G. David Felt

To all C&G members and visitors.

@Jacob Diana Welcome to C&G, look forward to interacting with you.

Very interesting read! https://newatlas.com/automotive/subaru-most-reliable/

Having done so much driving coast to coast due to my son's Gymnastics from age of 5 to college before he retired in college. I would say the following: British Columbia is equal to the west coast in many ways till you take the Highway and head north in BC and hit the Yukon's and then you truly have an Alaska Conservative equal. Having not spent any time in the NW territories, I cannot answer but would suspect it is far more conservative due to sparse population and tight nit communities of both native Indians and other groups. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba I find to mirror the U.S. mid-west and Texas. Antario and Quebec I find to be a mixed pot of southern politeness with backstabbing rudeness in some areas and others if your white to be very polite period. I did find in various cities some amazing multi-cultural city areas. I also hit up against the same French BS I hit when I was working in France. A very narrow mind set of society or a very liberal one that was more relaxing to how I was raised. Two sides of a coin. Have never been to Newfoundland and Labrador but would love to see the area. So, no comment on the folks there. NB, Prince Edward and Nova Scotia have been over all very polite and friendly when my wife and I visited about 5 years ago. Like the NE corner of the U.S., lots of friendly people and the occasional narrow-minded turd. If money was no object, would love to visit the rest of Canada including Nunavut and the NW Territories to explore and photograph the area. Would love to experience the drive over the Ice Highway too. So much of North America to see and yet so little time. Could the People Benefit from a single currency with a open free North America, meaning Canada, U.S. Mexico become the North American Union of States. SURE, but will it? NOT in OUR LIFETIME!!! Too many selfish, fascist pricks that hate society if it does not benefit them to allow such a Great Multi-Cultural Union. IMHO

Loved this generation of Impala SS. It was Magical!!! I am totally confused by your statement, Tightly Wound?????? Having been in both sides of Canada and yearly go to Fairmount Hot springs for the mineral hot springs that rejuvenate me, I find the East Coast of Canada Tightly wound and at times offensive in how they treat people and do things, so much in common with the East Cost of the U.S. and especially the south. As a true PNW person living here, I find going up to Vancouver B.C. to be very relaxed and liberal with a great foodie scene. I can only think it is where we each are born and raised in our perception of the locals as I find the opposite of what you stated. Or am I miss understanding your statement and you are saying the east coast Canadians who move to BC tend to move back because it is too liberal and relaxed?????

WOW, they have nailed it with their Black edition available on various models. GENESIS UNVEILS GV80 BLACK AND GV80 COUPE BLACK QUOTE: Genesis Black models are defined by their captivating dark-black color theme that extends throughout the interior and exterior, flawlessly embodying the essence of Genesis’ design philosophy “Athletic Elegance” in its purest form. All visible exterior features in the GV80 Black and the GV80 Coupe Black are finished in black, including the radiator grille, bumper garnish, front emblem, daylight opening (DLO) molding, roof racks and rear bumper molding. Even lesser visible details like the headlamp inner side bezels are black, completing the sleek look. Someone paid attention to detail on these, the pictures are awesome.

For those that like sedans, seems Genesis it planning to offer more options including this sweet looking Black Edition in 2025. Seems the Black edition is the top trim level on all the Genesis auto's, very cool stuff. Genesis G80 Black to be Launched in the First Half of 2025 - Korean Car Blog

Just got back from Costco, Ultimate sweet-n-Spicy yet crunchy Korean snack.

I will never support Tesla as long as Musk is CEO and Chairman of the company, supporting Neo-Nazi political party in Germany is just Wrong. https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2024/12/28/elon-musk-supports-germanys-far-right-afd-party-in-opinion-piece/ This is spot on I feel, only 9 months into EV ownership and cannot see me ever going back to ICE autos. Moving forward, EV only for me. https://cleantechnica.com/2024/12/28/the-media-has-it-wrong-92-of-electric-vehicle-owners-worldwide-would-definitely-buy-another-ev/

This nails it on the head as to why Korean EVs are better than just about everyone else including the Chinese. Hyundai / Kia / Genesis over Tesla every day. https://cleantechnica.com/2024/12/28/why-isnt-hyundai-motor-group-circling-the-drain/

Small Business is the backbone of America and it is covered by all ethnic groups, a Strong America starts with a Strong Multi-Cultural Society that works together for better community.

Hyundai Motor India Limited organized this GUINNESS WORLD RECORD attempt by the EVO India Team in an IONIQ 5 electric vehicle, logging a record-breaking total elevation change of 5,802 meters or 19,030 feet (1 meter = 3.28 feet) over a 4,900 km or 3,045 mile journey across India. This extraordinary road trip began in Umling La, Ladakh, India at an elevation of 5,799 meters or 19,030 feet high above sea level, the highest drivable point in India. The trip came to an end in Kuttanad, Kerala, India situated three meters or 9.48 feet below sea level, the lowest point in India. This trip was accomplished over 14 days, with the route covering a distance of more than 4,900 km or 3,045 miles, tackling challenging terrain, extreme climatic conditions and demonstrated the Hyundai IONIQ 5 resilience, advanced technology, and superior performance in an EV. Mr. Unsoo Kim, Managing Director, Hyundai Motors India Limited stated the following: “We are incredibly proud to see the Hyundai IONIQ 5 create history by achieving the Guinness World Record™ for the Greatest altitude change by an electric car. This achievement is a testament to Hyundai’s unwavering commitment to innovation, technological excellence, and sustainability. The IONIQ 5’s performance in such extreme conditions reflects its engineering prowess and durability. At Hyundai, we are dedicated to pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks in e-mobility, and this record further reinforces our vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’.” The Hyundai IONIQ 5 was developed on the E-GMP or Electric-Global Modular Platform, designed to redefine smart mobility experiences. This progressive and futuristic design was inspired by the Hyundai iconic PONY car as a step towards a new era of electric mobility. The IONIQ 5 was Equipped with a 72.6 kWh battery pack and was a production IONIQ 5 that had the standard safety, smart technology, performance and design in what consumers can today purchase from any Hyundai Dealership. Congratulations to the Hyundai team for showing what EVs can do today. View full article

That like Denney's usually makes the porcelain god call too!

Very cool read and video on how Tires are made. Where Are Michelin Tires Made And Who Owns The Brand?

This is an interesting read. Korea is the only country with EVs that are head-to-head with China and in some ways better. This nanotube technology will allow Korea to move way farther forward than the U.S. in automotive options. Advances in carbon nanotube applications enhance battery dry process

This is spot on accurate of the failure by Japanese and American Auto companies. Some will go away even in merger like Nissan/Honda/Mitsubishi Motors as they sat and allowed China to surpass most companies. Korea is the only true competitor right now as Tesla has fallen behind with their old 400V EV tech. https://www.businessinsider.com/godfather-of-evs-explains-why-china-is-winning-ev-race-2024-12

@Drew Dowdell @Robert Hall @trinacriabob @A Horse With No Name @ccap41 @surreal1272 @oldshurst442 And including all of the C&G members that are here that I do not interact with often enough or those I have forgotten their handles. Wishing each and every one of you a Merry Xmas Eve and Merry Xmas. To those that do not celebrate Xmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, Happy time off. Wishing each and every person here a restful end to the year, one of love, respect, relaxation to you and your families. Wishing all the best!

MOU means that these companies have signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" to explore the participation, involvement and synergy sharing in relation to the business integration through a joint holding company. Back in August 1st, 2024 Nissan and Honda created a Joint Holding Company for the commencement of a strategic partnership focused on intelligence and electrification. This was to start the consideration towards integration of the two companies. Mitsubishi Motors has now signed onto this MOU to explore the possibility of achieving synergies at an increased level through business participation or integration. In basic terms, the three companies have agreed to join forces in sharing costs to move forward with EV platform R&D while they also look at the ICE "Internal Combustion Engine" gas side of having shared platforms to reduce costs and hopefully save the three auto companies by keeping them alive.  While Nissan and Honda have agreed to move forward in this integration of the two auto companies, Mitsubishi Motors will make a final decision by the end of January 2025 about possibly joining in with the integration of Mitsubishi Motors into this joint 3 auto company venture. Nissan and Honda have already agreed to a full SDV or Software-defined vehicles program moving forward that will allow them to have a solid crucial collaboration of intelligence and electrification for future products. Both companies have stated that the acceleration of technology and the rapid change of the auto industry will allow these two companies to maintain global competitiveness and deliver more attractive products and services for customers worldwide. Nissan global mobility product line merged with Honda four-wheel-vehicles, motor cycles and power products can allow both companies to become more attractive to shareholders and innovation of products to sell to customers worldwide according to the CEOs of both companies. Nissan and Honda have stated the following: Nissan and Honda aim to become a world-class mobility company with sales revenue exceeding 30 trillion yen ($190 Billion U.S. Dollars) and operating profit of more than 3 trillion yen ($19 billion U.S. Dollars). The expected synergies from the business integration at this time are: 1. Scale advantages by standardizing vehicle platforms By standardizing the vehicle platforms of both companies across various product segments, the companies expect to create stronger products, reduce costs, enhance development efficiencies, and improve investment efficiencies through standardized production processes. The integration is projected to increase sales and operational volumes, allowing the companies to reduce development costs per vehicle, including for future digital services, while maximizing profits. By accelerating the mutual complementation of their global vehicle offerings - including ICE, HEV, PHEV, and EV models - Nissan and Honda will be better positioned to meet diverse customer needs around the world and deliver optimal products, leading to improved customer satisfaction. 2. Enhancement of development capabilities and cost synergies through the integration of R&D functions In accordance with the MOU to deepen strategic partnership and the joint research agreement on fundamental technologies dated August 1, the two companies have started joint research in fundamental technologies in the area of vehicle platforms for next-generation software-defined vehicles (SDVs), which is the cornerstone of the field of intelligence. After the business integration, both companies will encompass more integrated collaboration across all R&D functions, including fundamental research and vehicle application technology research. This approach is expected to enable both companies to efficiently and swiftly enhance their technological expertise, achieving both improvements in development capabilities and reductions in development costs through the integration of overlapping functions.   3. Optimizing manufacturing systems and facilities The companies anticipate that optimizing their manufacturing plants and energy service facilities, combined with improved collaboration through the shared use of production lines, will result in a substantial improvement in capacity utilization leading to a decrease in fixed costs.   4. Strengthening competitive advantages across the supply chain through the integration of purchasing functions To fully leverage the synergies from optimizing development and production capacity, both companies intend to boost their competitiveness by improving and streamlining purchasing operations and source common parts from the same the supply chain and in collaboration with business partners.   5. Realizing cost synergies through operational efficiency improvements The companies expect that the integration of systems and back-office operations, along with the upgrade and standardization of operational processes, will drive significant cost reductions.   6. Acquisition of scale advantages through integration in sales finance functions By integrating relevant areas of sales finance functions of both companies and expanding the scale of operations, the companies aim to provide a range of mobility solutions, including new financial services throughout the vehicle lifecycle, to customers of both organizations.   7. Establishment of a talent foundation for intelligence and electrification The human resources of the companies are an invaluable asset, and establishing a strong human resource foundation is crucial for the transformation that will come with the business integration. After the integration, increased employee exchanges and technical collaboration between the companies are expected to promote further skill development. Moreover, by leveraging each company's access to talent markets, attracting exceptional talent will become more attainable. Method of business integration and stock listing Nissan and Honda, with the result of the consideration, plan to establish, through a joint share transfer, a joint holding company that will be the parent company of both companies. This will be subject to approval at each company's general meeting of shareholders and obtaining necessary approvals from relevant authorities for this business integration, based on the premise that Nissan's turnaround*1 actions are steadily executed. Both Nissan and Honda will be fully owned subsidiaries of the joint holding company*2. Additionally, the companies plan to continue coexisting and developing the brands held by Honda and Nissan equally. Shares of the newly established joint holding company under consideration are planned to be newly listed (technical listing) on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (“TSE”). The listing is scheduled for August 2026. With the listing of the joint holding company, both Nissan and Honda will become wholly owned subsidiaries of the joint holding company and will be scheduled to be delisted from the TSE. However, shareholders of both companies will continue to be able to trade shares of the joint holding company issued during this share transfer on the TSE. The listing date of the joint holding company and the delisting date of both Nissan and Honda will be determined in accordance with the regulations of the TSE. Regarding the organizational structure of the joint holding company, and both companies which will become wholly-owned subsidiaries of the joint holding company after the business integration, the optimal structure for realizing synergies, including the integration of R&D functions, purchasing functions, and manufacturing functions, will be discussed and considered within the integration preparatory committee, with the aim of establishing an organizational structure that enables efficient and highly competitive business operations after the business integration. The CEO's of all three companies had the following to say: Marking the announcement, Nissan Director, President, CEO and Representative Executive Officer Makoto Uchida said: “Honda and Nissan have begun considering a business integration, and will study the creation of significant synergies between the two companies in a wide range of fields. It is significant that Nissan's partner, Mitsubishi Motors, is also involved in these discussions. We anticipate that if this integration comes to fruition, we will be able to deliver even greater value to a wider customer base.“ Honda Director and Representative Executive Officer Toshihiro Mibe said: "At this time of change in the automobile industry, which is said to occur once every 100 years, we hope that Mitsubishi Motors' participation in the business integration discussions of Nissan and Honda will lead to further social change, and that we will be able to become a leading company in creating new value in mobility through business integration. Nissan and Honda will start the discussion from today onwards with an aim to clarify the possibility of business integration by around the end of January in line with the consideration of Mitsubishi Motors." Comment from Mitsubishi Motors Director, Representative Executive Officer, and President and CEO Takao Kato said: “In an era of change in the automotive industry, the study between Nissan and Honda about a business integration will accelerate synergy maximization effects, bringing high value also to the collaborative businesses with Mitsubishi Motors. In order to realize synergies and to make the best use of each company's strengths, we will also study the best form of cooperation.” Upon looking at the press releases, it makes total sense that these companies would look to merge as each company is having a challanging time. Nissan globally has seen a 33.7% reduction in sales taking the estimated 2024 market share to 5.2%.  Honda globally has seen a 9% reduction over all with a 32% reduction in the asian rim leaving them with a 2024 estimated 5.4% market share. Mitsubishi Motors globally has seen a reduction year over year of a 10.7% drop leaving them with a 2024 estimated market share of 4.6%. All three auto companies lag the industry in technology connected auto's, feature / functions and especially EVs. All three companies have seen their profits turn into negative earnings for their respective companies leaving them with no real ability to perform R&D in building EVs to compete in China or the U.S. let alone Europe that has mandates in place for the end of ICE by 2035. End result is it looks like for these companies to survive, merging into one company that shares platforms and technology especially in the software and battery sectors will be the only way to move forward. View full article

Hyundai has given their current customers of Hyundai EVs and potential customers of 2024 EVs that have the CCS charging port the Christmas gift of a free NACS to CCS adapter starting in Q1 2025. Specifically, Hyundai has stated in their press release that Current Hyundai EV owners and new EV Owners that purchase or lease a current CCS Charging port EV are eligible to request the NACS to CCS adapter, shipping is included through the MyHyundai owner portal. This Hyundai-authorized adapter will give CCS-port-equipped Hyundai EV drivers access to more than 20,000 Tesla Superchargers in the United States. Free adapters will be available to eligible owners of the following models: Model-year 2024 and earlier: KONA Electric IONIQ hatchback IONIQ 5 IONIQ 6 Specific 2025 Models only: IONIQ 6 IONIQ 5 N KONA Electric Details, instructions, and terms and conditions related to the process for owners to claim their complimentary adapter along with pricing for adapter units will be released in 2025 via HyundaiNews.com and additional customer-facing communication channels. The Genesis luxury brand is also participating in the program, with details to be revealed early next year. The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT and Limited will be the first to be built and sold in the U.S. with the NACS port. Per Olabisi Boyle, sernior VP, product planning and mobility strategy: “To accelerate EV adoption, we started by listening to our current owners, the desire for an expanded easy charging network. These adapters will make DC fast-charging more convenient for current owners. Plus, the NACS port on new models like the upcoming IONIQ 9 along with improvements to our digital charging ecosystem, will further enhance the customer experience for future EV drivers. Our goal is to make the transition to electric seamless.” View full article

Looks Great for her age!

Add the deceptive safe thing with the deceptive Fridge in Room that is useless as the fridge is stocked with their own drinks and if you move anything to use the fridge, they charge you for it even when you do not drink their stuff. They might as well NOT say there is a fridge in the rooms. Las Vegas is terrible for this having the advertising of safes and fridges in every room, but the Safe is a joke, barely able to hold a passport and wallet and the fridges are stocked with for charge stuff, so there is no Fridge for use by the room renter.