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A new report from the German publication Handelsblatt says that Ford and Volkswagen are considering expanding their partnership "that stands to change the German industry.” The two are reportedly looking into working together on autonomous tech and electric vehicle development. There are a number of ideas under consideration between two. One example is for Volkswagem's Moia self-driving subsidiary to take a 50 percent stake into Ford’s Autonomous Vehicles LLC. In return, Volkswagen could share their MEB toolkit with Ford on electric vehicles. The expansion in the partnership could also see Volkswagen buying combustion engines from Ford in an effort to reduce investments into diesel engines. Why are the two considering this expansion? For one, it would allow the two companies to pool their efforts to catch up with various competitors such as Tesla and Waymo, while saving cash. It is also being seen as a survival tactic in certain markets. Ford is struggling in Europe and South America, while Volkswagen is having issues in North America. Volkswagen's supervisory board will be holding a meeting later this month to consider whether or not it will expand this partnership. Source: Handelsblatt Global View full article

You do all realize that MY changeover is occurring....and it’s expected to be selling 2018s out quickly at this time of year.

Well I've never seen a RC 5.5' bed, it has always been 6.5'. The 5.5' is only on the CC. Too short. It's like the human space is horning in on the cargo space. Which leads me to this - CAFE has made cars crappy. So naturally ppl want roomy comfortable vehicles, they've moved to pickups and SUVs. For that reason alone CAFE is a failed policy.

Cool, how about we start with a Coyote-powered new Phaeton?

As far as range anxiety, how often do people's phone's hit 0% battery? People remember to charge their phone, they will remember to plug in their car. And with wireless charging, you don't even plug in, you can just park it in the garage. Plus we are probably 5 years away from being able to charge a battery as fast as one can fill a tank with gas.

Seattle Dealership has a total of 193 - 2019 models, 97 - 2018 models and 2 - 2017 New auto's in Stock. Total 299 new auto's in stock Tacoma Dealership has a total of 169 - 2019 models, 58 - 2018 models and 2 - 2017 New auto's in stock. Total 229 new auto's in stock I say there is plenty of stock of new 2019 auto's, sales are missing.

My local MB dealer has 257 2019s on the lot and 112 2018s. There's a glut over here. They even have 16 2017s (mostly unwanted sprinters/metris', but there is one leftover S550 too).

• Fabricated a mounting plate; the trans crossmember is not quite aligned with the trans, so fashioned a 5/16-in steel plate to be able to bolt the 2 together. Unconventional for sure, but I see no reason it won't have excellent longevity/be no problem. • More planning on the header surgery, coming soon.

Let's review, month over month performance :: June : down 10% July : down 23% Aug : down 20% Sep : down 10% Oct : down 5% No demand issue?? You said you'd worry if it was 3 months in a row of declines, I count 5 above.

• Bought some EvapoRust to clean the slight rust out of the fuel tank, but unless one is ready to put gas in it (which I'm not) it's better to wait. So after all the running around RE the fuel tank and anticipating installing it permanently, instead it's going into storage in the basement, along with all the fuel lines & assorted pieces. Rad shop (in business since 1929!) wanted too much to clean/coat the tank ($395), so I paid them $20 to weld a drain plug in one upper corner instead. The best sealer on the market is $32/quart. • Pu the car up on 4 jack stands, going to work on the exhaust / header next, instead. I am lacking the parking brake hardware inside the rear brakes, but once again; I am asking a '59 parking brake pedal & frame to talk to a '70's MoPar DANA 60, so more engineering there. Exhaust system comes with it's own questions, namely; whether I have to end it before the rear axle or if I can fit it out to the rear bumper. A bit more work and pounds that way, but also a bit quieter. Also can look at the brake line scenario & figger out upgrading the hydraulic system. I had planned on a dual-reservoir manual brake system, need to think it all through.