G. David Felt

To me I see that the Chinese design studio took heavily from Ferrari and Lamborghini in their design style. I like it, but I also find it interesting to see it so clearly to me. If the GS performance version does well, it will be great.

Electric School buses are gaining traction as TBB just delivered their 200th EV Bus. Charged EVs | Thomas Built Buses delivers 200th Proterra Powered electric school bus - Charged EVs

Buicks biggest market is China and yet GM has clearly stated that starting in 2024, Buick will start the transition to all EV here in the U.S. as Buicks second biggest market. GM has been busy filling with the U.S. patent and trademark office as well as in Canada, China and across Europe to ensure no one else uses or has access to the Electra name. Here at the start of November, uncovered by GM Authority web site, nine new trademarks alone were filed on top of the traditional Electra, Electra GS we also see that Buick will have the Electra E1 to E9 for a full family of all sized EVs. Back in June 2022, Buick revealed their latest concept, the Wildcat LV Concept. Buick also released a press release at the same time as the Buick Wildcat LV Concept that starting in 2024, Buick would begine their transition to an all-EV SUV Portfolio. Sharon Gauci, executive director for Global Buick and GMC Design stated that the new EV lineup would be based on the new Global Design Language found here in the Wildcat. With the latest paten trademarks of Electra E1 to E9, and the lack of denial in questions asked of GM, it would appear that GM is going to make the EV portfolio a sub-brand of Buick allowing for sale of both ICE and EV on the same dealership lot. Kia, Hyundai and others have done this as well with the EV6, EV5, etc. naming scheme. It would appear that based on the trademark filings, we will have two tiers of EVs under Buick, the standard EVs following the Electra E# signature with the core trims of Preferred, Essence and Avenir and then one could expect a Sporty version with the Electra E# GS trim. Buick has committed to having these all built on their new Ultium platform. There is the ability as per GM's own press release to have FWD, RWD and AWD formats. Usually, sub-compact and compacts tend to follow an FWD/AWD packaging where mid-size and full-size usually have RWD/AWD. Buick has shown off their Concept X SUV which is supposed to be very close to the actual first EV SUV that they will release in China and here in the U.S. in 2024. https://motorsport.tv/embed/KomhEnsG With the Buick Wildcat LV Concept and now the Buick Electra-X concept SUV it would seem that Buick is polishing the look of their new global EV portfolio. View full article

I find these cars very nice looking. 1982 Mercury Capri RS 1970 Mercury Cyclone GT

A Funktastic EV is what you Need!

Ralph Nader pretty much made the Chevy Corvair the Devil as a terrible, dangerous auto that eventually led to it being killed off. Now in the 21st century, a group of French men have found total desire in the Chevy Corvair that originally was their focus for customization of existing Corvairs. In 2020 during the global Pandemic, NewRide out of France, started their desire to build new Chevy Corvairs (NewRide - Covering - Body protection - Design) This custom Corvair is based on a Camaro SS 6th generation, and they are finally showing it off at SEMA in Las Vegas 2022 and then at the European Tuning Showdown competition in Bodensee, Germany. Video is all in French, but you can see what all they did. Check out their website for the pictures of the original Corvair they found and customized to only then use it to build a mold for an updated Modern 21st Century Corvair. The build pictures are amazing as to all the work that went into building this ride. End result is a modern looking car based on an old model that I think looks great. You can also find more on this here at their Facebook page. Corvair 2020 NewRide | Dijon | Facebook Even More photos here on this ride. Corvair 2020 NewRide | Facebook View full article

Outstanding Read, I have to agree that GM needs to benchmark this R1S for the upcoming Escalade EV. Rivian R1S Review: A Brilliant Example of What an EV Can Be (roadandtrack.com)

So what does folks think of Wraps? Here is a wrap put on a new Mustang to make it look old.

Very interesting video, another reason that Tesla is going to have nothing but hardship as the other auto companies release EVs. Tesla needs a new CEO

Interesting read on how Ford is taking on Tesla in China, head on with price cuts to win market share. Ford Hits Back at Tesla (msn.com)

This is why Toyota, Tesla and others that are not on top of their EV game NOW like Kia, Hyundai, GM, Ford and VW. May 2022 - Hyundai and Kia Are Currently Second Only to Tesla in EV Sales in the U.S. (autoevolution.com) July 2022 - In the last quarter, Hyundai and Kia achieved the same sales as Tesla in 10 years of work: although they still do not exceed it, Elon Musk is impressed - La Opinión (laopinion.com) August 2022 - Hyundai and Kia Are (Still) Coming for Tesla (jalopnik.com) Read any of the reviews and plenty of auto journalists have stated that it is clear that Kia and Hyundai used Tesla as the standard and yet now they have surpassed Tesla and are the standard. This leapfrog game is why companies that are not competing now, are going to be way behind and could fail to stay on top where they might have been in the ICE world. Other Legacy companies are going for replacing Tesla and the distractions that Tesla CEO is doing with Twitter and his lies are going to cost Tesla.

Dodge showed off at the SEMA 2022 a Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept in a new Stryker Red Exterior Color, lightweight carvon-fiber wheels and drag radials sporting one of the new powertrain levels, the BANSHEE! Dodge is hosting a consumer clinic as it conducts Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust sounds for the EVs to emit. Follow Dodge SEMA 2022 here Dodge has released the official layout of the new EV Dodges that are coming. Dodge is illustrating a stair-step approach to its electrified performance, with 400-volt system output levels of 340 kilowatts (456 hp) and 440 kilowatts (590 hp) and an as-yet-unannounced, factory-delivered, power-level 800-volt SRT Banshee powertrain package. 400-volt Output Levels 340 kilowatt (kW) – base trim (455 hp) eStage 1 – 370 kW (495 hp) eStage 2 – 400 kW (535 hp) 440 (kW) – base trim (590 hp) eStage 1 – 470 kW (630 hp) eStage 2 – 500 kW (670 hp) Direct Connection Stage 1 and Stage 2 performance upgrades use a “crystal” key that plugs into the dash. Base output and Direct Connection upgrade levels for the 800-volt Banshee will be announced at a future date. The power levels are matched to a full slate of nine unique paint colors and nine different wheel combinations, and displayed via videos, illustrating the nine different performance and Direct Connection upgrade levels envisioned for the Dodge concept car. Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept’s new tri-coat Stryker Red exterior hue. The new exterior paint color was chosen as a way to celebrate the Stage 2 Banshee performance upgrade. In addition, the concept features “Stage 2” fender badging and new 18-inch Direct Connection lightweight carbon-fiber concept wheels with 305mm drag radials. Dodge is bringing EXCITEMENT to the Road with their new EV product line! View full article

Ford Numbers are out. Secure at the #2 selling EV brand in the U.S. Ford U.S. October 2022 Sales GM Also had a pretty stellar quarter too. GM Reports Third-Quarter 2022 Results | General Motors Company 2022 Guidance Full-year net income of between $9.6 billion and $11.2 billion, and EBIT-adjusted of between $13.0 billion and $15.0 billion Full-year EPS-diluted of between $5.76 and $6.76, and EPS-diluted-adjusted of between $6.50 and $7.50 Full-year net automotive cash provided by operating activities guidance range of between $16.0 billion and $19.0 billion, and adjusted automotive free cash flow guidance range of between $7.0 billion and $9.0 billion GM Q3 2022 Financial Highlights

Seems GM has decided to NOT show up at SEMA 2022 this year, so nothing there to cover, but I would like to know about GM accessories and how it compares to Ford. SEMA SHOW 2022 | semashow.com Seems Accessories and services are the big area for future money making.

Ford has chosen the Las Vegas 2022 SEMA show to highlight 10 autos that will be personalized / customized to show off the extent that Ford has invested in new autos and the aftermarket business. Starting with strong customer interesting in Ford-backed accessories for the following vehicles. Bronco Bronco Sport Maverick F-150 F-150 Lighting Mustang Mach-e Ford has seen sales in accessories increase 40% over the last two years and this current year Ford says is coming on strong like the previous two years. To quote Ford Global Director Eric Cin, "We designed Ford vehicles to be easier to customize, with installation points and aftermarket accessories engineered from the start of the design process," "We work actively with the aftermarket to share our product designs so customers can personalize and put the finishing touches on their vehicle to make it all their own." Here is what Ford is showing off at SEMA 2022. Mustang Mach-E: True Mustang Persona Builder: Dom Tucci Design (Tucci Hot Rods)/Kay Automotive Graphics SEMA location: West Hall, Booth No. 50165 Specs: Shadow Black GT, Extended Range Battery Starting with a dual-motor 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT with mountains of electric torque and all-wheel drive, the Tucci Hot Rods vehicle is widened with a muscular custom lift-gate spoiler, fender arches with Tucci-made 3D-printed fender flares, vacuum-formed transparent wheel covers and a 3D-printed front lip, while a Kay Automotive custom graphics wrap brings significant style. This Tucci vehicle wears Ford Accessories sill plates, door emblems, and GT badged tailgate. The cabin sports a Ford Accessories 140-degree dash cam, two Recaro® seats, racing harnesses with custom harness bar and custom-painted trim accents. Everything comes together for an aggressive look on a platform ripe for customization. Dom Tucci and Kay Automotive’s Mustang Mach-E serves as the blueprint for the next generation of modified Mustang aesthetics. Tucci’s modifications to the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT are thoughtful and precise with the potential to support both an aesthetic and performance build. Bronco Sport: Off-Roading Heritage Builder: Yakima®/Hypertech® SEMA location: West Hall, Booth No. 58069 Specs: 2.0-liter EcoBoost®, Badlands™, Velocity Blue Just how far can a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport SUV travel off the beaten path? This off-roading Heritage Bronco Sport custom build by Yakima and Hypertech aims to answer that very question. The SUV features an ARB portable air compressor, off-road recovery kit, exterior area and underbody lightning, and Aeroskin hood protector. Ford Performance Parts was tapped to provide RIGID® Industries A-pillar lighting, a roof top off-road lightbar, Borla® exhaust upgrade, off-road recovery kit, and NOCO® GB-70 battery jump start pack for the ultimate in off-road gear. Yakima and Hypertech’s off-roading Bronco Sport SUV exemplifies the perfect union of technology and off-road performance. The Bronco Sport’s already impressive off-roading performance record is enhanced by the Ford Performance Parts. A roof top tent, exterior lighting and sound system, and shower gives drivers the capability to comfortably partake in extended off-road journeys. Bronco: Extreme Beach/Extreme Sports Support Builder: WARN Industries SEMA Location: West Hall, Booth No. 58051 Specs: 2.7-liter EcoBoost,® Wildtrak™, Oxford White WARN’s Extreme Beach Bronco SUV gives drivers the capability to cross difficult terrain to their secret fishing holes, and the capability to reel in catches all day long. With a 270-degree awning, fishing rod box, DANA D60 axle with 5.38 gearing, and Indel B refrigerator, drivers can stay out all day and night while ensuring that both they and their trophy fish stay cool. Bronco: Service Unit Vehicle Builder: ARB SEMA Location: West Hall, Booth No. 55015 Specs: 2.7-liter EcoBoost, ® 4x4, Wildtrak, Oxford White ARB’s Service Unit Bronco SUV takes inspiration from the rugged, capable medical service vehicles used in the early 1900s and gives the concept a modern upgrade. Tube doors, an under-hood air compressor, jack mount, winch and light bar ensure that this Bronco custom creation can drive anywhere it needs to go. Maverick: Street Truck Builder: LEER® Group SEMA Location: West Hall, Booth No. 57083 Specs: 2.5-liter Hybrid, front-wheel drive, Lariat, Carbonized Grey LEER’s Ford Maverick pickup is a true work truck designed for hobbyists and professionals alike who pride themselves on being able to do anything, anywhere. Maverick’s expandable power station, toolbox, and roof rack bolster the truck’s already extensive storage options. Ford Research and Advanced Engineering solar panels connected to external charging ports ensure drivers will always have multiple ways to power their tools. F-150 Lightning: Swiss Army Knife Builder: Tjin Edition/Thule SEMA Location: North Hall, SEMA Electrified Booth No. 11268 Specs: Extended Range Battery, all-wheel drive, SuperCrew, Lariat The Tjin Edition F-150 Lightning pickup is a jack-of-all-trades, giving drivers the ability to venture into exciting, new spaces with confidence. Solar charging, a portable air compressor, refrigerator, console vault, Recaro front and rear seats, and Thule cargo accessories make Tjin Edition’s F-150 Lightning truck the perfect vehicle for a weekend getaway, off-roading adventure, or tailgating with family and friends. Two Super73® e-bikes mounted on the back of the truck offer blistering acceleration for people more at home on two wheels than four. F-150 Lightning: Race Support Builder: Real Truck/Motor City Solutions SEMA Location: West Hall, Booth No. 50027 Specs: 131 kWh Extended Range Battery, AWD, SuperCrew, XLT, Iconic Silver Real Truck’s Race Support F-150 Lightning pickup offers unmatched capability in both performance and support. Equipped with an air compressor, leveling kit, off-road recovery boards and Recaro seats along with a fully mobile toolbox and welding equipment, this F-150 Lightning pickup is equally at home on the road and at a Baja race as a support vehicle. Real Truck and Motor City Solutions’ F-150 Lightning truck comes with a Retrax® bed cover featuring a rail system, crossbars, extra Raptor wheels ensuring that drivers are not stranded by a flat tire. A custom underbody skid plate protects the Lightning while the Kay Automotive graphics wrap, inspired by Bronco Desert Racer livery, makes this race support truck an unforgettable vehicle. F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid: Remote Off-Roading Builder: BDS Suspension SEMA Location: West Hall, Booth No. 55015 Specs: 3.5-liter PowerBoost Hybrid, 4x4, SuperCrew, Platinum, Agate Black BDS’s F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid pickup represents the perfect intersection of technology and off-road performance. An air compressor, WARN recovery kit, first aid kit, and console vault ensure that drivers are ready for anything the trail might have to offer. Equipped with 7.2kW Pro Power Onboard, this F-150 truck is a one-stop shop for remote off-roading. Transit: Digital Nomad Builder: John Pangilinan SEMA Location: Central Hall, Booth No. 24499 Specs: 3.5-liter EcoBoost, SRW, all-wheel drive, High Roof/Long Wheelbase Cargo van, Abyss Gray John Pangilinan’s Digital Nomad Transit van gives new meaning to the word mobility. Equipped with an air compressor, off-road assistance kit, sliding kitchen and refrigerator, and 270-degree awning, Pangilinan’s Transit van is a fully capable off-road vehicle with the technology necessary for extended off-roading journeys. Ford had no press release picture at this time. Bronco: Off-Roading Performance Builder: SEMA Businesswomen’s Network SEMA Location: West Hall, Booth No. 57061 Specs: 2.7-liter, automatic transmission, 4x4, 4-door, Wildtrak, Iconic Silver The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network Bronco is a rugged, capable, off-road vehicle complete with 4.70 gearing for both axles, WARN winch, Yakima two-person tent, rear mounted ARB jack, and a Ford calibrated tuning. The team of over 250 women, including five mother-daughter teams, designed the build process to include women from diverse backgrounds and skillsets to create the off-roading vehicle featured Ford did supply a full list of the accessories that went into the build of each auto for SEMA 2022. SEMA Accessories.pdf Ford has made it very clear be it ICE or EV, Ford certified accessories are very important to Ford and as such, you can purchase the true Ford Accessories at a local Ford Dealer or online with delivery to your home. The customers have the option of having the Ford Dealer install the accessories or to do it yourself. Part purchased with the new auto purchase can have the price rolled into their monthly payment and covered under the auto warranty. To date, Ford says they have sold over 1 million Ford Performance Certified parts for the Bronco alone, making it the most accessorized vehicle in the Ford Lineup. View full article

First, common sense, EVERYONE, EVERYONE has to ramp up battery production. BYD has had huge help from the Communist party. I DO NOT see BYD coming to the U.S. any time soon. The current auto's DO NOT meet our crash test or other safety requirements. Even in China where VW is a leading ICE and among Non-Chinese auto companies lead that market, but even for them they are having to ramp up. End result is while GM has secured plenty of capacity for raw materials, is currently building 4 battery cell plants, upgrading multiple assembly plants to support EVs, it takes time, just like it took Tesla a decade to get where they are now. GM will have done what Tesla did in 10 years in about 2 years' time as all the plants come online. Even if Tesla gets their Cyber Truck POS starting to be produced, it will still take them a year to ramp up to a steady build of trucks which tesla has stated will be about 100,000 trucks at full capacity. They are working to get test mules out and even that is not running yet. Full production is expected by the end of 2023 with them recording their first quarter full production sales at the end of March 2024. Tesla to start Cybertruck production two years late - report - Just Auto (just-auto.com) Tesla has not stated what they consider full production but has stated it will likely follow the other models that were brought online in a plant and ramped up, so that would be 100,000 trucks at the end of 2023 and who know s how much more. GM and FORD are officially on record with turning out a new truck every minute or less. Ford is on official record that this year they have been turning out a new truck every 52 seconds. Ford Dearborn Truck Plant Gives Birth To An F-150 Every 52 Seconds (fordauthority.com) Tesla will have a harder time ramping up than the Legacy OEMs will. Toyota and pretty much any company that is behind in the EV race is going to find it harder and harder regardless of how much money they have to catch up as they slip further and further behind. Toyota has not prepped well for the EV future and so will find it harder and harder with every year they are delayed in moving to EVs.

Had to spend money on my rides this week. $1,600 for new rotors, calipers and ceramic pads front and back on the Escalade. 180,000 plus miles and had only needed a pad set last few times, but this time, the rotors were warped due to having been machined the last few times and one of the rear calipers had frozen so messed up that. Went new all around to ensure solid safe braking with Ski season approaching and wet cold fall. $1,124.91 for troubleshooting and new CPU on the SS. 200,000 miles almost, probably will crack it by the end of November, but my check engine light kept coming on rotating the same error message among all my oxygen sensors. I honestly when the repair shop said they suspected the CPU was thinking 2 to 3 thousand or so due to the chip shortage. Lucky for me, due to it being the 6L V8, the chips are readily available and was much cheaper. Now to wash them one at a time, put them in the garage to warm and dry and then give them their fall/winter wax job.

Seems North Carolina is wanting to move faster than other states, much like California in a Govenor mandate to move to Electric buses and medium and heavy duty trucks. Governor Cooper Signs Executive Order to Grow North Carolina’s Clean Energy Economy by Supporting the Market-Driven Transition to Zero-Emission Trucks and Buses | NC Gov. Cooper

Seems Taco Bell is wanting to ensure folks can get to their restaurants for the EV generation. As such, they are going to install fast charge chargers for customers to use that will give 100 miles of range in 20 minutes so that folks can stop, charge up the EV and themselves with Taco Bell food. Taco Bell will install chargers at 100 locations next year and continue that every year till all have chargers. EV fast-charging at 100 Taco Bells: A new norm for fast food? (greencarreports.com) Very cool electric conversion of an old Nissan Pickup to a modern Leaf Powertrain. Vintage Nissan Sunny electric pickup hauls with Leaf power (greencarreports.com) 1987 Nissan Sunny Pickup left the assembly plant new with 73 hp and 78.6 lb-ft of torque. Now it has 147 HP 236 lb-ft of torque. Cool Conversion

Interesting read. GM Dials Back EV Sales Target, Following Upbeat Earnings Report - WSJ Pretty much what I have been saying about the chicken or the Egg. In this case ramping up the battery production is not easy or fast and LG while ahead of schedule in building the battery plants, is still working out the nuances of battery cell production. GM is now planning to sell 400,000 EVs from Jan 1st 2023 to the end of June 2023.

Wrong, Tesla is not just the default everyone is buying, the discounts and quick delivery is proof of that now. Like all new Autos, there is a ramp up period and you know this that they cannot just turn a handle and go from 50,000 to 500,000 a year.