I enjoy driving so much that makes me not value these types of features very much, though also know others can be polar opposites. Anyway, initially it seemed dependent mostly on age, where younger buyers are more likely to accept less driving control while older buyers prefer to remain in charge, but there is evidence that some younger people not only prefer lower-cost vehicles, but also have concerns over privacy, greater vehicle complexity, etc.  A little automation makes sense to me, but the high cost charged by Tesla for FSD, as example, shows most buyers are not willing to buy the feature.  Take rate for Tesla FSD remains fairly low IIRC.  

So what’s your thoughts on the Chinese Bronco vehicle, maybe Equator or Equator Sport based? Thinking it’s a localised platform and probably suits better for costs and parts supply..

That can be done  without the bully tactics, Trump just has to ask her, the president of Mexico nicely because Mexico already moved 10,000 troops to the border and patrolling their side better. Just keep the dialogue going because I’m sure that Mexico as a poorer nation doesn’t have unlimited funding or the resources to do all things the US wants in short order.   What I would propose is that USMCA is up for renegotiation next year so between then and now, give Mexico an agreed set of KPIs to do by then including closer working relationship with US law enforcement in shutting down ransportation of fentanyl and pre cursor chemicals in Mexico.   You might even find that Ford and GM might throw some money at Mexican government to help  with certain projects, maybe some vehicles and equipment…

Even the death penalty doesn’t stop premeditated murder.  Simply doesn’t work on hard core criminals.   Short term maybe a little but longer term it forces more manufacturing back to the US.  More US jobs and no tariffs.   The goal is for Mexico to be more proactive on drug smuggling and be more favorable to U.S. exports and the tariffs go away.  Ball is in their court.

Is that with or without the 258 million fentanyl deaths Trump prevented in the last three months?   how anyone could believe these people is beyond me.    https://www.factcheck.org/2025/05/bondi-far-overstates-the-impact-of-fentanyl-seizures-on-american-lives/

Absolutely.  Punishing the many innocent to make a few bad actors stop illegal behavior is generally wrong at any time, and on any subject, not just drugs.  That’s a slippery slope.  If governments want to stop criminals and evil people, and are willing to use extreme measures, then maybe punish the guilty severely in public and broadcast it for every person to see what will happen when due process is followed.  You are correct that honest hard working Americans should not be penalized directly or indirectly to stop drugs.  It’s not that complicated to stop, we just don’t have the stomach for what is required.

Fenatanyl deaths by year.  Probably exponentially higher by now.

That’s not true. Fentanyl has been an issue in this country for close to a decade. 

Talking about feeling movement, back when we crossed the Royal Gorge Bridge they allowed car traffic, so we drove across, parked, and then walked it.  The bridge is very narrow, and while cars went by slowly, movement in bridge structure was easy to detect.  And a little scary at first.  I also recall that at the mid point there was a sign about bungee jumping from 1,000 feet above the river.  I believe the park stopped doing bungee jumps on a regular basis.  

If it was that easy it would have already been done.  It’s a bit extreme but when the other side has zero motivation to change you have to do something.