G. David Felt

Over the last couple of decades Ford's flagship mid-size Saloon sedan has been enjoying unprecedented popularity with a triple digit year over year growth and particular huge growth in the Middle East. Specifically, the middle east has seen massive growth as follows: Saudi Arabia up 73% Kuwait up 125% Oman up 63% Bahrain up 42% The All-new Ford Taurus has gone through an extensive comprehensive testing in facilities around the world from the mundane to the extreme such as Dubai where temperatures exceed 50 degrees Celsius or 122 degrees Fahrenheit. The All-New Ford Taurus is built in Thailand, India, Australia and Chine for global markets ensuring they are built to Blue Oval's exacting world-class standards. Per Siya Dallalah, Product Development General Manager, Ford International Markets Group: “It’s crucial to the comfort of our customers, and the integrity of the all-new Taurus, that we test in such extreme climes. Dust and sand can play havoc on engine internals and suspension components by accelerating wear on moving parts. Add that to the searing heat, and you are faced with a vehicle that has to work much harder than it might have to in more favorable conditions. Our testing ensures Taurus’ engine, transmission, driveline- and cooling systems can handle the demands of the region.” Ford had the following statement to say on the Taurus Launch: "From a panoramic sunroof and three alloy wheel size options to its powerful and efficient 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine with eight-speed automatic transmission – operated by a contemporary rotary gear shifter on the centre console – Taurus delivers more of what large sedan buyers. Driver assist technologies include adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation system and blind spot intervention (BLIS), while on the inside, wireless charging and an impressive 13.2-inch centre screen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto compatibility, along with an 8-eight-inch digital cluster display, ensuring the technophiles are catered to." "The all-new segment-leader Ford Taurus will arrive to Middle East showrooms soon with its all-new modern design, powerful turbocharged engine, unique regional premium touches, and highly desired technologies." Ford has even delivered on flush door handles that upon unlocking the car from your fob, the door handles rise out to allow a pull for entry. Front grill is auto adjusting to enhance airflow for optimized performance of the EcoBoost powertrain. Starting at 3:20 in the video you will see the self adjusting grill and then the door handles. This is then followed by the interior. This video has no audio but is released by FORD to show off the All-New Ford Taurus. Taurus.mp4 View full article

Thank you @smk4565 I was curious to see what the model year sales were like and so while I just grabbed the chart that only went back to 2005, I have circled in Red the model year generation change. Hyundai Sonata Models, Generations & Redesigns | Cars.com Based on this the changes before this were as follows: 1999-2005 1994-1998 1992-1993 It would seem that Hyundai when they have a hit on their hands will work through to a break even point and then come out with a new model or massive refresh update. If they have a successful style, they push it longer. Clearly the Fish mouth style design of the last generation continued to sell a bit into 2021 and then fell off as all auto sales did in 2022. Was a solid move to refresh it inside and out to align with their EV drive of new auto's and as @surreal1272 pointed out, this does have a very Lucid look that people seem to like. I bet this will do very well for them. Be interesting to see the sales numbers once this hits the lots.

WOW, I have to say that Hyundai is hitting Home Runs. This is a really nice looking car inside and out. I would expect it would be something the car folks here would like, such as @oldshurst442 @ccap41 @trinacriabob @riviera74 I am glad they are tying it into their EV brand for a smooth transition. Great Interior for a 21st century car. Have to say it is a desirable car IMHO.

Lovely auto, @balthazar would love that engine. Some Sexy Curves there for sure, a great sunny day cruising auto.

XBOX Game players should be happy. Cadillac CT4 & CT5 Blackwing editions will be part of Forza Horizon 5 Xbox game release. Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing Sedans Debut in ‘Forza Horizon 5’ Quote: Both cars will be offered as seasonal rewards that players can earn by completing challenges and progressing through the “Forza Horizon 5” seasonal playlist. The CT5-V Blackwing will be available to players as a seasonal reward from April 6 to April 12, 2023. The CT4-V Blackwing will be available to players as a seasonal reward from April 20 to April 26, 2023.

As I have stated so many times, ramping up production of EVs is constrained by part production such as battery packs. Ford has confirmed that ramping up production of the F150 is limited due to available battery packs at this time. Ford CEO says battery supply is EV production constraint (electrek.co)

Craziest thing I have ever seen.

Seems Mustang for 2023 calendar year have lost 3 things that will piss off some, but most will probably not care. Ford Silently Dropped These 3 Things From the New Mustang (motorbiscuit.com) No manual transmission in the EcoBoost trims Non-Premium GT and EcoBoost lose their convertible tops Double-bubble brow dash and retro switchgear Seems if you want a Manual or Convertible or both, you are going to have to pay up to a top of the line trim to get it.

I have always liked the oddball planes and I find the Cirrus SF50 personal plane very interesting. The other plane I have always liked is the Piaggio Aero P180 Aanti II Here I attribute my desire to these planes due to the engineering work done to put the engine nose at the back of the plane.

Would so love to have the auto and drive it on road trips especially over HWY20 here as that twisty drive would be a blast in this Performance SUV. I rarely see Trailblazer SS go up for sale since they are limited edition and when they do they usually are still higher priced than other non-limited production autos that are selling.

@oldshurst442 An old Boomer lady, friend of my wife that I call Crazy Mary since Mary is a huge Facebook Conspiracy theorist believes that the plane has been hijacked for a future attack on some other country and the people are being reprogrammed as I type to make terrorist attacks around the world. She is also one that believes everyone that got vaccinated has been chipped and is under the control of Bill Gates. As to why I call Mary, Crazy Mary. When I asked her about the debris they found in the ocean, she told me that it was Chinese who dropped it to divert attention from what really happened.

@surreal1272 Common Man, your popping his conspiracy bubble of false narrative about pricing on items that are not Tesla or Mercedes AMG Fan boy crazy prices cause an American Company has built auto's that are collectors items. ? Here is just a portion of what I found in my neck of the woods and I see no price reduction like SMK is saying.

Ouch another FORD Recall. They forgot to put in the proper circuit to allow Trailer Towing. Recall Alert: The 2023 Ford Maverick Can’t Tow (msn.com)

Ford announced today March 24th, 2023, that their all-new Mega-Campus BlueOval City being built in West Tennessee, is taking shape and with it is the next-gen Ford electric truck, code named Project T3, which will go into production there in 2025 as a 2026 model. This R&D and assembly line campus will be capable of producing 500,000 electric pickups per year. Here are the basic numbers Ford released today on this project: Since the start of this mega-campus park, Ford and partners have already invested $20 million plus dollars into the local communities. Bill Ford, executive chair had the following to say about this project: “BlueOval City is the blueprint for Ford’s electric future around the world. We will build revolutionary electric vehicles at an advanced manufacturing site that works in harmony with the planet, aligning business growth and innovation with environmental progress.” BlueOval City is designed to be Ford’s first carbon neutral vehicle manufacturing and battery campus as Ford works to power all Ford plants globally with renewable and carbon-free electricity by 2035. BlueOval-City-construction-b-roll.mp4 Jim Farley, Ford preseident and CEO had the following to say about Project T3: “Project T3 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revolutionize America’s truck. We are melding 100 years of Ford truck know-how with world-class electric vehicle, software and aerodynamics talent. It will be a platform for endless innovation and capability.” “PJ O’Rourke once described American pickups as ‘a back porch with an engine attached.’ Well, this new truck is going to be like the Millennium Falcon – with a back porch attached,” he said. “The manufacturing process will be equally breakthrough, with radical simplicity, cost efficiency and quality technology that will make BlueOval City the modern-day equivalent of Henry Ford’s Rouge factory. A factory of the future that people from all over the world will want to tour.” BlueOval City is a key part in Ford's plan to scale to production of 2 million EVs a year by 2026. For those interested in how big it is, check out the construction video of how much steel, cement, etc. they have done and what it is related to for size comparison. BOC_TN_FactoryCut.mp4 With its F-150 Lightning, Ford already has shifted people’s expectations about the capability, driving enjoyment and productivity EV pickups can deliver. Ford’s Project T3 aims to further grow and reinvent the Ford truck franchise. Ford is developing its second-generation EV truck in tandem with the all-new assembly plant, resulting in efficiencies never before possible – such as a 30 percent smaller general assembly footprint than traditional plants while delivering higher production capacity. Meanwhile, Project T3 team members are ensuring they deliver the capability and innovation customers expect from Ford trucks with a fraction of the complexity from previous truck programs. Project T3 is short for “Trust The Truck” – a code name that stuck after the development team made it their rallying cry. The team’s single guiding principle has been to create a truck people can trust in the digital age – one that’s fully updatable, constantly improving, and supports towing, hauling, exportable power and endless new innovations owners will want. The assembly plant will use carbon-free electricity from the day it opens. For the first time in 120 years, Ford also is using recovered energy from the site’s utility infrastructure and geothermal system to provide carbon-free heat for the assembly plant – saving about 300 million cubic feet of natural gas typically needed each year to heat similarly sized vehicle assembly plants. The 3,600-acre campus also has a fully integrated BlueOval SK battery manufacturing site. On-site, the team will build battery cells and arrays and assemble battery packs that will be delivered just across the site into the assembly plant, in less than 30 minutes. In addition, BlueOval City is developing an on-site supplier park and will have an upfit center capable of adding in dozens of Ford trucks’ most popular features – including robotically installed spray-in bedliners and integrated tool boxes before the pickups are released to dealers and customers. To help reduce traffic congestion and emissions, the campus also has an on-site Lowe’s store supplying building materials, two construction equipment rental companies and three concrete batch plants. Ford is introducing BlueOval Learning to empower future workers to build an EV future in America. This talent development program will strengthen skills, provide teacher support and increase work-based learning experiences. Key elements include: Building STEM curricula: Ford will support K-12 schools and universities to expand existing STEM-related curricula and infrastructure Bringing advanced manufacturing to local schools: Ford will provide mechatronics training equipment and program development in Haywood, Tipton and Lauderdale counties Kick-starting careers in high school: Ford will help to expand certifications and dual-enrollment opportunities for students Experiential learning: Ford will partner with colleges and universities to develop work-based learning such as co-ops and internships Premier training in advanced technologies: Ford will collaborate with higher education institutions to provide training on advanced manufacturing, EVs and battery manufacturing BlueOval City TCAT: This state-of-the-art training center, a $40 million investment by the State of Tennessee and created with the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology, will be a hub for education resources and best-in-class training programs For more about employment at BlueOval City, visit https://corporate.ford.com/operations/blue-oval-city/tennessee.html. Here is Fords 1hr long announcement about BlueOral City. View full article

This cracked me up, theives stole thousands of dollars in game consoles and then tried to use a stolen Tesla X that needed to be charged. Let's just say they did not get away. https://v19-webapp-prime.us.tiktok.com/video/tos/useast5/tos-useast5-ve-0068c002-tx/ecdaccb6ad5d4b0ea1d9573e586651a3/?a=1988&ch=0&cr=0&dr=0&lr=tiktok_m&cd=0|0|1|0&cv=1&br=1828&bt=914&cs=0&ds=3&ft=_rKBMBnZq8Zmofn~Jc_vjnG8sAhLrus&mime_type=video_mp4&qs=0&rc=aDY0N2ZpNzhlODxkOWZpZ0BpM21xdTg6ZnRpajMzZzczNEAwYzQzNTItXjYxM2NiXjI2YSNuajFmcjRvLzVgLS1kMS9zcw%3D%3D&expire=1679704615&l=202303241836279D0885164E4E7728657C&ply_type=2&policy=2&signature=8d056fe5e985fa96186e94241aa61a44&tk=tt_chain_token

Excited that 800V wireless BMS is happening and even more excited that they are working on a Wireless Charging Controller. This is a true game changer for for EVs as this will truly make society so much happier when all they have to do is drive onto a matt that can wirelessly charge their auto. I am honestly surprised that Tesla has not thought of this or made it happen.

Agree 100% along with the first few Banshee EVs will also be collector cars in comparison to the mass produced lower level Chargers/Challengers/Daytona's.

How do you NOT see the double standard you just posted? The Last call series is limited production, 3000 for the U.S. and 300 for Canada is very limited production with an engine that you CANNOT get in any other vehicle that we know of. Yes the engine will be sold as a crate solution for those that want it in their own project auto. These will sell and appreciate like any other collector cars. You are right that all the average Chargers/Challengers with the base Hemi V8 or V6 will not appreciate, but that does not mean that to some folks that grew up with them they will not love to have one down the road and who knows, as e-crate solutions take off, more will be converted to EV.

I know have to say that the EQ series is truly ugly in person. No style or personality.

@smk4565 Your now sounding more and more like a Tesla Fan Boy as well as a Mercedes Fan Boy. No fault, you like what you like and that is fine. Please understand, EVERY DOG HAS ITS DAY!!! As such, Tesla started the true major move to EVs, I will not take that away. GM pissed the leadership away and I think most would agree with that assessment, but that does not mean they are out. Ford is playing catchup as are most companies and then you have Toyota, the darling of the last 3 decades pissing everything on Hydrogen even in racing. Toyota days as king are also limited. Yes if we look at stock price we see Tesla is more valuable than GM. Yet, a better picture is what true long term investors look at and that is the Financials. Yes net profits are double at Tesla for the last two years, but then you have consistency from GM on Net Profits and let's look at two very important items. Diluted Average Shares and Normalized EBITDA. Comparing the two companies, long term, GM is a far better run company than Tesla, Half the number of shares on the market with double the normalized EBITDA. Yes, you could say that GM has lots of red negative numbers, but then GM has lots of intellectual property and as such to control paying taxes, they are better at moving around the accounting game to minimize profit taxes than Tesla it would seem. Both companies have potential and positive as well as negative points. Tesla is King right now, but as @surreal1272 pointed out, last year alone, Tesla lost 15.4% market share in the U.S. alone and that number will continue to drop as competitors battery plants and production lines come online to build products to compete with Tesla. Analyst has already stated that Tesla could drop to around 50% market share by the end of this year. Back on topic Back on topic Back on Topic In regard to the Demon 170 and the death of the Hemi V8. This comes after the Stellantis division, AKA Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Chrysler had to pay $300 Million last year for emissions cheating on their V8 Engines and Diesel. Stellantis Unit to Pay $300 Million After Pleading Guilty in Emissions-Fraud Case - WSJ Stellantis Parent Company decided NO MORE EMISSIONS Credit purchases to support V8, So America will get smaller engines in the short term as they ramp up EVs. As we all seem to be in agreement on is that the Demon 170 name is understandable but lacking in what they could have done and I agree with @oldshurst442 that the Black Ghost or hell even Leprechaun Demon would have been better than Demon 170! So many ways I think they could have done this final last call.

That movie did two things very well, pointed out a ton of unanswered questions and opened the gates of hell to Conspiracy theorist who have gone off the deep end on what really happened. Agree, a very well-done documentary on a mystery that I question will ever be solved in our lifetime. Much like the crazy Bermuda Triangle plane/ship disappearances.

Not betting against Tesla, just stating they are not as great a company as you and the Tesla Rabid Fan followers make it out to be. I believe the other OEMs are going to catch up and Tesla will be a hurting company. Already, sales have slowed down and their only way to keep momentum is to cut prices on a long in the tooth style from a political polarizing CEO. A man who has forgotten he works for the shareholders not himself. Right Now Kia and Hyundai are building better EVs according to the media than Tesla and buyers are listening. His political push of his world is also turning off people who do not want to be associated with Tesla CEO and as such are dumping their Tesla and going Mach-e, EV6, Ioniq 6 and now we have solid reviews on Genesis GV60 EV. Tesla's Days as king are numbered and you hit all the correct points about what Tesla is facing on top of the sexual harassment lawsuits against Musk and the Company. The HR department and Legal have their hands full. The next 24 months could really make a difference for Tesla.

Not the same color, but they did add a Green Mist color to the 2023 Escalade ESV-V edition. LOL, @Robert Hall @oldshurst442 WOW, talk about it and GM has now updated their Cadillac web site for 2024 models and we have green colors, not the same as the CT-5 V edition, but here is the Emerald Lake Metallic on the Lyriq with their Slate Interior.