Ford Mustang Milestone Nobody Saw Coming

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Ford has been on a roll lately with models it was not sure would even sell when they were still under development. Take the Mustang Mach-E. Being an all-electric crossover, who could have predicted the milestone it just surpassed? We’ll bet nobody at Ford expected the Mach-E to surpass sales of traditional Mustang coupes and convertibles. 

Ford just sold more Mach-Es than gas-powered Mustangs

Ford Mustang Mach-E | David McNew via Getty Images

But it just did. Ford has sold more Mach-E EVs than traditional gas-powered Mustangs. We aren’t even through the first year of Mach-E production. Yet, Ford built 27,816 Mustang Mach-E EVs compared to 26,089 internal combustion coupe and convertible Mustangs.

CEO Jim Farley has already predicted that four-in-10 vehicles Ford sells will be electric by 2030. But that is just so much cheerleading. But the numbers don’t lie. To give you an idea of its popularity the Mach-E was the top-selling vehicle in all of Norway just last month. 

Compare that to the US, where the conventional Mustang sells at a three-to-one pace over the Mach E. The EV revolution has been slow to take hold here. Be that as it may, EV sales are expected to rise over the next two years in the US.

“Mach-E has been much stronger than expected, so we’ve totally run out of stock”

An orange 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E racing through a city.
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E | Ford

“Mach-E has been much stronger than we expected, so we’ve totally run out of stock,” Farley told Automotive News on May 19. “Mach-E is going global as we speak, but in the U.S.” the wait for a Mach-E “is months.” 

Part of the reason for the Mach-E surpassing the conventional Mustang is that Ford is prioritizing microchips for its newest vehicles. Flat Rock, Michigan, where the conventional Mustang is built, was shut down for all of May as a result of the chip shortage. 

Why haven’t chip shortages affected the Mach-E?

A red mustang mach-e on display
The electric Ford Mustang Mach-E is shown at AutoMobility LA | David McNew/Getty Images

“We have purposely protected our launches — Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mach-E, F-150,” Farley told Automotive News. “If we can switch a module over to one of those launch vehicles, we have. We’re very protective of the launches because they are so important for our business.”

With all of the cheery news, there is the slow down of F-150 production from the chip shortage. Being a new model, and in ramping up for Lightning production, the shortage couldn’t have come at a worse time. Of course, when would have been a good time for something impacting all of the auto industry so negatively?

If Ford’s bet on ending the incentives July 6 does coincide with a return to more normal inventories, then there is only one more month for the industry to endure the empty showrooms around the country.  

RELATED: The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Lives on the ‘Rule of Cool’

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Pedestrian Detection Technology: What You Need to Know

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Car safety is a major concern of most car shoppers, and accidents involving pedestrians are on the rise. Detection is an advanced safety system which is designed to alert a driver to a pedestrian in the path of (or near the path of) a vehicle. Consumer Reports says it’s a must. So how does pedestrian detection technology work?

2021 Ford Expedition | Ford

How does pedestrian detection technology work?

Pedestrian detection works using a combination of cameras, radar and lidar sensors. These systems monitor a vehicle’s surroundings and should allow the driver and car to react appropriately. Cameras look for objects in the path of the car, and some look for people that may cross in front of the vehicle. Radar sends a radio wave out and measures the time it takes to bounce off an object and return. Lidar works the same way, but uses light.

Some pedestrian detection systems work in cooperation with automatic emergency braking systems, which automatically apply brakes when a driver doesn’t react in time. Some vehicles come with city speed automatic emergency braking, and less come with high speed automatic emergency braking. Rear automatic emergency braking is also available in some cars. 

Pedestrian detection technology isn’t perfect

Consumer Reports reported on the effectiveness of pedestrian detection technology. They noted that AAA had tested a variety of vehicles and situations where pedestrian detection technology was necessary to prevent a crash. The tests found that a daylight crash with an adult in front of the car was avoided only 40% of the time at 20 MPH. If the test car had just made a right turn at 15 MPH, a crash was never avoided. 

When the test vehicle encountered two adults on the side of the road at 20 MPH, an accident occured 80 percent of the time. 

Things were worse when the tests involved children. A test which simulated a child running out from between two cars still resulted in a crash 89 percent of the time when the test vehicle was traveling at 20 MPH. A collision was never avoided when the test vehicle was traveling at 30 MPH.

It may be completely ineffective at night

A Genesis G80 drives at night. AAA says most pedestrian detection technology is ineffective at night.
A 2021 Genesis G80 | Genesis

Most accidents involving pedestrians occur at night; 75%, according to the NHTSA. AAA said that testing found that pedestrian detection technology was completely ineffective at night. This is especially alarming considering some people become dependent on the technology alerting them to a person in the path of their car. 

Should I look for a car with pedestrian detection technology?

So pedestrian detection technology isn’t perfect…in fact, it’s far from it. Does that mean you don’t need it?

AAA and Consumer Reports both say that if you’re shopping for a new vehicle, you should absolutely look for a car with pedestrian detection technology. Pedestrian detection technology is becoming more common; in 2019 one-third of new vehicles came standard with it, and another one-third had it as an option. Consumer Reports also says that car shoppers should look for forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and blind spot detection. 

The most important thing to remember is that pedestrian detection technology shouldn’t replace a driver’s awareness. Anytime a person is behind the wheel of a vehicle, they should pay attention to their surroundings. Drive like there is no pedestrian detection technology, and hopefully you won’t need to use it. 

RELATED: 9 2021 Luxury Cars With Advanced Safety Systems

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How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Nissan Leaf?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Although factors such as range anxiety may still give some people pause about purchasing an electric vehicle, the low cost of ownership is one area where many EVs excel. The 2021 Nissan Leaf is incredibly affordable to charge — you can save thousands of dollars compared to fueling up a gas-powered car, Solar Reviews shows. Here’s everything you need to know about the costs and logistics of charging the Nissan Leaf.

Options for charging a Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf offers five trim levels: S, S Plus, SV, SV Plus, and SL Plus. The standard trims include a 40-kWh battery with a range of about 149 miles. On the other hand, the Plus models pack a 62-kWh battery. So they have a significantly longer range — 215 miles for the SV Plus and SL Plus and 226 miles for the S Plus.

When it comes to charging the Leaf, there are three options to choose from. For at-home charging, the default is a 120-volt AC charger that comes free when you purchase a Leaf. This charger takes approximately 20 hours to charge a 40-kWh battery and 2.5 days to charge a 62-kWh battery.

The faster at-home option is the 240-volt charger. This adds $1,690 to the Leaf’s purchase price, but it drastically reduces charging times. It charges the 40-kWh battery in eight hours and the 62-kWh battery in 11.5 hours.

Finally, you can take the Leaf to a charging station for the most rapid charge times. This will charge the 40-kWh batteries in 50 minutes and juice the 62-kWh battery to 80 percent in just an hour.

Average costs of charging a NissanLeaf

Charging the Nissan Leaf is surprisingly affordable. According to Solar Reviews, the average cost of electricity is less than 13 cents per kWh. On a national level, then, it costs just $5.14 on average to recharge the Leaf’s 40 kWh battery fully.

It’s worth noting this number will vary state-to-state. For example, Connecticut is one of the most expensive states for electricity costs, at nearly double the national average. So charging a Nissan Leaf in this state will cost about $9.48 — or $14.69 if you opt for the more powerful battery.

Washington, on the other hand, is one of the most affordable states to charge a Leaf. It costs an average of just $3.77 for the 40-kWh battery and $5.84 for the 62-kWh battery.

Savings compared to gas-powered vehicles

Driving a Nissan Leaf saves you approximately $5,500 over five years compared with driving an average 2021 gas-powered vehicle, the EPA shows. 

This data highlights some other differences between the Leaf and gas-powered cars. For example, this EV gets 118 MPGe in the city, 97 MPGe on the highway, and 108 MPGe combined. By comparison, the average vehicle in 2021 gets 27 mpg. 

The Leaf also has an average annual fuel cost of only $600 — significantly lower than even some of the most efficient gas or hybrid options. For example, the EPA estimates the annual fuel cost of a 2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is $850.

All in all, the Nissan Leaf is a highly affordable EV. If buyers take advantage of tax credits, they could pay as little as $24,120 for a Leaf. Although its range means it’s not well-suited to longer trips, its low starting price and excellent fuel savings make the Leaf a worthwhile option for anyone who wants a budget-friendly EV for city driving.

RELATED: The 2021 Nissan Leaf Is a Low-Budget, High-Safety Option

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Kubota or Mahindra, Which Is the Best Tractor Brand?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When it comes to foreign tractor manufacturers, Kubota and Mahindra are among the best. In fact, Mahindra is the best-selling tractor brand worldwide. Both companies make great tractors with a wide variety of specialized machines and different sizes to choose from. But between Kubota and Mahindra, which is the best tractor brand?

Kubota compact tractor | Compact Equipment

Both of these tractor brands are global leaders in the industry. In addition, Mahindra and Kubota are best-selling brands in the United States. To decide whether Kubota or Mahindra is the best tractor brand will likely depend on your priorities, budget, and the expected tasks at hand. 

Is Kubota a good tractor brand? 

Yes, Kubota makes one of the best tractors around. According to Tractor Junction, Kubota is the “most advanced tractor maker company in the world.” The Kubota tractor brand has been delivering quality equipment since the late 1800s. 

Since then, the Kubota tractor brand has earned a large following of loyal customers. The manufacturer has a long history of producing quality products. Plus, farmers can appreciate a Kubota tractor both for its quality and affordability. 

Mahindra also makes a good tractor

a line of red Mahindra Tractors fresh off the line in a manufacturing facility
tractors at a new Mahindra Mahindra (MM) manufacturing plant | NOAH SEELAM/AFP via Getty Images

Tractor Junction tells us that Mahindra is the world’s best-selling tractor brand. This is another tractor company that has a reputation for producing durable, quality products. Mahindra tractors contribute year over year to worldwide productivity. 

In truth, virtually every tractor brand lends itself to productivity. However, as the globe top-seller, Mahindra does it at a higher volume than competitors like John Deere, Massey––and Kubota. 

In fact, Mahindra earned the Deming Prize for the Japan Quality Medal. That means the company has been recognized for its high-quality, long-lasting, and durable machines and implements. Still, it’s hard to say which is actually the best tractor brand between Kubota or Mahindra.  

What’s the best tractor brand? 

The best way to determine which is the best tractor brand, buyers need to have a firm grasp on the intended use for their prospective tractor purchase. According to Countryside, Mahindra tractors are known for their durability. These machines tend to stand the tests of time. 

Kubota tractors are also built to last. Countryside also notes that the Kubota tractor brand is known for offering a product with a particularly smooth operating quality. The farming-oriented publication then goes on to say, “You can’t go wrong with buying either tractor based solely on the quality of the product.” 

Kubota or Mahindra?

Kubota tractors exhibited at an agricultural fair in rural America
A Kubota Tractor Corp. M8 tractor | Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Some say that Mahindra is the better tractor for those that are shopping for more heavy-duty farm equipment. Kubota gets a reputation for offering premium quality compact and sub-compact tractors. However, there are so many models that the final decision comes down to a long list of details. 

Kubota offers acclaimed customer service. I myself can attest to this, as we own some Kubota farming equipment and we’re pleased with the service end of things so far. 

There used to be countless reports of Mahindra repairs taking forever (and so costing a lot in terms of time) for repairs. This is because the parts were once much harder to come by. However, since that time Mahindra has troubleshooting the issue by keeping a larger stock of parts in the U.S. warehouses. 

Perhaps the most notable difference between the two tractor brands is that the majority of Kubota tractors and components in the U.S. Mahindra tractors are primarily manufactured in India and China. This fact alone can be enough to sway certain buyers in favor of Kubota. Still, the perfect tractor for your needs is entirely subjective to the work it’s needed for. This makes it hard to say outright which is the best tractor brand between Kubota or Mahindra.

RELATED: 3 of the Best Compact Tractors on the Market

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