Thursday, 4/1/21

April Fools'!

Ok, I was totally taken.  Hook, line, and the whole thing.  The set-up was masterful.  And the takedown was efficient and effective.

Luckily, I wasn't alone in both my bewilderment and reporting of Volkswagen changing its name to

Voltswagen

- here in the United States.

So, VW sent a press release at 5 AM Tuesday.  Dow Jones reported it.  Everyone did!  And me too.  And I frantically sent an email to my friend

Earl Reed, the GM of Ontario VW

to get a quote from the dealer's perspective.

Anyway, it was a well-played prank.  Volkswagen is NOT changing its name.  But the end result is that the carmaker got all kinds of press and the point was made.  The company is making signifiant EV moves.

Additionally, that set my week back a bit.  So this newsletter is hitting your inbox slightly later than normal.  My apologies.  But I hope you and your family are well.

Happy Easter,

-T

BUSY NEWS WEEK

Big Names, EVs & Autonomous

• Warren Buffet backed EV company news - didn't know he'd bought in.

• Hyundai teams with Lyft for robo-taxi fleet - but care charing w/ COVID?

• It's snowmobiles, personal watercraft, and robot cars for Polaris.

• 28 K-year battery life?  Yes, but it's radioactive along with other issues.

• Underage driver joy-rides in the backseat of Tesla on autopilot.

• Drivers of gas vehicles mess with EV drivers - kinda funny. :0)

And Then There's This Guy

• Could VW and Tesla have a long-term play planned?

• Toyota and Tesla are restarting their relationship.

• 1600 Pennsylvania Ave is contributing to the EV craze.

• Elon drove outta SoCal and wants you to as well!

• Plus E.Musk is giving millions to Texas schools!  (Goober Newsom - nice work.)

• Musky deletes a Tweet stating Tesla will soon be bigger than Apple.

News On The Road Now

• Recall: Fuel pump issue with many newer Hondas.

• Ford's x-ray vision smart mirror - just a camera?

• Cars cost more but not: Interesting Consumer reports study.

• Distracted Driving Crackdown For Orange County.

• Tiger's accident cause as transparent as the 2020 Presidential Election.

Fast, Petty, Weird & Wonder How

• New hypercar looks furiously fast, futuristic, and sexy!

• Mechanic's boss proves petty to the penny w/ last paycheck.

• Kinda weird muscle car concepts to scroll through.

• Somehow a one-of-a-kind red, turbine-powered, tractor-trailer was lost and found.

VW's Clever April Fools' Prank

They got us all - media outlets large and small like me... good one VW!

CAR FUN THIS WEEKEND

The Marconi Automotive Museum is back to being open on the weekends!  You can learn about the museum through this interview or plan your trip here.  Plus, our regularly scheduled C&C's are happening - including a couple of monthly/bi-monthlies. 

Saturday:

• Westlake Village, Conejo Valley C&C.

Easter Sunday:

• Oxnard, Muscles And Mojo, at the Murphy Museum.

Complete events list HERE.

2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 Review

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay now wireless!  BTW - LOVE the NEW Cherry Red Tintcoat.  Details HERE.

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