Over the last ten years, no doubt you have hear about the promise of the self-driving car, also called the autonomous car or even the robot-car. But what exactly is it, and why has it been so hard to actually bring one to market for the general populace? We explore an industry white paper for a refresher.
Customer service. When it comes to “going to the dealership”, most consumers have a negative view. From having to wait for the vehicle to be serviced, or being shuttled to or from home/work to even perhaps dealing with a loaner vehicle – it seems to be more hassle than its worth. With this in mind, a growing number of new car dealers, along with their manufacturers, are reimagining the entire service experience. In some cases, they are bringing a mobile version of the shop to the consumer – on t...
This is really a story about two pickup trucks named Ford Ranger. Introduced in early 1982 for the 1983 model year, the all-new domestically produced compact pickup truck was developed as a replacement from the Mazda-sourced Ford Courier that was sold in North America from 1972 through 1982. The production of this pickup was discontinued after the 2011. For the 2019 model year, the fourth-generation was introduced. Designed by Ford Australia, the all-new Ranger is now a mid-size pickup truck, ri...
The Administration has suspended the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding formula program. This puts over $1.5B in previously available funding in limbo. This will directly stall state-level efforts to build out a nation wide EV charging network.
Despite years of technical advances, traffic deaths and injuries in the United States have remained stubbornly high. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an average of 112 Americans were killed every day on US roads in 2023. Safety experts equate that to one plane crash a day. What’s going on?
The lowly forklift. Invented in 1917 by Eugene Clark, it is a mainstay in thousands of warehouses, freight depots and manufacturing plants around the world. However, the persistence of serious injuries and even deaths from mishaps with forklifts have some of the country’s biggest manufacturers backing away from the equipment. This is big.
Every year it seems, various publications, social media posts, podcasts, and the like reveal new “best places to retire abroad” lists. Providing snapshot overviews and amazingly beautiful photos of top expat countries, these features are wildly popular whether its audience is seriously considering moving to a foreign country or just in the “wouldn’t be nice”, camp. To be clear, its possible, but the devil is in the details. I have a bit of information to share.
General Motors has hired a long time technology executive to be its first-ever Chief AI Officer. The new position will lead efforts to accelerate the automaker's use of AI across its corporate footprint. Will other automakers follow suit?
The Land Aircraft Carrier. This futuristic marvel comes from the AeroHT subsidiary of the Chinese automaker Xpeng . It combines an off-road capable, six-wheeled electric van with a detachable electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that is neatly folded into the rear compartment. Is this the future?
Air Force General Randall Reed, commander of the United States Transportation command (USTRANSCOM) testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee and made a request for the purchase of ten used cargo ships to bolster the aging fleet that supports American military operations overseas. I don't know about you, but there are plenty of red flags here. I investigate.
Corporate conventional legends Siemens Energy and Rolls-Royce SMR are teaming up to develop small modular reactor nuclear projects. I guess that small scale nuclear energy is having a moment after years of being out of favor.
The Toyota Tacoma. A mainstay of the automaker’s American line-up since its 1995 debut, the Tacoma pickup truck was originally considered to be a compact in only its first generation. With the introduction of the second-generation Tacoma in 2004, it moved up to a midsize classification. Toyota designed the truck to better suit the needs of the US and Canadian market, where it recognized that it would be used more as a personal vehicle rather than commercial, agricultural, and off-road purposes. ...
The El Hatico farm in Cali, Columbia has been transformed by the family who owns it into a radically new environment. Called a silvopasture, it’s the intentional integration of trees, grasses, and livestock. Turns out that its good for both the cows and the environment.
Here is a sobering fact: although the United States of America is the WORLD’S largest oil producer, it still needs to import more crude oil than it makes. I will explain why during this podcast!
This topic is near and dear to those of us who care about protecting the right of human authorship in the sea of rising AI-created content. The US Copyright Office has issued a report – Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Part 2, which provides critical insight into how AI-generated works fit or don’t fit within existing copyright law. You will want to listen to this one!
GM's luxury nameplate is adding more choices for EV customers with th debut of the 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ, a luxury 3-row SUV that the automaker contends will deliver on the brand's promise of performance, craftsmanship and technology. But does it though?
Who should legally have the right of way on city streets? When I started this program about eight years ago, my board operator at the time and I got into a conversation about city streets and bike trails. On that subject, he got very angry and insisted that cars and trucks should ALWAYS have the right of way, regardless. Well, fast forward to now and an East Coast city is in the midst of that very conversation amongst its residents.
On again, off again. Its tariff musical chairs. As of this writing, the big three domestic automakers have gained a one-month reprieve from the tariffs being levied on Canada and Mexico. But speaking for an industry that moves in years, not weeks or months, it’s a hollow victory. There will be no winners here.
The Audi Q7 was the first SUV sold by the automaker, being originally introduced to the public in September 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. This mid-size luxury crossover SUV has been manufactured at the Volkswagen Bratislava Plant in Bratislava Slovakia since its debut. The Q7 was introduced into the US market in 2006 as a 2007 model. The second generation Q7 was unveiled at the 2015 North American Auto Show in Detroit. The Audi Q7 rides on the Volkswagen Group MLB Evo platform which it share...
Chinese automakers are going all-in on the latest tech. Can that spell trouble for American auto manufacturers? Listen to learn about BYD's self-driving technology on nearly all its cars, while XPENG has introduced the P7+, the world's first AI-defined vehicle.
While technology has a significant role to play when it comes to tackling climate change, its not enough. We will also need to utilize the natural systems that are already in place. A McKinsey & Company white paper explains what they are and the importance of their impact.
Spring training. The time of year where hope springs eternal and Americans prepare to enjoy that favorite pastime known as Major League Baseball. But there are changes a foot – a change that will see robot umps calling balls and strikes during major league spring training games. Is NOTHING sacred?
With the evolution of all the new technology that is around us on a daily basis, it would come as no surprise that the US electricity system is changing rapidly. An important driver of this change is the growing deployment of distributed energy resources. Referred to in the industry as DERs, they include a diverse set of technologies, such as distributed rooftop solar systems, community solar systems, distributed wind systems, electric vehicle charging equipment and battery energy storage. Now, ...
In Massachusetts, new state requirements on the sale of new electric medium and heavy duty trucks has the industry in an uproar. There is a lack of EV truck charging infrastructure in the state and truck sellers have to sell a certain amount of EV trucks before they can even think about selling a diesel. The result? Buyer who want to buy and sellers that want to sell, but regulations are currently preventing that from happening.
Agricultural field work, processing plants, construction, hospitality services – most of this work has been done by immigrants, often because employers are unable to attract Americans to the jobs. What happens when they are gone?
Recent actions by the administration to freeze funds may impact the ability of the Colorado River to deliver water to over 40 million people in seven states. As we have reported over the years, the River is a lifeline to ranches, farms and population centers alike. Climate change has been drying up the flow and several years ago, a level one water emergency was declared – forcing the many stakeholders to the table in order to renegotiate water rights for less water than they were currently entit...
The Nissan Rogue is a compact crossover SUV that is the automaker’s best-selling vehicle in the United States. The Rogue was first unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2007. The third and current generation of the Rogue debuted in September 2020 for the 2021 model year. The Nissan crossover SUV received a freshening for 2024 that included resigned front and rear fascias. The interior got a 12.3 inch infotainment touchscreen with Google Built-In....
After years of spending billions of dollars toward the development, engineering and manufacturing of EVs, several EV manufacturer have started to earn more than the EV's cost to make.
Norwegian robotics firm 1X recently unveiled its latest home robot, Neo Gamma which will replace Neo Beta that debuted last August. 1X joins Tesla, Honda, Toyota, and a handful of other companies that have or currently are developing humanoid robots for home or factory applications.
Collectible cars have inspired generations of enthusiasts and collectors. Their growing appeal (even today!) translates into new opportunities along the entire automotive value chain. Sounds like a way to cash in to me.
