G. David Felt
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Everything posted by G. David Felt
- Tariff Tuesday - Big Trouble in Little Crossovers
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Tariff Tuesday - Big Trouble in Little Crossovers
The Mazda CX50 is a compact that built in the U.S. for Canada and is now paused for production and jobs as they will import them from Japan to avoid the idiotic tariffs. Then we also have Subaru, Honda and Stellantis that has all paused production of select models that are exported to Canada, Mexico or outside North America for sale that have been paused with temp layoffs due to the tariff's stupidity.
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Random Thoughts Thread
Some weird news as Coal power plants turn up production. Data shows surprising shift at power plants across the US — here's what's happening
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Tariff Tuesday - Buick Killing it in China; Killed in the U.S.
If the Germans were HONEST with their sales numbers and profits per model, the coupe / sports cars that are just 2 doors are probably money losers. As such, why have an auto just for Auto Sake, The current V series already kick ass over the Germans and the money is made in the SUVs, so at this point in time, your grabbing at straws to justify the German brands which are past their prime as they are behind in EV technology and have lost their luxury shine even in performance to others. As they say, every dog has its day and they had theirs and now Cadillac is surging again to come back to the top dog position.
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Discussion:SLATE EV Pickup starting at under $20,000, Funded by Jeff Bezos
Yes, that hits the nail on the head of a debate we have been having at my work as many also feel while retro cool, the public says they want it but will not buy it as Humans are lazy. They want Cheap with all the trimmings and that will never happen. Kinda like this video of the true fact of Americans.
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Discussion:SLATE EV Pickup starting at under $20,000, Funded by Jeff Bezos
This is a very interesting take on an EV and gives me old 1970s SUV vibe.
- Tariff Tuesday - Buick Killing it in China; Killed in the U.S.
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SLATE EV Pickup starting at under $20,000, Funded by Jeff Bezos
How many times have you heard people say EVs are too expensive! Only the rich can afford an EV! Funded by Jeff Beso, SLATE set out to bring back the simple needs of the bulk of America by building a basic two-person electric truck that would do truck things basically and not much else. Yet if you wanted, you could expand later on to let the truck be so much more. SLATE set themselves a clear goal, build a truck that would be inexpensive, offer radical customizable and affordable options that would allow one to personalize their own transportation ending in a beautifully simplified means of transportation. SLATE CEO Chris Barman at their reveal tonight stated the following: “Slate exists to put the power back in the hands of customers who have been ignored by the auto industry. Slate is a radical truck platform so customizable that it can transform from a 2-seat pickup to a 5-seat SUV.” One would be right to ask, how does one go about being a disruptive business model in an industry that has taken things to the ultimate luxury level, ignoring the basic entry level needs? Simple, start with a simplified manufacturing process, removing unnecessary content while increasing reliability. SLATE delivered tonight the basic EV Pickup that starts with things many might not know existed at one time by traveling back to the 1970's. Steel Wheels Manual Crank Windows Manual HVAC knobs Large Frunk that handles 1,400lbs payload This just for the beginning brings so much more that many have probably never thought about in a DIY Unlimited personalization approach to autos. Slate starts with having over 100 accessories that can be purchased as a bundle or ala-cart. One can do this at the time of order or over time. SLATE points out that the truck can be anything, need more people room, get the flat-pack, an accessory kit that creates a five person SUV. The kit includes additional bench seat, roll cage, airbags that can be done by yourself or be done for you. The truck is designed as a clean SLATE that allows unlimited personalization in vehicle wrapping by yourself or a pro. Yet they do not stop there, we all have heard "Bring your own tech". Rather than learn a new interface, use the one you love. Slate introduces the universal phone mount and USB power. Add a dedicated tablet if you want to. This made in America truck was designed for top personal safety and will have the following standard features: Emergency braking Forward Collision Warning Up to eight airbags This EV pickup for everyone has the following features in regards to the battery pack, range and charging: Two battery packs 52.7 kWh, rwd estimated 150-mile range 84.3 kWh with an estimated range of 240-miles NACS charging port Home charging overnight DC fast charging to 80% in under 30 minutes using 150 kW charger. SLATE has stated transparent pricing is the key, expected starting price to be under $20,000 after current federal incentives. Just a $50 deposit to reserve your pickup / SUV today. Build your SLATE today: SLATE Auto | The Customizable EV That Works for You
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Discussion:SLATE EV Pickup starting at under $20,000, Funded by Jeff Bezos
How many times have you heard people say EVs are too expensive! Only the rich can afford an EV! Funded by Jeff Beso, SLATE set out to bring back the simple needs of the bulk of America by building a basic two-person electric truck that would do truck things basically and not much else. Yet if you wanted, you could expand later on to let the truck be so much more. SLATE set themselves a clear goal, build a truck that would be inexpensive, offer radical customizable and affordable options that would allow one to personalize their own transportation ending in a beautifully simplified means of transportation. SLATE CEO Chris Barman at their reveal tonight stated the following: “Slate exists to put the power back in the hands of customers who have been ignored by the auto industry. Slate is a radical truck platform so customizable that it can transform from a 2-seat pickup to a 5-seat SUV.” One would be right to ask, how does one go about being a disruptive business model in an industry that has taken things to the ultimate luxury level, ignoring the basic entry level needs? Simple, start with a simplified manufacturing process, removing unnecessary content while increasing reliability. SLATE delivered tonight the basic EV Pickup that starts with things many might not know existed at one time by traveling back to the 1970's. Steel Wheels Manual Crank Windows Manual HVAC knobs Large Frunk that handles 1,400lbs payload This just for the beginning brings so much more that many have probably never thought about in a DIY Unlimited personalization approach to autos. Slate starts with having over 100 accessories that can be purchased as a bundle or ala-cart. One can do this at the time of order or over time. SLATE points out that the truck can be anything, need more people room, get the flat-pack, an accessory kit that creates a five person SUV. The kit includes additional bench seat, roll cage, airbags that can be done by yourself or be done for you. The truck is designed as a clean SLATE that allows unlimited personalization in vehicle wrapping by yourself or a pro. Yet they do not stop there, we all have heard "Bring your own tech". Rather than learn a new interface, use the one you love. Slate introduces the universal phone mount and USB power. Add a dedicated tablet if you want to. This made in America truck was designed for top personal safety and will have the following standard features: Emergency braking Forward Collision Warning Up to eight airbags This EV pickup for everyone has the following features in regards to the battery pack, range and charging: Two battery packs 52.7 kWh, rwd estimated 150-mile range 84.3 kWh with an estimated range of 240-miles NACS charging port Home charging overnight DC fast charging to 80% in under 30 minutes using 150 kW charger. SLATE has stated transparent pricing is the key, expected starting price to be under $20,000 after current federal incentives. Just a $50 deposit to reserve your pickup / SUV today. Build your SLATE today: SLATE Auto | The Customizable EV That Works for You View full article
- Tariff Tuesday - Buick Killing it in China; Killed in the U.S.
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Random Thoughts Thread
If I was rich with extra cash I would have shorted Tesla stock back at the start of Idiot47 having taken office and Black Maga Puppet Master Musk having done the stupidity he is doing. At this point, I do not see Tesla recovering and the market is not really recovering either. I suspect it would take forensic accounting review of Tesla, but I think Fraud has already happened in many ways, just look at the GPU issue thing and the movement of them to his AI project. Things are moved around, does not seem to be any paper trail or transparency of the business. Manipulation all for his own personal interest. If the Tesla Cyber Truck was the winner Musk promised, then the 800V system and the style would be selling over and over without the thousands sitting around and the idling of the assembly line. If Tesla was truly leading the auto industry, then the New Y would be on 800V and not still running on a 400V system. Other auto companies, especially in China have far exceeded Tesla now. Tesla is becoming irrelevant. Their biggest plus is their supercharger stations, the rest of their auto line is pathetic.
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Lexus News: All-New 2026 Lexus ES Gets Electrification On All Models
So we have not posted a story on the Toyota version of this same EV, Toyota bZ7 which I personally think is way better looking and is even better looking than the Tesla S. Thoughts? @Paolino @ccap41 @smk4565 @surreal1272 @A Horse With No Name @oldshurst442 @Drew Dowdell Toyota bZ7 Toyota full bZ family of EVs
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Tariff Tuesday - Buick Killing it in China; Killed in the U.S.
My sister has the Envision from China, previously GMC, has had less problems with the Buick than the GMC, so for whatever reason, the Chinese made SUV is more reliable than the US built version. Weird, but I get it, she is going to wait till more Buicks can come back in without the stupid tariffs before upgrading again. Other than that noticeable issue, I totally agree with you and Robert.
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Lexus News: All-New 2026 Lexus ES Gets Electrification On All Models
Doh, Yup, my bad, I was fast looking at the spec and see I looked at the regular. Good catch. CX-9 is still cramped on the Komodo dragon bang your head getting in and the way they design the seats. It is Cramped. This is also why I have not bought a newer Escalade as GM changed the way the seats work and they are cramped also as the seats do not go down and back as far as they do in my 2006 Escalade. Course with no support for AA / AP it is dead on arrival for all GM EVs. In regards to the 2026 Lexus GX, better as they have de-emphasized the Predator Mouth grill, but still this is Ugly to me.
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Random Thoughts Thread
I agree with the institutional investors that Musk is full of BS and even if he steps back from DOGE, his focus will be on AI and Robots, not TESLA Autos. Major Tesla Investor Rips 'Delusional' Elon Musk After Earnings Call This story pretty much reenforces that the focus is on everything else but Tesla Auto's. Elon Musk says China wants assurances that magnets for Tesla's humanoid robot won't be used for 'military purposes'
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Lexus News: All-New 2026 Lexus ES Gets Electrification On All Models
Good Point, my 2006 Escalade ESV is 198.9 inches long, so round up to 199 inches and it fits in my garage, but the house was built in 1962. It cannot fit in my sister's newer house from 2007, so I cannot see how these even longer new EVs are going to fit in a modern garage unless they feel everyone will just park outside. WOW, parking lots that have small parking spots are going to be super tight with this car. Super long but not super wide as it is 4 inches shorter width than my Escalade. That is weird, long and skinny? Tacky overall and does NOT say luxury to me. Totally agree with @smk4565 that those plastic lines on the outside of the doors is TERRIBLE.
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Random Thoughts Thread
Eron started out as a Legit business, a merger between Houston Natural Gas and InterNorth but then changed under CEO Kenneth Lay into energy trading and utilities, and I agree with you that they did commit fraud on many levels, but the review by the SEC showed that the last few years just before the collapse was when this all happened. So, two companies wanting to become bigger, merge, continue to have success and then move into other areas of possible growth, but due to incompetence by the executives on risky trading and other areas started to inflate profits to hide the trading losses. The CEO was like a Gambling addict who wanted more and more and yet as he lost, he figured he could hide it till he struck it big and then right side out the company. Sadly, at the expense of so many people he destroyed the company and many employees and investors savings. I have NOTHING against the Technology or the people at Tesla who created very solid Motors, Controller boards and battery packs. My issue is with the person who bought himself a CEO position and the constant lies even now at the quarterly report on what Tesla will deliver. He now hides things, and I suspect the use of AI, Robots, FSD, Robotaxi, etc. are all used to conceal the shaky nature of Tesla. I do suspect Tesla is playing a house of cards and is not as secure as they tend to present. IMHO
- Lexus News: All-New 2026 Lexus ES Gets Electrification On All Models
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Random Thoughts Thread
Easy, Enron grew and became profitable and kept growing and with the growth crazy CEO led comments about future growth, then everything just vaporized and people lost everything. Tesla has also grown, become profitable and the current idiot CEO keeps promising the sky of BS. I feel the floor could verywhell drop out from under them.
- Cadillac Optiq Will Join V-series Lineup
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Random Thoughts Thread
Crazy American's willing to gamble on poor leadership in Tesla. Makes no sense and like ERON, I now feel that TESLA will be a scam that leaves the stockholders crying in the future years. TESLA = PONZI scam I also still like Stihl and have my Dads chain saw that still runs great. Newer stuff might be more questionable.
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Tariff Tuesday - Buick Killing it in China; Killed in the U.S.
Buick like Chrysler are Dead Auto Brands stagnant. The Tariffs are just stupid and if you do the full 245% that has been in the news makes Buick dead, dead, dead. Then we have Mazda announcement that they have stopped all production of the CX50 model for the Canada market as they are not going to deal with the Tariffs to go over the border. As such, people laid off, less product, but Canada will now get their CX50's from Japan according to the news. Buick like Mazda are now casualties of idiot leadership by a person who never has had to work hard let alone build anything in a global market.
- Buick Electra Sub-Brand Launches in China with the Electra GS Concept :Discussion
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Random Thoughts Thread
Excuses for the guy about having PTSD. He is a bully, an idiot and deserves in Jail.
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Subaru News: Subaru Reveals new 2026 Subaru Trailseeker
Not Overthinking is a good thing this year with all the craziness going on. Washington just raised their gas tax 6 cents per gallon, so 55 cents for WA tax and 18.4 for Fed tax, so a 73.4 cents in fuel tax on top of the gas price. On average 40 to 45 cents per gallon cheaper at Costco/Sams Club here. Worth waiting in line unless I have a dollar discount at Fred Meyers which I get about once a month. Makes it worth fueling up at their slow pumps to save $32 on a tank full. Like you Drew, not renewing Sams Club, just not seeing the value in comparison to Costco here. Sadly Dell has done a RTO for full campuses, Hybrid for all others. As such, I now have to go into work 3 days a week. Lucky our Light Rail just opened up, so rather than 1 to 1 1/2 hrs in my own auto to drive into Seattle. I can drive 5 min to the Lynnwood rail station, jump on the train and be 4 blocks from the office 35 min later. Seattle requires all businesses to provide mass transit passes, good on the busses, trains or ferry system. Looking at fueling up every 4 to 5 weeks now for my Escalade.