes a dish easy to make. The only think I would do differently is dice up the garlic and onions more, so they blend into the pasta better and use a variety of cheeses, like Mozzarella and Smokey Gouda plus the parmesan. The pasta recipe we all need in our life | Watch

I love BBQing, but with my Knee recovery, I am not up to being outside in my BBQ area and cooking ribs the right way slow and steady for a fall off the bone rib. I have been looking online at other options and yes, I love Dr. Pepper way more than Coke or Pepsi, in fact I cannot think of the last time I had a coke or pepsi. Dr. Pepper slow cooked ribs, then finished in the oven. Seems like a good Idea to try. What do you guys think? Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper BBQ Ribs - Only 3 Ingredients!

It's great when you're relaxed, sport a chill vibe, and are open to the unexpected. So, here I am, sitting on the outside terrace of a coffeehouse outside Palm Springs, drinking an iced tea, and just wrapped up conversing with a Chinese lady living in the 909, and her teenage daughter, while her rambunctious German Shepherd was jumping on my lap and trying to lick my face. It was my fault. I asked if the dog liked people and being pet. Affirmative. Life's good.

Interesting read that makes total sense. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/what-trump-is-trying-to-achieve-by-going-after-liz-cheney/ar-AA1wbe5U?ocid=BingHp01&cvid=1f82b2d5ff1c45b68564cb43bd3a0c06&ei=24

If every Catholic were like you I would be in mass every day and twice on Sunday. Perfect It is a killer state.

They look identical as opposed to fraternal. If someone wants to choose a religious way of life, more power to them. There are definitely shortages, but a good chunk of those who go into it definitely should NOT be going that route. I've known this typology among leaders above me and even a few people I went to school with - some shitty people who were actually less "Christian-like" than I am, and I am definitely not a "holy roller." (I function much better as a "bon vivant on a budget.") I applaud the kind hearted and altruistic men and women who do choose this and stay on track. For many considering it under the Catholic umbrella, celibacy is one big ticket item that will likely dissuade them. Human beings just aren't wired like that.

250 amp up from 150 amp. It was old, all the breaker slots used. With 3000 sq ft, 2 new A/Cs and 2 furnaces, hot tub, etc it was maxed out…but not the right weather to do it.