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Slate's New Low-Priced EV

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Slate's new electric truck has many personalization options - Photo by Brian Moody Originally, the idea for the Slate truck was that it would be about a $20,000 electric vehicle - at that price, it would be noteworthy because that's a full $10,000 less than the cheapest EVs on the market now, specifically the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf. Photo Courtesy University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign At the same time, the REO Speedwagon name is being revived. Not the band, the truck from the 1910s – turns out the band that wanted to keep on loving us, borrowed its name from an old work truck, and that company maybe even created the first purpose-built pickup. But the new REO isn’t electric, and because it relies on gasoline and more basic mechanical technology, its price is $21,500, in theory.   Much of this is “in theory” because EV startups have a tendency to disappear faster than a sunny day in winter. Either way, competition and choice almost always benefit consumers and make bet...
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New 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Revealed

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The Silverado 1500 gets a bunch of new tech and a makeover for 2027. Shown is the off-road capable ZR2. There's a new Chevy Silverado on the way, and Chevrolet is saying some pretty impressive things about it. Here are a few talking points the brand recently shared;  The 2027 Silverado 1500 is the most powerful Silverado ever  There are new engines: a next-generation 5.7-liter and a 6.6-liter V8  Chevrolet says these are the most powerful naturally aspirated engines in their class Silverado will offer an updated  2.7-liter turbo TurboMax  A 3.0-liter Duramax turbo diesel will still be offered The exterior and interior design are all new “Silverado has earned truck customers’ trust over decades of hard work in the real  world. With the Next-Generation 2027 Silverado 1500, we’re taking that legacy forward by building the most capable, refined, and advanced Silverado lineup we’ve ever offered. "   -Scott Bell, vice president of Global Chevrolet These...
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Mitsubishi's New Eclipse

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This is the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV. It should be on sale by the summer of 2026. There's a new Mitsubishi Eclipse, it's called the Eclipse Sportback EV, and it's a fully battery electric vehicle built on the same platform as the next generation Nissan Leaf. Remember, Nissan and Mitsubishi are in an alliance where they share technology and, in some cases, platforms.  The new Eclipse Sportback EV was recently shown online; it's likely going to be a 2027 model-year car. That means it should be on sale by the summer of 2026. This is Mitsubishi's second battery electric vehicle for North America. Mitsubishi is looking to introduce significantly refreshed new vehicles each year through 2030. The Eclipse Sportback EV and Outlander PHEV are the company's electrified vehicle choices. Mitsubishi’s 2030 plan is defined by four key points: A path to electrification A path to a renewed and expanded product line-up that will strengthen Mitsubishi Motors in North A...
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How Much Does It Cost to Keep a SAAB on the Road in 2026?

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  2008 SAAB 9-3 2.0T - 59,600 miles  Here's how much it costs to keep a SAAB on the road in 2026. I have a SAAB-specific repair shop near my home in Cherokee County, just outside Atlanta, GA; MSM Saab Repair. For some, that one thing alone will be the make-or-break circumstance. I rarely do repairs myself. I used to, but I just don't enjoy it anymore. I have two SAABs. The first example (shown above) is a 2008 9-3 Turbo sedan. This car has 59,000 miles and is powered by SAAB's reliable 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder engine. For the most part, this car is very reliable and gives no big problems. It's fun to drive, gets about 25 miles per gallon, and has modern safety features like head curtain airbags, traction control, and stability control. This specific car has the moonroof package, optional leather seating, an automatic transmission, and the cold weather package.  Since this is a car for a teen driver, I added a backup camera and an Apple CarPlay radio for a cost of $800 thre...
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Kia Sportage Hybrid Being Built at HMG Metaplant

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Production of the Kia Sportage Turbo Hybrid has begun at the Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) Metaplant near Savannah, GA. The small SUV is so popular that it is also built at a dedicated Kia facility in West Point, GA. Think about what that says about the popularity of Kia in the U.S. People like Kia vehicles.  Metaplant is Impressive HMG is the parent company of several brands, including Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia. Hyundai Motor Group's gigantic 2,900-acre site is in Ellabell, GA, near Savannah. This is an impressive feat, considering the groundbreaking was just over three years ago, and now it’s cranking out new cars.   Today, the Metaplant is up and running, and it is producing electric cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 9, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and now the Kia Sportage Turbo Hybrid. The Metaplant is a modern state-of-the-art facility that includes flexible assembly lines that lack the typical fixed tracks, in addition to the more familiar fixed, moving assembly line. The plant is also a ...
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