G. David Felt

Your also not the Normal auto owner. Many here do their own maintenance. Looking at the bigger picture of most people who drive their auto and treat it like an appliance. They go to the dealer or some service shop when the auto needs attention. As such, the EVs for the bulk of society are going to be lower cost due to the less maintenance on the auto. Regenerative braking is from within the electric motor, not actual brakes. Full details can be found here with pictures. https://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/brakes/brake-types/regenerative-braking.htm To Quote: In a traditional braking system, brake pads produce friction with the brake rotors to slow or stop the vehicle. Additional friction is produced between the slowed wheels and the surface of the road. This friction is what turns the car's kinetic energy into heat. With regenerative brakes, on the other hand, the system that drives the vehicle does the majority of the braking. When the driver steps on the brake pedal of an electric or hybrid vehicle, these types of brakes put the vehicle's electric motor into reverse mode, causing it to run backwards, thus slowing the car's wheels. While running backwards, the motor also acts as an electric generator, producing electricity that's then fed into the vehicle's batteries. These types of brakes work better at certain speeds than at others. In fact, they're most effective in stop-and-go driving situations. However, hybrids and fully electric cars also have friction brakes, as a kind of back-up system in situations where regenerative braking simply won't supply enough stopping power. In these instances, it’s important for drivers to be aware of the fact that the brake pedal might respond differently to pressure.

CNN is reporting that Ford has announced they will sell an All Electric Ford Transit cargo van here in the US. To me sounds like they could be using the Rivian platform as the Amazon vans will come in the same configuration options as the Ford. https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/03/cars/ford-electric-transit-cargo-van/index.html To quote the story and Fords info: The electric Transit van will be made available in a variety of body styles, including three different lengths and three different roof heights. Ford will also offer chassis cab configurations in which there's just a bare chassis behind the van's passenger cabin. Chassis cab models are often used as the basis for creating specialized vehicles like shuttle buses and campers.

Good Read on the review of a 2020 GMC Acadia AT4 edition. https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/reviews/2020-gmc-acadia-review/ Over all they gave it a 8 out of 10 on the grading scale. The reviewer said shocking is that the 9sp transmission is one of the best they ever reviewed and was silky smooth with the V6. END RESULT: Quote: A useful segment leading choice. Over all they really like this auto. LIKE Powerful acceleration Superb transmission Solid build quality DON'T LIKE No adaptive cruise control Some cheap interior bits So-so seats

Tesla today started to allow folks to add on a new $5,500 option. TRACK PACKAGE that also included new 20" tires with sticky Pilot rubber and software that totally changes the power train. This is for those not concerned about battery range in comparison to performance at the track. https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/tesla-model-3-track-package-electric-sedan-order/ Only model 3 Performance packaged auto's will get the update as long as their file shows they also purchased the rest of the hardware. This being tires and rims along with Performance Brake pads.

Here are some sites that have reviewed EV versus ICE ownership. https://www.2degreesinstitute.org/reports/comparing_fuel_and_maintenance_costs_of_electric_and_gas_powered_vehicles_in_canada.pdf Charts and various deeper dive info, but they studied 3 difference research studies on the comparison of near equal EV to ICE auto's and the average ended up being that EV's were 47% less to maintain and operate than an equal like ICE auto. https://www.energysage.com/electric-vehicles/costs-and-benefits-evs/evs-vs-fossil-fuel-vehicles/ Energy Sage is an independent think tank looking at the cost of ownership per year of ICE versus EV. One of the studies they list as used to review costs had this to say and I quote: A 2018 study from the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute found that electric vehicles cost less than half as much to operate as gas-powered cars. The average cost to operate an EV in the United States is $485 per year, while the average for a gasoline-powered vehicle is $1,117. They do state that the largest expense in an EV is the Battery pack. Yet they also state that every year costs have gone down while longevity has gone up. Now this is by an EV pro web site, but I had to crack up laughing as they use the image of the Maytag repair man as it covers the cost of an EV over the first 100,000 miles. https://insideevs.com/news/317307/ev-vs-ice-maintenance-the-first-100000-miles/ I like this as they take it from the approach of a service file covering in details that I think can resonate with many people. Tires: both EV and ICE will need tires and rotations, based on rotation every 7,500 miles you have 13 trips in your first 100,000 miles for both types of auto's. Oil Change: Older auto's used to be 3,000 miles, newer ones run from 3,000 to 7,500, they took 5,000 miles on average, meaning 20 oil changes for ICE over 100,000 miles. Cost $400 to $800. EV = None Automatic transmission: generally recommended service every 100,000 miles. $30 to $100 for ICE and is more if done at garage or dealer. EV = None Coolant: Generally 150,000 miles and you do have to check on it through out the life of the ICE auto. EV, if they have a thermal management system like the Chevrolet Bolt, you will have similar checks. Fuel: ICE they used 12,750 miles a year which would equal 400 trips to the gas station for the first 100,000 miles based on 28 mpg @$3.50 per gallon equal $12,500. EV's plugged and unplugged daily with 90% of charging done at your home based on cost of 3.5 cents per mile equals $3,500 Spark plugs and wires: Usually 100,000 service, DIY $60, Shop $200 EV's = none Muffler: Location and driving determines the life of the muffler and catalytic converter. Short stop n go driving shortens life compared to long trips Muffler $100 to $250, Cat $500 to $1,000. EV's = none Brakes: Depending on the auto, they figure at least 2 trips in the first 100,000. They average $200, $400 over the life, but I know that is more like $400 each time and $800 for the two trips in 100,000. With regenerative brakes, this is cut in half, so $200 or what I believe is $400. Big 100,000 miles service: from Timing belts to water pumps, tune up, etc. They are quoting $900 to $1,100. I can honestly say I think it is more inline with $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the ICE auto. EV's you might have battery issues to deal with which can run $5,000 unless you go refurbished. Yet batteries are getting stronger and better so this is becoming a much smaller issue for most EVs. In reality as they say, you can keep driving an EV even with a reduced battery life, but an ICE with engine issues has a stronger chance of leaving you stranded. Over all, I think the cost of ownership for EVs is half that for the ICE.

Service of an EV is a fraction or much less than that on an ICE auto.

Mach e is on our list along with the Rivian and the Hummer by GMC. I totally agree with you, full size, right combo of feature functions, range, price, etc. etc. etc. they will sell. Bulk of Humanity hates service on auto's and EVs are a fraction of ICE. Humanity will move once all the right pieces are in place.

GM announced that in support of their employees move to EVs that they will add 3,500 charging spots across Canada and the US for their employees to park in and charge while at work. https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2020/mar/0303-ev.html GM is wanting to support their employees making it as convenient as possible for their employees to enjoy the rewards of EV ownership. GM also confirmed in this announcement that Hummer by GMC will be out at the beginning of the 2022 model year or first quarter of 2021 and Cadillac will have their first of many EVs out at the start of the 2023 model year or first quarter of 2022. Be interesting to see how this all goes for GM. The LG/GM battery plant is under 24/7 construction.

GM has also stated while ICE auto's will be here through 2030, they have clearly stated that they will move to retire ICE as they bring out EV equals. As such, I could easily see an E-ROC replacing the Z28 sooner than later and agree with you that I can see the ICE Camaro dead after 2023. At most like Dwight says, could do minor refreshes letting the current model limp along till full replaced by EV versions.

Three months into open reservations and the first year of the 2021 model Mach e is sold out. That is 50,000 auto's sold. You can get all the details here at the Corporate Ford site. With additional info here at the Ford Sales site. Links take you right into the Mach e info. Yet Green Car Reports already took their Media kit and the News Release from those two sites and broke the multiple pages down nicely. The sales are NOT a California Bubble as Ford released a nifty map showing the Mach e sold in every state of the Nation and by the most popular color. Map at the end. Three-quarters of the Mach e sold are AWD in every state except Connecticute, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire where the Ratio is 90%. 30% of the Mach e sold are the AWD High-performance GT edition. Ford is not releasing at this time what percentage is the First Edition Model nor how many exact units sold in each state only listing where the units have been reserved sold with the $500 deposit. Like the Interior, but would want it in one of the two tone colors rather than all black. I REALLY HOPE they have Dark Mode for that huge screen.

Agree when you talk that price or the price of the Bentley above at $1.9 Million. I honestly cannot think of what really would say this is a million dollar interior. Then a $1,000 to people that buy stuff like this is like $10 to us. They live in a world way outside the common human.

GKN just built and delivered their 1 millionth EV compact power train unit for cars/cuvs and is now developing it's next generation unit which will cover 80 -155 kW power and 2,000 to 5,800 NM or for us Standard peeps, that is 107 to 207 HP and 1,475 to 4,277 lb-ft or Torque depending on controller used with the motor. https://chargedevs.com/newswire/gkn-developing-new-versions-of-edrive-technology-as-sales-increase/

First big Sale by LordsTown Motors, new owners of the old Cruze plant. To quote the story: Northeast Ohio’s Voltage Valley: Akron, Ohio-based FirstEnergy, an electric utility that serves over 6 million customers, has agreed to buy 250 Endurance electric pickup trucks from Lordstown Motors. https://chargedevs.com/newswire/ohio-utility-orders-250-lordstown-endurance-electric-pickups/

Auto show is dead, but Bentley, division of VW just released their new limited production to being 12 copies only built, all 12 sold at $1.9 million each of the Bentley Bacalar with a W12 650 hp 667 lb-ft torque AWD 2 door open coupe. https://www.autonews.com/geneva-auto-show/limited-run-bentley-bacalar-all-about-exclusivity UGLY UGLY UGLY for that amount of money! Wealth does not insure taste.

So a Second Amendment dream come true. Shoot them, Shoot them all and let God sort them out! ?

No dealership is perfect, but for me, the bulk of the work they do has not been a problem and it has been a while since I had any issues with them which they did take care of.

Not sure where BMW thinks they are going with their Design language, but their i4 concept sedan EV is a Failure with that huge big mouth billy bass grill. https://www.autoblog.com/2020/03/03/bmw-i4-electric-car-concept-details-first-look/#slide-2213559 Hyundai Prophecy EV Concept sedan says Tesla / Porsche to me. Nice and way better looking than the BMW mess above. https://www.autoblog.com/2020/03/03/hyundai-prophecy-concept-electric-car/#slide-2213756

Yes, my local Cadillac dealership still is hitting 100% for me.

SS Synthetic every 7K miles or about every 90 days. Escalade is once a year Synthetic based on my current driving habits for road trips and garage kept. All the other auto's are also synthetic following a 7K change based on driving.

Is there a specific point / part in the movie that made you depressed or just the over all story?

Seedy Places increase oxygen.

I really like and think Cadillac should have a 2 door performance auto. Yet with that said, right now, I would like Cadillac to get a full Luxury focused Car / SUV / CUV portfolio before attempting to do another V edition 2 door auto. Once they get a proper full depth auto portfolio, then I would say yes to them moving into a Performance Halo auto.

As much as I and others have our own thoughts on Politics, lets keep this focused on Auto's please.

You should also watch 28 days later and 28 weeks later. Both fun good movies!

Like the days of Rome so are the end of various languages as humanity moves towards a single communication language. English seems to be the defacto business language and science language. According to Babbel which I see both Google and Bing point to as the #1 authoritative language we have the following Top 10 most used languages in the world. Chinese - 1.3 billion native speakers Spanish - 460 million native speakers English - 379 million native speakers, 753 million secondary speakers Hindi - 341 million native speakers Arabic - 315 million native speakers Bengali - 228 million native speakers Portuguese - 220 million native speakers Russian - 153 million native speakers Japanese 128 million native speakers Lahnda (western punjabi) - 118 million native speakers Top ten languages most spoken by people who speak them, we get a different list. English - 1.132 billion speakers Mandarin Chinese - 1.117 billion speakers Hindi - 615 million speakers Spanish - 534 million speakers French - 280 million speakers Standard Arabic - 274 million speakers Bengali - 265 million speakers Russian - 258 million speakers Portuguese - 234 million speakers Indonesian - 199 million speakers https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/the-10-most-spoken-languages-in-the-world