Royal Enfield, a leading motorcycle manufacturer, is on track to release its first electric motorcycle in 2025. This move comes as the brand continues to expand its presence in global markets and aims to preserve the essence of motorcycling in the electric age. While Royal Enfield will still focus on internal combustion offerings, it recognizes the need to cater to the evolving market demands by introducing new models.
To achieve its goal, Royal Enfield has established a dedicated division for electric vehicle operations and has invested heavily in this endeavor. The company has assembled a team of nearly 100 members with expertise in engineering and commercial aspects to develop distinctive and high-performing electric motorcycles. Additionally, Royal Enfield has enlisted Mario Alvisi, a former Ducati employee, as the Chief Growth Officer to strengthen its electric vehicle business.
In a strategic move, Royal Enfield’s parent company, Eicher Motors, has invested in Stark Future, a Spanish electric mobility firm. This partnership aims to bring together the strengths of both companies and foster beneficial collaborations. While Royal Enfield will rely on imports for certain components like battery cells, it plans to manufacture most essential components in-house or through partnerships with supply chain providers. The company has already onboarded several new suppliers and is exploring additional opportunities.
Manuel Lettenbichler started strong and won his fourth straight FIM Hard Enduro event at the Canadian Outliers. ” I managed to get up most of the hills without any problem and that helped me to conserve as much energy as possible. I bent my handlebars pretty good on one of the last uphills so that was a bit of a worry. Being the first to reach some of the sections was a bit of a disadvantage, because it was so slippery. Four wins in a row now, I’m speechless.” Photo: Mason Mashon / Red Bull Content Pool
Manuel Lettenbichler, the reigning Hare Enduro World Champion and winner of the first three championship events of the year won his fourth straight, the Red Bull Outliers Hard Enduro held in Canada. Team Husqvarna’s Billy Bolt took home second place, followed by local hero Trystan Hart and his Factory FMF KTM.
Billy Bolt: “I had a good start with Mani, and we rode together early on. I had a few mistakes throughout, but generally I was happy with my riding. On the final lap I had one big mistake that allowed Mario to close the gap to me, but I managed to recover and get some breathing room coming into the final big section. I got onto Mani’s wheel there but had pushed a bit hard and just didn’t have an answer to him at the end.” Photo: Tyler Ravelle / Red Bull Content Pool
Letti started off with a big win in the prologue which gave him the pole position start. Bolt and Letti jumped out in front of a dusty, and tenacious course. Behind them chaos ruled. Sherco’s Mario Roman got caught in a crash zone, moving up to third with Wade Young and Trystan Hart in the hunt. Roman kept the leaders in sight in the two and half-hour race, but could never reel them in. Mario’s teammate Wade Young hit the wall on after charging hard losing touch with the lead pack on lap two.
Trystan Hart: “Not the result I wanted to get here at my home race, but I have to be happy with a podium. The prologue didn’t go my way – I made a few too many mistakes there, and today was the same. I got caught up in the mayhem early on and was chasing the whole way after that and it really took everything out of me. It’s great to get onto the podium in front of all my home fans, I just wish it was a couple of steps higher.” Photo: Tyler Ravelle / Red Bull Content Pool
Trystan Hart had to fight hard through dusty conditions and viscous terrain using valuable energy in an attempt to catch the Mani/Bolt duo. The final hill climbs were titanic and played a big role in the finish. Bolt had some drama and gave Mani some gap, and allowed Mario Roman to pull in closer. Billy charged hard to the finish, got within striking distance of Mani but didn’t have enough to challenge. Letti won by 41-seconds over Bolt, Trystan Hart finished third, edging past Roman, who had a good lead on his teammate Wade Young.
Billy Bolt and Manuel Lettenbitchler were this close in the closing stages battling on the epic hills at the Red Bull Outliers. Photo: Tyler Ravelle / Red Bull Content Pool Breathing clear air off the start proved crucial. Photo: Tyler Ravelle / Red Bull Content Pool
Winners, Billy Bolt, Manuel Lettenbichler, and Trystan Hart at Red Bull Outliers Photo: Mason Mashon / Red Bull Content Pool
The concept of a luxury minivan may seem unusual, but it has a strong following in China. In this market, Lexus sells the LM to compete with the Buick GL8. Now, Volvo wants to enter the luxury minivan segment with the EM90. However, Volvo’s approach will be different as it will feature an electric powertrain instead of a traditional combustion engine. The first official teaser for the Volvo EM90 was released recently, and now we have a rendering of what the minivan might look like.
Although this rendering is speculative, it is based on the official teaser video and draws inspiration from the Zeekr 009, which is believed to be the basis for the EM90. It would not make sense for Volvo to develop a new minivan from scratch, especially considering that the demand for minivans is relatively low compared to SUVs.
The EM90 is expected to retain the large and boxy body of the Zeekr 009, but with Volvo’s signature design elements. The teaser suggests that Volvo will make adjustments to the lights and front grille to give the minivan a distinct Volvo look.
The EM90 is rumored to offer a three-row cabin with sliding doors on both sides. There is also a possibility of an ultra-luxury version with two-row seating and individual rear seats. The minivan will likely be based on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture, which aims to create a comfortable and luxurious “Scandinavian living room on the move.”
Given its designation as a “90” series model, the EM90 will be on the larger side. For reference, the Zeekr 009 is 205 inches long, 80 inches wide, 74 inches tall, with a wheelbase of 126 inches. Geely’s other luxury brand offers MPVs with different seating layouts.
It’s worth noting that Volvo does not have plans to sell the EM90 in the United States or Europe. However, the company is considering other markets outside of China for the minivan.
West Coast Customs is still thriving and has evolved into more than just an auto restoration and custom shop. After leaving “Pimp My Ride” in 2007, Ryan Friedlinghaus, the founder of West Coast Customs, signed new contracts with The Learning Channel and Discovery Channel to produce shows like “Street Customs,” which later changed its name to “Inside West Coast Customs.” Unlike “Pimp My Ride,” these new shows focused on building cars for clients based on Friedlinghaus’ vision, rather than catering to the demands of MTV executives.
Friedlinghaus revealed to Forbes that “Pimp My Ride” could have continued indefinitely, but it had a negative impact on his brand. He realized this during the SEMA trade show when people kept asking him not to “pimp their ride.” However, the financial crisis of 2007 served as a wake-up call for West Coast Customs. Friedlinghaus shifted his focus to marketing for global brands such as Nintendo and Mattel.
More significantly, Friedlinghaus established the West Coast Customs Academy, which serves as a training ground for aspiring car builders, welders, paint shop artists, and creatives. The academy provides real-world teachings and applications to help students develop their skills. Friedlinghaus expressed his concern about the lack of woodworking and automotive programs in schools, which has resulted in a decline in young people pursuing careers in these fields. He aims to change this trend by offering opportunities for hands-on learning and encouraging new talent to enter the industry.
Ryan Friedlinghaus’ creation of the West Coast Customs Academy solidifies his legacy as a successful entrepreneur. Despite starting with limited funds, he built his empire from the ground up with no backup plan. Friedlinghaus is proud of his accomplishments and remains dedicated to the growth and innovation of West Coast Customs.
Elon Musk has recently made a decision that has sparked strong opposition from Twitter users who find the block feature to be essential. The block feature is widely recognized as an important tool for combating abuse on social media platforms, including Twitter. Contrary to Musk’s viewpoint, blocking a user on Twitter provides comprehensive protection by making the entire profile invisible to the blocked user, which includes tweets, likes, and retweets. In contrast, the “Mute” option only prevents users from seeing tweets.
Interestingly, before taking over Twitter, Musk was a strong advocate for the block feature and frequently used it to block accounts that criticized him. It seems that he never considered using the mute option instead. However, Musk’s stance changed in February 2023 when he unblocked everyone on the platform and encouraged others to do the same.
While the consequences of Musk’s decision to remove the block feature are still uncertain, many users believe it could contribute to the downfall of Twitter. It has also been brought to attention that Musk’s choice may conflict with Apple’s App Store policies, potentially leading to the removal of the Twitter app (now X) from Apple’s platform. Given these circumstances, it remains to be seen whether Musk will proceed with his decision and risk being de-platformed by Apple.
Carbon fiber is often seen as a high-end and expensive material known for its strength, lightness, and durability. It is commonly used in industries like aerospace and automotive. Many people assume that manufacturing carbon fiber components is a complex and challenging process. However, a recent DIY video on the Eco-Lap Studio YouTube channel proves that you can actually create your own carbon fiber parts at home, using a simple kitchen oven and a few basic ingredients.
In the video, the creator of the channel demonstrates the process by making an engine cover for their personal BMW. What’s interesting is that they use dry carbon fiber, which is different from the type of carbon fiber typically used by luxury car manufacturers like McLaren or Ferrari. Dry carbon fiber is specifically designed for dry layup applications, meaning it doesn’t require any additional resin. As a result, the final product is lighter and more manageable for smaller projects.
Used pickup trucks offer tough and rugged features, strong build features, and impressive capability numbers for various needs and tasks.
The 2008 Toyota Tundra, 2012 Toyota Tacoma, and 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are reliable and affordable options for a used pickup truck under $15,000.
These trucks offer a range of specifications, from payload and towing capacities to bed options, and have relatively affordable maintenance costs and recalls.
Pickup trucks are expected to get the job done. Whether you take a truck out to the construction site, use it on your farm, or need to pull a trailer full of materials home from the hardware store. Used trucks make great vehicles with tough and rugged features, strong build features, and impressive capability numbers.
Most used pickup trucks bring the toughness, dependability, and quality desired, but you’ll want to find the right truck for your needs. We’ve got the right list of trucks for you to choose from when you don’t want to spend more than $15,000.
Using information from Edmunds, CarEdge, RepairPal, and Kelley Blue Book, we offer a list of ten trucks of varying sizes to give you some excellent options. One of these can be the affordable used pickup you can count on every day.
102008 Toyota Tundra: The First Generation Of Toyota Toughness
Average Price: $6,550
Toyota
Used Toyota trucks are well known for strong resale values, reliability, and impressive durability. The 2008 Toyota Tundra offers the desired capability to handle your time at the job site or when you want to pull a few toys to the lake. This Tundra comes with either a strong V6 or two different V8 engines, giving you several power options.
Specifications
Payload
1,350 to 2,060 lbs
Towing
4,800 to 10,800 lbs
Bed Options
5.5 foot, 6.5 foot, 8 foot
Reliability
Although this truck faced 13 recalls, the average maintenance costs are affordable, making it easy to keep the 2008 Tundra on the road. This Tundra is reliable and affordable.
Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $514
Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $6,738
Recalls: 13
92012 Toyota Tacoma: Midsize Excellence On And Off The Roads
Average Price: $6,747
Toyota
The Toyota Tacoma has been the standard-bearer for the midsize truck class for many years. When American brands left the market, the Tacoma remained to carry the torch. Toyota includes several trims and options for this truck, making it easy to find the right package and features for your drive.
Specifications
Payload
865 to 1,545 lbs
Towing
3,300 to 6,500 lbs
Bed Options
5 foot, 6 foot
Reliability
In addition to Toyota’s strong reliability scores, the 2012 Toyota Tacoma is supported by a massive aftermarket presence, ensuring available options for upgrades and customization as desired. The affordability and usefulness offered make the Tacoma an easy choice when searching for a great used pickup truck.
Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $513
Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $6,420
82013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: The Heart Beats Strong In This Truck
Average Price: $8,655
One of the most popular pickup trucks in the entire market is the Chevy Silverado. This truck wore the badge as the “Heartbeat of America” for many years and is a trusted workhorse by many owners that need to get big jobs done. The 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 comes in several configurations, which makes it easy to find the right truck to drive.
Specifications
Payload
1,513 to 1,949 lbs
Towing
4,400 to 10,700 lbs
Bed Options
5.75 foot, 6.5 foot, 8 foot
Reliability
A big 6.2-lite V8 engine provides ample power for towing and payload while the smaller V6 and V8 engines offer good power and fuel savings. With only three recalls, this Silverado is one of the most trustworthy used trucks offered.
Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $782
Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $10,003
Recalls: 3
72014 Ford F-150: A Best-Seller Could Be A Fantastic Used Truck
Average Price: $9,736
For more than 40 years, the Ford F-Series lineup of trucks has been the best-selling truck in America. Among this lineup, the F-150 is the most popular, which tons of trims, features, and options. Whether you want a capable truck for the job site or a great family hauler, the 2014 Ford F-150 can be an excellent full-size pickup truck.
Specifications
Payload
1,046 to 3,120 lbs
Towing
5,500 to 11,300 lbs
Bed Options
5.5 foot, 6.5 foot, 8 foot
Reliability
The max towing capacity is achieved using the 6.2-liter V8 engine, but the 5.0-liter V8 strikes a strong balance of towing and fuel mileage. The 2014 Ford F-150 faced only six recalls and offered a relatively affordable annual maintenance cost, making it a great option.
Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $793
Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $10,245
62014 Nissan Frontier: Great For Occasional Truck Needs
Average Price: $12,777
Nissan
Some consumers want to drive a truck for those times when they bring home a weekend project from the hardware store. The 2014 Nissan Frontier is the midsize truck that fits this bill and offers desired strength and capability to handle a load of materials to upgrade your home or build a tree house in the yard.
Specifications
Payload
919 to 1,515 lbs
Towing
3,500 to 6,500 lbs
Bed Options
5 foot, 6 foot
Reliability
In 2014, the Nissan Frontier was offered with both 4-cylinder and V6 engine options to deliver desired power and efficiency. The Frontier comes with extremely low annual maintenance costs and only faced two recalls, making it one of the best-used pickup trucks.
Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $505
Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $8,499
Recalls: 2
52009 GMC Sierra 2500: Heavy Duty Hauling At A Great Price
Average Price: $7,118
GMC
When bigger jobs require a bigger truck to get things done, the 2009 GMC Sierra 2500 is an excellent option. This three-quarter-ton pickup has the size, power, and capability required to pull a heavy load wherever you need to go.
Specifications
Payload
3,059 to 4,000 lbs
Towing
9,600 to 13,000 lbs
Bed Options
5.75 foot, 6.5 foot,8 foot
Reliability
Bigger trucks typically face much higher maintenance costs than half-ton and midsize trucks. The GMC Sierra offers relatively affordable annual maintenance costs and only faced one recall during its lifetime, making it one of the most dependable trucks on the road.
Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $912
Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $13,029
42007 Dodge Ram 2500: Upscale Driving At An Affordable Price
Average Price: $7,722
Mecum Auctions
Although base models of the 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 cost less than $10,000, the Laramie trim treatments won’t push that figure too far over $15,000. This means you can have a comfortable, upscale pickup truck with lots of cabin space at an affordable price. When you’ve got to haul a trailer for many miles, the Laramie treatments will make you smile.
Specifications
Payload
2,207 to 3,210 lbs
Towing
8,250 to 9,400 lbs
Bed Options
6.5 foot, 8 foot
Reliability
The 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 has the highest maintenance costs over the first ten years of any truck on this list. You’ll want to do a little research to learn why this cost is so high, but overall, this heavy-duty pickup is one of the best-used trucks to drive.
Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $904
Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $25,464
Recalls: 8
32008 Ford F-250: Big Ford Capability And Power
Average Price: $7,392
Mecum
The Ford F-250 is massively capable on the road with the right equipment. Hauling a trailer is a breeze with this heavy-duty truck that’s made to turn big jobs into easy projects. The F-250 sets the benchmark for capability, quality and is a true workhorse in its class.
Specifications
Payload
2,815 to 3,175 lbs
Towing
8,200 to 12,500 lbs
Bed Options
6.75 foot, 8 foot
Reliability
Unfortunately, the average maintenance costs for this three-quarter-ton Ford pickup are higher than most trucks on this list. That said, the F-250 provides excellent power, a roomy cabin, and an excellent 4WD package in the right trims.
Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $1,240
Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $14,929
22012 Honda Ridgeline: The Only Unibody Used Truck
Average Price: $9,356
Julio Herrera via Wikimedia Commons
Unibody is a term used to describe a vehicle built using a body and frame that are put together as one unit instead of separate vehicle parts. Most trucks use body-on-frame construction, but the Honda Ridgeline is a unibody truck. This build ensures the Ridgeline is one of the most comfortable trucks on the road.
Specifications
Payload
1,497 to 1,546 lbs
Towing
5,000 lbs
Bed Options
5 foot
Reliability
If you’re looking for a more comfortable truck while enjoying the benefits of weekend warrior activities, the Ridgeline is an excellent option. This Honda pickup is relatively affordable to maintain, despite facing 11 recalls.
Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $516
Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $8,263
Recalls: 11
12012 Ram 1500: Refinement In A Traditional Pickup Truck
Average Price: $10,314
order–_242 via Wikimedia Commons
The 2012 Ram 1500 is possibly the most well-refined traditional pickup truck on this list. This Ram offers excellent capability numbers to get the job done at any construction site, farm, or ranch while being one of the most comfortable trucks to drive. Ram offers this pickup with several trims and options packages.
Specifications
Payload
1,145 to 3,125 lbs
Towing
3,450 to 11,500 lbs
Bed Options
5.75 foot, 6.25 foot 8 foot
Reliability
When you want a truck that’s tough, capable, and reliable, the 2012 Ram 1500 is an impressive choice with affordable maintenance costs. It’s important for trucks to handle the job every day, and this pickup is made to get things done.
Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $738
Est. Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years: $17,677
RST, a well-known British manufacturer of motorcycle gear and apparel, has released the IOM TT Crosby 2 summer jacket. This jacket is designed for motorcyclists who enjoy riding in the hot summer months. It features a retro-style design and is made from a breathable and abrasion-resistant cotton canvas material.
The Crosby 2 jacket from RST is equipped with Level 1 shoulder and elbow protectors, providing reliable impact protection while ensuring comfort. It also has a pocket on the back for easy compatibility with a conventional back protector, adding an extra layer of security. The jacket is PPE Certification Class A compliant, demonstrating RST’s commitment to meeting industry standards.
On the interior, the Crosby 2 jacket features a permanent mesh lining with the innovative Sinaqua Membrane. This combination offers excellent ventilation and effective water repellency, keeping riders comfortable and dry during their ride. Additionally, the jacket comes with a detachable lightweight thermal lining for added warmth without restricting movement. It also has four interior compartments for safely storing essentials, as well as two exterior zippered pockets and two outer press-stud pockets for quick access to items on the road.
The RST IOM TT Crosby 2 jacket features distinctive branding with Isle of Man TT logos on the back, an embroidered RST logo on the chest, and woven IOM TT badges on the shoulders. It is available in retro-style colors of charcoal and green. The jacket is priced at £199.99 (approximately $257 USD) and availability may vary by region. For more information, visit RST’s official website or contact your local dealer.
The most premium Maruti offering ever is only available with a strong hybrid powertrain
The Maruti Invicto, the latest model from a global partnership, has been officially released in the market. It is a premium MPV that is a rebadged version of the Toyota Innova Hycross. The Maruti Invicto is distinguished from its counterpart by its revised grille, taillamps, and new cabin theme. It is available in Zeta+ and Alpha+ variants, with prices ranging from Rs 24.79 lakh to Rs 28.42 lakh (ex-showroom). Here are the variant-wise prices:
The Alpha+ and Zeta+ variants have a significant price difference of Rs 3.63 lakh.
What’s on offer?
The Maruti Invicto shares its premium features with the Toyota Innova Hycross. These include dual-zone climate control, memory settings for the power-adjustable driver’s seat, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, semi-digital instrument cluster with a 7-inch TFT MID, ventilated front seats, and leather upholstery. However, it does miss out on the JBL sound system and powered second-row Ottoman seats found in the Hycross. The interior layout remains the same, but the theme changes from chestnut brown to black.
Enhanced safety
The Maruti Invicto offers enhanced safety features such as 6 airbags, ISOFIX anchorages, front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree camera, hill start assist, and vehicle stability control. However, it does not include the ADAS feature available in the Innova Hycross.
New hybrid powertrain
The Maruti Invicto is equipped with a 2-litre strong hybrid powertrain, which is a first for Maruti. It has a combined output of 186PS and 206Nm from the petrol engine and electric motor. The hybrid powertrain is paired with an e-CVT automatic transmission. The Invicto claims an impressive fuel economy of 23.24kmpl.
Unlike the Innova Hycross, the non-electrified 2-litre petrol engine option is not available for the Invicto.
Rivals
The Maruti Invicto currently has no direct rivals, similar to the Toyota Innova throughout its generations. It serves as a premium alternative to the Kia Carens and competes with three-row SUVs such as the Tata Safari, MG Hector Plus, Mahindra XUV700, and Hyundai Alcazar. The only real competition for the Maruti MPV is its sibling, the Innova Hycross.
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