Bruce Aldrich

Articles by Bruce Aldrich

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VinFast VF8 SUV arrives in US from South Vietnam

A dual-motor, all-electric, all-wheel-drive drivetrain powers the VinFast VF8, a new midsize sport utility vehicle that combines performance and efficiency. The design of the vehicle was created by Pininfarina, the renowned Italian design house. The VF8 has a long wheelbase and short overhangs, which give it a balanced and attractive appearance. VinFast is a new electric vehicle brand from Vietnam, founded in 2017 by Vingroup, a leading conglomerate in the country. Vinfast aims to produce high-quality electric vehicles for the global market, with a focus on innovation and sustainability. VinFast has already established a presence in several countries, including the U.S. where it has 10 California dealerships and plans to expand to other states. Vinfast is also confident in its

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Commentary: Can fuel cell vehicles thrive?

I recently attended a gathering for alternative fuel vehicles, hosted by Sacramento Clean Cities Coalition (SCCC). The SCCC is part of a national network that supports the reduction of petroleum consumption in transportation. Several alternative fuel vehicles were on display, including the Toyota fuel cell car called the Mirai. The Mirai is a good-looking midsize sedan fueled with compressed hydrogen. The compressed hydrogen passes over a fuel cell stack to produce electricity for the electric drive motor. The Mirai has a 300-mile range, takes only three minutes to fill, and drives like any other car. It’s perfect, but where do get hydrogen at 5,000 psi? Chris White, with California Fuel Cell Partnership, said California currently had 25 hydrogen fueling stations.

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Review: Thinkware Dash Cam is vital car technology

It’s time to get a dash camera. Thinkware makes good ones. I had a chance to use a Thinkware Dash Camera in my vehicle and I loved it. I never thought I had a need for constantly recording the view out my vehicle’s windshield, but now I do. The vibration-free, high quality, recording of my travel is not only fun to view, but it could be vital to an insurance company or the law if my driving decisions were ever questioned. A Dash Cam is also of real value when sorting out the cause of traffic accidents. I used the Thinkware model F50. It’s a tiny camera (smaller than a GoPro) that stick-mounts to the windshield behind the rear-view mirror.

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Get a grip this winter on slippery roads

Don’t be the driver who spins out, gets stuck in a snow bank, or just stays home because of bad weather. Get a grip. All-wheel or four-wheel drive is a solid foundation to safe winter driving and winter tires complete the package. Is there a difference between a general purpose tire and a winter specific tire? I drove BMWs equipped with “all-season” tires and Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 winter tires on the ice recently at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. There is a huge improvement in grip with the winter Blizzak tires. The video below shows the red BMW 328i with Blizzak tires outperforming the silver BMW with all-season tires. Try Tire Rack when you’re ready to buy winter tires.

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Winter driving conditions demand specific tires

The added traction of a specialized winter tire is amazing. If you drive in snow and ice, you need winter tires. Winter tires will reduce your stopping distance, allow faster acceleration and provide better steering. The typical tire on your car or truck is a general purpose tire labeled “all-season” or “mud and snow.” These tires perform well in many conditions, but they under perform in cold temperatures and on slippery surfaces. A winter tire is optimized for these conditions through special tread designs and advanced rubber compounds. Bridgestone gave me the opportunity to drive and compare tires at its “Tire Rack Winter Driving Experience” in Denver. The “test track” was the ice hockey rink in the Pepsi Center, home

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