Helluva year

[Uncoach]

Old Doc Brown doppleganger is a total fraud. Who would have imagined?

Bernie Sanders: The Socialist Who Scammed America - The American Spectator | USA News and PoliticsThe American Spectator | USA News and Politics

It’s been a busy few weeks for Bernie Sanders, traveling around America on his Fighting Oligarchy tour. The message is clear: billionaires are bad, the economy is rigged, and the people must be empowered. Crowds roar, fists raised in solidarity. The same speeches. The same outrage. The same...

spectator.org

 

[dtrain79]

You Gov poll (April 19-22). My view is that YouGov is a mediocre pollster, but it hasn't been particularly Trump favorable or unfavorable over the entirety of his eternal foray into politics. I think right now it's a little harsher on Trump, while in his first term it was often one of Trump's better polls.

Trump Job Approval - 41% Approve, 54% Disapprove
Trump Economic Approval - 41-53
Vance Approval - 38-51
Elon Approval - 39-55
Trump Approval on Trade - 37-53

Polling on Tariffs
39% Mostly Positive (Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Gain), 50% Very Negative (No Benefit Whatsoever)
74% Think Tariffs will raise prices

A couple of questions on Abrego Garcia:

Is he a gang member? 27% Yes, 30% No (plurality doesn't know)
Should he be returned to the US? 28% No, 50% Yes (I didn't love how the question was drafted, but even then this is a bad number for Trump).

https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/econTabReport_iR37dyy.pdf

 

[tjfleck6]

I do agree with you. However, with Musk you don't have to do any research. Musk tied himself with a divisive President that his customer base dislikes. There are more electric options than ever before. Not surprising that a chunk of them will go elsewhere.

Agreed, Senator Mark Kelly got rid of his virtue-signaling Tesla and bought a gas-guzzling Chevrolet Tahoe. Most of these elitists won't be buying a different brand's crappy EV.

As shown earlier, Tesla is pretty much it in the EV game. The rest are but bit players.

 

[OhioIllini]

Agreed, Senator Mark Kelly got rid of his virtue-signaling Tesla and bought a gas-guzzling Chevrolet Tahoe. Most of these elitists won't be buying a different brand's crappy EV.

As shown earlier, Tesla is pretty much it in the EV game. The rest are but bit players.

Non-Tesla EVs now make up greater than 50% of the EV market.

 

[tjfleck6]

Non-Tesla EVs now make up greater than 50% of the EV market.

So, what? How many brands? Tesla was at 600,000 units and the next best is Ford at 86,000 (7:1 ratio).

Ford is cutting back on EVs because frankly it is killing their company (a loss of about 4B per year). Ford sells 2.1M vehicles per year in the US. GM is cutting back too. Ford can't afford to increase EV sales either as they lose 36k / each vehicle sold. Hey - if we sell another 10,000 we can lose an additional $360M!

Their pure electric rivals are likely all bankrupt or burning through cash at a high rate.

What Ford's surprise canceling of EV production in favor of 'profitable' ICE vehicles means for industry: 'Thought that growth was going to continue'

Other companies and states are trying to find ways to promote buying electric vehicles to keep them cheaper and to avoid the issues associated with public charging stations.

autos.yahoo.com

 

[ILisBest]

Tesla's brand has been permanently damaged by Musk. Sales are down 13% for 2025. Tesla's customer base are early adopters with a passion for the cause. Tesla's build quality sucks and if more people decide to go electric they will demand a much better built product.
Toyota is planning to have its solid state battery technology implemented in a number of vehicles within 5 years with significantly increased range and 10 minute charging times. If Toyota's plans are realized, Toyota will crush Tesla with superior battery technology and much better build quality.

 

[JeffT818]

Your chart details costs not repair frequency. Tesla may be fixing all these problems during the warranty period. In addition, with an all electric fleet you should have lower costs because the engine should be problem free. Build quality is how well the car is put together. Telsa is known for large gaps, mismatched panels etc.

Tesla's Quality Control Is So Bad Customers Are Taking Delivery Inspections Into Their Own Hands

Tesla’s build quality problems are well known; from panel gaps to crummy interiors to glass roofs that just fly off for no reason, it’s safe to say customers should be on the lookout when they purchase a brand-new Tesla. The Cybertruck has been just as bad as previous models, despite its over...

www.jalopnik.com

Tesla Model 3 Ranks Dead Last In TUV Reliability Tests For Newer Cars | Carscoops

The electric sedan frequently suffered problems with its lights, brakes and suspension

www.carscoops.com

 

[rillaman]

Electric cars are much more reliable than ice so that is not surprising with an all electric fleet. Build quality is how well the car is put together. Telsa is known for large gaps, mismatched panels etc.

Tesla's Quality Control Is So Bad Customers Are Taking Delivery Inspections Into Their Own Hands

Tesla’s build quality problems are well known; from panel gaps to crummy interiors to glass roofs that just fly off for no reason, it’s safe to say customers should be on the lookout when they purchase a brand-new Tesla. The Cybertruck has been just as bad as previous models, despite its over...

www.jalopnik.com

It’s a shame that the government gave incentives to people to get them to buy these POS.

You would think they would do some quality control with all the federal regulations. Why didn’t they warn people about this?

 

[JeffT818]

It’s a shame that the government gave incentives to people to get them to buy these POS.

You would think they would do some quality control with all the federal regulations. Why didn’t they warn people about this?

I do sort of agree with you. Teslas are a pretty crappy product purchased by stupid liberals. I just read a story about a woman who ran over a metal can and it did over 4k in damage. The cybertrucks are pure POS. I myself would never buy a Tesla because of build quality and other problems.

You have to do your research before you buy. Teslas have been known to have build quality problems for years it is not exactly a secret.

FYI, Hyundai engines have been crap for a decade plus. Ask any mechanic what car not to buy and most will mention Hyundai.

 

[tjfleck6]

Electric cars are much more reliable than ice so that is not surprising with an all electric fleet. Build quality is how well the car is put together. Telsa is known for large gaps, mismatched panels etc.

Tesla's Quality Control Is So Bad Customers Are Taking Delivery Inspections Into Their Own Hands

Tesla’s build quality problems are well known; from panel gaps to crummy interiors to glass roofs that just fly off for no reason, it’s safe to say customers should be on the lookout when they purchase a brand-new Tesla. The Cybertruck has been just as bad as previous models, despite its over...

www.jalopnik.com

Tesla Model 3 Ranks Dead Last In TUV Reliability Tests For Newer Cars | Carscoops

The electric sedan frequently suffered problems with its lights, brakes and suspension

www.carscoops.com

I only know maybe one Tesla owner and they have loved it for 5 years. I don't know their current thoughts since they fit the profile.

Tesla vehicles are all over the place in Phoenix. Despite your claims they have done a lot right judging by the market.

If I were to own an EV, I would absolutely prefer a Tesla over a Rivian, Nikola, or Lucid. Why? Because Tesla will be around to service their vehicles. If you have a Nikola you are out of luck. The same will soon apply to Rivian and Lucid I suspect.

You have now taken hatred for Elon and turned it into his vehicles are poorly built.

I once rented a Ford Topez back in the day. That's correct, there was the Ford Tempo and the Mercury Topaz, but Ford quality control at the plant resulted in the rear labeling of the vehicle to say "Ford Topaz". The car drove fine.

 

[JeffT818]

I only know maybe one Tesla owner and they have loved it for 5 years. I don't know their current thoughts since they fit the profile.

Tesla vehicles are all over the place in Phoenix. Despite your claims they have done a lot right judging by the market.

If I were to own an EV, I would absolutely prefer a Tesla over a Rivian, Nikola, or Lucid. Why? Because Tesla will be around to service their vehicles. If you have a Nikola you are out of luck. The same will soon apply to Rivian and Lucid I suspect.

You have now taken hatred for Elon and turned it into his vehicles are poorly built.

I once rented a Ford Topez back in the day. That's correct, there was the Ford Tempo and the Mercury Topaz, but Ford quality control at the plant resulted in the rear labeling of the vehicle to say "Ford Topaz". The car drove fine.

You don't have a clue. Teslas are well known for having build quality issues. Taking delivery of a new Tesla is like gambling. You may get a decent one or a POS.

I was thinking of buying a new Tesla in 2018 but the build quality was crap. There are many mainstream automakers with electric cars today, you don't have to buy an EV from an EV only manufacturer.

 

[OhioIllini]

So, what? How many brands? Tesla was at 600,000 units and the next best is Ford at 86,000 (7:1 ratio).

Ford is cutting back on EVs because frankly it is killing their company (a loss of about 4B per year). Ford sells 2.1M vehicles per year in the US. GM is cutting back too. Ford can't afford to increase EV sales either as they 36k / each vehicle sold. Hey - if we sell another 10,000 we can lose an additional $360M!

Their pure electric rivals are likely all bankrupt or burning through cash at a high rate.

What Ford's surprise canceling of EV production in favor of 'profitable' ICE vehicles means for industry: 'Thought that growth was going to continue'

Other companies and states are trying to find ways to promote buying electric vehicles to keep them cheaper and to avoid the issues associated with public charging stations.

autos.yahoo.com

Most of Ford’s losses are in fixed costs. I don’t think they are losing money on a variable basis. Overall EV sales increased to over 8% of the light vehicle market last year.

 

[rillaman]

I do sort of agree with you. Teslas are a pretty crappy product purchased by stupid liberals. I just read a story about a woman who ran over a metal can and it did over 4k in damage. The cybertrucks are pure POS. I myself would never buy a Tesla because of build quality and other problems.

You have to do your research before you buy. Teslas have been known to have build quality problems for years it is not exactly a secret.

FYI, Hyundai engines have been crap for a decade plus. Ask any mechanic what car not to buy and most will mention Hyundai.

I figure if the government has to provide incentives for people to do or buy something, that something is probably inferior to other options, and it’s probably going to drive up costs on that product or service.

True with a lot of the EVs out there.

 

[AzIllini]

People I know love their Teslas. They are a good commuter car with technology for driver assist and finding a charging station. But it is not tech that others can't copy or surpass. People like to brag about their tech and Tesla has had this edge for awhile, hopefully for them they have more coming.

Trump can't unilaterally get rid of the tax credits for EV's, he will need to get a repeal through Congress as it was part of the wrong named Inflation Reduction Act.

If Musk steps away from the govt in May, I suspect most of the liberals will move on to their next bogey man. The problem for Tesla and all electric vehicle makers is demand without govt interference is limited. In the Trump world they will have to compete on price and features.

Finally, the Biden admin ratcheted up the fuel economy standards so high that the only way to meet them was with a heavy mix of electric vehicles. I expect Trump's EPA to change this but I haven't heard anything announced yet.

Does Your Next EV Earn the $7500 Tax Credit? Here's the List

We've gathered every new EV that's currently eligible to earn the full $7500 federal tax credit.

www.caranddriver.com

 

[JeffT818]

I figure if the government has to provide incentives for people to do or buy something, that something is probably inferior to other options, and it’s probably going to drive up costs on that product or service.

True with a lot of the EVs out there.

I have an EV and I love it. However, all EVs are inferior in the sense that they are commuter cars and are not practical for long trips. My wife has a hybrid. I would have never purchased an EV if it was my only car.

 

[ILisBest]

Your chart details costs not repair frequency. Tesla may be fixing all these problems during the warranty period. In addition, with an all electric fleet you should have lower costs because the engine should be problem free. Build quality is how well the car is put together. Telsa is known for large gaps, mismatched panels etc.

Tesla's Quality Control Is So Bad Customers Are Taking Delivery Inspections Into Their Own Hands

Tesla’s build quality problems are well known; from panel gaps to crummy interiors to glass roofs that just fly off for no reason, it’s safe to say customers should be on the lookout when they purchase a brand-new Tesla. The Cybertruck has been just as bad as previous models, despite its over...

www.jalopnik.com

Tesla Model 3 Ranks Dead Last In TUV Reliability Tests For Newer Cars | Carscoops

The electric sedan frequently suffered problems with its lights, brakes and suspension

www.carscoops.com

All of the manufacturers listed are fixing their problems during the new car warranty period. This is not unique to Tesla.

You have a tendency to stretch hamstrings to try and make your opinion fit reality.

So, the Tesla is such a POS, they are the cheapest car to own in maintenance and repair. Makes total sense, Jeff!

 

[ILisBest]

The DOJ was not on the cusp of going after Elon Musk.

I am too lazy to pull up the quotes of KH or others in the Biden admin about Elon. Whether you like Musk or don't, you have to admit he is not a stupid man. This was his belief.

 

[JeffT818]

All of the manufacturers listed are fixing their problems during the new car warranty period. This is not unique to Tesla.

You have a tendency to stretch hamstrings to try and make your opinion fit reality.

So, the Tesla is such a POS, they are the cheapest car to own in maintenance and repair. Makes total sense, Jeff!

All manufacturers are fixing problems during the warranty period. So if Tesla cars have an unusual amount of problems during the warranty period, it will not impact the cost to the owner. It hides the reliability issues with the car. So it does make sense.

There are scores of articles about poor build quality with Tesla. I didn't buy a Tesla in 2018 because of build quality issues and it had nothing to do with politics.

 

[JeffT818]

I am too lazy to pull up the quotes of KH or others in the Biden admin about Elon. Whether you like Musk or don't, you have to admit he is not a stupid man. This was his belief.

View embedded media

You mean exactly what Trump is doing now.

 

[Uncoach]

Agreed, Senator Mark Kelly got rid of his virtue-signaling Tesla and bought a gas-guzzling Chevrolet Tahoe. Most of these elitists won't be buying a different brand's crappy EV.

As shown earlier, Tesla is pretty much it in the EV game. The rest are but bit players.

Frankly, I love the Rivian Truck. If I wanted to just roam around town, it’s a great vehicle. I won’t buy straight electric though. Support infrastructure isn’t there. Frankly, outside of a couple of companies, Toyota being the best, most of the major manufacturers don’t have the mechanics at the dealerships to deal with hybrid technology.

 

[ILisBest]

Any populist movement based on protectionism. isolationism and a dash of anti-intellectualism is bad for the US. The country will be much better off when MAGA fades away as all populist movements do.

I spent some time walking the National Pacific War museum today. One of the reasons listed as to why the Japanese attacked the US with confidence is they saw us as isolationists that wouldn't have the heart to fight back as hard as it would take.

That was one of several miscalculations by the Japanese leadership.

 

[ILisBest]

All manufacturers are fixing problems during the warranty period. So if Tesla cars have an unusual amount of problems during the warranty period, it will not impact the cost to the owner. It hides the reliability issues with the car. So it does make sense.

There are scores of articles about poor build quality with Tesla. I didn't buy a Tesla in 2018 because of build quality issues and it had nothing to do with politics.

OOC do you think repairs get better or worse as the vehicle gets older and has more miles on it?

Btw, this was my industry for 25 years. I wrote warranties, underwrote them, administered them, invested and earned out the reserves and paid the claims.

 

[ILisBest]

You mean exactly what Trump is doing now.

Is this the same Trump that was sued, arrested and prosecuted around the US the last few years while the left was running things? The same Trump with no criminal record in his previous 70-some years of living. That Trump?

 

[ILisBest]

Frankly, I love the Rivian Truck. If I wanted to just roam around town, it’s a great vehicle. I won’t buy straight electric though. Support infrastructure isn’t there. Frankly, outside of a couple of companies, Toyota being the best, most of the major manufacturers don’t have the mechanics at the dealerships to deal with hybrid technology.

My neighbor has one. It looks nice, but I have not been inside of one.

 

[ILisBest]

 

[Uncoach]

80/20

 

[Uncoach]

When can we expect the anti-Trump Republicans to support real girls, real women only in their sports?

 

[John Kay]

Since Trump took office:

• Gas Prices up slightly.
  National average rose from ~$3.08/gallon in Jan. 2025 to ~$3.14–$3.27/gallon by April, per AAA, due to tariffs and global tensions.
• Grocery Prices rising.
  Food prices up ~3% year-over-year, with a 0.4% increase in March 2025, driven by inflation and tariffs.
• Stock Market down.
  S&P 500 fell ~10% since Jan. 2025, per X posts, due to tariff fears and trade uncertainty, but no collapse.
• Russia-Ukraine War ongoing.
  Conflict persists since 2022, with no ceasefire despite Trump’s efforts, impacting energy markets.
• Israel-Hamas Conflict continues.
  Jan. 2025 ceasefire failed; fighting resumed in Gaza, with broader regional risks.
• Epstein Client List unreleased.
  No comprehensive list disclosed; partial court documents available but incomplete.
• Inflation persists.
  U.S. inflation at ~2.8% in 2025, worsened by Trump’s tariffs, per OECD and Peterson Institute.
• Recession risks elevated.
  45% recession chance in 2025, per Goldman Sachs, due to tariffs and trade deficits, but downturn not certain.
• Illegal Immigration down sharply.
  Border encounters dropped 94% from March 2024 to ~11,017 in March 2025, per CBP, due to stricter enforcement, though ~18.6M illegal aliens remain, per FAIR.

 

[Uncoach]

LOL! LMAO!

 

[Uncoach]

Colorado might go downhill faster than California did. @rillaman

 

[John Kay]

When can we expect the anti-Trump Republicans to support real girls, real women only in their sports?

View embedded media

This is a lame and low effort false dichotomy. I don’t back Trump or trans athletes competing in women’s sports.

How many tweets do I need to copy/paste to prove my support?

 

[Uncoach]

What an entitled douche. I hope he enjoys prison.

 

[Uncoach]

This will help coal country with jobs.

 

[BigWill]

There are no running EV's available for $ 30.

Sorry, Drano....

 

[Uncoach]

 

[JeffT818]

Since Trump took office:

• Gas Prices up slightly.
  National average rose from ~$3.08/gallon in Jan. 2025 to ~$3.14–$3.27/gallon by April, per AAA, due to tariffs and global tensions.
• Grocery Prices rising.
  Food prices up ~3% year-over-year, with a 0.4% increase in March 2025, driven by inflation and tariffs.
• Stock Market down.
  S&P 500 fell ~10% since Jan. 2025, per X posts, due to tariff fears and trade uncertainty, but no collapse.
• Russia-Ukraine War ongoing.
  Conflict persists since 2022, with no ceasefire despite Trump’s efforts, impacting energy markets.
• Israel-Hamas Conflict continues.
  Jan. 2025 ceasefire failed; fighting resumed in Gaza, with broader regional risks.
• Epstein Client List unreleased.
  No comprehensive list disclosed; partial court documents available but incomplete.
• Inflation persists.
  U.S. inflation at ~2.8% in 2025, worsened by Trump’s tariffs, per OECD and Peterson Institute.
• Recession risks elevated.
  45% recession chance in 2025, per Goldman Sachs, due to tariffs and trade deficits, but downturn not certain.
• Illegal Immigration down sharply.
  Border encounters dropped 94% from March 2024 to ~11,017 in March 2025, per CBP, due to stricter enforcement, though ~18.6M illegal aliens remain, per FAIR.

But "Everything is Awesome!"

 

[BigWill]

This will help coal country with jobs.

View embedded media

Maybe WVa can sell more coal to Chi-na when tariffs are lowered.

Chi-na being the largest user of Coal in the World !

 

[Uncoach]

From Uncoach’s X Algorithm of the obvious.

 

[BigWill]

View embedded media

Boomer Sooner !

 

[BigWill]

But "Everything is Awesome!"

Biden Economics