John Voelcker
@johnvoelcker.bsky.social
Raconteur. Random cultural, political, sociological, science, tech, #EV, #LGBTQ, British car stuff. "Plucky and good fun."Contributing Editor, CAR and DRIVER, Green Car Reports, others; Cofounder, Tempting Fate Tours.
Welcome to Bluesky. Don’t be a jerk.
Welcome to Bluesky. Don’t be a jerk.
Pinned
General Ulysses S. Grant wrote this to his father in 1861, immediately after the Confederacy fired the first shots, signaling the start of the Civil War.
"There are but two parties now, traitors and patriots.
"I want hereafter to be ranked with the latter."
"There are but two parties now, traitors and patriots.
"I want hereafter to be ranked with the latter."
'What's the last car you stopped to take a photo of?'
January 4, 2026 at 12:35 AM
'What's the last car you stopped to take a photo of?'
Reposted by John Voelcker
And there ya have it…
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Finance Industry Eyes Investment Opportunities in Venezuela
Some on Wall Street are already considering possible investment opportunities in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, according to Charles Myers, chairman of consulting firm Signum Globa...
www.wsj.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:13 PM
And there ya have it…
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Oh. My. Goodness. Do you see in this photo what I see?
(It's the dashboard of the new Volkswagen ID.Polo, their smaller #EV, which won't be sold in North America.)
See 'em? DO YOU SEE THEM ??
(It's the dashboard of the new Volkswagen ID.Polo, their smaller #EV, which won't be sold in North America.)
See 'em? DO YOU SEE THEM ??
Volkswagen unveils a new cockpit generation – debuting with the all-new ID. Polo (Near-production concept car. The model is not yet available for sale.)
Volkswagen is opening the doors to the all-new ID. Polo (Near-production concept car. The model is not yet available for sale.) for the first time, offering an exciting glimpse into the interior of it...
www.volkswagen-newsroom.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Oh. My. Goodness. Do you see in this photo what I see?
(It's the dashboard of the new Volkswagen ID.Polo, their smaller #EV, which won't be sold in North America.)
See 'em? DO YOU SEE THEM ??
(It's the dashboard of the new Volkswagen ID.Polo, their smaller #EV, which won't be sold in North America.)
See 'em? DO YOU SEE THEM ??
What’s the last car you stopped to take a picture of?
January 3, 2026 at 6:34 PM
What’s the last car you stopped to take a picture of?
Oh.
January 3, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Oh.
Whoever writes the @reuters.com Daily News email has a very, very acute sense of irony. This has links to 3 stories:
"The U.S. could deny migrants asylum on the grounds that they present a public-health risk. Flu cases are rising across the country. A measles outbreak in South Carolina is growing."
"The U.S. could deny migrants asylum on the grounds that they present a public-health risk. Flu cases are rising across the country. A measles outbreak in South Carolina is growing."
January 3, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Whoever writes the @reuters.com Daily News email has a very, very acute sense of irony. This has links to 3 stories:
"The U.S. could deny migrants asylum on the grounds that they present a public-health risk. Flu cases are rising across the country. A measles outbreak in South Carolina is growing."
"The U.S. could deny migrants asylum on the grounds that they present a public-health risk. Flu cases are rising across the country. A measles outbreak in South Carolina is growing."
Reposted by John Voelcker
More reaction to Maduro’s “arrest”
January 3, 2026 at 4:16 PM
More reaction to Maduro’s “arrest”
"You wouldn’t want 'academics + elites' who have actually studied a subject to outweigh the off-the-cuff opinions of village idiots.
"This is how we’re seeing the resurgence of measles + the widespread belief in almost non-existent vote fraud."
— Larry Sabato, director of UVA Center for Politics
"This is how we’re seeing the resurgence of measles + the widespread belief in almost non-existent vote fraud."
— Larry Sabato, director of UVA Center for Politics
January 3, 2026 at 3:39 PM
"You wouldn’t want 'academics + elites' who have actually studied a subject to outweigh the off-the-cuff opinions of village idiots.
"This is how we’re seeing the resurgence of measles + the widespread belief in almost non-existent vote fraud."
— Larry Sabato, director of UVA Center for Politics
"This is how we’re seeing the resurgence of measles + the widespread belief in almost non-existent vote fraud."
— Larry Sabato, director of UVA Center for Politics
Responding to a request for comment on the potential for Grok to create these images, Elon Musk’s xAI—which last year merged with Twitter (now known as X)—sent an autoreply: "Legacy Media Lies."
Musk's xAI faces backlash after Grok generates sexualized images of children on X
Users on X raised concerns over explicit content of minors being generated using Musk's Grok tool.
www.cnbc.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Responding to a request for comment on the potential for Grok to create these images, Elon Musk’s xAI—which last year merged with Twitter (now known as X)—sent an autoreply: "Legacy Media Lies."
"Stellantis is bringing back the Hellcat-powered Ram TRX for late 2026 at about $100K, because nothing says, 'We’re tackling affordability' like a 777-hp halo truck with a six-figure sticker."
ROTFL.
ROTFL.
🚗 The 10 Things That Changed Retail Auto in 2025
🚙 The countdown, the receipts, and the “do this Monday” moves that came from this week’s strategy sessions.
daily.asotu.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:34 PM
"Stellantis is bringing back the Hellcat-powered Ram TRX for late 2026 at about $100K, because nothing says, 'We’re tackling affordability' like a 777-hp halo truck with a six-figure sticker."
ROTFL.
ROTFL.
Q4 is in: #Tesla delivered 418,227 #EV models, down 15.6% over 2024. The quarterly total was below Wall St analysts' consensus estimate of 422K.
That puts total sales for the year at 1.6 million, down 8.5%. The Silicon Valley carmaker is now # 2 below Chinese maker BYD. Which won't stop. (1 of 2)
That puts total sales for the year at 1.6 million, down 8.5%. The Silicon Valley carmaker is now # 2 below Chinese maker BYD. Which won't stop. (1 of 2)
Tesla’s fourth quarter sales fell a lot more than expected
Tesla only sold 418,227 vehicles in Q4, a 15.6 percent drop year over year.
www.theverge.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:17 PM
"In the overall numbers, Trump is unpopular, and Republicans are cruising toward a brutal midterm election.
"But among people who say they mostly watch Fox, he is an indomitable president with a decent record on the economy, and Republicans are sailing smoothly to another House majority next year."
"But among people who say they mostly watch Fox, he is an indomitable president with a decent record on the economy, and Republicans are sailing smoothly to another House majority next year."
What your news diet says about your politics
Breaking down Trump's approval and 2026 midterms vote by Americans' primary news source
www.gelliottmorris.com
January 2, 2026 at 1:54 PM
"In the overall numbers, Trump is unpopular, and Republicans are cruising toward a brutal midterm election.
"But among people who say they mostly watch Fox, he is an indomitable president with a decent record on the economy, and Republicans are sailing smoothly to another House majority next year."
"But among people who say they mostly watch Fox, he is an indomitable president with a decent record on the economy, and Republicans are sailing smoothly to another House majority next year."
Good lord, and we thought the #EV incentive was complicated.
The tax break is most likely to benefit middle-income households; it phases out over $100K (single) or $200K (married).
BUT: Tax savings for most individual taxpayers: a “couple hundred off a $50K vehicle purchase" though capped at $10K.
The tax break is most likely to benefit middle-income households; it phases out over $100K (single) or $200K (married).
BUT: Tax savings for most individual taxpayers: a “couple hundred off a $50K vehicle purchase" though capped at $10K.
New made-in-USA cars qualify for Trump tax perk, IRS says
Of the 25 most popular new car models sold domestically in 2024, 14 underwent final assembly solely in the United States.
www.detroitnews.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Good lord, and we thought the #EV incentive was complicated.
The tax break is most likely to benefit middle-income households; it phases out over $100K (single) or $200K (married).
BUT: Tax savings for most individual taxpayers: a “couple hundred off a $50K vehicle purchase" though capped at $10K.
The tax break is most likely to benefit middle-income households; it phases out over $100K (single) or $200K (married).
BUT: Tax savings for most individual taxpayers: a “couple hundred off a $50K vehicle purchase" though capped at $10K.
Reposted by John Voelcker
A remarkable trend that will come as a shock to you if your only info about NYC is from this Fox News.
Homicides in NYC...
1990: 2,262
1993: 1,927
1998: 629
2001: 649
2013: 335
2019: 320
2021: 488
2024: 382
2025 (as of 12/28): 302
Homicides in NYC...
1990: 2,262
1993: 1,927
1998: 629
2001: 649
2013: 335
2019: 320
2021: 488
2024: 382
2025 (as of 12/28): 302
December 31, 2025 at 11:40 PM
A remarkable trend that will come as a shock to you if your only info about NYC is from this Fox News.
Homicides in NYC...
1990: 2,262
1993: 1,927
1998: 629
2001: 649
2013: 335
2019: 320
2021: 488
2024: 382
2025 (as of 12/28): 302
Homicides in NYC...
1990: 2,262
1993: 1,927
1998: 629
2001: 649
2013: 335
2019: 320
2021: 488
2024: 382
2025 (as of 12/28): 302
Hi, we're the 3 drunken yobs in London who beat you senseless, broke your nose + kicked you in the face + head until a taxi came down the street + scattered us. The rozzers did a number on us when we gave them stick, but it didn't teach us anything. We spent a night in gaol, you was in hospital.
Hi, I'm the delivery room doctor who dropped me at the moment I was born because my parents startled him after he said "it's a boy" by yelling my first name, which was also his first name.
Hi, I'm the center of a borderline EF-4 tornado. 🤷
January 1, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Hi, we're the 3 drunken yobs in London who beat you senseless, broke your nose + kicked you in the face + head until a taxi came down the street + scattered us. The rozzers did a number on us when we gave them stick, but it didn't teach us anything. We spent a night in gaol, you was in hospital.
Holy SHITE.
Mayor Mamdani has nullified every executive order issued by Eric Adams after he struck his corrupt bargain with Trump to secure dismissal of the indictment against him.
January 1, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Holy SHITE.
"This year is gonna suck. Until it doesn't."
A fascinating, realism-based, somewhat optimistic + very funny look at the year ahead by my favorite futurist.
Well, WELL worth the read on this New Year's Day.
A fascinating, realism-based, somewhat optimistic + very funny look at the year ahead by my favorite futurist.
Well, WELL worth the read on this New Year's Day.
A Futurist Looks at 2026.
This year is gonna suck. Until it doesn't.
cassidysteeledale.substack.com
January 1, 2026 at 5:01 PM
"This year is gonna suck. Until it doesn't."
A fascinating, realism-based, somewhat optimistic + very funny look at the year ahead by my favorite futurist.
Well, WELL worth the read on this New Year's Day.
A fascinating, realism-based, somewhat optimistic + very funny look at the year ahead by my favorite futurist.
Well, WELL worth the read on this New Year's Day.
Errrmmmm, yes, THIS. The CEO of formerly dominant #EV maker #Tesla has taken his eye off multiple balls, esp during 2025.
Tesla's model lineup is aging, its pivot to a robotaxi and/or AI company is not backed by suitably robust or functional tech (Grok? SNORT) + it's unclear where Tesla goes now.
Tesla's model lineup is aging, its pivot to a robotaxi and/or AI company is not backed by suitably robust or functional tech (Grok? SNORT) + it's unclear where Tesla goes now.
How the tech CEO and ‘Dogefather’ made a mess of the year – from his White House tenure to an apparent Nazi salute
Elon Musk’s 2025 recap: how the world’s richest person became its most chaotic
www.theguardian.com
January 1, 2026 at 1:10 PM
"Eric Adam's last official act as mayor of New York City will be to press a button.
"At 11:59 pm tonight."
Adapted from a post by @estarkmiller.bsky.social on the other site.
"At 11:59 pm tonight."
Adapted from a post by @estarkmiller.bsky.social on the other site.
January 1, 2026 at 12:08 AM
"Eric Adam's last official act as mayor of New York City will be to press a button.
"At 11:59 pm tonight."
Adapted from a post by @estarkmiller.bsky.social on the other site.
"At 11:59 pm tonight."
Adapted from a post by @estarkmiller.bsky.social on the other site.
A new law in New York State will require health insurers to cover epinephrine injectors (aka the #EpiPen) + caps the amount consumers will be required to pay out of pocket at $100.
While the injectors once cost $60 per device, they now sell for $600-plus for a 2-pack. My copay in 2025 was ... $280.
While the injectors once cost $60 per device, they now sell for $600-plus for a 2-pack. My copay in 2025 was ... $280.
N.Y. law that requires health insurers to cover EpiPens goes into effect Jan. 1
It also caps the amount consumers will be required to pay out of pocket at $100.
nystateofpolitics.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:31 PM
A new law in New York State will require health insurers to cover epinephrine injectors (aka the #EpiPen) + caps the amount consumers will be required to pay out of pocket at $100.
While the injectors once cost $60 per device, they now sell for $600-plus for a 2-pack. My copay in 2025 was ... $280.
While the injectors once cost $60 per device, they now sell for $600-plus for a 2-pack. My copay in 2025 was ... $280.
Our current president claimed on social media that troops would return if "crime begins to soar again."
(Newsflash: It hadn't soared + troops did absolutely nothing to affect crime one way or another.)
Troops had a limited presence in those cities because states had sued to block their deployment.
(Newsflash: It hadn't soared + troops did absolutely nothing to affect crime one way or another.)
Troops had a limited presence in those cities because states had sued to block their deployment.
Trump ends effort to bring National Guard to Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland
President Trump has announced the withdrawal of National Guard troops from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, citing reduced crime rates.
wapo.st
December 31, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Our current president claimed on social media that troops would return if "crime begins to soar again."
(Newsflash: It hadn't soared + troops did absolutely nothing to affect crime one way or another.)
Troops had a limited presence in those cities because states had sued to block their deployment.
(Newsflash: It hadn't soared + troops did absolutely nothing to affect crime one way or another.)
Troops had a limited presence in those cities because states had sued to block their deployment.
OK, #CarBlueSky + #WeirdCarBS ... this was photographed yesterday in London.
What's unusual about this Mercedes-Benz (the very, very pricey reg number aside)?
What's unusual about this Mercedes-Benz (the very, very pricey reg number aside)?
December 31, 2025 at 9:58 PM
OK, #CarBlueSky + #WeirdCarBS ... this was photographed yesterday in London.
What's unusual about this Mercedes-Benz (the very, very pricey reg number aside)?
What's unusual about this Mercedes-Benz (the very, very pricey reg number aside)?
Sign'o'the times: The 2028 Ford Fiesta subcompact hatchback will return only as an #EV.
It will also be the first of 2 new European Fords to ride on the Renault B-segment EV platform that already underpins the reborn Renault 4 + 5 models (and soon a Twingo too), the Nissan Micra + the Alpine A290.
It will also be the first of 2 new European Fords to ride on the Renault B-segment EV platform that already underpins the reborn Renault 4 + 5 models (and soon a Twingo too), the Nissan Micra + the Alpine A290.
Latest details on the return of the UK’s favourite car | Auto Express
Ford’s passenger-car business will get a new lease of life thanks to Renault’s Ampere platform, paving the way for two new small EVs
www.autoexpress.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Sign'o'the times: The 2028 Ford Fiesta subcompact hatchback will return only as an #EV.
It will also be the first of 2 new European Fords to ride on the Renault B-segment EV platform that already underpins the reborn Renault 4 + 5 models (and soon a Twingo too), the Nissan Micra + the Alpine A290.
It will also be the first of 2 new European Fords to ride on the Renault B-segment EV platform that already underpins the reborn Renault 4 + 5 models (and soon a Twingo too), the Nissan Micra + the Alpine A290.
Yup. This. FFS.
(There's a waiting room with seats for First Class passengers. Upstairs.)
(There's a waiting room with seats for First Class passengers. Upstairs.)
December 31, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Yup. This. FFS.
(There's a waiting room with seats for First Class passengers. Upstairs.)
(There's a waiting room with seats for First Class passengers. Upstairs.)