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Showing content with the highest reputation on 12/18/2019 in all areas
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Sergio's dream now is coming to fruition. After said merger, I wonder if they can really keep all those plants running.2 points
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Electricity is getting cleaner at the power plant because more and more power plants are forgoing coal for other sources. Coal-fired plants are shutting down, especially compared to the GM EV1 days over 20 years ago.2 points
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The average off the MSRP of a brand new 2020 BMW 3-series according to Trucar is $3500. Yet I’m not seeing where BMW is ‘pricing their cars stupidly’ or ‘killing their resale’.2 points
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BMW unveiled the Concept iX3 at the Beijing Motor show in April of 2018. The overall look of the crossover is somewhat conventional, but with the traditional kidney grille being closed off for aerodynamic reasons and special aerodynamic wheels. The production iX3 will be rear-wheel drive only and have a peak rating of 286 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. All of that power comes from a single motor. The motor is BMW's fifth-generation eDrive powertrain developed solely in house. BMW says that the technology used in this motor is scalable and thus can be used in different automotive segments. The battery is a 74-kWh pack that is capable of powering the iX3 for 273 miles on the European WLTP cycle (EPA rating will be lower). The iX3 will be built in Shenyang, China through a joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive starting in 2020. Once the iX3 goes on the market, it will be BMW's first vehicle to be available in gasoline, diesel, plug-in hybrid, and pure electric drive configurations. View full article1 point
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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Peugeot S.A. have signed a binding agreement to a 50/50 merger of their businesses. Once the merger is complete, the combined company will be the fourth largest automobile producer in the world. Based on 2018 numbers, the business will sell roughly 8.7 million vehicles annually and have revenues near €170 billion. There will be a strong balance sheet that will allow the new entity headroom to execute strategic plans. Geographically, 46% of revenue will come from Europe and 43% from North America. A number of operational efficiencies will be gained by the sharing of platforms and engine technology. The number of platforms will be reduced with approximately 6 million cars a year concentrated on just two platforms.The platform consolidations will account for approximately 40% of the estimated €3.7 billion in savings expected from the merger. Peugeot CEO Carlos Tavares will be CEO of the new company and a board member, while John Elkann of FCA will be Chairman of the Board. The completion of the combination is expected to take 12 to 15 months during which time they will be completing items to the satisfaction of antitrust and other regulatory requirements.1 point
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The solution is simple. A SMALL BATTERY of about 10-20 kWh (30-60 mile range) capable of high current draws. A micro gas turbine generator making about 30 kW (40 hp) capabe of recharging the battery in 20-40 mins with the car stationary or about twice that when it is cruising along gently on the freeway. Who cares if the turbine is fuel efficient? It is only used when you are on a long trip or to "recover" from a stint of very aggressive driving. The important thing is that the turbine is very small, does not need coolant and is essentially maintenance free between time to overhaul. It'll fit in the spare tire well! The simplest practical design is a 2-stage centrifugal unit that looks like two sequential turbos with a combustor can between the compressor and the turbine, as well as a high speed AC generator on the shaft of the low pressure compressor. It should cost about as much as two turbos and an electric motor. Two centrifugal stages is good for about compressor pressure ratio 10:1~12:1 compression ratio (3.3 x 3.3 to 4 x 4) -- about the same as a modern piston engine. It is no GEnx, but it's good enough. This also ensures that emissions will be about the same as a typical gasoline piston engine. Unlike a Hybrid's ICE, the turbine either operates at optimal speed or not at all. When starting the generator-motor spins the low pressure compressor to about 150,000 rpm and generates a combustor inlet pressure ratio of about 3~4:1 which should be enough for the unit to be self sustaining. Fuel combustion and will spin up the high pressure turbine to speed and bring it to the operating pressure ratio. Start up should take about a minute. The Driver as a three position switch for the turbine generator -- OFF, ON or AUTO. OFF is pure electric. ON runs the turbine as long as the battery is not full. Auto runs the turbine when the battery drops below 20% (6~12 mile range). Very simple.1 point
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I remember putting playing cards onto the front forks of my bicycle to hit the spokes just to make some noise. Looks like someone will have to invent something similar for EVs.1 point
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@balthazar LOL @ McLaren. First of all, last time McLaren had any meaningful win in Formula 1 was in late 90's Secondary, in 2018 they had an income loss of over 62 million pounds. Not the best example of the profitable and forward looking company. Great engineering in the few supercars they built though.1 point
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Actually, it does. Not a heck of a lot, but noticeably more than very low boost Germans like he Audi 4.0T. The reason is simple. It takes longer to get to 640 lb-ft than it does to 444 lb-ft. That boost rise simply takes longer. The Germans have very tiny turbos reaching only 122 lb-ft per liter vs 152. Boost only reaches 9.5 psi and plateaus from 1,500 to 5,100 rpm. Anyway, the whole hand built and exclusive to Cadillac thing is bullcrap. You can handbuilt and make exclusive a version of the small block V8 too.1 point
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Honestly Hyundai can EAT GMs market share as GM is being Marketing Stupid in regards to proper prices and the 19 by me prove this. The funny part of the 19 in stock Blazers by me is they are all Premier or RS models. 2019 models get $7,400 off MSRP 2020 Models get $2,725 off MSRP Clearly GM has this product priced way too high1 point
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The majority of Blazers at my local dealer are $ 34-35. There’s 1 $30K and a few in the mid $40s. Not seeing a major price disparity WRT hyundai.1 point
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you will rarely find an AWD blazer for much less than 34-35 right now, and that's basically cloth seats. Enjoy that FWD blazer with 4 banger if you like. The Santa Fe has the size of the Blazer and admittedly with its 4 cylinders, but the truth is they can add lots of options to the Santa Fe that it will have at the 35k price that Chevy won't have. So from a utlity standpoint the Santa Fe is the size of the Blazer and offers lots more options and amenities for a lower price. The only advantage the Blazer would have is powertrain but in 2020 Chevy will load up the sales floor with much more of the new 2.0 turbo models at that price range than the v6's which they want to eventually only offer to those shopping in the 50k range. WHICH IS MY POINT EXACTLY. those 19 blazers have likely sat on that lot since early this calendar year. Hard to run a business with stagnant inventory.1 point
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Mary and GM clearly want the poor people to stick to buying the Equinox and Terrain. Then, the 'privileged' who really want a true mid size vehicle, the figured they could charge 55k for a loaded Blazer instead of the 40k Impala it functionally replaces. In addition to that, make it in Mexico, too. Honestly the Blazer would sell big in volume at lower prices, but clearly volume is not the goal. GM is fine with letting inventory sitting on their lots for a year or two before they get an actual clue that they might need to adjust prices to market. I just think its sad that GM opens the door for competitors like Hyundai to gain volume in the market, and in this case even more and more.1 point
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With a few exceptions, GM has given up on cars and competing in the car market. It’s all CUVs, SUVs and trucks for them now...0 points
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First Mercedes, now GM. Second thoughts on an EV onslaught? You betcha!-1 points
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