Day: February 9, 2021

This could be a banner year for electric cars

By Betty C. Morrow 2 weeks ago

Signs point to 2021 being a big year for electric cars. Even though EV volume is a relatively small share of the overall market, the market is beginning to stir. Electrics account for about 2% of sales. But 2021 sees a major push by manufacturers to introduce new models. More EVs are likely to spark a sales surge.

Ralf Brandstätter, who heads global passenger cars for Volkswagen,
VWAGY,
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believes the inflection point may have happened last year. He said, “2020 was a turning point for Volkswagen and marked a breakthrough in electric mobility.” Worldwide deliveries of EVs at VW totaled more than 212,000 last year. “We are well on track to achieve our aim of becoming the market leader in battery electric vehicles,” Brandstätter said. “More than any other company, we stand for attractive and affordable e-mobility.”

Volkswagen’s serious push into the electric car market begins later this year

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Global EV Sales Growth Leads Industry in 2020 | Transportation

By Betty C. Morrow 2 weeks ago

By John P. Mello Jr.

Feb 9, 2021 4:07 AM PT

Global sales of electric vehicles in 2020 surged despite a drop in overall sales of passenger cars, a market research firm reported Monday.

Sales of EVs jumped 39 percent globally, reaching 3.1 million units, while sales of passenger vehicles fell 14 percent, Canalys reported.

It added that electric vehicles represented almost five percent of all new car sales in 2020.

Canalys chief analyst for automotive Chris Jones explained that Europe was a prime driver of EV sales last year, with the vehicles garnering 11.5 percent of new car sales in the region.

“Europe has shown other markets what is possible when all parts of the puzzle are in place: emissions-based policies with penalties, internal combustion engine vehicle ban target years set, customer incentives, a broad and expanding charging infrastructure, much improved choice of EVs, good EV supply, customer awareness

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High Plains Boneyard Documented With TLR Cameras From 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.

By Betty C. Morrow 3 weeks ago

During the last few years, I’ve been restoring film cameras of the 1890s through 1960s and using them to shoot the machinery at races and car graveyards. My favorite tools for this have been ancient box cameras from the early 20th century, and I’ve obtained some nice photos with these cameras at old-time junkyards in northeastern Colorado. The twin-lens reflex camera type is much more sophisticated than the cheapo box design, and I decided to take my three favorite TLRs to Speedway Auto Wrecking in Dacono, Colorado, during a blustery winter day last month. Here’s how it went.



The Twin-Lens Reflex camera was state-of-the-art in the middle of last century, and so were these cars.

© Murilee Martin
The Twin-Lens Reflex camera was state-of-the-art in the middle of last century, and so were these cars.



a sign hanging from a pole: Speedway Auto Wrecking sign

© Murilee Martin
Speedway Auto Wrecking sign

Speedway is a family-owned yard located in the farmland well northeast of Denver, and it specializes in American vehicles from the 1930s through

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The Apple Car is exposing the EV industry’s biggest strategy rifts

By Betty C. Morrow 3 weeks ago

Apple’s talks with Hyundai and Kia which could have seen the South Korean automakers build the much-rumored Apple Car have ended, highlighting stark differences in how automakers aim to capitalize on significant investments into electric vehicle platforms. Earlier in the year, Hyundai appeared to signpost that Apple’s longstanding Project Titan car project had found its manufacturing partner, announcing that the two companies were in talks.

It was enough to send Hyundai and Kia’s stock price shooting up, and prompt some confusion among long-time Apple watchers. The Cupertino company has never publicly discussed its long-term plans for Project Titan, nor committed to making a vehicle. Indeed, its collaborations with third-parties are usually wrapped tightly in a level of secrecy from non-disclosure agreements.

Hyundai’s announcement, and the media furore that followed it, was believed to have caused some waves, then. The automaker released subsequent statements that backtracked from its initial confirmation, but

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