G. David Felt

More interesting reads: Like this about the various types of rims. What Are the Pros and Cons of Different Wheel Materials? | The Drive OUCH, this could hurt ford in the reputation department and clearly end the making of track ready auto's. Judge OKs Ford Mustang Class Action Suit Over Track Performance (thedrive.com) Proof of just another reason to NOT BUY A NEW AUTO right now. Chip shortage has GM much like other auto companies to cut out basic features that have been in place to keep production going. Makes a used one very important to the buyer to pay attention if they want missing said features. GM Drops Wireless Charging From 2021 Tahoe, Yukon SUVs Over Chip Shortage (thedrive.com) Tesla Supercharging network getting upgraded to 300kWh charging to reduce charge times. Elon Musk: Tesla is upgrading Supercharger network to 300 kW faster charging - Electrek

I know it is the freedom of property owners to do what they want with their land, but I always find it sad that people will trash the very place they live with trash be it matteresses or autos. Wish we would recycle rather than let auto's rust and dirty up places. Yes, cool to find old auto's but the majority, 99.9% of people have no resources to restore and care for these old auto's, time to let them live in the history books.

Seems the Chip shortage has hit Stellantis, while many of their plants in Europe and the Asian rim are going offline for the next month to month and half causing short term layoffs or furloughs, America had avoided this till now. The Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango plant was scheduled to be offline for 1 week for maintenance and changes for the model year, but will now shutdown from July 11th to August 9th due to chip / part shortages. Detroit SUV plant among Stellantis factories halting production – De.Yuan (deyuan.enterprises) Europe has decided on two dates to be voted on this week. Either 2035 or 2040 for a ban on ALL ICE auto's across Europe and to open the discussion on when to phase out ICE medium and heavy duty auto's to move to pure BEV. EU set to call time on combustion engine within two decades | Reuters gm has committed $71 million to build a new design studio for future tech in Pasadena California close to the worlds best design studios/schools. This will allow them to recruit and have the best for the future of auto design. GM to invest $71 mln for new design and tech campus in California | Reuters First Vietnam auto company has opened offices in California with slated new car sales locations to follow. Vietnam's VinFast starts operations in North America and Europe | Reuters

Thanks @oldshurst442 for the history, I only have the news to go on since I watch NO PROFESSIONAL or ANY SPORTS. Waste of time IMHO. Especially all the wasted Billions spent by politicians on palaces for billionaire owners who should have to pay for the stadiums themselves. I refuse to support the owners and the over paid whinny athletes. Machining

Cheaters

catcher

Very cool, seems the tug boats of the world are going pure electric too. Seems even while Musk is before the courts over the law suites over solar city purchase, Tesla Solar just released the largest panel yet at 420 watts. I could cover my whole roof and power my house with no power from the county. I am liking where we are going with solar. Tesla launches new 420-watt solar panel, setting 'high' mark - Electrek

Seems that Ford Motor Company has not released any press release which is weird considering this is a Guinness World Record for an EV. 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E sets EV efficiency Guinness World Record - Autocar India The new Ford Mustang Mach-E has set a Guinness World Record for efficiency in an electric car, averaging 10.52km per kWh on an 1,352km route between John o’ Groats and Land’s End. The Ford Mustang Mach-E completed the world record trip in 27 hours The variant used had a 99kWh battery and a single 289hp electric motor It achieved over 800km range compared to 610km claimed WLTP range

Update on the I.D. Buzz Micro Van EV, the test mules are out and running and being caught on digital film. I have to say they are staying close to the concept van that was revealed at the LA Auto show. New Spy Photos Shed More Light On Volkswagen ID Buzz (insideevs.com)

Yes, I noticed all the tables have returned even closer together than in the past at my Costco. HARD PASS on sitting close to others and eating. Will take my food to go and stay social distant still. We have WAY TOO MUCH COVID19 infections to even consider touching the free hand outs they are doing or eating next to others especially with so many choosing to NOT get vaccinated. I will wait till next year some time and let survival of the fittest clear out humanity.

@daves87rs Wishing you and your extended family all the best as you celebrate her life and the amazing time you two had together. ?

Let get to the meat and potatoes of this big day and post in their bullet list of what Stellantis is going to do: Plans to invest more than €30 billion through 2025 in electrification and software, while continuing to be the automotive efficiency frontrunner, with investment efficiency 30 percent better than industry average Targeting over 70 percent of sales in Europe and over 40 percent in the United States to be low emission vehicle (LEV) by 2030 All 14 brands committed to offering best-in-class fully electrified solutions Delivering BEVs that meet demands of customers, with ranges of 500-800 km/300-500 miles and class-leading fast charging capability of 32 km/20 miles per minute Four flexible BEV-by-design platforms, scalable family of three electric drive modules and standardized battery packs to cover all brands and segments Platforms designed for long life via software and hardware upgrades Global EV battery sourcing strategy of over 260GWh by 2030, supported by five “gigafactories” between Europe and North America Plans include dual battery chemistries: a high energy-density option and a nickel cobalt-free alternative by 2024 Solid state battery technology introduction planned in 2026 This game plan is having Stellantis targeting what they believe is an achievable, double-digit Adjusted Operating Income margins in the mid-term of 2026 for profitability selling globally a mixture of BEV, PHEV or what they are calling (LEV) Low Emission Vehicles along with ICE auto's and an OPEN end date in regards to totally retiring ICE auto's except where mandated by country. Stellantis is targeting to have the 70 percent LEV for Europe and 40 percent LEV for the US market by 2030 by introducing exciting and desirable LEV auto's. Stellantis believes that once especially in the US market the LEV Trucks and Cars that they are planning to introduce that this will drive the switch from ICE to BEV or LEV. This will come via their plan at sourcing 130 gigawatts of battery capacity by 2025 with more than 260 GWh of battery by 2030. The EV battery component needs will be accomplished via a total of five gigafactories in Europe and North America with additional supply contracts / partnerships to support total global demand. Stellantis has signed two Lithium partners to ensure sustainable supply of Lithium for North America and Europe. Stellantis believes they can reduce 2021 costs of batteries by 40% by 2025 via their synergies in manufacturing and an additional 20 percent reduction in cost by 2030 over todays costs. All aspects of the battery pack will be optimized to reduce costs. Battery life cycle for repair, remanufacturing, second-life use and recycling as a complete sustainable system will be implemented to address concerns by customers and partners. Stellantis believes they will have total cost of ownership of EV's to be equivalent to ICE by the start of 2026. Stellantis 14 iconic brands are all committed to offering best-in-class electrified solutions that enhances the DNA of each brand. The following is the statements expressing each brands electrification approach: ● Abarth – “Heating Up People, But Not the Planet” ● Alfa Romeo – “From 2024, Alfa Romeo Becomes Alfa e-Romeo” ● Chrysler – “Clean Technology for a New Generation of Families” ● Citroën – “Citroën Electric: Well-Being for All!” ● Dodge – “Tear Up the Streets… Not the Planet” ● DS Automobiles – “The Art of Travel, Magnified” ● Fiat – “It’s Only Green When It’s Green for All” ● Jeep® – “Zero Emission Freedom” ● Lancia – “The Most Elegant Way to Protect the Planet” ● Maserati – “The Best in Performance Luxury, Electrified” ● Opel/Vauxhall – “Green is the New Cool” ● Peugeot – “Turning Sustainable Mobility into Quality Time” ● Ram – “Built to Serve a Sustainable Planet” ● Commercial Vehicles – “The Global Leader in e-Commercial Vehicles” Stellantis has stated that the driving range and rapid recharge are key to widespread consumer acceptance of BEVs. This will be achieved by delivering BEVs that have a range of 500-800 km/300-500 miles and with class-leading fast charging of 32 km/20 miles per minute. Stellantis will have four BEV-centric platforms as the backbone of their global strategy for all 14 brands. The platforms are designed with a high level of flexibiliity (Length and Width) along with component sharing, delivering economies of scale globally while supporting two million units per year to begin. The four platforms are as follows: STLA Small - range up to 500 km/300 miles STLA Medium - range up to 700 km/440 miles STLA Large - range up to 800 km/500 miles STLA Frame - range up to 800 km/500 miles The power train systems will cover FWD, RWD, AWD and 4xe using three electric drive modules that combine the motor, gearbox and inverter. These EDMs (electric drive modules) when combined with high energy density battery packs will deliver best in class performance, efficiency, range and recharging per Stellantis. Hardware upgrades and over-the-air software updates will extend the life of the platforms well into the next decade. Stellantis states they will deliver software and controls in-house that maintain the characteristics unique to each brand. To quote Carlos Tavares: “Our electrification journey is quite possibly the most important brick to lay as we start to reveal the future of Stellantis just six months after its birth, and now the entire company is in full execution mode to exceed every customer’s expectations and accelerate our role in redefining the way the world moves,” More details on Stellantis EV Day 2021 can be reviewed here: Stellantis EV Day 2021 | Stellantis Stellantis has been busy as they have also announced plans with major partners such as Foxconn who will help deliver class leading digital cockpits with personalized connected services for Stellantis 14 brands globally. This joint venture will be focused on infotainment, telematics, cloud service, software innovations incorporating A.I., 5G communication, over-the-air services, e-commerce and smart cockpit integrations. Ram and Dodge both had major presentations showing off their future roadmap of BEVs for North America. Dodge has introduced the American eMuscle with the promise to "Tear up the Streets, not the Planet!" Watch the video as they show the 100 years plus of auto's at the Historic Dodge family home. Very cool! We then move onto RAM and their plans for the electric pickup by 2024. Pretty much they are going to start with a 1500 EV crewcab pickup with 500 miles of range out by 2024 for the masses and will like FORD offer it in a series of package versions to entice people to change over to RWD/AWD BEV trucks. Ram's pickup like Ford and what we can assume GM's Chevrolet and GMC EV pickups will stick to the traditional style that allows them to sell millions a year with style adjustments due to the efficiency of the EV powertrain over ICE in needs of air flow for cooling. Jeep then comes front and center, YES BEV will end up in Jeeps lineup, but Hybrid is the focus first for Jeep starting with the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. Jeep seems to be on track to deliver that freedom while being greener and keeping the JEEP DNA in-tack. As one who has questioned why Fiat even thought of coming back to America let alone it's purpose in the global market, seems Stellantis is taking a page from Daimler in that the FIAT brand will be converted immediately to an all BEV brand including an Abarth EV Performance version. The one thing I did notice about Stellantis EV Day is a clear absence of Chrysler from the EV plan. If anyone does spot it in any of the links, please post about it below to share as I do wonder about the brand's future as the only thing I could find was their logo in this screen capture from the presentation. For those that are interested in the Financials, they have the following video to watch: Conclusion to their EV Day 2021 by CEO Carlos Tavares: Stellantis starts the new week with a Spotlight on the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Stellantis Intensifies Electrification While Targeting Sustainable Double-Digit Adjusted Operating Income Margins in the Mid-term | Stellantis Mobile Drive Joint Venture | Stellantis EV Day 2021 Presentation Slides (stellantis.com) Stellantis Media - Stellantis Intensifies Electrification While Targeting Sustainable Double-digit Adjusted Operating Income Margins in the Mid-term (stellantisnorthamerica.com) Stellantis Media - Stellantis Spotlight Wraps the Week (stellantisnorthamerica.com) Stellantis Media - Jeep® Brand Reveals First Images of All-new Electrified 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe (stellantisnorthamerica.com) View full article

Seems FORD is on an amazing sales year even with production shortages due to chip shortages. Ford Electrified Vehicle Sales Up 117 Percent in June – Delivering New First Half Record - Mustang Mach-E Sales Up 27 Percent Over May; Ford SUVs Post Best First Half Retail Sales In 20 Years On Strength From New Products; Lincoln SUVs Set New Record, Retail Sales Up 23 Percent | Ford Media Center

Seems Tesla is going to have to have some focus time from the CEO, space needs to take the back seat after FORD Mustang MACH-E takes top spot in Car and Drivers Electric Vehicle of the Year Award 2021. Mustang Mach-E Takes Top Spot in Car and Driver’s Inaugural Electric Vehicle of the Year Award 2021 | Ford Media Center Contenders: Audi e-tron, Kia Niro, Nissan Leaf Plus, Polestar 2, Porsche Taycan 4S PBP, Tesla Model 3 Performance, Tesla Model S Long Range Plus, Tesla Model Y Performance, Volkswagen ID.4 and Volvo XC40 Recharge. Car and Driver employed instrumented testing, subjective evaluation and side-by-side comparison in both practicality and entertainment value.

Have to say that the Charger in Rhino Grey is way better looking than that butt ugly Porsche and the tan/grey color it is.

Love the look of this and with the electric bolt on the front, would be good as a EV.

pipe

Latest Chevrolet Truck Boat, V8 Powered!!!

@daves87rs My condolences to you and both sides of your family in this time. Wishing you all the best as you celebrate her life and the joys you shared together.

Crack

Been listening all day to k-pop and got the house cleaned, yard tidied up and now getting ready to BBQ, thought I would see how quiet it is and this song just came on. Girls Day - Something ROFLMAO Todays PC world, this song would never have gotten made. kpop - Touch my Body!

Always amazes me that people will buy an expensive nice car and yet cannot seem to park square in the parking spot to maximize safety while minimizing dings.

Simple cars like this last for ever. Seems an auto with manual everything just about just last. Very clean for how old it is.

Wishing you all the best for a more relaxing weekend and work week.