Pending new USPS trucks remain contentious

The pending first new USPS trucks in 30 years haven’t been driven. But they continue to be stuck before they start and the problem appears worse. The problem, percolating for months, now may include an investigation into a decision by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to purchase up to 165,000 gasoline-powered mail trucks over the Biden administration’s objections. In a letter to Inspector General Tammy Whitcomb, lawmakers questioned whether the Postal Service had complied with a law requiring environmental reviews of major federal actions. Further, the lawmakers believe the multibillion-dollar contract would undermine the nation’s climate goals. The contract, worth up

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2023 Ram ProMaster: bigger, badder, more versatile

The 2023 Ram ProMaster, a full-sized van designed for businesses, construction job sites and commercial fleets and a versatile-use towing capacity of 6,900 pounds, debuted recently at National Truck Equipment Association’s (NTEA) Work Truck Week trade show in Indianapolis, Indiana. According to the manufacturer, the new ProMaster will include best-in-class features like cargo volume, turning radius, standard interior cargo height, load-floor height, cargo width between wheel wells and maximum cargo width. Available in 19 configurations, the Ram ProMaster includes three roof heights, three wheelbases and four vehicle lengths resulting in cargo lengths of 8-ft, 10-ft, 12-ft and 13.5-ft.ew is the

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2022 Mazda MX-5 still best-value roadster at age 34

The Mazda MX-5, then called the Mazda Miata, arrived as a diminutive, lightweight roadster in 1989. It’s now reached relic status, a near automotive dinosaur. With its attractive design and low-to-the-ground driving, the MX-5 became the best-selling, two-seat sports car in history in 2000. The one-millionth MX-5 sold six years later. The 2022 Mazda edition, called the MX-5 since 2006 to appeal to a larger buying audience, is updated and offered toward the end of the car’s fourth generation. The MX-5, by any name, is now 34 years old, Its general consumer appeal is minimal; its enthusiasts remain stalwart and

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Tesla in space rings true with skyrocketing price increases

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There once was a time when Elon Musk unveiled a plan to change the automotive landscape and offer his Tesla performance electric car for about $35,000. Musk has changed the car industry but his marketing promise never materialized. The original Tesla Model S debuted in March 2009 with a base price of $57,400 ($49,900 after federal tax credits). With the company founder’s pricing increase announcement March 15, the entry level price for Tesla is now about 40 percent more than originally promoted nearly 15 years ago. The latest price hike is far from the first price increase for the performance

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Gas station pumps pose severe coronavirus concerns

Gas stations across the United States are considered essential and remain open during the coronavirus crisis. But gas pumps and keypads like other public use areas — escalator rails, shopping carts, mailboxes and ATM machines — often have high levels of contamination.   According to a report by the maker of Kleenex, Kimberly-Clark, 71 percent of gas pump handles have high levels of contamination. The study was done in 2011, but the coronavirus has quickly rekindled concerns. But are the concerns warranted? While viruses and bacteria are not the same, virus contamination on public surfaces is a problem in a

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#219, RV living on the road: One family’s travels

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:00 — 46.7MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreSpencer, Kristi and Kade Stevens, otherwise known as the Adventurtunity Family, live full-time in their RV. The family is traveling throughout the United States, embracing a lifestyle they’ve determined is best — at least for now. Spencer is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with the husband and father about the trio’s RV adventures. He discusses the beauty of seeing the country to the challenges of the road. The Stevens’ lifestyle is also the

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2022 Volvo XC60 worthy wagon as steady as steady gets

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Now in its early teens, the Volvo XC60 is the Swedish manufacturer’s best-selling vehicle in the United States and globally. The luxury compact sport utility vehicle reached its tenure-best last year, with sales of about 41,500 in this country. The Volvo XC60’s second generation was introduced in 2017 as a 2018 model. The carmaker describes the 2022 model as the most significant upgrade since. Changes are aplenty. Exterior styling improvements include: subtle differences in the front and rear-end designs, new exterior color options and new wheel designs. Mechanically, a mild-hybrid powertrain is new and optional. The infotainment center has been

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#218, Author Mike Mueller on the Complete Book of Ford Mustang

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:50 — 46.5MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreMike Mueller is an automotive expert among automotive experts. A journalist for more than 30 years, he has written and provided accompanying photography for more than 30 books on the Ford Mustang. He’s contributed images to many additional books and he’s written for many prestigious industry publications. Mueller is my guest this week on episode No. 218 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-host Bruce Aldrich is on vacation, so Mueller and I discuss his latest and just-released updated and revised book, The Complete Book

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How to overcome a car accident: family, friends, legal help

Getting into a car accident can be a daunting experience. It’s not often easily forgotten and it may leave physical and emotional scars. But there are many ways to overcome those difficulties. Brushing up on driving skills can help you return to being a confident driver.  Likewise, talking with a professional, friend or family member about the experience can help. Here are several ideas to help someone who’s been in an accident feel secure and return to driving as soon as possible. Close friends and family members can often tell when something is negatively affecting you. A car accident can

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Car loss on burned ship in the Azores exceeds $400 million

The destroyed vehicles among the cargo on the burned ship that caught fire last week in the Atlantic Ocean may tally a loss of more than $400 million, according to an industry consulting firm. Volkswagen alone could have incurred as estimated loss of $155 million. The total value of the cargo on the Felicity Ace, the ship ablaze for several days off the coast of Portugal’s Azores Islands, is approximately $438 million, according to the Russell Group. The 650-foot long ship was built in 2005. Estimates of the loss are based on all vehicles on board the burned ship as

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2022 Toyota GR86: It’s back, it’s flawed, it’s fun

If the criteria for purchasing a new car is driving fun but without supreme acceleration, carrying cargo or children, environmental concerns, the latest technology, comfort or a quiet, serene ride, buy a 2022 Toyota GR86. Its seemingly sole purpose is pure joy. The GR86 scoots around in city driving with ease and it deftly maneuvers along country roads because that’s what it does best. For all practical purposes, the pleasure can be shared with no more than one passenger. With a re-shaped exterior, the GR86 is handsome and attracts plenty of attention. It’s the debut of the car’s second generation

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Burt Reynolds tribute Chevy Silverado fetches $280,000

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Pickup truck prices continues, particularly customized, limited editions, and especially made as an homage to actor Burt Reynolds. One extravagant example, a 2021 Chevy Silverado Bandit Edition, sold recently at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas for $286,000. The customized truck has various integrates cosmetic features included as inspirations by the Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am that Reynolds drove throughout the hugely popular Smokey and the Bandit movie series. Painted black and gold, the modified Silverado also feature a large gold painted hood decal. About 200 of the bespoke vehicles have been built. Some components are made from forged carbon fiber, including

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New U.S.P.S. truck fleet stalled again by controversy

The U.S.P.S. once prided itself in an unofficial motto: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” But for the past several years, the agency can’t even get new vehicles built to try to efficiently get job done. The pending new contract with by Oshkosh Defense to replace a 30-plus-year-old fleet is in neutral — again. After years of negotiation, the U.S. Postal Service and Oshkosh Defense reached at estimated $6 billion negotiation, but it’s now being questioned by the Environmental Protection Agency. New U.S.P.S. Trucks Face

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#217, RVs, Tesla, Hyundai Santa Cruz, World Car of the Year

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:53 — 35.6MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreNew RVs. A massive Tesla recall. Hyundai’s new hip pickup. The World Car of the Year nominations. It’s all covered — and more — this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia don’t have a guest on Episode No. 117, which gives us the ideal opportunity to catch up with the never-ending and always-changing automotive landscape. We start with the continuing still-new exploits of Bruce and his wife’s adventures in their 29-foot Keystone RV and its towing vehicle a

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2022 BMW X4 M: It’s an SUV race car but why?

The 2022 BMW X4 M and the more powerful X4 M Competition are siblings among a handful of vehicles competing in the high-performance sport utility vehicle niche. It’s a difficult automotive segment to fathom. What’s the purpose of a family-oriented vehicle with 503 horsepower and acceleration from zero-to-60 miles per hour in 3.3 seconds? Is there a racetrack SUV series? Is there a need for such speed en route to soccer practice, the grocery store or on a weekend getaway? 2022 BMW X4 M: Fast, Expensive Apparently, more means better. The updated BMW X4 M is the most expensive choice

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Consumer Reports: Some new cars, trucks less than sticker

Despite extraordinary higher prices and limited supplies of new vehicles, a report recently released by Consumer Reports details several new cars and trucks are available for less than their respective sticker prices. Three of the most discounted vehicles are pickup trucks from Chevrolet, Ford and Ram. The publication’s analysis states discounted vehicles are “specific trim variations, rather than savings being consistent across a model range.” According to the report, the discounts are smaller than usual, with the best prices still available via “negotiation and shopping around.” Consumer Reports notes: “Most months there are a few models that are given an

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