CleanMPG

Misconceptions create the need for a strong rebuttal.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – August 19, 2020


Last week, Goodyear became the focus of the right which created misconceptions about the company and its Political policies. A widely circulated image sparked controversy and Goodyear took the opportunity to provide important context to the visual and to right the missteps by others that followed in a release.

The slide in question included the following:

Acceptable

• Black Lives Matter
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride (LGBT)

Unacceptable

• Blue Lies Matter
• All Lives Matter
• MAGA Attire
• Politically affiliated Slogans or Material

First, the visual in question was not created or distributed by Goodyear corporate, nor was it a...

The writing was on the wall for Uber and Lyft on April 30, 2018 when the Dynamex vs. California Superior Court ruling was announced.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – August 20, 2020


With just a few clicks, screenshots of some of the more onerous driver payouts and customer charges are shown with no end in sight for the 2 rideshare giants.

Carlsbad, CA -- With an impending rideshare service shutdown in California, the countries most populace state, the world’s...

I have not heard of a commercial application for it yet but maybe soon?

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – August 14, 2020


Last November, Bridgestone introduced the world's first polymer that bonds rubbers and resins on the molecular level. They call it SUSYM. Bridgestone wants to increase recognition of SUSYM and encourage its use as a next-generation polymer material in order to make contributions in various fields that exceed the scope of use as a tire material.

Me? I would like to see it used for tire material.

According to Bridgestone, the name SUSYM represents a combination of the words "sustain," "symphony," and "symbiosis" that encapsulates the meanings of these words.

SUSYM is the next step in the evolution of the High Strength Rubber with high levels of durability found in conventional rubber coupled with substantially...

An undocumented all-new portable navigator from Garmin?

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – August 11, 2020


While searching for a new GPS to replace my current DriveSmart 70, I came across something I have not seen documented.

My DriveSmart 70 has proven to be an excellent portable navigator with a GUI and interaction proving it to be my personal favorite of all portable or embedded mapping displays. In particular, the ability to exit subdivisions with circular maze of streets thanks to the Garmin’s breadcrumb trace, providing exacting distance traveled vs. odometers when completing detailed aFCD calibrations, and every so often, map another route to derive a distance or new route while Google Maps is active on a current route in the central display or...

2 CUV EVs and a Sedan EV were announced with a CUV the first out of the gate starting in early 2021.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – August 9, 2020


Earlier this evening, Hyundai revealed an update to its near term product strategy with the launch of the standalone IONIQ brand dedicated to BEVs. This is Hyundai’s latest marketing push into electrified mobility.

Under the IONIQ brand, Hyundai will leverage its EV engineering to introduce three new dedicated models over the next four years. The creation of the IONIQ brand is in response to fast-growing market demand -- aka Tesla success -- and accelerates Hyundai’s plan to compete in the global EV marketplace.

Hyundai promises to combine its current EV capabilities with future innovations that combine design, technologies and services to integrate in-car and out-of-car experiences...

Based on the sharp looking 2020 Escape HEV comes a stunning PHEV value proposition.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – August 8, 2020


2020 Ford Escape PHEV-37 FWD ($33,040/$35,620/$38,835 + $1,245 D&H + $195 Mini-Spare - $1,500 Rebate for SE/SEL/Titanium) while buyers are eligible for a Federal tax credit of $6,843.

As consumers begin returning to work and taking trips, demand for gasoline is expected to spike from the decades-low prices of the past few months.

The all-new 2020 Ford Escape PHEV has now been certified with a best-in-class EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 43/38/41 mpg city/highway/combined and100 MPGe combined plus an EPA-estimated 37 miles of all-electric driving range from the onboard, liquid cooled 14.4 kWh Li-Ion traction battery.

The...

While always on the lookout for a long lasting affordable tire, Goodyear’s MaxLife comes to mind.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – August 7, 2020


With just under 40k miles on my now 5-month young 2020 Toyota Prius Prime, tire replacements are always just around the corner. With the 156k mile Longevity Test on the 18 Elantra, we found that the 90k mile Hankook PT 737h’s would reach approximately 105k miles before necessary replacements from wear while performing the real-world worst-case drive scenario found while completing rideshare. The only negative attribute we experienced at the time was a worn tire howl that began...

The most efficient vehicles are sedans and hatches. Any questions?

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – August 7, 2020


Just days after announcing a surprise operating profit in the Q2 of 2020, Toyota doubled down on its sedan lineup.

Japan’s biggest automaker reported a net profit of $132 million USD in the April-June quarter. For the fiscal year Toyota maintains it can reach an operating profit of $4.72 billion USD.

Global auto sales have declined 22% in the first half to 4.16 million units due to COVID-19. While Toyota’s revenue for the quarter fell 40% to 43.4 billion USD, it exceeded analysts’ predictions.

Back on topic... As the automotive industry shifts to trucks and SUVs, Marketing VP Cynthia Tenhouse sees a bright future for Toyota’s passenger car...

Its GMs EV 3.0 project and the Luxury brands first.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – August 6, 2020


GMs EV 1.0 beginnings saw the EV1 introduced as the automakers first serious foray into the BEV marketplace. The 1996 intro saw 1,117 EV1s produced for lease only. All were picked up after the owner’s lease period and crushed. It was more of a trial balloon than anything serious and created buzz. A few live on as mostly undrivable curiosity pieces today.

GM’s EV 2.0 program imho occurred with the introduction of the Volt in Dec. of 2010 as a 2011 model before its demise in early 2019 after selling more than 180k units globally. The model was a money loser despite volumes exceeding initial sales expectations.

Within GMs second EV project reboot, the fully...

400-miles range is the near future promise… Targeting competitors offerings available today appears ill-conceived.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – August 4, 2020


With years of tepid EV engineering mass produced products behind it, GM is again focusing its organization towards profitable EV releases within a mid-term strategy to grow the company’s electric vehicle market share. While the Volt achieved some early sales success before its demise and the Bolt is the GM go to for EV media attention, consumer affordability was never achieved. More importantly, Corporate profitability was always a question mark.

With the #1 EV maker in the world, Tesla, now showing 4 continuous profitable quarters, almost guaranteed full fiscal year profits, and an...

It is more dramatic than you may have thought!

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – April 3, 2020


Southern California's infamous 405 running between Irvine and San Fernando through the heart of LA is known as the most congested highway in all of America.

From wiki, the running joke is that the highway was numbered 405 because traffic moves at "four or five" miles per hour, or because drivers had spent "four or five" hours to travel anywhere.

Average speeds as low as 5 mph are routinely recorded during morning and afternoon rush.

During a typical rush, it can easily take over 6-hours to cross its 73-mile length from end to end. From personal experience, during a Friday afternoon rush, it is the most brutal, mind numbing nightmare you have ever experienced behind the wheel of an automobile.

I...

Following the Corolla, a 50+ mpg Hybrid Elantra will be offered as well.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – March 17, 2020


In case you want to watch the reveal from LA, here it is in its entirety as Hyundai has officially launched its all-new 2021 Elantra and Elantra Hybrid.

The 2021 Elantra adds a new design identity, hybrid electric vehicle technology, and segment-first wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. The car also provides improved driving dynamics and the most progressive in-car experience in its class. Production of the 2021 Elantra starts in the fall in Ulsan, Korea and at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, with sales beginning in the fourth quarter.

Dressed to thrill w/ 301 ponies under the hood.

Cliff Leppke – CleanMPG – March 19, 2020


There’s a Camry with a rear wing, fat 19-inch tires, chin spoiler and dual tailpipes. Don’t laugh. These juvenile affectations aren’t junior’s overwrought makeover of a hand-me-down family car. Instead, the 2020 Camry TRD wears these boy-racer pieces well.

The car’s appeal, like the Guggenheim, is more than decorative. Toyota tuned its suspension and reinforced the body. Rear braces, for instance, require a fixed rear-seat back. The red dual-piston front-brake calipers are beefier too. Bridgestone summer-performance tires transform the TRD into a highway-sensing Scud missile.


Ask...

Even with Insurance and Maintenance included, it is expensive.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – February 19, 2020


Nissan is launching an "on-demand driving" program through its test of a subscription service model called Nissan Switch.

The program launches in the Houston area and offers a variety of vehicles, including the all-electric Nissan LEAF PLUS, TITAN pickup, and GT-R. Just like other popular subscription services for television and music, there is no long-term contractual commitment.

Andrew Tavi, VP, Legal, External Affairs and Business Development, Nissan North America, Inc.:

Convenient access to nationwide network of public charging stations and real-time station data.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Feb. 28, 2020


Finding a public charging station and initiating a charging session is now easier for Chevrolet Bolt EV and Volt PHEV owners. GM has just made enhancements to Energy Assist, a standard feature available in the myChevrolet mobile app for Bolt EV owners.

Energy Assist, allows Bolt EV owners to plan and manage their routes more effectively, locate available charging stations – both along their route and in the area – monitor their route and receive real-time alerts if their range projections change dramatically. Energy Assist is integrated with data from the vehicle, which enables intelligent planning and precise charge time predictions.

Energy Assist...