Random Thoughts Thread

[G. David Felt]

Seems China auto industry has taken the lovely Corvette from the very beginning of time and made it an awesome EV.
From electric vehicles to AI: China's next automotive revolution on display in Beijing

If you DO NOT want to be depressed about how cool the auto's are in China that Japan, Korea, European auto companies and China is showing off do not click the above link.

Fascist Idiot47 has truly destroyed this country and the ability to have cool auto's.

[A Horse With No Name]

22 hours ago, ccap41 said:

Obviously, but I'd think you could cut 200 miles worth of range on the battery pack and save hundreds of pounds making it just a more overall efficient vehicle and still yielding 700 miles of range. 

As I said to David, I'd remove as much battery pack as the engine weighs so it would be a net 0 gain in weight and you'd still have a sh!t ton of range yet it would be more efficient at achieving those miles. I'd assume it would be similar to my guesstimated numbers above.

I agree a hundred percent. 

EV tech applied to bikes, this is amazing...but seven grand. 

Remarkably close to what every rigid 80s and 90's MTB steel bike was. We get the formula right and then lose it in the name of god knows what. Cool video, cool channel, and too bad you can't buy this here. 

 

[G. David Felt]

I know some love Black, but I just never could get into these all black everything auto's. The Hyundai Ioniq9 is now available in their Calligraphy series Black Ink edition.

Hyundai Unveils 2027 IONIQ 9 AWD Performance Calligraphy Black Ink Model - Releases - Official Media Site NEWSROOM

[A Horse With No Name]

A good take on the manosphere. 

 

[G. David Felt]

19 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

A good take on the manosphere. 

 

These kinds of guys are so stone age and can go 6 feet under imho.

[G. David Felt]

Interesting, but I totally get it, who cares about the badge if you get the technology, comfort and performance you want.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/buying/76-of-drivers-say-luxury-badges-aren-t-worth-it-anymore-here-s-what-they-want-instead/ar-AA20Hs8L?ocid=msedgntp&pc=W069&cvid=69f12a480b1645319bc420ef729815ff&ei=61

[A Horse With No Name]

18 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

These kinds of guys are so stone age and can go 6 feet under imho.

Until we can provide genuine economic opportunity for folks, this will become increasingly common. 

14 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Interesting, but I totally get it, who cares about the badge if you get the technology, comfort and performance you want.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/buying/76-of-drivers-say-luxury-badges-aren-t-worth-it-anymore-here-s-what-they-want-instead/ar-AA20Hs8L?ocid=msedgntp&pc=W069&cvid=69f12a480b1645319bc420ef729815ff&ei=61

I like modern cars that are as invisible as possible...invisible to vandals, thieves, cops, aggressive drivers, people with attitudes...my current idea of Luxury is a grey Lexus that blends in, soft leather and a decent stereo, and drive the damn thing. I DO like the style of modern Cadillacs, but they would be a lease and return thing for me, as I don't want to deal with GM electronics or drivetrains as a vehicles ages. 

It makes sense that they crush them, liability and they don't want other teams getting their engineering thought process. 

[A Horse With No Name]

These kids nail it. the world is for "Shyte" as our Canadian Greek would rant, but the kids are okay. 

 

[A Horse With No Name]

Clean old beast

 

 

The nail is in the coffin, economically. 

 

[ccap41]

@G. David Felt I came across this video and thought you'd appreciate it. It's a long video, but with you being the tech guy that you are, you should be entertained by it all. If you wanted to skip to the charging session itself, you'll want to skip to like the 42 minute mark.

I hope the link works because YouTube links don't show up in my feed on my work computer, but hopefully this does for you guys. 

 

[G. David Felt]

3 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

The nail is in the coffin, economically. 

 

The collapse will cause an every country for themselves attitude and it will be the final days for ICE and OIL and the Auto Companies that caved into Idiot47, AKA American Auto Companies are going to pay big time as they continue to become nothing in the new world order of Tech EVs. American Auto Companies have gotten the last of my dollars. 

Awaiting to see how Kia / Hyundai does with the Truck Market here. Their Mules are still in LA for the EV9 Pickup that I would love to have to compliment my current EV9.

2 hours ago, ccap41 said:

@G. David Felt I came across this video and thought you'd appreciate it. It's a long video, but with you being the tech guy that you are, you should be entertained by it all. If you wanted to skip to the charging session itself, you'll want to skip to like the 42 minute mark.

I hope the link works because YouTube links don't show up in my feed on my work computer, but hopefully this does for you guys. 

 

Thanks for the Link, yes I see the video and that is freaking cool. We are so far behind when this is the future.

[A Horse With No Name]

2 hours ago, ccap41 said:

@G. David Felt I came across this video and thought you'd appreciate it. It's a long video, but with you being the tech guy that you are, you should be entertained by it all. If you wanted to skip to the charging session itself, you'll want to skip to like the 42 minute mark.

I hope the link works because YouTube links don't show up in my feed on my work computer, but hopefully this does for you guys. 

 

The rate of change will only speed up. 

[ccap41]

48 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

Thanks for the Link, yes I see the video and that is freaking cool. We are so far behind when this is the future.

You're welcome!

Yep, the problem is that it isn't the future for the rest of the world. That's the NOW for China and Europe (if I remember correctly from the video). The US is soooo far behind. It does make me curious about the Ford and CATL and/or BYD partnerships that have been going on. I'm sure Ford isn't getting that technology though. 

[G. David Felt]

3 hours ago, ccap41 said:

You're welcome!

Yep, the problem is that it isn't the future for the rest of the world. That's the NOW for China and Europe (if I remember correctly from the video). The US is soooo far behind. It does make me curious about the Ford and CATL and/or BYD partnerships that have been going on. I'm sure Ford isn't getting that technology though. 

Yes, you are correct that it is the NOW for EMEA and APJ.

BYD breaks down final barriers to electrification with Blade Battery 2.0 and FLASH Charging - BYD

BYD has a Battery pack storage system that goes with this for areas that have weak electrical grid system. Clearly, they are not only thinking of Europe, but Africa, South, Central and North America markets long term as well as all over the Asian rim. Clearly, they are so far ahead of America due to incompetent leadership.

Yes, Ford says they are still working with CATL and BYD but for products in China and elsewhere, due to Idiot47 the U.S. market will not get this technology at this time. That tends to tell me that he knows it will not come here as long as Idiot47 is in office and then all bets are off, but can Ford and GM stay independent, or will they have to merge with someone?

GM Buick EVs have moved to 900V tech for 10 min to 80% charge times using China technology, but will it ever go any other place? EMEA I can see it as those countries have already allowed China in. APJ but outside of China, I am not aware that GM has moved back into any other market than the little bit they have in Korea.

Interesting times for sure.

Per the press release, the 8th of April 2026 the first Flash Chargers opened in Paris France.

DENZA Z9GT to start Europe’s FLASH Charging revolution in April: Ready in 5, Full in 9, Cold Add 3 - BYD

[G. David Felt]

This is what American Auto Companies fear, quality, feature rich commuter cars for $10k dollars.

I Just Drove a $10,000 Chinese EV. No, It Didn’t Suck

170-190 miles per charge, to 80% in 21 minutes, faster than any current Tesla. Weight is only 2,850 pounds, 250 lbs less than a traditional Mini ICE tech.

Clearly American Auto industry is living in the past and at their own peril. The death of American auto industry due to NOT ignoring Idiot47 and moving forward with Technology.

[G. David Felt]

This is a 1yr old video I found that shows how much ahead China EVs are over the U.S. and Europe.

Korea is the only country that is competitive right now, Japan is so far behind.

[G. David Felt]

Not surprised by this and would not be surprised if folks go over into Mexico and try to buy and drive back their Chinese auto.

Texas border city is filling up with sleek Chinese cars that are illegal to buy in the United States

What surprises me is I missed that Idiot47 has supposedly said if China wants to come in and setup factories and hire Americans, he is all for it. That is pretty much a death blow to American Auto Companies.

[Drew Dowdell]

$4.65/g here in Pittsburgh.  Trump accidentally promoting EVs again.  Even if prices go back down, it is the instability that is the problem. 

[A Horse With No Name]

On 4/29/2026 at 1:25 PM, ccap41 said:

You're welcome!

Yep, the problem is that it isn't the future for the rest of the world. That's the NOW for China and Europe (if I remember correctly from the video). The US is soooo far behind. It does make me curious about the Ford and CATL and/or BYD partnerships that have been going on. I'm sure Ford isn't getting that technology though. 

From a strictly rational non political standpoint, I would like to find someone in the know to know about demand destruction and how the current political climate will enable China to sell more EV and green energy products. 

2 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

$4.65/g here in Pittsburgh.  Trump accidentally promoting EVs again.  Even if prices go back down, it is the instability that is the problem. 

The straight is not going to re open soon, for Iran the war is existential, for Israel the war is existential, Mirium Addleson donated a ton to trump, Netanyahu also has him by the ball sack. Its $4.99 in Columbus or $4.89 places. As far as I am concerned, it can hit ten bucks a gallon and stay there. I am ready to move on from fossil fuels. We should have done it in '73 and '79 after the oil shocks then. We should have done it robustly in 2008 when Obama was elected. If we are forced painfully into it I am fine with that also. 

16 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Not surprised by this and would not be surprised if folks go over into Mexico and try to buy and drive back their Chinese auto.

Texas border city is filling up with sleek Chinese cars that are illegal to buy in the United States

What surprises me is I missed that Idiot47 has supposedly said if China wants to come in and setup factories and hire Americans, he is all for it. That is pretty much a death blow to American Auto Companies.

A death blow that can't come fast enough at this point. 

21 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

This is a 1yr old video I found that shows how much ahead China EVs are over the U.S. and Europe.

Korea is the only country that is competitive right now, Japan is so far behind.

Tesla will spend everything in executive compensation that they should be spending on the next generation of cars. THAT will be a death blow to them. 

[A Horse With No Name]

On 4/29/2026 at 4:55 PM, G. David Felt said:

This is what American Auto Companies fear, quality, feature rich commuter cars for $10k dollars.

I Just Drove a $10,000 Chinese EV. No, It Didn’t Suck

170-190 miles per charge, to 80% in 21 minutes, faster than any current Tesla. Weight is only 2,850 pounds, 250 lbs less than a traditional Mini ICE tech.

Clearly American Auto industry is living in the past and at their own peril. The death of American auto industry due to NOT ignoring Idiot47 and moving forward with Technology.

I regret Obama bailing them out at this point, and regret Chrylser getting bailed out in the 80's. The internal corporate culture will never change or adapt at Domestic Car companies/Stallantis. Walked out of a Jazz concert last night and imports outnumbered domestics by 7-8 to 1 or more in the parking lot. And the folks driving domestics were largely over 70. Other than trucks, no one I work with, am in clubs with, at my wife's church, or know socially really drives domestics.  They are really so 2002...or 1982...or 1962. NOT 2032!

On 4/29/2026 at 4:42 PM, G. David Felt said:

Yes, you are correct that it is the NOW for EMEA and APJ.

BYD breaks down final barriers to electrification with Blade Battery 2.0 and FLASH Charging - BYD

BYD has a Battery pack storage system that goes with this for areas that have weak electrical grid system. Clearly, they are not only thinking of Europe, but Africa, South, Central and North America markets long term as well as all over the Asian rim. Clearly, they are so far ahead of America due to incompetent leadership.

Yes, Ford says they are still working with CATL and BYD but for products in China and elsewhere, due to Idiot47 the U.S. market will not get this technology at this time. That tends to tell me that he knows it will not come here as long as Idiot47 is in office and then all bets are off, but can Ford and GM stay independent, or will they have to merge with someone?

GM Buick EVs have moved to 900V tech for 10 min to 80% charge times using China technology, but will it ever go any other place? EMEA I can see it as those countries have already allowed China in. APJ but outside of China, I am not aware that GM has moved back into any other market than the little bit they have in Korea.

Interesting times for sure.

Per the press release, the 8th of April 2026 the first Flash Chargers opened in Paris France.

DENZA Z9GT to start Europe’s FLASH Charging revolution in April: Ready in 5, Full in 9, Cold Add 3 - BYD

This fits the broader pattern of the Belt and Road initiative. Everything we spend on war and a military China spends on actual domestic production and foreign development that actually helps people. The world is bypassing the USA, and that rate of bypass will only speed up as time moves forward. 

This video shows the changing face of warfare. Our one trillion dollar military is largely obsolete. 

[A Horse With No Name]

Pittsburgh area rail fanning for Drew...

 

 

This is exactly what will happen to much of the oil infrastructure in the middle east if the war there gets hot again. Iran will hit the exporting and production capacity of every nation with US bases. 

 

[ccap41]

2 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

$4.65/g here in Pittsburgh.  Trump accidentally promoting EVs again.  Even if prices go back down, it is the instability that is the problem. 

Yep. that's one of my biggest issues, the instability. I REALLY doubt my electricity rates will just double in a month or triple in a year or anything wild like that. 

[Drew Dowdell]

3 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Yep. that's one of my biggest issues, the instability. I REALLY doubt my electricity rates will just double in a month or triple in a year or anything wild like that. 

In many states you can sign 1 or 2 year rate contracts. That only covers the cost of the generation and not the delivery, but even delivery is set by the state and is usually once a year rate change at most.  I've had green energy contracts for my house for years.  It's nice to know my rate is fixed. 

[A Horse With No Name]

4 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Yep. that's one of my biggest issues, the instability. I REALLY doubt my electricity rates will just double in a month or triple in a year or anything wild like that. 

Not just us, Asia and Europe are suffering much harder than we are with the Hormuz blockade.  There will be a worldwide shift. One interesting thing, there are a lot of German vehicle manufacturers who will be left out I think as China has cracked the EV thing. With the decline of America in NATO, it makes sense to me that Germany will use its auto plants to re arm. 

1 minute ago, Drew Dowdell said:

In many states you can sign 1 or 2 year rate contracts. That only covers the cost of the generation and not the delivery, but even delivery is set by the state and is usually once a year rate change at most.  I've had green energy contracts for my house for years.  It's nice to know my rate is fixed. 

I wonder how energy contracts will evolve with the changes in society and industry. 

[Drew Dowdell]

1 minute ago, A Horse With No Name said:

I wonder how energy contracts will evolve with the changes in society and industry. 

just by going up lol.

I use to be able to get a solar/wind contract for 8c/kWh as recently as 2 years ago.  I get the rates e-mailed to me once a week and they range from 12.5c - 14c.

22 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Pittsburgh area rail fanning for Drew...

 

 

That's really close to my house. I can often hear them.

[A Horse With No Name]

I am looking for witnesses, cross-checks, and people whose lived contact with reality exposes the theater. 

Its why I love the discussions here when they are rational. 

[G. David Felt]

1 hour ago, Drew Dowdell said:

In many states you can sign 1 or 2 year rate contracts. That only covers the cost of the generation and not the delivery, but even delivery is set by the state and is usually once a year rate change at most.  I've had green energy contracts for my house for years.  It's nice to know my rate is fixed. 

Here in Washington State, there are incentives to turn your roof into a complete Solar panel with storage and the county / state will buy back any excess. 

I have many coworkers who have done this and now just charge their EVs for free pretty much.

As one that is planning a complete remodel of the house for retirement as the wife and I have decided to stay put till we are 6ft under, the one thing I will do is change the roof into a 45-degree angle with complete solar panels and storage. The assessments are showing that I will more than be able to power the whole house and charge my EVs with no pulling from the grid, but excess that I can sell back into the grid.

EV is the future, Solar charging just makes it so much better.

[A Horse With No Name]

 

[G. David Felt]

Just now, A Horse With No Name said:

 

Ahhhh, this reminds me of so many good movies.

That building has been used in many movies.

This years Tradeshow building has been Brutal. I will be so happy when this is all over and in June I can get back to having time to write stories for C&G. I have a part 2 that I need to complete on all the added details around the MAGMA GV60 as that auto is so cool with the tech. It puts both BMW M series and the Mercedes AMG series to shame. Korea has really stepped up their game in performance.