G. David Felt

Happy Birthday @Paolino Wishing you an awesome day!

This is sad that a Nurse gets infected with Covid and dies 12hrs later. It 'Went Downhill Extremely Fast': Nurse Dies 12 Hours After Testing Positive for COVID (msn.com) They do not state if he was vaccinated or not since Florida does not require it, but he did have heart issues and the Covid attacked his heart issue and killed him. Update: According to this story it would seem he was unvaccinated and got the vaccine once he was diagnosed having Covid. It ‘Went Downhill Extremely Fast’: Nurse Vaccinated & Died 12 Hrs After Testing Positive W/COVID-19 – Nats News (nataliekeshing.com)

No matter how we look at it be boosted, fully vaccinated only or 1 dose, the U.S. is FAILING at leading the World. So many places are doing a better job than here in the US. Sad that due to ignorance, lack of common sense, how ever you want to state it, be they educated or uneducated, the unvaccinated are hurting this country more than helping. The other issue is the people that are now complaining about not being able to work cause companies are forcing vaccination on them. This is an issue that again shows their ignorance as a private company can decide if they want vaccinated or unvaccinated employees. If a person wants to work, then getting vaccinated so it is not a limit in job application is a no brainer. Agree, at this point the comparison should be boosted citizens in the world. Based on Booster, then Chile is leading the world and the US is in 12th place.

Sorry it was not clear enough as the funny was the web site posting it. I have since clarified it.

I find this sad about the people who have died and funny at the same time based on the web site that is listing them. Famous Anti-Vaxxers Who Have Died From COVID-19 | NewsOne

Seems Chevrolet is sending out a link to allow one to do a Virtual up close and personal tour of the Chevrolet Silverado EV. S-Electric AR Final - Animations (silveradoevathome.com)

GM is accelerating its drive to lead the EV industry with a $7 billion investment in Michigan, creating 4,000 New Jobs and retaining 1,000 existing jobs. One can watch the 46-minute announcement here: https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2022/jan/0125-michigan-investment.html With our investments in charging infrastructure, our dealer network and digital platforms for our customers, General Motors is well on its way to U.S. EV leadership by mid-decade. We’ll have the broadest EV portfolio, with an EV for every lifestyle and price point. The bulk of the details are as follows: Orion Assembly to become the 2nd U.S. plant building Chevrolet Silverado EV and electric GMC Sierra By the end of 2025, GM to have more than 1 million units of electric vehicle capacity in North America GM and LG Energy Solution to build 3rd U.S. Ultium Cells battery cell manufacturing plant to increase battery supply $7 billion is the largest single investment announcement in GM history Lansing Michigan is where the 3rd Ultium battery plant is to be built. GM's assembly plant in Orion Township, Michigan will be converted to build the full-size Chevrolet and GMC electric pickups. Quoting Mary Barra: “We are building on the positive consumer response and reservations for our recent EV launches and debuts, including GMC HUMMER EV, Cadillac LYRIQ, Chevrolet Equinox EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV. Our plan creates the broadest EV portfolio of any automaker and further solidifies our path toward U.S. EV leadership by mid-decade.” Factory ZERO and the Lansing assembly plant will be capable of 600,000 electric pickup trucks by the end of the year. GM has been the leader in U.S. full-size truck deliveries over the past two years and GM is going to build on this. Specific details are as follows for the Orion Assembly and new Ultium Cell battery plant: Orion Assembly for production of Chevrolet Silverado EV and electric GMC Sierra — GM is investing $4 billion to convert the facility to produce electric trucks using the GM-developed Ultium Platform, which gives the company the flexibility to build vehicles for every customer and segment. This investment is expected to create more than 2,350 new jobs at Orion and retain approximately 1,000 current jobs when the plant is fully operational. GM estimates the new jobs at Orion will be filled by a combination of GM transferees and new hires. Electric truck production, including the Chevrolet Silverado EV and electric GMC Sierra, will begin at Orion in 2024. The Orion investment will drive significant facility and capacity expansion at the site, including new body and paint shops and new general assembly and battery pack assembly areas. Production of the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV will continue during the plant’s conversion. Site work begins immediately. New Ultium Cells battery cell plant at Lansing site — GM and LG Energy Solution, via their Ultium Cells joint venture, are investing $2.6 billion to build Ultium Cells' third U.S. battery cell manufacturing plant. This investment is expected to create more than 1,700 new Ultium Cells jobs when the plant is fully operational. Site preparations will begin this summer and battery cell production is scheduled to begin in late 2024. Ultium Cells Lansing will supply battery cells to Orion Assembly and other GM assembly plants. In addition to this announcement, GM is investing $510 million in the following two Lansing Assembly plants. Lansing Delta Township Assembly — Investment is for production of the next-generation Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave. Lansing Grand River Assembly — Investment is for plant upgrades. GM is now projecting that 50% of North America assembly production will be EV production by 2030. GM is also working to expand and build a new supply chain via strategic supplier agreements for batteries and EV components, this is expected to be scalable, more resilient, sustainable and North American Focused. The following strategic supplier agreements include the following: MP Materials to scale rare earth magnet sourcing and production in the U.S. VAC to build a new magnet factory in the U.S. to support EV growth. POSCO to build a new North America plant to process Cathode Active Material. GE Renewable Energy to serve as a source of rare earth and other materials. Wolfspeed to develop and provide silicon carbide power device solutions. Controlled Thermal Resources to develop a source of U.S.-based lithium through a closed-loop process with lower carbon emissions when compared to traditional processes. GM expects to have more than 1 million units of BEV assembly capacity by 2025 and the capability to respond to the projected growing electric vehicle demand. GM North America is currently building or converting the following to build EVs. Factory ZERO - Detroit and Hamtramck Michigan Spring Hills Assembly, Spring Hills, Tennessee CAMI - Ingersoll, Ontario Ramos Arizpe Assembly, Mexico GM Accelerates its Drive to Lead the EV Industry with $7 Billion Investment in Michigan, Creating 4,000 New Jobs and Retaining 1,000 (3) A $7 Billion Investment in Michigan | LinkedIn GM Quote Sheet GM's Commitment to EV Jobs & Investments in Michigan GM in the U.S. View full article

@Drew Dowdell @Robert Hall Had a zoom meeting with my coworkers in Cork Ireland and now that 95% of the population is vaccinated and boosted, 97% has vaccination, the place is opening up with only 1 requirement, to wear a mask out in public and inside public areas till June. Otherwise, the overall jubilation of the folks that they are getting back to a much more normal way of life, with some very solid changes, over 50% of Irish people have groceries now home delivered reducing the amount of people shopping in store and a few other things I thought was interesting like 88% of all alcohol sold is home delivered. They asked me why was America being so dumb about vaccination and how it keeps the hospitals from being overwhelmed? I honestly could only say due to ignorance of both educated and uneducated people that have bought into the Great American LIE as I have begun to call it about vaccination, and political agendas of people. It is amazing to hear from around the world how head shaking this has become when a simple process of getting vaccinated can reduce the issues. I honestly think the ones here that are very much against the Covid Vaccine have not tried to understand the science or even read valid data on the virus as they seem to buy into the greatest lying media Facebook. My wife has a friend she has known for decades, she is 70 years old, very much Anti-Vaxxer and believes even with no testing or proof that she had Covid multiple times already and swore she had the Omnicron Variant at Thanksgiving last year. I pointed out that the first case was reports in South Africa November 24th 2021 and in the US as of Dec 1st 2021. How could she have it before it got here? Her response was that it already was here in the air and she knows this because the proof is on Facebook. ? When did Facebook become a credible News / academia source of data? Right NEVER! ? It really is sad, but I have also become one that those that wish to ignore it and think they can survive without vaccination, then should pay for it all. Let them pay more in hospital costs, insurance, etc. Why should the rest of us that are vaccinated be affected? Let the Military setup Triage tents and let the unvaccinated attempt to recover in the tents and let those being responsible get back to life and if needed elective surgeries in the main hospital.

Seems after 13 years since its resurrection that the Dodge Challenger has finally taken the crown as top selling Muscle Car. It Took 13 Years, But The Dodge Challenger Has Finally Won (jalopnik.com) In 2015 Ford Mustang hit it peak followed by the Chevrolet Camaro and every year since has dropped in sales. 2015 was also the year that Ford released the current Mustang that is still selling 7 years later. 2015 Ford Mustang sold 122,349 to 66,377 Challengers. 2021 Sales Ford Mustang 52,414 Chevrolet Camaro 21,893 Dodge Challenger 54,314 Dodge say's being the segment leader was not the aim, but rather delivering to the Muscle car crowd what they wanted in the form of various packages and special limited-edition Challengers like the 392, Scat Pak, Demon, Hellcat, etc. Dodge has done one thing that both Ford and GM are missing from their Muscle cars as well as the full lineup and that is the Skittles of Color options and package options. I do have to agree with the final statement of this story: I have no pony — sorry — in this race, but I will commend Dodge for doing the most with the oldest. The Challenger only has two years left, tops, and I have a feeling the 2024 run will set sales records as people try to snap up the very last of the ICE muscle car breed. If the supply chain allows Stellantis to build enough of them, that is. With only a couple years left before Dodge, Chevrolet and Ford are supposed to start transitioning their muscle cars to BEVs, it is going to be an interesting time over the next 24 month.

Sad and frustrating to read stories like this of total stupidity by anti-vaxxer's. https://www.newsweek.com/unvaccinated-28-year-old-denial-covid-diagnosis-dies-after-ripping-off-oxygen-mask-1672332?amp=1

2022 ALL-NEW FORD BRONCO RAPTOR Let's start by getting the basic info of what all off road nuts want to know about this beast: All-new 2022 Ford Bronco® Raptor™, designed and engineered by Ford Performance to be the world’s first Ultra4 Racing-inspired SUV, is capable of highway-speed desert-dune conquering and Baja rock-crawling Bronco Raptor packs extreme Built Wild™ capability and durability with an exclusive twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost® engine targeted to deliver more than 400 horsepower*, a Raptor HOSS 4.0 race-ready suspension system, a fully boxed, high-strength steel frame, and standard 37-inch all-terrain tires At 9.8 inches wider than a base Bronco four-door for more confident high-speed cornering, Bronco Raptor epitomizes extreme Built Wild design with race-inspired features inside and out, accented by Raptor-family signature cues In comparison the standard Bronco to a Bronco Raptor. Jim Farley, CEO of Ford Motor Company had the following quote to say: “Raptor is the apex of our off-road lineup and is now a full lineup with race proven content and design that you can’t get from anyone else, Only Ford could create a Bronco Raptor!” To achieve this mile stone, Ford had to create a race proven foundation that starts with a Raptor-Specific frame that supports increased suspension travel, track width for handling stability during high-speed desert runs. This is then complimented by a fully boxed, high-strength steel frame with new shock towers that increase wheel travel and off-road durability. Heavy-duty bash and skid plates provide continuous driveline coverage from the front bumper to the back of the engine, transmission and transfer case. This has been complimented by a 50% total body-in-prime torsional rigidity increase over a standard Bronco Four-door model in the upper body, B-pillar cross bar and C-pillar reinforcement. View additional chassis details at the link at the bottom of the article for enhanced views of the Raptor Chassis details. Ford delivered the following performance to the Bronco Raptor: Competition Performance axles Rear axle is an upgraded semi-float Dana 50 Heavy-Duty AdvanTEK with 235-millimeter ring gear Front axle is an upgraded Dana 44 AdvanTEK which includes half-shafts with 210-millimeter ring gear Upgraded front and rear axles increase track width by 8.6 inches (73.6 inches versus 65.0 inches) Larger Performance driveshafts front and rear to support increased wheel torque Minimum ground clearance of 13.1 inches, 4.8 inches more than a standard Bronco Advanced 4x4 system with 3 modes and a heavy duty high-capacity clutch designed to withstand the demands of performance events. Upgraded transfer case featuring a 3.06 4x4 LO ration for up to a 67.7:1 crawl ratio. Ford Performance and Fox created upgraded High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) Fox 3.1 Internal Bypass Semi-Active Dampers Suspension height Sensors Auto adjusting 100's of times per second for maximum adjusted suspension tuning based on terrain Ford Performance Front and Rear control arms 13" of wheel travel Front 60% more than a standard Bronco 14" of wheel travel Rear 40% more than a standard Bronco BFGoodrich 37" KO2 all-terrain tires on 17-inch x 8.5-inch beadlock-capable wheels Performance Electric Steering with larger-diameter inner and outer tie road ends. Twin Turbo 3.0 Liter EcoBoost V6 for 400HP Performance Intercooling and Air-induction system 10-Speed SelectShift automatic transmission Raptor's G.O.A.T. Modes (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) Terrain Management System 7 driver-selectable modes including a tuned Baja Mode New for Bronco a Tow/Haul mode delivering a 4,500 pounds of towing capavility, 1,000 lbs more over a standard Bronco Trail Control, Trail Turn Assist and Trail One-Pedal Driving modes are also included Ford is putting everyone especially the Jeep Wrangler on Notice that there is a new Dinosaur in town! The Bronco Raptor will have its own exterior Raptor-Family Design cues and will be available in 10 different colors, to quote the press release: For even more Raptor-styling DNA, an available Bronco Raptor Graphics Package includes new splatter graphics on the rear bodysides and hood that use an overlapping broken trapezoidal pattern and floating shapes to present a sophisticated digital appearance. Exterior colors include Hot Pepper Red Metallic, Velocity Blue Metallic, Eruption Green Metallic, Shadow Black, Iconic Silver Metallic, Area 51, Cactus Gray, Cyber Orange Metallic Tri-Coat, Oxford White, plus Ford Performance-exclusive Code Orange paint. Bronco Raptor Interior starts with the following: Bronco Raptor features a familiar heritage-inspired horizontal dash, integrating an all-digital 12-inch cluster. The cluster allows drivers to select from various views, including a Bronco Raptor-exclusive Performance View that emphasizes tachometer and gear readings and allows the customization of gauges. Bronco Raptor comes standard with a High Package that includes SYNC®4 with 12-inch touchscreen with swipe capability, information on-demand panel and enhanced voice recognition. Other technology features include an exterior camera with 360-degree viewing capability. The Lux Package is available for customers looking for even more human-centered technology, such as an available 10-speaker B&O audio system and Adaptive Cruise Control. Base Bronco Raptor models are equipped with Black Onyx marine-grade vinyl seats and rubberized washout flooring. The dark interior is accented with Ford Performance Code Orange splashes on the G.O.A.T. Modes rotary dial, dash vents, door netting, steering wheel stitching and Bronco logo on the instrument panel. Even the push-button ignition lights up in Code Orange. Touchpoints such as the grab handles, steering wheel bezel and gear shifter wear low-gloss carbon fiber accents. ​​​​​​​Owners can opt for upgraded features such as all-new laser-perforated Black Onyx Neo suede seats, vinyl-wrapped instrument panel topper, leather-wrapped outer seat bolsters and carpet flooring. A thicker and sport-contoured steering wheel with magnesium paddle shifters and gloss black Raptor logo center continues the Ford Performance treatment. Ford Performance-designed front seats are unique to Bronco Raptor, designed with aggressive foam side bolsters to help keep passengers firmly seated when the terrain gets nasty. Available Code Orange seat belts provide even more Ford Performance style. To quote the Ford Press Release: “The Bronco Raptor interior was designed around what we know hardcore off-road racers want in a vehicle,” said Ryan Olsson, design manager. “From the all-new Performance View on the cluster and unique steering wheel with paddle shifters and fingertip access to Raptor-specific controls, to its race-ready, high-bolster front seats, Bronco Raptor leaves the factory ready for the starting line.” Customers can start placing orders in March for their Bronco Raptor, the Majority of the 2022 model year will go to reservation holders. 2022-Ford-Bronco-Raptor-Tech-Specs.pdf Videos at Ford Media Center Ford Bronco Raptor Chassis images Ford Bronco Interior Images Ford Bronco Raptor Exterior Images Ford Bronco Raptor Desert-Racing, Rock-Crawling Images Desert-Racing, Rock-Crawling 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Debuts as Most Powerful Street-Legal Bronco Ever | Ford Media Center View full article

Interesting, Cadillac just launched the XT4 in china, it is a 48V mild hybrid AWD CUV. Where the US XT4 has 9 color choices and the same 4 banger Turbo Motor getting 26 mpg average, the China version being hybrid gets 31.6 mpg and 6 color options. https://www.cadillac.com.cn/suv/xt4.html https://www.cadillac.com/suvs/xt4

Seems the NACS - National Association of Convenience Stores has testified before congress wants to partner with the Federal Government to install fast EV charging at convenience stores across the US especially focused on the Rural sector according to the following story. Convenience stores want to bring EV charging to rural America (greencarreports.com) According to the NACS, 93% of America lives within 10 minutes of a convenience store and as such should have access to charging at these locations. Interesting quote from the writeup: And it wouldn’t be the first time the federal government has stepped in to build up the grid. By 1930, just 10% of U.S. farms were connected to the grid, and by the end of World War II, just 40% of U.S. farms had electricity. Just getting rural America connected to electricity in the first place took federal loans, administered by the Rural Electrification Administration established in 1936.

The Trail Boss electric Silverado should do well for Chevrolet. WOW, like this new video and the attention to detail on the truck. Very cool. Silverado-EV-BROLL (1).mp4

GM seems to have major announcements coming tomorrow for the state of Michigan. GM to Make Major Michigan Investment Announcement Since I cannot read the automotive news story as it is by subscription only, thank goodness others are posting about it as the details have leaked. Report: GM plans more Michigan EV assembly, battery plant (greencarreports.com) $6.5 Billion investment in two plants, 1 for EV battery production and 1 for EV auto assembly. The news says that $4 Billion is to be invested in the Orion Assembly Plant in Orion Township, Michigan as it will build the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra electric pickup trucks. $2.5 billion will be the battery production plant. Really liking the looks of the SilvErado electric pickup. Silverado EV (gm.com) Even the Work truck is not bad looking.

Wow, Maverick gas truck new orders on hold now too. https://amp.freep.com/amp/6634931001 Seems demand is so crazy that Ford is stopping new orders to manage customer expectations.

The latest updated Cyber Truck is still a FAIL to me.

Have you or Bill asked for a week of a Rivian to drive and review? That would be cool!

Another good read for those interested in how solid state battery tech is moving forward to commercial production. https://cleantechnica.com/2022/01/21/200-million-says-solid-state-batteries-will-soon-crack-gasmobile-death-grip/ YES, more and more you can read online people who have bought trucks and due to various ways of use such as off road or commercial where the desire is less maintenance. Once these trucks are out, no more oil changes, differential oil changes if in high dust use case as well as other use cases that have a need for more often maintenance, even diesel would like to have less maintenance. I do see companies changing over faster than expected. Fleets I see leading the way, this will create a positive impression for home use buyers especially a company like Skanska which is a launch customer for the GM work truck ev. That will give plenty of people both positive and negative impressions, but I expect more positive than those that wish to remain stagnant in past glory days of ICE.

One can always dream and dreams is what brings change. I will dream that we can have Style and BEV in the same setup. Yes, Yes, it is without all the smelly unburnt hydrocarbons. Yesterday had to deal with being behind a very noisy toxic spewing Power Stroke. So glad when we can get these destructive autos off the road.

Correct the same thing all the German brands have been doing and are doing now till 2030 when they also are scheduled to kill off all ICE sales. Maximize money potential while improving the BEV. I can totally see an Escalade V and Escalade V Blackwing in BEV using the 1,000 hp tri motor setup. You get the V at 750 hp and the Blackwing at 1,000 hp with a 0-60 3 sec run. Best yet is as @oldshurst442 posted, performance will be way better due to a lower center of gravity with the battery pack versus ICE. Best is yet to come for Escalade.

Rivian destroys the TRX as well as Tesla Y at the drag strip. Seems Rivian can do multiple runs without any battery prep unlike Tesla that needs an extensive battery prep. https://carbuzz.com/news/performance-truck-drag-race-850-hp-rivian-r1t-vs-700-hp-ram-trx

Seems LYRIQ has gone into full pre-production assembly. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mark-reuss_as-ive-said-before-our-people-and-manufacturing-activity-6889937412676489216-CUAQ You can see the LYRIQ coming off the assembly line.