G. David Felt

Toyota has been late to the EV or electrical vehicle market around the world. Toyota finally launched a full lineup in China, but people have been wondering what they have in store for the rest of the world. Welcome the 2026 bZ battery electric vehicle. The bZ starts off the 2026 model year with a higher capacity lithium-ion battery that comes in at 74.7-kWh capacity good for a manufacture-estimated range of 314 miles. Toyota then packs on the updated features as you have an industry standardized NACS charge port that allows access to the Tesla Supercharger network. Toyota goes farther by adding a Plug & Charge capability that allows this industry standard protocol to automatically identify, authenticate, and authorize at select charging networks, reducing the need for multiple mobile charging applications to one in the Toyota smartphone app. Charging goes from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes when using a DC fast charger. The 2026 bZ gets an updated instrument panel that is 14-inch in size and is an audio multimedia touchscreen with customizable ambient lighting. The interior changes continue with a much slimmer dashboard that has dual wireless chargers, soft touch materials throughout, 64-color customizable ambient lighting allowing for a premium feel through the interior. Toyota did not stop on refreshing the interior and battery pack. They increased the combined horsepower of the AWD system from 214 to 338 net hp allowing for the EV to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The upgrades continue in that Toyota changes to lightweight energy-efficient eAxles that now use silicon carbide (SIC) semiconductors that contribute to the new horsepower rating of the AWD system and even the FWD system that has gone from 201 hp to 221 hp. Toyota offers both the XLE and Limited trim in FWD or AWD configurations. Last year's model had what many called a quirky style, Toyota has restyled the exterior. The front-end has new lighting and fascia designs along with color-matched overfenders that used to be black plastic only giving the bZ a sleeker look. 2026 bZ will arrive in the second half of 2025 with pricing and full details released closer to on-sale date. View full article

This will be interesting to see as it is not an agreement but a consensus in the short term. NOTHING GAINED. U.S.-China Trade Deal Turns Back Clock On Tariffs; S&P 500 Soars, But Risks Remain

Awesome award. This EV Just Beat the Competition at Top Gear’s 2025 Awards—And It Seats Seven

Sadly, Incompetent leadership is what #47 is and jobs are at stake due to the ignorance of the current administration. Like he said, they work on a diverse number of autos, but it does not matter as we are a global economy and there is no going back to the so-called golden age of America in the 50's, 60's that boomers want to relive. Time to dump the current idiots and bring in folks that are able to understand that we live in a multi-cultural society that is based on a global economy.

Very interesting, a Texas Power Company assembled a list of states where it pays to switch to an EV. While all 50 states can save you money if you hold the EV for 10 years over an ICE, these 10 states save you the most the fastest. The 10 states in America where switching to an EV will save you the most money

If the octopus is rubbery, they over cooked it. It should have a slight chew but not be rubbery. Properly cooked octopus is good, much like Lobster. Yet with that said, I do agree with you that lately if you're eating at a restaurant, the quality of the cooked food has gone down, and I think that will turn people off from various proteins that can be very delicious.

No matter what, this is a terrible deal and I honestly see no reason for it as while #47 can say it is a great deal as he got 1.8% on U.S. products, the world is turning their back on his Bully approach to others and even if some U.S. manufacturers are able to sell into the U.K., eventually this will become U.K. saying they are being abused by the U.S. as the Tariff is higher to get into the U.S. All a matter of semantics, but no matter what, the U.S. standing has been tarnished, and it will take decades to rebuild the relationship as even this deal will be questioned due to the inconsistent way this administration flip flops on things based on the whim of a child man.

I can see this deal helping Jaguar Land Rover as I would be surprised if they sold 100,000 autos in the US. @drew, do you know if they do or not? As for any mass produced auto that sells well, I cannot see this deal being that great.

Going to College in Japan, the first time I went to the local Kobe Pizza Hut, I was shocked to see Octopus pizza, but WOW was it good!!! As my parents always say, you have to try it before you say you do not like it as you never know. Once you have tried it, then you have every right to say thank you, but no thank you, I will pass.

I find it is important to take into consideration the culture and location. If local seafood is common in local dishes where you are at, then I do not see it as polarizing as they are making what is normal for them even when it might not be something you would eat. Good Hostess usually will ask if there are any allergies or foods that the guest are not comfortable with. Then cook appropriately.

Not surprised that the new pope is from here after he earned his way up to the last pope by doing what that pope did. Hopefully inclusivity will truly continue for this guy and those that believe, follow and want this type of leadership. I just hope we can get rid of all the Fascist idiots that think the 1950's/60's was the golden age of the U.S. and move forward as society will and leave us behind. I believe based on history, the U.S. will see the same downturn in business for the next two decades due to stupidity now and our Auto Industry could become far more reduced for the Legacy OEMs. Europeans seem interested in Rivian and Lucid as well as GM and Ford for EVs, but Tesla, I think is in serious trouble and would not be surprised to see the plant in Germany end up closing or sold off.

Gree, this is an awesome composed photo, nice job Drew!!!

I am excited for this to grow quickly!