Latest Posts

New EV Lobby Group Looks Toward A Zero Emission Future

Commentary by Peter Ciani, RPM News Weekly Co-Founder A couple of months ago, the all-new Zero Emission Transportation Association launched as the first industry coalition of its kind focusing on the accelerated transition to EV transportation. Called ZETA for short, this new organization was created for the expressed purpose of advocating for national policies that will enable 100% electric vehicle sales in all segments by 2030. Its Founding Members comprise 28 electric vehicle related businesses. In general, I'm not a huge fan of lobbyist groups. It irks me a bit that businesses and certain individuals are allowed to 'cut the…

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2021 Kia K5 Advances Optima Lineage

01-19-21 Tech Talk ~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~ Tech Talk host Rick DeMeis revels in the quietude of the all-new 2021 Kia K5 that he's enjoyed as his current ride-of-the-week. If the name sounds unfamiliar to the Kia lineup, take heart that it's the bold replacement for the retiring Optima mid-size sedan. In other automotive news, details emerge in the merger of two automaker giants to create the new 14-brand Dutch-based multinational Stellantis automotive company. But wait... there's more, including the weekly Musk Minute update, additional space news from NASA and Virgin Galactic, and several tech breakthroughs…

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The 2020 Ford Transit Delivers More Than Cargo

by Peter Ciani I’m probably the only person in the automotive industry who geeks out about having a cargo van dropped at their door. Sure, I get to sample a lot of vehicles and I do enjoy driving them all, whether they're flashy, sporty or a bit more utilitarian, but this week's ride – the newly enhanced 2020 Ford Transit T150 Cargo Van – found my soft spot. A week ago, I had the incredibly capable Ford Super Duty F-250 Tremor to drive, and a few weeks before that I was carving up the backroads of New Hampshire in a…

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Tech Talk Explores The Used, Sadly Delayed & Seriously Solar

12-08-20 Tech Talk ~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~ For Tech Talk host Rick DeMeis, it has been a productive week spent rummaging through a study from iseecars.com on the best time of year to purchase a used car. For obvious reasons, this study gives no points to the best time being the day after your trusty old battle wagon decides it's the end of the long and winding road you've travelled together.Other automotive news included in the discussion this week includes an update on Ford Bronco production delays and a feature on a very tech-minded solar-powered vehicle.Also,…

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Is Magna International Set to Become a Major ‘White Label’ EV Builder?

Commentary by Peter Ciani If you’re not familiar with the term 'white label', Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines it simply as, “a product that is made by one company but sold by another company using their own name.” White label products can be found in most food and retail stores, typically with products like generic food items or electronics. For example, a TV sold at Walmart may be the same as a TV that's sold on Amazon, just under a different brand name. Basically, it's the same TV on the inside, but on the outside vendors may add their own menus…

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SSC Tuatara Claims World’s Fastest Production Car Title

10-20-20 Tech Talk ~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~ The SSC Tuatara Hypercar leads off this week 's episode of Tech Talk giving commentator Rick DeMeis an opening story with plenty of horsepower. After all, any time a vehicle is capable of setting an average speed record of 316.11 mph to clinch the title of the world's "Fastest Production Car", it ought to get top billing. But there's lots more compelling tech news included in the discussion this week including a story out of Penn State on a self-heating battery that stops lithium from collecting on the positive…

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