G. David Felt

Sure, for the little torque where the engine has to rev to 1,600 RPM and yet as I posted here, we are talking 13,777 nM or over 10,000 lb-ft of torque from a dead start. Other than battery pack, I do not see Diesel being able to do better than electric at this time. Once Solid-State batteries become standard, I think it will be very hard to not replace Diesel for electric.

Volkswagen or VW to the bulk of society launched their e-Mobility site with links to 6 BEVs that are launched or near launch and their largest assembly plant. E-mobility | Volkswagen Newsroom (volkswagen-newsroom.com) What is e-mobility? At a Glance, this is what it is: E-offensive: Volkswagen has launched the world's largest e-offensive. The Group is investing 35 billion euros. Models: By 2030, Volkswagen will have launched about 70 all-electric models across the Group. ID. Family: The newly developed, all-electric model family has started in 2020. Big goals: In 2025, the Volkswagen brand intends to sell more than 1 million electric cars per year worldwide. MEB: The modular electric drive system (MEB) is the technical and economic backbone of the E offensive. E-production: The new e-cars will be built at eight MEB locations in Europe, China and the USA. The portfolio of BEV consists of the following: ID.3 - Read ID.4 - Read ID.4 GTX - Read ID.5 & ID5 GTX - Read ID.Buzz - Read Zwickau - VW largest Assembly plant for BEVs This e-mobility is the start of VW major change over from ICE auto's to BEVs and making up for the deceit that was caused by the Diesel Gate mess. Part of this e-mobility is the excitement around the upcoming launch of the ID.Buzz and ID.Buzz Cargo. EN_ID_Buzz_CoveredDrive.pdf Yes, you're reading this correctly, there actually will be two versions, the traditional people van and a Cargo version that VW also had back in the day. VW says that the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo incorporates seven decades of Bulli know-how into these 21st century MEB platform based BEVs. The World premiere of the ID. Buzz autos will take place on March 9th, 2022. The ID. Buzz made a sensational splash at the Detroit Motor Show in 2017. Five intensive engineering years of development has followed with an electric motoring game-changer. The ID. Buzz is a 5-seater van and the Buzz Cargo is just that, a cargo delivery van. While a colorful semi design is covering the ID. Buzz, one can clearly see that the bulk of the 2017 Concept made it to production. The stylistic elements of the legendary T1, the original Bulli have survived. Some may wonder what these stylistic elements might be and here is the list: Extremely short vehicle body overhangs Maximum utilization of space on a minimal footprint Classic division of the vehicle body design into an upper and lower level Unmistakable face with its V-shape Rear-wheel drive The MEB platform allows both ID.Buzz versions to launch this year with the following features: Lithium-ion battery with a Gross energy content of 82 kWh (net: 77 kWh) 150 kW (201 hp) electric motor integrated into the rear axle 310 Nm of torque (229 lb-ft of torque) from a standing start 145 km/h (90 mph) top speed Low center of gravity ID. Buzz turning circle of 11 meters (36 feet) Additional features of the ID. Buzz are as follows: Standard wheelbase 2,988 mm or 118 inches Overall length of 4,712 mm or 185 inches Width is 1,985 mm or 78 inches wide Rim size of 18 to 21 inches Van height of 1,937 mm people / 1,938 mm cargo which is 76 inches or 77 or 77 1/2 inches tall Interior space with all seats occupied has 1,121 liters of luggage space or 68408 cubic inches of space Bidirectional charging and DC charging capable Over the air updates Trained parking and Travel assist The original emission free Bulli was shown in 1972 when the dream was born and could only travel 85 kilometers or 53 miles. The dream of an emission free Bulli was born and in 2022 that dream is becoming a reality. Data Sheet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VolkswagenNutzfahrzeugeMeinWerk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/volkswagen-commercial-vehicles-/ VWN ‘wetransportsuccess’ podcast: https://www.radio.de/p/wetransportsuccess E-mobility | Volkswagen Newsroom (volkswagen-newsroom.com) Rebirth of an icon: Countdown launched for the electric ID. Buzz! | Volkswagen Newsroom (volkswagen-newsroom.com) View full article

This is a very cool video to watch of Magna's EV conversion system on a GMC 2500 pickup and I have to say it rocks! 547 HP or 408 kW of power using an 80 kW battery pack. Yes, I know I am bias toward BEV, but I really think Magna has a great conversion system. I cannot wait to see it go on sale in 2024. @balthazar @Robert Hall @ccap41 @riviera74 @daves87rs @Drew Dowdell @oldshurst442 @surreal1272 Thoughts?

Poor baby needs a loving bath / detail. Once your done with the Farm, I would schedule that baby up with a detail shop!

Interesting read, an independant auto design person based on the LYRIQ and comments from Cadillac about a Halo Luxury auto designed a car. The Cadillac Lumin Is An Unofficial Design Study For A Flagship Electric Sedan | Carscoops @balthazar @Robert Hall @ccap41 @riviera74 @daves87rs @Drew Dowdell @oldshurst442 @surreal1272 What are your thoughts? Cadillac LUMIN Lots more photos at the link above.

In November 2021, Nissan Ambition 2030 was unveiled with a focus on their long-term vision for empowering mobility and beyond for a cleaner, safer and more inclusive world. Nissan Ambition 2030 laid out the plan to deliver superior value by empowering journeys and society through exciting, electrified vehicles and technological innovations. The video below is for your viewing if you want to hear this plan. There are additional videos and info at the link below on the plan. At the time of this Ambition 2030 announcement, Nissan showed off their Chill Out EV Concept. Today in February 2022 Nissan Motor Corporation had the following details to share about their Canton Mississippi Assembly plant which will transform into their North America BEV production site. Specifically: Nissan to invest $500 million to transform Canton assembly plant to build all-new Nissan and Infiniti EV models starting in 2025; the company has now invested $13.5 billion in its U.S. manufacturing operations Investment supports retraining and upskilling nearly 2,000 jobs, transforming the Canton plant into a center for EV manufacturing and technology EV investment one of several in the U.S. over the next five years; by 2030, targeting 40% of US vehicle sales to be fully electric, with even more to be electrified New vehicles are part of Nissan Ambition 2030, calling for 23 electrified models for the Nissan and INFINITI brands globally, including 15 all-electric vehicles, by 2030 Here is the first videos of Nissan and Infiniti's BEVs as they start with electric cars over SUV or trucks. Nissan_teaser_movie_20220217.mp4 INFINITI_teaser_movie_20220217.mp4 Currently the Canton vehicle assembly plant employs approximately 5,000 people and builds the current versions of the Altima, Frontier, TITAN and TITAN XD. This plant has built nearly 5 million vehicles since it opened in 2003 This is confirmation by Nissan that these first 2 cars are part of their $18 Billion Nissan Ambition 2030 plan for 23 electrified vehicles to be sold globally by 2030 across the Nissan / Infiniti brands and targeting 40% of U.S. sales to be electric by then. Nissan had originally stated they would offer e-Power Hybrid autos under Infiniti to help with the transformation to fully electric autos as the brand leading BEV after having introduced the Leaf to the world. An infiniti luxury BEV was supposed to be based on the Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept. As a competitor to the Announced Tesla Model 3, Nissan was aggressively going to go after the market but in September 2015, Infinity said there was no demand for Luxury EVs before 2020 and shelved the idea. Since then, the whole industry is now focusing on BEV autos. Now with Design studios based in Yokohama, London, San Diego, and Beijing, Nissan is moving ahead with a complete BEV plan that will leverage the assembly plants in Japan, North America and China to build and supply BEVs globally. For Infinity, this will be using their unique approach to modern Japanese luxury with a focus on thoughtful hospitality while seamlessly integrating technology and innovation into their vehicles. Nissan Ambition 2030 | NISSAN (nissan-global.com) Nissan unveils Ambition 2030 vision to empower mobility and beyond (nissannews.com) Nissan to build two all-new, all-electric models at Mississippi assembly plant (nissannews.com) INFINITI advances on journey towards bright new horizon (infinitinews.com) View full article

While I love that the Japanese love American Muscle, I have to laugh at this as it reminds me of a cat showing it's butt! Cat Butt Charger!

Very Cool Read on Shell Converting gas stations to full on fast charging stations. Photos: Old Shell Gas Station Converted to EV-Only Charging Hub (businessinsider.com)

Nothing wrong with that, a good green solution and clearly easy to make a performance version of it. This is interesting, I just do not see allot of interesting in a tweener between compact and sub-compact of a CUV Coupe. GM Developing Future Chevy Crossover Coupe: Exclusive (gmauthority.com)

This is interesting, they say 43% of truck buyers plan to go electric in the next 10 years. https://gmauthority.com/blog/2022/02/43-percent-of-pickup-owners-plan-to-own-an-electric-truck-in-next-decade-study-says/amp/ Seems Nissan will build 2 BEVs produced from their Mississippi plant. https://amp.detroitnews.com/amp/6834575001

Ran to my local Napa to get a part and saw this in the parking lot.

I have a fixed apr of 3.99%, not changing anything as I am too close to having it paid off in a couple years. But just the crazy prices assigned by the county is why I posted. Clearly home ownership is not going to happen for many Americans with prices like this.

Ran to Fred Meyers to get some grocery shopping done before most people wake up and saw a Unimog in Euro Military baby poop yellow brown and then an old white Datsun Pickup truck almost in rat mode.

Awesome, congratulations on having it paid off, I have a few years left, but way ahead of others, I think. So glad to have almost no debt as I think Interest rates are going to jump like crazy this year.

Crazy house prices, no ifs, ands or but's about it. Just got my county tax record for 2022 and what my property tax will be, $5,100 for the year. Thought it was crazy till I saw the price they estimate my house is worth. My house is on a 1/4-acre lot, split level, 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, 2 car garage, 1650 sq ft livable space. $707,000. I bought it in 1999 for $140,000 and almost have it paid off. Just crazy the prices homes are selling for around the Seattle area. Another split level with only a single car garage, 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1075 sq ft livable space was completely gutted and remodeled with granite counters, all stainless-steel appliances, new windows, doors, roof and fake wood floors throughout, seems carpet is out now for home. Sold for $775,000, was listed for $700,000 but got into a bidding war. Just stupid crazy the home prices here now.

I agree with the Clean Glass, new tires and a 550hp powertrain or more under the hood. Just lets take it to that nice mode IMHO of a new paintjob as is. Make it look like it came off the assembly line as a family hauler. Just able to leave the stupid German auto's at the start line!

If your a foodie like me, then this web site is a must to know what is going on day by day. https://nationaltoday.com/what-is-today/

For the past two years Tesla model 3 has held the honor of being Consumer Reports (CR) top BEV pick. Now comes along Ford and their Mach-E knocking the model 3 into second choice. Tesla model 3 is still on the recommended list due to its latest technology, long range battery pack, charging network and a driving experience closer to a high-performance sports car than a sedan. Mustang Mach-E just did it better according to Consumer Reports. To quote the report: The Mustang Mach-E is also very sporty, plus it’s more practical and easier to live with. The Ford is also quieter and rides better. Both cars have large infotainment center screens, but the Mach-E’s is far easier to operate and doesn’t require multiple steps to activate routine features, such as using the defroster or adjusting the mirrors, as with the Tesla. Also, the Mach-E has an edge when it comes to reliability, according to first-year results in our Annual Auto Surveys of CR members. Consumer Reports (CR) does point out that the Tesla Model Y is more similar to the Mach-E and even outscored it in the road test section but has a worse than average reliability which keeps it out of the Top Picks recommendation category. Reliability being a key factor in CR overall score system, the paint, body integrity, body hardware, power equipment and climate control system issues is why the Model Y failed to be in the Top Picks recommendation category. Model 3 has an average predicted reliability score. Mustang Mach-E owners have so far reported very few problems with their auto giving it an important advantage over the Model Y and 3. CR has also stated that the connected driver monitoring system gives it a notable edge over Tesla's system. Ford's active driving assistance system with driver monitoring, BlueCruise active driving assistance system is a far more affective driver monitoring system with appropriate warnings when the driver's attention wanders. Tesla Autopilot system can still be used if the driver is looking away as long as they have at least one hand resting on the steering wheel, limiting the effectiveness to the lack of attention on the road. Ford Mustang Mach-E Is CR's Top Pick Electric Vehicle - Consumer Reports View full article

Very cool, Tesla has had this for a while for security of the auto. Rivian now also has pushed out and will come standard on all Rivians. GEAR GUARD

Very interesting that the CEO had a live question and answer session on Reddit. Seems we could still see an electric truck and beetle as he left those doors open, but currently the emotional microbus is the first focus point. Diess: Electric Pickup In US Is A "Good Idea," Beetle EV Possible (insideevs.com)

Very interesting read as Ford CEO considers breaking up Ford ICE and Ford BEV. Ford’s CEO just made a convincing case to break his company up and go full EV | Fortune Quote: “I’m struck at how different the rhythm of this digital BEV business is versus ICE,” “If we had full production today to meet our current demand, we would rival the [Tesla] Model Y as the leading BEV nameplate in the U.S. market,” Farley said.

I think that cost is all relative to your earnings. If you are in an industry that has allowed for decent earnings that have rose with the cost of living, then the household appliances are still about the same. Perfect example is a traditional rice cooker. I went to college in Japan and fell in love with my Zojirushi rice cooker, considered one of the best made in the world. Sold everything when I graduated and came home. Upon getting back to America, I bought at the Uwajimaha Japanese store an entry level automatic Zojirushi rice cooker that cost me $99.99. They now cost $137.49 on their own web site or less on Amazon. Like everything, we have to keep it in perspective of income growth to related to cost of items. Some things have gotten cheaper over time, other things far more expensive. This pandemic has clearly caused some crazy pricing to happen.