Robert Hall

That's different. A manufacturer raising product prices isn't the same is a corrupt middleman reseller tacking on fake 'market adjustments'.

With a direct store model like Tesla, you cut out the middleman resellers (dealership ownership group). The middleman reseller model is obsolete and provides no advantages to consumers.

^ I don’t get why you are trying so hard to defend dealers and their sleazy practices. F’em. Obsolete franchise laws keep these bottom feeder scumbags in business. Dealers have an obsolete business model, provide no value beyond warranty work and service.

The 'market price adjustments' are fake though, just some greedy garbage dealer trying to profit on short supply. They should be fined and lose their license to operate as a dealer, have their dealerships torn down. It's the same as sleazy merchants trying to sell water or groceries at fake inflated prices after a hurricane.

That sounds like the 2003 remake of 'The Italian Job'. I remember part of it was set in Venice. Saw it in the theater back then, fun movie. Had a Mini chase set in LA instead of the Alps like the original did. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317740/

It seems pleasant but generic. And the boring white w/ black top doesn't help. Very clean and modern, has the currently trendy slim lighting...but nothing really screams Chrysler to me. Looks like something Stellantis can sell in Europe badged as a Peugeot, Citroen or DS with a few cosmetic changes.

HD, regular, whatever. Still a full size. With less than an 8 foot bed?

Not even sure why Balthy even cares. GM is still going to make diesel HD trucks for the foreseeable future, so his niche isn’t threatened by EVs.

Yeah, who knows what's going on..if Rivian is developing other bed length versions they are keeping it internal and quiet for now...

google it, I'm sure there are some spy photos out there...I saw a spy photo of a purported R1T extended cab version (with a smaller rear door than the crew cab), but the bed wasn't visible..

True... about the only off-roading I did in the summers was to drive up to Pinetop, Jerome, or Flag and take some back country gravel and dirt trails. Though I did a lot of summer drives across the void on the 10 or the 8 to the OC or San Diego to visit beaches... As far as the desert in the summer, I had one insane runner co-worker that used to go out at noon for running in triple digit weather.

Given the extreme climate in AZ, it will be interesting to see how much adoption more mainstream EVs will have. I saw plenty of Teslas in Scottsdale, but people buy Teslas because they are Teslas. I did hear a lot of anecdotal griping about Nissan Leafs and sharply reduced range in the fecal summer weather in the Phoenix area.

The Hummer EV is awfully long and wide, though...maybe more suited for wide-open desert trails.

It will be interesting to see what the EV truck market looks like in 5 years.

Rivian does have their commercial van for Amazon and other delivery services. https://rivian.com/fleet

Yeah, I can't imagine taking a 9000lb, 7 ft wide Canyonero-wannabe EV on a narrow Rocky Mountain trail...

That would suck...I spend a lot of time at the national park, state parks, beaches, etc in nice weather..don't see the coal-roller diesel shit around thankfully.

I have no idea what it would take to update my 1967 home to support a 220v garage charger. It's a moot point, as I don't have a use case where an EV would make sense. If I had a predictable daily commute to an office it might make sense, but working out of the house, I only drive on the weekends and the occasional short trip a couple times during the week. Sometimes I go two weeks without driving anywhere, esp. in cold weather.

It would look less stupid with an extra 6 inches or so of roof...the amateur customizers that make these shortened cars always seem to take so much out that the side window opening looks waaaay too small.

I heard the church bells ringing late last night...about a 1/2 dozen Orthodox churches within 5 miles of me.

The Hummer EV sounds like it's pretty capable off road, though it's massive size and weight would be a hindrance, IMO.

First snow of the winter here that is more than a dusting...cold, 16F this morning, a couple inches of snow on the ground, more coming...the commute from the kitchen to my home office wasn't bad, though.

^ re: barbers—I was a regular Great Clips customer for years, across 3 states. But for the last 2 years, I’ve been DIY with my Wahl clippers, 2-3 times a year. Bzzzt

Hadn't heard of that one...appears to be based on the GLB...

Deep thoughts that are always appropriate---'reality is complex', 'there are many things'.