Free Republic

The company that will operate HCMC’s metro line No.1 said in its newest plan that seven out of 17 trains on the line will enter service this July instead of waiting until the fourth quarter. The Urban Railway Company Limited No.1 HCMC, which was established by the city’s authorities in 2015 to operate line No.1, said Monday that the seven trains would be put into use from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, as part to the first operational phase of the line from July 1 to Sept. 30. Each train will depart 10 minutes apart, according to Giao...

Just watched old Joe Biden. Old Joe. But then watched the GOP Senator Katie Britt, deliver the GOP response. Wow. She is just as inspirating as Tulsi Gabbard. Just posting this to say, very good. As is Tulsi Gabbard 😎

A Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) student has created a device that allows humans to communicate with machines using our minds - and it truly is incredible. Arnav Kapur created a device called AlterEgo, which is a wearable type of headset that allows users to communicate with technology without even speaking a word. So how does it work?

Sacramento, capital city of the EV-loving Golden State, is the latest city proposing to ban new gas stations or upgrading existing stations, unless of course you’re adding electric vehicle charging. The government recently issued a 2040 Sacramento General Plan, first reported by OPIS, which calls for “future-ready” gas stations. The plan states that the “city shall prohibit the establishment of new gas stations or the expansion of new fossil fuel infrastructure at existing gas stations unless the project proponent provides 50kW or greater direct current fast charger (DCFC) electric-vehicle charging stations on site at a ratio of at least one...

BMW and Continental announced a new strategic partnership to develop a in-wheel motor, including an integrated brake. The strategic partner is electric drive Munich-based start-up DeepDrive, renowned for creating the first radial flux twin rotor motor with power electronics that can be used in production vehicles. DeepDrive is an expert in creating energy-efficient electric motors and has produced large-scale automobiles for many years. Matthias Matic, president of Continental’s Safety and Motion business area, said they have gained a great partner as electric motors created by DeepDrive help to improve the range of EVs. Additionally, they are lighter, more inexpensive, and...

Last February, the European Union approved a law that would ban the sale of combustion engine cars in its member states from 2035 — joining several US states, Canada, Japan, Singapore, India, New Zealand, and a number of other nations with similar bans already on the books (see chart, below). Ethiopia, however, isn’t waiting for 2035. Ethiopia is trying to ban ICE vehicles now. According to a news update from the parliament, Alemu Sime, the Ethiopian Minister for Transport and Logistics, announced the completion of the nations Logistics Master Plan Monday. Details were scarce, but he has announced that, “a...

A decade ago, Elon Musk laughed off the threat posed by Chinese electric carmaker BYD. He's not laughing now. The Tesla CEO warned investors in a recent earnings call that Chinese EV firms will "demolish" their Western rivals if trade barriers aren't put in place to limit their expansion, after BYD finally overtook Tesla as the world's top seller of electric cars. "The Chinese car companies are the most competitive car companies in the world," Musk told investors during Tesla's Q4 earnings call. "If there are no trade barriers established, they will pretty much demolish most other car companies in...

The link to the video, is about one page down. The best-selling car. Worldwide. For the year 2023. Period.

A number of electric car manufacturers in Vietnam plan to launch mini models, with the world increasingly interested in and strongly committed to reducing emissions. After signing a strategic cooperation agreement with the joint venture of General Motors and SAIC-Wuling on the manufacturing, assembling, and exclusive distribution of electric vehicles (EVs) in Vietnam, Hoang Minh Dong, director of TMT Motor, said the company would officially launch two versions of the Wuling HongGuang Mini EV and announce its sales policy on June 29-30 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The Wuling HongGuang Mini EV includes a standard and fully enhanced...

Apple is undoubtedly one of the largest tech companies in the world. And with almost 37,000 of its 161,000 total employees working in California and its headquarters based in Silicon Valley, the tech giant had long been synonymous with the Golden State. However, Apple recently announced that an entire division based in San Diego will be shut down in April 2024. For those working there, they have two options: move to Austin, Texas, or be let go.

Beijing drives breakneck expansion in bid to hit peak CO2 emissions by 2030 -- China commissioned as much new solar power capacity in 2023 as the entire world did in 2022, as Beijing ramped up its drive to dominate the renewable energy market. Renewable energy capacity surged globally last year, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in a new report, driven chiefly by huge expansion in China. “The world’s capacity to generate renewable electricity is expanding faster than at any time in the last three decades,” the IEA said, pointing out that capacity grew by 50pc globally in 2023...

Claims that electric vehicles don't have enough demand may be overblown. A new study from GBK Collective, published Thursday, found that half of the more than 2,000 US car consumers they interviewed were considering either an electric or a hybrid car for their next vehicle purchase. This far outweighs the current ownership trends found in the study. Only 14% of those surveyed already own a plug-in or hybrid vehicle of some kind. It's another piece of evidence of a huge opportunity for EV manufacturers to home in on the needs of these green car-curious consumers. "These are not the same...

DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he knows who he wants for his running mate in the 2024 race for president and that his commitment to the NATO alliance will depend on how Europeans treat the United States. The frontrunner for the Republican nomination, Trump was asked by anchors at a live Fox News town hall who was under consideration for vice president on his ticket. "I can't tell you that really. I mean I know who it's going to be," Trump told the gathering of Republican voters in Des Moines, Iowa, five...

In 2023, McDonald's made the headlines quite a few times, whether it was for Grimace milkshakes, limited-edition meals, or its brand-new sister restaurant. But in the midst of all the excitement and newness is a story that seems to have been lost in the shuffle: when the fast food chain promised to make its burgers bigger and better. Back in Spring 2023, McDonald's announced it was tweaking its Big Mac to taste even more delicious, with softer buns, better tasting toppings, and even more of that sweet, sweet Big Mac sauce on every burger. And just last month, McDonald's CEO...

World-leading indie travel news source Travel Off Path has listed Vietnam as the safest country to visit in Asia for 2024. According to Travel Off Path, one of North America's largest travel news websites, safety is a primary concern for Americans traveling abroad, especially amid the current climate where conflicts are breaking out internationally and security is decreasing across a number of destinations. Over the last few years, Asia has been no exception, but Vietnam has proven to be remarkably stable and safe for tourists, said the website. It cited the latest Global Law and Order Index indicating Vietnam is...

VinFast will unveil the entry-level VF 3 SUV at January’s CES 2024 event in Las Vegas, together with a new concept. … VinFast recently revealed that U.S. dealers have expressed plenty of interest in the VF 3, in part because it could hit the market for less than $20,000 and that’s before the $7,500 EV tax credit when leased. CES will be the first time that Americans can see the VF 3 in the flesh. It is just 122.5 inches (3,114 mm) long and while it only has two doors, it claims it has enough interior space for five occupants....

This is a link to a YouTube interview with Tulsi Gabbard, in which she apparently confirms she may just accept the Vice Presidency, if offered the position by Donald Trump. Merry Christmas everyone. 😎

Vingroup’s Chairman, Mr. Pham Nhat Vuong, announces that he will donate 99.8 percent of VinES Energy Solutions Joint Stock Company’s shares to VinFast. The merger is designed to enhance VinFast’s self-sufficiency in battery technology and its production chain, while increasing its competitive edge in the ever-growing electric vehicle market.

Shares of VinFast Auto, a Vietnamese electric-vehicle start-up, are rising after picking up a new bullish rating on Wall Street. Tuesday, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives launched coverage of VinFast stock (ticker: VFS) with a Buy rating and a $12 price target. That values VinFast equity at about $25 billion. Ives also rates Rivian Automotive stock (RIVN) at Buy with a $25 price target. That target values Rivian equity at just under $25 billion. (Bullish)

VinFast Auto Ltd. (the "Company" or "VinFast") (NASDAQ: VFS) today at Electrify Expo 2023, announced its aggressive plans for expansion across the U.S. with more than 70 dealer applications in hand. Updates on dealer agreements are expected to be announced in the coming months, which should allow VinFast to start distributing its EVs through 125 points of sales nationwide. This is a step forward affirming VinFast's commitment to expanding its business network and quickly making electric vehicles accessible to more consumers. The Company is planning to distribute its electric vehicle models at hundreds of points of sales by the end...