G. David Felt

No one would decline a discount when the OEM gives them. This is about managing your franchises. I have not seen fast food franchises add an adjusted market value price to the food that McDonalds markets at a set price. Ford, GM, etc. needs to enforce this same fair pricing of what the buyers are expecting when you see their ads. To me, the adjusted market value stickers is bait and switch that the states need to crack down on.

Was interested in seeing the details, 7.2 million engine fire recalls from 2010 to 2021. 2010-2021-Hyundai-Kia-Engine-and-Fire-Recalls-5-18-21.pdf (autosafety.org)

That is a boomer thinking that you need power ashtrays in an era of smoking is bad where ashtrays are an option you have to pay extra for now.

@oldshurst442I expect a very de-contented entry level BEV from Hyundai / Kia. I think this is what will get BEVs moving to all income brackets. I also think this will allow Hyundai / Kia to do one thing the late Grandpa / Founder of Hyundai Motor Group wanted which was to surpass Toyota. They are moving into the future and will pull others with them, I think. Yes, the Ioniq 5 is a $50K BEV in your country, but that is a mid-range auto today that will get things going and then lower and higher as we have seen in Genesis will help pay off the R&D costs.

This news comes from two sources, Korean Economic Daily and Chosun Biz web sites. The south Korean auto company Hyundai has confirmed that they have immediately stopped all development on new ICE engines in order to accelerate the transformation to EV manufacturing. Effective December 23rd, Hyundai Motor Co. the group's largest automaker closed the engine development division at their R&D center. The 12,000 researchers have all been reassigned. Per the R&D chief Park Chung-kook stated to employees in an internal email: “Our own engine development is a great achievement, but we must change the system to create future innovation based on the great asset from the past.” The move by the global auto industry to EVs is moving at a speed that has caught many legacy ICE suppliers off guard as Hyundai has stated starting in 2030, they will only sell EVs globally. The Motor Group started in 1983 by the grandfather of Hyundai Motor Group in order to make their own engines rather than buy from Japan or America. After 40 years, the engine development division is shut down so that the EV development division can be enhanced with additional researchers and grow at warp speed. The bulk of the 12,000 researchers have been moved to various electrification teams leaving a skeleton group behind to modify and address needs of modifying existing engines for the next 8yrs. A new battery development center has been created to be added to the EV development division. Park has stated that the goal is to develop innovative EVs that will dominate the global market from entry level auto's that Hyundai made its name on to luxury level auto's. The R&D center will also now focus on procuring the raw materials for battery and semiconductor development as to NOT rely on semiconductors out of China or elsewhere in the world from 3rd party suppliers. This change will allow a streamlining of project management teams and product integration teams to accelerate EV development. Only days after the ICE development ending, Chosun Biz published that Hyundai has put all Hydrogen development on hold. A few years back, Hyundai announced they were working on their 3rd generation of Hydrogen autos and fuel cells with a goal of launching a global auto for sale in 2025. Fuel cells are the heart of Hydrogen powered auto's and yet after select testing in Korea and other global select markets of both Hydrogen passenger autos and commercial trucks. September, Hyundai unveiled its third-generation fuel cell auto the Hydrogen Nexo. The Hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain system had been reduced by 30% in size and output plus durability had increased 3 times and they expected to reduce costs by 50% by 2025. However due to technical challenges and a lack of market interest globally the further development has been suspended indefinitely and all researchers will be assigned to new tasks in the EV R&D division. The NEXO only sold 8,206 Hydrogen autos in South Korea in 2021 and even less globally. As such, it seems the future of Hyundai, Kia and Genesis auto's will be EV. Hyundai Motor closes engine development division - KED Global Genesis hydrogen car development put on hold... “There is little marketability due to the limitations of technology” - Chosun Biz (biz-chosun-com.translate.goog) View full article

Bose posted that due to the Pandemic, they would close their stores, makes total business sense and focus on online sales as dominate sales area. Many other retailers sell multiple products, but when you look at Best Buy, Target, etc. the prices for the same model items are the same, not finding this difference except in regards to the Bose Wave System IV, you have new and refurbished and the refurbished are sold at one price via BOSE, other resellers are allowed to compete at various prices on refurbished to move it, but new same UPC model #s I am not finding a difference in price.

This is going to HURT not Help EV sales and another reason that Ford needs to step on the Dealerships if they want to succeed, otherwise plan for a funeral as new auto companies that stick to selling MSRP will take over. Ford dealers marking up F-150 Lightning by $30K due to strong demand - Electrek Keep a fare profit in it for the Dealer and enforce MSRP selling like Bose does so the price is the same no matter what dealer you go too. Then make sure the service experience is worth it for repeat business, otherwise let them die.

Wrong generation for me, wrong model of auto! Now this is more my style, but would want it in Burgundy. 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Classics for Sale - Classics on Autotrader This also is awesome! Sold though Very cool, but crazy stupid price that I would never pay for any of them. 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe For Sale - Gateway Classic Cars This one says 10K miles only and asking $43K for the auto. Crazy

I could see some German brands use the Port naming scheme for their EVs. USB USB-C USB-D Electric after all!

You are RIGHT, All dealerships tend to have bad salesmanship at times. For me during the 80's and 90's Ford dealerships tended to embrace the push and sell at all costs, lie if you have to to get a sale and make our quota. I have seen this same shit happen at GMC, Buick Dodge, but Ford seems to still be the worse. Never did I ever see them embrace professionalism. I learned from my early years helping family and friends buy autos to set the ground rules and hold the dealership accountable, so things are clear and understandable and if they try their twisted sales lies, more than happy to move onto another dealership.

Totally disagree, the future is electric and the best way to start the transition to electric auto's is with a name that truly embraces this and that is the Buick Electra EV SUV. This has always made sense and totally makes sense here. CES 2022 my gut tells me we will see more of this roadmap show up and I for one am excited by having an AWD Buick Electra EV.

Debates have raged over the name Electra with some saying it should never be used on an EV only ICE while others have said it is the perfect name for launching a Buick EV global push. GM today seems to agree as they have filed to patent the name Electra in both Canada and the US. Based on GM's Ultium Platform of battery and engines, Buick looks to kick off their EV transition with a 4 door AWD SUV. Leveraging stat-of-the-art technology, Buick plans to move forward with moving to a zero emissions portfolio. Combining the athletic look of a four-seat crossover with Gran Turismo aesthetics, the Electra previews the 21st century design language for the EV generation. The Electra has a clean, minimalist styling inspired by a space capsule. The evolving sculptural beauty is distinguished by a spacious glass interior pod that is part of an aerodynamic wing-form bodyshell and riding on 23" wheels that feature an optimal design, to enhance aerodynamics while contributing to the futuristic look of the Electra. Front and rear Matrix LED lamps features parametrical mathematic lighting strings with a three-dimensional effect. This compliments a full LED-illuminated grille and rear screen nameplate to provide dramatic digital lighting interaction. The Electra butterfly wing doors support facial recognition and provide a robust opening for convenient access. The Buick Electra takes advantage of the all new Ultium platform with what is being called a Zero-Gravity environment. This lack of traditional A/B pillars results in a maximum extension of the cabin with a longer wheelbase, a more efficient package and a more spacious, open interior. Buick offers an intuitive and immersive user experience that rewards all the senses by starting with Buick's next-generation eConnect system using a large industry-leading freeform curved retina display. This system like all GM systems will get OTA or over the air updates that provides on-demand driving information, advanced driver assistant systems via the infotainment. Augmented reality-enhanced head-up display with advanced live-view navigation of roads. A 410-mile range via the Ultium battery pack with 583 HP allowing a 0 to 60 acceleration in 4.3 seconds. Buick Makes Bold Statement with Its Vision for Future EV Design (gm.com) Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (uspto.gov) Canadian Trademarks Details: BUICK ELECTRA — 2155303 - Canadian Trademarks Database - Intellectual property and copyright - Canadian Intellectual Property Office - Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada View full article

Found in the wild, a rivian Amazon delivery van recharging at an EVGO Charging station.

During Stellantis EV Day and Software Day at the beginning of 2021, we now will get a more detailed look at the New Chrysler EV brand as they plan to unveil the first of many EVs in the 96-year history of the iconic brand as Stellantis plans to build back better Chrysler. The airflow as shown on Jay Leno's garage dates from 1934 and is now ready for a revival of the name in the all-new electric vehicle. The plans for Chrysler at the 2022 CES show is as follows: Chrysler will introduce the Chrysler Airflow Concept and outline its future electrification strategy at CES 2022 in Las Vegas on January 5, 2022 CES 2022 will feature first public display of the Chrysler Airflow Concept, which was previewed in Stellantis EV Day and Software Day presentations earlier this year Chrysler will share a roadmap for building on the iconic brand’s 96-years-plus reputation for innovative engineering, groundbreaking style and affordable luxury While the current concept was shown earlier this year at the Stellantis EV day, CES 2022 will be the start of the Chrysler revival as they show off the Chrysler Airflow as the first of a new portfolio of EVs. How much of the concept makes it into production and what all new changes and platform that will be used is expected to be touched on as CEO Chris Feuell will present on January 5th, 2022 @ 11am PST. Chrysler has had amazing success with their latest version of the Pacifica AWD Hybrid minivan with the most advanced AWD system in its class. Chrysler roadmap will show how they will deliver on their promise of iconic, elegant, executed autos for the 21st century delivering at an attainable value around the globe. Stellantis plans to have a showcase of electrification at the CES 2022 show as they will display the production Citroen Ami Urban EV, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe equipped with the award-winning Uconnect 5 in-car-technology system, DS Automobiles Formula E race car, Fiat new 500 as well as the Chrysler Airflow. One does not need to be in attendance at the CES 2022 to hear and see the reveal of the EV portfolio, you can watch it here: https://stellantisces2022.com/ To quote the press release: Elements of the Stellantis stand at CES 2022 include: Chrysler Airflow: Chrysler debuts the Airflow Concept, leading the brand's transformation to clean mobility and seamlessly connected customer experiences. Citroën Skate Mobility Concept: An autonomous and electric transport robot that that moves around cities, paired with Pods to offer fluid, shared and inventive urban mobility. Citroën Ami: An ultra-compact, two-passenger urban EV. In France, the Ami is accessible by users as young as 14, with “à la carte” offerings that target specific uses, a fully online journey, innovative distribution methods and a three-hour charge time. DS E-Tense FE21: Two-time defending champion in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the 1,984-pound car (with driver) uses a 900-volt system that includes a 52 kWh battery, powering a 338-horsepower electric motor. The lightweight design combined with electric torque drives the car from 0-60 mph in about 2.8 seconds. New FIAT 500: The new 500 is the FIAT flagship and stands for New Dolcevita, social relevancy and sustainability. The iconic all-new small EV is the most popular FIAT and the epitome of the Italian car: beautiful, a classic design, an artwork, an inspiration. New 500 is connected, has a range of up to 199 miles, features 85kW fast charge and is the first city car with Assisted Driving Level 2. The New 500 is the most sold EV within the Company. Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer: A Premium American Icon reborn as the new standard of sophistication, authenticity and mobility. The premium extension of the Jeep® brand offers legendary 4x4 capability, on-road refinement and a design that exudes American craftsmanship and heritage, delivering a host of leading-edge technology features, such as exclusive Fire TV built in and a front passenger screen experience. Jeep Wrangler 4xe: The most capable, technically advanced and eco-friendly Wrangler ever. Available in Europe, China and the United States, the Wrangler 4xe’s plug-in hybrid powertrain is capable of up to 21 miles of nearly silent, zero-emission, electric-only propulsion. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe: The first Grand Cherokee to offer a plug-in hybrid electric variant. Its introduction signals the continued pursuit of the brand’s global vision of accomplishing “Zero Emission Freedom,” by offering a fully electric Jeep vehicle in every SUV segment by 2025. The Grand Cherokee 4xe targets an estimated 25 miles (40 km) of all-electric range and 57 MPGe, with 375 hp and 470 lb.-ft. of torque and is equipped with the award-winning Uconnect 5, which offers new technology for 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, including a 10.1-inch (25.7 cm) display, five-times-faster operating speed (when compared to the previous generation) and over-the-air (OTA) updates. Stellantis Media - MEDIA ADVISORY: Chrysler to Unveil Chrysler Airflow Concept, Announce Roadmap for Brand’s Future at CES 2022 (stellantisnorthamerica.com) Stellantis Media - (stellantisnorthamerica.com) Stellantis Media - Stellantis Showcases Technology Driven Future at CES 2022 With On-site and Virtual Experiences (stellantisnorthamerica.com) View full article

Screams Used Car Hell of Manipulation much like a Ford Dealership which I hate and have avoided all my life just about. Hate that pushy, lie to sell a used auto when they do not know anything. Both those places I would never recommend a person to buy from unless they are just idiots themselves and then maybe it is a good fit after all. LOL

Sure lets compare the interiors 2022 Chevrolet Equinox 2021 Ford Escape 2022 Toyota Rav4 2022 Honda CRV Not sure how you can say the Toyota or Honda is better than the Chevrolet, for sure on par and competitive, Ford is the most dated here of the 4 CUVs. In regard to your car comparison. 2022 Chevrolet Malibu 2022 Accord 2022 Camry Not seeing any Chevrolet Deficiency here either when compared to Honda or Toyota. I would have to say you have not been looking at the current products but are still stuck in the 80's / 90's of product garbage.

Wow, totally crazy the supply constraints and the additional mark ups they are doing on Turd trucks. https://carbuzz.com/news/theres-going-to-be-a-lot-of-angry-toyota-tundra-buyers

This is why people hate dealerships and Ford for sure needs to nip these terrible dealerships in the bud. https://cleantechnica.com/2021/12/24/yet-another-horror-story-at-a-ford-dealership-for-a-mustang-mach-e-buyer/amp/ Like Cadillac has done, time to trim the dealership fat and cull the bully dealerships into compliance or yank their dealership franchise.

Merry Xmas, Happy New Year and Happy Holidays to all here on Chears and Gears. For me, today Xmas Eve was my 30th Anniversary of Marriage. Has been a great day with my family!

Ultium Platform is the dedicated EV architecture and propulsion system at the foundation of GM's all-electric future, giving the company the capability to not only build retail and commercial portfolio of products, but leverage the technology to expand into non-automotive applications business. GM has planned 30 all-new EVs to be released globally through 2025, two-thirds of which will be available in the North America Market. Ultium will be the key driver of GM's expansion and next phase of growth. This era begins today as General Motors moves forward with deliveries just before Xmas of GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 Pickups and BrightDrop EV600 Vehicles which both run on the Ultium Platform. FedEx took delivery of the first shipment of a 500-unit purchase for use in North America. The Ultium Platform will: Enable GM to make nearly every type of vehicle – across its different brands and up and down the portfolio – by building everything from affordable, high-volume crossovers and passenger cars to full-size pickups and SUVs, performance, and commercial vehicles. Feature competitive range, performance and overall customer-friendly integration of components compared to designs that retrofit electric propulsion systems to existing internal combustion vehicle frameworks. Greatly reduce proliferation of parts combinations used in today’s internal combustion lineups, helping enhance EV profitability. Enable mobility beyond GM’s own portfolio through third-party licensing of its EV technology, co-development agreements and partnerships. Per GM's press release: Ultium Ship-To-Commerce Factory ZERO in Detroit and Hamtramck, Michigan, will assemble multiple Ultium-based vehicles, including the fully autonomous Cruise Origin1 purpose-built for driverless ride hail and delivery, the GMC HUMMER EV Pickup and SUV2, the Chevrolet Silverado EV3 and the recently announced GMC electric Sierra Denali4. GM continues to expand and reimagine its manufacturing and development footprint, bringing together high-scale vehicle production expertise established over more than a century and passion to become a leading technology company. More than $4 billion has been invested specifically in EV production and another nearly $5 billion has been spent on battery cell manufacturing targeting at least 140 gigawatt hours of cell-making capacity in the U.S. GM’s next Ultium-based vehicle, the Cadillac LYRIQ, is expected to launch as scheduled in the first half of 2022 and will be assembled in Spring Hill, Tennessee. GM is guided by a vision of a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion. Electrification components applied to EV conversion projects, commercial equipment, marine applications, trains and more allowing GM's technology platform to expand beyond its core portfolio of autos and drive growth in new business models. GM in collaboration with Textron Ground Support, using the Ultium Platform has built a new emission free line of baggage tractors, cargo tractors and belt loaders for use globally. GM has release the following info in regards to their initial EV components business use: Chevy Performance and Aftermarket: The upcoming Electric Connect and Cruise eCrate Package represents an exciting opportunity for GM to extend EV technology to the aftermarket, enabling customers to work with qualified installers through GM’s electric specialty vehicle modifier (eSVM) program who have been properly trained to replace a vehicle’s traditional internal combustion engine with a fully electric propulsion system. GM’s demonstrated proof-of-concept electric conversion vehicles include the E-10 pickup, K-5 Blazer-E, eCOPO Camaro, and Project X built in collaboration with Cagnazzi Racing’s eCrate Solutions Group. Now, an electrified 1972 El Camino SS, developed with Lingenfelter Performance Engineering in Brighton, Michigan, represents the first independent installation of the concept eCrate package, and boldly ushers in the next generation of EV components from Chevrolet Performance as the program prepares to launch in 2022. https://www.instagram.com/p/CXTy5iGL7GZ/ https://www.instagram.com/p/CX1NaXNF0uo/ https://www.instagram.com/p/CXRqmirl8wj/ Lingenfelter Performance (@lingenfelterlpe) • Instagram photos and videos GM Powered Solutions: GM Powered Solutions will begin introducing tailored electric component sets and will leverage the resources of GM’s Powered Solutions team to actively identify opportunities that could benefit from electrification and will work to strategically integrate the latest EV technology into custom applications. This effort will extend the company’s commitment to an all-electric future through its current GM Marine, On-Highway, Off-Highway and Industrial segments and help enable additional enterprises to reach their own emissions targets utilizing GM EV components and systems. Additional information about GM Powered Solutions is available here. Ground Support Equipment: In a strategic collaboration with Textron Ground Support Equipment Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, GM will provide EV components to electrify Textron GSE’s TUG™ line of baggage tractors, cargo tractors and belt loaders. GM will provide technology to Powertrain Control Solutions, which will integrate the components into lithium-ion electric powertrains for TUG equipment, assisting in the electrification of ground support equipment for use in airports globally. Marine Propulsion: In addition to supporting existing GM Marine customers, GM’s strategic investment in Seattle-based electric watercraft company Pure Watercraft represents an opportunity to bring EV technology to the marine industry and help preserve enjoyment of the outdoors for future generations. Together, the two companies will develop and commercialize battery electric watercraft to accelerate the transition to electric mobility. Electrification components are part of GM’s effort to extend the performance and benefits of zero-emissions technology to new industries and serve as a natural extension of GM’s growth strategy. Additional extensions include: GM’s HYDROTEC fuel cell commitments and co-development agreements Ultium Platform applications and co-development agreements Ultium Charge 360 BrightDrop Ultifi software platform Leveraging over 100 years of engineering and manufacturing expertise, GM intends to apply the learnings from one component set to the development of others, resulting in a larger portfolio of product offerings across a far-reaching set of applications. GM’s Transition to an All-Electric Future Begins with an Off-Road Supertruck and Commercial Delivery EV, Both Powered By Ultium Platform GM Opens Broad Application of EV Component Sets, Advancing the ‘Everybody In’ Electrification Approach View full article

Seems Tesla possible poor quality and high repair costs that are pushed onto the customers due to the closed eco system of repair has Europeans deciding to blow up their Tesla S with 60lbs of Dynamite. https://carbuzz.com/news/fed-up-tesla-owner-blows-up-his-model-s