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    Will Elon Musk’s Political Rantings Drive Tesla into the Ditch?

    It’s safe to say that more people know who the CEO of Tesla is than could tell you who runs General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, or Hyundai. Elon Musk may own a lot of companies, but it’s Tesla that made him a household name. Not since Henry Ford and his Model T has the head of a car company been so associated with its wares. For many of the brand’s fans, veneration of Elon has gone hand in hand with veneration of Tesla, but what happens if people start thinking Elon is not so swell? Will they sour on Tesla’s products? We may be about to find out.After his high-profile purchase of Twitter for $44 billion, Musk assumed control of the social-media giant and has made an almost daily series of controversial moves. He reinstated formerly banned accounts, attacked Dr. Anthony Fauci, retweeted QAnon memes, and spouted off about “woke mind virus.” Advocating for “free speech,” Musk has gutted Twitter’s content-moderation function, with the result being that hate speech has skyrocketed and advertisers have fled. Now, he says he’ll be stepping down as Twitter CEO, but it remains to be seen whether he actually steps away.Wall Street, which has bestowed upon Tesla a sky-high valuation that has helped make Musk the planet’s richest man, has of late been tapping the brakes. Tesla’s stock price has been cut by 55 percent so far this year, and the selloff has accelerated since Musk’s takeover of Twitter. Of course, many factors can affect the share price (among them, Musk himself selling nearly $40 billion worth of stock this year). But is Wall Street concerned specifically about Elon’s behavior? Interviewed on CNBC’s Squawk on the Street on Friday, Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi said, “Absolutely, to some degree Musk may be disenfranchising potential customers.” Sacconaghi, whose firm has a $150 price target on the stock, saw bigger headwinds facing the company.Teslas TodaySome investors are voicing similar concerns. Quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Gary Black with Future Fund LLC, which is a major Tesla shareholder, said, “The $TSLA brand has been negatively impacted by the Twitter drama. Where before EV buyers were proud to drive their Teslas to their friends or show off Teslas in their driveways, now the Twitter controversy is hurting Tesla’s brand equity.” On Twitter, Black expressed hope that Elon would see the error of his ways: “He will realize soon (if not already) that his polarizing political views are hurting customer perceptions of [Tesla] EVs.”A recent story in Forbes echoed this sentiment, as does a just-released report on automakers’ brand equity, by the automotive research consultancy Strategic Vision. Strategic Vision says, “Tesla’s brand image is heavily tied to its CEO, Elon Musk” and that Musk’s recent actions “all have had a direct impact on his own image and that of Twitter and Tesla.” Strategic Vision president Alexander Edwards notes: “These problems are magnified in that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are more often purchased by self-identified Democrats who have generally opposed Musk’s actions with Twitter.”Elon seems to be going out of his way to antagonize this core audience. And research shows Democrats’ view of Tesla has dimmed lately, while Republicans’ opinion of the brand has turned more favorable, although to a lesser degree. “Tesla has offered among the best, if not the best, electric vehicles for over a decade, but these buyers aren’t necessarily making the choice based on how environmentally friendly it is,” counters Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions. He adds: “An aura has grown around Tesla ownership. It shows the financially green status of the owner rather than their eco-green mindset, which doesn’t automatically equate to being left-leaning. Given Tesla’s popularity, its buyers will cover a wide political spectrum, and a portion will likely be offended by Musk’s opposing political views, but the numbers aren’t likely to put a huge dent in Tesla’s totals.”The Marketplace TodayTesla, by and large, created modern EV demand. At one time, those who were turned off by Musk’s statements or behavior might nonetheless have overlooked them, owing to the dearth of EV alternatives. Today, though, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Genesis, GMC, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Lexus, Lucid, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Rivian, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo all offer electrics, with legions more heading to the on-ramp. And all of them are from automakers whose CEOs keep their politics to themselves.This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More

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    Hero XPulse 200T Facelift Launch Price Rs 1.25 L – 3 New Colours

    Hero XPulse 200T is conceived as a touring version of the capable XPulse 200 off-roaderHero XPulse 200T FaceliftHero MotoCorp has been ramping up sales like clockwork. The company has a portfolio of some of the most value-for-money products. Models like Splendor are still going strong crushing every other motorcycle to become the highest-selling motorcycle in India as seen in our top motorcycles post.If we take the company’s current flagship XPulse range, even though they don’t sell like Pulsar series or Apache series or FZ series, they still make their way to top 10 lists in Hero’s sales as seen the Hero sales breakup post. But within this 200cc platform, 200S and 200T are not that popular and Hero is fixing one of those with a facelift.Hero XPulse 200T FaceliftHero has updated the XPulse 200T for the 2023 model year with a facelift. Launch price is Rs 1,25,726, ex-sh. Anyone remember the XPulse 200 Scrambler Concept that Hero showed off in 2018? No? We mention it because the subtle changes XPulse 200T gets, reminds us of that concept. Changes are a small body-coloured visor identical to the one on Scrambler Concept, a fork gaiter (fork boots) and blacked-out aesthetics.Front forks and exhaust cover are now finished in black or dark grey. Also new is the engine guard or the belly pan with a new design. Grab rails are also new and are simpler than the ones currently on sale. Headlight unit and handlebar are still the same. But the new 200T gets a new red insert on the cylinder head, something we recently saw on XPulse 200 4V Rally Edition.Hero XPulse 200T FaceliftRanjivjit Singh, Chief Growth Officer (CGO), Hero MotoCorp said, “XPulse has built a robust position among motorcycling enthusiasts in India, and we are certain that this trend will be further strengthened with the launch of the new Hero XPulse 200T 4V.Offering a distinctive experience to riders, the Hero XPulse 200T 4V truly comes in an all-new avatar, with its bold, youthful, and retro design elements. An embodiment of endless highways, and the dream of freedom, the new motorcycle is engineered to deliver an unmatched touring experience with utmost comfort and performance.”Powertrain SpecsHero XPulse 200T facelift gets the same 4V head as we saw with the XPulse 200 off-roader. It churns out a maximum power of 19.1 PS @ at 8500 RPM and torque of 17.3 Nm @ 6500rpm (6% more power and 5% added torque). Thus making it more touring-friendly, thanks to the re-tuned power-torque curve and revised transmission ratio. It will come mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Rest of the components like alloy wheels, petal disc brakes, suspension (37mm front forks & 7-step adjustable mono-shock suspension) and exhaust unit seems to be the same as well.The motorcycle comes loaded with a variety of intelligent assistance systems including best-in-class turn-by-turn navigation, LCD instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity, gear indicator, trip meter and service reminder that make your journey even safer and more comfortable.It comes in 3 colour options of Matt Funk Lime Yellow, Matt Shield Gold and Sports Red. More

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    2023 Hyundai Kona New Gen Debuts – Petrol, Hybrid, Electric

    Current gen Kona EV that is on sale in India gets a 39.2 kWh battery pack – It is likely to be replaced by the end of 2023FrontHyundai has pulled the curtains off its Kona lineup today. 2023 Kona consists of four variants. Company says that the design across its lineup was EV-derived and is futuristic in its appeal. It brings Kona to Hyundai’s new design language that we have witnessed on some of its recent products.Even though all four variants are based on the same universal structure, they get distinct styling to distinguish among themselves. By offering a variety in its powertrain offerings, 2023 Hyundai Kona lineup stresses sustainable mobility. There is a lot of technology-led design thinking inspired by its successful Ioniq 5.All New Hyundai Kona 2023Hyundai is offering the Kona lineup in four different variants with varied styling. We have the regular Kona with an internal combustion engine, Kona HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) and sporty Kona N Line and lastly, Kona EV. Earlier, Hyundai Kona EV was spied testing with heavy camouflage at Desert Hills Premium Outlet in California, USA.SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Design Center, said on the occasion that “Upscaled with KONA’s unique character, the all-new KONA confidently expresses its bold and dynamic presence,”. He further added that “KONA has evolved in every respect to embrace an even wider range of diversity, to become a true lifestyle supporter.”InteriorIn a mission to carve more space for customers, the all new Hyundai Kona lineup has grown significantly. At 4,355 mm in length, it is now 150 mm longer and 25 mm wider than its predecessor. Even the wheelbase has been increased by 60 mm to offer better knee room for rear passengers. Combining all these, the new model should be a lot more spacious than its predecessor.Hyundai says that they started with the Kona EV first and then transferred its design and transformed it to suit other variants in the lineup. Front fascia is now brand new and features a horizontal light bar that doubles as DRL and below it arranged in a triangular-like housing, LED headlights.Features & SpecsKona EV gets a new Pixelated Seamless Horizon Lamp which has dot patterns instead of the parametric grill design found on Kona and Kona N Line. It gets body cladding all around and has an effect of housing its headlights and taillights in this very cladding. Side skirts and 19” alloy wheels are offered based on variants.All New Hyundai Kona LineupOn the inside, 2023 Hyundai Kona gets dual 12.3” horizontal displays. One for infotainment and the other for the driver’s instrument cluster. Other features include a single-pane sunroof, auto-dimming IRVM, ADAS, and a lot more. Powertrain specs for both Kona EV and the rest are not yet revealed. Hyundai will divulge further information in the coming months. More

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    Bajaj Platina ABS 110cc Launch Price 72k – First In Segment

    Bajaj Platina 110 ABS will ensure better safety for riders, who often have to deal with panic braking situationsBajaj Platina ABS 110ccContinuing on its mission to improve overall user experience, Bajaj has launched Platina 110 ABS. It is India’s first motorcycle in 100-110cc segment to offer the safety net of ABS. The bike also gets a digital speedometer that shows a broader range of information including ABS indicator.Even with first-in-segment ABS features and other updates, Bajaj has ensured that Platina 110 does not compromise on the affordability factor. Platina 110 ABS is available at a starting price of Rs 72,224 (ex-showroom Delhi). This is around the same as 100cc Splendor Plus, the largest selling motorcycle in the country.Bajaj Platina 110 ABSRiding on two wheels can never be 100% safe. But at least new features can reduce some of the risks that riders face on an everyday basis. Platina 110 ABS does just that by providing the right equipment to effectively deal with panic braking situations. Based on consumer feedback, it was noted that one of the key challenges two-wheeler users face is panic braking. Such situations can arise due to various factors such as stray animals, rash driving, bad patches on the roads, potholes, wrong side driving, etc.ABS helps, as it significantly improves balance, handling and stability in such challenging situations. ABS also reduces braking distance, which helps avoid direct collisions. With ABS, users can avoid skidding and crashing, which can result in serious bruising and other injuries. ABS becomes all the more important here, as India accounts for the world’s highest road deaths. Among them, around 45% of the accidents involve two-wheelers.Bajaj Platina ABS 110ccApart from improved braking, Platina 110 ABS is equipped with a new digital speedometer. It displays a range of information including ABS indicator, gear indicator and gear guidance. Platina 110 ABS has longer front and rear suspension that helps avoid jerks and vibrations. The bike has a long, wide and well-padded seat for optimal comfort of both rider and pillion. Platina 110 ABS has state-of-the-art headlight with integrated DRL, which ensures clear visibility to the rider.Will other commuter bikes get ABS?Segment-first features are always welcome and even more so when they are meant to prevent injuries and save lives. In various tests, ABS has demonstrated its capabilities to prevent accidents. As ABS offers clear, scientifically verifiable benefits, it raises the question as to why it should not be made mandatory for all two wheelers. If helmets can be made mandatory, why not ABS?Increased cost is apparently the primary resistance, but if Bajaj can do it why not others. Lakhs of 100-110cc bikes are sold annually, which demonstrates the significant number of users that stand to gain with ABS.Even if there is no regulatory intervention, it is possible that market forces may prompt other OEMs to introduce ABS with their commuter bikes. People who care about their safety and their loved ones will naturally prefer bikes that offer enhanced safety. More

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    Buick Electra SUV Coming to U.S. in 2024, Could It Be This Electra E5?

    A Buick spokesperson confirmed to C/D that Buick’s first EV will be an SUV called Electra, scheduled to debut for the U.S. in 2024.Buick has just debuted the Electra E5 for China, and we think this model is likely to come to the U.S.Buick has trademarked Electra E1 through E9 names, hinting at its future lineup.Buick is bringing back its Electra nameplate, first used in 1959, for a new range of EVs. We knew that much from a previous trademark filed for the name, but now a Buick spokesperson has confirmed to C/D that the brand will launch the first Electra model, an electric SUV, in the U.S. in 2024. We think this first model could be the Electra E5, just revealed for the China market, that you see here.BuickThe new Electra E5 uses GM’s Ultium battery platform and is a compact SUV. This model appears to be closely related to the Equinox EV, as it rides on the same 116.3 inch wheelbase as the Chevy. It incorporates design elements from Buick’s Wildcat concept and features the latest iteration of the tri-shield logo. Full specs and interior photos are still under wraps, but we’d guess that the Buick will be more luxurious inside than the Equinox.More on BuickBuick declined to comment on the exact size and nomenclature of the Electra model it plans to reveal for the U.S. market in 2024. But we do know that the brand has filed trademarks for Electra E1 through E9, covering all its bases for a wide lineup of electric SUVs ranging from subcompact to full-size. Even if the E5 isn’t the first Electra model to come to our shores, we still think it’s a likely candidate for the U.S. market at some point. It would compete in the compact EV SUV segment that currently includes the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model Y, and Volkswagen ID.4.Stay tuned for more news on the Electra E5 and plenty of information still to come about Buick’s new Electra lineup of EVs.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More

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    2024 Hyundai Kona Shows Off Stylish Design with Full-Width LEDs

    Hyundai has shown off the first images of the 2024 Kona, with the second-generation subcompact crossover bringing a fresh, angular design. The Kona will yet again offer electric and gas powertrains, with a hybrid powertrain potentially coming to the United States for the first time.The 2024 Kona also grows, adding 5.9 inches of length, with 2.4 extra inches in the wheelbase.The subcompact Kona crossover has been a hit for Hyundai, consistently coming in among the Korean automaker’s top five bestsellers since it was launched for 2018. Now Hyundai has revealed the first photos of the second-generation Kona, showing off a sharp, futuristic design that will continue to house a diverse array of powertrains. The 2024 Kona will be offered with varying degrees of electrification, with an all-electric model, a hybrid, and internal combustion engines including a sportier N Line variant. Unusually, Hyundai says the new Kona was developed as an EV first and then adapted to fit the other powertrains. The Kona has also grown, now measuring 171.5 inches long, 5.9 inches longer than the previous electric Kona. The crossover is also nearly an inch wider and has a 2.4 inch longer wheelbase than before. The pointy front end features a thin LED light bar stretching the width of the car, with the main headlights once again housed within a black plastic piece that stretches around the bumper to encapsulate the front wheels. On the electric model, the light bar gains a pixelated appearance to tie it in with Hyundai’s Ioniq EVs, and the electric Kona also has body-color wheel arches. A closely cropped image of the rear shows a similar design theme to the front end, with a narrow light bar atop larger taillights units incorporated into the wheel arches. The 2024 Kona’s expressive bodywork echoes the Tucson with heavily creased diagonal character lines on the side. The different variants get distinct faces, with the EV receiving a pixelated design in the front bumper and the standard gas and hybrid versions wearing a faux skid plate and chunky chrome details. The N Line sees a black grille linking the headlights, as well as a blacked-out roof and a rear spoiler. The 19-inch wheels also vary in design depending on the powertrain.More Hyundai EVsThe interior is completely reimagined, with an airy feel and two 12.3-inch screens combining to make up the digital gauge cluster and infotainment system. The gear selector has moved from the center console to a stalk behind the steering wheel, freeing up more storage space in the center console. Hyundai didn’t reveal any powertrain specifics, and it’s unclear if the hybrid will be sold stateside, since the first-generation Kona did not offer the hybrid model in the United States. Hyundai says more information on the 2024 Kona will arrive next year, and we expect to see range and power increases for the electric version. This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More

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    GM’s Cruise Autonomous Vehicles under Investigation after Crashes

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into 242 Chevy Bolt–based robotaxis operated by the General Motors subsidiary Cruise in San Francisco.The investigation follows three crashes where the Cruise vehicles braked abruptly as a car approached quickly behind, causing the approaching vehicle to rear-end the Cruise cars.Cruise said it will fully cooperate with NHTSA. The company is looking to expand operations in 2023 as it readies its podlike Origin autonomous vehicle.Cruise, the autonomous-driving subsidiary of General Motors, has been testing its robotaxi service in San Francisco since summer 2021. That entity is now under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The safety organization is looking into a series of crashes in which Cruise’s Chevy Bolt–based prototypes were rear-ended after the electric cars performed a heavy braking maneuver. NHTSA says it has received three reports of the Cruise vehicles “initiating a hard braking maneuver in response to another road user that was quickly approaching from the rear.” Each time, the result was the car behind hitting the rear of the Cruise vehicles. Two injuries were reported in the three collisions. The upcoming Cruise Origin.CruiseThe organization says that the Cruise vehicles “may engage in inappropriately hard braking or become immobilized,” leading the modified Bolt EVs to become “unexpected roadway obstacles.” NHTSA will now begin an evaluation of 242 Cruise vehicles, investigating the logic used by the cars’ computer systems when they performed the hard braking action. Depending on the results, this could lead to a recall of the autonomous vehicles.Stranded RidersNHTSA also says it has reports of Cruise vehicles “becoming immobilized,” which “may strand vehicle passengers in unsafe locations.” This is not the first time Cruise has faced scrutiny—a crash in June that left two people injured prompted a recall of 80 vehicles to update the self-driving software.More Futuristic Pod VehiclesCruise responded by pointing out that, after “nearly 700,000 fully autonomous miles in an extremely complex urban environment,” there have been “zero life-threatening injuries or fatalities” but said it will “fully cooperate with NHTSA or any regulator,” as reported by Reuters. The company also noted that the police did not issue tickets to any of its vehicles in the three crashes. Despite the investigation, Cruise is charging ahead with its ambitious goals, planning to expand into new markets and introduce thousands of autonomous vehicles in 2023. The company announced last Thursday that it had received the first of two permits needed from California that will allow it to charge riders for trips across all of San Francisco in its self-driving cars. The company also petitioned NHTSA in February 2022 for permission to use autonomous vehicles that do not have steering wheels, mirrors, or other physical controls as it develops the pod-like Origin first revealed in 2020. This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More

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    Top 10 Scooters Nov 2022 – Activa, Access, Jupiter, iQube Electric

    TVS Jupiter lost as much as 30,000 units in sales MoM when compared to last month and surprisingly lags behind Suzuki Access2022 TVS iQube ElectricIn the earlier post, we took a look at the top 10 two wheelers sales Nov 2022. In this post, we will take a look at the scooter sales for the last month. Scooter segment in India is on a positive note when sales are concerned. Within top 10 scooters charts for November 2022, Activa takes a massive lead again over its rivals. With 1,75,084 scooters sold in November 2022, Activa maintained dominance.To put it into context, Activa sales were more than the 2nd to 8th highest-selling scooter sales combined. The top 10 scooters sales accounted for 3,69,526 units and saw 34.85% YoY growth when 2,74,026 units sold in November 2021 are taken into account. Volume gain collectively stood at 95,500 units YoY. With 1,24,082 scooters to beat from last year, Activa registered 41.1% YoY growth by gaining 51,002 scooters in volume. Activa holds 47.38% of market share out of the top 10 scooters.Top 10 Scooters Nov 2022Suzuki Access has outsold TVS Jupiter and has secured the 2nd spot. With 48,113 units sold, Access has gained 13.26% in sales YoY and 5,632 units in volume YoY. The most interesting developments among top 10 scooters in November 2022 is the figures registered by TVS Jupiter, which has been securing 2nd spot for a long time.Jupiter sold just 47,422 units last month. In October 2022, Jupiter sales stood at 77,042 units and within a month, Jupiter has lost almost 30,000 units. When compared to 44,139 units sold last year, Jupiter saw 7.44% YoY growth by gaining 3,283 units.Top 10 Scooters November 2022Hero’s first entrant into this list is Pleasure which clocked 19,739 units in November 2022. When compared to 11,136 units sold a year ago, Pleasure gained 77.25% YoY with 8,603 units gained in volume YoY. It definitely looks like Pleasure had a lot of fun last month.TVS’ second vehicle in the top 10 scooters list is the sporty NTORQ. It sold 17,003 units last month as opposed to 19,157 units sold a year before in the same time period. This way, TVS NTORQ became the first scooter on this list to register a negative growth of 11.24% and lost 2,157 units in volume.TVS iQube Makes It To Top 10 ScootersHonda Dio took 6th spot with 16,102 units sold last month. It is Honda’s second product on this list and it registered 88.95% YoY growth as opposed to 8,522 units sold last year in the same time period. Dio gained 7,580 units in volume YoY and has 4.36% of market share among the top 10 scooters.Top 10 ScootersNov-22Nov-21Growth % YoY1. Honda Activa1,75,0841,24,08241.102. Suzuki Access48,11342,48113.263. TVS Jupiter47,42244,1397.444. Hero Pleasure19,73911,13677.255. TVS Ntorq17,00319,157-11.246. Honda Dio16,1028,52288.957. Hero Destini15,4113,264372.158. Yamaha RayZR10,79512,344-12.559. TVS iQube Electric10,0566991338.6310. Yamaha Fascino9,8018,20219.50Total3,69,5262,74,02634.85Destini sold 15,411 units and registered a positive growth of 372.15% as opposed to just 3,264 units sold in November 2021. Yamaha’s sporty RayZR and Fascino 125 scooters secured 8th and 10th spots with 10,795 and 9,801 units sold last month. Because RayZR sold 12,344 units and Fascino sold 8,202 units a year before, RayZR managed to witness a decline in sales by 12.55% and Fascino managed to gain by 19.5% YoY.TVS iQube electric scooter makes it to the top 10 scooters list in November 2022 and breaks stereotypes. For the 2nd time in recent months, an electric scooter is breaking bread with its ICE rivals and has featured on the top 10 list. With 10,056 units sold, iQube saw the greatest YoY comeback as it witnessed 1338.63% YoY growth over just 699 units sold last year. More