Tag Archives: electric cars

Honda and Sony Collaborate to Build EVs

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In an exciting revelation, Honda and Sony have just announced plans to partner up and develop electric cars. The two Japanese companies have not yet announced the name of their upcoming entity. The vehicles will be manufactured in Honda’s facilities and Sony will provide the mobility service platform. Their goal is to team together this year and begin selling the first car in 2025.

While the joint venture is unique, the announcement is not entirely surprising, as there has been an international push for zero emission vehicles as well as systems that provide more advanced features. This gives tech companies like Sony an opportunity to enter the automobile market. Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida reiterated the vision, remarking: “In the joint venture, we would like to lead the mobility evolution by combining our technology and experience with Honda’s long experience in mobility development and vehicle body manufacturing technologies.” When asked about the possibility of others joining the partnership, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe responded, “In the future, we would like to expand our business with an open mindset,” while adding that the focus remains on building the electric car model for now.

Mustang Mach E Electrifying Ford’s 2020 Offerings

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The Mustang Mach E, Ford’s newly unveiled electric car, is an SUV with a lot riding on its struts.

1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 coupe. Photo courtesy of sv1ambo

The Future in Now
Ford Motor Company is betting big that its redesigned, futuristic, sporty, high-performance electric car will sell a lot better than their more utilitarian (read boring) electric cars like the battery-run Focus compact car.


Name that Car
When you think “Mach E” consumers should immediately think about “Mach 1” versions of the Mustang sports car, offered by Ford at different times through the years.


Money is No Object?
Ford is going to sell the Mach E at a base price of $43,000. Buyers will be able to choose from three variants of the car: Select, Premium and First Edition. Next year Ford is promising a “California Route 1” version and a bit later they are hoping to introduce a high-performance GT model.


Batteries are Included
Ford announced that the Mach E battery will go for 230 miles before needing a charge. Extended range models are aiming for 300 miles per charge. This compares well with competitor Tesla’s Model Y sport utility, which has a 300-mile range for its rear-drive versions, and a bit less for its al-wheel drive performance models.


Speed Racer?
Ford’s goal is to get the Mach E from 0 to 60mph even faster than the least expensive Porsche Macan SUV. The GT version of the Mach E is aiming for an acceleration target of the “mid-3-second” range. This compares favorably with the Porsche 911, according to Ford.


Full-Screen Dashboard
The Mach will come equipped with a 15.5-inch screen. Tesla’s Model 3 comes with a 15-inch screen. The screen will offer a new generation of its Sync infotainment software that gets its updates through the air, just like a Tesla.


Its Great. When Can I Get Mine?
Consumers can already place their orders. Beginning on November 17, 2019, customers just need to hand over $500 as a deposit to secure their order. The cars should begin arriving by the end of next year.

Tax Reform: A Work in Progress

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Many businesses which form the backbone of the US economy are worried about the Trump tax reform plan and the possible negative effects it could have on the economy.

Sectors of the US economy such as construction, wind power, and electric cars might experience job shrinkage and harm done if the Republican tax plan is enacted as it is now.

The effects of the tax plan, although only in its earliest stages and nowhere near law, have already been felt in the marketplace. Vestas Wind Systems, the world’s largest manufacture of turbines used in wind power, saw its stock tumble by 9 percent. Tesla, the leading electric car maker had a stock downturn as well, closing lower by 6.8 percent. The Trump plan includes cutting the $7,500 tax break for the purchase of an electric car.

Homebuilders are also up in arms over the tax reform. The National Association of Home Builders are taking aim at the Republican’s proposal to remove the tax credit for mortgage payments. The chairman of the association, Granger MacDonald, said that congress was “ignoring the needs of America’s working-class families and small businesses.”

“The bill eviscerates existing housing tax benefits by drastically reducing the number of homeowners who can take advantage of mortgage interest and property tax incentives,” he said.

Some stocks of homebuilders’ companies lost ground. Toll Brothers fell almost 6%, among the worst casualties.

Others are happy with the plan. The US Chamber of Commerce endorsed the plan cautiously, saying the plan was “exactly what our nation needs to get our economy growing faster”, but “a lot of work remains to be done to get the exact policy mix right.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk Demonstrates Ease of Refueling the Model S

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Tesla Electric Car
Tesla Model S Has a Frunk (Trunk in Front)

In the Los Angeles design studio of Tesla Motors, a crowd of local owners of one of the top electric cars around today, Tesla’s Model S, is ready to see a unique demonstration of the powers of their car.

Onto the stage outfitted with wheel guides and a pit like the kind you see in a Jiffy Lube shop rolled the Tesla electric car. At precisely the same moment a live video feed of an Audi pulling into a traditional gas station appeared on a big screen next to the Tesla Model S. On screen a timer starts counting off the seconds while the Audi’s driver begins to pump gas into his car and robot arms under the stage begins to change the Model S’s batter pack.

By the time the counter gets to 93 seconds the Model S is done, rolls off the stage, and another Model S pulls over the pit and begins to have his batter changed as well. Meanwhile the Audi is still pumping gas. Another 91 seconds pass and the second Model S finishes having its battery changed just as the Audi’s gas tank reaches its capacity 20 gallons.

This demonstration, which shows just one of the ways how electric cars work, is convincing evidence of the electric car’s worthiness. At the end of the demonstration CEO Elon Musk commented:

“There are people that take a lot of convincing. Hopefully, this is what will finally convince people that electric cars are the future.”

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