Category:

Electric Car

Major Automotive Suppliers Pooh Pooh Electric Cars

We read it everywhere, from remarks by Elon Musk to predictions by industry observers — the tipping point between cars with gas tanks and those with batteries is already upon us, now that the Tesla Model 3 is here. From this point forward, electric cars will rapidly replace their gas guzzling siblings. Several nations such as India and Germany are talking about banning cars with internal combustion engines within 15 years.

Suppliers Skeptical

“Bollocks,” say executives at several of the largest suppliers to the auto industry. “There’s a lot of buzz and a lot of talk about how the world’s going to change to electrified vehicles overnight, and I’m here to tell you it’s not going to happen overnight, and it’s not going to happen for decades,” David Dauch, CEO of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings told those attending a conference sponsored by JPMorgan in New York last week. “I’m a strong believer in the internal combustion engine. I think it’s going to continue to be here for some time.”

August 12, 2017 11 comments

Tesla Model 3 Touch Screen Simulator, Pre-Launch Party Pep Talk

written by Steve Hanley

The one feature that dominates the interior of the Tesla Model 3 is its unique horizontal touchscreen. All the car’s controls from heating and ventilation to regen braking and steering settings is controlled from that one screen. There is no separate instrument cluster. The driver’s speed, route, energy usage, musical selections, and Autopilot settings are all displayed on that one screen.

Way Cool Model 3 Touchscreen Simulator

Obviously, it is going to take people a while to adapt to the new ultra-modern, highly simplified interior design. Customers may have to wait a year or more for their car to be built, but thanks to Andrew Goodlad, whose Twitter handle is @Ichorus, they can hone their Model 3 driving skills on an online simulator that is the closest thing yet to a real Model 3 touchscreen.

Goodlad used Invision to create his simulator. The source of his inspiration came solely from various videos of the Model 3 interior he was able to find online. He says his simulator is a great opportunity to “play around” with the touchscreen owners will find when their own Model 3 finally lands in their driveway.

August 10, 2017 0 comment

Tesla Using New 2170 Battery Cells To Power Model 3

written by Steve Hanley

This story about the Tesla Model 3 battery was originally published on EV Obsession

Until recently, Tesla has used 18650 lithium ion battery cells exclusively to power its two electric car models, the Model S sedan and Model X SUV. The nomenclature means each cell is 18 millimeters in diameter and 65 millimeters in length — just slightly larger than a standard AA battery.

Basically, a lithium ion battery has three components — an anode where lithium ions collect during charging, a cathode that sends electrons to an electric motor, and a chemical soup in between that allows the ions to transfer back and forth between the two.

Model S and Model X Battery Configuration

In the company’s 85 and 90 kWh batteries, there are 16 battery packs containing 444 cells each. For its 100 kWh batteries, Tesla reconfigured the cooling system so it could fit 516 cells into each of the 16 packs for a total of 8,256 cells.

August 9, 2017 13 comments

Picking The Right Electric Car Charger For Your Home

written by Steve Hanley

The folks at Consumer Reports are very good at offering people good, practical advice. Whether the issues is which vacuum cleaner is best for homes with long haired pets like Golden Retrievers or the best electric car charger to buy, CR can be relied upon to do the research people need to make informed decisions that are right for them.

As more and more electric cars come to market, many people considering buying an electric car are curious about whether they need to install charging equipment at home. The answer, according to Consumer Reports, is “It depends.”

August 7, 2017 7 comments

Faraday Future Still Has A Pulse, Sort Of….

written by Steve Hanley

Reports of the demise of Faraday Future are premature, apparently. Word out of California is that the company has secured an emergency $14 million loan from some Wall Street investors. The company has pledged its Los Angeles headquarters as collateral for the loan.

Among other things, the money will be used to help pay the lease on a former Pirelli factory located about 200 miles north of LA. Faraday Future plans to begin moving in and making the factory ready for production again beginning early in 2018 according to company sources. PIrelli stopped operations there in 2001.

August 7, 2017 1 comment

Mazda And Toyota Form Strategic Alliance With An Eye On Electric Cars

written by Steve Hanley

Mazda and Toyota have announced a financial partnership. Toyota will take a 5% stake in the smaller company and Mazda will obtain a 0.25% stake in Toyota as a result of the deal. The two companies plan to construct and jointly operate a new manufacturing facility in the United States at an undisclosed location. The new factory will make Toyota Corollas, a new Mazda crossover SUV, and possibly an electric car at some point in the future.

Production at the new factory, which will cost $1.6 billion and employ an estimated 5,000 workers is slated to begin in 2021. It will have a maximum capacity of 300,000 vehicles a year. The news is a bit surprising, given that sedan sales are plummeting in the US market but Mazda could benefit greatly from the deal. It currently has no manufacturing facility in the US.

Mazda lacks the development budget needed to create electric cars on its own and could benefit greatly from Toyota’s massive R&D resources. Until this point, Mazda has been content to focus on new ways to squeeze more miles per gallon out of internal combustion engines with fewer exhaust emissions, but that strategy will only take the company so far. It will need electric cars in order to compete with other manufacturers in coming years.

There are political and strategic considerations to the arrangement as well. Mazda enjoys an excellent reputation for building reliable cars. It could be a tasty takeover target for some tech company that wants to jump into the electric car game and needs a production facility ASAP. Mazda has just such a factory in Mexico.

“For a technology company which lacks the expertise in making cars, Mazda could look like a very interesting acquisition. They’re very good, they’re not too expensive. Maybe Toyota realizes this,” says CLSA managing director Chris Richter. “By buying a 5 percent stake, Toyota takes Mazda off the table rather than having it sit out there like a free agent which could someday be used against them.”

For its part, Toyota has just built a new $1 billion factory in Mexico, but is eyeing the maelstrom taking place in the White House with anxiety. It was planning to build Corollas at the new factory but now says it will manufacture its Tacoma pickup trucks there instead and use the new US factory for its Corolla line.

Toyota has forged alliances with other Japanese car makers. It owns 16.5% of Subaru and is about to partner with Suzuki to take advantage of that company’s expertise in Asian sales. It has spent a lot of money on fuel cell development but now seems to realize it risks being left at the altar if it does not jump into the electric vehicle mix soon.

The Corolla was also jointly produced with General Motors back in the 1980’s and 1990’s. The two companies were partners in the NUMMI factory in Fremont, California that eventually became the manufacturing location for Tesla Motors. The Toyota Corolla has survived for more than 50 years in one form or another, proving just how tenacious gasoline powered vehicles can be. ‘

Source: Reuters

August 4, 2017 3 comments

New Fueling US Forward Video Warns Of Danger From EV Subsidies

written by Steve Hanley

Fueling US Forward is a front group for the Koch Brothers. Its mission is to promote the use of fossil fuels so its masters can get even wealthier and continue their quest to buy the entire US government.

A few weeks ago, it released a video that does a hatchet job on electric cars, suggesting that they pollute the environment far more than conventional cars could ever do. It went on to claim EVs endanger the health of poor black children in Africa who are forced to eke out a subsistence living by digging cobalt from the ground with their hands.

Now it is back with Round Two in its campaign of lies and deception. This time, the video tries to create class warfare by suggesting that government subsidies for electric vehicles are a giveaway to rich people that leaves middle class and poor Americans holding the bag.

Could two of the wealthiest people in the world be any more two faced in their quest for more money? The direct and indirect subsidies provided by governments worldwide to the fossil fuel industry amount to more than $5 trillion dollars a year, according to the International Monetary Fund. That’s more than $10 million per minute.

That’s perfectly OK with Charles and David Koch, though, because greed is good. Gordon Gecko said so. But let someone get a $7,500 tax credit for purchasing an electric car and it’s “The sky is falling, we must run and tell the king!” time for the Kochs. Mustn’t let anyone else get a piece of our pie. We want it all for ourselves.

When you watch this video, jot down a list of the lies you find and share them with us in the comments section. Then keep that list in mind when the next election rolls around. Because the same people who caused this video to be created own the majority of Republicans in Congress, virtually all of the #FakePresident’s cabinet, and good chunk of the judiciary. Not to mention the majority of governors in the US.

Their greed knows no limitations, no boundaries, and no restraints. The only thing that can restrain them is the power of the ballot box. The party line from Koch Industries and the dozens of fake institutes they fund is that government should not pick winners and losers in business. Yet government has conspired with them to help them amass their nearly limitless wealth, a fact they hope you will conveniently overlook.

August 4, 2017 14 comments

Tesla Model Y Coming Sooner Than Expected, Will Feature Falcon Wing Doors

written by Steve Hanley

Showing off a rare but refreshing sense of humility, Elon Musk told the world during the Tesla Q2 earnings call that the Model Y SUV intended to complete the company’s passenger car lineup will be based largely on the Model 3 and will feature a variation of the falcon-wing doors that are a hallmark of the Model X.

Just a short time ago, Musk told people the Model Y would be built on its unique chassis in a new factory. With this latest announcement, that has changed. “Upon the counsel of my executive team to reel me back from the cliffs of insanity, the Model Y will, in fact, be using substantial carryover from Model 3 in order to bring it to market faster,” Musk said during the call. He offered no additional input as to where the Model Y might be built.

August 3, 2017 10 comments

Spy Shots Of Next Generation Nissan LEAF Appear Online

written by Steve Hanley

On paper, the second generation Nissan LEAF should be a big step up from the current car, which has been soldiering along in the marketplace for more than 5 years virtually unchanged. What was a pretty good electric car in 2012 is now hopelessly outdated. Anyone who thinks electric cars are not progressing very fast only needs to compare the existing LEAF to the Tesla Model 3. One is light years ahead of the other.

The Chevy Volt is already two years into its second generation but the updated LEAF won’t be here until September. The reports are that it will a much improved car, with longer range, more connectivity, and the availability of Nissan’s latest PROPilot Level 2 autonomous driving software. That’s all well and good, but what will it look like?

August 1, 2017 12 comments

Motor Trend Pours Love On Tesla Model 3

written by Zachary Shahan

This story about the Tesla Model 3 was first published on CleanTechnica

Well, Motor Trend’s fairly early and outspoken love for the Tesla Model S certainly hasn’t hurt its Tesla test drive opportunities. The mainstream auto magazine got yet another super exclusive opportunity to test out the Model 3, this time 36 hours before the final reveal last night.

The entire article may be worth your time to read. I have to admit that I found it a little verbose and flowery for my own taste, but just heading over there to check out the photos is a must. Additionally, there were 4 gems in the article that I found super interesting. They almost seemed hidden in the bushes of the overall story and in the midst of all the details we learned from Tesla in the past 24 hours, so I wanted to pull them out for stronger highlighting, discussion, and future reference.

1. The Model 3 Feels More Spacious Than You’d Expect

“Tesla worked hard to increase interior space, and subjectively it succeeded. For a compact car, the Model 3 feels incredibly light and airy,” Motor Trend Testing Director Kim Reynolds wrote.

This surprisingly light & airy feel is something that I find keeps popping up with electric vehicles designed electric from the ground up, not just the Model 3. This is a highlight of the BMW i3 that we discussed at length in a recent #Electrifying webinar.

When it comes to the Model 3, this is something we also got a hint of from the EV Annex boys last year at the first Model 3 unveiling, and again today during our latest #Electrifying webinar. However, it’s nice to see it confirmed and emphasized by another source — and one that has presumably had the most time with the Tesla Model 3 outside of Tesla’s staff.

As Matt Pressman hinted today and I think Elon hinted last night, the back seats of the Model 3 may even feel more spacious and open than the back seats of the Model S, thanks in part to that supersplendulous windshield it stole from the Model X.

2. Slickest Freakin’ Air Vents In The Business

“Interior air (from subtle vents) is aimed by moving spots around on the display, even dividing the airflow to send it past each ear.”

I imagine this may seem like a small thing to many people, but think about it: how many times have you been irritated by the annoying, undesired direction an air vent was blowing? How many times have you or someone else just not been able to get the air flowing in an ideal way for all the car’s passengers? HOw many times has an air vent blasted you in the eye like a Super Soaker?

This “small” improvement in the Model 3, if it’s as it sounds from Motor Trend‘s reporting, is one of those little things that make Tesla just that much better than the luxury car competition. This is actually one of the things I’m most excited to play with when I finally get my hands on a Model 3!

3. The Frunk, Conceptualized

“Up front, the frunk is precisely sized to hold a carry-on suitcase. ‘If it’s too big here,’ Franz says, ‘you’re going to have to check it.’”

How big the frunk actually is, what it can fit, and what it’s ideal for carrying are all questions that frequently pop into people’s heads and out of their mouths. This description from Kim Reynolds (er, from Franz von Holtzhausen) is super useful for answering those questions. It would also be cool if this claim was legitimately correct — it would be awesome to get into a kerfuffle with a Ryanair suitcase Nazi and be able to tell them, “Nah, you’re wrong, it fit in my frunk.” (You Europeans know what I’m talkin’ about.)

4. Incomparable Driving Experience — A New Era

“What’s blanching, though, is the car’s ride and handling. If anybody was expecting a typical boring electric sedan here, nope. The ride is Alfa Giulia (maybe even Quadrifoglio)–firm, and quickly, I’m carving Stunt Road like a Sochi Olympics giant slalomer, micrometering my swipes at the apexes. I glance at Franz—this OK? “Go for it,” he nods. The Model 3 is so unexpected scalpel-like, I’m sputtering for adjectives. The steering ratio is quick, the effort is light (for me), but there’s enough light tremble against your fingers to hear the cornering negotiations between Stunt Road and these 235/40R19 tires (Continental ProContact RX m+s’s). And to mention body roll is to have already said too much about it. Sure, that battery is low, way down under the floor. But unlike the aluminum Model S, the Tesla Model 3 is composed of steel, too, and this car’s glass ceiling can’t be helping the center of gravity’s height. Nearly-nil body roll? Magic, I’m telling you. Magic. And this is the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive starting point. The already boggled mind boggles further at the mention of Dual Motor and Ludicrous.”

Yeah … ’nuff said.

Though, Reynolds also added a note about the car he drove away after the Model 3 was gone:

“By happenstance, associate road test editor Erick Ayapana had penciled me into a 2.0-liter Alfa Romeo Giulia to get here, and it feels like a wet sponge by comparison.”

All images via Tesla

July 30, 2017 7 comments

Here At Last. Here At Last. The Tesla Model 3 Is Here At Last

written by Kyle Field

This article was written by Kyle Field and published previously at our sister site, CleanTechnica.

At the Tesla Model 3 production vehicle reveal tonight, Tesla shared the official pricing and range of the two versions of the Model 3 initially available to customers. It will come in “Standard” at the base $35,000 price tag, which will feature 220 miles of range. The Standard trim is no slouch and will speed along from 0–60 mph in a mere 5.6 seconds, up to a top speed of 130 miles per hour.

For those with deeper pockets, a “Long Range” model will also be available for an extra $9,000. This trim buys another 90 miles of range for a total of 310 miles of all-electric range. The larger battery pack also means more power can be extracted at one time, resulting in a lower 0–60 mph time of just 5.1 seconds, up to a top speed of 140 miles per hour. These specs were visible from the live webcast that was streamed from Tesla’s homepage at tesla.com.

Some Model 3 specs …. pic.twitter.com/QXtwlvQPzN

— Bonnie Norman (@bonnienorman) July 29, 2017

The specs aren’t going to get any performance nuts overly excited, but they are confirmation that Tesla will deliver a Model 3 with over 300 miles of range at a much lower price point than Model S.

Elon’s mention of a Ludicrous version of Model 3 is yet to be confirmed, with no news of a performance or Ludicrous upgrade option at this point. In fact, no options were confirmed — though, a variety of exterior colors and rim types were visible in the 40 or 50 Model 3s parked next to the stage.

The 310 mile Long Range Model 3 creates another niche market between the base Model 3 and the Model S pricing bracket for buyers who just want a long-range electric vehicle but don’t necessarily need the larger footprint or larger dent in the wallet that comes with Model S. The Long Range Model 3 does, understandably, come with a weight penalty of 265 pounds for the weight of the additional batteries.

The event was underwhelming if anything and under-delivered in terms of the details we were expecting to see, but that was all put to rest as Tesla updated the specs on its website just a few minutes after the event closed. Immediately below are the top-line options, with the full specs on Model 3 at the bottom.

Long Range Battery — $9,000
Premium Paint Colors — $1,000 (Midnight Silver Metallic, Deep Blue Metallic, Silver Metallic, Pearl White Multi-Coat, Red Multi-Coat)
19″ Sport Rims — $1,500
Premium Upgrades Package — $5,000
- Premium heated seating and cabin materials throughout
- 12-way, power adjustable front seats, steering column and side mirrors
- Premium audio system with more power, tweeters, surround speakers and subwoofer
- Tinted glass roof with ultraviolet and infrared protection
- Auto dimming, power folding, heated side mirrors
- LED fog lamps
- Center console with covered storage and docking for two smartphones
Enhanced Autopilot — $5,000
Full Self-Driving Capability — $3,000 (requires Enhanced Autopilot)

Model 3

Model 3 is a smaller, simpler, and a more affordable electric car. Designed and built as the world’s first truly mass-market electric vehicle, it is a critical step in Tesla’s mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.

Like every Tesla vehicle, Model 3 combines range, performance, safety, and technology. Intelligent design maximizes interior space to comfortably fit 5 adults and all of their gear. The high-efficiency powertrain provides zero to 60 mph acceleration in as little as 5.1 seconds.

Model 3 is designed to achieve the highest safety ratings in every category. Combined with 220^* to 310 miles of range and a starting price of $35,000 before incentives, Model 3 is Tesla’s most affordable vehicle yet.

Model 3 is currently in production, and deliveries to employee reservation holders began on July 28, 2017, at the Tesla Factory in Fremont, CA. Reservations for Model 3 first opened on March 31, 2016, and remain available today.

^* EPA estimated range

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Price — $35,000

Standard Battery

Range: 220 miles (EPA estimated)
Supercharging rate: 130 miles of range per 30 minutes
Home charging rate: 30 miles of range per hour (240V outlet, 32A)
Deliveries begin: Fall 2017

Performance

0–60 mph: 5.6 seconds
Top speed: 130 mph

Interior

15” touchscreen display
Dual zone climate control system
FM/Internet streaming radio
Textile seating
Front center console with open storage and two USB ports

Convenience

Onboard maps and navigation
Wi-Fi and LTE internet connectivity
Keyless entry and remote climate control using the Tesla app
Voice-activated controls
Bluetooth hands-free calling and media streaming
60/40 split folding rear seat to maximize cargo options
Back-up camera
Auto dimming rear-view mirror
One-touch power windows throughout
Power-adjustable side mirrors
12-volt power outlet

Safety

Full LED exterior lighting
Eight cameras, forward radar and twelve ultrasonic sensors enabling active safety technologies including collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking
Six front row and two side curtain airbags
Three-point safety belts with belt-reminders for driver and four passengers
Two LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) attachments in second row
Electronic stability and traction control
Four-wheel antilock disc brakes with electronic parking brake
Child safety locks
Anti-theft alarm system
Tire pressure monitoring system

Warranty

Vehicle: 4 year, 50,000 mile limited warranty
Battery warranty: 8 year, 100,000 mile (120,000 mile with Long Range Battery)

OPTIONS

Long Range Battery — $9,000

Range: 310 miles
Supercharging rate: 170 miles of range per 30 minutes
Home charging rate: 37 miles of range per hour (240V outlet, 40A)
0-60 mph: 5.1 seconds
Top speed: 140 mph
Deliveries begin: July 2017

Paint

Solid Black: Standard
Midnight Silver Metallic: $1,000
Deep Blue Metallic: $1,000
Silver Metallic: $1,000
Pearl White Multi-Coat: $1,000
Red Multi-Coat: $1,000

Wheels

18” Aero: Standard
19” Sport: $1,500

Premium Upgrades Package — $5,000
Upgraded interior with additional features and premium materials.

Premium heated seating and cabin materials throughout, including open pore wood décor and two rear USBs
12-way, power adjustable front seats, steering column and side mirrors, with custom driver profiles
Premium audio system with more power, tweeters, surround speakers and subwoofer
Tinted glass roof with ultraviolet and infrared protection
Auto dimming, power folding, heated side mirrors
LED fog lamps
Center console with covered storage and docking for two smartphones

Enhanced Autopilot — $5,000
Model 3 will match speed to traffic conditions, keep within a lane, automatically change lanes, transition from one freeway to another, exit the freeway and self-park at your destination.

Additional features will roll out over time through software updates.

Full Self-Driving Capability — $3,000 (requires Enhanced Autopilot)
In the future, Model 3 will be capable of conducting trips with no action required by the person in the driver’s seat.

This feature is dependent upon extensive software validation and regulatory approval, which may vary by jurisdiction.

VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions & Weight

Length: 184.8”
Width: 72.8” (76.1” with mirrors folded)
Height: 56.8”
Wheelbase: 113.2”
Track (wheel center): 62.2” front and rear
Ground clearance: 5.5”
Head room, standard: 39.6” front row, 37.7” second row
Head room, glass roof: 40.3” front row, 37.7” second row
Leg room: 42.7” front row, 35.2” second row
Shoulder room: 56.3” front row, 54.0” second row
Hip room: 53.4” front row, 52.4” second row
Seating capacity: 5 adults
Luggage capacity: 15 cubic feet
Curb weight:
- 3549 lbs. (Model 3)
- 3814 lbs. (Model 3 Long Range)
Weight distribution:
- 47% front, 53% rear (Model 3)
- 48% front, 52% rear (Model 3 Long Range)

Body

Hybrid steel/aluminum body
Drag coefficient of 0.23

Chassis

Double wishbone, virtual steer axis front suspension with coil over twin-tube shock absorbers and stabilizer bar
Independent multi-link rear suspension with twin-tube shock absorbers and stabilizer bar
Variable ratio, speed sensitive electronic power steering
Electromechanically boosted four wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution
18” Aero or 19” Sport wheels with all-season tires

Standard Accessories

240 volt NEMA 14-50 adapter
120 volt NEMA 5-15 adapter
J1772 public charging adapter
20 foot mobile connector with storage bag

Production Projection

On its website, Tesla has added the following graphic and information about the production schedule it expects to follow for the Model 3 and any additional options it adds to it in the future.

July 29, 2017 5 comments

CEO Of Royal Dutch Shell Says His Next Car Will Be A Plug-in Hybrid

written by Steve Hanley

Ben Van Beurden, chief executive officer of Royal Dutch Shell, one of the largest oil companies in the world, says when he gets a new car this September it will be a Mercedes S Class 500e, a plug-in hybrid with a 13.3 kWh battery and an all electric range of about 19 miles. Some of you will be laughing up your sleeves at this news. 19 miles of range? That hardly qualifies as an electric car at all! Hold you criticism for a minute and hear what Van Beurden has to say about his decision.

Van Beurden’s current car is a diesel, so switching to a plug-in is pretty big news. But he isn’t alone in the C suite at Shell. CFO Jessica Uhl already drives a BMW i3 electric car. “The whole move to electrify the economy, electrify mobility in places like northwest Europe, in the U.S., even in China, is a good thing. We need to be at a much higher degree of electric vehicle penetration — or hydrogen vehicles or gas vehicles — if we want to stay within the 2 degrees Celsius outcome.”

July 28, 2017 0 comment

New Video Attacking Electric Cars Is Koch Brothers Propaganda

written by Steve Hanley

This article about a new video sponsored by the Koch Brothers that attacks electric cars was first published on CleanTechnica

Not content to push America toward fascism and line their pockets with cash from fossil fuel enterprises that negatively affect the health of millions, the deadly duo of Charles and David Koch have reached down from the executive suite to order up a video designed to paint electric cars as evil, death-dealing machines. It must be fun to have so much money that you can subvert entire governments with devious schemes to make even more money.

Watch this latest video from the Koch-funded front group Fueling U.S. Forward, which has as its motto, “Discover the value and potential of fossil fuels.” Feel free to jot down the lies you can find as you go through this professionally prepared experiment in thought control. Feel free to share your list with others in the comments section.

The brainiacs behind this hatchet job are just a small piece of the vast Koch Industries empire, which has created a dizzying array of think tanks, institutes, research organizations, and shell corporations designed to do one thing and one thing only — make Charles and David Koch richer by stomping out any and all opposition to their business empire. Several of those organizations have played a major role in the attack on climate science over the past 20 years.

Thanks to their willingness to make graft legal, they have subverted much of the federal, state, and local governments in America so that they are stocked with pliable politicians anxious to do the Koch brothers’ bidding. Thanks to them and other like-minded individuals, we have Citizens United; extremists like James Inhofe, Scott Pruitt, and Kris Kobach; and a US Congress falling all over itself to repeal the Affordable Care Act so that the uber wealthy can get a multi-billion-dollar tax cut — even if it means tens of millions of Americans will lose their health coverage.

July 28, 2017 15 comments

Mercedes Will Bid Farewell To DTM Racing To Pursue Formula E

written by Steve Hanley

DTM racing is to Germans what NASCAR is to Americans. It is what V-8 SuperCars racing is to Australians. In other words, it’s a really, really big deal. The idea of a German manufacturer not taking part in DTM sedan racing competition is unthinkable. Mercedes has been one of those manufacturers since 2000. But after 2018, it will quit the series and go electric open wheel racing in Formula E instead.

“Our years in the DTM will always be held high as a major chapter in the motorsport history of Mercedes,” said Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff. “I want to thank every team member whose fantastic work has helped to make Mercedes-Benz the most successful DTM manufacturer during that time. Although leaving is tough for all of us, we will be doing everything during this season and next to make sure we win as many DTM titles as possible before we go. We owe that to our fans and to ourselves.”

July 25, 2017 0 comment