G. David Felt

This is interesting

Please, please, please don't show this report about Trump's economy to your MAGA-supporting family (unless you want to start a fight)

April Boycotts

According to the People’s Union USA, the following corporations are now part of its permanent blackout list:

Amazon
Target
Walmart
Home Depot
Starbucks
CBS

List of companies being boycotted in April

Donald Trump's Poll Numbers On The Economy Are Breaking Records For Reasons He's Realllllly Not Gonna Like

4 hours ago, trinacriabob said:

If you drive around an area and the houses look nice, but they all seem to have wrought iron or metal doors in front of their front doors, it's probably best to move along and keep looking.

If you drive around an area and the houses look nice, but they all seem to have wrought iron or metal doors in front of their front doors, it's probably best to move along and keep looking.

Watch out for the gun toting nut who will protect their house by shooting first, asking questions later imho.

On 3/31/2026 at 2:17 PM, ccap41 said:

I can't tell if I like how this looks or not. Part of me likes the exterior quite a bit but something stands out to me that I just don't love. I think maybe it's the greenhouse's height. It almost just looks too tall. Is this based off the Crown? 

I kinda feel that the green house has that high belt line like the Camero and that is a turn off for me. When you look at the side profile, I feel the doors go up way too high, small glass.

1 hour ago, A Horse With No Name said:

There will be a lot of choice in a couple of years. 

 

Yes, starting this year with the estimated 1.2 million EVs coming back from Lease and continuing next year and the year after. The estimate is north of 3 million low mileage EVs coming back from lease.

I do agree with one thing that Edmunds stated and that is make sure to see the battery report for how much L3 versus L2 or 1 charging is done. An EV with mostly L2 charging will be way better for battery life than a mostly L3 charged EV.

@A Horse With No Name I can see you in this with AWD for your EV. Charges are on par with the Subaru, only difference is compact versus full size that Subaru just revealed at NY auto show.

Course if you do not mind a certified used, one of the EV9's coming back off lease with low miles are a value deal to get and then your at 800V with 18min charges to 80%.

This will sell well for the dealers as the only Chrysler product they have to sell. Great to see AWD as an option to compete against Toyota. Wish Kia had their SUV looking Minivan with AWD.

@Drew Dowdell Any mention of a Hybrid version as I do not see anything on this.

So happy to see this, my only head shake is the 400V technology. At a time when they could like the Koreans leap frog Tesla big time on such a large EV, this one should have been 800V technology to handle true DC Fast Charging.

Excited to see another 3 row adult size EV SUV hit the market.

While I wish this was 800V, I totally get the point of being a 400V EV. I can see my daughter moving to this over her current EV.

I will expect to see lots of these on Washington roads and up at the passes for winter sports.

Very cool, probably far more reliable than the Ford Bronco's.

That is a very sharp upgrade compared to the old version.

Buick has teased the Electra name for decades, Buick has now chosen to create a sub-brand for Buick in China called Electra and with this, their flagship product is the Electra ENCASA. This is an MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) minivan that will define the 21st century of Buick for luxury transport and family use.

The ENCASA MPV has a starting price of $70,986 U.S. dollars and comes with GM's latest charging system, a 900V 6C ultra-fast electrical system enhanced for safety and refined ownership experience with the latest in electric technologies. This global MPV has been paired with what GM says will become their new standard for electric vehicles.

Buick Electra ENCASA Details

The Advanced Electric Performance and Charging System has the following details:

• 900V 6C Ultra-fast Charging system
  • Peak Charging of 640 kW
  • 10% to 80% charging in 11 1/2 minutes
• 96 kWh battery pack
  • 373 miles of range

Design Language from Private Aviation

• Land Jet Inspired
• 0.258 Cd low drag coefficient
• 12-layer two tone paint, delivering an understated, but refined flagship luxury

Intelligent Driving, Premium Experience, Ultimate Electric Mobility Safety

• Driver assistance system built on Momenta R6 learning model
• Three-row spacious layout focused on comfort for all passengers using premium materials consistent with a flagship position
• 78% high-strength steel ratio for body structure, engineered to meet global standards

ENCASA Proportions

• 124-inch wheelbase
• Overall length 207 inches
• Overall Height 80 inches
• Overall width 72 inches

ENCASA has seven-mode adaptive crystal LED headlights and a signature through-body taillight with 257 ultra-red LEDs enhance visibility and on-road presence. ENCASA's ceremonial air suspension enables the vehicle to lower by 2 1/2-inches, delivering the lowest entry height in its class. Together with gesture-controlled sliding doors and full-vehicle hospitality modes, ENCASA extends luxury beyond the cabin itself.

The interior only uses high-end full grain Nappa leather, ultra-suede headliners and Australian wool carpet. This is the start as the ENCASA has a Buick first, multi-posture zero-gravity seats. This is able to maximize the usable 37-inches of interior cabin length floor space. If one buys the Luxury with executive package, you can enjoy a "Chaise Longue" experience with 8-mode, 10-point massage, full-area heating and on-touch rest mode comfort. All seating comes standard with floating layer seat cushions composed of mother-and-baby-grade pearl-cotton padding.

From third row sliding seats, 49 storage locations or at little as 22 cubic feet of space behind the third-row seats to a cavernous 73 cubic feet of space with the second and third row seats folded down. The ENCASA can handle any hauling needs one might have.

ENCASA introduces the industry-first five-constant wellness cabin, delivering a balanced, science-driven in-vehicle environment:

• Constant Temperature: Dual-layer, multi-zone climate regulation.
• Constant Humidity: Automatic 40-60% humidity control.
• Constant Oxygen: Twin-layer fresh-air circulation that maintains low CO2 levels.
• Constant Cleanliness: Panasonic nanoe X purification, AQS detection, PM2.5 filtration and low-allergen materials.
• Constant Quietness: Extensive acoustic treatments and ANC create a serene environment.

AI Advanced Digital Luxury Integration for ENCASA

Powered by Qualcomm's SA8775P platform delivering 72 TOPS of AI compute, ENCASA offers Buick's most immersive digital experience yet:

• 50-inch panoramic AR-HUD integrating more than 15 sets of driving information
• Three connected 16.3-inch displays for driver, front passenger and infotainment
• 21-inch 4K rear entertainment screen
• Bose premium audio system
• Cabin-wide gesture control via OMS camera
• Dual 5.5-inch smart control panels for second-row passengers
• AI voice assistant with four-zone recognition, 700+ commands and creative AI capabilities
• These features allow families to enjoy movies, gaming, karaoke or personalized scene modes with seamless multi-screen interaction.

See all photos in the 2026 Buick Electra ENCASA photo gallery.

More Buick Coverage

• Buick Electra Sub-Brand Launches in China with the Electra GS Concept
• Tariff Tuesday: Buick Killing it in China; Killed in the U.S.
• Buick Electra EV Path Becomes Clear

View full article

2026 Lexus launches their first ever ES four-door sedan as a BEV, to be joined later in the year by a hybrid. The Lexus ES will come in two models, the 350e Front-Wheel-Drive and the 500e All-Wheel-Drive. Both models will be available in two trims, Premium and Luxury. The Lexus ES 350e FWD will start with a base MSRP of $47,500 and an EPA-estimated range of 307 miles.

Let's dig into what the eighth-generation Lexus ES will offer by model and trim:

Standard Equipment: All Models

• Latest Lexus Interface Debuts with 14-in. Touchscreen and 12.3-in. Multi-Information Display
• Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 (LSS+ 4.0)
  • Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian detection
  • Rear Pedestrian detection
• Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist
• Intersection Turn Assist
• DRCC or Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Eco-mode
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Lane Changing Assist
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering
• Road Sign Assist
• Intelligent High Beams
• Proactive Driving Assist
• Traffic Jam Assist
• Front Cross-traffic Alert FCTA
• 74.7 kWh lithium-ion battery
• Standard NACS charging port
  • Lexus will include a CCS to NACS plug adapter allowing owners to access over 76,000 level 2 & 3 chargers nationwide with CCS charging cords.
• 11 kW AC charger controller
  • Level 2 charger for charging to 80% in 7hrs
  • Level 3 charger for charging to 80% in 28 minutes
• Dual Voltage Level 1 and 2 charging cable
• 2026 ES 350e and ES 500e include Plug & Charge capability with an active Remote Connect* trial or subscription which allows owners/lessees to initiate charging and payment at compatible public charging networks simply by plugging in after a one-time enrollment setup through the Lexus app.
• L-shaped LED running lights sit above Dual LED headlights and flank a pinched surface evocative of Lexus' spindle grille design and a prominent body shoulder line rises from behind the front wheels to meet the wraparound LED Blade taillamp with illuminated logo
• 2026 ES dimensions
  • Exterior
    • 3.1 inches longer wheelbase
    • 2.2 inches wider width
    • 6.5 inches longer length
    • 4.5 inches in height
  • Interior
    • Front seat headroom .8 inches larger
    • Rear seat headroom .4 inches larger
    • Rear seat leg room 1.4 inches longer
    • Front seat shoulder room 1.6 inches larger
    • Front seat hip room 1.9 inches larger
    • Front and rear seat hip ingress and egress is enhanced due to higher entry points
• 19-inch standard aluminum wheels
  • Optional 21-inch wheels in various styles depending on model.
• OTA via 5G network
• Wireless device charger
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Smart Access keyless entry
• Active Drive Connect subscription
  • Cloud Navigation
  • Intelligent Assistant
  • Remote Connect
  • Safety Connect
  • Service Connect
  • Wi-Fi Connect

The 2026 Lexus ES has emphasized a clean technology with elegance approach and as such they have gone with using capacitive touch buttons and bars to provide tactile feedback as they shift towards a streamline, tech driven luxury experience according to Lexus.

ES 350e FWD Premium

• 221-hp permanent magnet synchronous electric motor powering the front wheel
• 10-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System
• Optional knee-level radiant heater for the driver and front-seat passenger

ES 350e FWD Luxury

• 221-hp permanent magnet synchronous electric motor powering the front wheel
• Optional Executive package
  • Upgrades the ES' rear outboard seats with power adjustments, heating and ventilation functions, a massage feature, and an ottoman on the passenger side
• Advanced Park with Remote Park
• Panoramic View Monitor
• 17-speaker 1,800-watt Mark Levinson® PurePlay Surround Sound System
• Auto Easy Close soft-close door latching and Digital Key 2.0 capability
• Knee-level radiant heater for the driver and front-seat passenger standard
• Dual Wireless Chargers
• Cold Area Package

ES 500e AWD Premium

• 221-hp front motor, 118-hp permanent magnet synchronous electric motor to the rear axle for a combined net total output of 338 hp
• 0-60 mph 5.1 seconds
• 10-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System
• Optional knee-level radiant heater for the driver and front-seat passenger

ES 500e AWD Luxury

• 221-hp front motor, 118-hp permanent magnet synchronous electric motor to the rear axle for a combined net total output of 338 hp
• 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds
• Optional Executive package
  • Upgrades the ES' rear outboard seats with power adjustments, heating and ventilation functions, a massage feature, and an ottoman on the passenger side
• Advanced Park with Remote Park
• Panoramic View Monitor
• 17-speaker 1,800-watt Mark Levinson® PurePlay Surround Sound System
• Auto Easy Close soft-close door latching and Digital Key 2.0 capability
• Knee-level radiant heater for the driver and front-seat passenger standard
• Dual Wireless Chargers
• Cold Area Package

ES 350h Hybrid: Details to Date

• Lexus' sixth-generation gas-electric hybrid system powering either the front wheels or, with available all-wheel drive (AWD), all four wheels.
• Hybrid battery beneath the rear seat
• Toyota has stated that more details closer to release later in the year but pricing was announced.

Toyota has stated the following EPA-estimated total driving range per full charge:

• ES350e with 19-inch standard wheels 307 miles
• ES350e with 21-inch optional wheels 292 miles
• ES500e with 19-inch standard wheels 276 miles
• ES500e with 21-inch optional wheels 272 miles

2026 Lexus ES Pricing

*Prices listed include $1,295 Delivery, Processing, and Handling fee (DPH) for ES, which is subject to change at any time. Dealer price will vary.

Style is a personal issue as some will find this polarizing, others will love it. Lexus keeps a four-door sedan on the lot for those that want a car over an SUV. For a point of comparison at the top of the Lexus lineup, see our Review: 2019 Lexus LS 500 F-Sport.

More Lexus ES Coverage

• All-New 2026 Lexus ES Gets Electrification On All Models
• Review: 2019 Lexus ES 350 and Toyota Avalon Hybrid

View full article

Good looking SUV for those wanting a reasonable priced compact SUV in ICE.

2 hours ago, ccap41 said:

While I don't exactly think anything going on is right, I also don't think trusting anything an oil company CEO says is smart either. They've kind of been known to stick it to us over the last... forever-number-of-years.

Chevron is the prime beneficiary of the Venezuelan oil situation so they have reasons to want to keep oil prices high. They're producing more and selling it higher. 

My total thought is on the fact that so many others including idiot politicians and the administration are currently saying that once the war ends all will go back to the way it was and people are stupid enough to think it true when we know that rebuilding will take time and costs are only going up.

🤮 That is the ugliest SUV ever!!!

We'll Chevron CEO is talking truth, the hurt is coming as the damage to oil infastructure, shipping, storage, etc. takes time to rebuild and as such, OIL is going to get more expensive, Gas more expensive, etc.

Idiot47 has really screwed the world.

Chevron CEO sounds alarm as Trump puts a 10-day clock on Iran

This is awesome for Rivian and the direct sales model. So happy that we have choice here in Washington State.

Rivian win in Washington signals shift in how cars may be sold

17 hours ago, trinacriabob said:

Based on what I last read, today is the first day of operation for Sound Transit's new light rail line connecting Seattle to the East Side, meaning Bellevue and Redmond, home of Microsoft. It's going to cross on the I-90 floating bridge across Lake Washington. 

I'll eventually get to the area and take a ride on it.  Something like this was a long time coming and needed.  When I lived on the East Side and would go out of town via the airport, I would to take the miserable 340 (?) bus connecting Bellevue to SEA Airport.  It was a milk train and would go through Renton, which I had nicknamed "rent to own."

I lived diagonally across the metro area from the airport.

I'm glad that Line 2 is finally here.

Lots were riding it yesterday for the baseball game and to be on it crossing the lake. Many coworkers have told me they will now take the light rail to the international station, get off like I do from Lynnwood on the 1 Line and walk the 3 blocks to work.

1 hour ago, ccap41 said:

Maybe because I'm not a Costco member, but that link didn't show any Hondas. It showed deals on Volvos, Polestars, and the Silverado EV. Also, nowhere close to 17k. The best deal was 2k off for the EX90 and only for executive members. 

Ideally, I'd love the press release green/blue. I'd settle for the other blue or red and would really not want silver, white or black. If I'm being honest though, I'm sure I'd still buy silver, white or black for the right price. Okay, maybe not black. I don't want to deal with a black color and trying to keep it clean. I've had one black car and that was enough to experience the hatred for attempting to keep it clean. 

I am also thinking that maybe not everything shows up as they look at the region your in and what offers are there.

PNW with hitting 30% of new car sales are EVs I think has a much higher support for EV sales and discounts.

Audi is well known for their luxury auto's as well as their performance RS line. The RS5 High Performance Hybrid is a first and one has to wonder do they deliver on that performance or not?

Key Specifications

Let's start by first looking at the basic points of what this RS has:

• Power
  • V6 Twin-Turbo 2.9L & electric motor
  • 470 kW or 630 HP combined
    • Top Speed of 285 km / h or 177 mph
  • 825 Nm or 608 lb-ft of torque combined
  • 8 speed tiptronic transmission
• World-first quattro with Dynamic Torque Control in the rear transaxle
• RS Style
  • Wider body work
  • Darkened Matrix LED headlights
  • RS Sport Exhaust
  • RS Interior
• Plug-in Hybrid
  • 11 kW charging controller
    • 100% charged in 2 1/2 hrs
  • 25.9 kWh battery pack
  • 400V electrical system
  • Pure electric range of combined 84 kilometers or 52 miles
• Intelligent energy recovery

Audi has stated that their first high performance plugin hybrid auto the RS5 will come in two formats, a 4-door sedan or a shooting brake in Europe or what Americans call a station wagon. These canyon carving, highway running marathon inspired cars deliver performance with 21st century new magic.

The RS5 comes with a feature once reserved for electric three or four motor EVs. The Dynamic Torque Control allows electromechanical torque vectoring in the rear of these cars. This feature allows shifting torque between the rear wheels in milliseconds resulting in exceptionally agile, composed, and effortless driving according to their press release.

From a checkered-flag inspired design for the digital day-time-running lights to a well-tuned agile chassis with individual driving modes that tweak and constantly change the suspension setup in these autos. Audi is delivering a driver's experience for every step of the way in life.

The exterior of these auto's delivers on a puristic powerhouse approach that is a clear homage to their legendary Audi Ur-quattro while stirring in a huge portion of RS DNA.

Exterior & Available Colors

Audi has stated that Form follows Performance in leaving an impression. They have started by offering nine colors for the 2027 RS 5 Plug-in Hybrid.

• Progressive Red metallic
• Ascari Blue
• Goodwood Green
• Panther Black Crystal
• Mythos Black
• Merlin Pearl effect
• Matte Paint Plateau Grey
• Gloss Black
• Gloss White

The exterior has an assortment of options that cover paint matching to carbon fiber and even a black out option.

Interior

The interior is equally uncompromising in delivering on the RS sportiness that one would expect. There are five distinct interior designs, each differentiated by unique materials and color schemes. They all share maximum RS differentiation, including full-length color-coordinated seat belts and RS logos on all floor mats matched to each interior color. Complementing each design, the headliner is consistently finished in black across all configurations.

Audi has chosen to appeal to folks of all walks of life in that it offers their interiors with leather free choices to recycled choices which includes color accents. Interior customizable ambiance lighting is placed throughout the interior. Audi has also delivered on what they believe is a balance of desired touch points on the dash screen with a solid mix of real buttons, switches, etc. found throughout the auto and on the steering wheel. This all gets complemented with the ability to choose how one finishes their interior in various choices of finishes from open-pore carbon micro twill, matte brushed aluminum to black lacquer finishes.

Seats are equally important be it leather free materials to nappa leather, the seating in the RS 5 are multi-functional and supportive for spirited driving or long luxury road trips. Audi has even optioned a Sport Package that can step up to meet the available performance of the auto.

More details will be forthcoming closer to launch with pricing.

View full article

4 hours ago, ccap41 said:

Dang, there are no ZDX within 200 miles of me and when I jump to 300 miles, they're more like 34-40k still... 

Do you guys have a link to read more on this Costco discount? 

Buy a Car With Confidence | Costco Auto Program

Crazy pricing $49,879 - $17,000 costco discount = $32,879

SHM is a dead plan walking, but no future imho.

Short sighted vision, GM incurred costs to stop / slow down EV production not because it was costing them money as they were at a breakeven point. 

Honda was smart to team up with GM and could move forward, but again short-sighted view makes me think Honda Automotive is not long for staying independent in this new era.

I also saw that the Sony Honda Mobility EVs have been canceled now too. SHM is a dead thing along with anything EV for Honda. 

Going to be interesting to see if Honda can survive on its own going down the next 10 years for the auto industry. I also see Mazda not staying independant for long especially with the major class action lawsuit on Mazda CUVs.