Latest news with #American-sourced
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Move over, Rolls-Royce – America's first homegrown ultra-luxury vehicle in almost a century is here to steal its crown
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Dacora is the first female-founded and led automotive brand The debut model has been designed with Pininfarina Group Swappable upholstery is just one of many unique traits Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Mercedes-Maybach… soon you'll be able to add another, albeit far less recognizable, name to that list of the world's most luxurious car makers. US start-up Dacora is here and wants a piece of the ultra-high-net-worth pie. Founded in New York's Hudson Valley by MIT-trained engineers Kristie and Eric D'Ambrosio-Correll, the fledgling brand is the first of its kind to be founded and led by a female CEO, as well as the first to have the confidence to command $500,000 (around £370,000 / AU$770,000) for a highly-personalized electric vehicle without hundreds of years worth of history to back it up. The price point is set as such because Dacora claims each vehicle is 'meticulously handmade' using American-sourced components and materials. The 1930s-inspired design, produced in collaboration with Italy's renowned Pininfarina Group, pays homage to the glamorous streamliners of Hollywood's Golden Age. Long hoods, shapely fenders and the option to specify real metal and hardwood inlays on the exterior are just a few of the stylistic talking points. Inside, you won't find any nasty plastics or cheap scratchy surfaces, as Dacora is only turning to natural wood, leather and woven wool for its interiors. Image 1 of 3 Image 2 of 3 Image 3 of 3 In fact, the company says there will be twice-yearly 'drops' that will allow customers to completely swap out the interior fabrics with the changing seasons – wool for winter, linen for summer, for example. The currently unnamed debut model will be available with anything from three- to seven-seat configurations, with each seat including its own independent lighting and climate controls. Money No Object We're all about offering practical buying advice at TechRadar, giving our readers expert tips and insights on how to choose the right gadgets. But every so often, we also like to celebrate some of the more ridiculous tech on the market – the luxurious, high-end products that are simply fun to dream about buying. That's the kind of kit we cover in our regular Money No Object column, which you can read more of here. Dacora wants to take us back to a time when driving was a sensory experience, so has ditched today's screen-dominated cockpit, relying on just one, non-touchscreen display to take care of infotainment duties. When not in use, this screen apparently disappears behind a semi-transparent wooden panel, while all controls are mechanical. Quite the analog move for two MIT-trained engineers. As for performance, Dacora is yet to announce exact EV powertrain details, but says it is aiming for over 800hp and a projected 400-mile all-electric range. There will also be the option of a hybrid powertrain on request. Image 1 of 2 Image 2 of 2 Co-founder and CEO Kristie D'Ambrosio-Correll was the former CTO of Mirror, a smart fitness product that proved a popular lifestyle product with the very wealthy. Building on this blueprint, Dacora will open its 100-acre Hudson Valley Garage next year, complete with on-site production, design atelier and rooms for guests to stay. Every car will be a bespoke, personal commission, with the brand's designer on-hand to guide them through the process. Customers will also get to enjoy curated events, 'immersive experiences' and all of the other lovely things rich people like to fill their spare time with. Dacora will have to nail this side of things, because early images of the vehicle reveal divisive styling and half a million US dollars buys a lot of Rolls-Royce, which remains the final word in automotive opulence and the ultimate show of wealth. I've tried Apple CarPlay Ultra – it fixes everything that's irritating about CarPlay, but there's a catch The myth of Megawatt charging – and why Porsche doesn't think it's the answer to smoother EV journeys Forget Rolls-Royce – after living with the new Lexus LM350h, I've decided we have a new king of luxury
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Move over, Rolls-Royce – America's first homegrown ultra-luxury vehicle in almost a century is here to steal its crown
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Dacora is the first female-founded and led automotive brand The debut model has been designed with Pininfarina Group Swappable upholstery is just one of many unique traits Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Mercedes-Maybach… soon you'll be able to add another, albeit far less recognizable, name to that list of the world's most luxurious car makers. US start-up Dacora is here and wants a piece of the ultra-high-net-worth pie. Founded in New York's Hudson Valley by MIT-trained engineers Kristie and Eric D'Ambrosio-Correll, the fledgling brand is the first of its kind to be founded and led by a female CEO, as well as the first to have the confidence to command $500,000 (around £370,000 / AU$770,000) for a highly-personalized electric vehicle without hundreds of years worth of history to back it up. The price point is set as such because Dacora claims each vehicle is 'meticulously handmade' using American-sourced components and materials. The 1930s-inspired design, produced in collaboration with Italy's renowned Pininfarina Group, pays homage to the glamorous streamliners of Hollywood's Golden Age. Long hoods, shapely fenders and the option to specify real metal and hardwood inlays on the exterior are just a few of the stylistic talking points. Inside, you won't find any nasty plastics or cheap scratchy surfaces, as Dacora is only turning to natural wood, leather and woven wool for its interiors. Image 1 of 3 Image 2 of 3 Image 3 of 3 In fact, the company says there will be twice-yearly 'drops' that will allow customers to completely swap out the interior fabrics with the changing seasons – wool for winter, linen for summer, for example. The currently unnamed debut model will be available with anything from three- to seven-seat configurations, with each seat including its own independent lighting and climate controls. Money No Object We're all about offering practical buying advice at TechRadar, giving our readers expert tips and insights on how to choose the right gadgets. But every so often, we also like to celebrate some of the more ridiculous tech on the market – the luxurious, high-end products that are simply fun to dream about buying. That's the kind of kit we cover in our regular Money No Object column, which you can read more of here. Dacora wants to take us back to a time when driving was a sensory experience, so has ditched today's screen-dominated cockpit, relying on just one, non-touchscreen display to take care of infotainment duties. When not in use, this screen apparently disappears behind a semi-transparent wooden panel, while all controls are mechanical. Quite the analog move for two MIT-trained engineers. As for performance, Dacora is yet to announce exact EV powertrain details, but says it is aiming for over 800hp and a projected 400-mile all-electric range. There will also be the option of a hybrid powertrain on request. Image 1 of 2 Image 2 of 2 Co-founder and CEO Kristie D'Ambrosio-Correll was the former CTO of Mirror, a smart fitness product that proved a popular lifestyle product with the very wealthy. Building on this blueprint, Dacora will open its 100-acre Hudson Valley Garage next year, complete with on-site production, design atelier and rooms for guests to stay. Every car will be a bespoke, personal commission, with the brand's designer on-hand to guide them through the process. Customers will also get to enjoy curated events, 'immersive experiences' and all of the other lovely things rich people like to fill their spare time with. Dacora will have to nail this side of things, because early images of the vehicle reveal divisive styling and half a million US dollars buys a lot of Rolls-Royce, which remains the final word in automotive opulence and the ultimate show of wealth. I've tried Apple CarPlay Ultra – it fixes everything that's irritating about CarPlay, but there's a catch The myth of Megawatt charging – and why Porsche doesn't think it's the answer to smoother EV journeys Forget Rolls-Royce – after living with the new Lexus LM350h, I've decided we have a new king of luxury
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lucid Group signs multi-year supply agreement with Graphite One
Lucid Group (LCID) announced the signing of a multi-year supply agreement with Graphite One for American-sourced natural graphite, further strengthening the company's supply chain for American raw materials and resources. Following other recent agreements with Syrah Resources and Graphite One, future Lucid vehicles will increasingly utilize natural and high-performance synthetic graphite materials mined and produced at each company's facilities in the United States as a part of directed supply agreements with the company's battery cell suppliers. This multi-year agreement with Graphite One will supply Lucid and its battery cell suppliers with natural graphite, which is expected to begin production in 2028. Graphite One's natural graphite will be sourced from the Graphite Creek deposit north of Nome, Alaska. This agreement builds on last year's announcement with Graphite One to provide Lucid and its battery cell suppliers with synthetic graphite for future vehicles starting in 2028, which will be sourced from Graphite One's proposed active anode material facility in Warren, Ohio. Additionally, beginning in 2026, Syrah Resources will also supply natural graphite AAM to Lucid. Under the agreement, Syrah will collaborate with Lucid or its battery suppliers to purchase the materials over a three-year term. Syrah's natural graphite AAM will be sourced from its vertically integrated AAM production facility in Vidalia, Louisiana. Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See Insiders' Hot Stocks on TipRanks >> Read More on LCID: Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Lucid Group Faces Stock Turbulence Amid Market Doubts Mixed options sentiment in Lucid Group with shares up 1.7% 'Watch for These Catalysts,' Says Top Investor About Lucid Stock Trump Trade: Trump considers 50% tariff on EU, 25% on iPhones California to file lawsuit after Senate vote on clean vehicles program Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Forget GDP. It's the Jobs Report That Matters.
The first-quarter decline in economic output tells us almost nothing about the economy's actual performance which, through March, was actually fine. It tells us even less about the broader impact of President Trump's tariffs, federal cutbacks and immigration crackdown. For that, we'll have to await April data, starting with jobs and unemployment to be released Friday. 110-Hour Workweeks Drove Young Bankers at a Boutique Firm to the Brink Apple Violated Antitrust Ruling, Judge Finds I Recorded Everything I Said for Three Months. AI Has Replaced My Memory. U.S. Economy Shrank in First Quarter as Imports Surged Ahead of Tariffs Microsoft Flexes Muscle in Cloud, Office and Windows as Earnings Jump This will provide the first 'hard' data since Trump's April 2 tariff announcements. Federal cuts by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency were also in full swing, as were deportations, while border crossings had plummeted. A weak jobs number could vindicate Trump's critics, a strong number would shut them up, at least for now. I suspect, though, that the April report—regardless of the number—won't tell us much about Trump's impact. Businesses are certainly talking a lot about tariffs, but aren't doing much yet in terms of raising prices or altering production plans. Federal layoffs and deportations are also probably too small to have much macro impact. But wait, wasn't that 0.3% annualized drop in gross domestic product in the first quarter because of tariffs? No: it was affected by a couple of statistical quirks. GDP is calculated by adding up spending by businesses, consumers and government, plus spending by foreigners on American exports. Imports are then subtracted from this total, to arrive at spending on American-sourced products. Imports were indeed affected by tariffs as firms stocked up to get ahead of tariffs. That import surge was then subtracted from GDP. We should have seen the negative of higher imports offset by the positive of more consumer spending, equipment investment or inventories, so that the effect of all that tariff-buying would have been a wash. Oddly, we didn't see that, even after the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis assumed inventories in March rose more than preliminary data show. Without that assumption, GDP would have shrunk even more, by 1.5%, instead of 0.3%, economist Ben Herzon of S&P Global estimates. So either domestic production was unusually weak in ways other data don't show; or the missing spending will show up in later data. Besides the unusual impact of imports, the monthly pattern of activity also held down the quarterly total. Household consumption plummeted 0.4% in January from December because of harsh winter weather and Los Angeles wildfires. Consumption rose 0.1% in February and a solid 0.7% in March. March might be boosted by people rushing to buy cars and other items ahead of tariffs. So let's look at services spending: it was up 0.4% on the month, and 2.4% from December annualized, in line with the pace of the last two years. Employment data show the same picture. Private payroll growth was weak in January, so-so in February, and solid in March. The average monthly growth rate was exactly in line with the two-year average. Presidents generally affect the economy less than they or their critics think, and that's certainly true of Trump's first few months. Will that change in April? Probably not. For all the noise about tariffs, few have been passed through to customers yet. Retailers are for now trying to hold prices steady, perhaps hoping Trump, who has already announced pauses and exemptions for many tariffs, will go even further. If prices haven't been affected, spending shouldn't be, either. Conceivably the impact of early tariffs and anticipation of more could put the brakes on hiring. But there's just no sign of it yet. Claims for unemployment insurance remain low. An index of online job ads maintained by Indeed Hiring Lab has trended lower since early January, with no notable acceleration in the last month. Wall Street economists project payrolls rose 133,000 in April from March, a step down from recent months but still pretty healthy. Payroll processor ADP, based on its own tally, estimates private employment grew only 62,000. But ADP's projection is routinely wide of the mark. And even if it's accurate, the weakness was concentrated in healthcare and education which, Pantheon Macroeconomics notes, aren't that exposed to tariffs and have lots of job openings. So while the markets and the public are still looking for evidence of Trump's agenda on the economy, they might not get it tomorrow. Write to Greg Ip at Paramount Leaders Discussed Settling Trump's Lawsuit for as Much as $20 Million China's Export Orders Plunge, Hit by Trump's Trade War Facebook Parent Posts $42 Billion in Sales, Points to Strong Growth Here's What Is Driving the Rapid Reversal of the Historic Market Selloff Dow and S&P 500 End Tumultuous April With Seventh-Straight Daily Gain Sign in to access your portfolio
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
2027 Slate Truck EV: The $20K game-changer in bare-bones electric pickups
2027 Slate Truck EV: The $20K game-changer in bare-bones electric pickups Show Caption Hide Caption Jeff Bezos challenges rival Elon Musk by unveiling $27,000 electric truck Jeff Bezos' mysterious EV manufacturer, Slate, has unveiled its first model: a stripped-back pickup truck that will sell for $27,000 ($20,000 after federal incentives). Cover Media - Shareable Slate is developing a bare-bones, customizable electric truck with a starting price under $20,000 after federal incentives. The truck comes with minimal features, including crank windows and a small screen, but offers extensive personalization options. Slate aims to appeal to DIY enthusiasts, small businesses and budget-conscious buyers. It's news to no one that new cars are expensive. Years of rival automakers locked in tit-for-tat battles for higher power, longer range, bigger screens and more has led to a steady rise in prices. Even new cars with a low starting MSRP can be hard to find as those that arrive at dealer lots are often stuffed with cost-adding options and accessories. Slate is here to kick that trend. Its first product will be a small truck that's shockingly bare-bones. Among the few features within its plastic body are manually adjustable cloth seats, a tiny screen and — get this — crank windows. Designed and built in the United States with a focus on American-sourced parts, Slate is targeting a starting price of under $20,000 after federal incentives. Too literally and figuratively cheap for you? The company's name makes sense when you realize its truck is a blank slate on which to custom-build your own small car for your exact needs — nothing more, nothing less. The blank Slate starting point Officially known as the Slate Truck, the vehicle will leave its maker's Michigan factory in only one ultra-basic configuration. That's a two-door single-cab with a 4-by-5-foot bed. Its overall length is longer than the tiny Telo MT1 but shorter than the Ford Maverick . Most of its body panels are made of a molded-in-color Slate Gray (of course) dent-resistant composite. The black-painted steel wheels are perhaps the simplest design imaginable. Still, Slate provides safety basics including front automatic emergency braking and multiple airbags. Not since cars from the 1990s has there been an interior so barren as the Slate Truck's. Physical switchgear is used throughout, including the climate control knobs and crank windows. Touchscreens are conspicuously absent. The sole display is behind the unvarnished steering wheel, measuring approximately 4.0 inches across and there mainly to satisfy legal requirements for a backup camera. A dashboard-mounted smartphone holder is included so drivers can use their device for Slate's app or others. Affordable electric vehicles: The cheapest Toyota EV just went on sale for under $20K, but good luck getting it Two covered storage cubbies are shaped into the dashboard, and a plastic console runs between the seats. Materials throughout are intended to be hard-wearing and inexpensive. Cost reduction is a priority in Slate's design and engineering. For example, the exterior and interior door handles are identical, as are the taillights, just flipped over on different sides. By producing the Truck in only one color, Slate eliminates an expensive paint shop in its manufacturing facility. The Slate Truck is all electric, carrying a 52.7-kWh battery that powers a single rear motor producing 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration from a stop to 60 mph should take about 8.0 seconds. Driving range is estimated at 150 miles, while an optional 84.3-kWh battery will increase range to 240 miles. A dual-motor AWD powertrain is also potentially in the works. It charges via a Tesla-style NACS port, the expanding industry standard. Payload tops out at 1,433 pounds and towing at 1,000 pounds. A canvas on four wheels In a world where electric trucks have more than 400 miles of range or 1,000-plus horsepower , the Slate Truck's specs barely register. That's intentional. When Slate looks at the new-car market, it sees vehicles overbuilt and excessively equipped for many drivers' needs. Instead of filling its Truck with options and packages, Slate is developing an extensive personalization ecosystem so customers can equip their vehicle exactly how they like. If you see an aspect you want to change, there's a good chance you can. Slate will provide a catalog of accessories and upgrades that fit into the Truck's hardware and software structures. Crank windows too rudimentary? Swap in power window modules. Prefer touchscreen connectivity? Get the mounting bracket for a tablet computer. Heated seats? Zip on a fitted cover that wires into the electrical system. Nicer interior trim? That's available, too, in a variety of colors and finishes. Likewise, Slate will sell wrap kits of precut decals sized exactly to the truck's dimensions for easy installation. The customization potential extends beyond aesthetics and amenities. Buyers could choose the lift kit and wheels with all-terrain tires for more rugged potential, or the lowering kit and larger wheels for a sporty vibe. Notably, the firewall and glass that separate the cab from the bed can be removed. By doing so, customers can install rear seats, which are covered by a squared-off or fastback bed cap supported by an integral roll hoop, turning the Truck into a small five-seat SUV. Pop a roof rack on top to expand its cargo carrying capability. Use the Slate Maker, a hyper-detailed online configurator tool, to ideate a build. What you see in our photos is the same vehicle — during the lunch break at our preview, a team converted the gray Truck into the tan SUV. You need not be a trained professional to modify your Slate. Factory support will be available, but those with a DIY bent can access the Slate University online library of step-by-step tutorials showing how to change anything about the vehicle. Well, almost anything. The battery and powertrain will remain generally inaccessible. But Slate's guiding principle for personalization is if a change wouldn't harm the Truck or people, it's fair game. That'll even extend to warranty repairs that can be completed by an owner. This principle is also key to Slate's intent to open-source much of its ecosystem, allowing handy creatives to design and fabricate their own accessories. Slate draws inspiration from online marketplaces in the crafts and 3D-printing spaces for building a community around this vast potential. Why bother? Slate's team is formed of people with deep experience in the automotive and powersports industries, so there's an enthusiast skew in imagining what the Truck could become. Drivers already keen on personalizing their car — whether that's by adding a colorful wrap or building a full custom rig — will find access and support for their dreams in a way most automakers shy away from. But car lovers willing to turn a wrench are a niche segment of the market. Slate also envisions its success supported by small businesses, local service providers and municipal fleets. These buyers could equip their Truck with, say, hardware to hold equipment or goods to get the job done, along with distinctive wraps and branded grille inserts to promote marketing visibility. In case you missed it: Everything you need to know about charging your EV on the road With its targeted price of less than $20,000 after federal EV incentives, Slate may earn other customers looking for a cheap, simple, low-maintenance car. This hinges on those federal incentives remaining available, no certain thing in today's political climate ; if eliminated, the Truck's price would be some $7,500 higher. Furthermore, we're skeptical that entry-level car buyers are the type willing to choose a blank Slate instead of a basic yet vetted — and at least power window- and touchscreen-equipped — subcompact sedan or crossover . However, Slate indicated that spending even half of the base price on add-ons would result in a highly equipped Truck, so it's reasonable to think that buying a few bits to bring it to feature parity would be within reach. Slate: More than a clever idea? At this point, Slate is in its early stages; the vehicle we viewed was clearly a rough prototype, far from roadworthy. Promises of the Truck's active and passive safety capabilities remain to be proven. Then there are questions of how this personalization ecosystem would work beyond distribution and logistics. Modern cars are what they are because corporations full of professional designers and engineers work out minute details of user experience and functional integrity. Putting those opportunities in the hands of inexperienced tinkerers might create liabilities for Slate that established automakers insulate themselves from. But established automakers' always-additive, profit-focused ways have created the environment for Slate to even become an idea — and it's an idea that has our interest piqued. We're already thinking about how we'd build our perfect Slate Truck, and there's time for us to figure it out as Slate gears up for production by the end of 2026. Photos by Brian Vance
