G. David Felt

SO RIGHT and CRINGE WORTHY BIG TIME!

Stellantis on their August 3rd Quarterly call announced Double-Digit adjusted operating income margins which will allow them to intensify their electrification of all product lines. As such Stellantis has committed $30 billion Euro's investment in electrification and software development through 2025 allowing them to target a 70% in Europe and 40% in the United States LEV or Low emission vehicle sales by 2030. All 14 brands are committed to offering best in class electrification solutions, delivering class-leading range and charging capability. This push will be covered by four flexible global BEV-by-design platforms, scalable family of three electric drive modules and a series of standardized battery packs covering all brands and segments. These plans cover both sourcing and building of battery packs by five gigafactories in Europe and North America which will include dual battery chemistries, high energy and a nickle cobalt-free alternative by 2024 with solid state batteries planned for introduction in 2026. What does this mean for the late CEO Sergio Marchionne and his beloved Giorgio platform that was funded by the profits of Dodge, Chrylser, Ram and Jeep? A platform that was supposedly engineered to challenge the rivals of BMW, Mercedes and Audi of Germany? DEAD, dead after only two auto's that while well received and rated in Europe has had only average acceptance and quality in the US. The dropping of the Giorgio platform which some had expected to be used by the next generation of cars under the American name plates is being dropped due to one glaring problem and that one is the lack of support for Hybrid / Electrification of the platform. Yet excitement is to be expected as Stellantis has reserved the STLA Large Platform for the AWD Performance and American Muscle cars favored by the North American market. Yet while Stellantis has stated Alfa e-Romeo will be all electric in 2024, one does have to dig into this as we see that the current Alfa auto's actually get replaced using the new platform by Hybrids in 2022 which will carry on till 2027 as they introduce BEV in the three core markets of Americas, Europe and China in 2024. Seems some rumors are that Alfa could bring back the GTV nameplate to be applied to a four-door coupe as a rival to the BMW i4 and Mercedes-Benz EQE. Either way, it would seem that the Alfa brand while being a prestigious and historic brand has limited days ahead as an ICE brand and the future is for e-Romeo luxury electric auto's. In the mean time as a crossover product to BEV, the plug-in hybrid crossover called the Tonale is expected to debut in the early half of 2022. With Stellantis having an electrification focus of having EVs equivalent to ICE by 2026, does their electrification plan and marketing make sense? Electrification is not a “one size fits all” plan at Stellantis. Each of the Company’s 14 iconic brands is committed to offering best-in-class fully electrified solutions and doing so in a way that enhances the DNA of each brand. Stellantis revealed the following statements expressing each of the brand’s electrification approach: Abarth – “Heating Up People, But Not the Planet” Alfa Romeo – “From 2024, Alfa Romeo Becomes Alfa e-Romeo” Chrysler – “Clean Technology for a New Generation of Families” Citroën – “Citroën Electric: Well-Being for All!” Dodge – “Tear Up the Streets… Not the Planet” DS Automobiles – “The Art of Travel, Magnified” Fiat – “It’s Only Green When It’s Green for All” Jeep® – “Zero Emission Freedom” Lancia – “The Most Elegant Way to Protect the Planet” Maserati – “The Best in Performance Luxury, Electrified” Opel/Vauxhall – “Green is the New Cool” Peugeot – “Turning Sustainable Mobility into Quality Time” Ram – “Built to Serve a Sustainable Planet” Commercial Vehicles – “The Global Leader in e-Commercial Vehicles” Stellantis Intensifies Electrification While Targeting Sustainable Double-Digit Adjusted Operating Income Margins in the Mid-term | Corporate communications | Stellantis Stellantis Wants Alfa Romeo To Go BEV-Only By 2027 (insideevs.com) View full article

Seems GM is kicking butts, taking names and numbers with the Q2 results. A stock to invest in far better than Tesla! GM Reports Strong Second-Quarter 2021 Results Second-quarter 2021 results overview Revenue of $34.2 billion Net income of $2.8 billion, and EBIT-adjusted of $4.1 billion, including warranty recall costs of $(1.3) billion, of which $(0.8) billion was related to the Chevrolet Bolt EV Net income margin of 8.3 percent, and EBIT-adjusted margin of 12.0 percent Automotive operating cash flow of $4.0 billion and adjusted automotive free cash flow of $2.5 billion EPS-diluted of $1.90, and EPS-diluted-adjusted of $1.97* GM North America EBIT-adjusted of $2.9 billion, and EBIT-adjusted margin of 10.4 percent GM International EBIT-adjusted of $0.0 billion, including China Equity Income of $0.3 billion GM Financial EBT-adjusted of $1.6 billion Second-quarter 2020 results overview Revenue of $16.8 billion Net income (loss) of $(0.8) billion, and EBIT (loss)-adjusted of $(0.5) billion Net income (loss) margin of (4.5) percent, and EBIT (loss)-adjusted margin of (3.2) percent Automotive operating cash flow of $(8.0) billion, and adjusted automotive free cash flow of $(9.0) billion EPS-diluted of $(0.56), and EPS-diluted-adjusted of $(0.50)** GM North America EBIT (loss)-adjusted of $(0.1) billion, and EBIT (loss)-adjusted margin of (0.9) percent GM International EBIT (loss)-adjusted of $(0.3) billion, including China Equity Income of $0.2 billion GM Financial EBT-adjusted of $0.2 billion 2021 guidance Full-year EPS-diluted of between $5.12 and $6.12, and EPS-diluted-adjusted of between $5.40 and $6.40 Full-year net income of between $7.7 billion and $9.2 billion, and EBIT-adjusted of between $11.5 billion and $13.5 billion Solid read of Mary's letter to the Share Holders. Q2 2021 Letter to Shareholders (gm.com) Our strategy, investments and results are increasingly setting us apart, including: Generating consistently strong earnings, including record EBIT-adjusted of $4.1 billion in the second quarter, and $8.5 billion in the first half. Accelerating our engineering and capital investments in electric vehicles (EVs) and self-driving technology (AVs) by $8 billion to $35 billion from 2020-2025. Developing a full EV portfolio that doesn’t depend on partial solutions like hybrids and “electrified” ICE vehicles. Instead, we’ve focused our investment on achieving the end solution of zero emissions more quickly. Creatively managing the complex and fluid global semiconductor shortage, while prioritizing our highest-demand, capacity-constrained products, and developing sustainable, long-term supply chain solutions. Cadillac is announcing today that it will begin taking LYRIQ reservations on Sept. 18. We have also confirmed that both Chevrolet and GMC will offer battery electric full-size pickups based on Ultium. 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ | Electric SUV | Model Overview

Ouch, but oh so funny to watch. GMC HD Denali sinks into the lake at a boat launch caught on local news. https://www.instagram.com/p/CR9rJrwNOro/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=90b2e414-4e6d-4aa7-8025-f20abb9fcb67&ig_mid=3FA0FEE9-07C3-4C8E-AD12-F7A324DF37D3 "GMC Sierra HD Denali Plunges Into a Lake During Live News Broadcast" https://www.thedrive.com/news/41820/gmc-sierra-hd-denali-plunges-into-a-lake-during-live-news-broadcast

And again you have stated a Vaporware product as Ferrari has nothing of what you state. ?

The Berretta GTZ was roomy and I fit in it just fine.

Seems every auto site is now posting what they expect a 4 door Mustang EV will look like to compete against a 4 door Camaro. Or they are posting a photoshop of what a 4 door electric Camaro will look like.

What an ugly mess, the front end looks like it was a big mouth billy bass that got stepped on and flattened to a point of it just sucking. Yea, I see nothing attractive about this car at all! This 1991 Chevrolet GTZ Beretta looks better than that Ferrari!

I agree with Aston Martin and the Jaguar 220 XJ, a few mustangs and Camaro's, Corvettes but the rest especially Ferrari and Lamborghini do not get this man excited. Many of these auto's are like cloths that people have been poured into for a specific look at a stupid crazy price that really does not give any function or form other than a specific look that appeals to a small group of people. To each their own in regards to what one likes but I feel most of the auto's you have stated have very limited appeal and it is not because they are also crazy priced. Bulk of society needs function with form, hard pass on wasting money on them and as @balthazar has clearly pointed out, with a GMC Hummer EV Truck or SUV or even a Mach-e beating these auto's in performance, how does one continue to justify the price if not just for being a badge snob. No special sound, not comfortable, not functional for every day life, one has to question how long these specialty makers will stay in business long term.

Maybe they can still charge $100,000 due to having a patented sound for the BEV! Much like what Ford has done for choosing the sound your Mach-e will make. A ‘New Breed’ of Sound: Mustang Mach-E’s Sci-Fi Drive Tones Inspire a Thumping Track from Detroit Electronic Music Artist | Ford Media Center

Chris, one thing to consider is that Magnavox from the 80's were commercial grade speakers sold at retail to help pump up their volume. They were bought and still owned by Philips in 1974 and one of the last companies to produce stereo and TV gear in the US up till 2005. I have a 1986 commercial grade set of Magnavox speakers and they rock! History of Magnavox The Great American Voice (magnavoxhistory.com) Crazy history note, Magnavox Plant #3 in Tennessee made the last of US built TV's sold under the label Akai in 2005 before production moved to China.

Agree, we are friends, no sarcasm intended, but we agree to disagree and I do understand your point, but as @surreal1272 pointed out, you buy a high end sound system and Best Buy does not put their logo on that equipment. I expect the same from the Dealership. This is Greasy cheap marketing 101 that I would expect from a less than reputable used auto dealership. If a New Auto Dealership does the job right, they will gain more in advertising by my word of mouth talking about how great the dealership is than a cheesy sticker on the auto or license plate frame. IMHO WOW, WOW, WOW, $3.50 cents for all that is just crazy cheap, but then it is November 22nd 1965, 2 years before I was born. So then bread was 49 cents a loaf on average and gas was 30 cents a gallon. Crazy is according the Government statistics for average hourly wage in 1965 it was $1.85 per hour, so one has to wonder about this price for this service. Agree, hard to wrap ones head around this bill. @surreal1272 The 70's and 80's allot of Asian labeled TVs and Sounds systems were made in the US from unknown high end companies. Pretty crazy, but when you find stuff at a Goodwill or garage sale, and if it is cheap enough, then it is usually worth the time to buy it and try it out. Worst is maybe a few new capacitors soldered in.

CHAdeMo is dead long live CCS. Charged EVs | Electrify America to phase out CHAdeMO charging from 2022 - Charged EVs

License plate frames are the devils work too and I hate them, never allow them to stay on my auto, but always took them off if they were there. Both the vinyl stickers and license plate frames should not be on the auto.

First off PROVE that they make $97,000 per car profit cause right now your saying that $160,000 auto is really only a $63,000 auto. Second except for SNOBS, brand image is NOT that important otherwise Porsche, Mercedes, Ferrari, etc. of the over priced auto's would be the only thing selling.

Tesla Cybertruck is still Vaporware! Only a single 1 off custom hand built toy exists, nothing else does nor will it till they get Model Y production going in Texas. Roadster 2.0 is delayed unspecified build/delivery date. Tesla Semi is delayed till some time in 2022 after Model Y production is going and after the get their new batter cell design to actually produce without such a double digit failure rate. Cybertruck, vaporware at this point with an unspecified date for mules in 2022, indicating at the earliest 2023 maybe. Ford, GM, Rivian will have been out selling far more trucks than Tesla!

The added item by the dealer on this yukon would be a deal breaker for me. No dealer has the right to put their crappy name on my auto that I buy.

This is my plan for my 1994 GMC Suburban SLE from ICE to BEV with a Huge FRUNK and modernization where I deem while keeping it clean and pretty much looking original 1994 to a point. I love projects like this and respect you for wanting old to be kept old or hot rodded, but I like taking old and adding 21st century to it. Very excited for GM Electric Connect Cruise solutions that are coming. Especially the tri motor 1000HP crate solution. As per this story, The Chevrolet Performance eCrate Is Here to Make Electric Drivetrain Swaps Easier Than Ever (thedrive.com) Quote: Chevrolet Performance is even certifying dealerships and aftermarket companies as Electric Connect Cruise and Connect installers, making sure that they'll have the right training and equipment to work on these kits. Michigan's Lingenfelter Performance Engineering—as in, the fast Corvette people—will be the first company to test out the new certification program.

Integrity is everything and clearly Nikola CEO thought he could pull the wool over everyone. Glad they got caught before GM went too far down the rabbit hole with them. I do still love the looks of Nikola pickup truck. This is far superior looking than Tesla CyberTruck. Out of the 4, 3 that for sure will make it to market are all far superior than Tesla Vaporware Truck.

One would hope ones COPO or Fulie would not burn down, but it does happen and is sad. Be it ICE or BEV, loosing an auto to fire is never good. Course Tesla still has their own fire issues as 1 of 250 initial Tesla S Plaid self combusted. Brand new Tesla Model S ‘erupts into flames and briefly traps driver inside after doors malfunctioned’ | upcoming World News

Interesting that while battery cells have been dropping in cost every year, now assembly is being looked at as another place to drop costs and it seems laser connection of cells strung together can be done at a much lower cost. https://chargedevs.com/newswire/laser-bonding-can-cut-battery-assembly-cost-by-50-whitepaper/

Seeing this made me realize I forgot to mention that in the Q2 status report, the Tesla Semi Truck manufacturing has slipped to 2022 along with 4680 battery cell production that both Semi and Cybertruck is to use. Part of the problem that this story points out is that while testing is wrapping up on the battery cells themselves especially crash testing, production runs are having a 10% failure rate. That is not acceptable for a profitable production run rate. They are working on reducing that to a low single digit. Charged EVs | Tesla Q2 earnings report: record billion-dollar income, delays for Semi and Cybertruck - Charged EVs

Agree, based on trailering mode, then anything including a bike rack to carry your Motorcycle should still work with SuperCruise to my way of understanding.

Based on the Q2 report and statements, it seems Cybertruck will start production late 2022 for delivery in 2023. Tesla Cybertruck release date: Elon Musk reveals a disappointing update (inverse.com) Quoting the story which pulled this current stated delivery schedule from the web site: Tesla’s website lists three versions of the Cybertruck: The single-motor rear-wheel-drive version retailing for $39,900. This car will start production in late 2022. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive car retailing for $49,900. This car will start production in late 2021. The tri-motor all-wheel-drive car retailing for $69,900. This car will start production in late 2021. Then you have the following comments from the person who ran the Q2 financial update. But Moravy’s comments during the latest earnings call suggest it could get pushed back to 2022: Fact is that the Model Y will go into production end of 2021, this clearly pushes the cyber truck into a 2022 production with 2023 deliveries.