G. David Felt

Yamaha Motor Co. announced April 12, 2021 their new Hyper-EV motor allowing them to reach the highest output density for the EV class. In the past, Yamaha has been selling their first generation EV motor that had a range of 35 - 200 kW for auto's and mobility applications. Today's new generation of Hyper-EV motors now boasts output up to 350kW (469 hp) @ 800 volts per motor or a total of 1.4MW or 1,877 hp in a four motor AWD configuration. Yamaha is taking EV motor development to a new industry leading level by leaving behind the module components mechanical and electrical separate units. This newly developed electric motor is a compact unit that combines mechanical and electrical as a single entity, integrating the gear, inverter into a single unit. This is in anticipation of installation of multiple units on a single vehicle. Yamaha will be presenting this new motor line at the Automotive Engineering Exposition 2021 in Yokohama scheduled for May 26th to May 28th 2021. More information is expected to be released at the auto engineering show, but one can make some assumptions based on the few details on this new motor line and past details of Yamaha EV motors. Torque vectoring and redundancy of controllers is a benefit of this compact single unit in a multiple motor application. Consider also that Yamaha Motor Co has a considerable investment in ownership by Toyota Motor Company and since Toyota currently uses Yamaha ICE engines in certain Toyota/Lexus auto's, that this motor line could very well show up in Toyota's BEV product line that is coming. Toyota has also stated they will show off this year their 800 volt solid state battery system in a BEV that will launch a complete line of auto's for global sales. It would make sense that this motor could cover from entry level to luxury level and performance BEVs. Another interesting take is this motor line could find it's way into 3rd party sellers of conversion products. Convert your ICE Chevrolet Avalanche to AWD four Yamaha Hyper-EV motors with 1,877 HP giving you a large potential FRUNK with a battery pack between the wheels for a low center of gravity. Electric Motors | Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (yamaha-motor.com) Yamaha Motor Begins Accepting Orders for Prototype Hyper-EV Electric Motor Development — New electric motor reaches 350 kW class in maximum output — - News releases | Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (yamaha-motor.com) View full article

So what your saying is that the current Hino powertrain might be problematic and going all Cummins all the time is a good thing!

23 different forms of Meh!!! ?

Not sure which is funnier, his It Sounds Greek or his attempt to stay alive as he looks like he is about to have a major Coronary. ?

Seems South Korea Battery Giant Samsung is the official battery supplier to Rivian with their Li-Ion SDI battery cells. At the start the R1T will ship with the standard 135 kWH battery pack good for 300 plus miles. Early 2022 the Max pack 180 kWH battery pack for 400 miles as well as the lite pack of 105 kWH battery pack will join the options. Currently Rivian is beating all rivals with the best battery warranty of 8yrs or 175,000 miles which ever comes first. To quote Rivian on their Warranty for their auto's: What is the warranty coverage on a new Rivian? New Vehicle Limited Warranty is included on all new R1S and R1T vehicles purchased from Rivian. New Vehicle Limited Warranties include: Comprehensive: The cost of all parts and labor necessary for any defective materials are covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first Battery Pack: Coverage includes all components inside the high-voltage battery and 70% or more of the battery capacity for 8 years or 175,000 miles, whichever comes first Drivetrain: Coverage includes the drivetrain and components for 8 years or 175,000 miles, whichever comes first Corrosion (Perforation): Body panels that are perforated by corrosion will be covered for 8 years with unlimited miles A full list of warranty coverage will be located in the Warranty Guide prior to production vehicles being available for purchase. What is the warranty coverage on a new Rivian? - Support Center - Rivian Charged EVs | Samsung SDI to be Rivian’s battery cell supplier - Charged EVs I have to say that the OEMs in Detroit as well as Tesla need to pay attention as Rivian is offering a far superior auto warranty over any of them.

October 5th, 2020 Hino Trucks, a subsidiary of The Toyota Group Company announced their Project "Z". This was the Company's development plan to offer zero emissions vehicles (ZEV) for class 4 to 8 medium and heavy duty trucks in the North American market with customer demonstrations in 2022 and production starting in 2024. Project Z was a development plan to bring Fuel Cell and BEV to the whole medium and heavy duty product line for customers along side Diesel as the industry started to convert over. The long 5 year plan was expected due to the continued R&D that would be needed on Diesel trucks to meet global emission standards and the development time for fuel cell and BEV trucks. During the Virtual 2021 NTEA Work Truck Show, Hino Trucks announced their intent to produce all class 4 to 8 trucks using Cummins engines for sale in North America. This is the Cummins B6.7 and L9 motors to start being produced in the Hino's L and XL Series models at the end of 2021. Additional models moving forward will come out to cover all truck lines allowing for a much reduced investment in R&D while at the same time allowing Hino to ramp up their efforts to move over sooner to a Zero Emission fleet of trucks. As such, this announcement allows Hino and Cummins to secure long term diesel motor production for existing sales of such trucks and Hino is able to focus on Zero Emission vehicles (ZEV) using BEV and Fuel Cell technology. Hino has now moved up their time line with production of Fuel Cell and BEV trucks in Q4 of 2022 with full production by the end of 2023 rather than the end of 2024. A couple of take aways from both the Cummins and Hino announcements and projects: Hino can shift resources from Diesel R&D to Project Z. Cummins secures long term diesel powertrain commitments. Both OEMs secure a new partnership that helps offset R&D investments. Cummins partnership contracts for diesel powertrain also secures revenue stream allowing Cummins to invest in their own ZEV Powertrains. Both companies have stronger long term growth prospects with this partnership allowing both stocks to grow. Additional commitments by HINO to the battery production industry securing large size battery cell production contracts. Battery suppliers another grow industry to consider. HINO is a very popular truck line used in inner city deliveries as well as the suburbs and rural areas. Having a diverse portfolio of ZEV and Diesel trucks with a solid know power train from Cummins is a win win for Fleet buyers. Hino is lookin to lead the medium / heavy duty truck market in North America as well as around the world being ready for the needs of ZEV solutions while strongly supporting the needs of Diesel fleets. View full article

Agree, dates are meaningless till actual confirmation of it shipped, on the truck, arrived at the dealership. Not surprised by the bump to the build week due to the various parts shortage happening. Thanks for keeping us updated, very excited to see your new truck when it arrives!

That is one way to use the trailer hitch for a storage unit!

There ya go, the only auto's that are decent enough for me. The lone blue Ferrari has some nice attributes, but like @balthazar Most Ferraris to me are MEH!!!!

This is Lovely!

1 out of 2 awesome cars not bad. That Aston is Bomb.Com!

I honestly do not get what is so exciting about driving a Sardine can car. Glad you like them, but a hard pass from me.

Both of my kids got their first shot over the weekend of Moderna. Family should be 100% vaccinated in 4 weeks.

Muscle car war

Congratulations Drew! Great looking Fleet!!!

@trinacriabobSomething like this one? 1978 Pontiac Bonneville | Legendary Motors - Classic Cars, Muscle Cars, Hot Rods & Antique Cars - Beverly, MA (legendarymotorsllc.com) Lovely car, already sold though, a ton of great pics at the link above.

Seems that the Ariya is not the only EV to be coming for Nissan as other web sites are now saying Nissan will have an EV also in one size below the Ariya. Report: Nissan planning small electric crossover below Ariya (greencarreports.com)

H'mmmmm ? What auto's are overloaded with a bigger trailer than their tiny engine can handle for a $100? What Auto's have a big American V8 and are towing itty bitty trailers for $200? What Auto is overloaded and sagging in the butt needing a load leveling system from Germany for $300? What kinds of things are trailered by people with SUVs for $400? Man we could have such fun games while Drew is driving!

An auto one can easily forget. Such a catfish car if there ever was.

Future