G. David Felt

Very cool that the Bronco is finally showing up for customers. Ford Broncos Are Showing Up at Buyers’ Doors (msn.com) Seems this is Jeeps answer to the Ford Bronco. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Xtreme Recon is an extra-hardcore off-roader (msn.com)

We are baking in Seattle, hottest temps I can ever remember and I am a native. Seattle is supposed to hit 113 on Monday.

Lets also add this info, Panasonic, Tesla dedicated battery builder just dumped all the shares they hold in Tesla. Yes they say it is for other investments, but reality is the price is very over valued and time to take the money and run as Tesla is going to have hard times as other auto companies start delivering their BEV. Tesla Battery Supplier Panasonic Cuts Entire Stake In Elon Musk Company (msn.com) Then lets also realize that Tesla is on a downward trend compared to Ford and GM. Tesla stock is getting left in Ford's and GM's dust (msn.com) Clearly, Tesla needs some better leadership.

I have to laugh as you are making a HUGE ASSumption about me as I have probably driven more race cars, more sport cars and at higher speeds than many have. I have driven many a good car with a manual and many a good car with an automatic and I yearly drive 1 of the 10 best drives in North America at triple digits. I still think in todays age that Manuals are overrated now. Be it motorcycles which is awesome. Be it cars, this is where I go and drive and enjoy being an enthusiast. Check out the North Cascade Highway, a perfect place for anyone who loves to ride or drive to enjoy the road!

Agree it reminds me of the FedEx trucks which I thought were all international brand.

Sad, as I consider myself a true auto enthusiast! I have built more race cars than many here have, rebuilt more cars than most due to my dad have a garage, so yes, from rebuilding differentials, transmissions, suspensions to engines and that still has not stopped my enthusiast attitude for the auto and the future which I see as BEV. We have those that love the old iron, those that love the 70's, 80's and 90's and now those that love the 21st century ICE. We also have those that love the future BEV. One cannot say that those are not enthusiasts. Yes we have a few that only seem to want to argue, but still could be considered an auto enthusiast, we had those that are auto enthusiasts of all things ICE and have left due to their own bad behavior. In our Multi-Cultural world, accepting change even when one does not like change is part of life and for those that would just focus on attacking change the people that support it is sad and those have left or were banned due to their behavoir. Yes, we need more folks to join. Yet, in todays social media world and with a pandemic, it is hard at this time to get people to join. Hopefully this will change as the world get vaccinated, sadly for some it will not. I challenge everyone here including myself to get one new member by the end of the year.

Interesting read, but as they point out, current EVs outsell Manuals and with manuals being less than 1.1% of auto sales and reducing, manuals will be very expensive. Yes, Polestar and Porsche and the Italian garbage badges will probably stick with having a manual to give the dwindling group of Manual drivers their desire at an expensive cost. Long term I still see manual pretty much being dead by the time I am dead too.

I honestly agree with @ccap41 & @surreal1272 that the Continental WAS NOT a failure, just too little too late and the bulk of the auto media seems to agree with me on that point. The Lincoln Continental Sedan Is Dead. Again. (motortrend.com) This Is Why Lincoln Is Discontinuing The Continental (hotcars.com) You all know I have in the past blasted the Continental for being to small inside and not a true full size of what I could fit into in the 80's. That by no means indicates it was a poorly built, substandard luxury sedan. Pretty much those that bought the car love it and you really do not see many listed for sale on used. Selling used is an indicator that Lincoln can and probably will have success with a much more roomy interior BEV Zephyr sedan for those that are ready to trade in their ICE Continental. Everything I read about Lincoln Luxury, BEV seems to indicate that Ford truly released their luxury division to get back to their roots of building unique LUXURY BEVs and for that I am very excited to see. The Zephyr could help Lincoln, seriously | Autoblog To Quote Autoblog story on how a BEV Zephyr can help Lincoln. Why would a new sedan fare any better? Lincoln didn’t reveal the powertrain of the prototype, but an electric Zephyr sedan could bring in a whole new customer to the brand. Even Tesla isn’t building or selling that many Model S sedans, but the segment is still viable, as evidenced by the Mercedes EQE and EQS. Stylish sedans, particularly powered by electricity, could make some early adopters rethink their attitudes toward legacy car brands. Lincoln Keeps Sedans Alive With Zephyr Reflection Concept In China | Carscoops Lincoln Zephyr Reflection Concept Debuts At Shanghai Auto Show (fordauthority.com) Lincoln Will Release First EV Next Year, Electrify Entire Lineup by 2030 (thedrive.com) Ford’s Lincoln Line Going Electric And The First New Model Arrives In 2022 (forbes.com) First Fully Electric Lincoln Is Coming In 2022 (insideevs.com) Lincoln's first full EV debuts next year, 'fully electrified' portfolio planned by 2030 - Roadshow (cnet.com) Why is @smk4565 trying to derail as usual to being a thread on another brand, FEAR. FEAR, FEAR, FEAR Fact is, even the auto media has commented on how ugly the EQS is, Tesla should also FEAR Lincoln, This is a Million Times better looking BEV than Tesla or MB has currently on the market globally. This interior puts Tesla and MB to shame! Rock on Lincoln BEV Zephyr!

Yes, Nothing wrong with having a manual transmission, enjoy the final days as the future I see is one where the public will not want manual. IMHO.

@regfootball Looking good, Awesome rides!

So there is a Franchise to sell commercial Sprinter Vans. Per your 6 year old document, I have to assume there must be a newer one, but then only the commercial Sprinter van is called out, not the lowly passenger vans MB sells. Reviewing the web site, I see they moved the Metris passenger van under the commercial franchise. So selling is under the franchise. Service is still possible at all the dealers as this 2015 document you pointed to, thank you, does not say that a dealer cannot work on the vans without a franchise agreement, only sell.

But the Point is ALL MB Dealers CAN SELL VANS even if they do not stock them! So YOUR Dealer DOES Sell Vans if they want, but they choose not too. If a person came in to YOUR dealership and asked to buy a Van, I am sure the dealership would work with them to sell it as the official web site states. All Dealers can sell and service vans. There is NO LICENSE required to Sell Vans per MB Web Site. Where does it say they have to have a special license or franchise to sell vans? Any Dealer can sell and service the vans, only 75% CHOOSE to stock them and sell them. Clearly it bothers you BIG TIME as you are here ATTEMPTING to Justify the whole VAN thing at MB. So AGAIN, NO LINK, NO CLEAR EVIDENCE, What is this chart, Sales of Smarts? Sales of S-Class? You have been asked, posts the links, clearly state the facts. Please stop drinking the Kool-Aid as you clearly are having challenges expressing yourself clearly through style, diction and formulation of your thoughts.

Your missing the POINT MB does not state that the dealers cannot sell. The web site says any dealer can sell a van, use their search tool to find a dealer with vans in stock. Not all dealers stock vans, but that does not mean they cannot sell them and Daimler / MB does not keep them from selling it. No where on their parent web site, MB global site or MBUSA does it say it is a special dealership requirement to sell the company vans. MBUSA and MB global says not all dealers stock everything they produce. Use the search tool to find a dealer with the product your interested in, in stock. This is the same way with pretty much any auto company unless they clearly state that a certain product line requires a special dealership. Common sense. Want to prove me wrong, then POINT ME AND EVERYONE HERE TO THE ACTUAL REQUIREMENT on DAIMLER / Mercedes-Benz web sites!

Are you positive and can you prove that not all Mercedes dealers can sell vans? Seems the dedicated web site states any Mercedes dealership can sell/service from their van portfolio and to use their search tool to find a van in stock at select dealers. Home Page | Mercedes-Benz Vans (mbvans.com)

gm has had a busy week on top of a busy year as gm moves forward with their global plan to be a green carbon neutral company by 2040. To do this, gm has reached out to like minded businesses in putting together a 21st century portfolio of technology options for a cleaner future. Today June 23rd 2021, gm announced a program with Shell via the MP2 Energy, LLC, to provide comprehensive energy solutions to gm's customers and supply chain partners, including fixed-rate home energy plans backed by 100 percent renewable energy resources. This program is currently available to all Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicle owners in the state of Texas. What does this program entail one would ask. Starting this summer gm/Shell will offer gm electric vehicle owners the opportunity to select home energy plans that include the option for free overnight hours of EV charging. Starting this month, the companies will also begin providing gm suppliers access to a tailored suite of renewable energy products to assist in setting and achieving their individual emissions-reduction goals. Employees of participating gm suppliers will be eligible for the home energy plans mentioned above. gm plans to be carbon neutral in global products and operations by 2040 and has committed to the science based targets set forth in the Paris Agreement. Shell also plans to be carbon neutral in global products and operations by 2050. Shell is expanding their energy production across the portfolio via wind, solar, geothermal and more. This commitment to green energy, cleaner transport is part of the company change across the globe as Shell converts or adds to their existing gas stations in turning them into energy Hubs. Shell has committed to 500,000 charge points by 2025 globally in addition to the various charging companies they have bought across Europe, Asia and the US. Shell just launched in May their first Mobility Hub in Central Paris as the launch of Shell Recharge. Expect this to become common across the globe as Shell installs and expands their Mobility Hub Shell Recharge stations. Part of the Shell push into the Green energy production business also starts the close on a past chapter as Shell divest itself of refineries such as the Anacortes, Washington refinery and the Mobile, Alabama refinery. The funds from these sales will be invested into green energy production, home and retail energy charging solutions. Shell estimates there are 1 billion ICE auto's on the road today and forecast 300-400 million EVs on the road out of the estimated 2 billion EVs by 2040 and plans to be the leader in offering global charging for them. gm and Shell see a BRIGHT future in green energy for their customers. gm has also this month joined the University of Washington's Urban Freight Lab, City of Seattle and Tech Startups in launching sustainable Last-Mile delivery hub in Seattle. The following start-ups AxleHire, Coaster Cycles and REEF are the nations first zero operating-emissions, last-mile neighborhood delivery hubs. These companies are working with BrightDrop / gm, the UW and the City to transition 30% of goods delivered to zero operating emissions solutions. From food to parcel deliveries, BrightDrop electric pallets and electric solutions for bikes BrightDrop is helping to build a smarter, safer way to deliver goods and services the last-mile. gm is not ignoring their leading edge technology to just the auto industry or the last-mile delivery business. On June 17th 2021 gm and Liebheer Aerospace joined forces in taking gm HYDROTEC fuel cell technology from the auto to the aircraft. gm and Liebherr will co-develop a hydrogen fuel cell power generation system for aircraft. The precisely crafted fuel cells, HYDROTEC power cube and fuel cell systems along with gm's controls and software models will be used to develop an aerospace power train system. Liebherr-Aerospace is one of the industry leading aerospace on-board aircraft system suppliers and believes with gm hydrogen technology that they can deliver a power train solution that will lower emissions, lower aircraft noise and improve quality of life for humanity. gm through it's relationship with Honda, is one of the world's most advanced fuel cell developers in many industrial fields and looks to expand that into the aeronautics field. gm's fuel cell business benefits from decades of investment in engineering and manufacturing expertise in high volume processes that can bring economy of scale to fuel cell production. To quote Global HYDROTEC gm Executive Director Charlie Freese, Aircraft are a great litmus test for the strength and versatility of our HYDROTEC fuel cells. The HYDROTEC technology can be used to address a wide range of uses in reducing a key issue, CO2 on land, sea, air or rail. The collaboration with Liebherr will open up new possibilities for aircraft. General Motors and Shell Offer Renewable Energy Solutions to U.S. Homeowners, EV Owners and Suppliers (gm.com) BrightDrop Joins University of Washington's Urban Freight Lab, Tech Startups to Launch Sustainable Last-Mile Delivery Hub in Seattle (gm.com) GM and Liebherr-Aerospace to Collaborate on HYDROTEC Hydrogen Fuel Cell-Based Power Systems for Aircraft Liebherr and GM to develop HYDROTEC fuel cell-based electrical power generation system for aerospace application - Liebherr GM, Shell Offer Renewable Energy Solutions for Homes, EVs, Suppliers | Shell United States Shell launches its first European EV Mobility Hub in Paris | Shell Global Cleaner Transport | Shell United Kingdom Shell sells Alabama refinery to Vertex Energy | Shell United States Shell Sells Washington Puget Sound Refinery to Hollyfrontier | Shell United States Electric Vehicle Charging | Shell Global View full article

I was a teen at one time though still 6'6" tall was only 225lbs so I could fold up into the race cars my dad and I built out of Camaro's in his shop. Agree to disagree, Agreed!

Since the official reveal of the Mach-e Ford has been busy moving forward to the point where this auto is a very hot BEV selling around the world. Now Ford has released for the last two model versions the final info on the Mach-e GT and GT Performance edition that is in production finally and the official EPA range is 270 miles for GT and 260 for the GT-Performance. The GT-Performance will have 634 lb-ft of torque and a 0to60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Ford has done some great engineering when you consider the Targeted EPA range at this reveal and the final. Mustang Mach-E GT and GT Performance Edition Hit Final EPA-Estimated Range of 270 miles and 260 miles | Ford Media Center

Seems BMW is now looking at a Luxury Truck. This concept is built on the BMW X7 converted to a truck. Then you have the custom house making their version off a X7 model. I would still hate the big ugly kidney grill, but this is way better than the badge engineering MB thought of doing with the Mitsubishi truck.

I will disagree with you that Manual is faster than automatics in racing. I also would challenge that all drivers enjoy the pleasure of manuals. I grew up driving manual from age of 12 till my mid 30's and when you live in a mountainous area, hills are not easy for many people with manuals. Eventually one moves to automatic over manual and even hard core enthusiasts will have some that prefer automatic over manual. I am one of those enthusiasts that have had more than enough manual and no desire to go back ever. I will admit that the 3 on the tree in my 69 camper special F250 was a blast to drive and a great leg workout. Is it me or does that S2000 have some BMW style to it? Seems to remind me of a BMW 2 door, but cannot think of the specific model right now.

Marriage

I am the One!, Love racing, Love aggressive driving, Enjoyed when I was younger the shifting thing for a while, but honestly, a dual clutch paddle shift or just total auto is fine as they are faster than manual and once focused on attacking the road/course, the shifting thing is not even a thought.

I think there is 1 gal in your life that would send you to hell faster than the fun 24 gals would take you to heaven!

Pride

So here just north of me off Highway 99 is the Lynnwood Benz dealership and I see far more vans out front than cars or SUVs. I agree that NOW is the time for Lincoln to step it up with their BEV roll out of Luxury auto's. While you and everyone knows I love my SUVs and Trucks, I am honestly EXCITED that they will have the Zephyr BEV for those that still want a car. Smart to still have an option so that they do not push away potential buyers.