Author: Tabitha

Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler has rolled out plans to have commercial electric trucks with 120 miles of range on the roads in about five years. The 120-mile rating includes a full charge and a 28.6-ton (26 metric ton) payload. Designed for urban rather than long haul driving, Mercedes-Benz envisions its ‘Urban eTruck’ making local deliveries around town, reports Autoweek magazine. ‘The time is ripe for the electric truck,’ said Wolfgang Bernhard, chief of the Daimler truck division. Mercedes has tested electric light distribution trucks since 2014, and ‘we are now electrifying the heavy distribution segment.’  Bernhard made the announcement just a…

Ford has teamed up with tequila producer Jose Cuervo to explore the use of an agave plant by-product to develop more sustainable bioplastics for use in Ford vehicles. They’re testing the material for use in vehicle interior and exterior components like wiring harnesses, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units and storage bins. Initial assessments favor its durability and aesthetic qualities, the automaker said in a statement. Successful development of the sustainable composite could help reduce weight and lower energy consumption, while reducing the burning of petrochemicals and the impact of vehicle production on the environment. According to United Nations…

The Smead Stick-N-Find location tracker will help anyone who frequently misplaces their car keys. The product consists of a button-sized Bluetooth-enabled device with a sticky back that attaches to virtually anything. The radar screen-style app that you download to your smart phone will track your key’s whereabouts up to 100 feet away. You can also use the app to make the Stick-N-Find buzz and flash its built-in light to help you locate your keys in the dark. It will also alert you through the app’s virtual leash feature if your keys begin to move beyond a designated range. The product…

Just about everyone who has a trailer hitch installed on their vehicle has screamed in agony after accidentally striking their shin or kneecap on the ball or receiver. A simple remedy involves the installation of the ShinShield. This protective device is made from a special polymer compound that the manufacturer claims will remain soft from -40 F to 150 F. ShinShield installs between the ball and most standard 2.5-inch (class 5) receivers that are rated for up to 17,500 pounds of gross trailer weight and 1,700 pounds of tongue weight. ShinShield sells for $20, or $25 if you want one…

General Motors has pursued an aggressive schedule for launching the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt compact battery-electric car and will begin production in October, according to alternate-vehicle Web magazine, Green Car Reports. That start date would put the launch of the Bolt EV, with a claimed maximum range of 238 miles, far ahead of the Tesla Model 3 and the second-generation Nissan Leaf. GM’s first-year production target for the Bolt is around 25,000 cars. It has been widely rumored that GM might reserve some of the first production cars for the ride-hailing service Lyft, a company in which the automaker has invested.…

A historic lineup of 40 classic and modern Ford Fiestas came together in a convoy in England to mark the iconic economy model’s 40th anniversary. The cavalcade showcased some special Fiestas, including the all-new ST200, a super-rare Mk 1 Fiesta Van and a Fiesta Fly Crayford Convertible. The run also included a car that joined Ford of England’s heritage fleet just a day before the event. It was a silver Fiesta Mk 4 that was donated to the company by its previous owner. It had been driven only 22,000 miles. ‘We got it on the ramp, put some new brake…

There are horsepower wars between the North America-based automakers in the pony car segment (Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger). However The Sleuth finds the torque wars in the heavy hauling pickup class equally competitive. In the latest gauntlet throw-down, Ford’s 2017 F-Series Super Duty truck series with an available 6.7-liter V-8 turbo-diesel makes 440 horsepower and an astonishing 925 pound-feet of torque. That, claims Ford, allows the SDs to tow up to 32,500 pounds of gooseneck (fifth-wheel) trailer weight, up to 7,630 pounds of payload. In contrast, the diesel V-8s in General Motors’ Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra…

The Japan-based automaker is one of the top players in the mid-size-sedan wars with the nicely turned-out Accord. It’s also hard at work developing the next-generation four-door that will debut in late 2017 for the 2018 model year. Honda is usually pretty hush-hush when it comes to future models, but The Spymaster’s intelligence points to a less-conservative looking Accord coming our way. Along with a more exciting grille, Honda is adopting a slanted fastback roofline that isn’t that dissimilar to the ones penned for the Chrysler 200, Ford Fusion and Chevrolet Malibu. As for power, rumor has it that a…

Most garages and workspaces have extension cords all over the place, usually bundled up in knots. The RoboReel Power Cord System permanently solves that problem. The basketball-sized orb contains 50 feet of 12-gauge cord and swivels a full 360 degrees. The receptacle can handle up to three power tools and/or accessories plugged at the same time. A push of the button (one located on top of the unit and another the end of he cord) automatically reels the cord slowly back into the unit (no tangles or ‘whipsaw’ effect). The winding motor will also stop if the cord is obstructed…

U.S.-made WeatherTech products, including floor and cargo mats, exterior deflectors and vehicle covers, offer protection against water, condensation dirt and assorted spills. But did you know the company also sells a product that protects your furniture from the same damage? The clever set of drink coasters is made from the same material and patterns used to produce floor mats, only on a much smaller scale, of course. WeatherTech coasters are heat-resistant and their built-in groves and channels are designed to hold spills just like regular floor mats, which is something a traditional flat coaster can’t do. A set of four…