G. David Felt

I looked on Statista for current lease versus sales numbers and the Germans clearly lead, but the fine details on this are currently subscription and the a quick search showed the following numbers from 2014 that showed the German brands were already leading as lease queens. Which car brands do people lease or buy? - Cartelligent Brands with high leasing percentages Leasing is most attractive for clients who only plan to keep the vehicle for a short period of time. There are a number of reasons why this makes sense—many car buyers value the latest safety and tech features in their vehicles, enjoy the prestige of driving a newer car or just enjoy the fun or driving something new every few years. Additionally many business owners will choose to lease company vehicles for the tax advantages and larger companies will often give car allowances to top executives. http://www.cartelligent.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/201420Audi20A6_21-300x200.jpg 5. Audi (64% Leased) Why leasing is popular: Luxury performance vehicles such as Audi’s are often popular choices to lease. Audi enthusiasts love the blend of style and technology the brand offers and upgrade regularly to keep up with the latest trends. Audi offers an aggressive money factor (the leasing equivelent of the interest rate) to well-qualified lessees on many models which helps to keep payments low. http://www.cartelligent.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/201420Mercedes-Benz20E-Class_11-300x200.jpg 4. Mercedes-Benz (67% Leased) Why leasing is popular: Like Audi, Mercedes-Benz makes it attractive to own the latest model. New releases offer technology and safety features that make drivers want to update their vehicle. Mercedes-Benz also offers a high residual value on many models to lower the monthly payments on its leases. http://www.cartelligent.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/201520Land20Rover20Evoque_01-300x200.jpg 3. Land Rover (68% Leased) Why leasing is popular: Land Rover has successfully positioned its brand as a status symbol (even the Queen is driven in one!). Drivers are more likely to want the convenience of leasing so they can easily upgrade to the latest model. http://www.cartelligent.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/201420BMW20520Series_01-300x200.jpg 2. BMW (70% Leased) Why leasing is popular: BMW incentivizes brand-enthusiasts to upgrade often with its innovations in safety and technology, as well as style. The brand also offers attractive lease-only incentives such as loyalty and lease rebates to make leasing espcially attractive to well-qualified drivers. BMW owners tend to come back and lease another BMW. (see Top ten brands for customer loyalty) http://www.cartelligent.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/201520Fiat1-300x200.jpg 1. FIAT (78% Leased) Why leasing is popular: FIAT is a fun, sporty car for single professionals, but not necessarily one that will work once marriage and children are on the horizon. This combined with an aggressive lease rate make FIAT our most leased brand. Brands with high purchasing percentages Buying, on the other hand, makes sense when drivers plan to hold onto the vehicle for a number of years. Buyers tend to value reliability and economy over the latest style and gadgets. This is reflected in our list of most-purchased brands: http://www.cartelligent.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/201520Chevrolet20Tahoe1-300x200.jpg 5. Chevrolet (63% Purchased) Why buying is popular: Our top-selling Chevy, the Volt, is primarily leased, but other popular models such as the Suburban and Tahoe are purchased by clients who intend to hold onto them for the long run. http://www.cartelligent.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/201420Honda20CR-V_01-300x200.jpg 4. Honda (65% Purchased) Why buying is popular: Hondas are affordable, reliable cars that tend to be driven for a number of years. Honda vehicles hold onto their value consistently, which in combination with low interest rates for well-qualified buyers, make them an attractive purchase option. http://www.cartelligent.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/201420Toyota20Land20Cruiser1-300x200.jpg 3. Toyota (68% Purchased) Why buying is popular: Toyotas consistently top the charts for best resale value. It’s unsurprising that their reputation for reliability and safety makes car buyers want to drive them for a number of years, especially with Toyota’s aggressive finance rates for well-qualified buyers. http://www.cartelligent.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/201520Hyundai20Sonata1-300x200.jpg 2. Hyundai (73% Purchased) Why buying is popular: Hyundai’s come standard with a 10-year/100,000 mile Powertain Limited Warranty and five years of unlimited roadside assistance. Hyundai buyers top our list of financed vehicles (as opposed to those who pay in full up front for their new car). http://www.cartelligent.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/201520Subaru20Outback_01-300x200.jpg 1. Subaru (75% Purchased) Why buying is popular: Subaru is another brand renowned for safety and reliability. Eco-conscious Subaru buyers are also shy of financing—the brand tops our list of vehicles customers pay for in full.

I expect this to get even worse when Dodge releases their BEV version with the marketing message of Tear up the Road, not the planet.

This brings back memories as my dad and I had left just a day before the big eruption and our 16ft aluminum fishing boat was filled with ash from one of the early pre-eruptions. I was back home in Kirkland Washington on this day when it exploded.

Idiots have more money than brains. Dodge Hellcat driver flips a truck over leaving a Meet. https://www.facebook.com/100002161939064/videos/3830636753685018/ https://www.facebook.com/100009210341876/videos/2830448417272142/ Found on You Tube.

Mustang ICE Fans should be excited by this conversation with FORD CEO about the Future of Mustang and what he wants. QUOTE: Farley wouldn't confirm whether or not the next Mustang will appear next year. But when asked if there are any broad Mustang goals that he would care to share at the moment, Farley responded, "For my kid to have it on his wall. Or on his phone." Ford's CEO Wants the Next Mustang to Be a Poster Car | The Drive

I am excited for the Newest and final movie with Daniel Craig James Bond Movie. Seems Defender is a huge part and you can buy a 007 version. The $115,950 Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition Is for 007 Cosplay (thedrive.com)

All-New Nissan Z has Premiered in NY for Sports Car fans. All-new Nissan Z premieres in New York (nissannews.com) https://media.flixel.com/cinemagraph/mah5e7bnyrl0urhovppq https://flixel.com/cinemagraph/mah5e7bnyrl0urhovppq/

Ford has brought back a classic for the 2022 model year only. FORD RANGER SPLASH A sporty, stylish blast from the past returns as the Ford Ranger adds the Splash™ Package for the 2022 model year Ranger Splash Package includes distinctive orange and black body-side graphics, unique matte black wheels, orange and black trim inside and out, and specially designed seats Ranger will also be available with Splash Limited Editions – one-time-only colors that will drop every few months, with Splash™ – Snow Edition kicking off the first batch of these limited-run offerings Ranger Splash Is Back! Classic Name Reimagined in a New Package with a Series of One-Time-Only Colors to Follow | Ford Media Center More pictures at the Link above.

Seems Tesla can either win big or loose big depending on how this plays out. Tesla has applied to become a major power producer in the State of Texas. Charged EVs | Tesla could become a major power retailer in Texas - Charged EVs Yet while another thing distracts their CEO, one of his praised auto's being awaited just got delayed and could be delayed even further. Shown off in 2017, promise to be on sale in 2020. Pandemic delayed to 2022 and now Musk confirms at the earliest 2023, but not a priority. Tesla delays new Roadster to 2023, but there's a big 'if' - Electrek Be interesting to see how this plays out as Rivian, Ford and GM start bringing their BEVs to market later this year and have various other models coming out in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 per their roadmaps. Tesla has delayed their Semi, CyberTruck and now Roadster. Could this be the true start of decline for Tesla?

WOW, this is interesting on how dirty a diesel engine becomes when it idles more than is driven. This is ONE BAD ASS TRUCK, Isuzu should be selling it here. Arctic Trucks’ Isuzu D-Max AT35 Is a Turbodiesel Snow Explorer (thedrive.com) Seems Eaton is launching a new line of differentials aimed at BEVs. Charged EVs | Eaton launches new line of differentials for electrified vehicles - Charged EVs The company offers a full range of differentials for electrified vehicles, including automatic limited-slip, automatic locking and electronic selectable locking differentials. Eaton’s Traction Control solutions include: Truetrac—Helical-gear limited-slip differential maximizes wheel traction and enhances driving and handling characteristics. ELocker—Allows for maximum driveline flexibility. Users can switch from a fully open to a fully locked axle at the touch of a button, or it can be integrated into the vehicle (auto-locking). IntelliTrac—Smart electronically controlled, limited-slip differential is fully integrated to the vehicle to provide instant response and optimized vehicle performance at any speed or traction condition. MLocker—Automatic, mechanical locking differential which provides drivers traction without the need for buttons, shift knobs or other driver intervention. Improves towing and off-road performance. Posi—Limited-slip differential which automatically prevents wheel slip before it can get started. Open—Compact open differential which enables managing torque between left and right wheels.

I was curious to see what Bing would give me for searching for Hispanic Sensibilities and Pace.... First thing up was this:

As a half ton pickup, what part of $74,640 does not make this an Off-Road Luxury Pickup Truck? As a 3/4 ton 2500 HD AT4 pickup, $84,495 me think makes this a luxury off road pickup. I see no reason for a auto company that has deep pockets and builds commercial trucks and buses to not be in the Luxury Truck segment! Tesla has NOTHING to compete in this segment. Per @smk4565 Mercedes has deep R&D Pockets, so why do they not have anything to compete in this segment of Super Trucks? ?

HD Dually Denali package truck $85,390 HD Denali Black Diamond edition truck $87,045 Clearly this is luxury level pricing and Mercedes is missing out on the Truck segment!

@smk4565 I really like that this Dealership actually lists out the trim levels and what is selling and the top is Denali then AT4 which is the bulk of their sales and clearly Luxury Level pricing which while Mercedes has cars priced this way, where are the Trucks? All Trims on GMC 1500 Trucks Explained - Eagle Ridge GM Yes this story is a couple years old from 2019, but the GMC rep states 40% of GMC Truck Sales are the SLT trim with Denali making up 30% and the rest in base/SLE trim. Yet as he states with new Elevation and other trims coming on this could change. We have now seen that the other trim was AT4 that is here now and Denali / AT4 make up the bulk of sales. This Is The Most Popular Trim Level Of GMC Sierra | GM Authority Based on just GMC sales numbers and ATP, I do not see the Luxury market cooling for GM in full Size trucks. GMC Sierra Sales Figures | GCBC (goodcarbadcar.net)

Thanks for the Clarification, as we all know, written Sarcasm is hard to read! Yes we had this: Good Model building I think even @Robert Hall would appreciate. Amazing that many online are asking for this combo again and photo shoppers are asking for it to come back. ? Makes me think that mid gate solution was a good thing for GM to have. But at least some got the final editions such as the 2013 LTZ Black Diamond Edition from Chevrolet. 2013 Cadillac EXT I will say that my favorite color was the Green LTZ Black Diamond edition they had for 2013. Would love to have this Green on a 2023 Escalade ESV BEV.

That double front wheel is to help turn corners due to the heavy battery pack! Double Windshield to give better visibility.

You really need to learn your facts as the Cadillac EXT Did Work and was a very profitable model for GM under the Cadillac banner. The reason the EXT got killed if the platform died as they used the Chevrolet Avalanche, so much like how Mercedes takes a lower cheap model and slaps an AMG badge on it and charges crazy prices with a few modifications to it. Cadillac did the same with some tweaks to the body panels, interior and got a decent increase in price. @Drew Dowdell I am sure could expand on this for you, but while the Blackwood was considered a disaster even by Ford, Cadillac moved I believe more than enough EXT to pay for itself and add profit to the bottom line while helping to pay off the R&D of the Avalanche. After all, unlike Mercedes that after less than two years killed the pickup based on the info you supplied. The Cadillac EXT was sold from 2002 to 2013, an 11yr run. Yet who ever posted sales figures seems to show it from 2001 to 2014. Cadillac Escalade - Wikipedia Considering how many Avalanches were sold by Chevrolet, I doubt the cost to badge engineer a Cadillac version was very much and that the 72,895 sold over the 14 years in the above chart is way more than many of the fringe models Mercedes or BMW sold covering every niche as you point out, profitable luxury niches yet only maybe a few hundred sold if at best by them. Yes, you will say look how the sales dropped off in the last few years. This could be also due to not updating the Cadillac EXT Truck as much as they should have. Never Know, we might just get back a Cadillac EXT BEV in the Future based on the awesome Ultium Platform.

CNN just released their 2021 Photo Competition and WOW the images are awesome. Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2021 'highly commended' images released | CNN Travel This GM Tiger just had a Tesla for lunch!

Nope your wrong, Taking a POLLUTING Un-burnt Hydro Carbon auto as you can always smell it and this old auto is probably a leaded engine originally so really toxic and giving it a great life with better power train!

I know you will hate me, but I would love this in BEV form, the front and Rear trunks would be huge and awesome plus it is just so cool in 2-door form.

@oldshurst442 @riviera74 I am working to finish a project before Labor Day, so no time to search for this, but did Mercedes actually really build a truck off the Nissan Bones and sell it? I thought the Mercedes Badged Nissan Truck was only shown off in concept form and never went into mass production is how I remember it, but I could be wrong, so asking for clarification if they actually tried to badge engineer a truck sold at retail?

Interesting, course the Diesel engines are offline due to the chip shortage, so right now none being built. Understandable that they would simplify their order guide, but I do have to wonder how the next 12 to 18 months will play out as they work on their BEV's and still try to build and sell auto's. Many of us do not care for the auto start/stop or cylinder deactivation, so having those pulled for the 2022 year till chip supply gets going again, I doubt will be missed, but I do have to wonder about other things that go away for now due to the chip shortage.

Where is Mercedes (the Best Luxury Auto Company in the World according to you) Pickup let alone the 5 to 6 EV's in both car and CUV platform that you are talking about!

UPDATE on Subaru's first BEV the Solterra. Full details can always be found at the Solterra page, but here are the updated released images: Solterra EV – An All-Electric SUV | Subaru Available Mid 2022 Interior is interesting

All Chevrolet Bolt and Bolt EUV have had production suspended initially due to the Chip Shortage, but clearly the fact that all Bolts including the Generation 2 Bolt and Bolt EUV are to be recalled for new battery packs and controllers awaiting LG ability to fix the problem with the battery packs and ship replacement packs for 142,000 existing auto's and then enough to begin assembly again. Seems currently GM EV production is dead till mid September, but many believe it will go farther into fall. Chevrolet Bolt EV And Bolt EUV Production Temporarily Halted (insideevs.com) GM temporarily stops making the Chevy Bolt after latest recall - The Verge Amid Bolt EV recall, GM CEO emphasizes multiple future battery options (greencarreports.com) Seems BOLT owners, especially the first few years will really benefit as they get a new battery pack with an 8 year / 100,000 mile warranty and 8% more drivable range. GM Chevy Bolt EV battery fix could bring many owners more range than they originally had (greencarreports.com)