Mercedes-Benz Plug-in Cars Get Huge Spike in Sales

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Mercedes-Benz has solidified itself as one of the top luxury automakers in the automotive industry. It is known for using high-quality materials and producing vehicles that are both fast and comfortable. As the auto industry shifts to emission-free vehicles, Mercedes-Benz has developed several eco-friendly options for consumers. Its plug-in cars recently got a huge spike in sales.

Mercedes-Benz’s history of excellence

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class | Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz has a long history of producing luxury automobiles. The German automaker has made a name for itself by manufacturing luxury vehicles that are extremely tough to compete with. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a perfect example of the type of quality Benz delivers.

Mercedes-Benz’s AMG models offer incredible power. Its luxury SUV models are quick and cozy, showcasing some of the latest automotive technology. The only facet of the automotive industry that Benz has yet to make a huge impact on is the EV space…until now.

Mercedes-Benz goes electric

A white Mercedes-Benz EQS.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS | Daimler

Mercedes-Benz has enjoyed great success with its gas-powered vehicles, so it is natural to resist the changing auto industry. While automakers like Toyota have Honda have fully embraced hybrid models and EV technology early on, Mercedes has lagged. Early electric and hybrid vehicles have neither been particularly stylish, comfortable, or fast, with the exception of Tesla models. Benz knew its approach to EVs and hybrid models had to be bold and stick to the founding principles and standards of the popular brand.

Electric vehicles only account for a small percentage of the total market share of automobiles. Luxury electric vehicles make up for an even smaller percentage of the market. Recently the German automaker has fully committed to producing electric, hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell-powered options, and consumers seem to love the shift.

In 2010 General Motors made history by debuting the Chevy Volt. The Chevy Volt was the first commercially available plug-in hybrid. Standard hybrid electric motors charge through braking and with the help of internal combustion engines. Plug-in hybrids are charged at charging stations specifically designed to charge EV and hybrid models. In 2014 Mercedes-Benz followed suit with a plug-in hybrid of their own. Today Mercedes-Benz offers several plug-in hybrid options, and they are selling well.

Benz Plug-in hybrids are a hit

Mercedes-Benz motor show stand with the Mercedes-Benz A Class plug in hybrid A250e compact hatchback car on display at Brussels Expo on January 9, 2020 in Brussels, Belgium.
Mercedes-Benz A Class plug-in hybrid A250e | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

2020 was a rough sales year for most of the automotive industry because of the global pandemic, chip shortages, unemployment, and several other crippling factors. The economy has improved, and automotive sales have rebounded in a big way across the board. According to InsideEVs, Mercedes-Benz plug-in car sales have quadrupled since last year’s stagnant sales. This sales spike, combined with the positive reception of the new EQ or intelligent electric mobility product brand, signals that Mercedes has finally fully embraced its electric future.

Mercedes-Benz currently offers the Mercedes A 250 e, S 560 e, and many more models in plug-in hybrid options. The automaker sold over 120,000 plug-in electric cars, and its fully electric EQ models look promising. Mercedes is an automaker that strives to be the best, and if their plug-in car sales continue to increase at this rate, they may just earn a new title. Is Mercedes-Benz the next best plug-in hybrid brand?

RELATED: What Does Mercedes-Benz EQ Boost Do?

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The Eshelman Adult Sport Car Is Tiny, Odd, and Totally American

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Have you ever heard of the Eshelman Adult Sport Car? It is about as ridiculous as it sounds. The company claimed the Eshelman Adult Sport Car got 70 mpg and that the car was “ideal for short trips.” The company even offered a trailer cart so you could hop in and hit the store. Toss your groceries in the back and be on your way. But what’s the rest of the store here?

The history of the Eshelman Adult Sport Car

Eshelman Adult Sport Car | RM Sotheby’s

The Eshelman Adult Sport Car came to fruition from the Eshelman brand. According to Wikipedia, Cheston L. Eshelman created the company in 1942 out of an industrial building in Baltimore, Maryland. Initially, Eshelman designed light aircraft, pleasure boats, lightweight garden tractors, and the Sport Car. The first version was the 15 mph Child’s Sport Car (CSC) that cost $295. This came equipped with a Briggs & Stratton number six engine. The 25 mph Model 2 Adult Sport Car (ASC) for $395. This one came with a three-horsepower Briggs & Stratton number eight engine.

The Adult Sport Car (and the CSC) were only 54 inches long by 24 inches wide. Eshelman created the cars with plate-steel platform frames. The CSC weighed 225 pounds, while the ASC was around 250 pounds. Each one measured 23 inches tall.

The Eshelman Adult Sport Car and Richard Nixon

Eshelman Adult Sport Car engine | RM Sotheby’s

By 1955, Eshelman was doing big things. Richard M. Nixon was photographed filling the Child’s Sport Car up at a gasoline pump during a March of Dimes campaign. The campaign was titled “Fill ‘Er Up for Polio” and showed Nixon holding a nozzle near the back of the CSC. The Sport Cars actually fueled up under the hood.

The company was mostly operating through mail orders and ads placed in various periodicals at the time. The Baltimore factory turned into a showroom where buyers could pick up the cars. Eshelman would ship the cars by freight. After some complaints about the size, the company stopped accepting returns.

Eshelman added a new Adult Sport Car to the lineup in 1955. This bigger version was 64 inches long, 36 inches wide, and 32 inches high. The new car was powered by a Briggs & Stratton #14 engine. It had room for two. This one had a top speed of 30 mph and had six horsepower.

RM Sotheby’s sold a Deluxe Adult Sport Car back in 2013 for $15,525. Not a bad return for a car built in 1956 that cost $395.

Life goes on for Eshelman

Eshelman saw success with the vehicles and continued to produce all of the varieties. On February 10, 1956, a fire broke out in the Eshelman factory. The fire resulted in over $500,000 in damage. After the fire, the company shifted a bit and moved the factory to Maryland. Eshelman decided to revamp and upgrade the cars, making the Adult Sport Car bigger and more powerful. It was now called the Sportabout and had 8.4 hp.

In 1959, Eshelman renamed the company Eshelman Motors Corporation and introduced three new models. The 902 delivery vehicle, 903 coupe, and 904 pickup truck were priced at $1,395. However, Wikipedia noted that only about 12 vehicles were produced.

Eshelman Motors Corporation decided to buy some Chevrolet Corvairs to re-badge into Eshelman Golden Eagles. That didn’t last long. GM sent Eshelman Motors Corporation a cease and desist letter to stop production, but Eshelman again pivoted and offered the package for purchase, sans Chevrolet Corvair. It was all downhill from there.

Cheston Eshelman headed to Miami and started work on an energy-absorbing front bumper made from spare tires. Eshelman believed in the product so much that he would frequently ram his personal car into walls to demonstrate. He sold a few Eshelman Golden Eagle Safety Cars through used car agencies and continued his hijinks throughout his life. Eshelman died in 2004 in Florida.

So while the Eshelman Adult Sport Car might not be next on your list of cars to buy, it certainly has an interesting history.

RELATED: Cool Used Cars For Sale Under $5k (Including a Firetruck)

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Every Upcoming Electric Truck You Need to know About

by Gabrielle DeSantis

“Electric trucks” were once almost oxymoronic. For decades trucks have been seen as gas-powered workhorses used for towing and revered for reliability. The idea that an electric truck could be popular is exciting because electric vehicles have reached new heights in terms of practicality. Electric trucks are arguably the coolest EVs because they are rare and have much to prove. Here are the upcoming electric trucks you should be on the lookout for.

2021 Rivian R1T

The Rivian R1T | Rivian

Rivian was founded in 2009 and has made amazing strides in the EV space. Amazon recently invested in the company in 2019. Rivian is set to produce 100,000 electric delivery trucks for Amazon by 2030.

One of Rivian’s greatest creations is the Rivian R1T all-electric pickup truck. The Rivian R1T is estimated to have a driving range of 300 miles on a full charge. It also is designed to have a quick acceleration rate. The Launch Edition starts at $73,000, but the company plans to release a more affordable trim in 2022. According to InsideEVs, the Rivian R1T is estimated to make up to 754 horsepower. The Rivian R1T also offers a cool camping kitchen add-on.

The 2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup Truck

The GMC Hummer EV.
The GMC Hummer EV Pickup Truck | GMC

Styled after the M998 Humvee military vehicle, the Hummer first debuted in1992. In 1998 General Motors purchased the Hummer for itself and produced the H1, H2, and H3. Hummer models sold well for a few years and were coveted for their unique design. In 2010 the Hummer was discontinued. The Hummer made a return in 2020 under GMC. Now, for the first time, the unique vehicle is going electric.

Hummers are known for being massive. The 2022 GMC Hummer EV will truly be a sight to behold because of the return of the Hummer and its shocking new powertrain. The 2022 GMC Hummer EV pickup truck is expected to make a whopping 1,000 horsepower. It is estimated to travel over 350 miles on a single charge. The 2022 GMC Hummer EV will be unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.

2021 Tesla Cybertruck

A silver Tesla Cybertruck.
The Tesla Cybertruck | Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Tesla is currently the undisputed leader of all things electric. Other automakers have made valiant efforts to dethrone the company, but Tesla has been working on EVs for almost two decades. Furthermore, Tesla’s entire lineup is electric, unlike most automakers. Every new model seems to push the boundaries further and offer more creative features.

The Tesla Cyber Truck looks like something out of a Sci-Fi movie. Its design is unique and futuristic. The Cyber Truck trims vary from single motor to dual and tri-motors. The respective estimated ranges are 250, 300, and 500 miles on a full charge. The single motor base model starts at a surprising $39,900. Throw a tax incentive in, and the price gets much closer to the price of an average pickup truck. Full Self-Driving is an available $10,000 add-on for all trims.

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning

The Ford F-150 Lightning.
The Ford F-150 Lightning | Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images

Ford’s introduction of the Ford F-150 Lightning shocked the world. The Ford F-150 is one of the most noteworthy trucks in history, so the decision to make an EV model was a huge gamble like its Ford Mustang Mach-E. The F-150 Lightning could have deterred consumers loyal to the brand or brought new attention to the company. Between chip shortages and pre-orders, the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is now in extremely high demand.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning boasts an impressive 426 horsepower. It is estimated to drive up to 230 miles on a single charge. There is also an extended battery option that increases the horsepower to 563 and the driving range to about 300 miles. It has a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds. The F-150 Lightning still shares the traits of an average Ford pickup, it just also happens to be electric.

EVs are taking over the pickup truck vehicle class

Electric trucks are one of the most exciting things to happen to the auto industry in a long time. These new creations take everything we know about trucks and reinvent our preconceived notions about what a truck should be and do. The EV future is bright and pickup trucks are an exciting by-product of the industry’s shift to emission-free vehicles.

RELATED: Ram Won’t Care About Electric Trucks Until This Happens

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Focused Performance Doesn’t Make the 2021 Volkswagen GTI Uncomfortable

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Often, cars focused on performance aren’t focused on comfort, almost as if you must trade one for the other. But the 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI is a performance-focused model that’s also ranked one of the most comfortable cars. And even better, this compact hatchback is much more affordable than many other performance-focused cars. 

The 2021 Volkswagen GTI is about performance

Interior of a 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI | Volkswagen of America, Inc. Newspress Limited

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI packs a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 hp and 285 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters. It features three driving modes — Normal, Individual, and Spor — and the top-trim Autobahn comes with an additional Comfort mode. The GTI gets a 0-to-60-mph time of 6.0 seconds. Adaptive suspension and a limited-slip differential drivetrain lend to this hot hatch’s nimble handling.

It also boasts a comfortable interior

U.S. News released a list of the 12 most comfortable cars for 2021, including the 2021 Volkswagen Golf. Two rows of comfortable and supportive seating, along with 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space, are part of what makes this car so comfy. Additionally, it comes standard with heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. You can also upgrade to leather upholstery. It seats five, and the back row is surprisingly roomy for a compact hatchback, with plenty of headroom and legroom.

In addition, the infotainment system comes with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, which you can upgrade to an 8.0-inch screen. It has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, too. Also, expect a six-speaker sound system, which you can upgrade to an eight-speaker Fender stereo, and you can also add navigation and satellite radio. A panoramic sunroof and dual-zone climate control are also optional add-ons.

The GTI vs. the Golf: What’s the difference?

There aren’t many differences between the Golf and GTI, but a few set the GTI apart. The Golf has a smaller engine than the GTI, a 1.4-liter four-cylinder making 147 hp. More oriented to performance, the GTI has a performance monitor and adaptive chassis control. The Golf gets slightly better fuel efficiency at 24 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, while the GTI’s fuel efficiency is 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

Inside, the Golf and the GTI are similar, with comfortable seats and a decent amount of room. The big difference between the two models, besides the engine, is the price. The Golf offers only one trim, which starts at $23,995, and the GTI base trim starts at $29,495, both with an automatic transmission. In both cars, opting for the manual transmission drops the price by $800. The GTI Autobahn with an automatic transmission starts at $37,745, while the manual transmission is $800 cheaper.

And if you were hoping to get a Golf next year, unfortunately, Volkswagen is discontinuing the Golf in the U.S. after 2021. But if you’re looking for a compact hatchback that’s fast and fun to drive while still offering comfort, the 2021 Volkswagen GTI is a reasonable choice. And it’s similar enough to the Golf that if you’re a superfan, you’ll probably still love the GTI. But it’ll be more fun to drive.

RELATED: The 2022 Volkswagen GTI Levels up Performance Even More

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