Supply chain & commodity disruptions [USA]

[dicknixon72]

My recommendations on Hybrids are anything running Toyota Synergy Drive, namely...
Highlander Hybrid
RX450h Hybrid

Be aware the 3.3l V6 Hybrid ('06-10) has a timing belt versus the pure gas version having the 3.5l with a timing chain. Also, the rear spark plugs are a massive b- to get to.

Also, the Ford Escape Hybrid is a good choice. Many were used in taxi fleets in NYC and have proved themselves with 200-400k miles in a tough urban environment. If you can find a Mercury Mariner Hybrid, its the same thing as the Escape except the badging.

Another worthy consideration is the Ford C-Max. Think of that as a Focus tall wagon versus a true SUV. Do not get the Energi as the EV benefits are outweighed by minimal cargo space and added unnecessary complexity.

 

[Garuda]

Better hoard the bread.



And speaking of motor vehicles....



That's bad news as now engines are more prone to overheating.

The sad part is that even parts for combustion engines that we hang on to will become more and more scarce and expensive as they go out of production. Restoring that old car may even become impossible and keeping a modern IC car running may become a difficult. Not to mention ever-rising fuel prices.

Not if someone is smart and scans every part into a .stl file. Then we can 3d print every part as they have metal filament now. The real problem is if the power grid will allow us to run such an operation in the future.

 

[kruger41]

Better hoard the bread.



And speaking of motor vehicles....



That's bad news as now engines are more prone to overheating.


Not if someone is smart and scans every part into a .stl file. Then we can 3d print every part as they have metal filament now. The real problem is if the power grid will allow us to run such an operation in the future.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political...ms-white-house-seeks-avert-supply-chain-chaos

If this railway strike comes to pass, pic related.

 

[get2choppaaa]

Xanthum gum from China (really the only source) has bad import holds due to uigars slave labor concerns with CCP.

Xanthum gum is in nearly everything from drilling fluids to multiple food products. This is something to keep an eye on.

 

[Mrredsquare]

 

[budoslavic]

The battery replacement cost is a major issue for all electric and hybrid cars. A used electric or hybrid is nearly worthless, because you know that it will need a battery replacement, and the cost is too high to make any sense.

A normal gas or diesel car will be worth 30-60% of its new price at 6-8 years old, but an electric or hybrid will basically be worthless because it needs an outrageously expensive battery replacement.

Pay the Elon Tax: Tesla Owner Claims He Is Locked Out of His Car Until He Pays $26,000 for New Battery​

A Canadian Tesla owner claims that after the battery on his $140,000 car died, the automaker told him a replacement would cost $26,000 and locked him out of the vehicle until he pays for a new one.

Fox Business reports that Mario Zelaya, a Canadian Tesla owner, posted a video to TikTok recently stating that his “piece of trash” car died and that the car is locked, stopping him from even entering the vehicle. The caption on the video states: “$26K for a new battery. Locked out of car. Recalls are needed.”

The Tesla owner alleges that the battery on his $140,000 vehicle died and that the electric automaker told him a replacement one would cost $26,000.

Zelaya said that he purchased the car in 2013 but that models from that year and 2014 had issues with fluid from the air conditioning system leaking into the battery. Zelaya said: “I got Transport Canada involved, and they actually did an investigation on the car. Not only did they do an investigation on this car, they’re gonna be doing one that Tesla doesn’t realize is coming up.”

Zelaya said that he reached out to another Tesla owner who had the same issue with the car battery. Zelaya stated that Tesla canceled that owner’s Uber credits while the vehicle was undergoing service. “Tesla’s trying to sweep it under the rug,” he said. “They won’t give them any explanation of why their battery died.”

He further alleged that when Tesla owners get their vehicles serviced, the battery is not checked, saying Tesla has no incentive to do so. Zelaya said that he is one year outside his warranty period and wants to sell the car but that he can’t as his ownership papers are in the car, which he cannot access as the vehicle is locked. He says that he was instead forced to pay $30 to receive new papers.

“I’ll never buy another Tesla again,” he said. “That’s the long way of me saying stay the (expletive) away from Teslas. They’re brutal cars, brutal manufacturing, and even worse, they’re a 10-year-old company.”

In another video, Zelaya said that he sold the car and that someone would be picking it up from his driveway. The apparent buyer was then recorded taking the car apart from the front bumper and charging it.

“That’s going to be the end of my Tesla journey. It’s out of my life. Keep it out of yours,” Zelaya said.

Pay the Elon Tax: Tesla Owner Claims He Is Locked Out of His Car Until He Pays $26,000 for New Battery

A Canadian Tesla owner claims that after the battery on his $140,000 car died, the automaker told him a replacement would cost $26,000 and locked him out of the vehicle until he pays for a new one.

www.breitbart.com

Link to the guy's Tik Tok video.

 

[budoslavic]

 

[get2choppaaa]

Next Biden is going to say windmills are effective and carbon neutral and don't have a very very short operational lifespans and we have environmentally sound ways to manufacture, distribute, and dispose of them....

And I'm winning the powerball and buying King Ranch.

 

[eradicator]

can’t sell the car because the title is inside the car…

All someone has to do is break in and steal the title and legally they own the car. But who would buy a ten year old electric car much less steal one?

 

[JohnKreese]

Next Biden is going to say windmills are effective and carbon neutral and don't have a very very short operational lifespans and we have environmentally sound ways to manufacture, distribute, and dispose of them....

And I'm winning the powerball and buying King Ranch.

Nah, man. If Biden is doing anything involving windmills, it'll involve him suiting up in knight's armor to fight them.

To be fair, after a long, hard-fought battle, his chivalrous nature (and good manners that ohh so few "MAGA Republicans" possess) will compel him to attempt to shake hands with his opponent.

 

[Sam Malone]

All someone has to do is break in and steal the title and legally they own the car.

Precisely. That's why you never keep the title in the car.

* those are the kind of details that make stories like this suspect... I don't know of anyone that keeps their title in their car

 

[bubs]

Well some surprising good news to report. Guys that I know that have older farm equipment and do small farming said that this summer 2022 they still had no problems getting replacement parts for their mowers, bailers, rake attachments for their tractors and such. Just a few extra day delay on orders but nothing of concern. Just thought to share this info.

 

[Easy_C]

Precisely. That's why you never keep the title in the car.

* those are the kind of details that make stories like this suspect... I don't know of anyone that keeps their title in their car

Same kind of person who is dumb enough to buy into the whole EV thing.

 

[eradicator]

Well the real story should be it’s not easy to sell a used ev. Or maybe that’s their point?

 

[dicknixon72]

Any registered owner of a vehicle can apply for a duplicate title from their local tax collector or DMV/BMV whatever. It may cost you $75-125, but you'll get it while you wait. That story is a load.

 

[inthefade]

Precisely. That's why you never keep the title in the car.

* those are the kind of details that make stories like this suspect... I don't know of anyone that keeps their title in their car

What if you're racing for pink slips?

 

[traelo]

What I find somewhat odd about the potential food shortages, is how much excess food actually gets wasted every year in the United States and around the world.

Food Waste in America in 2023: Statistics & Facts | RTS

Learn how much food American's waste. RTS study outlines its impact on the environment and economy, as well as provides some ideas on how everyday consumers and businesses can help curb food waste. Download the study today.

www.rts.com

Just how much food do Americans waste? Here’s some “food” for thought: While the world wastes about 1.4 billion tons of food every year, the United States discards more food than any other country in the world: nearly 40 million tons — 80 billion pounds — every year. That’s estimated to be 30-40 percent of the entire US food supply, and equates to 219 pounds of waste per person. That’s like every person in America throwing more than 650 average sized apples right into the garbage — or rather right into landfills, as most discarded food ends up there. In fact, food is the single largest component taking up space inside US landfills, making up 22 percent of municipal solid waste (MSW).

Globally, we waste about 1.4 billion tons of food every year.​

Perhaps we just need to learn to not be so wasteful.

 

[president]

What I find somewhat odd about the potential food shortages, is how much excess food actually gets wasted every year in the United States and around the world.

Food Waste in America in 2023: Statistics & Facts | RTS

Learn how much food American's waste. RTS study outlines its impact on the environment and economy, as well as provides some ideas on how everyday consumers and businesses can help curb food waste. Download the study today.

www.rts.com

Perhaps we just need to learn to not be so wasteful.

I don't throw food away. Old habit from less comfortable days. Nothing goes to waste in my kitchen under my watch. I cringe when people dump good food down the trash because they're too good to save it for leftovers.

I can't imagine how much food the restaurant and grocery business throws away every day. I know there are some companies that sell discounted food that's not good enough to sell but not yet trash worthy and I think there should be more of that. Problem is the very short window of opportunity to utilize unwanted food.

I've always said grocery stores and restaurants should have a dynamic pricing model where inventory is optimized to reduce waste yet allow for profits. Instead they focus solely on profits and dump half the produce.

 

[get2choppaaa]

I don't throw food away. Old habit from less comfortable days. Nothing goes to waste in my kitchen under my watch. I cringe when people dump good food down the trash because they're too good to save it for leftovers.

I can't imagine how much food the restaurant and grocery business throws away every day. I know there are some companies that sell discounted food that's not good enough to sell but not yet trash worthy and I think there should be more of that. Problem is the very short window of opportunity to utilize unwanted food.

I've always said grocery stores and restaurants should have a dynamic pricing model where inventory is optimized to reduce waste yet allow for profits. Instead they focus solely on profits and dump half the produce.

If you've seen Tiger King... You'd know that was the method he fed all them Tigers... Discounted Walmart meat.

Growing up in a restaurant I can say its kinda sad how many people send back a plate of food half eaten that they've paid good money for.

 

[Bird]

I've always said grocery stores and restaurants should have a dynamic pricing model where inventory is optimized to reduce waste yet allow for profits. Instead they focus solely on profits and dump half the produce.

Supermarkets here give a discount of 30% if the product reaches one day before the best-before date.
Most of them give a discount on meat, but vegetables are also discounted today.