G. David Felt

The more I look at this, the more I like it. Sporty Looking, clean and sleek. Way better IMHO than the look of the Tesla Y. I like the open space that is shown in the pictures. Should be roomy for most people. While very cool with the front seats reclining and the calf supports, I just do not see that being needed in an Auto. Over all, not bad, I really like the row of buttons under the touch screen indicating that there are some basic functions that are just a touch button push. @William Maley Any mention of charging for colors like Tesla and Rivian is doing as well as Ford? I just hate this color charge the OEMs are moving to with only 1 or 2 colors included in the price.

BMW CEO says the double digit growth of Tesla is at an end and cannot continue as mainstream auto companies enter the EV market. BMW CEO Expresses Doubts For Tesla's Further Growth Rate (insideevs.com) Lucid Investor Deck has comparisons to everyone else and it is rather interesting. Full deck with explanations here: lucid-investor-deck-february-2021.pdf (lucidmotors.com) Comparison deck:

Seems according to a Post on LinkedIn by the CEO of VW, that moving Forward Ford will build their EVs on the VW MEB electric platform and will start by converting the Cologne Germany Ford sit to pure EV production using the Meb Platform. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/herbertdiess_ford-motor-company-will-make-cologne-a-successful-activity-6768486497113923585-RK36 Herbert Diess • FollowingChairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group5d • Ford Motor Company will make Cologne a successful E-location! Within our alliance, Volkswagen AG will contribute with all its power, Jim Farley. The automotive plants in Zwickau, Dresden, Cologne, Emden, Hanover, Wolfsburg will manufacture their e-cars on the basis of the MEB electric modular system. In direct competition with Tesla in Grünheide. Thomas Schmall supplies the following components: Battery, e-motor, axles, steering, transmission, brakes - more than any other car from a single source. From Braunschweig, Salzgitter, Kassel, Poznan. The goal: best quality and maximum competitiveness based on the highest scales. Our plants outside Germany in Anting and Foshan (China), Mladá Boleslav (Czech Republic) and Chattanooga (USA) also already use MEB technology. Further locations will follow.

I would say all music has wretched, lyrically songs. I honestly have not found a single band that has all great music. Just cherry pick what i like.

From looking at their own reporting both pension funds and guaranteed pay increases and benefit increases. It will take an act of congress to really fix things here including changing old static ways to more 21st century modern ways including removal of all old physical walking mail delivery and moving to modern grouped mail box areas. GAO-19-157SP, HIGH-RISK SERIES: Substantial Efforts Needed to Achieve Greater Progress on High-Risk Areas U.S. GAO - High Risk: USPS Financial Viability Interesting outside group is pushing for a modern change at the USPS. CAGW Leads Coalition Letter to USPS Board of Governors | Council For Citizens Against Government Waste (ccagw.org) USPS Ends Another Fiscal Year With Billion-Dollar Losses | Citizens Against Government Waste (cagw.org) To quote from this 2019: Even more concerning is that large portion of the USPS’ losses are outside of the management’s control. This includes a $3.5 billion increase in workers’ compensation costs, $994 million in contractual pay increases, and $320 million in retirement benefits expenses “due largely to the higher amortization costs of unfunded benefits.” However, even if the uncontrollable losses are removed from the net loss calculation, the USPS still ran a $3.4 billion deficit for FY 2019. “We continued to make progress in the fiscal year in containing expenses that are under management’s control,” said USPS Chief Financial Officer Joseph Corbett. “However, actions within the control of the Postal Service are not enough to return the Postal Service to financial health.”

Very cool story about 40 autos found in a Tennesee river. Divers Find Over 40 Cars Underwater In Tennessee (msn.com) The group who runs a you tube channel about finding stuff was on the case of finding a missing guy who disappeared in June 2020. Sadly they did find him in his auto.

While I can understand the convenience for the household, it is not efficient in this modern world and today, with running billion dollar deficit's, the USPS needs to get more efficient. This would take a burden off the tax payers. Plus why not have more exercise for the home owners?

32F everything covered in heavy ICE, black ice roads and glad I am working from home. 3ft of snow on the passes over night, some very cool images of the heavy snowfall. https://www.instagram.com/p/CLrauhLs0aG/

Fatboy Slim, Love Christopher Walker in this music video. This is a great listen while working.

My neighborhood has two types, the walk up to each door to put the mail in the door slot and the grouping of mail boxes where the mail man can drive up and reach out the window to put the mail in the box. I do wish the USPS would change all the old neighborhoods to grouped mailboxes for better efficiency. The days of walking to each home is way too inefficient and the home owners can walk to the post box for their group of mailboxes. This would save a ton of time

More Daft Punk Fun Music! Tron: Legacy where Daft Punk had their Cameo and did the blending of Music! What the European RAVE concerts where like when you went to one with Daft Punk. Not everything I liked that Daft Punk did, but they did have some fun music and videos. The Weekend Around the World, Last one as work calls.

If you ever watched Tron: Legacy movie, then you have heard their music as they are featured in the movie and in a few scenes. TRON: Legacy (2010) - IMDb

This is what I love also for my next SUV to replace the Escalade. I really love the color and interior. Wife will either get the Hummer pickup or R1T. Not sure on the color though as that is her choice.

Especially so in the hands of slow ICE drivers!

Belched

Hopefully the Mach E, I have seen way too many Tesla's broken down around town and the fit n finish is an eye sore when you can see panel alignment gaps on the freeway. Way over rated auto.

Perfect for the Joke Thread!

Interesting, forecasts for the US is a doubling of EV sales in 2021 namely due to other OEMs coming out finally with EVs. Electric cars will double their market share in 2021, forecast says - Roadshow (cnet.com)

Well this channel is called Random!

Some very cool testing and proving EVs can work just fine in the extreme cold. WOW, In getting ready for the 2022 BOLT and BOLT EUV, seems dealers are slashing prices big time on the existing BOLT. 2022 Chevy Bolts drive deep '20-'21 model discounts toward $20K - Electrek Some Very cool testing of the R1T ahead of the deliveries scheduled to begin in June.

Benefits of electric over Diesel, seems it will improve knee quality of commercial drivers as regenerative breaking will reduce how often a person has to apply the breaks. Also, reduced medical issues due to breathing in the diesel exhaust fumes which are proven toxic. Charged EVs | Another benefit of electric trucks: they’re easier on drivers’ knees - Charged EVs Insights on Electric Trucks for Retailers and Trucking Companies | Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (c2es.org) The link above allows you to download and read the large report, but the key take away were posted as such: Key Takeaways The upfront costs for electric trucks remain a primary barrier to investment in electric trucks. However, financial incentives can reduce these upfront capital costs and models indicate that the total cost of ownership for an average electric truck can be lower than a diesel or natural gas equivalent with adequate incentives. In California, for example, several programs support EVs including the low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) and the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) program. One resource for finding incentives is the Alternative Fuels Data Center: https:// afdc.energy.gov/laws. Several retail and trucking companies interviewed suggested that operators of California fleets should strongly consider electrifying at least a portion of their fleets to take advantage of the financial incentives available. Electric heavy-duty vehicles have many tangible benefits, including several inherent health advantages. These include a much quieter ride than diesel trucks, making EVs less impactful on a driver’s hearing, and no tailpipe emissions. As retail companies electrify their fleets, increased collaboration between a company’s energy team and fleet management team will be required to maximize organization-wide efficiencies such as procurement and energy management. Without collaboration, costs could be much higher. Vehicle maintenance is still a concern. Companies need technicians who are trained for electric trucks and savvy on new electronic software systems. One retail company highlighted how they were using EV manufacturers to provide maintenance and support but suggested there was also a need build out a third-party EV maintenance network nationwide. Communication between electric truck users and EV manufacturers is an important part of the process. One retail company who had conversations with EV manufacturers noted they were very receptive to feedback on usability and ergonomic design from companies who piloted EVs. This is a key aspect of the electric truck development process and can help with technology improvements and potentially accelerate the speed of deployment as manufacturers better understand what potential users want. While not likely to come to the US unless it is a rebadge by VW, a new hot EV little Hatchback is going into production for Europe. Cupra New-Born specs: up to 500 km (311 miles) of WLTP range 77 kWh (net) and 82 kWh (total) battery capacity 0-50 km/h (31 mph) in 2.9 seconds fast charging - replenish "at least 260 km" of range in 30 minutes "The Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (DCC Sport), which has been exclusively developed within the MEB platform for the CUPRA el-Born, is combining the sporty driving height of the car with a system that is adapting automatically to any conditions, offering a superior level of driving dynamics." Cupra Confirms New Born (Formerly el-Born) Electric Hatchback (insideevs.com) Genesis GV70e electric SUV is undergoing winter testing. Expected to have a 310 mile range. We Get Another Look At The Genesis GV70e Electric SUV (insideevs.com)

Tron END OF LINE!

RIP, Daft Punk has posted this final video as the duo is over!

Crazy Stupid Kids

Thanks for posting, as you pointed out, it does have a European flare and I think it will appeal to those wanting more of a European auto vibe than traditional American. How well it will sell, only time will tell, but I do think it will do a decent sales especially when you compare the fit n finish to Tesla.