G. David Felt

@surreal1272 You are right that style is personal, but if you look at the full picture, a 400V slow ID-Buzz versus 800V versatile van, Kia is winning here imho. I get the VW history But this is very appealing as a lifestyle Van also plus the superior tech.

So this is the presentation from last year at CES: CES 2024 | Kia Global Brand Site | Movement that inspires Official Global site for the PVB: Kia PBV lineup | Kia Global Brand Site | Movement that inspires Then as SEMA they showed off the rugged offroad version which I covered here:

Economist have reviewed how a 25% tariff against signed trading partners in North America will affect us and this is based on a family of 4, average increase in food costs of $185 per month. Example is that the U.S. has moved to importing fruit year round and in many cases the rare fruit is not available any other place but outside the U.S. and they also pointed to America's love of Avocado's and Guacamole, which is 90% brought in from Mexico with only 10% produced here during our summer season. Then they point to the fact that the bulk of timber comes in from Canada, so building will have a 25% jump in costs. This just screams stupid. National security adviser Mike Waltz sends home dozens of NSC officials Why would you send home those that know the best on places that hate America and possibly replace them with Yes men that are clueless about the state of the world. Just Stupid on a Major Level. This anyone could see happening, the board of Tesla better start thinking about finding a new CEO/Chairman if they want to survive. Elon Musk Getting More and More Unpopular, Now Disliked By Majority of Americans: WSJ Poll

The first-ever all-electric V-Series vehicle, the LYRIQ-V delivers signature performance blended with craftsmanship and technology in a 2026 performance model.  To quote John Roth, vice president, Global Cadillac: “V-Series captures the spirit of Cadillac, embodying our relentless pursuit of engineering excellence through our racing and production vehicles, LYRIQ-V takes this commitment a step further in the EV era, pushing our performance pedigree of V-Series to new heights with a powerful, personalized and high-tech driving experience that fits perfectly into our customers’ lives.” The 2026 LYRIQ-V is a sporty luxury vehicle that delivers a multifaceted, iconic character with pure performance-driven experience that includes the following: Cadillac-estimated 615 hp and 650 lb-ft (880 Nm) of torque Cadillac-estimated 0-60 time of 3.3 seconds with Velocity Max, making it the quickest Cadillac ever A multi-layered, unique exterior and interior signature sound Competitive Mode, enabling a suite of traction management features specifically engineered to increase vehicle agility LYRIQ-V will be sold in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, as well as other global markets to be announced at a later date. Production starts early 2025 at General Motors’ Spring Hill Manufacturing plant in Tennessee. Lets dig into the Performance side of this latest V edition to the Cadillac lineup.  LYRIQ-V is stated to deliver an estimated 285 miles of range using a 102 kW battery pack in an AWD dual motor configuration that gives the owner 615 hp with 650 lb-ft (880 Nm) of torque. This V is engineered to deliver Cadillac's signature isolated precision, quiet, smooth, effortless experience while delivering a strong connection to the road. LYRIQ-V comes with a standard continuous damping control, specifically calibrated for the V edition that combines a lowered multi-link suspension, quicker steering ratio, V handling in a comfortable yet spirited ride. Velocity MAX, a driver selectable feature unleashes the vehicle's full performance capability at a push of the button on the steering wheel. LYRIQ-V will come with the additional performance-supporting and enhancing technologies: V-Mode takes performance customization further, allowing drivers to save performance-focused settings, including Competitive Mode and a unique sound experience. It’s intended to offer instant access to their preferred performance-driving settings via the V button, mounted on the steering wheel. V-Mode can also be accessed in the Drive Mode app within the 33-inch-diagonal advanced LED display. Unique, multi-layered sound experience. Interior and exterior signature sounds are synchronized for an orchestrated sonic experience. Launch Control, designed for consistently thrilling straight line acceleration. When engaged in V-Mode or Velocity Max, the vehicle will deliver an extremely rapid 3.3 second 0-60 acceleration. Competitive Mode enables a suite of traction management features specifically engineered to increase vehicle agility. Brembo® performance front brake calipers are standard. In addition to providing excellent stopping capability, they’re designed to provide consistent, fade-resistant performance during spirited driving. Available red calipers are accented with the V-Series logo. Standard Super Cruise 6, the industry’s first truly hands-free driver assistance technology (with three years of OnStar connected service). The LYRIQ-V’s unique exterior design elements create a distinctive persona, projecting power and refinement through a sporty aesthetic. As with other V-Series models, the LYRIQ-V is identifiable by a unique lower front fascia and side rockers, body colored lower trim, and available carbon fiber accents, offering an unmistakably distinct persona. The Black Crystal Shield integrates Cadillac’s signature choreographed lighting. The V-Series logo adorns the rear doors and the tailgate, while a unique chin spoiler and rockers and V-pattern mesh on the front lower grille further distinguish the LYRIQ-V from other models. Unique to LYRIQ-V, 22-inch wheels with a dark sport finish and an etched V-Series logo come with a choice of standard summer or available all-season tires. LYRIQ-V will come standard with a black painted roof. It offers an exciting exterior color palate, including an exclusive limited exterior color option, Magnus Metal Frost, further reflecting its sporty persona. LYRIQ-V’s cabin includes details that reinforce its performance persona and integrates them with cutting-edge technology. Key features shared with the LYRIQ include a panoramic fixed glass roof, a 23 speaker AKG9 Studio Audio System with Dolby Atmos® and a stunning 33-inch-diagonal advanced LED display. LYRIQ-V will launch with a dual-plane Augmented Reality Head Up Display. LYRIQ-V’s interior distinctions start with the steering wheel, which is uniquely styled with the V-Series logo, a standout V-Mode button, a sport rim with sculpted hand grips and an aluminum Regen On Demand paddle. Additional unique and specific interior details include: Power-adjustable seat bolsters for the seatbacks and seat cushions on the driver and front passenger seats Infotainment experience updated with specific customization options reflecting the V-Series persona A signature V-Series illuminated sill plate Celebrating the iconography of the V-Series brand, LYRIQ-V exudes deliberate craftsmanship with standard paperwood décor, available Nappa leather seating and available embroidery and V-pattern detailing on the seatbacks. MSRP starts at $79,990, including destination freight charge, and excluding tax, title and dealer fees. Dealer sets final price.   View full article

Working on a story on this as the released images of what you can do with the PV5 is very cool. Hopefully you will see what I see once I get that story out.

The biggest SCAM of 2025 Crypto Coins of Trump. 'Where are Mr. Trump’s lawyers?' WSJ rebukes Trump over latest 'worrisome sign' Very cool Quad Motor EV 1967 Mustang. Charge Cars Jolts Back To Life With New Owners, Promises “Rapid Delivery” Of ’67 Mustang EV | Carscoops Kia PV5 van looks to be way superior to VW van and much cooler. 2026 Kia PV5 Electric Van Is Coming To Make Vans Cool Again | Carscoops UGH, not good to have this happening now for GM, plus Mary is in DC sucking up to Idiot47. NHTSA Investigating Nearly 900,000 GM Trucks And SUVs Over Engine Failures | Carscoops This cracks me up, and I hope he does outsell Tesla. Fed Up With Musk’s Politics? Polestar’s CEO Has Some EVs He’d Like To Sell You | Carscoops

Awesome to see the growth here: It's getting easier to find a charger for your electric car Cool Tech ChargePoint is doing something about all the EV charger cable-cutting crooks - The Verge Nice Electric Vehicle Sales Jump Higher in Q4, Pushing U.S. Sales to a Record 1.3 Million - Cox Automotive Inc.

OUCH, Trump is saying Canada and Mexico will have a 25% tariff if they do not stop illegal drugs and illegals entering the US starting February 1st 2025. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-threatens-25-tariffs-on-mexico-and-canada-on-feb-1-punting-day-1-pledge/ar-AA1xy5c1?ocid=BingNewsSerp Very cool that this got done before Idiot47 took office. Biden boosts loan for ioneer's Nevada lithium mine to nearly $1 billion | Reuters

I find this a very interesting topic and the response from China is one that I have to laugh at as China is anything but fair to companies outside of China that are forced to partner up with a Chinese company giving 50% of the business to them so that an Auto Company can sell in China. Trump has tossed TikTok a lifeline. But China’s not happy Quote: When asked about Trump’s vision for the future of TikTok, China’s Foreign Ministry said the “operation and acquisition of companies” should be “decided by companies” and in line with Chinese law. The US should “earnestly listen to the voice of reason” and “provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment” for companies from all countries, spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Tuesday. SO is China willing to abide by their own Foreign Ministry statement and provide an open, fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment that DOES NOT require a 50%/50% partnership to sell their products in China?

Very interesting read. Trump’s Military Is a Disaster Waiting to Happen This pastor makes clear a very pointed view that Trump fails to understand. Washington National Cathedral Bishop Calls Out Trump to His Face

Imperial for the wanna be Imperialist Dicatator since I see the Idiot47 sign in the background. LOL

The Cybertruck is such a Failure that Tesla is having the Foundation badge taken off the existing oversupply of trucks to move them are regular 3 motor trucks. The assembly line is idle as they moved the workers to the Model Y assembly line. The thing I do not get is the amount of Asian and Black humans here in Washington buying Tesla Products from an opening racist individual. That is just mind numbing.

WOW, Totally missed the two press releases: Dodge is extending for 2025 V8 power, The HEMI Lives on! Stellantis Media - Ho, Ho, Horsepower: Dodge Brand Extends Production of HEMI®-powered Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat and Dodge Durango R/T Models EV are now branded by Dodge as Souless EVs. PATHETIC Stellantis Media - Save the Planet … From Soulless EVs! World’s Quickest and Most Powerful Muscle Car, the All-new Dodge Charger Daytona, Lands Now With New Marketing Campaign Dodge press release: Stellantis Media - Dodge Newsroom

Hyundai says the WAIT is over for the 2025 IONIQ 5 family of SUVs available now at your local dealership. The question to ask is are the available choices including financial able to drive customers into the dealership? To start with, let's look at what Hyundai is offering from a financial standpoint since the biggest complaint is always the price of an EV. Hyundai Financial is offering two ways to help get you into a new IONIQ 5, Financing as low as 0.99% interest, APR for up to 60 months for qualified buyers or leasing as low as $199 per month for 24 months. $3,999.00 due at lease signing, for qualified lesses, excludes registration, tax, title, and license, 10,000 miles per year including the $7,500 EV lease bonus. All this with a starting price of $42,500, EPA estimated range up to 318 miles, power up to 320 hp / 239 kW and Ultra-Fast Charging from 10-80% in 20 minutes. Let's start with the Ultra-Fast charging of 10% to 80% in 20 minutes. The press release photos show a Tesla supercharger, and yet the Hyundai is an 800V/350kW DC Ultra-Fast charging EV that will come with an adapter so that these NACS ported EVs can charge at the CCS charging stations where one can get this 20 min fast charge. Tesla Superchargers have 350kW charging coming but currently only in a few locations, so most of the time you will be using if you charge at a Tesla Supercharging station, a 400V charger, so expect 30 minutes to charge to 80% at 250kW or if you charge at home from 10% to 100% on a 240V level 2 charger in about 7hrs. This is where Hyundai is pushing to give you the right tools as with the 2025 IONIQ 5, Hyundai is also currently including a Complimentary ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 EV charger or you can take a $400 charging credit good at any ChargePoint station that includes EVgo, Shell Recharge or ChargePoint station. The ChargePoint network is 87,000 chargers across the U.S. Hyundai has made it very clear that the ChargePoint charger is free, but installation is not included. The good point is Hyundai has already connected to have available electricians who can do the installation and they walk you through the process via the Hyundai Home Marketplace app. If the buyer / lease chooses to go with the $400 charging credit with ChargePoint, they have two years to use the credit before it expires. Hyundai offers the IONIQ 5 in multiple trims in what they consider a trifecta family.  IONIQ 5 Family core with Key specifications: SE Standard Range Starting MSRP $42,500 RWD: 245-miles all-electric range 125kW (168 hp) SE Starting MSRP $46,550 RWD: 318-mile all-electric range RWD: 168kW (225 hp) AWD: 290-mile all-electric range AWD 74kW + 165kW (320 hp)  SEL Starting MSRP $49,500 RWD: 318-mile all-electric range RWD: 168kW (225 hp) AWD: 290-mile all-electric range AWD 74kW + 165kW (320 hp)  HDA 2: Highway Driving Assist 2 Wireless device charging Limited Starting MSRP $54,200 RWD: 318-mile all-electric range RWD: 168kW (225 hp) AWD: 290-mile all-electric range AWD 74kW + 165kW (320 hp)  Vision roof Premium Head-up display (HUD) V2L Hyundai IONIQ 5 Standard Gallery IONIQ 5 XRT The dark side per Hyundai's own website of off-road rally racing inspiration. XRT  MSRP to be announced early 2025 18-inch XRT wheels with all-terrain tires 23mm or 1-inch lifted and tuned suspension XRT Front and rear bumpers Blacked-out styling accents Exclusive interior details and badging Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT Gallery IONIQ 5 N edition The Bolder world performance car of the year for 2024 N edition Starting MSRP $66,100 0-60 mph in 3.25 seconds with N Grin Boost 162 mph top speed. 478kW (641 hp / 568 lb-ft of torque) Lowered 5.6-inch ground clearance with tuned suspension 221 mile range / 84kW battery pack Performance interior and badging Performance features: N Battery Preconditioning N race mode N Pedal mode or special tuned one pedal drive mode N Brake regeneration N Drift Optimizer mode N Torque Distribution N launch Control Mode N Grin Boost mode N e-shift  N Track SOC N Active Sound + Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Gallery The family of Hyundai IONIQ 5 comes with a three year or 36,000-mile warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile Hybrid/electric battery warranty and 24/7 roadside assistance. With the growing EV charging infrastructure and the addition of the Tesla Supercharging stations network, getting around even on road trips across North America has become so much easier than one would have thought. One can check out more about the Hyundai IONIQ 5 family of autos here: 2025 IONIQ 5 | Electric SUV, Overview | Hyundai USA So this then brings us back to the original question posed, So will the choices and financial incentives drive customers into the dealerships and have them taking home a new EV? Sound off on what you think. View full article

@A Horse With No Name If you want to see a VAST array of American Iron, take the Amtrak train from Chicago to Seattle. It was AMAZING to see all the lined up trucks and cars from just about every make lined up in the fields by the train tracks heading west. It is an amazing site to see all the old autos rusting away in the fields as well as some of the abandoned small towns that the trains go by. You could also do the Seattle to Chicago ride. Still amazing sites to behold. Empire Builder Seattle To Chicago

WOW, amazing how trashed an expensive auto can become on top of the illegal ODO roll back. Sad

Have to agree here that Genesis interiors are a huge step above American and European luxury cars. Perfect, no they are not, but they are hitting for the fence in comparison to what the others are doing. https://www.slashgear.com/1758644/2025-g80-interior-design-details-luxury-brand-comparison/

Very enlightening read. EVs Are Cheaper to Own Than Gas Cars in All But 2 States, Study Finds

Would love these motors in the R32 or R33 Skyline. Nissan did it to their R32 and this thing Rocks. Here is the original press release on this beast. Reimagining an icon – the R32 EV | Nissan Stories | Nissan Motor Corporation Global Website

Very interesting read. Electric Vehicle Sales Jump Higher in Q4, Pushing U.S. Sales to a Record 1.3 Million - Cox Automotive Inc.

Just not Ellipticals, all cardio equipment is recommended to face a mirror wall so that as you work out, you can also monitor your posture. Most people will get lazy and hang on the equipment which is not good for the back. The mirrors allow you to monitor yourself in working out, square shoulders, straight back, pumping the arms fully, etc. To quote the medical industry: Proper form and technique: Mirrors allow people to check and correct their exercise form and technique in real time. Visual reference: Mirrors help individuals maintain correct posture and form during workouts. Motivation and performance: Seeing oneself in the mirror can boost motivation and performance. Preventing injuries: Checking form helps prevent injuries during exercise.

I honestly do not know where to begin on the things wrong in that video, but I do agree with him that the best part was the engine to pull out and toss the rest away in the trash.

Yes, Canada also did the stupid thing of allowing tree planting way to close together to maximize tree output and yet the climate change has then ended up killing large sections of the trees, ending in very terrible forest fires as I remember 2019 and all the ash coming down from Canada over Washington.