G. David Felt

H'mmmm I wonder if this will be like the Dakota Convertible. That was a cool truck that I really liked.

Found your Truck, The new Hennesey 6 x 6 Ford Velociraptor! https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/auto/2018-hennessey-ford-raptor-6x6/preview/?ftag=ACQ-00-10aae6f

So would you like a Classic: Or a modern Woodie?

This totally makes sense and I believe more auto companies that have not announced EV intent will in the next 18 months. Companies that have no EV / PHEV / Hybrid options will find themselves on a short list of dying companies or needing to be bought or merged with others to stay alive.

So true and no matter what is listed, nothing makes me feel that i have to have it or go buy it. https://www.bing.com/shop/adscan?q=weekly ads&setmkt=en-us&FORM=MY00DW&OCID=MY00DW&wt.mc_id=MY00DW Maybe I am just burnt out on the marketing push of buy buy buy now now now you gotta have it today crap.

@ocnblu Thank you Blu, yup today is the big 50 for me. Those that know me, might be shocked or not, as I thought I did mention it in the past, but I sold my CNG business a little over a year ago to a bigger company that did conversions on petro and diesel to CNG/LNG. They also now sell the fueling equipment. Time to move on in the bleeding edge of Auto technology and what I see as an alternative being conversion kits to go EV on full size SUV's. Family is taking me to a Steak house tonight for my 50th celebration. Had a very laid back relaxing holiday weekend. Life is good and I can say after 50 years, never stop learning, never stop pushing oneself to improve yourself both body and brain. Learn and workout and live a rewarding long life.

I have yet to ever spend money on Cyber Monday. I have not seen any deals that make me want to go and buy. Weird as billions is supposedly spent on this day. http://www.seattlepi.com/business/technology/article/Stores-hoping-people-keep-shopping-offer-Cyber-12385191.php

That is one funky crazy house design.

I totally agree that the nose is Toronado and the writer is an idiot. I would be shocked if someone actually spent any money on this golf cart conversion.

Interesting, I am really looking forward to hear how they adjust the piston stroke for diesel like torque on demand. Yes the video shows what looks like an adjustable mid cam, but is it just all computer controlled, I think so. Plus why this complexity when we have seen GM build small motors with plenty of torque without this. Plenty of questions I have about this motor. I have to also wonder about the weight as this looks like the engine has to have a bigger inner space, more oil to keep it all lubricated. More cost, more maintenance, questions, questions, questions.

Since they did not show the engine bay and no exhaust can handle the output of heat and exhaust flame being from coke cans, I have to question that this is really a conversion since you do not see any exhaust. Easier to sync up engine sounds to the quiet tesla. I have to question the whole list at the end especially since it is a shop that is a pizza and pasta shop on top of welding with an american name yet European license plate.

Right now nothing Musk owns makes money. Lots of tech and potential, but no solid money makers yet.

Who Knew but this web site tracks all things auto's in China and the number one selling auto is the Buick Excelle GT http://chinaautoweb.com/2017/08/best-selling-new-cars-in-july-2017/

Interesting comparison between the 2008 Tesla Roadster 1.0 and the 2017 Tesla Roadster 2.0 Tesla Roadster 2008: 248 hp 270 Nm 53 kWh 244 miles (393 km) 0 — 60 mph: 3.9 sec Top speed: 125 mph Tesla Roadster 2020: 1,500 hp 10,000 Nm 200 kWh 620 miles (1000 km) 0 — 60 mph: 1.9 sec Top speed +250 mph

To those that say we are still very dirty, here is the latest chart showing our North America Energy use and from what sources, very interesting: This is our GCD emissions and is pretty interesting to see how much we have increased output that is affecting the planet: Clearly we can change and not just in auto use but elsewhere to improve our living and the footprint we leave on this planet.

So Toyota was an early investor to a tune of $50 Million back in 2010 just before the IPO of Tesla. They have quietly sold off all their stock in June for $538 million as they are now a true competitor with their own dedicated EV division. Early on the Toyota Rav4 EV was a Tesla Powertrain with a Toyota body. According to a CNN report that partnership crashed at the end of 2014 due to a culture clash of Japan wanting to go mass market with cheap EV's and Tesla CEO Musk saying they can be profitable as a high end auto company and not wanting to allow toyota to keep using their tech resulting in a wind down and eventual sell off of Tesla Stock. CNN Story In 2013 Forbes did a formal review of Tesla and said the company was way overvalued and with their focus by CEO Musk selling S class cars for $80-$110,000 dollars they were bleeding money as each S class car was costing $1.1 million to make and this was in 2013. Forbes said at the time if Tesla could sell 40,000 S class cars for 2013, that would still leave a manufacturing cost of $550,000 per car. Musk then came out and said that their Gen 3 technology would allow them to create a less luxury car priced at $35,000 and be more profitable than any other car company. The global community grabbed it and pushed the stock value up even more. Forbes does imply that Musk is an outstanding Marketing person, but a terrible communicator of the real facts. Forbes shows all the math in their story and states for 2013 Tesla stock trades at 117 times it's P/E ratio. In 2014 banks were stating that Tesla would be about 88 times valuation. Tesla then took to massive leasing of the Tesla S car which inflates Tesla revenue and understates their debt balance sheet. Even with Tax and ZEV credits where Tesla makes a hefty amount of about half a billion a year, the company is on a Utopian goal that is not sustainable. End result is Forbes is just as baffled by the ability to stay alive bleeding money. They clearly state it is a CULT Stock where reason is thrown out the window. Forbes Story Business Insider wrote this story in July 2017 and titled it: "It might be time for Tesla to get out of the car business!" and they would be right in stating it I believe. End result with all the profitable cash heavy auto companies, Tesla is about to be dumped into the deep end where they cannot swim with their current massive debt load even if they do start to deliver the Tesla 3 in quantity. They blame it on a couple of things, 1) A victim of Musk's vision. 2) A business for the Nutty. 3) Hard to change course as Tesla does a Joint Venture with a Chinese partner to build auto's in China and the clash that is about to happen. End result, not a financially exciting business to get into, but a financially depressing black hole that is sucking up money faster than most can understand. All the stories clearly highlight the impact Tesla has had on the global auto business. One thing that I have realized in looking at this is that Tesla as a sell off company is really only valued between $5 to $10 billion at most and that still will not cover all the debt they have incurred. Not a matter of IF, but a matter of WHEN Tesla will have to go bankrupt or be sold I believe.

Like the looks both exterior and interior. Clearly copied some of the vibe from Land Rover as I see that in the over all body of this CUV. Exterior, I am so happy they clipped the retro Lincoln grill and finally gave it a 21st century look to move forward on. My only real concern is FORD's poor quality record as I wonder about just how rusty this auto will be coming off the assembly line. I wish them all the best and truly hope this can be a fresh start for them as a real luxury competitor and not just a tarted up FORD. If we see a FORD equal to this with the blue oval on it, game over for them ever really being in the luxury game. Wonder how long before they bring out alternative powertrain options?

Soooooo, while we can debate how long the ability for a company to live in the red and be a darling of wall street, as I posted above. Musk is in no real position to bail Tesla out either since most of his wealth is tied up in stock of the two companies he owns. Yes I would like to see them survive and especially as an American car company. With that said, does GM need to buy them? Not really sure about that as I think the next two auto's they bring out will be based on the BOLT platform and everything else will be on version 2.0 of that said platform. I suspect that 2.0 platform will be a true EV or PHEV / Hybrid platform to further reduce costs for a global platform. Based on GMs presentation to the financial community, they have 7 SUVs, 5 CUVs, 2 cars and 2 vans for EV/PHEV/Hybrid. GM will surpass Tesla by 2020 I believe.

Happy Gobbel Gobbel Day to all C&G Members and Guests! Wishing everyone a great relaxing day no matter who your with or where you are. I hope everyone can have some enjoyable relaxing down time around the world!

According to the details of his $20.1 Billion networth as of Sept 7th 2017, 82% of it is stock as he controls 51% of Space X and a large chunk of Tesla. that means roughly 16.4 billion is stock so he really is only worth 3.6 billion if you look at cash and other assets. He is on record as sinking almost every penny he owns into these two companies. So if they die, he pretty much is wiped out.

Burn baby Burn should be Tesla's new slogan!

This is not true as every state is different, in Washington state, you pay all your taxes and fees at the time you buy your car, so an ad like this is deceptive and would not be allowed as taxes, fees, title, etc. can vary depending on the final agreed purchase price of the auto. So you're saying in Europe prices are fixed, there is no dickering you just pay what they advertise? Interesting,

Very cool auto, reminds me of the AMC Eagles. An auto way ahead of it's time.

Interesting, just saw this on Green Car Report that NextEV from China that built their Nio EV SUV based on Tesla patents has secured from various sources both in China and the US over $1 billion to build and ship their first RWD EV SUV. The company claims they will have Toyota Cost and quality with Tesla battery range. http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1113856_chinese-electric-car-startup-nio-gets-1-billion-in-funding-report

I normally would too, but the SRX lack of legroom in the rear compared to the Envision makes the difference.