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Photos Courtesy Mini USA
By Al Castro Nov 13 2018 - 8:28pm

What’s Going on With Mini Cooper? Is the Little Britmobile Still With Us or Not?

BMW recently announced in a cost cutting measure that it will move all Mini stores from stand alone brick and mortar locations into BMW house branded retailers. But the reasoning behind the move signifies what’s wrong with the car industry. Mini isn’t selling not just because of crossovermania, but because BMW missed opportunities to electrify the brand earlier that could’ve turned Mini fans and potential EV consumers on sooner to car electrification. Now Americans don't want them at all, or like they used to.
Once known as ID Buzz, this car is now called Neo, the entry level People’s Electric Car.
By Al Castro Nov 12 2018 - 11:08am

The People’s First Electric Car: Operation Polaris and VW’s Plan to Make $21,000 BEV VW Neo the Car to Beat Tesla Before Tesla Corners the BEV Market

As Tesla Corporation completes its plans to corner the BEV market with a nearly complete vehicle portfolio, VW Group launches Operation Polaris, a plan to beat Tesla at the same game VW invented before Tesla uses that same VW book to saturate it. While Tesla uses VW’s rulebook to reduce the cost of a cheaper Model 3, VW tries to outflank Tesla by throwing that same book back at them to launch production on such a massive D Day scale for their first ID electric car to try to drown out Tesla.
Headquarters at Dearborn for Ford, Wolfsburg for VW Group, and the brands they sell.
By Al Castro Nov 9 2018 - 4:30pm

The VW and Ford “Collaboration:” In Light of DaimlerChrysler, VW Group ain’t no Mercedes, and Ford ain’t no K-Car, Okay?

There are two powerful entities on Earth, VW Group and Ford, that are now looking to (ahem) “work more closely together” in areas where they can help each other most. Daimler and FCA, the two divorcées of another kind of Germanic-Americano relationship long ago, are mutual friends of both the Fords and VWs, and they send their regards to wish them both well. I explain why.
The 2019 eCOPO Camaro presented at 2018 SEMA
By Al Castro Nov 5 2018 - 8:16am

The 2019 eCOPO BEV Camaro Race Car Concept: the Pony All Electric Both GM and Ford Should’ve Been Making by Now

In my frustrating effort to keep pushing the movement toward full electric cars, I often get frustrated by the lack of enthusiasm and missed steps the legacy car makers have taken. If they really were enthused and eager to adapt to electric cars, they would have an all electric option for both their halo sports and pony cars. They don’t. Still. With lackluster Camaro sales, Chevy needs a “comeback kid” car. The eCOPO Camaro is it.
The UK Built Swedish Uniti One credit Uniti Media Package
By Al Castro Nov 1 2018 - 3:56pm

The 2020 UK Built Swedish Uniti One Electric Mini “Smart Phone Car” Debuts Now to Ramp Up Production Late 2019 to Early 2020

While Tesla takes care of the other high end of the electric vehicle market with Models S, 3, X, and soon Y and U, Uniti, the Swedish electric car startup maker is trying to find an angle on the opposite end by soon shortly putting an unorthodox 2 seat high tech and feature rich micro BEV into production. This car will be a hit in the EU, India, and Brazil no doubt, but in NA? Hmm. Well I hope so.
Pictures of Tesla Model Range, Model Y Reveal, Model U pickup render (TruckTrend), and Roadster 2
By Al Castro Oct 30 2018 - 2:17pm

With Company History Making Record Productivity and Profits and Four New Vehicles Coming, Tesla Must Turn the Page and Forge Ahead

Tesla always seems to have side distractions they can never shake off, mostly originating from their mercurial CEO. But with both record profits and productivity, Tesla mustn’t destroy momentum to seize the moment and not be distracted by FBI investigations or stock fluctuations. They have four upcoming vehicles that will help them corner the electric car market at least for a while, and they need to capitalize on that.
All photos from either ChargePoint, Tesla, Electrify America, US DOE, or Porsche Media sites
By Al Castro Oct 26 2018 - 4:50am

Attention Electric Car Owners: Here’s an Update on Choices for EV Public Charging Options

One of the most frustrating things about owning an electric car is missing the easy dynamic once had by going to a gas station to refuel. As electric cars proliferate and investment money is spent, however, more and newer options, either now or coming on the horizon, will make public charging easier, and in a few cases, even for free.
The Bollinger B2 Pickup Truck as Introduced by Bolliger on Their Website
By Al Castro Oct 18 2018 - 3:51am

Bollinger Adds 1 Ton Dedicated B2 Pickup Truck to its LineUp: B1 Converts to a Pickup but the Newly Added B2 is all 100% Pickup

In a strategy to keep them viable in what definitely will be an intensely competitive pickup truck market with the addition of several electrics by several makers, Bollinger Motors adds a sole purposed dedicated 1 ton Pickup truck based on its SUT it plans to put into production late next year, early 2020.
airbag installation
By Marc Stern Oct 17 2018 - 12:34am

Car Thieves Target New Item; Not Radios Or Infotainment Systems, Just Airbags

As the Takata airbag recall, keeps on keeping on, thieves are targeting something new, the airbags themselves. For a frustrated car owner who has been waiting and waiting for a replacement airbag, this type of airbag may be just what the doctor ordered, though, admittedly there are ethical questions.
Audi 2015 TDI
By Marc Stern Oct 16 2018 - 10:32pm

VW Hit With Another Billion Euro Penalty As Dieselgate Goes On

Once again, the Dieselgate scandal reared its smoking head as VW was hit with another near-billion-euro fine in Germany. Though it is nearly over in the U.S., the emissions scandal is alive, well, and living in Europe where at least three jurisdictions are studying more fines. Plus, VW faces a near-$10 billion euro stockholders suit.
The 2019 Jaguar i-Pace ins and outs.
By Al Castro Oct 15 2018 - 2:55pm

2019 Jaguar i-Pace Year 2 Review: Continuing the British BEV Response to Tesla Amongst a Beginning German BEV Onslaught

Four years in the making and now its second year of production, the first European full production full electric response to Tesla is a British SUV already on its way in Jaguar fashion toward iconic status. If this represents the latest theater of battle in the cultural British invasion of America between David Beckham, tea and toast, the Mini, Elton John, James Bond, Range Rover, fish and chips, the BBC, Duran Duran, Bentley, the Beatles and so forth, then bring it on!
Bugatti Chiron and Divo
By Marc Stern Oct 8 2018 - 11:27am

If You Have Wanted A Bugatti SUV, You May Soon Have One

For the last couple of years -- okay, it seems like that long -- Bugatti has been hinting that it would be building an SUV. However, any comments in that direction were just left hanging in mid-air as the commenter moved on to other topics. Now, though, it looks a little more likely. But -- there's always a but -- it will only come if VW (Bugatti's parent) can find the bucks to do the job.
The Bollinger B1 BEV SUT 2 and 4 door interior exterior
By Al Castro Oct 4 2018 - 9:24pm

Bollinger B1 Electric SUT: With a New Glass Panel Roof Design it’s Ready for Open Air and Production Ramp Up

Bollinger Motors recently made changes to the B1 with their newly added four door sport utility BEV SUT truck variant that gives the truck a roll cage structure with the doors off if the driver wishes to modify. The removable glass panel roof are just some of the unique features the B1 engineers thought out to make design and production of the B1 as simple and easy as possible to get it ready for soon upcoming production.
The Different Faces of Jon Hall Stopped by Police over His Model 3 Screen
By Al Castro Oct 2 2018 - 4:10pm

Cop Pulls Over Model 3 for Giant Screen: Here’s the Do’s and Don’ts

OPINION: As the Tesla Model 3 becomes less of an exotic out in the American wilderness to soon become a common domesticated pet, its oddness will continue to stick out while its familiarity will acquaint the many verses the few. Until then getting stopped by police for a giant screen on your dash should not shock everyone. Here’s what the do’s and don’ts are of getting stopped by police while we give the cops time and patience, please, thank you, to wrap their heads around it.
DSRC devices on a sign post and car roof, DSRC V2X traffic signal, and V2X cars and a scooter
By Al Castro Oct 1 2018 - 5:41am

The Car Language Dilemma of Radio-Based DSRC v. Cellular Based V2X: VHS or Betamax? 100 Years Ago: Gas or Electric Car?

Which shall it be? Betamax or VHS? Although fully driverless autonomous cars are years and miles away, as we get there shortly, cars need to learn now, how to communicate to each other as they robotize. But car makers are battling each other over older radio DSRC v. the newer cellular V2X, and the debate, like American politics, is getting intense. It’s the same kind of moment we went through when deciding which video platform to use 40 years ago, even 100 years ago which kind of car, gas or electric?
Tesla Model 3 car carrier trailer makes its way on the Hollywood Freeway loaded with Model 3’s for delivery.
By Al Castro Sep 28 2018 - 6:14pm

From The Production Hell to Logistics Hell: the Model 3 Car Carrier Crisis During Rush Week

It seems Tesla Corporation has another crisis at hand that they seem able to, in the end, solve one way or another, their way of course, and this time in the opposite of extremes. They are up to their necks with Model 3’s all around them that they can’t deliver them to customers on time. Actually because of either apparent poor planning or lack of a good relationship with several transportation companies to plan ahead, Tesla fabricates its own car carriers so they can ship their inventory.
2020 Lucid Air Sedan Interior/Exterior
By Al Castro Sep 27 2018 - 1:49pm

Lucid Motors: Charged Up, “Funding Secured,” and Getting Ready to Make Air: the EV Car Company Lines Up its Ducks Quietly

After not being able to meet a target production date this year due to evaporated funding, Lucid Motors recently did all the things it needed to do to ensure it can meet its next target production date for its first car by 2020. And unlike other electric car companies, it did it quietly without much fanfare.
3 Generations of Cadillac US Presential State Cars Back to the GW Bush Adminstration
By Al Castro Sep 26 2018 - 12:18am

The US President’s New State Car is Late for Duty Since Inauguration but Hasn’t Missed Much Action

The President of the United States took delivery in New York City recently of the first of twelve “one-off” handbuilt vehicles which will routinely switch off to be designated the US Presidential State Car, Cadillac One, “the Beast.” Expected to be delivered for his inauguration two years ago, no explanation for why it was apparently late. But with no noteable Secret Service action required lately, its absence wasn’t apparently missed.
Array of BEV and PHEV cars from Tesla, Chevy, and Sono Motors
By Al Castro Sep 24 2018 - 11:31am

EV’s On California HOV Lanes: Where All Plug-Ins are not the Same

ANALYSIS AND OPINION: One of the fringe benefits of golden state citizenry is you get exemption from occupancy rules on California HOV lanes if you drive some kind of electric plug-in. But lately too many single occupant cars are clogging up the lane. They need to narrow the criteria. They started by asking WHO should be allowed access? Instead, maybe Californians need to start a national conversation with a reset to ask exactly: WHAT KIND OF ELECTRIC CAR should have access?
Peugeot e-LEGEND Concept Coupe Paris Auto Show 2018
By Al Castro Sep 21 2018 - 7:58pm

Peugeot Le Camáro Mustángue: Peugeot Unveils Possibly the First Non-U.S. Euro Pony Car to Take On Mustang and Camaro

In a segment that was once considered exclusive to Americans only, that no foreign pedigree need apply, the French automaker in a bold and daring attempt to go where no foreign car maker has gone before, produces a concept in electric form with a warning to Ford and Chevrolet, that there’s a weakness with their own muscle pony cars, and Peugeot is ready to take advantage it, in the electric car market.
Chrysler Portal Minivan Concept Replaces the Chrysler 300
By Al Castro Sep 21 2018 - 8:58am

Rumors Chrysler Looking to Cancel Storied 300 Sedan for Millennial Mover Portal Concept EV

9/24/2018 UPDATE TO ORIGINAL STORY: A source apparently close to Chrysler is indicating that the rumors that Chrysler is looking to cancel the 300 and Charger sedans are not true. And instead of building the Portal minivan Chrysler is looking to have the Dodge Grand Caravan replaced by a mini MPV based on the Portal Concept instead.
Volkswagen ID BUZZ CARGO Van
By Al Castro Sep 20 2018 - 9:59am

VW Reveals the ID Buzz Electric Kombi Cargo Bus: A Preview of the Passenger Type 2 Electric Samba to Come

With Type 1 Beetle Mark 3 in its swansong, VW decides in good timing that it’s ready to try its luck and good fortune on another storied halo, that some say as a van, has more potential of being even more popular and longer lasting than Beetle, even as an electric. Let’s hope Samba reaches its 100th Birthday in 2049 that Beetle almost made in 2038 (or earlier?), but didn’t quite live as long.
The BMW iNext Electric Autonomous Concept
By Al Castro Sep 16 2018 - 10:05am

BMW Reveals a Normal Looking Driverless Car: iNext: the Next Step in Electric Autonomous Driving

Instead of going over the top like most car makers do, especially startups when introducing autonomous technology in their concept vehicles, BMW took a more practical approach recently with theirs, called iNext, a new electric driverless capable concept CUV but still a human hands on driving car which includes a steering wheel and pedals. So practical they intend to put something much like it into production in as little time as in 2021.
Vera the Robot Electric Tractor Pod ex-Ford Seller in Your Future
By Al Castro Sep 15 2018 - 10:12am

Volvo Gives Us a Glimpse of a Bladerunner World of Electric Tractor Pods: Trucks So Driverless, They Don’t Even Need Cabs

Meet Vera. She’s Swedish, and she means it, damn it. She’s a badass Level 5 Volvo robot electric tractor pod almost as low to the ground as a Porsche, only three times bigger. So low, if you’re not careful, she might mow you down before her collision avoidance and passive emergency braking systems are autonomously activated! Potential roadkill beware! No airbags need apply . . .
Volvo VC40 SUV BEV
By Al Castro Sep 15 2018 - 10:00am

Another ex-Ford For You: the Volvo XC40 Electric. Competes with Jaguar, Audi, and Model X, with Model 3 Price Point!

Here’s another ex-Ford that got spit out by the blue oval to go on with life and do better without them, since partnering up with Chinese Geely, Volvo is whipping out some amazing products even a new division, and the baby XC40 electric is a prime example. A BEV competes with Jaguar iPace, Audi eTron, and Tesla Model X, all at Model 3 prices. Another ex-Ford in your future. Not bad!
Aston Martin Rapide-E Sports Saloon Fixed Head
By Al Castro Sep 14 2018 - 6:20am

The Ex-Ford in Your Future: Aston Martin Reveals the Electric Rapide E: The BEV Mustang Makers Should Be Making

Instead of waiting to wonder what a Mustang BEV CUV will come to, rogue ex-Forder Aston Martin shows their former boss they don’t even need an SUV platform to electrify one of their products, they can do it on a current production car: their flagship saloon, the Rapide. Attention American Cops: this ex-Ford is definitely a Crown Vic and Explorer Inceptor Killer!
Tesla Model 3 in the Fast lane
By Al Castro Sep 13 2018 - 9:36am

Closing Pandora’s Box: Tesla Takes One Year Finding a Solution to a Hack in Same System Driverless Cars Will be Using

Thieves are hacking Tesla vehicles and their key fobs worldwide with special hacking computer hardware tools to steal the car within seconds. It took Tesla a year to solve it. All this, from the company that wants to bring us a world of electric cars without drivers, the problems that may seem too difficult for Tesla to solve over the electric cars they already have that still need them.

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