G. David Felt

Cooking

Calzone

Been a number of great dog commercials, I totally related to this Chevrolet one that was also end back to the beginning and the end being a journey.

Tonight was a steak night using some of my home grown garlic with clarified butter in caste iron skillet grilled steak. Cheesy broccoli and baked potato.

If the AMG One ever gets produced and if it actually survives the company focus on change that is happening, I agree with @surreal1272 it better damn well beat everything. Yet the news is showing that mercedes is changing their roadmap fast and killing off the hybrid / ICE world fast.

Lots going on in the BEV arena and here is the run down on all the changes. BYD in China delivered 40,116 plug-in electric auto's for the month of June a new record for auto's of this type. China: BYD Plug-In Electric Car Sales Hit New Record In June 2021 (insideevs.com) Rivian has anounced it is searching for a second North American manufacturing plant to produce batteries and expand production of their Truck/SUV auto's. Rivian Electric Truck Startup Seeking Location For 2nd US Factory (insideevs.com) VW is ramping up sales as the ID.4 does well and now VW releases the ID.6 twins into the market. Volkswagen ID.6 Duo (X And CROZZ) Enter Chinese Market (insideevs.com) To speed up change over, it is some times important to just buy an existing company than to retool, build and test your own motors. Mercedes has done this by buying an electric motor company to speed up the change over form ICE to pure BEV by 2030. Charged EVs | Mercedes-Benz acquires motor technology firm YASA - Charged EVs New Honda CEO has confirmed Honda will become a pure BEV company globally by 2040. Charged EVs | New CEO confirms Honda will go all-electric by 2040 - Charged EVs Mercedes has announced their new updated plans to go all electric ending ICE auto's by 2030. Mercedes-Benz prepares to go all-electric - Daimler Global Media Site All newly launched architectures will be electric-only from 2025 onwards. In 2025 Mercedes-Benz will launch three electric-only architectures. Mercedes-Benz will be ready to go all electric at the end of the decade, where market conditions allow. Mercedes-Benz to install battery cell capacity of more than 200 Gigawatt hours with partners, plans for eight Gigafactories. New partnerships for development and production of battery cells in Europe. Efficiency of electric drivetrains to be enhanced through vertical integration and the acquisition of YASA, a specialist in ultra-high performance axial flux motors. Plug & Charge to introduce seamless charging without extra steps needed for authentication and payment. Mercedes me Charge to have more than 530,000 AC and DC charging points worldwide. Acceleration of electrification ramp-up marks a radical shift in capital allocation. Mercedes-Benz is committed to its margin targets – also in a BEV-world. This change is based on the fact that going into 2020 Mercedes figured global BEV sales of 25% by 2025, that has now changed to 50% global BEV sales by 2025 and 100% BEV sales starting in 2030. R&D will drop by 80% for ICE and plug-in hybrid by 2026 as they focus 100% of company resources on BEV after that. Mercedes states that their margins will be similar to ICE by 2026 as Mercedes invests $40 billion Euro's between 2022 to 2030 for this change over to BEV portfolio.

Seems this is starting to hit home as a reviewer for UK that was invited to test drive the Ioniq 5 from Korea is saying hold off on ordering the Tesla 3 till you test drive the Ioniq 5. Tesla Y is not available in the UK as to why the person compares it to the Tesla 3, but clearly it is equal on price, but gives so much more.

I have to say that I have always loved the GM Answer to the Successful Ford Thunderbird, the 1962 4 person Concept Corvette. I especially like the side profile of this car. https://www.instagram.com/p/CRo1ZWApxIl/ GM Design Studio post for today on Instagram.

Interesting to see the 2022 Buick Enclave and how much LED lighting is changing the look of Auto's. Introducing the New 2022 Buick Enclave & Enclave Avenir | SUV

Man the more I spend time on this web site, the more this will make a hit in luxury SUV sales in the US and I honestly do not see it taking them from GM or Ford. Will have to say interesting that like Lincoln, they are offering 4 select color combo's with multiple interior color combo options. The Red Velvet sadly only gets black interior where the Black, Silver and White exterior color options get all 3 interior color options. This truly plays in the luxury segment.

U'm correct me please if I am wrong in my ASSumption, but I thought Mercedes also offers dealer installed aero packages. ? So this just makes it the same from either company imho.

WOW, This is freaky close for the person following the jeep GC that got struck. Hope everyone was OK inside. Then found this on The Drive of a lighting strike on a Ford Pickup and how it melted the interior. WOW Lightning Strike Melted This Ford Super Duty’s Interior | The Drive @balthazar should really enjoy this and the fact that it is now on the National Register as a historical place and has a dedicated museum now and money to maintain this living advertisement. 8,000 trees were used by Studebaker to make an advertisement to people who fly into the airport. 80 years later, it is still advertising the now dead company. Studebaker Still Advertises Its Defunct Company with 8,000-Tree Monument (thedrive.com) Lovely Car I would say today, it needs a bit of pruning. To quote the story: Fans of the brand are keeping the Studebaker name alive. In 2004, the monument was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and after an ice storm damaged several trees that year, a grant was awarded for its long-term management and preservation. In 2005, the Studebaker National Museum opened its doors (don't miss its Concours d'Elegance each July). And in 2015, new saplings were planted in the monument after dead and diseased trees were removed.

Have to say the Jeep Wagoner is looking Awesome! https://www.jeep.com/wagoneer.html

GM back in 2019 rolled out what their BEV platform would be like using the BEV global platform that will evolve in supporting a complete portfolio of BEV or battery electric auto's. The goal of the BEV platform was to use a new GM digital vehicle platform that enables future technology by supporting data processing of up to 4.5 terabytes per hour, a five fold increase over the current electrical architecture at the time with connectivity supporting up to 10 Gbps. This is what would allow GM to have over the air updates to their products for decades to come. https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2019/may/0520-digital.html A video showing this nervous system can be viewed at the link above. The global modular platform called BEV along with the Digital electrical nervous system that is currently in use on all ICE auto's along with the BEV platform is what is bringing us a number of current electric auto's starting with the Hummer truck and SUV and future Chevrolet and GMC pickup. This is also what is driving the quick development of the Cadillac Lyriq and their ability to show off what they call the Creator Series as the auto develops. A vision crystallized in the attention to details. You can read the story by the interior design manager here: Cadillac Creator Series: Learn about the LYRIQ Electric SUV along with all the other chapters covering the amazing Lyriq. Lyriq.mp4 With so much having been seen of the Hummer twins and the Lyriq, gm has taken another step in driving interest in the future of their products by releasing a multi-part series on an up coming BEV for the Buick product portfolio. What can only be considered prepping for an actual concept reveal is the Buick Electra Concept drawings posted to the GM Design Instagram account GeneralMotorsDesign. GM Design (@generalmotorsdesign) • Instagram photos and videos Even new BEV designs in the form of the Cadillac van and BrightDrop delivery van is shown from GMs design studio on their Instagram account. While design style is a personal matter of taste, this new century promises to offer plenty to debate on as GM rolls out such a wide product portfolio of new auto's. GM Corporate Newsroom - United States - EV News Cadillac Creator Series: Learn about the LYRIQ Electric SUV GM Design (@generalmotorsdesign) • Instagram photos and videos GM: New electronics platform rollout through 2023 will allow OTA updates - Repairer Driven NewsRepairer Driven News GM Digital Vehicle Platform Debuts, Enables Adoption of Future Technologies View full article

Interesting take on why this is. Lesbians and Subarus: Why do lesbians love Outbacks and Foresters? (slate.com) Who knew that SAAB, Subaru and another I forget. Since you guys brought up Subaru, thought I would see what was out there. LOL Q: What's the difference between a Subaru and the principal's office? A: It's less embarrassing if your friends see you leaving the principal's office. Q: Why do they put sidewalks beside most streets and highways? A: So Subaru owners have a safe place to walk home. Q: What's the difference between a Subaru and a Porcupine? A: When it comes to a Subaru, the prick is on the inside. Q: Why do they fit ABS braking systems to the latest Subarus? A: So the driver can stop quicker to pick up the fallen off parts. Q: How do you make a Subaru go faster downhill? A: Turn off the engine. Q: What is the difference between a Subaru and a shopping trolley? A: A shopping trolley is much easier to push. Q: Why are the latest Subarus so aerodynamically designed? A: It improves the Chevy tow truck's fuel consumption. Q: What is the aim of a Subaru project car? A: An attempt to keep their car running. Q: What is the difference between a Subaru and a tampon? A: A tampon comes with it's own tow rope. Q: Why are Subaru dealers giving away a dog with each Subaru sold? A: So the owner has a companion to walk home with. Q: How do you double the value of a Subaru Icon? A: Full the tank with petrol. Q: What did the Toyota say to the Subaru? A: Would you like a tow home? Q: Why did the cat sleep under the Subaru? A: Because he wanted to wake up oily. Q: What do you call a Subaru at the top of a Hill? A: A Miracle. Q: What did the BMW say to the Subaru on the side of the road? A: Rust-in-peace. Q: What do you call two Subarus at the top of a hill? A: A mirage. Q: What's the difference between a golfball and a Subaru? A: A golf ball can be driven 300 yards. Q: What do you call a Subaru with dual exhausts? A: A wheelbarrow Q: What is the Subaru owner's most ardent wish? A: To buy a car. Q: What do you call a Subaru with a seat belt? A: A rucksack. Want to hear a car joke? Subaru Outback. What should you do if you find three Subaru owners buried up to their neck in cement? Get more cement. What's the difference between a Subaru owner and a carp? One is a bottom-feeding, scum sucker, and the other is a fish. According to a new poll 91 percent of people are satisfied with their lives. The other 9 percent own a Subaru.

On 6-29-2015 my wife and I were at this same spot in the Banf National Park. Lovely, but was not like this photoshopped picture. We started with Breakfast in Banf and then drove up to Jasper and back to our time share in Fairmount Hotsprings. We also hiked Lake Louise

Lifestyle pickup is what GMC calls the GMC Hummer EV, shortly afterwards the Chevrolet division announced their electric full-size pickup truck and now GMC will also have a full-size pick that will fit in with their traditional GMC Pickup truck line. Aldred according to the various news sources declined to confirm or deny if the truck will be named Sierra matching their current ICE full-size traditional pickup line. GM did confirm that the GMC Hummer is on track to start production and deliveries this fall about the same time Rivian starts shipping to customers as their electric assembly plant ramps up to full scale production which now will include a Chevrolet and GMC traditional electric pickup. GM executives are on record that they are not surprised by the pricing Ford has taken with F-150 Lightning and Ford as well as Ram should expect a very competitive assortment of offerings from GM in various trims. Aldred has stated that the biggest segment is the North American Pickup truck segment representing 15 percent of total retail sales in the U.S. alone and still growing, he sees plenty of room for all competitors. GMC is having a bit of a heyday as the first half of the year retail sales are up 35 percent with details of sales as follows: Sierra up 28% Yukon up 104% Yukon XL 90% Acadia up 53% Canyon up 31% GMC high ATP according to the various write ups is due to the two most popular trim levels, Denali and AT4 which is making up the bulk of purchased auto's. Green car reports that due to GM having been very clear about only a 26 month development cycle now indicates that the Chevrolet and GMC electric pickups should arrive at dealerships summer of 2023 as the earliest. 2023 should be a huge year for GM as they roll out a large assortment of BEV's. GM confirms third electric pickup truck ahead of Hummer production (msn.com) GMC Announced A New Electric Pickup Truck After Hummer EV (fossbytes.com) GMC Adding Second All-Electric Pickup — A Battery-Powered Sierra - The Detroit Bureau Beyond Hummer EV: Fully electric GMC pickup confirmed (greencarreports.com) GM confirms third electric pickup truck ahead of Hummer EV production (cnbc.com) GMC Getting Its Own, Non-Hummer Electric Full-Size Pickup (motortrend.com) View full article

I can see Corvette hitting 80 to 100K auto's a year as they bring on an EV version which would sell well in China and the world allowing numbers to go up. I honestly see little growth for China as long as ICE is in the auto.

Way too funny all the comparisons of Jeff Bezo's Blue Origin Rocket ship to Dr. Evil's Penis Rocket. Jeff Bezos' Penis-Shaped Rocket Launches Dr. Evil Comparisons (msn.com)

Jack Hammer

I have not seen a single K5 around here. Everything is very CUV/SUV focused in the Seattle market.

Seems in September at the Munich auto show, Mercedes-Benz will show off their EQG, the electric version of the G-Wagon. Yet according to this story, it seems it will be a Hybrid not a pure EV. As such, it will be interesting to see what motor they have in it as the dual electric motors are supposed to deliver 500 HP. Electric Mercedes G-Class Could Come To IAA Munich As EQG Concept (motor1.com)

Is that him Smoking?