Tag Archives: states

Motorsport

There Are Two New Land Cruisers Left On Dealer Lots

The Toyota Land Cruiser returns to sellers within the United States this spring after a three-year hiatus from the market. However, for those who’d desire to have the earlier technology, we have now excellent news: There are precisely two new examples left at sellers within the United States, a Toyota spokesperson confirmed to Motor1.

When requested which sellers had been holding on to the treasured Cruisers, a Toyota spokesperson informed Motor1 the corporate did not have perception to their whereabouts, which means they may very well be wherever within the nation. Searches on main car-selling web sites did not yield any outcomes, suggesting they is perhaps saved in a showroom’s stock however not listed on the market.

It’s not possible for us to name each Toyota vendor throughout the nation to ask if they’ve new Land Cruisers on the market, so we’re turning to you for assist. If you realize of a vendor holding a brand new Land Cruiser in inventory, please touch upon this publish or e-mail us at tips@motor1.com.


Wearables

Apple Watch Sales Ban Paused: Here’s What We Know

Back in October 2023, the United States International Trade Commission dominated that Apple had infringed upon a patent owned by Masimo, an organization concerned within the improvement and manufacturing of medical units. Masimo alleged that the expertise utilized by Apple’s newest smartwatches for detecting the blood oxygen stage used their patented expertise. While Apple denied this, the U.S. International Trade Commission discovered that Masimo’s declare had credence and handed over a ban in opposition to the import and gross sales of the latest Apple watch fashions — the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra.

With the gross sales ban scheduled to go dwell in December, Apple was left with no possibility however to tug each the affected Apple Watch Models from all its official gross sales channels, together with bodily retail areas. As a end result, Apple first pulled each these watches from its on-line shops on December 21, then eliminated these fashions from Apple Stores on December 24. Another last-ditch try to halt the gross sales ban failed when President Joe Biden declined to veto the ban earlier this week.

There isn’t any denying that this latest improvement permitting Apple to renew gross sales of the affected Apple Watch fashions will supply the corporate a vital reprieve and supply the corporate with respiratory room to navigate the authorized proceedings and doubtlessly search a everlasting answer.

Technology

Who Makes Stanley Power Tools And Are They Any Good?

Though not the entire firm’s manufacturing is finished within the United States, by all appearances, Stanley Black & Decker seems to make its merchandise in its personal amenities. Stanley Black & Decker has the manufacturing pipeline right down to such a science that it additionally sells manufacturing options to different firms. “[W]e offer composable app-based solutions to improve efficiency, scale your workforce, and build adaptable production system,” reads a notice on the manufacturing solutions page on the company website. All advised, Stanley Black & Decker has dozens of manufacturing facilities in the United States alone.

So, simply how good are they? On the user-generated review site Tool Talk, Stanley averages a 4.7-star score out of 5 from 107 evaluations protecting all Stanley-branded instruments. In our rankings of the best major power tool brands in September 2023 right here at SlashGear, two Stanley manufacturers, Craftsman (consumer-focused) and DeWalt (the extra professionally-aimed), completed in third and second place, respectively, behind solely Makita Tools.

In addition to a repute for top of the range, we gave DeWalt excessive marks for its distinctive Flexvolt Batteries. “This innovative technology allows batteries to operate at 20 volts for prolonged use or surge to 60 volts for those extra tough jobs, offering an extra layer of flexibility that few power tools have,” famous the rating for DeWalt.

Stanley has lengthy maintained a excessive normal, so its manufacturers, whether or not Stanley, Black & Decker, or DeWalt, ought to all the time be thought-about a viable choice.

Motorsport

This Alpina B3 Cost $162,000 And Is Already Sold Out

We do not get the Alpina B3 within the United States, which acquired the M3’s “S58” engine earlier than BMW launched its personal automobile. The classier M3 different ditches the controversial kidney grille and has spawned its fair proportion of particular editions.

The newest mannequin comes from South Africa and marks 50 years since BMW arrange store within the nation. Painted within the iconic Alpina Green II colour, the sedan additionally has Alpina’s elegant 20-inch multi-spoke wheels. It will get “Alpina” lettering on the entrance spoiler and retro-flavored aspect decals that take us again to the Nineteen Eighties.


Motorsport

Buick Dealer Network Cut In Half After Refusing To Sell EVs

Buick’s dealership footprint within the United States has roughly been halved, and Daihatsu quickly stops promoting automobiles.

This is AM Drive, Motor1’s day by day take a look at the information you want earlier than you get in your automotive.

Almost Half Of Buick Dealers In The US Are Gone

For greater than a yr, General Motors has been giving Buick dealerships within the United States a alternative. Sales representatives have been requested to both put money into tooling and coaching pertaining to EVs or settle for a buyout. GM introduced this week almost half have determined to cease promoting Buicks.

Indeed, 2023 will finish with roughly 1,000 dealerships throughout the US, down by 47 p.c in comparison with the beginning of the yr. In early 2023, Buick had 1,958 showrooms within the nation, based mostly on the numbers included within the annual supplier census by Automotive News.

According to Buick-GMC Vice President Duncan Aldred, the remaining sellers nonetheless have time to select between promoting EVs and accepting a buyout. The program will “continue to be done in a voluntary and consultive way.” About a fifth of Buick’s gross sales within the US have been made by the almost 1,000 sellers which have determined to half methods with GM.

As beforehand introduced, Buick intends to grow to be an EV-only model within the US by the tip of the last decade. That’s regardless of the actual fact it does not at the moment promote any.

Daihatsu Stops Delivering Cars


Motorsport

The Toyota Crown Sport SUV Gets PHEV Option With 302 HP

We solely get two of the 4 Crown fashions right here within the United States – the raised sedan and the upcoming Signia SUV. In Japan, there’s additionally a conventional sedan with out the carry package, and this smaller crossover, the Crown Sport. That mannequin is now getting a charging port and a stronger powertrain, however nonetheless will not be coming to the U.S.

Smaller than the Crown Signia, the JDM-spec Crown Sport appears like Japan’s Ferrari Purosangue, particularly in purple paint. Sadly, it would not have a V12, nevertheless it’s nonetheless fairly highly effective by Toyota requirements. With a 2.5-liter gasoline engine and an electrical motor, it has a mixed output of 302 horsepower delivered to all 4 wheels.


Motorsport

Step Aside Nissan Titan, This Is The Fiat Titano

Stellantis has a bunch of vans we sadly do not get right here within the United States. A couple of that spring to thoughts are the Fiat Strada, the Ram 700, and the compact Rampage. The final one may make it stateside finally, however nothing is official. There’s additionally the Peugeot Landtrek, which now lives a double life because the “new” Fiat Titano in Latin America and Africa.

Carrying a reputation originating from Greek mythology similar to the Nissan Titan, the Fiat Titano competes in the identical phase because the Ford Ranger. The midsize truck traces its roots to the Changan Kaicene F70, a Chinese pickup developed by Changan Automobile and PSA. It’s been round since 2019 and is produced in a number of factories internationally, carrying completely different badges to higher go well with regional markets.


Featured

FAME Subsidy For EVs Should Be Extended For Another 5 Years: FICCI

The commerce affiliation states that the scheme will assist in attaining the goal of 30 % EV penetration in India

  • The FAME-II scheme was launched in April 2019 and is efficient as much as March 2024.

  • FICCI suggests together with non-public EV patrons within the new FAME-III scheme.

  • Penetration of EVs within the Indian market stands at 5 % at present.

  • Also suggests contemplating hybrid automobiles as a part of the scheme.

The reputation of electric vehicles (EVs) has been on a pointy rise in our market over the previous couple of years, which can also be right down to many manufacturers having launched totally different fashions. Before this surge, the central authorities had rolled out a pan-India incentive scheme known as the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric automobiles (FAME). An up to date model, FAME-II, was rolled out in 2019 with a goal to maintain the momentum of mass adoption of EVs. However, with the FAME-II scheme ending in March 2024, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has put forth a proposal suggesting that the Indian authorities carry ahead the FAME scheme for one more 5 years.

What Has FICCI Suggested?

FICCI says sudden withdrawal or discontinuation of the incentives will result in as much as 25 % value enhance of EVs, dissuading potential patrons and even affecting funding within the discipline. As per the organisation, EV penetration within the Indian market at present stands at solely 5 %.

Electric cars

If the inducement schemes proceed for the subsequent 5 years, roughly 30.5 million electrical automobiles could possibly be adopted throughout segments, serving to electrify 30 % of India’s transportation as focused. FICCI said that the subsidies could possibly be lowered and finally discontinued as soon as the value hole between EVs and combustion engines develop into negligible. This shall be achieved because the battery prices proceed happening and costs of EV elements lower over the subsequent 3-5 years.

Other Recommendations By FICCI

Besides the above solutions, FICCI has additionally shared a couple of different inputs:

  1. It has talked about that every one sorts of hybrid automobiles (together with strong- and plug-in hybrids) and hydrogen-powered automobiles have to be included below the FAME-III scheme.
  2. FAME-III ought to deal with extending the advantages to non-public patrons selecting an electrical automotive as nicely.
  3. It additionally highlighted that the calculation of the subsidy ought to proceed to be primarily based on the battery dimension (per kWh) as at present talked about within the FAME-II scheme.

Sulajja Firodia Motwani, chairperson, FICCI EV committee, mentioned, “Favourable insurance policies and particularly the FAME-II scheme of the Government of India has performed a key position in spurring demand by serving to to scale back the upfront costs of EVs. This has helped create a optimistic momentum and encourage EV adoption within the nation. However, whereas we have now nicely begun, we’re nowhere near being half performed. Let us not overlook that the present value premium of EV vis-à-vis ICE with none subsidy continues to be substantial, starting from 40 % to as excessive as 130 % for numerous segments. Given this actuality, the continuation of demand incentive or subsidy is crucial and important to assist scale back this value hole. Fame-III is required to spur continued curiosity from prospects in EVs and enhance penetration over the subsequent few years.

Also Read: All The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Buying A New Car At The End Of A Calendar Year

A Recap Of FAME-II Scheme

The FAME-II scheme was launched in April 2019 and was initially supposed to finish by March 2022 however the Indian authorities pushed again the deadline by two years (on account of COVID-19) to March 31, 2024. It covers hybrids and electrical automobiles, however largely tilted to favour the latter.

Tata Tiago EV

It had a funds of Rs 10,000 crore to subsidise the price of shopping for an electrical automobile. This would cowl subsidising 55,000 electrical 4-wheelers having Li-ion batteries, 10 lakh electrical 2-wheelers, 5 lakh 3-wheelers and seven,000 buses had been additionally eligible for the inducement over a interval of three years. In the case of 4-wheelers, incentives have majorly been supplied to business automobiles and people used for public transportation.

While these are solely a number of the solutions made by FICCI, it stays to be seen which of those shall be considered by the Indian authorities whereas formulating the FAME-III scheme. Which of those do you suppose must be included within the last incentive scheme? Drop your solutions within the feedback.

Motorsport

Dealerships Call on President Biden to Reconsider Push for Electric Vehicles

Close to 4,000 dealerships across the United States have joined forces to express their concerns about proposed federal regulations that would accelerate the transition to battery-electric vehicles. The dealerships sent a plea directly to President Joe Biden on Tuesday, urging a reevaluation of the controversial EPA proposal, which aims for 60 percent of new-vehicle sales to be battery-powered by the 2030 model year, escalating to 67 percent by 2032.

This appeal follows a letter from the dealerships emphasizing the need for a more gradual approach to the electric vehicle transition. Representing a diverse range of car brands and spanning states like California, Michigan, Colorado, and New York, the dealerships argue that the proposed regulations are moving faster than consumer readiness for fully electric vehicles.

The letter highlights concerns about the current challenges faced by potential EV adopters, such as the availability of reliable charging networks, vehicle affordability, and range anxiety. Despite legislative efforts like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which allocate significant federal funding for a national EV charging network and address other challenges, the dealerships stress the need for more time.

The dealerships suggest that allowing additional time for advancements in battery technology, increased affordability of EVs, and the expansion of charging infrastructure would better serve the interests of consumers. The letter, led by Mickey Anderson, CEO of Baxter Auto Group, underscores the absence of the consumer’s voice in the ongoing conversation about the EV transition.

“These vehicles are ideal for many people, and we believe their appeal will grow over time,” the letter reads. “The reality, however, is that electric vehicle demand today is not keeping up with the large influx of BEVs arriving at our dealerships prompted by the current regulations. BEVs are stacking up on our lots.”

Anderson, who initiated the signature-gathering process in early November, aims to ensure that the voices of dealers and customers are considered in ongoing policy discussions.

The full list of dealerships that endorsed the letter can be found at the source link below.

Motorsport

Watch This Toyota GR Corolla Go Absolutely Wild On A Dirt Back Road

The Toyota GR Corolla sold in the United States might not be a direct homologation special like its GR Yaris sibling available overseas, but it’s still equipped with rally-inspired upgrades such as all-wheel drive, flared fenders, and a 300-horsepower turbocharged engine. All these features make it perfect for a thrilling ride on unpaved twisty roads.

An owner recently shared a video showing the white GR Corolla racing down a beautiful dirt-covered forest road with impressive speed and sideways action. The short wheelbase and adjustable trick AWD system of the car make it thrive in such situations.

The video shows the driver getting permission from the local Forest Service outpost to race through the picturesque scenery, resembling actual stage rally speeds. The Corolla performs flawlessly, taking on bumps and blasting through puddles while maintaining high speeds.

The driver treats the GR Corolla like the rally-inspired machine that it is, pushing it to the limit at each corner exit without holding back. It’s an exhilarating display of the car’s capabilities and exactly what we’d expect from such a performance-focused vehicle.