G. David Felt

Excited for this Sunday official detailed reveal of the RAM 1500 REV

GM's Netflix site is pretty cool. General Motors & Netflix Team Up for an All-Electric Future (gm.com)

Not allot to cover for a story, but at least it is a confirmation of the name. Stellantis Media - Ram Brand Confirms Name of First Electric Pickup: Ram 1500 REV (stellantisnorthamerica.com) “At Ram, we started a revolution last year as we invited consumers along on the beginning of our electrification journey, gathering their feedback on exactly what they are looking for in an electric pickup truck,” said Mike Koval Jr., Ram brand CEO – Stellantis. “We look forward to delivering our first EV pickup – the all-new Ram 1500 REV – to those consumers next year. We are confident the Ram 1500 REV will push past the competition, offering what will be the leading combination of attributes customers care about the most: range, payload, towing and charge time.” Production of the all-new Ram 1500 REV will begin next year. More information will be available Sunday, Feb. 12, and the vehicle will be formally revealed to the public in the coming months.

That does not surprise me as they use Intel and or Broadcom depending on choice and lately Intel cards have had firmware issues and a weird overheating issue. ESG-12G-Select-Network-Adapters-whitepaper-final.pdf (dell.com) Interesting learning about Porsche EV system. Charged EVs | Porsche fine-tunes Taycan EV braking for better recuperation without reduced comfort - Charged EVs

Toyota believes there is a need in the market for a mid-size SUV that prioritizes interior comfort for all-three rows and their answer is the Grand Highlander. Lisa Materazzo, group VP of Toyota Marketing made this statement: “This 3-row model takes the Highlander legacy to an entirely new space while also keeping on our promise to deliver on electrification. Highlander was the first model in its segment to offer a hybrid powertrain back in 2006 and Grand Highlander further expands on our electrification leadership.” Toyota is clearly standardizing their auto lineup with a standardized powertrain lineup as used in their Crown family and now will be used across the SUV family. The Grand Highlander will have an entry-level, efficiency level and performance level choices all packaged into one package. This trio package will be available in three powertrains, across three grades of Grand Highlander. Grand Highlander powertrains: Grand Highlander XLE powertrain - 2.4L Turbo Gas Engine Grand Highlander Limited Hybrid - 2.5L Gas Engine Hybrid system Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid Max - 2.5L Turbo Gas Engine Hybrid system 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds Towing capacity of 5,000 lbs All three powertrain options come with the following default Drive modes of Sport, Eco, and Normal. Multi-Terrain Select will offer three modes of Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt and Snow are offered on the gas AWD and Hybrid Max powertrains. The Grand Highlander is built on the TNGA-K platform that allows the ability to have with passengers, seven carryon suitcases behind the 3rd row and yet when the seats are down a total of 98 cubic feet of cargo space. The interior comfort and access to ports is the big news here according to Toyota as they say this will accommodate three-rows of adults. As one will notice here, the interior is Toyota traditional black with a copper accent that is also found across the Crown family of products. The Grand Highlander has a standard 12.3-inch screen while big for Toyota, competition has options that are even bigger but without all the physical controls that Toyota has clearly chosen to keep. Toyota has stated there are 13 cupholders and 7 USB-C charge points with an OTA enabled system on the auto. Toyota has also in the back cargo area behind the 3rd bench seat row included 110 outlet. Toyota has stated that the standard center console can fit a tablet, features wireless charging in addition to the USB-C ports and cup holders. This center console is a very versatile system for both the driver and front passenger. Available conveniences depending on the model is heated steering wheel, power folding mirrors, heated and ventilated seats front and second row, 1,500-Watt power outlets and hands-free power back door. Here is a complete list as of this global product release of the trim's levels: XLE Grade Exterior: 18″ Alloy Wheels Black Painted Grille Roof Rails Heated Outer Mirrors Interior: Softex®-trimmed Seating 10-way Power Driver & 8-way Power Passenger Seats 7-Passenger Capacity w/ 2nd Row Captain's Chairs or 8-Passenger Bench Heated Front Seats 2nd Row Sunshades Multimedia/Technology: Digital Key (requires active Remote Connect trial or subscription) 12.3” Touchscreen 7” MID 6 Power USB / 1 Media USB Wireless Charger Safety & Convenience TSS 3.0 Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert 5 Door Smart Key Power Liftgate Garage Door Opener Auto-dimming Mirror Limited Grade Exterior: 20″ Alloy Wheels LED DRL Power Fold Outer Mirrors LED Fog Lamps Interior: Leather Seating Heated & Ventilated Front Seats Heated 2nd Row Seats Memory Seat function for 1st row Heated Steering Wheel Power outlet (100W Gas) (1500W HV/Hybrid MAX) Ambient Lighting Removable 2nd row center console storage Multimedia/Technology: 12.3″ Premium Multimedia w/ 11 Speaker JBL Audio 12.3″ Full Digital MID Safety & Convenience Parking Sensors w/ Automatic Braking Rain Sensing Wipers Kick Power Liftgate Puddle Lamps Platinum Grade Exterior: 20″ Clad Alloy Wheels Interior: Heated & Ventilated 2nd Row Seats Panoramic Moonroof Paddle shifters (AWD Gas and Hybrid MAX) Dial Multi-Terrain Select (AWD Gas and Hybrid MAX) Safety & Convenience Head Up Display Puddle Lamps Panoramic View Monitor Digital Rearview Mirror Traffic Jam Assist (requires active Drive Connect trial or subscription) Front Cross Traffic Alert Inside, Grand Highlander’s spacious interior offers a variety of options based on customer needs. The XLE and Limited grade options include a bench seat and Panoramic Moonroof – while the Limited grade adds the option of a Panoramic View Monitor. For interior color options, the 2024 Grand Highlander is offered in: XLE Gas and Hybrid: Softex®-trim in Light Gray or Black Limited Gas and Hybrid: Leather-trim in Light Gray or Black Platinum Gas: Leather-trim in Portobello, Light Gray or Black Limited Hybrid Max: Ultrasuede®- and leather-trim in Light Gray or Black Platinum Hybrid MAX in Ultrasuede®- and leather-trim in Portobello, Light Gray or Black Safety The 2024 Grand Highlander will come standard with the latest Toyota Safety Sense generation, TSS 3.0. This suite of safety features includes: Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control Lane Tracing Assist Road Sign Assist Automatic High Beams Proactive Driving Assist Proactive Driving Assist is new to the Toyota Safety Sense package. When system operating conditions are met, using the vehicle’s camera and radar, this system provides gentle braking into curves or gentle braking and/or steering to help support driving tasks such as distance control between a preceding vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist. Proactive Driving Assist is not a substitute for the Pre-Collision System and operates in different circumstances. The Toyota Safety Sense features has been enhanced for TSS 3.0: The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection has enhanced detection capabilities thanks to new system sensors. It receives enhanced intersection support with improved detection capability in certain circumstances. It also adds the capability to detect a motorcyclist, in addition to a bicyclist and pedestrian. Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist has enhanced lane recognition that includes detection of certain 3D objects, like guardrails, that may be used to help define the lane. Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control adds a fourth following distance setting, from the previously available three. Enhanced vehicle detection allows for the ability to detect more than one preceding vehicle, as well as vehicles in adjacent lanes. This helps the system to provide smoother, more natural speed adjustments, especially when the driver changes lanes. Like Lane Departure Alert, lane recognition is enhanced for Lane Tracing Assist. This system now also helps provide more space between vehicles being passed in adjacent lanes. It works by offsetting the vehicles’ driving path with minor steering adjustments while keeping the vehicle within its lane. An Emergency Driving Stop System has been added to Lane Tracing Assist. It’s designed to monitor the driver’s inputs, such as steering operation, to determine if they’re inattentive or non-responsive, such as during a medical emergency. This feature can bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver doesn’t respond to alerts to take control. Road Sign Assist gets expanded sign detection capabilities that now include certain intersection signs and warning signs, like pedestrian crossings. Welcome to the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, available early 2023 at a Toyota Dealership near you. View full article

@Robert Hall @Drew Dowdell @ccap41 @surreal1272 @oldshurst442 I know so many others will enjoy this, but especially the tech folks. I remember doing this in interviews when I was a QA manager having people write steps down on how they would tell someone to do something. Great test for seeing how clear one can write. Now someone did this with their kids and recorded it, posted it to Instagram. When you and Developer understand requirements differently. More wonderful tech humor from the poster below. The Testers Family (@thetestersfamily) • Instagram photos and videos

Had to get that first post in since the servers went down.

@ccap41 @oldshurst442 Here are the press releases on the racing. Cadillac Reveals Liveries for V-LMDh Race Cars Andretti Global and General Motors Team Up in F1 Pursuit (cadillac.com)

Working tonight for DTW 2023 tradeshow and rocking out to the Muse Channel! Muse - YouTube This is speaking to me right now!

Tonight was a comfort food carb night. First was an all-beef hotdog in homemade Mac n Cheese with a mixture of chedder, Havarti and Smoked Gouda. Homemade Scalloped Potatoes. Golden Potatoes, peeled and then mandolin sliced for consistency. Then Sugar Sweet Spanish onions sauteed in cream. Then a laying process of potatoes, onion cream mixture and Havarti cheese. Multiple layers till full and then baked in the oven.

This Hyundai put the Toyota Crown to shame. Yup, Toyota Faithfull will buy it, but that is a hard sell to everyone else I think.

Toyota is promising the public the ultimate road tripper in their all-new Grand Highlander, three-row SUV. The 2024 Grand Highlander will be the most sophisticated and spacious Grand Highlander leading the 44-vehicle lineup, largest ever shown at an auto show. Chicago will be the start of a massive blitz of ICE and Hybrid new and updated autos. The car show will have from production vehicles to NASCAR and SEMA specialty autos such as the Trailhunter Concept Vehicle and SEMA specialty products. A trio of all-new production autos starts with the 2023 Prius, 2023 GR Corolla and 2023 Crown. The Prius is the most fuel-efficient Prius ever with an estimated 57 MPG combined. The first-ever GR Corolla is the newest member of the Toyota GAZOO Racing car family. The GR Corolla embraced lightweight racing cars with a race proven G16E-GTS Turbocharged, three-cylinder engine pumping out 300 horsepower. GR Corolla will come in three performance levels: Core, Circuit Edition and Limited, track-focused, MORIZO edition. Engineered to standout at the most luxurious sedan of the Toyota family is the 2023 Toyota Crown, available in three trim levels of XLE, Limited, and Platinum, two-hybrid powertrains and standard AWD on all. The Crown will have their base Hybrid powertrain on the XLE and Limited. Hybrid MAX will be on the Platinum. Full details can be found here: Toyota will have a Sports Festival during the Auto Show next to the Toyota auto booth. To quote their press release: the automaker will also host a fully interactive Toyota Sports Festival during the auto show, with versatile events and combine-style activities for participants to show off their skills. The Toyota Sports Festival concept was born from Toyota’s mission to create meaningful experiences that energize consumers in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, elevate Paralympians and support athletes at every level. With a variety of Olympic and Paralympic offerings, this booth activation will feature a sport court for wheelchair basketball, a skate park for skateboarding, a 40-yard dash area and photos opportunities around USA Swimming and USA Speedskating. Toyota has also next to these spaces created an electrified Drive for All Seasons ride and drive course. This four-seasoned themed demonstration area will provide passenger-only access to Toyota's hybrid vehicles covering Prius, RAV4, Sienna, Sequoia and Tundra. The big start for Toyota at the February Chicago Auto Show is the introduction of the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. Check out the show @ McCormick Place, 2301 S. King Drive. Full information can be found here: https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/ View full article

Your Jealous that everyone else is actually selling their autos and GM is ramping up production of the LYRIQ, just started Month 3 of production and here is the 17th month of Mercedes EV Production and clearly the product is not selling as they have them sitting around. That is a failure of product design and marketing. You just proved how bad Mercedes products are when they are siting around on the lot in small quantities and yet even they are not selling. Plus I have to LAUGH at you pulling up a Newport Beach California dealership in addition to a lone PA state one that has quantities Cause none of the other dealers around Pittsburg had any other than the few that I posted. Interesting that you go with a town in your home state that has an average income of $88K compared to Pittsburgh with an average income of $50K. Explains allot of why the dealers around Pittsburg do not have EVs, they do not have the income to support them. Barely enough income to support the entry level Mercedes.

Way to compare apples to oranges. Yes, Tesla is forecasting 1.8 million in 2023 for GLOBAL Sales. Let's stick to an Apple-to-Apple Comparison of Sales for the U.S. market. Tesla had 536,069 sales in the U.S. for 2022 of all models. Tesla Sales Figures - US Market | GCBC (goodcarbadcar.net) Tesla has had plenty of years to ramp up and yet due to the IDIOT leadership of Musk, they took the hard way to build auto's instead of learning the best from existing OEMs on how to produce auto's and still they think it is great to buck the trend and build piss poor quality fit n finish autos even today. Tesla 3 started production in mid 2017, Tesla Y joined in January 2020 and yet ramping production has been a slow boat to China compared to what GM has done in only a couple of years and as you stated are forecasting to build 170,000 EVs in 2023. Five years to get to half a million autos and GM and Ford are both on track to have that in half that time and surpass Tesla Globally by 2025.

First the LYRIQ is sold out through 2024, clearly far more demand than BMW or Mercedes if they have them sitting on the lot. Secondly, you have your location listed at Pittsburgh, so a simple search using 15203 zip code and a 50 mile radius shows 19 2023 Bolt EV/EUV on the lots. I also checked for any 2022 left over units and nothing. Yet this shows that you can go and buy a Chevrolet EV today on the lot. Thirdly, checking on your German Inventory shows BMW has ZERO EVs sitting on their lots. Mercedes has a few, but that is not allot and if they are so superior, then why are they not sold out. Could it be that a inferior product built on 400V rather than industry standard 800V system along with a terrible style that the press worldwide has ridiculed Mercedes for along with a true lack of commitment to EVs and the technology? Lack of battery production by Mercedes shows their lack of commitment.

To me this totally makes sense that for the full-size Pickups / SUVs plus luxury level Cadillac that the pouch with long range would be used and then for economy of scale, you have the Chevrolet / Buick on Cylinder. We know that the first Chevrolet Equinox EV will be on the pouch, but I suspect that they will transition fast to Cylinder for those products. Course all things could change as the other two battery plants come online and costs drop for pouch production. I totally agree that a mix of using both formats make sense based on the segment / price they need to achieve. The GM/LG plants are full capacity will each produce 50 GWh of battery cells, 150 GWH of cells by the end of 2023. Tesla will have 100 GWh of battery cell production in the U.S. by the end of 2023. Mercedes will have 2 plants, Plant 1 producing 9.8 GWh for the current EQ products they have and Plant 2 producing 11.7 GWh for a total of 21.5 GWh at the end of 2023. Ford will have their blue oval campus online by the end of 2023 with two plants, Plant1 producing 43 GWh and Plant2 producing 86 GWh, plus their current plant that will be at 60 GWh for a total of 189 GWh at the end of 2023. BMW will have 2 plants of 20 GWh up and running full production by the end of 2023 in North America, 40 GWh total. Hyundai/Kia have two plants that will be at full production with a total of 20 GWh by the end of 2023. Yet they have committed to the State of Georgia and are moving forward with the building to have 3 more plants online by the end of 2024 producing 90 GWh total or 30 GWh per plant. End result is that GM and Ford are clearly looking to surpass Tesla and as for the European auto companies, they have much work ahead of them if they want to catch up and compete.

The Crown is their executive Limo with custom interiors in Japan. It is the high end of the Toyota / Lexus family as Crown was only sold as a family in Japan and the Crown Limo was the only thing sold outside of Japan for executive / Limo service use in the Asian rim. Yes, I do believe the style that Lexus has here in the U.S. is from the earlier versions of the Crown in Japan. I do find it very interesting that while it is an Avalon replacement here, it has the potential to be the true high end of Toyota and as one who has been in the Crowns in Japan, it would clash with Lexus for luxury sales. It will be very interesting to see how Toyota handles this here with their Lexus lineup. Course Lexus is to convert to all EVs by 2030 where Toyota does not see the need to leave ICE or Hybrid till 2045 to 2050. So, it could be just keeping all things alive moving forward as their custom-built Executive Crowns in Japan are all Hybrid now too.

@oldshurst442 I agree with what you posted above. Add onto this that Mary is not only looking long term for EVs, but also hedging her bets to ensure they have current tech in their ICE full size Trucks and SUVs for the next decade plus. FYI to Everyone I posted about this but GM has now in random comments stated they will continue to move forward with the high end of their EV autos being on pouch and the lower cost EVs being on cylinder. They will continue to access all formats for what works best depending on the auto segment. The fact that a couple of startups have proven their tech for Solid-State cells using the cylinder format tends to make sense that it will transfer over sooner to solid-state mass production than pouch. Yet the density of Pouch is clear over Cylinder. So I see a future for both formats in battery production.

@oldshurst442 Great Sarcastic Post!!! @riviera74 I get it that the mess of Daimler and Chryler is a poster child for not letting anyone tie up with you. Yet with that said, Ford seems to have tied up with VW as they both are moving forward here in the U.S. and Europe with the MEB+ electric platform. Lucky it is a shared platform of equals. So will be interesting to see how this plays out for Ford and VW.

Love this story, these are some sexy Lincolns. We'd Love To Own These Modified Lincoln Continentals (hotcars.com) @oldshurst442 @ccap41 @surreal1272 I really hope someone takes this to the next logical step of a modern take as an EV. These are awesome cars IMHO. Check out all the takes this guy has on various cars, but I love this modern take on the Hard top Lincoln. Pin by Jimmy Craft on Hotwheels | Lincoln continental, Lincoln cars, Futuristic cars (pinterest.com)

Interesting that the Crown product line will require Premium fuel, 91 octane.