G. David Felt

@balthazar You can down vote my statement all you want and yet I still feel you are missing the big picture. You are RIGHT any person who takes care of their auto, drives it and is responsible for having it a running auto is great be it maintenance like I saw today on a white BMW that I believe is from the 70's to a full restoration of a mustang. If people want to do that and enjoy it then great go for it. My statement is on the 10's of thousands of autos and even farm equipment left rusting in fields all over that would be better served being recycled. Here is just a few of the examples I am talking about and farms or people with extended property seem to be some of the biggest polluters in doing this as everything rots eventually and so when they sit an auto or piece of farm equipment, the chemical liquids eventually get into the soil. For the future of humanity, our kids, our grand kids, we need to be better stewards of this planet and clean things up rather than leave them out polluting the grounds. I know you have seen homes in your area as I sure did when I worked in NJ for a 1 1/2 years and you know there are auto's that will not be returned to service and are just rusting away. @oldshurst442 In all my travels across Canada, I have seen plenty of farms to homes on large property where you can see auto's just rusting away. Not everything can be saved, and most humans do not seem to be interested in keeping a single auto running for ever. People Like Balthazar and even me with my autos that are very old are far more rare than common. Is it better to let the chemicals get into the ground water and rust/rot or recycle back into new products?

Yes lovely auto and great that it got a second life, but most are sitting around rusting and polluting the ground. 1/10th of 1% is a best guess on my part of how many can really afford this. As such, let the great auto round up begin and recycle for use in new products.

Japan gives you no choice, every 50k miles you have to replace the engine in the auto due to emission requirements. No old engines allowed, and you can find many a good deal on those working engines exported for sale here.

Cadillac has admitted that just over 500 dealers have agreed to their EV plan and with that is a move to a made to order model. I think GM is testing this with Cadillac and if it works and is profitable then I would expect Chevrolet, Buick and GMC to move to this model as well and you are right, we will see a big reduction in dealerships and they're overall size as they reduce the need for land. Since some dealerships have free service loaners, I still expect that they will have to have more than a single demo model of each model sold as they will need their service fleet on top of say 2 to 3 versions of each model to allow customers who choose to not order via online but want like me to sit in the actual auto to see if I can fit as well as my family. Getting rid of the lousy M.A. gouging would be great. Would rather move to a set price that gives the OEM a fair profit and allows them to pay the dealership a fair profit. We are in interesting times, and I am watching how the Cadillac Dealerships play out. Due to the component shortages, I have seen that my local Cadillac dealer has stopped free loaners as they have none. They sold them all and they have gone back to a curtesy van to pick you up and take you home or you can schedule to have your auto picked up and brought back by them when the service is done. This does make me wonder if GM could move to having their dealerships do on-site repairs over having it brought to the dealership? Tesla and Rivian have moved to a hybrid model where small repairs / maintenance are done on site and major repairs are to be done at designated repair sites.

Interesting Video

Ambition 2030, Nissan Motor Corporations long-term strategy has been unveiled as a 5 year, 2 trillion yen ($17.6 Billion US) investment that will launch 23 exciting new electrified models, including 15 new EVs, aiming for a 50% electrification mix by fiscal year 2030 and to introduce ASSB in fiscal year 2028. Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida made this statement: “The role of companies to address societal needs is increasingly heightened. With Nissan Ambition 2030, we will drive the new age of electrification, advance technologies to reduce carbon footprint and pursue new business opportunities. We want to transform Nissan to become a sustainable company that is truly needed by customers and society.” As a Pioneer of electrified vehicles and building the success of the Nissan Leaf, their first global EV, Nissan has listened to the customers from both Nissan and Infiniti brands. Over the next 5 years, Nissan will introduce 20 new EV and e-powered equipped models that will allow them to increase electrification sales mix across major markets by fiscal year 2026, including: • Europe by more than 75% of sales • Japan by more than 55% of sales • China by more than 40% of sales • The United States by 40% of EV sales in fiscal year 2030 To increase accessibility and innovation in mobility, Nissan will continue to evolve their existing lithium-ion battery technologies and introduce cobalt-free technology to bring down the cost by 65% by fiscal 2028. This goal aligns with Nissan's focus to bring their ASSB, a proprietary all-solid-state battery packs to market by fiscal 2028. A pilot plant is under construction with production expected by 2024. Nissan expects to expand their EV offerings across multiple segments and offer even more dynamic performance EVs with their breakthrough ASSB battery packs. Nissan expects the ASSB to reduce rapid charging to 1/3rd of existing top current battery technology and bring the cost of battery packs down to $75 per kWh by fiscal 2028 and after that to $65 per kWh if not lower as they achieve cost parity between EVs and ICE autos. Nissan expects to have next generation LIDAR systems in all Nissan and INFINITI models by fiscal year 2030. EV36Zero is an EV Hub concept that launched in the UK. This was where the manufacturing was surrounded by the suppliers in an efficient ecosystem bringing local manufacturing with locals sourcing onto a single campus to enhance and optimize efficiencies to reduce costs. Japan, China and the U.S. will all have EV360Zero EV Hubs for complete product lines. Nissan also is expanding their 4R Energy which is a repurposing and recycling of existing batteries in Japan with new locations for Europe being built in 2022 and sites in the U.S. by 2025. This brings sustainable practices to the battery industry Nissan with unveiling this Ambition 2030 plan also unveiled new concept autos that offer enhanced experiences through sophisticated technology packaging. The first is the Nissan Chill-Out EV. A crossover that utilizes the CMF-EV platform while delivering high levels of comfort and an energizing AWD driving experience. Nissan Max-Out Concept The Nissan Max-Out is a convertible concept that aims to deliver a new driving experience. Dynamic cornering, steering response, balanced limited body roll for both the driver and passenger for ultimate comfort and creating a feeling of oneness with the auto. An advanced Awd system with enhanced low center of gravity. Nissan Surf-Out concept. Aiming to provide a smooth ride no matter what the terrain throws at you the Nissan Surf-Out provides standard off-road performance, electric power utilization from multiple places in the vehicle, extended cargo space and advanced e-4ORCE AWD. Nissan Hang-Out Concept Completely flat floor that extends from the front to the back, this concept aims to surpass the conventional wisdom about interior layouts by offering families new ways to enjoy life by offering the comfort of your living room in a mobile space. Key features and technologies are the low flat floor, quiet comfort cabin on-the-go with advanced e-4ORCE AWD and advanced ProPilot. This is all possible by Nissan EV Technology Vision that looks beyond the Ariya next-gen crossover EV to the future of EVs. This platform considers the future direction of lifestyle using advanced solid-state battery technology (ASSB), hardware and software. This gives you ideal geometry with FWD, RWD and AWD electric drive, low center of gravity, ultra-lightweight and optimal mass distribution for a near perfect 50/50. The ASSB all solid-state battery with the choice of electric drive and integration of A.I. via advanced e4ORCE and ProPilot allows precise and agile vehicle control no matter what the weather throws at you. 211126_Nissan_EV_Technology_Vision_B-roll-en_h264_aac_854x480.mp4 Additional info can be read at the press release links below. Nissan unveils Ambition 2030 vision to empower mobility and beyond (nissannews.com) Nissan Futures | Concept (thenissannext.com) View full article

Yes, this engine does say MAX on it which was also sold on the Chevrolet and GMC Trucks. Been Solid and very quiet using Synthetic. Saw a brand-new Tahoe at the Business Costco and boy was it noisy which was very weird to me.

Thanks, I thought GM has gone to that due to the way the latest engines seem to tick before it goes away from cold. Either way, it would seem GM feels you can wear the engine a bit more before oil gets back over everything from a cold start unless your using synthetic which seems to address this issue.

Been keeping to a 75K miles and it seems to work for me.

Gotta Love Production of the Hummer EV by GMC.

Actually Robert, I will have to disagree with you as I feel the V8's then had certain designs that were better than the dry sump design they are using now and especially with all the stories you see on the web by unhappy GM Full Size Truck/SUV owners about their engines ticking and noisy till they drive them a bit and the failures that seem to have happened for some. Old GM as a Company was poorly run by executives compared to today's GM, but technology in certain cases seems to have been better than now. All I know is the lifter noises have gone away since I switched to Synthetic after my first oil change was regular and it was noisy. Since then I have no complaints about my Escalade. Yet with newer GM V8's you can find plenty of unhappy customers on the web posting about their Tick Tick Tick V8's. Makes one wonder why the dry sump design is supposedly better. I get it from a racing standpoint but then those engines rarely see the service life our engines see.

Knowing that my full-size SUVs seem to go 300,000 miles plus following the OEM recommendation for Service makes spending money on a 30K mile service seem crazy IMHO also like @balthazar has stated. The place I have used for Transmission service does the Drop n Drain and breaks open the filter to see if any or what size metal bits are in the filter. Then while it is open, they flush the Torque converter using a flush machine. Pretty interesting to watch as you see every little bit of old trans fluid come out. Seems to be working for me and will stick with the schedule of service. Discovered one interesting thing today as I have been looking at the $40 to $100 headlight restoration kits as the SS had the right-side light fogged and the left side was starting to get a little fogging. Wife was getting together with her small bubble of girlfriends for a cookie making day. So I wanted to ensure she had good visibility as the rain has been crazy here lately, the last month and now they are calling for snow. So cleaned the windshield and rainX it as it keeps it so clear much longer than without. So I had my RainX rag and decided to wipe the headlights. WOW was I surprised by the amount of crude it took off, so I used a bit more RainX and cleaned both headlights. No fogging and very clear now. Was very bright when she left.

Been out of the car segment so is the Malibu considered mid-size or full size now? They seem to always come into a segment on the small size and then update/upgrade to a much bigger size such as they did with the Sportage. Was smallest in its class and it is now the biggest in its class.

This brings up so many good movie references of enjoyment. RoboCop (1987) - IMDb Bicentennial Man (1999) - IMDb A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) - IMDb RoboCop (2014) - IMDb Ex Machina (2014) - IMDb Chappie (2015) - IMDb Ghost in the Shell (2017) - IMDb

Factorial Energy has had a major 4th quarter as they secured Agreements with Stellantis, Daimler, Hyundai and Kia to use their 40Ah battery packs in their electric vehicles. The company backed by major investors such as Former President and CEO of Ford Motor Company, Mark Fields; former senior advisor to the Obama Administration's presidential task force on the Auto Industry, Harry Wilson and investment firms Gatemore Capital Management and Wave Equity Partners have enabled Factorial to jump from a tech startup doing research to a commercial production company. Factorial Energy has stated that for EVs to go from a global 4% capture of the global car sales market to a dominate primary auto, buyers need to see dramatic price and performance improvements in the battery systems. Factorials proprietary battery breakthrough called FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) is a solid electrolyte material that enables save and reliable cell performance with high-voltage and high-energy density electrodes. FEST is safer than conventional current EV battery technology. Fest battery packs have yielded a 20 to 50% improvement in driving range without sacrificing pack longevity and are easy to integrate into existing supply chains. Earlier this year, Factorial Energy has stated that several major automotive partners were validating their technology in real world auto testing. This clearly has completed as they currently announced agreements with Stellantis, Daimler, Hyundai and Kia for jointly developing from the cell-level to modules and vehicle integration production of their 40Ah solid state battery cells. Factorial Energy with their new partners is building plants around the world to ramp up production for new EVs that are coming out through 2025. Every company is taking a different approach to working with Factorial Energy. Daimler is looking to use it in a limited series to get EVs out onto the market as they R&D and work to build their own batteries. Hyundai and Kia look to use this company in all EVs as one of many suppliers in getting EVs into mainstream use and purchasing. Stellantis has stated these batteries will be used across the whole company portfolio from Americus brands, to European, Asian and into Africa. Stellantis sees these solid-state batteries as a starting point for mass adoption of global EVs. As Factorial likes to state, for ages, the promise of an affective, safe solid-state battery has been the ultimate unattainable goal - ideal, enticing but always out of reach. Consider this Quote: "The storage battery is, in my opinion, a catchpenny, a sensation, a mechanism for swindling the public by stock companies." The speaker: Thomas Edison, The year: 1883. 138 years later, that sentiment has held true. Factorial Energy has invested heavily in solid-state battery research over the past 6 years and their process is a practical customer-driven solution, a balanced performance-profile solid-state cell that scales at a reasonable cost. Applications perfect for this solid-state battery cell are EVs, Hi-Spec such as electric planes and stationary storage. Transformational solid-state battery technology that is empowering a sustainable future with the highest performance and safest batteries for electric vehicles, homes and critical applications is the message from Factorial Energy. Join the Future! Solid-state Battery & Technology News | Factorial (factorialenergy.com) Hyundai, Kia and Factorial Energy to Jointly Develop Solid-State Batteries for Next Generation Electric Vehicles - Hyundai Newsroom Stellantis and Factorial Energy to Jointly Develop Solid-State Batteries for Electric Vehicles | Stellantis Solid-state batteries: Mercedes-Benz teams up with Factorial Energy - Daimler Global Media Site View full article

Thinking on the EV9 Concept at 194 inches in overall length, I took a look at the Chevrolet Tahoe which is 210 inches overall length and the Rivian R1S which is 200 inches overall length. This makes me think Kia is looking to enter the full-size SUV/CUV market with the EV9.

Kia has launched the 2023 family of ICE, Hybrid and EVs in Seoul Korea along with concepts at the LA auto show. The Kia Niro is a move forward leading Kia to a more sustainable future. The Niro was revealed as an all-new auto making sustainable mobility accessible for everyone. Refreshed exterior with wide rear pillar, simple lines and transformed tiger face Innovative interior features and sustainable materials Greenzone Drive Mode technology integrates sustainability into daily life The Kia Niro was developed under the companies Opposites United Design philosophy and is strongly influenced from the 2019 Habaniro concept. The Kia Niro will be available in HEV, PHEV and EV powertrains starting in 2023. More details at the following link: Kia Global Media Center : The all-new Kia Niro world debuts at 2021 Seoul Mobility Show (kianewscenter.com) Kia Global Media Center : Kia HabaNiro Concept heats up Manhattan (kianewscenter.com) The LA autoshow was the launch point for the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid CUV. Kia released the following details about the all new 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid. Hybrid iteration of completely redesigned Sportage SUV unveiled October 2021 226hp turbo hybrid powertrain: superb performance, up to 39 MPG (targeted) More than 500 miles of driving range Larger in every dimension with best-in-class rear legroom and cargo room1 CO2 emissions reduced by nearly 40 percent over outgoing model Available dual panoramic 12.3-inch display screens3 8 standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) 1.6-liter turbo GDI engine 44kW permanent magnet electric motor High-output 1.49 kWh lithium-ion battery 6-speed automatic transmission with rotary style shifter Class-leading 2,000 lb towing capacity Active AWD is standard on EX and SX-Prestige trims, while LX is available with a choice of FWD and Active AWD Active AWD system2 uses electro-hydraulic coupling with center-locking differential to actively distribute power between front and rear wheels depending on road and driving conditions E-Handling uses the hybrid motor to deliver a confident driving experience Standard paddle shifters and Drive Mode Select with ECO, Sport, Smart and Snow modes Moving from the smallest CUV in its class to the largest in its class Kia has pointed out the following: Overall length is 7.1 inches longer than the previous generation, with a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase Taller and wider by a half inch compared to the previous generation Class-leading rear legroom with 41.3 inches of room1 Best-in-Class rear cargo capacity of 39.5 cu-ft. of space1 Dual level cargo floor More details and images at the press release link: ALL-NEW 2023 KIA SPORTAGE HYBRID DEBUTS AT LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW (kiamedia.com) Kia has the EV6 as their initial EV launch vehicle available in all states starting in 2023. With that Kia revealed their EV9 Concept, the second expected CUV in their EV lineup that is coming. Seems more and more the future of interior is to be very open and spacious for end users. It seems the future is also where the customer can auto configure their seats as needed for lifestyle needs be it tailgating to camping. The Concept EV9 had the following released details: 194 inches in length, 81 inches wide, 70 inches in height and a 122-inch wheelbase 300-mile electric driving range Ultra-fast charging technology using 350 kW charging for quick replenish of energy Hood vent area is a solar panel allowing the auto to capture energy while maintaining the interior needs of the user Panoramic sky roof allowing for maximum natural light Inspired by water taking on the characteristics of serenity, calmness and wellbeing Sustainable Mobility as the EV9 embraces Kia's carbon neutrality goal The Kia Concept EV9 – Kia’s all-electric SUV concept takes center stage at AutoMobility LA (kiamedia.com) Photos & Videos - Kia America Newsroom (kiamedia.com) Kia Telluride was named to the Car and Drivers 10 best 2022 models. Kia has their 2023 lineup of cars and CUVs on display at LA showing the future of Kia. Kia America Newsroom (kiamedia.com) Photos & Videos - Auto Shows - Kia America Newsroom (kiamedia.com) View full article

Who does not, especially coming off Thanksgiving? I love cooking with the wife, so food is always on my mind.

An example is BOSE, no retailer is allowed to discount their products unless they have approved such a promotion, nor is any approved retailer allowed to sell above MSRP. They ensure the retailer makes a fair profit and they make a fair profit. Ford problem is they market an amazing auto at a MSRP price. They should be ensuring their dealership network sells at the MSRP price and makes a fair profit. M.A. is greed pure and simple and give Ford a black eye by those wanting to buy their products. I do not see a Mach-E that I agree is a better product than a Tesla Y being sold with an M.A. of $16 Grand to use your example of a great deal. Ford set expectations of their selling price of a Mach-E with the MSRP. The Dealers should be honoring this as a retailer for Fords Products. Ford should be ensuring the dealers make a fair profit and not allow the gouging. IMHO

We are not wrong; we just see it differently than you and disagree with you. While GM even now makes product with questionable decisions, and I will not cover for those either, this thread is focused on Tesla and competition or issues that could destroy or hurt Tesla. Example of what I hate about GM is some of the shortcuts they make on their engine design. Currently is the Tick Tick Tick noise the V8's make on startup till oil is up through everything and then it goes away. I had the Tick Tick Tick on my Escalade till I changed to synthetic, and it went away. GM says this is OK and normal, I disagree, no reason an engine should make noise that go away once oil is flowing. They did not do this in the past and yet now it is acceptable to some, yet not to me. Just another reason I have decided to not buy any ICE auto from GM or any other company but wait it out for EVs. So agree to disagree is where we are at. No Whining but pointing out that Tesla says they are better quality and a luxury auto company and yet you find clear issues of subpar construction. End of Line!

I am going to wait this mess out as like you, I have no problem taking care of my rides and going long on owning them. One thing that is crazy especially on the Mach-E is that some of my coworkers who have pre-ordered them on the internet with Ford have hit the dealerships to finish up the deal only to have them say they want X amount of M.A. to finish the deal and that has killed many a EV purchase as I do not blame my coworkers for NOT wanting to be gouged. Kinda Sucks.

An enjoyable discussion, we will agree to disagree as I do not think I am a drama queen when I have seen so many New Tesla hitting the road and the number of QA issues seem to be glaring to me. But then as one that is a voice of the customer for our UDS storage division at Dell, I do pay attention to all details even if it is not a big deal to you as the company needs to know when quality sucks especially in the unstructured data storage area. We are after all in the Tesla thread. So bitch or praise away as we discuss Tesla.