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January 17, 2023

Nutson’s Weekly Auto News Wrap-up January 8-14, 2023

Nutson’s Auto News Weekly-Wrap-up January 8-14 2023

Every Sunday Larry Nutson, The Chicago Car Guy and Auto Channel Executive Producer, with able assistance from senior editor Thom Cannell from The Auto Channel Michigan Bureau, compile The Auto Channel’s “take” on this past week’s automotive news, condensed into easy to digest news Nuggets.

LEARN MORE: Complete versions of today’s news nuggets, along with thousands of pages of relevant news and opinions, information stored in a million-page library published and indexed on The Auto Channel during the past 25 years. Complete information can be found by copying a headline and inserting it into any Site Search Box.

Here are Larry’s picks among the past week’s important, relevant, semi-secret, or snappy automotive news, opinions and insider back stories presented as expertly crafted easy-to-understand automotive universe news nuggets.

* Kelley Blue Book released its December new vehicle average transaction price (ATP) report with record-breaking data, as prices are up 4.9{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} overall from 2021. The average price paid for a new vehicle in December was $49,507—a record high and up nearly $1K from November. Truck sales were particularly strong last month, more than 270,000 sold for the first time since the spring of 2021, and the average price paid for a new truck was more than $59,000. And, on the decrease are EV prices which went down more than $3,500 month over month with Tesla slashing prices and commanding more than 65{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of the electric vehicle segment.

* The recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act brought about changes in the electric vehicle tax credit. If an individual bought and placed in service a new qualified plug-in electric vehicle (EV) or fuel cell vehicle (FCV) on January 1, 2023 or later and meet certain income limitations, they may be eligible for a clean vehicle tax credit up to $7,500 under Internal Revenue Code Section 30D. A new price limitation prescribes that the vehicle not exceed a manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of $80,000 for vans, sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks and $55,000 for other vehicles. Of interest is the classifiction of some vehicles by the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service. For example they did not classify the Cadillac Lyriq as an SUV, meaning its retail price cannot be above $55,000 to qualify for up to $7,500 in federal tax credits. Similarly the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Ford Mach-E and Escape PHEV, Lincoln Corsair, select VW ID.4 models and the Tesla model Y with 5-seats cannot excedd the $55,000 limit. The IRS is following the 40 CFR 600.002 criteria that legally defines vehicle types. Recenlty, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said she thinks there is a sense of understanding from industry and consumer groups ‘about what the credits will entail and what will be eligible.’ PS: Not all so-called SUVs are in reality an SUV.

* U.S. DoE factoid of the week: The Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Vehicle Technologies Office estimates the cost of an electric vehicle lithium-ion battery pack declined 89{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} between 2008 and 2022 (using 2022 constant dollars). The 2022 estimate is $153/kWh on a usable-energy basis for production at scale of at least 100,000 units per year. That compares to $1,355/kWh in 2008. The decline in cost is due to improvements in battery technologies and chemistries, and an increase in manufacturing volume.

* According to NHTSA the number of traffic deaths on U.S. roadways fell slightly during the first nine months of 2022, but pedestrian and cyclist deaths continued to rise. NHTSA estimates that 31,785 people were killed in crashes from January through September last year, down 0.2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} from the same period of 2021. The number of cyclists killed in crashes rose 8{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} compared with a year earlier, while motorcyclist deaths rose 5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} and pedestrian deaths were up 2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. NHTSA said that Americans are driving more than during the height of the pandemic, with preliminary Federal Highway Administration data showing a 1.6{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} increase in vehicle miles traveled in the first nine months of last year.

* Inrix published the 2022 Global Traffic Scorecard that identified and ranked congestion and mobility trends in more than 1,000 cities, across 50 countries. Chicago (155 hours), Boston (134 hours), and New York (117 hours) lost the most time to traffic congestion in the U.S. and were all in the top five for most congested cities in the world, alongside London (156 hours) and Paris (138 hours). The typical American driver lost 51 hours in congestion, up 15 hours from 2021 but still nearly 50{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} below pre-pandemic levels.

* The head of the National Transportation Safety Board expressed concern about the safety risks that heavy electric vehicles, such as the 9,000-pound GMC Hummer EV, pose if they collide with lighter vehicles. “I’m concerned about the increased risk of severe injury and death for all road users from heavier curb weights and increasing size, power, and performance of vehicles on our roads, including electric vehicles,” Jennifer Homendy said in remarks prepared for the group. Also of concern is electric vehicles have very high horsepower ratings, allowing them to accelerate quickly even in crowded urban areas. “People are not trained to handle that type of acceleration,” said Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety.

* The Biden-Harris Administration released the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization. Developed by the departments of Energy, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the Blueprint is a landmark strategy for cutting all greenhouse emissions from the transportation sector by 2050. It exemplifies the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government approach to addressing the climate crisis and meeting President Biden’s goals of securing a 100{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} clean electrical grid by 2035 and reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

* According to research from S&P Global Mobility, the US will need more than 2.3 million chargers for electric vehicles by 2030 to service the projected 28 million EVs on the road by then. “Developments in battery technology, and how quickly EVs can receive power, will be as critical to improvements here as how quickly and plentifully infrastructure can provide the power,” said Graham Evans, research and analysis director for S&P Global Mobility.

* More than 90{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of vehicle-owning households in the United States would see a reduction in the percentage of income spent on transportation energy—the gasoline or electricity that powers their cars, SUVs and pickups—if they switched to electric vehicles. And more than 90{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of households that replace gas-powered vehicles with EVs would also reduce the amount of climate-warming greenhouse gases they generate, according to a new University of Michigan study. However, more than half of the lowest-income U.S. households (an estimated 8.3 million households) would continue to experience high transportation energy burdens, defined in this study as spending more than 4{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of household income on filling the tank or charging up. Hat tip to our friends at The Detroit Bureau.

* Rolls-Royce has achieved its highest-ever annual sales in 2022, delivering a total of 6,021 motor cars, up 8{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} on 2021, to clients in around 50 countries worldwide. This is the first time in the company’s 118-year history that its sales have exceeded 6,000 in a single 12‑month period. The USA was once again the marque’s largest overall market as a new generation of younger American entrepreneurs, wealth generators and job creators were drawn to Rolls-Royce for the first time, according to Rolls-Royce.

* Check back next week: Chevrolet plans to introduce the Corvette E-Ray on Jan. 17. The E-Ray, a gasoline-electric version of the eighth-generation sports car, also adds all-wheel drive for the first time.

* The 2023 NACTOY winners were announced. The Acura Integra is the 2023 North American Car of the Year. The Kia EV6 is the 2023 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Ford F-150 Lightning is the 2023 North American Truck of the Year. Congratulations to the winners. PS – The Detroit Free Press choices we mentioned last week were right on.

* Hertz believes in the saying “Let the good times roll.” Whether you’re planning a night out on the town for a big birthday; looking to arrive in style for your bachelorette party; or celebrating a milestone anniversary, you can celebrate your next exciting moment with a rental vehicle from Hertz complete with a custom-wrapped exterior. Hertz offers 19 different designs to choose from.

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* Reuters reports Federal vehicle safety regulators said they want Tesla officials to explain a tweet by Elon Musk suggesting he could order a software update that turns off the system that nags drivers to keep hands on the wheel while a Tesla driver operates the vehicle on Autopilot. Acting National Highway Traffic Safety Administration chief Ann Carlson said Monday that the agency is working “really fast” on its investigation of Tesla and Autopilot safety.

* A fire broke out at Guangzhou, China auto show on the eve before it opened. The fire, in IAT Automobile Technology Co. booth, was caused by an accident involving an external power switch, according to a company statement. The show opened with no delay and is currently running.

* Kevin Harvick announced that the 2023 NASCAR season will be his final season in the Cup Series. Harvick, 47, is in the last year of his contract with Stewart-Haas Racing and had previously said that an announcement would be made regarding his future before the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 19. Harvick was thrust into the Cup Series in 2001 after the death of Dale Earnhardt. He took over Earnhardt’s renumbered No. 29 car for Richard Childress Racing the week after Earnhardt died in the 2001 Daytona 500. Harvick then went on to be one of the most successful drivers of the 2000s. Overall, Harvick has scored 60 wins in 790 Cup Series starts and is a surefire NASCAR Hall of Famer on the first ballot

Stay safe. Be Well.

November 29, 2022

Nutson’s Weekly Auto News Wrap-up November 20-26, 2022

Nutson’s Auto News Weekly-Wrap-up November 20-26, 2022

* Consumer demand for new cars and trucks is cooling down in the United States, J.D. Power and LMC Automotive conclude in their forecast for November sales. Factoring out rising sales to fleets, Power-LMC forecast that U.S. retail car and truck sales will fall by 0.3{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} for November compared to a year ago. Average vehicle transaction prices are rising, but at a slower pace. In November, Power-LMC estimated 41{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of vehicles will sell for more than the factory sticker price, down from 50{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} sold over sticker price in July. New-vehicle transaction prices continue to rise but at slower pace than earlier this year. The average price in November will set a record for the month of $45,872, an increase of 3.1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} from a year ago.

* For the second straight week, the nation’s average gas price has declined, falling 11.9 cents from a week ago to $3.64 per gallon early thsi week according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million individual price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country. The national average is down 16.4 cents from a month ago and 24.5 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 6.7 cents in the last week and stands at $5.28 per gallon.

* US DoE factoid of the week: In 2021, 73{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of all plug-in vehicles on the road were assembled in North America, with 65{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of them built in the United States. Japan was a distant second at 12{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, followed by Germany at 6{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. Since 2011—the first full year of mass market plug-in vehicle sales in the U.S.— a greater share of plug-in vehicles has been assembled domestically than conventional internal combustion-powered vehicles.

* How’s your vehicle’s resale value? The J.D. Power 2023 ALG Residual Value Awards have increased importance in today’s market for both automakers and consumers, given the recent increases in the cost of new and used vehicles. For a third consecutive year, Lexus received the brand award for best premium brand. For a second consecutive year, Honda received the brand award for best mass market brand. Kia received the most model awards overall and is the most improved mass market brand year over year, moving up three places. Porsche is the most improved premium brand, moving up four places. Learn more right here. https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2023-us-alg-residual-value-awards

* Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Domino’s Pizza Inc. is moving to electrify its pizza delivery with the acquisition of more than 800 custom-branded 2023 Chevy Bolt EVs. More than 100 of the General Motors electric cars are arriving at select franchise and corporate stores throughout the United States this month. An additional 700 will arrive in coming months, the company said, giving Domino’s the largest electric pizza delivery fleet in the country.

* Joe White at Reuters informs: People who buy electric vehicles tend to drive them less and keep them longer than combustion vehicles, according to new research from the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank. The result is relatively fewer, affordable used EVs on the market, which in turn could mean the U.S. vehicle fleet takes longer to convert to battery power from fossil fuels. The average new electric vehicle costs $66,000 – out of reach for many families. “The used vehicle channel has not nearly been as relevant for popularizing BEVs as it could be,” the Fed researchers write. By the time the average combustion vehicle is five years old, 55{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} have changed hands and been registered as used vehicles. But only 14{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of five year old electric vehicles are registered as used, based on registration and vehicle powertrain data from model year 2010 through 2021. BEV owners drive their electric cars a lot less, too. The average ten-year old electric vehicle has 50,000 miles on it, less than half the miles on the average ten-year old combustion car or truck.

* We read in Autoweek the AM radio band in particular is subject to electromagnetic interference from electric motors, which generate frequencies comparable in wavelength to AM radio signals. Many EVs have abandoned the radio band, while others—like the Ford F-150 Lightning—did include it but will soon cease to. A global radio aggregator and streaming service called TuneIn offers a solution, by delivering feeds from some 100,000 stations over a vehicle’s 5G wireless network access.

* Ford is recalling over 634,000 utility vehicles worldwide because a cracked fuel injector can spill fuel or leak vapors onto a hot engine and cause fires. The recall covers Bronco Sport and Escape models from the 2020 through 2023 model years. All have 1.5-liter, three-cylinder engines.

* Bond, James Bond! Bond In Motion: The Official Collection of Original James Bond Vehicles exhibition is at the Saratoga Auto Museum. Featured are 25 official vehicles from the longest-running film franchise in movie history. Bond In Motion runs through November 2023 at the Saratoga Automobile Museum in Saratoga Springs, New York. https://saratogaautomuseum.squarespace.com

* Comedian Jay Leno was released from the hospital after suffering burns to his face, according to multiple reports. Leno stayed at the Grossman Burn Center for 10 days after he was injured when flames erupted while working on his 1907 White Steam Car on Nov. 12. While he suffered third-degree burns, he should recover. “I am pleased with Jay’s progress, and I am optimistic that he will make a full recovery,” Dr. Peter Grossman, Leno’s doctor, said in a statement released by the Burn Center.

* Starting in 2023, Formula 1 is set to launch an all-female driver category, the F1 Academy, to develop and prepare young female drivers to progress to higher levels of competition – including W Series, Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula 3. The series will consist of five teams run by current F2 and F3 teams, each entering three cars to make up a 15-car grid. The first season will comprise of seven events with three races each – amounting to a total of 21 races – plus 15 days of official testing, with the 2023 calendar set to be released in due course. The drivers will be getting behind the wheel of Tatuus T421 chassis, with Autotecnica supplying turbocharged engines that will deliver 165 horsepower, while Formula 1’s Global Partner Pirelli will provide the tires.

* A total of 277 vehicles officially entered last weekend’s internationally televised BFGoodrich Tires 55th SCORE Baja 1000, presented by 4 Wheel Parts. The season-finale of the four-race 2022 SCORE World Desert Championship was held over a technical, rugged race course around Baja California Norte on Mexico’s magnificent and majestic Baja California peninsula. Race course distance is 828.25 miles. The Honda Off-Road Racing Team with its Honda Ridgeline Baja Race Truck took Class 7 honors for the second consecutive year in the 55th running of the iconic Baja 1000.

* A next-generation race-prepped, stock Ford Ranger Raptor finished the SCORE-International Baja 1000 atop the stock mid-size class, then drove on public roads back to its base in Riverside, California after the race. The nearly-flawless Ford Performance global effort was powered by a low-carbon biofuel (Ethanol and Bionaptha) from Shell, demonstrating that commitment to sustainability does not require compromising performance (or Rocket Science Electric) .

* We hope you all had a safe and happy Thanksgiving. AAA predicted 54.6 million people would travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving. That’s a 1.5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} increase over 2021 and 98{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of pre-pandemic volumes. This year is projected to be the third busiest for Thanksgiving travel since AAA started tracking in 2000.

Stay safe. Be Well.

July 19, 2022

Nutson’s Weekly Auto News Wrap-up July 10

AUTO CENTRAL CHICAGO – July 17, 2022; Every Sunday Larry Nutson, The Chicago Car Guy and Auto Channel Executive Producer, with able assistance from senior editor Thom Cannell from The Auto Channel Michigan Bureau, compile The Auto Channel’s “take” on this past week’s automotive news, condensed into easy to digest news Nuggets.

Nutson’s Automotive Weekly Auto News Wrap-up – Week Ending July 16, 2022 Below are the past week’s important, relevant, semi-secret, or snappy automotive news, opinions and insider back stories presented as
expertly crafted easy-to-understand automotive universe news nuggets.

* Gas prices fell this week to a national average of $4.67, 12 cents lower than last week’s average, according to new data from AAA. The national average is 32 cents less than a month ago, but $1.53 more than last year, AAA reported. Just last month, gas prices reached an all-time high, surpassing $5 per gallon and hitting the highest point since AAA began tracking prices in 2000.This recent decrease came despite a surge in demand for gas after the July 4th holiday, according to AAA.

* Michael Sivak Sivak Applied Research examined the differences between the prices of gasoline in blue and red states. Blue states were defined as those states where in 2020 Joe Biden won all or a majority of electoral votes (26 states); red states are those where Biden won no or a minority of electoral votes (25 states). The average prices of regular gasoline on July 14, 2022 came from AAA. The average of state averages in blue states was $4.81 per gallon, while in red states it was $4.50. There was only 1 blue state in which the average price was below $4.35 (GA), compared with 11 red states (AL, AR, FL, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, SC, TN, and TX). Conversely, there were only 3 red states in which the average price was above $5.00 (AK, ID, and UT), compared with 6 blue states (CA, HI, IL, NV, OR, and WA).

* The average price paid for a new vehicle in the U.S. in June was the highest on record and marked the first time the average transaction price (ATP) surpassed the $48,000 mark, according to new data released by Kelley Blue Book, a Cox Automotive company. The new-vehicle ATP increased to $48,043 in June 2022, according to KBB, beating the previous high of $47,202 set in December 2021. June prices rose 1.9{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} ($895) from May and were up 12.7{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} ($5,410) from June 2021. The average price paid for a new non-luxury vehicle last month was $43,942, up $615 from May, the highest price for a non-luxury vehicle on record. The average luxury buyer paid $66,476 for a new vehicle, up $1097 month over month, the highest price for a luxury vehicle ever.

* Tesla Inc.’s new assembly plant in Gruenheide, Germany, is building the Model Y only in black or white, according to a report from Automotive News Europe sister publication Automobilwoche. Customers who choose red, blue, or silver vehicles will be supplied from the automaker’s Shanghai factory and will not receive their vehicle until March 2023 at the earliest. If they opt for black or white, they can expect their cars in October. Facing a global shortage of semiconductor chips and other supply-chain disruptions, other automakers in Europe are offering pared-down options for cars so customers can get their new cars quickly. Renault is offering “fast track” delivery for its Arkana crossover to customers who choose black, pearl-white or gray.

* New-vehicle sales in the second quarter struggled, up only modestly from the first quarter and down more than 20{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} from Q2 2021. But, Cox Automotive reports sales of battery-powered electric vehicles – pure EVs – jumped to 196,788, a record high and a 13{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} increase from Q1. Sales of electrified vehicles – combined EVs, hybrids, and fuel-cell-powered vehicles – jumped to 442,740 in Q2, an increase of 12.9{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} from year-ago levels. Electrified vehicles account for 12.6{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of the U.S. market last quarter. In Q2, EV sales accounted for 5.6{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of the total market, an increase from 5.3{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} in Q1 and a record high. EV share in Q2 2021 was 2.7{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}.

* Electric vehicle chargers are coming to highway truck-stop gasoline stations. GM and Pilot Company (Pilot and Flying J) are collaborating on a national DC fast charging network that will be installed, operated and maintained by EVgo. This network of 2,000 charging stalls, co-branded “Pilot Flying J” and “Ultium Charge 360”, will be powered by EVgo eXtend and open to all EV brands at up to 500 Pilot and Flying J travel centers. Many of these sites will feature canopies to help protect customers from the elements while charging, as well as pull-through capability allowing convenient charging for electric pickup trucks and SUVs pulling trailers.

* There is an alarming increase in people being struck and killed while walking. The number of people struck and killed while walking reached yet another new high in 2020. More than 6,500 people were struck and killed while walking in 2020, an average of nearly 18 per day, and a 4.5 percent increase over 2019. This epidemic continues growing worse because our nation’s streets are dangerous by design, designed primarily to move cars quickly at the expense of keeping everyone safe. The result in 2020 was a significant increase in all traffic fatalities, even with less driving overall due to the pandemic. See the report here: https://smartgrowthamerica.org/dangerous-by-design/

* Various members of the automotive media were all abuzz over a story that BMW was going to charge a subscription fee for features such as heated seats to be activated in a vehicle. This led BMW of North America to issue a clarifying press release saying that’s not the case. BMW Functions on Demand on the other hand is designed to offer premium features through software upload that use data and sensors from factory option hardware already built into BMW vehicles. As an example, some BMW models equipped with certain specific options from the factory can currently add the first two Functions on Demand features available in the US – namely a dash cam function called BMW Drive Recorder and BMW Remote Engine Start function—through a software download in a customer’s vehicle.

* Yay, a new sedan is coming to market–and not another utility vehicle. Toyota pulled the sheet off the 2023 Toyota Crown. The Crown is a 4-door sedan with coupe-like styling, a traditional trunk opening and slightly lifted ride height. It will be have a hybrid powertrain and come with all-wheel drive as standard. The Crown is a premium sedan that will replace the Avalon.

* Bloomberg reports Chinese drivers are souping up their electric scooters, helping to grow one of the most successful corners of battery-powered transportation. Electric two-wheelers sold by companies like Niu Technologies have proved to be incredibly well-received in China’s megacities by delivery drivers and commuters who need to bypass traffic and travel short distances in little time. Their popularity has endured despite a 2019 move by the government to force manufacturers to cap speeds at 25 kilometers per hour (16 mph). Drivers and sellers have fought back by hacking software and taking online tutorials that allow them to bypass the controls, enabling some advanced models to hit speeds of 50 kph (31mph or more.)

* The Jeep brand is being recognized for the 20th consecutive year as America’s Most Patriotic Brand in the annual Brand Keys Inc. 50 Most Patriotic Brands survey. “Since 1941” is a badge of honor proudly displayed on all Jeep brand vehicles, recognizing the Jeep brand’s long-standing military heritage for over 80 years. Consumers surveyed based results on brands that best embody the value of patriotism in 2022.

* Nissan is recalling certain 2020-2022 Frontier and Titan vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway. 180,176 units are affected.

* Autoweek reports former NASCAR driver and three-time USAC National Champion racer Bobby East died following a stabbing attack at a gas station in Westminster, Calif., on July 13. East was 37. East is credited with 56 career USAC feature race wins, including 48 in national divisions. He won the USAC Silver Crown Series championship in 2012 and 2013 with Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing. In 2012, East became just the ninth driver in USAC history to win on dirt and pavement tracks in the three top categories: Silver Crown, National Sprint Car and National Midget. He made 31 career starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and 11 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series between 2005 and 2008. His best NASCAR finishes were eighth-place finishes in the Truck Series for team owner Jack Roush at Texas and Memphis in 2008. He raced for the famed Wood Brothers Racing team in the Truck Series in 2006.

Stay safe. Be Well.

July 13, 2022

Nutson’s Weekly Auto News Wrap-up July 3

Automobile CENTRAL CHICAGO – July 10, 2022 Each individual Sunday Larry Nutson, The Chicago Car Guy and Automobile Channel Govt Producer, with in a position aid from senior editor Thom Cannell from The Auto Channel Michigan Bureau, compile The Vehicle Channel’s “take” on this past week’s automotive information, condensed into straightforward to digest information Nuggets.

Understand Far more: Total variations of present-day news nuggets, together with hundreds of web pages of applicable news and opinions, facts saved in a million-webpage library released and indexed on The Car Channel all through the earlier 25 a long time. Complete info can be uncovered by copying a headline and inserting it into any Internet site Research Box.

Nutson’s Automotive Weekly Auto Information Wrap-up – Week Ending July 9, 2022 Underneath are the past week’s significant, appropriate, semi-key, or snappy automotive information, views and insider back again stories presented as
expertly crafted easy-to-fully grasp automotive universe news nuggets.

* We are 50 {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} way by means of 2022 and microchip shortages and other supply chain constraints go on to hamper the vehicle field. Car or truck gross sales declines for the first 50 {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of 2022 are down double-digit percentages for approximately each and every brand. GM says it has just shy of 100,000 vehicles that have left the assembly line with parts missing and are becoming held in storage to be finished. Cox Automotive puts the 2022 yearly product sales forecast at 14.4 million models. At the begin of the year Cox forecasted 16 million.

* GasBuddy.com studies we are in the midst of one of the steepest declines (what goes way UP! need to come down) in gasoline rates ever. The nationwide regular tied for its 2nd premier single day fall in the very last decade on Friday. The nationwide normal is now $4.699/gal. Each working day Us residents are investing $125 million considerably less on fuel vs 25 days in the past.

* Toyota has exhausted its U.S. tax credits for EV purchasers. Toyota mentioned it sold 3,876 plug-in hybrid and electrical vehicles in June. The U.S. permits automakers to provide a $7,500 tax credit history to purchasers of absolutely or partly electrical cars, but only up to 200,000 for each enterprise. The Japanese manufacturer will become the 3rd automaker to strike the limit, joining Standard Motors and Tesla.

* U.S.DoE factoid of the 7 days: Mass industry plug-in auto sales started in the United States at the end of 2010 with just a couple models out there to consumers. As new plug-in styles have been released and production volumes have amplified, sales have accelerated appropriately. It took approximately 8 decades to get to just one million cumulative profits but just two and a 50 {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} more yrs to arrive at two million cumulative revenue. Just 10 months right after achieving two million in June 2021, cumulative income climbed to 2.6 million as of April 2022.

* TikTok’s Prime Motors: These are the automobiles racking up around 10 million views on TikTok: New research by Puzzled.com analyzed the quantity of sights on TikTok working with hashtags mentioning each and every car or truck model and product, revealing the most popular car designs and brands on the app. The most seen automobile on TikTok is the Ford Maverick, with 10.9 billion views. Closely pursuing in next spot is an additional Ford product, the Ford Mustang, with 10.7 million views. The most-viewed non-Ford car on TikTok is the Toyota Supra, with 9.4 billion views. Regardless of each individual of the top rated 2 vehicles remaining Fords, seeking at car models by themselves, it truly is BMW that statements the prime spot with 49.2 billion sights.

* A 7 days back we reported on a targeted traffic jam established by a quantity of Cruise autonomous automobiles blocking an intersection in San Francisco. Most recently, a Cruise LLC report submitted with the California Department of Motor Automobile informs of a collision in San Francisco involving an autonomous Cruise car and a Toyota Prius. Occupants of both cars obtained insignificant injuries from the collision.

* A increasing variety of customers are eager to obtain a battery electrical automobile, in particular if selected problems similar to EV possession are tackled, these kinds of as developing greater obtain to charging, extending auto array, and decreasing buy charges, according to conclusions from the most significant-at any time nationally agent survey from Consumer Reviews. 36{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of Us residents are scheduling to get or lease an electrical vehicle, or are very seriously considering to do so. Examine more on this study:
Here

* According to Mopar Insider, the last of the Dodge Hellcat products could operate on E85 and have much more ability than a Demon. The supercharged 6.2-liter will not likely be likely out without the need of the proverbial bang. The SRT workforce is apparently doing the job on a modified version of the V8 to operate on E85 gasoline in a bid to extract even much more electrical power. How substantially? It is thought the engine will force upwards of 850 hp in what will be a limited-edition Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody.

* From our fiends at The Detroit Bureau we study that Matthew Sidney Geourge was convicted in federal court for advertising so-termed “defeat devices” that can override the emissions methods created into Ford F-Sequence vans utilizing the 6.4-liter Ability Stroke diesel, violating the U.S. Thoroughly clean Air Act. The situation indicates he is going through 1 12 months and a working day powering bars. His firm Spartan Diesel Systems has been hit with a $2 million fantastic. The situation introduced by the U.S. Division of Justice also accused Geourge of tax evasion. A few associates at Spartan will encounter dwelling confinement of six months every, together with probation, neighborhood company and penalties — although they averted jail time. The federal governing administration has been cracking down on the two tuners and person diesel homeowners who have adopted a political stand opposing federal rules and contesting the concept of worldwide warming. Beware to these into the “rolling coal” motion.

* Thanks to probable fires in 2020-2022 Ford Escape, Lincoln Corsair, and 2022 Ford Maverick designs outfitted with the 2.5-liter I-4 hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain, Ford is recalling about 100,000 automobiles.
The difficulty is, in the event of an engine failure, there could be ample oil and gasoline vapor amassed to trigger a fireplace near ignition resources.

* Le Mans hero, driver, staff supervisor, massive character and long-time motorsports editorial contributor Alain de Cadenet has died at age 77. Alain de Cadenet was a television presenter and racing driver. Immediately after a job in sports vehicle stamina racing, he hosted quite a few shows and broadcasts for the Pace Channel, ESPN, the Velocity Channel, and the Petrolicious internet site. Alain’s tales in person, on stage and in his normal columns were being always hugely entertaining, reflecting a lifetime lived at the sharp stop – and typically on a shoestring – for the duration of a golden period of motorsport.

Stay harmless. Be Well.

July 8, 2022

Nutson’s Weekly Auto News Wrap-up June 12-18, 2022

Car CENTRAL CHICAGO – June 19, 2022 Every Sunday Larry Nutson, The Chicago Vehicle Dude and Automobile Channel Government Producer, with ready help from senior editor Thom Cannell from The Car Channel Michigan Bureau, compile The Automobile Channel’s “consider” on this previous week’s automotive information, condensed into easy to digest news Nuggets.

Understand Extra: Total versions of present-day news nuggets, alongside with thousands of internet pages of related information and views, info saved in a million-web site library revealed and indexed on The Automobile Channel throughout the past 25 many years. Entire information can be observed by copying a daring headline and then inserting into any Internet site Search Box.

Nutson’s Automotive Weekly Auto News Wrap-up – Week Ending June 18 2022 Below are the earlier week’s significant, suitable, semi-magic formula, or snappy automotive information, thoughts and insider again stories introduced as
expertly crafted effortless-to-realize automotive universe information nuggets.

* Automakers claimed nearly 400 crashes of autos with partially automated driver-help devices, which includes 273 involving Teslas, according to data unveiled by U.S. security regulators. Automakers reported crashes from July of last year via Might 15 less than an order from the agency, which is inspecting these crashes broadly for the first time. Note what is prepared here: “partially automatic.” There are no comprehensive-automatic automobiles on the marketplace now.

* Highly developed technologies built to help motorists navigate intersections could tackle a 3rd of the crashes that bring about more mature driver injuries and fatalities, a new examine from the Insurance policy Institute for Freeway Protection shows. Intersection-aid capabilities, these kinds of as remaining-flip guide and others which are more recent and fewer nicely regarded, could supply more mature motorists much more assist, data demonstrates. Car-to-car connectivity, which is continue to on the horizon, would empower equivalent, additional innovative features. And, V-to-V could most likely permit auto speed handle.

* From Reuters reporter David Shepardson: The CEOs of the Detroit 3 (GM, Ford and Stellantis) and Toyota North The united states have requested Congress to lift the cap on federal tax breaks for EV buys. Less than latest regulation, the $7,500 tax credit phases out right after a company sells 200,000 EVs. Tesla and Common Motors now have dropped eligibility. The outlook for the automakers is uncertain, at ideal. West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, who holds a decisive vote in the 50-50 entire body, has questioned why automakers need subsidies when EV demand is so warm.

* Michael Sivak of Sivak Used Investigate has up-to-date essential U.S. transportation indexes with a number of new facts points. The subsequent stand for the inhabitants-adjusted improvements for March 2022 in comparison with March 2019: Road car or truck miles: up 1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, Air passenger miles (domestic): down 7{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, Rail passenger miles: down 32{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, Visits on community transit: down 39{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. The adhering to are the variations for May perhaps 2022 compared with May perhaps 2019: Car profits: down 31{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, Price tag of gasoline: up 36{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. A lot more information at:
https://www.greencarcongress.com/2020/10/20200923-sivakindex.html

* Commencing on July 1 the Illinois electric powered car or truck rebate of up to $4,000 commences for motor vehicles acquired after that day. The rebate does not implement to plug-in hybrids and funding is constrained. When the two new and utilised electric powered automobiles obtained from a vendor accredited by the Illinois Secretary of Point out qualify, rented or leased cars do not. The condition will “prioritize the evaluation of competent applications from reduced-cash flow purchasers and award rebates to capable purchasers appropriately.”

* Ford is possibly reviewing its plant safety procedures. Six new 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500s ended up stolen from Ford’s Flat Rock, Michigan assembly plant in the wee hours of the morning 1 working day this week. Law enforcement have been notified and a quick chase ensued with 1 suspect taken into custody. Three of the stolen motor vehicles, which retail for $80,000, were being recovered when they ran out of gasoline. To make maters even worse, 13 Ford F-150 Raptor pickup trucks were being stolen from Ford’s Rouge intricate. All of the $70,000+ trucks have been recovered by the Dearborn Michigan Law enforcement Division, but the vehicles are broken and missing elements, this kind of as wheel and tires.

* Ford is recalling almost 50,000 Mustang Mach-Es and telling sellers to pause deliveries of the all-electric car or truck due to a protection defect that could final result in ability loss. The Mach-Es significant-voltage battery major contactors can overheat thanks to an situation. The take care of for the situation is a software update that Ford expects to start deploying remotely for impacted autos future month.

* Ford also issued a recall for an estimated 2.9 million vehicles in the U.S. because they may possibly roll away. The remember affects the 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Link and 2015-2018 Edge. The transmission park position may perhaps not be accurately engaged to an use with a shift cable bushing. House owners are advisable to use the parking brake.

* Beautifully timed to its arrival this thirty day period at Acura dealers nationwide, the 2023 Acura Integra will make its motorsports debut June 26 at The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Global Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo. The up coming-gen Integra will contend in the 100th jogging of the “Race to the Clouds” together with four output-centered race cars from Acura, like two NSX Type S supercars, all prepped, pushed and crewed by a workforce of volunteer engineers out of the company’s R&D facilities in Ohio.

* The engines of the Mille Miglia, the ‘most beautiful race in the world’ as Enzo Ferrari referred to as it, have started up once more. For its 40th edition, about 425 priceless vintage cars and trucks are competing alongside the traditional Brescia-Rome-Brescia route of pretty much 2000 kilometers, which goes as a result of 250 municipalities throughout four times. Vintage autos, which have designed automotive historical past through the entire world and also their most recent evolutions will abide by the Mille Miglia torpedo. The 40th also coincides with the tenth anniversary of 1000 Miglia Srl, the company wholly owned by Automobile Club Brescia that has organized the world’s most essential regularity race since 2013.

* The most well-known automobile stamina race in the globe returned with a bang. Soon after staying held driving shut doors in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and then with restricted attendance very last calendar year, 24 Several hours of Le Mans returned to the Circuit de la Sarthe in France with fans packing out the stands once again. Toyota secured its fifth consecutive victory in the Le Mans 24 Several hours as the #8 crew of Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa arrived out on leading. Toyota experienced a a person-two complete with its hyper-automobiles followed by the two Glickenhaus entires that earned a legit podium complete, four laps back again from the successful Toyota. This is the first time an American intended and created car or truck has been on the podium given that 1969.

* Legendary Philadelphia motor vehicle collector and retired neurosurgeon Dr. Frederick Simeone has died at the age of 86, a spokesperson for the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum verified. Born and elevated in Philadelphia, Simeone was the chief of neurosurgery at Pennsylvania Hospital for 25 years right until he retired in 2008. He was also the author and editor of several papers and clinical publications. After his retirement, Simeone launched the Simeone Basis Automotive Museum in 2008. Simeone’s father, who was also a physician, remaining him with a selection of 4 cars and trucks saved in a garage on Clearfield Avenue in Philadelphia after his death in 1972. Simeone then expanded his father’s traditional automobile assortment over the up coming couple of many years and then donated the complete selection to the museum’s basis. Simeone’s assortment drew key recognition and was regarded by many professionals to be the finest in the environment.

* Vehicle analyst/author Maryann Keller passed away last week. Keller covered the automobile sector as a Wall Avenue analyst from the 1970s right up until the 1990s. In accordance to the New York Moments Keller was “the to start with woman to be an car analyst” in the United States. Those people who have been around awhile and worked in the automobile market certainly have talked with her several occasions for insights. She was a pioneer and inspiration to those people who adhere to her. RIP Maryann.

Remain safe. Be Nicely.

June 7, 2022

Nutson’s Weekly Auto News Wrap-up May 29-June 5, 2022

AUTO CENTRAL CHICAGO – June 5, 2022; Every Sunday Larry Nutson, The Chicago Car Guy and Auto Channel Executive Producer, with able assistance from senior editor Thom Cannell from The Auto Channel Michigan Bureau, compile The Auto Channel’s “take” on this past week’s automotive news, condensed into easy to digest news Nuggets.

LEARN MORE: Complete versions of today’s news nuggets, along with thousands of pages of relevant news and opinions, information stored in a million-page library published and indexed on The Auto Channel during the past 25 years. Complete information can be found by copying a bold headline and then inserting into any Site Search Box.

Nutson’s Automotive Weekly Auto News Wrap-up – Week Ending June 4, 2022 Below are the past week’s important, relevant, semi-secret, or snappy automotive news, opinions and insider back stories presented as
expertly crafted easy-to-understand automotive universe news nuggets.

* U.S. DoE factoid of the week: Fuel economy for a light-duty vehicle going 80 miles per hour (mph) is about 27{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} lower than when traveling at 60 mph. Between 40 and 50 mph is the optimum cruising speed for the best fuel economy in cars and light trucks, according to an Oak Ridge National Laboratory study of 74 different vehicles. The best fuel economy is typically obtained when the vehicle is traveling at the lowest speed in the vehicle’s highest gear.

* According to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and LMC Automotive, new-vehicle prices continue to set records, with the average transaction price expected to reach a May record of $44,832—a 15.7{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} increase from a year ago and the third-highest level on record despite rising interest rates. Average interest rates for new vehicle loans have risen. The average interest rate for loans in May is expected to increase 62 basis points from a year ago to 4.92{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. However, elevated used-vehicle values continue to help affordability for new-vehicle buyers who have a vehicle to trade in. The average trade-in equity for May is trending towards a record of $9,922, a 59.4{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} increase from a year ago.

* May new vehicles sales were not so good even with the long Memorial Day weekend shopping opportunity. Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru sales slumped again. Overall the industry was down 11{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} compared to April. With retail inventories still stuck below 1 million cars, the U.S. light-vehicle market lost more momentum in May, with the seasonally adjusted, annualized rate of sales falling to 12.8 million according to Bloomberg News. Of note, Genesis sales are up 39{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} for the year.

* The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline topped $4.70 for the first time ever this week. California has the highest average price at $6.25 per gallon. Since last Thursday, AAA said these 10 states have seen the largest increases in their averages: Indiana (+33 cents), Ohio (+31 cents), Illinois (+30 cents), Kentucky (+26 cents), Wisconsin (+26 cents), Michigan (+24 cents), Colorado (+21 cents), New Mexico (+19 cents), Nebraska (+18 cents) and Minnesota (+18 cents).

* Michael Sivak of Sivak Applied Research has noted the large differences among the recent increases in the cost of powering gasoline, diesel, and electric vehicles. The expectation was that the cost of electricity had recently increased much less than the costs of gasoline and diesel. The reason is that, in the United States, oil is used to generate less than 1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of electricity. Therefore, the recent jump in oil prices (because of the war in Ukraine), should have only a relatively small indirect effect on the cost of electricity. Calculations show that the prices for March (the latest month with available electricity prices) increased greatly for gasoline (+27.4{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}) and diesel (+37.1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}), while the price for electricity increased only modestly (+5.5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}). See more details here: https://www.greencarcongress.com/2022/06/20220602-sivak.html

* The Detroit Free Press reports Ford CEO Jim Farley said consumers should plan to see dramatic change in the near term as companies compete amid the shift to battery-operated vehicles. “We’ve got to go to nonnegotiated price. We’ve got to go to 100{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} online. There’s no inventory (at dealerships), it goes directly to the customer. And 100{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} remote pickup and delivery,” he said in New York during Bernstein’s 38th Annual Strategic Decisions Conference streamed live.

* Are you thinking about visiting San Francisco. You can now go to dinner in a ride-share car with no driver. Cruise Automation, General Motors majority-owned autonomous vehicle unit, has received final approvals to operate a commercial, robotaxi service in San Francisco, the company announced. The California Public Utilities Commission granted Cruise its permit after the California DMV allowed autonomous vehicle deployments by Cruise, and Alphabet’s Waymo.

* DeLorean Motor Company, Inc. has given the public its first complete look at the highly anticipated Alpha5, their all-new EV. The images are available on the company’s redesigned website, where early access subscribers had the opportunity to see the vehicle a full day before the site went globally public. Gallery photos explore the coupe’s exterior and interior, revealing sleek lines, classic louvers, and DeLorean’s iconic gull-wing doors. Images and accompanying details of the vehicle shed light on the dimensions of the car, two of its exterior paint colors, including a launch edition debuting at the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance in August, and the long-awaited specs. Estimated specifications include a range of 300+ miles, a battery of 100+kWh, and electronically limited top speeds of 155 mph.

* General Motors said its Buick brand will go all electric in North America by 2030. Buick showed a concept for a sleek, sporty EV car (yes, a car), called the Wildcat. The concept revives a muscle car era name. Buick also will bring back the venerable “Electra” badge, Automotive News reports. China is Buick’s largest market, representing about five times its U.S. sales. Nearly all of those vehicles in both markets still feature gasoline-fueled engines. Buick said its Chinese lineup won’t be fully electrified until after 2030.

* Jaguar Land Rover is joining Her Majesty the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, with 26 of its cars in the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, today, Sunday June 5. To further commemorate the Queen’s 70 years of dedicated service, Land Rover is giving the British Red Cross a new Defender 130 to support its operations in the UK. Iconic vehicles from the two British brands will include two of Her Majesty’s beloved Land Rover Defenders and several historically important Jaguar E-type. A Jaguar XKR from Die Another Day is joined by Land Rovers from Skyfall and No Time To Die. A specially commissioned, bespoke 1965 Series 1 Jaguar E-type Roadster will make its public debut in the parade.

* The Hagerty Drivers Foundation announced the 31st and 32nd vehicles to be inducted into the National Historic Vehicle Register, the only federally recognized program to document the historical and cultural significance of the automobile. In order to preserve America’s automotive heritage for future generations, the Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, manages the National Historic Vehicle Register with the U.S. Dept. of the Interior’s Historic American Engineering Record (HAER). Selected vehicles are permanently enshrined in the Library of Congress. This year’s inductees are the 1952 Hudson Hornet (7B-185596) “Fabulous Hudson Hornet,” Raced by Herb Thomas and Chrysler Corporation Turbine Car (Serial No. 9912-31).

* Memorial Day weekend brought us a triple-header motorsports show. The Indy 500 Is Better than ever This edition saw former Formula 1 driver Marcus Ericsson win the 106th Indianapolis 500 under a yellow flag after Sage Karam crashed in Turn 2 of the last lap. Before the caution flag Ericsson and Pato O’Ward dueled for the race victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. By the way, Scott Dixon set a record for Indy 500 qualifying speed, averaging 234.046 mph over four laps. Denny Hamlin qualified on the pole for Sunday night’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and ended up winning the longest race in the history of NASCAR, 619.5 miles with two overtimes. It was Hamlin’s second Cup Series win this season and 48th of his career. The 2022 Monaco Grand Prix had a rain delay by the first lap and after a hard-fought afternoon Red Bull’s Sergio Perez earned his first win of the season while also becoming a legitimate title contender. Carlos Sainz finished 1.154 seconds behind Perez and Max Verstappen got to the podium with a third-place finish. After seven races Verstappen holds a nine-point lead over Charles Leclerc in the driver standings and Perez is in third, 15-points off the lead.

* From the Hagerty Community we learned this nugget of automotive trivia. The “1939 Packard was the first production car to offer air conditioning. They built 300 cars with A/C, and Cadillac built 300 A/C cars in 1940. After WWII, A/C didn’t return until 1953 or 54 when Pontiac introduced the first in-dash unit. Earlier cars had the evaporator in the trunk. In 1955 Nash had “Weather-Eye”, the first combined heater-A/C unit, and the 1961 Corvair had the first factory installed A/C in the compact car range.”

Stay safe. Be Well.