G. David Felt

Interesting read for those that like input from Sandy Munro. Be Warned: Only Tesla, Ford & Rivian May Survive, Says Industry Expert (insideevs.com)

Interesting, Polestar has debuted their First Performance SUV. Polestar to debut first electric performance SUV, Polestar 3, in October 2022 - Polestar Global Media Newsroom Production will start at the begining of 2023 and full details will come out on October 2022 as well reservations open. Production to be done in the USA for the market and China production for local and EMEA market. Polestar has produced two electric performance cars. The Polestar 1 was built between 2019 and 2021 as a low-volume electric performance hybrid GT with a carbon fibre body, 609 hp, 1,000 Nm and an electric-only range of 124 km (WLTP) – the longest of any hybrid car in the world. The Polestar 2 electric performance fastback is the company’s first fully electric, high volume car. The Polestar 2 model range includes three variants with a combination of long- and standard range batteries as large as 78 kWh, and dual- and single-motor powertrains with as much as 300 kW / 408 hp and 660 Nm. From 2022, Polestar plans to launch one new electric vehicle per year, starting with Polestar 3 – the company’s first electric performance SUV. Polestar 4 is expected to follow in 2023, a smaller electric performance SUV coupe. In 2024, the Polestar 5 electric performance 4-door GT is planned to be launched as the production evolution of Polestar Precept – the manifesto concept car that Polestar released in 2020 that showcases the brand’s future vision in terms of design, technology, and sustainability. As the company seeks to reduce its climate impact with every new model, Polestar aims to produce a truly climate-neutral car by 2030. Ford has sided with California on setting stricter air standards and a move to EVs. Seems this time they also agree with the EPA as they reverse the attempts to roll back clean air and water standards from the last administration. Now just have to get all the other auto companies to get on board with this. Ford Sides with EPA and California in Lawsuit to Allow Tougher Clean Air Standards | Ford Media Center

I used to have to do yearly tradeshows in NY City and hated it, smelly, decay and the subway system is nasty dirty and smelly. So glad no more tradeshows are done in that overpriced, over crowded place. Yet, I get the photographic possibilities of living there. Still way to crowded for me to ever go back again. On the other hand while the sunsets can be amazing, southern California is crazy crowded too and has it's own weird smell of decay and way too many people that do not care about others property and damage it then you have the lack of clean water, restrictions are in place for most of southern California and the heat sucks. Yup will pass on living or visiting either place.

Very cool, a quality detail inside and out, new tires and a tune up and that baby will be ready to Rock! Sweet Ride, fully worth restoring and driving again. Time for a new house with a 4 car garage it sounds like Robert.

Yup, I agree, I must have been a long haul trucker in my past life as I could easily go 500 miles in the Escalade before I would stop for fuel and bathroom break, then off again. In the last couple years with Covid, the road trips the wife and I took are now very much like @Drew Dowdell stated, about 200 to 300 miles before a stop for the bathroom and stretch the legs. Crazy how the body changes as we get older. Your going to be like me, hit 52/53 and everything changes, now at 55 200 to 300 miles at most before either need to stretch the legs or bathroom break.

This is one of the draw backs to the Bolt which is expected to be replaced in the next year with either a new Bolt built on the Ultium platform so it is 800V compatible or some other names auto. They will make great cars for commuters who will do the bulk of charging from home.

Agree that is sharp looking. WOW, I totally forgot that they had offered it in a Diesel version. Proves our point as to how terrible GM marketing is. Actually, they could have totally passed on the diesel and should have put the VOLT powertrain into the Equinox when version 2.0 came out as that would have sold like hot cakes for GM.

Update on Tesla Powerwall seems Tesla will only sell it if you buy a solar roof to go with it. Auto purchase does not make you eligible to buy the Powerwall. Others are posting comments that Tesla is like all other auto companies in being in tight supply of battery cells at this time.

Looking forward to a review of the auto after you get back home. Have a fun weekend Robert!

Will be interesting to see the reviews of Toyota's power wall versus Tesla or any of the others out there in the market. Best Tesla Powerwall Alternatives For 2022 (solarreviews.com) Tesla Powerwall Vs Generac PWRCell 2021 Review - Sunbridge Solar It would seem that the Tesla is considered still the best, but others especially Generac is a very close second and when it comes to expansion has a better growth path.

Hopefully once GM / Ford get their battery production going here in the U.S., they will also offer a powerwall that can be a total home / auto experience system. It would be great to have a battery backup system that can be useful during extreme weather events that seem to be far more common as of late.

Jim Farley per the stories I posted above has said he sees the future where all Ford Dealers are Professional Customer Service Centers, not dealerships. He stated you would order the EV from Ford's web site and choose which service center to pick it up at.

Japanese folks are converting old classic cars to electric. Nissan Cedric. Love how they used the old Gas fueling port for the charge port.

O-Uchi Kyunden System or Large House system, a home battery system has been released by Toyota Motor Corporation based on the following mantra of "safe, long service life, high-quality, good value for price, and high performance" so that global customers can have peace of mind. Pre-orders starting June 2, 2022, are able to be placed with the Japan market getting deliveries starting in August 2022 through home builders and general construction companies and globally at a later date to others. O-Uchi Kyuden System Configuration is as follows: Using Toyota's established battery technology with the Toyota's battery control software, the O-Uchi Kyuden System provides a rated capacity of 8.7 kWh and a rated output of 5.5 kWh. Toyota believes this will provide a safe constant supply of electricity to an entire household during times of natural disasters as well as normal times. Toyota believes by using solar power on the roof of a residential home, encouraging renewable energy, this system can supply the appropriate amount of electricity based on a customer's needs throughout the day and night. The system not only allows for charging of EVs, but also for using the power in an EV (HEV, PHEV, BEV, FCEV) as 100V AC as a backup power source during power outages especially long-term outages giving users peace of mind. As of now for the Japanese market at the start, the Toyota App running on iOS 14.2 or Android 7.0 or later allows one to monitor and manage their system for power capacity, operation mode, and other settings to be viewed and set in real-time via one's smartphone or tablet. Toyota Releases Storage Battery System for Residential Use Based on Electrified Vehicle Battery Technology | Corporate | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website View full article

I would rather pay a set price and have a professional customer service center than deal with the idiots that attempt to play manipulation games at the dealership of today. I know @Robert Hall would too, maybe this is a tech thing as I do not miss the haggling to get a price and have them attempt to manipulate people on their purchases.

WOW, Lots of news from Ford over the last 24hrs. Ford CEO Forecasts $25,000 EV Price War, Brand's Future EVs Sold Online (insideevs.com) Ford CEO anticipates EV price war, shakeout to favor China, and industry consolidation (greencarreports.com) Electric car price war is coming, says Ford CEO - Electrek Ford CEO sees electric vehicle price war as EV costs decline | MarketBeat Ford CEO sees electric vehicle price war as EV costs decline - ABC News (go.com) Ford CEO Jim Farley Says Direct Sales, No Ads, Will Sell Future EVs (thedrive.com) So many more, but seems Ford sees the future to be online set price sales of EVs, price competition with auto companies selling EVs will end up costing some to close especially from China, but also in Japan, Europe and America. Not enough room for everyone, nor enough market for them all. Interesting times we live in.

Very cool police chase of a V8 Mustang by a Tesla Y police EV. Watch Tesla Model Y Police Car In 30-Minute High-Speed Mustang Pursuit (insideevs.com)

Tomorrow is gonna be yummy with Wine! ??

Happy National Donut Day! ?

Seems the dealers and their crazy markups will be the death of some dealers and I am fine with that as long as I have a place to go and test fit myself in the EV. Let the non-negotiable price of the EVs via online sales begin. Dealer excessive greed be damn. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2022/06/01/ev-online-sales-ford-uber-lyft/7474822001/?gnt-cfr=1

This I found very interesting and so true about these types of cars. 10 Times Manufacturers Built Cars Gearheads Begged For... But No One Bought (hotcars.com) Sad as many were pretty amazing cars. @oldshurst442 Seems the NSX are not selling and actually depreciating according to this story, maybe you could pick one up on the cheap.

So had to fill up both the Escalade ESV and Trailblazer SS. The SS takes premium and the Escalade regular. Gas fill-up for both today was $246.72. Talk about crazy gas prices, good thing I do not just drive random these days and work from home.

Yea, this looks yummy! ? ?