G. David Felt

Very cool Read!!! 1960 Impala with a 409 Crate motor long block. Dressed to Impress: This Fine 1960 Impala Features an LS that Looks Like a 409 (theblock.com) Great assortment of pictures at the link above.

Are you talking about the wood shims from Home Depot to hold the heat pump in place? If so I have no idea. Hopefully there is no wood shims in the core frame of the auto with these 3 parts now. Seems 2022 models will get this new structure, but current built Tesla will have the 370 pieces, though I honestly could be wrong as they might have switched over already, but Musk has not stated when they are actually removing the 300 robots as they simplify the assembly of the auto's.

President Biden was joined by the auto industry Executives of FORD, GM and Stellantis in the executive order targeting 50% of new auto sales by 2030. While largely symbolic, this nonbinding order sets federal expectations for automakers to rapidly transition from ICE to BEV cars and trucks. Transportation is the largest share of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. While not in attendance, BMW, HONDA, VOLKSWAGEN and VOLVO have all signed off on this executive order backing to target 50% of their new auto sales to be BEV by 2030 mirroring these companies pledges to hit this as they sided with California and their CARB mandates a few years back. UAW is backing Ford and GM push to go all electric by 2035. This on top of the following statements from auto industry executives. “It has been said that this generation is the first to feel the impact of climate change, and the last that can do something about it. I am proud that Ford is leading the electric revolution and standing for stronger standards that protect people and the environment as we progress towards a zero-emissions transportation future. Ford has always been a leader in sustainability and our employees continue their tremendous efforts to leave our children and our grandchildren with a cleaner planet.” - Executive Chair Bill Ford “Ford is on an ambitious trajectory to lead the electrification revolution -- from being the only full-line American automaker to side with California in favor of stricter greenhouse gas emissions, to electrifying our most iconic and popular vehicles, like the F-150 Lightning, Mustang Mach-E and E-Transit. Customer demand has exceeded our expectations. So, we expect to be well positioned to have fully electric vehicles account for 40 to 50% of our U.S. sales by 2030. We’re counting on strong cooperation among the Biden Administration, Congress and state and local governments, and are doing our part by developing high-quality, zero-emission vehicles that customers want.” - CEO Jim Farley Mary Barra(She/Her) • • FollowingChair and Chief Executive Officer at General Motors2w • 2 weeks ago Yesterday, we met with the Biden administration and leaders across the industry to announce our shared aspiration to bring the nation closer to a more sustainable future by achieving 40-50% annual U.S. sales of electric vehicles by 2030. I want to thank the administration for its leadership and support for the necessary policies that will accelerate #EV adoption, strengthen U.S. manufacturing, and provide good jobs for people and communities. This is a critical moment in time, as we work together to advance the industry and achieve our shared goal for a better planet for generations to come. https://lnkd.in/ec4aKSY3 As such, the support and focus from the auto industry will drive new technology and new choices in personal mobility. Ford, GM and Stellantis Joint Statement on Electric Vehicle Annual Sales Ford Statements on Electric Vehicle Sales and White House Announcement | Ford Media Center Stellantis Media - Ford, GM and Stellantis Joint Statement on Electric Vehicle Annual Sales (stellantisnorthamerica.com) California Framework Automakers’ Joint Statement on New Federal Vehicle Emissions Standards. (bmwgroup.com) California Framework Automakers’ Joint Statement on New Federal Vehicle Emissions Standards (hondanews.com) FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces Steps to Drive American Leadership Forward on Clean Cars and Trucks | The White House Statements on the Biden Administration’s Steps to Strengthen American Leadership on Clean Cars and Trucks | The White House View full article

Permanent magnets made using rare-earth metals is what currently drives the electric auto motors. These rare-earth metals are 15 elements that run the periodic table from 57 to 71 including yttrium and scandium which are soft silvery-white heavy metals. Very destructive to the environment and almost entirely controlled by China, but used in a wide range of electronics from computers, cell phones to current electric/hyrid auto's. Not much in the electronic industry is not using some rare-earth metals. MAHLE under the guidance of Dr. Martin Berger, MAHLE Vice President for Corporate Research and Advanced Engineering has stated that the MAHLE breakthrough shows that the New Generation of Traction Motors is the best way forward for a cleaner planet. MAHLE traction motor does not require the rare-earth magnets for a magnetic field generation but instead uses an excitation coil located in the rotor to do the same job. As a result, the MAHLE traction motor is rare-earth material free reducing the impact on the earth and over all society while also making it much cheaper to produce these motors. Wireless inductive power transmission which this motor uses inside allows for contact-free parts which has no friction allowing for no wear and long life. Inductive motors have now overcome the durability question which was critical in the past. Efficiency of the technology is boosted by current advanced digital control systems. As per Dr. Berger, "To get energy to the rotor, it uses an alternating field which is then converted into direct current for the magnet coils. These magnet coils replace the permanent magnets. They induce a magnetic field into the air gap and causes the motor to generate torque." This new traction motor is able to achieve 96 plus percent efficiency according to MAHLE. Eliminating exposure to fluctuating costs of the expensive materials and any ethical concerns with having to rely on a material supply that is controlled by China. Per MAHLE this new traction motor allows a major step towards sustainable mobility while helping to minimize the impact on the planet. Better yet is that these motors are maintenance-free while being suitable for a wide range of applications. Home - MAHLE Group MAHLE develops highly efficient magnet-free electric motor - MAHLE Group en-us_20210505_press_release_magnet_free-hv_motor.pdf (mahle.com) Products - MAHLE Group View full article

This is a game changer and will help Tesla survive. Going from 370 parts to 3 pieces that are connected to give you the under pinning of the auto not only reduces weight, but increases stiffness. Tesla is using the IDRA to make a front, back and battery container. As such, you have just 3 modules to connect and seal compared to the existing 370 pieces. More details here: Tesla's Giga Press Die Castings for Model 3 Eliminate 370 Parts (designnews.com)

Yes, they added, which I did not clarify. I agree that Cadillac should have V version of CUV/SUV. I also see no reason to not add a Corvette CUV/SUV if the market shows interest. I honestly do not see a need for an SS version if you offer a Corvette or Camaro CUV/SUV to the portfolio. Yet GM has put SS on everything in the past even auto's that really should never have been called an SS. Will be interesting to see what GM does for the Performance side of selling BEVs.

300 miles of battery electric range was the fold standard set by Tesla and now with Ford Mach-e having met that challenge, many have wondered what was next. In a review video on Munro Live with Mach-e Chief engineer Donna Dickson, we know now that the Mach-e will get yearly updates on range and technology as well as quarterly over the air updates on the software. Ford is very clear that they are not going to sit back and wait to see how things go, continuously providing updates quarterly and each model year is the Ford goal for all EVs moving forward. Details on this really come to light at the 26 min mark. Munro had a few compliments one being the front motor which is covered in a more recent video he finds to be extremely well engineered especially when compared to Tesla Y. Critisms abound on the video but clearly Ford is taking his tear down reviews very seriously and that is proven as Donna confirms many of the enhancements / better ways to engineer coming forward in future versions. An example of this is the first year Mach-e have dual cooling tanks but will move to a better single tank design. Munro Live - YouTube As has been pointed out by various members to Cheers and Gears, weight is the ultimate demon and Munro points out many ways to improve the weight saving opportunities since the Mach-e is 200 lbs heavier than a comparable Tesla Model Y which weights in at 4,416 lbs. Donna Dickson has made it clear in the video that they have an action plan especially on the range improvements for 22, 23 & 24 model years that will see range up, weight down. Weight and battery efficiency is two key areas that will be improved yearly as Ford moves forward not only with the Mach-e but all their BEVs. An interesting observation is that Ford thought it would be best to keep some familiar items in the Mach-e. One such example is the traditional parking pawl with cable system. Ford has moved away to electronic parking brake buttons and as such, this will go away in the next model year saving costs and weight. An interesting play was Munro fainting in his earlier initial video of the Mach-e cooling system review. Per Donna Dickson, the Mach-e chief engineer, the crazy amount of hoses under the hood is due to Ford matching up new components with older existing components used from other auto's. Dickson has committed that many modular systems are taken from other Hybrids such as the HVAC system so this is not ideal, but they are looking at moving forward with a consistent updated modular system that will improve efficiencies while reducing hoses and cables as they standardize modules for the future BEV roadmap. An example is that Ford for the first year Mach-e has dual cooling pumps to each motor and with the data they have coming in from customer real world use is showing that this over built system for cooling is not needed and they can change to a single beefy cooling pump per motor which will also reduce weight. Interesting is as Donna states Ford has relied on things they knew going into this first BEV for Ford and an example of this is the heavy rubber re-enforced hoses throughout the Mach-e. This you find on all Ford auto's and yet new technology and proven use by Tesla is high strength plastic lines that are thinner, much lighter and will be changed over for the next model year such as the long cooling line from the front of the Mach-e to the rear motor. She also points out that with the much lower temps and pressures you can use smaller diameter lines for the electric motors on cooling over ICE use. Donna Dickson Mach-e chief engineer has taken a different approach to the Munro Tear down review videos. Tesla felt attacked and attacked back at Munro when he tore the Tesla auto's down and applied praise and extreme criticism to Tesla Auto's. Ford is taking the opposite approach with this visit to Munro in taking his review observations very seriously on improving Ford BEV products. Mustang Mach-E Durability | Ford Media Center 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E Will Boost the Current 305-Mile Driving Range (designnews.com) View full article

Mercedes has failed to capture any market share in the BEV market yet. Why not have Performance SUV/CUVs! Porsche is alive due to SUV/CUVs, Mercedes has done both regular and AMG whored out SUV/CUVs even in the G-wagon. So why not have a Corvette SUV. This plus 1,000,000 up votes as Ford is taking away BEV sales from everyone with the Mach-e!

Cheapness??????

Was invited to a show 5 years ago and yes, they should have retired 10 years ago plus. My friend who took me to the show said they still travel and perform to pay for the up keep on their castles in England.

Nutella For you Nutella fans: 9 ways to take Nutella on toast to the next level · The Daily Edge For you health nuts: Here’s the recipe: 3 Killer Health Risks of Nutella - Side Effects of Nutella (pillarsofindia.com)

I think like various transmissions with ICE, the BEVs will make CVT go to the grave. At least that is my hope.

Agree, it would seem to me that the NX is a rebadge of the Rav4 Hybrid and the UX is a rebadge of the CH-R Hybrid. @William Maley Can you do a compare and contrast of if other than the badge and cosmetic bits, is this not just a rebadge or is there more that Lexus gives you?

Yes, all about making money and who cares about the customer attitude is what I see from Tesla.

@balthazar @ccap41 @A Horse With No Name @oldshurst442 @riviera74 I know I am forgetting a few, We all have heard that GM will have electric crate motors just like ICE in the Same Connect and Cruise package via their GM Performance group. Ford at SEMA this year will also Launch their e-Crate Motors starting with using what is sold in the Mustang Mach-e. Ford e-Crate Motors will start with what Ford is calling the Eluminator e-Crate motor package. These will supposedly connect up to any existing Ford Transmission. Ford Performance Enters Crate EV Motor Fray With Eluminator (motortrend.com) Welcome to the Eluminator e-Crate motor solution from Ford. Mighty Hefty TORQUE in the Eluminator Motor!!!

Loved This Movie!!! Spirited Away

@William Maley Is this not just a rebadge of the Toyota Rav4 hybrid?

According to Reuters, strong demand has already made Ford increase production again ahead of the 2022 launch. Ford plans to increase spending an additional $850 million to meet the new targets according to people familiar with the plan inside Ford and at their suppliers. Ford initially had very simple easy goal of less than 5,000 trucks initially for the production launch in 2022, but by the approach of the truck reveal they had upped it to 7,500. Since then with the strong 150,000 customer reserves on top of production orders by Ford Dealers, Ford has again upped production. This time Ford has doubled production estimates all the way through 2025 when the generation two F-150 Lighting comes out. Ford production plans now stand as follows: 2022 - 15,000 2023 - 55,000 2025 - 160,000 Share of Ford rose 1.3% today on this news as investors are very positive about big growth for Ford as they move over to electric auto's. Ford officials have confirmed that they are pleasantly surprised by the early demand for the Ford Lighting electric truck. While various Industry observers have questioned if consumers will give up their gas-powered pickups for electric, commercial customers are looking to reduce their carbon footprint with trucks and vans and have been a huge source of interest and pre-purchases. Ford has not stated how many commercial reservations they have only focusing on retail customer reservations, but the constant increase in production numbers would imply a rather large push to change over from gas/diesel to electric. EXCLUSIVE Ford doubles Lightning production target on strong pre-launch demand -sources | Reuters View full article

Seems Ford is taking a page from Dodge in offering far more Performance options and now you can for those not needing AWD/4x4 with the 400 hp motor can get an ST only in RWD with the top of the line 400HP motor and other performance option packages. Keeping America’s All-Time Best-Selling SUV Hot, Ford Explorer ST Elevates Performance, New ST-Line Model Revs Up Athletic Style | Ford Media Center Seems Ford is wanting to have new special edition packages for the whole Mustang family. ICE White Cool As Ice: New Special Edition Appearance Package Brings Throwback Style to Mustang Family | Ford Media Center

I Expect Dodge to offer a Demon Electric version in 2024 to take back the fastest car crown. I really love these lists of who is offering what tool kits for what price. Amazon has an amazing assortment. Best mechanics' tool sets for 2021 - Roadshow (cnet.com)

Was not aware of this till I read this story, but it seems at the end of 2019, Tesla changed from their $1,000 deposit on auto orders/reservations which was fully refundable if you decided to cancel to a $100 non-refundable deposit with a 7 day less than 1,000 miles returnable policy if you did not like the auto. At the end of 2020, Tesla gave up on it's no questions asked return policy but kept in place that if you place an order and cancel it before taking delivery, you still loose your $100 deposit. Now Tesla has more than doubled it as a non-returnable deposit is now $250.00 for any vehicle you order. Tesla more than doubles its non-refundable order fee - Electrek