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Why the auto industry is in trouble

In my career, I've always gone for the 'high tech' solution. Automate or die so this article struck home:

Source: Why the Auto Industry Is in Trouble (F, GM, TM) | Investing | US News

Automakers are falling behind. Let's just get this out of the way: Tesla Motors (TSLA) is an agent of chaos in its industry.

Tesla has been making all-electric vehicles with ranges of more than 200 miles since 2008, when it came out with its first car, the Tesla Roadster. Today, the company has two vehicles, the Tesla Model X, an SUV, and the Tesla Model S, a sedan, that also go more than 200 miles on a single charge.

"Tesla will absolutely have a huge impact" on the traditional auto...

bwilson4web Aug 11, 2016 Read More Replies: 86

EV sales progress one year later

No problem if moved to the EV sub-forum:

Source: Global 10 Best-Selling Plug-In Cars Are Accelerating Forward

When last we checked in September 2015, the tally for all plug-in cars sold had just crested past 1 million units since the count began early last decade. This they did quicker than it required regular hybrids to do, and today they’re past 1.6 million units, with 2 million on the horizon by year’s end.

10. BYD Tang – 37,509
9. Mitsubishi i-MiEV Family – Approx. 37,600
8. BMW i3 (BEV and REx) – Around 49,500
. . .
5. Toyota Prius PHV – Over 75,400
3. Volt/Ampera Family – About 117,300
2. Tesla Model S – 129,393
1. Nissan Leaf – Over 228,000

Bob Wilson

bwilson4web Aug 11, 2016 Read More Replies: 3

Looking At Lincoln MKZ Hybrid...

Just took a test drive of a 2017; REALLY nice car! Far from being the greenest of hybrids but feels solid and rides and handles like a dream. A far cry from the Ford Taurus I used to own, though that wasn't a bad car. Biggest caveat is the rather low resale value but I'd keep the car for 5 to 6 years so it's not too much of a detriment. I'd get the lowest trim Premiere model which eschews interior wood trim, the option to get a moonroof and other goodies but this would still be a pricey car for me. I think it comes off as a reasonable alternative to some pricier European and Japanese near-luxury sedans and since it sells in lower numbers than much of its' competition, it's less ubiquitous on the road. One plus is that Lincoln offers its' hybrid MKZ for the same MSRP as the 2.0L turbo gas engine, unlike other competitors which offer hybrids. Wondering if anyone in here has any experience with one of these. Yes, it's basically a dressed up Ford Fusion Hybrid with worse MPG, owing to...

JeffHastings Aug 9, 2016 Read More Replies: 6