G. David Felt

Well, it does have tiny 16 inch wheels, compared to 20 or more of '14 era SUVs. Michelins on the DTS were around $800 last year IIRC. 15s on the CR-V would have been $560 out the door I think for Michelins had I not had a good treadwear warranty. My 99 Dodge Durango I put on BFG All Terrain Tires 31 x 10.5 x r15 and Discount Tires had me out the door for just under $800. Not bad for such a superior tire. Last set on the Durango went 110,000 miles. I figure this will be the last set on it as the daughter drives it and I already told her she could use it as a trade in when she gets a new SUV. She really likes the Jeep Cherokee Trail-hawk edition.

Stock price has nothing to do with Tesla's cash situation. As long as they have cash... they can build cars. Elon Musk is worth $11.6 billion alone.... as long as he is willing to put cash into the company, Tesla will survive. Tesla is a personal source of pride for Elon, so I don't think he'll walk away that easily. Agreed, his dislike for Fuel Cell and CNG and his passion for getting his money out of something. I can see him keeping Tesla break even to positive for a while. Eventually when he does loose interest, he will sell it off to recover his investment. I do not see Tesla going away like Fisker did.

It's still going.. needs for the next few months are tires, shocks, brakes. Thats still a healthy two grand done right, maybe three. Not sure where you shop, but Tires, shocks and brakes you should be able to get quality tire and parts installed for about 1500-2000. 4 Wheel Parts is great pricing for quality parts installed.

Awesome

Smart Move, Leave the 3 row cross over to the mid tear and focus on a truly luxury CUV with Escalade being their top of the line SUV.

I have a hard time seeing Toyota building fleets of Fuel Cell Hybrids if there is no way to fuel the cell. This is a chicken / egg issue and the only way I can see them selling a fleet of these auto's is if they start by having at least a few fuel cell stations at dealerships or 1 in an area that can service multiple dealerships.

Our Local Taco Time holds a Hot Rod Show every Friday during the late spring and summer. Yesterdays turn out was awesome as were some of the rides and especially the truck project that is almost complete.

Makes one wonder if Toyota will get into helping build Fuel Cell Stations.

I agree Drew, that would be awesome to hear about everyone else rushing out with Recalls.

This is NOT an S Class Competitor.

Yet what makes more sense, short time closures to have a team work 24hrs to get the work done of drag it out for a year of night time only closures. Some times I think the Unions have done this to drag out how long they can have people work a job.

I thought the whole Idea of JIT "Just in Time" delivery of parts was that this would allow all auto companies to make changes faster and get the parts into the plants and not be left with a ton of inventory when you needed to make a change.

G. David Felt Alternative Fuels & Propulsion writer www.CheersandGears.com It seems like yesterday or about 2 years ago when Toyota announced the RAV4 EV to the world. At this time they announced a 60 million contract with Tesla to produce powertrains for the RAV4 EV. Full story: http://editorial.autos.msn.com/listarticle.aspx?cp-documentid=1169602 Fast forward to Oct 2013 where Elon Musk in speaking his mind calling Hydrogen powered cars 'bullsh$t'. http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs/post--elon-musk-calls-hydrogen-powered-cars-bullsht?_blg=3 Earlier this year, Toyota made news when they stated they would discontinue the RAV4 EV. A joint project that had a Tesla powertrain in a Toyota CUV Body. Toyota stated that their contract with Tesla called for 2500 battery electric powertrains for the RAV4 EV and it was fulfilled. http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2014/05/toyota-will-cease-production-of-electric-models-of-rav4.html/ On April 30th 2014 Toyota became the first auto maker to sponsor the Milken Institute Global Conference with stating their commitment to Hybrid auto's powered by fuel cells. http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/toyota+2014+milken+institute+global+conference.htm Today we now have stories that tend to wrap this all up in a nice package. Stories such as MSN's about Toyota betting on Fuel cells over batteries seem to point to a war of words. Was the contract terminated due to Elon's BS comment or more to do with Tesla bringing out their own CUV EV? http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs/post--toyota-betting-on-hydrogen-over-batteries-for-future-ev-models Either way, it would seem that the RAV4 EV is dead, Toyota is betting on Hybrid Fuel Cell Auto's and Tesla has their upcoming CUV EV to take the place left empty by the RAV4 EV demise. Sound off, do you think Toyota or Tesla have the best game plan moving forward? Both have deep pockets, both have commitment. Who will win?

G. David Felt Alternative Fuels & Propulsion writer www.CheersandGears.com Chevy sent out tonight their Newsletter in which they showcased the Monte Carlo Masterpiece. This is a Modernized 1988 Monte Carlo SS with an LS376/525 V8 using a T-56 6 speed manual Transmission. This 525HP upgrade replaced the original 180HP with 4 speed automatic. The car will be shown at SEMA and be the test bed for a first-ever Chevy Performance Crate Powertrain system with manual transmission. Full story found here: http://www.chevrolet.com/performance/fuel-newsletter/2014/issue3.html?eVar36=MRM_eml_cp_fuel_ah02_0514_14143613328 This is my dream car done right and the only thing that could make it better is if it was the Aero version with CNG!

Your Right in the last two photo's you can see the sweepspear. Very cool, but I wish they would bring some style like this loverly baby with the sweepspear!

I can actually believe this as even in my line of work, I see mgr.'s who are always pushed with a ton of reviews and they look to the biggest issues and if no time left gloss over small things. As such, I can see a big list of changes and the ignition switch being a small item that would be signed off on without much though or review. Before anyone jumps on me, this does not justify the 13 deaths contributed to the faulty ignition switch. The people who should be grilled are the accountants and lawyers who justified that leaving it versus paying to replace them all was the best course of action.

Hope the gremlin in the code stays away from you. Appreciate the update.

Nice write up, I find the interior very boring and dull, exterior is conservative but easy on the eyes till you see the Billy Big Mouth Bass grill in front. WOW They need to change that. Engines are just not impressive, heavy decent horsepower with little torque. Just proof that Dual Over Head Cam Engines are very over rated.

Awesome as always but I see the Baby Duramax Colorado or Canyon in your future.

WRONG - Do not pass go, Do not collect $200. The Durango had problems as a full size for the second generation but the first and the 3rd or current Durango are a success and this was way before Fiat really got involved. After this generation then you can blame Fiat if the Durango go south. But right now the current Durango and if they built a Hybrid like the Volt on the Durango would be a success.

Totally agree with this, it is only a matter of time before the union controlled FIAT will die. They are terrible quality controlled products forced on the world to just accept and deal with it. One has to wonder what sane person wants a car the size of a golf cart with the crash worthy ness of a brown paper bag. No one that values quality of life of loved ones, friends and family would risk people in these subcompacts. For all the Green tree huggers that talk about saving the world, what is the price you put on the life of a loved one or what I would call quality of life in living if you have to be in a wheel chair or rely on others to do things for you.

Totally agree with this, it is only a matter of time before the union controlled FIAT will die. They are terrible quality controlled products forced on the world to just accept and deal with it.

Interesting, makes one wonder if they will call him to testify before congress on if he knew about it. I would think with all the paperwork requested that they should be able to say who knew about it and who did not. I can tell you that many middle executives are not aware of issues in a company that are outside their scope of control or responsibility. I truly do not think she knew about this issue just like most of America did not know till this came to light.

Funny for the repost of this, guess I should have posted my original on this in the Fiat news rather than the Italians. http://www.cheersandgears.com/topic/83314-sergio-marchionne-says-do-not-buy-500e-we-loose-money/#entry745715 My question still stands, if Electric is so much better, then why do we not see more and better options for pure electric and yet CNG is growing with a ton of choices? Second question is the debate over the green house gas production and the toxic waste from the battery creation. Is it better to produce these battery packs with their toxic waste from production and large initial green house gas output or burn some alternative fuel?

WOW, I do not like or think very highly of the Ford New Trucks and yet this dinosaur makes the Fords look luxury level. What an old out of date beast. I agree for the asking price, this is way over priced.