G. David Felt

Wife had a good day, I set up her fountain for the rest of spring and summer, got her pots arranged and gave her a relaxation place. Kids came and took her to get another pot for her to plant something in for her flowers. I installed a new since and faucet for her. Extra deep and big, since we have gotten into cooking so much, she wanted a larger sink and our old double sink was just so small. This thing is big enough to bath a baby or toddler in. Hope everyone had a good mothers day.

Duck

Cora had a good mothers day, but then went and decided to hang out by herself in the wine room. Got bathed for mothers day. Wanted to play and hang out. Decided as the adults were ignoring her to go sulk in the wine room.

We got that too as a number of deaths from uncovered, unsecured loads have happened so about 5 to 7 years ago, WA passed a all loads must be covered law on everything from your basic 1/2 ton pickup to commercial.

Chunks

Very cool seeing a whole pack of Hummer EVs testing by taking on Moab. https://www.instagram.com/p/COncBOXLvA9/?igshid=jyo6066f08k Awesome

Saw an oldie in the Safeway parking lot. An Eagle Vision ESI.

All of them as one choice!

BUCA is all dead and closed in my area, terrible cheap poor food quality and service. Went once, never went back. I think allot of people did as they have been closed for years here. Yes, here in Washington state it is as follows: RCW 46.37.500: Fenders or splash aprons. (wa.gov) RCW 46.37.500 Fenders or splash aprons. (1) Except as authorized under subsection (2) of this section, no person may operate any motor vehicle, trailer, cargo extension, or semitrailer that is not equipped with fenders, covers, flaps, or splash aprons adequate for minimizing the spray or splash of water or mud from the roadway to the rear of the vehicle. All such devices shall be as wide as the tires behind which they are mounted and extend downward at least to the center of the axle. (2) A motor vehicle that is not less than forty years old or a street rod vehicle that is owned and operated primarily as a collector's item need not be equipped with fenders when the vehicle is used and driven during fair weather on well-maintained, hard-surfaced roads. This is from 2015, but the lack of following the law and the amount of windshield repairs has made many news outlets talk about the lack of enforcement. This is one of many that comes up for here. Enforce state’s mud-flap law to stop rocks | HeraldNet.com

Hopefully the power company will clean this up and replace what looks to be a melted driveway. Any updates on this?

That is interesting, I still think that is wrong, all auto's especially heavy duty trucks like Class 8 should have the wheels covered and the back with mud flaps to minimize throwing rocks. The construction of lite rail in the Seattle area has played hell with cracked windshields from all the dump trucks and semi trucks delivering all over the area product with no mud flaps. Then you have the lifted pickup trucks with idiots that push the wheels outside the wheel well and through stuff at your auto. I just find it wrong to cause so much damage by not properly covering up the wheels.

The 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline edition is the most off-road capable Explorer ever due to increased ground clearance, improved approach and departure angles, steel skid plates, Torsen limited-slip differential, Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires, new shocks, springs and stabilizer bars. The Timberline sports a functional, capable appearance with unique front and rear styling combined with three rows of seating for everyone. Fords marketing data shows that over the last 10 years, SUVs have jumped to command 55% of the U.S. Market with sales growing from 4.6 million units in 2011 to 7.8 million for 2020. This same Ford data is saying that owners are reporting a 56% increase in off-road use over the last 3 years alone. Timberline was built to give customers more confidence and capability to get to the their next adventure be it fishing or a remote off the beaten path spot. A second very important trend is the data showing people are now participating in more outdoor activities and adventures than before due to the pandemic. 40% of all Americans surveyed say they spent more time outdoors since the pandemic began. The Ford Explorer Timberline off-road credibility starts with Ford's standard intelligent four-wheel drive. A system that automatically adjusts torque between the wheels based on conditions and driver inputs delivering best traction, pre-empting wheel slip with proper application of torque per wheel. Ford continues the off-road passion with the following details: Intelligent four-wheel drive Torsen Limited-slip rear differential Terrain Management System featuring seven drive modes (based on 2020 version, could be different on the 2021) Normal mode Eco mode Sport mode Slippery mode Deep Snow and Sand mode Trail mode Tow/Haul mode Standard Hill Descent Control for constant speed control between 2 to 12 mph maximum Timberline capability Heavy duty steel skid plates Enhanced steering calibration Heavy duty stabilizer bars and springs tuned for the Timberline Includes exclusive rebound springs in the front to prevent sudden jarring off-road Heavy Duty Shocks raises the ride height 0.8 inches (Developed for the Explorer Police Interceptor) Bridgestone Dueler P265/65R-18 All-Terrain tires Approach angle of 23.5 degrees and departure angle of 23.7 degrees Minimum ground clearance of 8.7 inches EcoBoost 2.3L engine producing 300 HP and 310 lb/ft of torque paired with a 10 speed automatic transmission giving a 5,300 lb towing capability. Ford only states a couple modes in their press release and as such it could be using the same 7 modes from the 2020 Explorer, but since this is the Timberline edition of rugged off-road prowess, it could be using the Bronco 7 G.O.A.T. modes which stands for Goes Over Any Type of Terrain. This would be the first 5 listed above and then would include a Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl modes for the final two. Either way you will have a very capable off-road SUV. The Explorer Timberline edition launches a new Forged Green Metallic exterior color with a blackout treatment and red ember tow hooks rated at 150% gross vehicle weight. Ford has already incorporated a heavy duty wiring harness that allows Fords wide dealer network to install Ford Performance auxiliary lights giving an output of 160,000 candelas of illumination for nighttime trail riding. This equates to 2.5 times the brightness of the Explorer Timberline high-beam headlamps. Ford's Deep Cypress interior trim color compliments the new Forged Green Metallic exterior and includes the standard Co-Pilot360 with Assist+ technology featuring Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Speed sign recognition, Lane Centering, Evasive Steering assist and voice activated touch screen navigation. Standard 360 degree cameras provide views of all potential obstacles including a front view camera to help with cresting hills off-road. Ford has partnered with Yakima Rooftop accessories for customer to take any and all the equipment they want on their adventure. 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline is available to order now and arrives at Ford dealers summer of 2021. Ford Grows Rugged SUV Lineup with New Ford Explorer Timberline – Most Off-Road-Capable Explorer Ever | Ford Media Center What’s New in the 2020 Ford Explorer Terrain Management System? (akinsford.com) Terrain Management System - Ford Technology| Ford KSA 2021 Ford® Bronco Sport First Edition SUV | Model Detail & Specs View full article

Seems J.D.Powers has a review of all the new apps being created for connectivity to your auto especially if it is a Hybrid or BEV and Tesla which used to lead the market is now falling behind as other OEMs bring their Hybrids / BEVs to market and release smartphone apps. U.S. OEM App Benchmark Study | J.D. Power (jdpower.com) Unfortunately to read more than the 60,000 foot over view, you have to pay and lucky for us various sites did pay to see what was said. Ford Authority seems to feel the review is praising the Ford app for all of Ford auto's. J.D. Power Praises FordPass In First-Ever EV App Benchmark Study (fordauthority.com) Then you have Green Car Reports that feels a bit differently about what the report says and does go into more details. I will say that the Tesla being synced to your apple watch so you can manage your auto is cool. Seems VW has two apps, one for ICE and one for EV and they are as different as night and day with ICE being more usable which is weird as the end users would want to do pretty much the same stuff be it an EV or ICE in regards to locking, unlocking, heating up or cooling down the interior. EV smartphone apps for Tesla and VW panned, Kia lauded in study (greencarreports.com) Over all an interesting review that shows software design is becoming a more important part to the driving experience than one would have thought.

Yes, I noticed that too, but I figure that could very well be due to the production shutdowns, chip shortage causing the production shutdown and an over all cautious buyers market. I would be surprised if more companies do not also show the same thing. With that in mind, I do hope this is just a quarterly blip on the falling cash flow.

gm reported strong Q1 2021 results. GM Reports Strong First-Quarter 2021 Results | General Motors Company GM Reports Strong First-Quarter 2021 Results Wed, May 5, 2021 DETROIT – General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today reported first-quarter earnings driven by strong price and mix performance in North America, strong credit and residual value performance at GM Financial, and the industry recovery in China. The company is highly confident in its full-year 2021 guidance outlined earlier this year as it works to manage through the semiconductor shortage, which is impacting automakers globally. Based on information available today, the company expects to be at the higher-end of the EBIT-adjusted range. Downloads GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra's letter to shareholders Detailed quarterly results with year-over-year comparisons First-quarter 2021 results overview Revenue of $32.5 billion Net income of $3.0 billion, and EBIT-adjusted of $4.4 billion Net income margin of 9.3 percent, and EBIT-adjusted margin of 13.6 percent Automotive operating cash flow of $(1.1) billion, and adjusted automotive free cash flow of $(1.9) billion EPS-diluted of $2.03, and EPS-diluted-adjusted of $2.25* GM North America EBIT-adjusted of $3.1 billion, and EBIT-adjusted margin of 12.1 percent GM International EBIT-adjusted of $0.3 billion, including China Equity Income of $0.3 billion GM Financial EBT-adjusted of $1.2 billion First-quarter 2020 results overview Revenue of $32.7 billion Net income of $0.3 billion, and EBIT-adjusted of $1.2 billion Net income margin of 0.9 percent, and EBIT-adjusted margin of 3.8 percent Automotive operating cash flow of $0.3 billion, and adjusted automotive free cash flow of $(0.9) billion EPS-diluted of $0.17, and EPS-diluted-adjusted of $0.62** GM North America EBIT-adjusted of $2.2 billion, and EBIT-adjusted margin of 8.5 percent GM International EBIT-adjusted of $(0.6) billion, including China Equity Income of $(0.2) billion GM Financial EBT-adjusted of $0.2 billion *EPS-diluted and EPS-diluted-adjusted include a $0.08 gain from Stellantis (formerly PSA) and Lordstown Motor Corporation. **EPS-diluted and EPS-diluted-adjusted includes a $(0.28) impact from Lyft and Stellantis revaluations.

Cool Read, Latest survey of what people want as Priorities in BEVs. Survey: Electric Vehicles' Range Jumps to Top of Priorities for Consumers (autolist.com) Electric Priorities Consumers in the 2021 survey were asked to pick their top three biggest purchase considerations for an EV. Here’s a breakdown of what percentage of respondents chose each EV priority: Range: 61 percent Price: 50 percent Charging infrastructure: 43 percent Recharge times: 36 percent Battery efficiency: 35 percent Compare this to the 2019 Survey These results are notable for how they compare to Autolist’s EV survey from 2019. In that survey, the top five responses were as follows: Price: 58 percent Charging infrastructure: 44 percent Range: 43 percent Battery efficiency: 39 percent Recharge times: 32 percent Interesting response to the ability to charge from home: Autolist’s survey asked respondents how important to their purchase consideration was the ability to charge an EV at home. The results were conclusive: 70 percent of respondents said it was ‘Essential to their purchase consideration.’ 14 percent of respondents said it was ‘Somewhat important.’ Nine percent of respondents said ‘Unsure.’ Four percent of respondents said ‘Other.’ Two percent of respondents said ‘Not important at all.’ I do find this one question interesting in regards to Tesla: The Supercharged Elephant in the Room The importance of home charging to consumers was also reflected in their outlook on what makes Tesla EVs so appealing. When Autolist asked survey respondents to pick the three most appealing aspects of Teslas, only a quarter of shoppers that Autolist polled cited the automaker’s proprietary Supercharging network of charging stations (ranking it fifth out of 11 possible answers): Performance/handling: 42 percent Range: 36 percent Exterior/Interior Style: 32 percent Battery Efficiency: 30 percent Tesla's Supercharging Network: 25 percent Autopilot: 23 percent Price: 19 percent Recharge Time: 18 percent Resale Value: 15 percent Musk's Leadership/Vision: 13 percent Brand Cache: 9 percent

This is an awesome post of old GM auto show pictures. https://www.instagram.com/p/COimXkxpujY/