#New Tucson 2022 Model

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Amazon’s financial shell game let it create an “impossible” monopoly

I'm on tour with my new, nationally bestselling novel The Bezzle! Catch me in TUCSON (Mar 9-10), then San Francisco (Mar 13), Anaheim, and more!

For the pro-monopoly crowd that absolutely dominated antitrust law from the Carter administration until 2020, Amazon presents a genuinely puzzling paradox: the company's monopoly power was never supposed to emerge, and if it did, it should have crumbled immediately.

Pro-monopoly economists embody Ely Devons's famous aphorism that "If economists wished to study the horse, they wouldn’t go and look at horses. They’d sit in their studies and say to themselves, ‘What would I do if I were a horse?’":

https://pluralistic.net/2022/10/27/economism/#what-would-i-do-if-i-were-a-horse

Rather than using the way the world actually works as their starting point for how to think about it, they build elaborate models out of abstract principles like "rational actors." The resulting mathematical models are so abstractly elegant that it's easy to forget that they're just imaginative exercises, disconnected from reality:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/03/all-models-are-wrong/#some-are-useful

These models predicted that it would be impossible for Amazon to attain monopoly power. Even if they became a monopoly – in the sense of dominating sales of various kinds of goods – the company still wouldn't get monopoly power.

For example, if Amazon tried to take over a category by selling goods below cost ("predatory pricing"), then rivals could just wait until the company got tired of losing money and put prices back up, and then those rivals could go back to competing. And if Amazon tried to keep the loss-leader going indefinitely by "cross-subsidizing" the losses with high-margin profits from some other part of its business, rivals could sell those high margin goods at a lower margin, which would lure away Amazon customers and cut the supply lines for the price war it was fighting with its discounted products.

That's what the model predicted, but it's not what happened in the real world. In the real world, Amazon was able use its access to the capital markets to embark on scorched-earth predatory pricing campaigns. When diapers.com refused to sell out to Amazon, the company casually committed $100m to selling diapers below cost. Diapers.com went bust, Amazon bought it for pennies on the dollar and shut it down:

https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/13/18563379/amazon-predatory-pricing-antitrust-law

Investors got the message: don't compete with Amazon. They can remain predatory longer than you can remain solvent.

Now, not everyone shared the antitrust establishment's confidence that Amazon couldn't create a durable monopoly with market power. In 2017, Lina Khan – then a third year law student – published "Amazon's Antitrust Paradox," a landmark paper arguing that Amazon had all the tools it needed to amass monopoly power:

https://www.yalelawjournal.org/note/amazons-antitrust-paradox

Today, Khan is chair of the FTC, and has brought a case against Amazon that builds on some of the theories from that paper. One outcome of that suit is an unprecedented look at Amazon's internal operations. But, as the Institute for Local Self-Reliance's Stacy Mitchell describes in a piece for The Atlantic, key pieces of information have been totally redacted in the court exhibits:

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/02/amazon-profits-antitrust-ftc/677580/

The most important missing datum: how much money Amazon makes from each of its lines of business. Amazon's own story is that it basically breaks even on its retail operation, and keeps the whole business afloat with profits from its AWS cloud computing division. This is an important narrative, because if it's true, then Amazon can't be forcing up retail prices, which is the crux of the FTC's case against the company.

Here's what we know for sure about Amazon's retail business. First: merchants can't live without Amazon. The majority of US households have Prime, and 90% of Prime households start their ecommerce searches on Amazon; if they find what they're looking for, they buy it and stop. Thus, merchants who don't sell on Amazon just don't sell. This is called "monopsony power" and it's a lot easier to maintain than monopoly power. For most manufacturers, a 10% overnight drop in sales is a catastrophe, so a retailer that commands even a 10% market-share can extract huge concessions from its suppliers. Amazon's share of most categories of goods is a lot higher than 10%!

What kind of monopsony power does Amazon wield? Well, for one thing, it is able to levy a huge tax on its sellers. Add up all the junk-fees Amazon charges its platform sellers and it comes out to 45-51%:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/25/greedflation/#commissar-bezos

Competitive businesses just don't have 45% margins! No one can afford to kick that much back to Amazon. What is a merchant to do? Sell on Amazon and you lose money on every sale. Don't sell on Amazon and you don't get any business.

The only answer: raise prices on Amazon. After all, Prime customers – the majority of Amazon's retail business – don't shop for competitive prices. If Amazon wants a 45% vig, you can raise your Amazon prices by a third and just about break even.

But Amazon is wise to that: they have a "most favored nation" rule that punishes suppliers who sell goods more cheaply in rival stores, or even on their own site. The punishments vary, from banishing your products to page ten million of search-results to simply kicking you off the platform. With publishers, Amazon reserves the right to lower the prices they set when listing their books, to match the lowest price on the web, and paying publishers less for each sale.

That means that suppliers who sell on Amazon (which is anyone who wants to stay in business) have to dramatically hike their prices on Amazon, and when they do, they also have to hike their prices everywhere else (no wonder Prime customers don't bother to search elsewhere for a better deal!).

Now, Amazon says this is all wrong. That 45-51% vig they claim from business customers is barely enough to break even. The company's profits – they insist – come from selling AWS cloud service. The retail operation is just a public service they provide to us with cross-subsidy from those fat AWS margins.

This is a hell of a claim. Last year, Amazon raked in $130 billion in seller fees. In other words: they booked more revenue from junk fees than Bank of America made through its whole operation. Amazon's junk fees add up to more than all of Meta's revenues:

https://s2.q4cdn.com/299287126/files/doc_financials/2023/q4/AMZN-Q4-2023-Earnings-Release.pdf

Amazon claims that none of this is profit – it's just covering their operating expenses. According to Amazon, its non-AWS units combined have a one percent profit margin.

Now, this is an eye-popping claim indeed. Amazon is a public company, which means that it has to make thorough quarterly and annual financial disclosures breaking down its profit and loss. You'd think that somewhere in those disclosures, we'd find some details.

You'd think so, but you'd be wrong. Amazon's disclosures do not break out profits and losses by segment. SEC rules actually require the company to make these per-segment disclosures:

https://scholarship.law.stjohns.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3524&context=lawreview#:~:text=If%20a%20company%20has%20more,income%20taxes%20and%20extraordinary%20items.

That rule was enacted in 1966, out of concern that companies could use cross-subsidies to fund predatory pricing and other anticompetitive practices. But over the years, the SEC just…stopped enforcing the rule. Companies have "near total managerial discretion" to lump business units together and group their profits and losses in bloated, undifferentiated balance-sheet items:

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/public-purpose/publications/2021/dec/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragons

As Mitchell points you, it's not just Amazon that flouts this rule. We don't know how much money Google makes on Youtube, or how much Apple makes from the App Store (Apple told a federal judge that this number doesn't exist). Warren Buffett – with significant interest in hundreds of companies across dozens of markets – only breaks out seven segments of profit-and-loss for Berkshire Hathaway.

Recall that there is one category of data from the FTC's antitrust case against Amazon that has been completely redacted. One guess which category that is! Yup, the profit-and-loss for its retail operation and other lines of business.

These redactions are the judge's fault, but the real fault lies with the SEC. Amazon is a public company. In exchange for access to the capital markets, it owes the public certain disclosures, which are set out in the SEC's rulebook. The SEC lets Amazon – and other gigantic companies – get away with a degree of secrecy that should disqualify it from offering stock to the public. As Mitchell says, SEC chairman Gary Gensler should adopt "new rules that more concretely define what qualifies as a segment and remove the discretion given to executives."

Amazon is the poster-child for monopoly run amok. As Yanis Varoufakis writes in Technofeudalism, Amazon has actually become a post-capitalist enterprise. Amazon doesn't make profits (money derived from selling goods); it makes rents (money charged to people who are seeking to make a profit):

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/28/cloudalists/#cloud-capital

Profits are the defining characteristic of a capitalist economy; rents are the defining characteristic of feudalism. Amazon looks like a bazaar where thousands of merchants offer goods for sale to the public, but look harder and you discover that all those stallholders are totally controlled by Amazon. Amazon decides what goods they can sell, how much they cost, and whether a customer ever sees them. And then Amazon takes $0.45-51 out of every dollar. Amazon's "marketplace" isn't like a flea market, it's more like the interconnected shops on Disneyland's Main Street, USA: the sign over the door might say "20th Century Music Company" or "Emporium," but they're all just one store, run by one company.

And because Amazon has so much control over its sellers, it is able to exercise power over its buyers. Amazon's search results push down the best deals on the platform and promote results from more expensive, lower-quality items whose sellers have paid a fortune for an "ad" (not really an ad, but rather the top spot in search listings):

https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/29/aethelred-the-unready/#not-one-penny-for-tribute

This is "Amazon's pricing paradox." Amazon can claim that it offers low-priced, high-quality goods on the platform, but it makes $38b/year pushing those good deals way, way down in its search results. The top result for your Amazon search averages 29% more expensive than the best deal Amazon offers. Buy something from those first four spots and you'll pay a 25% premium. On average, you need to pick the seventeenth item on the search results page to get the best deal:

https://scholarship.law.bu.edu/faculty_scholarship/3645/

For 40 years, pro-monopoly economists claimed that it would be impossible for Amazon to attain monopoly power over buyers and sellers. Today, Amazon exercises that power so thoroughly that its junk-fee revenues alone exceed the total revenues of Bank of America. Amazon's story – that these fees barely stretch to covering its costs – assumes a nearly inconceivable level of credulity in its audience. Regrettably – for the human race – there is a cohort of senior, highly respected economists who possess this degree of credulity and more.

Of course, there's an easy way to settle the argument: Amazon could just comply with SEC regs and break out its P&L for its e-commerce operation. I assure you, they're not hiding this data because they think you'll be pleasantly surprised when they do and they don't want to spoil the moment.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/01/managerial-discretion/#junk-fees

Image: Doc Searls (modified) https://www.flickr.com/photos/docsearls/4863121221/

CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

[thepastisalreadywritten]

In her 13 years as creative director of the French jewellery house Boucheron, Claire Choisne’s mood boards have featured some unusual suspects.

This January, she introduced the latest high jewellery collection with a picture of Prince Philip waving at crowds during the coronation in 1953.

He’s decked out in his Admiral of the Fleet finery, decorated with military medals and orders of chivalry, white ribbons fluttering at his shoulders.

‘OK, Prince Philip is not my absolute muse – but I love this picture,’ says Choisne via video call from the Tucson Gem Show, where she is shopping for the stones that will feature in the house’s 2026 collections.

She was drawn to the unexpectedly feminine details of the late Duke of Edinburgh’s ceremonial uniform.

‘You feel the power and the strength, but at the same time, there are all these couture details: bows, ribbons, embroidery. It’s a paradox.’

She decided it was the perfect way to interpret the well-trodden high jewellery theme of ‘couture.’

‘I didn’t want to do something too girly or cheesy. I wanted to give strength to the pieces. When I saw this picture, I said to myself, “OK, now I know how to manage the creation of this collection.”’

The resulting 24-piece collection, The Power of Couture, is the latest chapter in Boucheron’s annual Histoire de Style series, which sees Choisne reinterpret designs or themes from the house’s 166-year history.

Its founder, Frédéric Boucheron, was the son of a draper and so the archive teems with diamond-set bows, ribbons and lace, with gold worked into supple-as-silk scarves.

A lace-like shoulder adornment made circa 1880 was a Belle Epoque predecessor of today’s white gold and diamond epaulettes, whose overlapping loops were inspired by a tiara made in 1902 for the Princess of Wales, later Queen Mary, Prince Philip’s grandmother-in-law.

Clipped across the shoulders, they’re a precious take on the traditional tasselled gold epaulettes of naval uniforms.

They also transform into cuffs; such versatility is a hallmark of the collection.

A set of 15 medal brooches can be strung into a bib necklace of epic proportions.

A rock-crystal and diamond bow can fasten to the shoulder or chest, or be fashioned into a multi-wear necklace, while its central diamond can be plucked off to become a ring.

A braided aiguillette can be worn military-style across the chest, draped around the waist, or disassembled into brooches and a bracelet.

‘In ceremonial attire, there are so many rules that you have to respect. For the collection, I wanted the opposite,’ says Choisne.

‘I wanted people to be able to play freely and design their own style.’

She sees the collection as a ‘kit’ with an almost infinite number of styling combinations.

Her dream, she says, would be for one client to buy the lot. Whether that client is male or female is of little importance.

‘A long time ago, the people who wore high jewellery were men. The maharajas, the tsars, the kings. The biggest and most beautiful pieces were designed for men.’

One of Boucheron’s most famous clients was the Maharaja of Patiala who, in 1928, had his guards cart some 7,571 diamonds and 1,432 emeralds from The Ritz to the Boucheron boutique, to be set into 149 extraordinarily opulent jewels – a commission that inspired New Maharajas, the house’s 2022 Histoire de Style high jewellery collection.

Sir Bhupinder Singh, Maharaja of Patiala, GCSI GCIE GCVO GBE (12 October 1891 – 23 March 1938)

'Today,' continues Choisne, 'I don’t want to do pieces for men or for women. I want to make beautiful and meaningful pieces. And I want to show that it’s beyond gender.’

She says that men do buy and wear Boucheron high jewellery, but she doesn’t know the precise proportion of male customers.

‘I almost don’t want to know exactly, because I’m sure of my idea. And maybe we have to show them that it’s a good one.’

Three years ago, Boucheron’s art deco-inspired Histoire de Style collection was photographed on male and female models – a first among Place Vendôme’s traditional maisons.

‘I knew that some of the pieces were even stronger on men. But the idea of it was almost weird at that time. People asked me, “Are you sure, high jewellery on men?” And my answer was, “Yes, definitely,”’ says Choisne.

The Power of Couture collection, conversely, was exclusively photographed on and modelled by women; another deliberately defiant move.

‘When you think of ceremonial attire, you naturally think of men. So I wanted to show the opposite. It doesn’t make sense for me to choose between men and women. Nowadays we can do what we want.’

A pair of embroidery-inspired diamond ferns have an ethereal, Greek goddess-like beauty when worn as a headpiece.

But one can also imagine them pinned to a tuxedo, echoing the actor Regé-Jean Page, who wore a feather-shaped diamond Boucheron brooch at last year’s Oscars.

Although it may take a Liberace-channelling peacock to carry off a lacy diamond collar, even the most bling-averse gentleman could be tempted to affix a few rock crystal and diamond buttons to his dress shirt.

Choisne says Boucheron’s clients span the whole spectrum.

‘It’s the same for men as it is for women: some are more classical, and some are super edgy.’

Culture plays a role. ‘Maybe European men are a bit more traditional, whereas in Asia men can be more open-minded when it comes to style.’

It was important that the Power of Couture collection wasn’t too literal, says Choisne; it couldn’t feel like fancy dress.

A restrained, all-white palette of rock crystal and diamonds helps; she champions texture and detail over bold hues or glitzy brilliance.

The pieces are labelled with their carat weight along with the hours involved in their creation – many run into the thousands.

‘If you put a lot of little diamonds everywhere, it’s easy. It will shine, so you have no doubt that it’s precious,’ says Choisne.

‘But I prefer to find preciousness with purity of design and elegance, which come from the craftsmanship. It’s not about having lots of diamonds. The number of hours is what makes it high jewellery.’

The transformable Noeud bow, for example, is crafted from hundreds of individually cut lines of frosted rock crystal, threaded together through their diamond edging to evoke the texture and fluidity of grosgrain ribbon.

‘It would be much faster and easier to engrave a single piece, but I wanted it to be really flexible. So they cut every little line by hand. Each one is a different length. It’s crazy work to achieve that.’

That’s 2,600 hours of crazy work, to be precise.

Elsewhere, sandblasted rock crystal is knitted together into the flexible, five-strand Tricot choker.

’The idea was to give an illusion of knit work,’ says Choisne. ‘The unpolished rock crystal gives the feeling of softness, like wool.’

The Médailles feature grosgrain-effect rock-crystal ribbons, from which hang 15 medallions of sculpted rock crystal overlaid on to beds of brilliant-cut diamonds.

‘We cut the rock crystal with the glyptic technique – it’s much more complicated than engraving. Then we set diamonds underneath so they are a bit blurred. For me, it’s more magical.’

It’s clear that Boucheron’s craft workers relish Choisne’s technical challenges.

They are currently making the pieces that will launch in July 2025 (Boucheron presents two high jewellery collections a year), while Choisne is finalising designs for 2026 and developing her ideas for 2027.

It’s not always easy to sleep with so many different concepts buzzing around her brain, she admits.

Her approach to design mirrors the demands she asks of her atelier. ‘I don’t love it when it’s too easy.’

boucheron.com

[memynissanandi]

The New Nissan Qashqai SUV Is INCREDIBLE!

Through its first two generations, the Nissan Qashqai for sale was a relatively affordable but somewhat conservative player in the compact-to-medium SUV space, but the third-generation model that was launched in South Africa recently is a whole new ball game.

Most vehicles in this segment have moved upmarket and the new Nissan Qashqai is no exception, with its starting price of R568 200 for the manual transmission base model (who still buys a manual in this segment?) while the top-of-the-pile Acenta Plus that we had on test recently commands R670 000 (in December 2022). All are powered by a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine.

Sure, that seems a bit steep for a Nissan Qashqai, but there are two things to keep in mind here. For starters, rivals with similar specs such as the Toyota Rav4, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson are all priced in the R650 000 – R700 000 ballpark. Second, the redesigned Nissan is quite a bit more sophisticated than its predecessor.

Built on the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s new CMF-C architecture, the new Qashqai is 48mm longer and 29mm wider than the previous version, but despite this, it has only gained 37kg in weight, while torsional stiffness is significantly improved.

But the real drawcard for consumers will probably be its striking new exterior design, with its crisp, chiselled lines, 19-inch Diamond Cut alloy wheels, boomerang headlights and large V-Motion grille.

What is it like to drive?

The new Nissan’s beauty is more than skin deep and on the road, the SUV is impressively quiet and refined. It has a sophisticated feel to it and although the suspension is a little on the firm side, which you’ll feel over larger speed bumps, the ride quality is still more than acceptably comfortable.

Being engineered for European roads, it handles well for an SUV and the steering feels communicative and well weighted.

Power comes from a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine that produces 110kW and 250Nm, fed to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox. If you opt for the manual base model, outputs are restricted to 96kW and 240Nm.

The 110kW automatic model that we spent time with delivered adequate performance. There’s enough low-down torque to avoid the excessive revving that results in that annoying CVT drone, most of the time at least.

As for fuel consumption, we achieved 6.6 litres per 100km at highway speeds, while in-town driving saw the readout climb to 10.7 litres per 100km, and that’s after some careful driving. Show some right pedal enthusiasm and it can easily swing towards the 13 litres/100km mark.

What’s it like inside?

That refined and sophisticated feel that I referred to earlier? That’s very much apparent in the cabin design of the new Qashqai, with its tastefully executed lines and high-quality materials. The command centre is a new 12.3-inch (31cm) touchscreen infotainment system, which impressed us with its crisp, modern graphics. The system was also fairly easy to operate, with main menu items placed along the right side of the screen. The new dashboard also has separate ventilation controls below the screen which are user-friendly.

Sadly the digital instrument cluster that is available overseas isn’t fitted to the South African models, which ship with conventional analogue dials.

Equipment is generous in the range-topping Acenta Pus model, which comes with a 10-speaker Bose sound system and diamond-quilted leather seats with electric adjustment as well as heating and massaging for the front occupants. As with the mid-range Acenta model, it also comes with automatic climate control and Nissan’s Pro Pilot driver assist package, which includes Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist. Click here for a full-grade walk.

Is the Nissan Qashqai practical?

Rear legroom is decent enough, as there is a little bit of stretching space for normal-sized occupants, but it’s not as spacious as some rivals. Rear headroom should be sufficient for most passengers, but taller folk might struggle.

The boot has a volume of 504 litres with the seats in place and 1 593 litres with them folded. The loading compartment is a bit on the shallow side, but the area is quite vast.

Verdict

While it has become somewhat more expensive, the Nissan Qashqai has made a decent stride upmarket with a package that is somewhat more refined and better equipped than its predecessor. Its striking design and smart cabin are also likely to win fans.

The Qashqai has an impressive warranty, valid for six years or 150 000km, but the three-year/90 000km service plan is unfair on those who don’t do high mileage.

FACTS: Nissan Qashqai 1.3T Acenta Plus

Engine: 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo petrol

Gearbox: CVT

Drive: Front-wheel drive

Power: 110kW from 5 500rpm

Torque: 250Nm from 3 750rpm

Fuel use, highway: 6.6 litres/100km (tested)

Fuel use, urban: 10.7 litres/100km (tested)

Ground clearance: 193mm

Fuel tank capacity: 65 litres

Boot volume: 504 litres

Warranty: 6-year/150 000km

Service plan: 3-year/90 000km

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 Review compiled by https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/

[cletusthurstonbeauregard]

Man who made billions out of death and killing dies at the age of 94

Story by Metro News Reporter  • 9h

The Austrian developer of one of the world’s most famous handguns died yesterday at the age of 94.

Gaston Glock, a ‘reclusive’ engineer, formed the Glock company in 1963 in Deutsch-Wagram, nearby Vienna.

The Glock company announced his death yesterday saying that their founder ‘not only revolutionised the world of small arms in the 1980s, but also succeeded in establishing the Glock brand as the global leader in the handgun industry’.

It is unknown exactly how many people have died as a result of Glock handguns.

The company expanded around the world, including a US subsidiary founded in 1985.

Glock handguns are used by police and many countries’ military forces, as well as privately.

The weapon was significantly lighter, cheaper, and more reliable than the models available when it was created.

But many gun control advocates criticised Mr Glock for popularising powerful guns that they said were easy to conceal and could hold more ammunition than other guns.

The first mass shooting believed to involve a Glock handgun was in 1991 when George Jo Hennard shot 24 people and injured 27. He fired two guns, including a Glock 17, at diners in Luby’s Cafeteria, Killeen, Texas.

Mass shootings involving Glock handguns

Luby’s Cafeteria, 1991

Nepalese royal massacre, 2001

Erfurt school massacre, 2002

Virginia Tech, 2007

Tucson, 2011

Norway attacks, 2011

Aurora, 2012

Sandy Hook Elementary School, 2012

Charleston church, 2015

Kalamazoo car parks, 2016

Orlando nightclub, 2016

Munich shopping centre, 2016

Thousand Oaks bar and grill, 2018

Pittsburgh synagogue, 2018

Chicago hospital, 2018

New York subway attack, 2022

This list is exhausting, but not exhaustive

A former US Marine combat veteran armed with what police described as a .45 caliber Glock with a high-capacity magazine killed 12 people in a bar in Thousand Oaks, California, in November 2018.

White supremacist Dylann Roof used a Glock pistol to kill nine African-American people during a Bible study session at a church in Charleston, South Carolina, in June, 2015.

The weapon has become a well-known standard in the industry and around the world – US soldiers found toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein hiding with a Glock in a hole in the ground in 2003.

Mr Glock is survived by his wife, a daughter, and two sons.

[qocsuing]

UFI Filters for Hyundai Tucson, the best-selling C-SUV in Europe

UFI Filters for Hyundai Tucson, the best-selling C-SUV in Europe

UFI Filters filtration technologies are once again confirmed as the winning choice of car manufacturers, Hyundai Tucson indeed mounts the UFI fuel filter as original equipment and was the best-selling C-segment SUV in Europe in 2022.Get more news about hyundai filter,you can vist our website!

According to data published by JATO Dynamics, a company specializing in the automotive business intelligence sector, 150,803 Tucson were registered in the old continent last year. Now in its fourth edition, the car from the Korean brand has confirmed itself as the most popular mid-segment sport utility vehicle over time. Thanks to the design of its lines and the reliability of the engine, it can count on the protection guaranteed by UFI Filters filtration systems, not only for the latest series, but from the second generation yet.

NEW GENERATION DIESEL FUEL FILTER: ECOFRIENDLY AND INTEGRATED WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS UFI Filters supply as original equipment the diesel filtration system for the 1.6 CRDi engine of the new Tucson, also for the mild hybrid version (MHEV). Compared to the previous version, the advantages of this new module are the integration of multiple functions and the lightness of the element given by the plastic materials and the cartridge in ecological material. Water presence sensor, ceramic material heater and pressure sensor are located within the same group sensor unit, located on the top of the filter. This allows for greater efficiency of the heat exchange.

The filter cartridge has high water separation capacity, produced according to the exclusive material in FormulaUFI.Stratiflex which separates the water particles based on the coalescence principle. Reinforced with an internal hydrophobic mesh, the filter blocks the water droplets marking them fall to the bottom of the module tank, where there is a draining plug. The water presence sensor signals precisely when it is time to empty the tank.

UFI FILTERS FUEL FILTRATION TECHNOLOGY Thanks to its industrial site in Korea, UFI Filters can boast an historical partnership with Hyundai, since its second generation, Tucson in diesel version was equipped with the complete fuel filter made with the exclusive filter media in FormulaUFI.Stratiflex.

UFI module for Tucson model year 2015-2021 comprises an aluminum head with pressure sensor and a heater, while the filter body is equipped with a water presence sensor. This is all supplied inside a retainer to protect the system in an impact. The steel filter element encloses a dual-stage filtration system, made of FormulaUFI.Stratiflex: a first barrier for impurities and water formed by a cellulose-based media, a second made of hydrophobic mesh to eliminate residual water particles.

The guaranteed filtering efficiency is greater than 99% at 4 μm, while the water separation exceeds 90% according to ISO 16332 and the water presence sensor signals when it is necessary to purge the liquid collected on the bottom of the filter tank.

THE QUALITY OF THE ORIGINAL FOR THE AFTERMARKET. UFI Filters thus confirms itself as the preferred brand of car manufacturers, chosen by 95% of vehicle manufacturers in the world. This know-how developed for the original equipment turns out to be one of the main advantages also for the aftermarket. In fact, the quality of the original product is also guaranteed by the independent spare parts network. The diesel filter for Hyundai Tucson second generation is available in the aftermarket catalogue with the UFI brand, under the code 24.123.00 and with the brand SOFIMA, under the code S 4123 NR. While the introduction of the eco-cartridge for Tucson last generation is under development.

[cody-longrealty]

Long Gone! Huge congratulations to you Karen! Just remember… when the mountains are pink it’s time for a drink! $485,000 3349 S Calle Del Albano Green Valley, AZ 85622 This property isn't all about the VIEW but it sure is a Huge Factor in your buying decision. The Panoramic Mountain Views are Spectacular from this freestanding Miramar model. The wrap-around patio affords Complete Privacy while entrenched in these Awesome Valley and Mountain Views. This 2 bedroom and den home has been lovingly cared for and maintained by these owners for over 25 years. The interior colors skillfully exude a Southwest flair enhanced by kitchen and bath remodels. Both bathrooms showcase walnut, soft close, executive height vanities, tile showers (roll-in in master), new plumbing and light fixtures. The master bath has a matching walnut built-in dresser. The guest bath features a colorful Talavera sink, with a similar design pattern in the tile backsplash and shower. The new kitchen and L-shaped dining/living room with three sliders to the covered patios provide ample space and flow for entertaining. The chef's kitchen highlights quartz, maple and Stainless Steel. Whether you are dining in or out, you will be mesmerized by the VIEWS. A 2 year service warranty transfers to the new owners with the new HVAC Trane installation (Sept 2022). The entire built-up roof is scheduled for a double recoat by a licensed roofing contractor. The existing termite warranty can also transfer at close of escrow. MLS # 22228600 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 2 Garages 2 Car Sq.Ft. 2050 Listing provided courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty Professionally Marketed By: Cody Lopez and Abby Roos, REALTOR® SA692254000 (520) 904-2303 codyl@longrealty.com codyl.longrealty.com Dove Mountain - Tucson 12080 N. Dove Mountain Blvd., #100 Marana, AZ 85658 (520) 665-3100 #home #realestate #arizona #tucson #marana #orovalley #catalinafoothills #vail #sahuarita #greenvalley #longrealty (at Green Valley, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpYW0EGv6u1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[houstonautoweb]

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe - Houston Auto Web

In the 2021 model year, the Hyundai Santa Fe had a redesign, and in 2022, an extra XRT variant was added. Allow us atHouston Auto Web to go through what to expect from the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe if you're searching for a dependable midsize SUV for you and your family to travel around Oak Creek, West Allis, Racine, and beyond.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe receives less praise than the Korean brand's larger SUV lineup, but it still stands out and has appealing features. The midsize Santa Fe, which sits between the little Tucson and the three-row Palisade, includes two rows of seating and a variety of powertrain choices. An unimpressive 2.5-liter inline-four engine with 191 horsepower is the norm; a stronger turbo-four with 277 horsepower is an option, and it comes with our recommendation. With either front- or all-wheel drive, both engines are offered. Hyundai also provides a hybrid version of the Santa Fe with 226 horsepower and an EPA-rated 36 mpg in the city. The plug-in hybrid vehicle has 260 horsepower, a combined MPGe rating of 76, and an estimated electric-only range of 31 miles. The capacious 2023 Sante Fe, which has a low base price and a comfortable ride, is ranked in the middle of the pack among mid-size SUVs, mostly because of a particularly sluggish base engine.

What's New for 2023?

Other than a reorganization of the basic equipment, not much is different for the Sante Fe in 2023. Depending on the trim level, Hyundai modifies the front fascia and does away with the SEL Convenience package. For improved sound insulation, the SE model and higher models now have acoustic-laminated front windows. They also have puddle lamps that illuminate the area around the doors. The SEL now comes standard with a 10.3-inch center touchscreen, rear sunshades, adaptive cruise control that is based on navigation, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Both of these are now included as standard equipment on all hybrid models, along with a navigation system that can receive updates wirelessly. Finally, Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist semi-autonomous drive mode and the larger touchscreen are now included as standard equipment for the plug-in hybrid.

Interior and Exterior

It is anticipated that the Santa Fe will continue to be the same 5-passenger SUV as it was in earlier model years. Other than standard color updates and features particular to certain option packages, not many changes are anticipated for the exterior.

The Santa Fe is the ideal SUV to comfortably carry the entire family on the upcoming road trip thanks to its spacious first and second rows. With the rear setbacks in place, the cargo area additionally provides more than 36 cubic feet of capacity.

Performance

The 2023 Santa Fe offers two different engine options. The first choice is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an 8-speed automated transmission and 191 horsepower. A 281-horsepower turbo 4-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is the second option. Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive are options for either power plant.

Technology

Both a conventional 8.25-inch touchscreen display system and a 10.25-inch display system will be available for the Santa Fe. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wirelessly compatible with the standard touchscreen.

Visit Houston to look at the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe.

To book a test drive in the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, come see us atHouston Auto Web in the Milwaukee area. A member of our staff will be pleased to help you get started on financing and securing your new Hyundai if the 2023 Santa Fe looks to be the ideal fit for your lifestyle.

Ask us about our option to value your trade-in if you're thinking about selling your old car so you can get a better deal on a new Santa Fe. Please feel free to get in touch with us online right now for more details regarding the impending 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe!

[philcarshyundai]

2022 Which Hyundai 5-seat car to buy?

Korean car company Hyundai is not only famous for its luxurious and beautiful design, but it also has a variety of types and models. Especially in the segment of 5-seater Hyundai cars, this car company also contributes to different models including: Hyundai i10, Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Tucson and Hyundai Kona. Visit Philhyundai to see more detailed info Hyundai cars. 

Hyundai Grand i10 Sedan 2022

i10 sedan 2022 is the cheapest sedan version in the house. This is a popular vehicle for transport units. Above, compared to the Hatchback version, there is no difference in terms of machinery and chassis - The more advantage of this version is the addition of a rear trunk to increase the storage area and separate the luggage compartment from the passenger compartment.

Hyundai Accent 2022

The new generation Hyundai Accent sedan 2022 is designed with soft, flexible lines that exude a luxurious and elegant appearance, but not so that it loses its dynamism, sport and personality.

Hyundai Elantra 2022

Hyundai Elantra 2022 is a Korean model with a modern design, with an elegant and elegant appearance but equally sporty and personality. Inside, the interior is also equipped with a series of high-class equipment and amenities that make Elantra more classy in the eyes of all customers.

Hyundai Kona 2022

Hyundai Kona 2022 is not only the most popular 5-seater high-rise car of Hyundai, but it is also creating fierce competition in the CUV 2022 urban crossover segment with two models Ford EcoSport 2022 and Honda. HR-V 5-seater models have been storming for many years.

Suggested for you: Hyundai for sale at affordable prices in the Philippines

Above is a summary of the best 5-seater Hyundai models. If you are a fan of the famous Korean car company, then carefully research and choose for yourself and your family the most suitable car model to serve your travel needs.

[hakesbrother]

New Homes For Sale Building Homes And Communities

Making a difference for the higher good is one thing we will all be ok with. Discover brand-new homes with the living areas you're keen on at surprisingly reasonably priced prices — and unwrap the most effective gift of all. Many individuals home builders in las cruces start by determining what they will afford as a month-to-month payment. A widespread starting point is to calculate 25% of your gross monthly income to assist decide a manageable month-to-month mortgage payment.

The New Mexico Human Services Department introduced right now that the variety of New Mexicans without medical insurance coverage dropped by nearly 25 % final 12 months. Since Governor Susana Martinez took office homes for sale in las cruces new mexico in 2011, New Mexico’s uninsured rate has plummeted by practically half. One of the strongest enforcement tools the Child Support Enforcement Division depends on is what most individuals refer to because the License Suspension Program.

Verify your professional is licensed earlier than using their services. MountainView Regional Medical Center is a for-profit general hospital operated by Community Health Systems . It is a 168-bed facility with a wide range of patient companies. Greyhound's Las Cruces cease is positioned within homes for sale las cruces the nearby unincorporated neighborhood of Doña Ana. Buses departing Las Cruces serve El Paso, Amarillo, Denver, Albuquerque, Phoenix, Tucson, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Las Cruces International Airport – No current regularly scheduled commercial passenger flights since July 25, 2005, when Westward Airways ceased operations.

DACC operates centers in Anthony, Sunland Park, Chaparral, and White Sands Missile Range. Espina Street, and its East Mesa campus is at 2800 Sonoma Ranch Boulevard. Community Education is on the market at all centers homes for sale in las cruces nm and campuses and in addition in Las Cruces on the Mesquite Neighborhood Learning Center at 804 N. Each resident of Las Cruces is thus represented by the mayor and by one metropolis councilor.

"It's a really family-oriented, community-oriented neighborhood. It's very warm and welcoming... we will be right here for an extended time." See the emotional moments when three deserving veterans and their households are handed the keys to model new, mortgage-free Meritage homes in 2022. Request an offer to promote your mobile new homes las cruces home at the click on of a button. By receiving our offer, you'll find a way to skip right to closing. BankForeclosuresSale.com doesn't guarantee the availability of any property listed herein and doesn't promise that there are listings for each area.

[gaadikey]

New Hyundai TUCSON launched in India at Rs 27.69 lakhs

New Hyundai TUCSON launched in India at Rs 27.69 lakhs

Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), country’s first Smart Mobility Solutions Provider and the largest exporter since its inception, today launched the dynamic and luxurious all-new 2022 Hyundai TUCSON. Hyundai’s flagship SUV – the all-new Hyundai TUCSON exemplifies advanced technology and modern dynamism, forming the Vanguard that will define future mobility transformation in India. Commenting at…

[hdintexc]

Mazda CX-5 GT 2022 Changes, Engine, Model

Mazda CX-5 GT 2022 Changes, Engine, Model

Mazda CX-5 GT 2022 Changes, Engine, Model – The company-new Mazda CX-5 GT 2022 arrives in addition to a wonderful mix of design, gasoline economic climate, and sport-like driving dynamics. This tiny-size SUV provides a great deal of new qualities and gadgets, using a fairly truthful price. Though it manages and physical appearance like a sporty hatchback, with outstanding gasoline economic…

[harpianews]

New Generation Hyundai Tucson Revealed - carandbike

New Generation Hyundai Tucson Revealed – carandbike

Hyundai has finally unveiled the 2021 Hyundai Tucson and fourth-generation model of the SUV is a world different from its predecessor. The new Tucson gets a bold, radical design, following Hyundai’s design language of ‘sensual sportiness’. The Hyundai Tucson may not be a significant volume garner for Hyundai in India, but it is the Korean brand’s second bestseller in U.S. and European markets.…

[artbychromium]

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[usafphantom2]

B-52H disassembled travels on roads in the USA

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 01/07/2012 - 11:16 pm in Military

A dismantled B-52H strategic bomber is taking a car trip from Tucson to Oklahoma City. (Photo: Boneyard Safari)

A dismantled B-52H strategic bomber is taking a car trip from Tucson to Oklahoma City. (Photo: Boneyard Safari)

A fuselage of a disassembled B-52H strategic bomber is taking a truck trip from Tucson to Oklahoma City and here are some incredible photos of his journey.

On January 4, 2022, the B-52H "61-0009" began its next journey to Oklahoma, where it will become the test base for research and modernization of the B-52 fleet.

The B-52H 61-0009, a piece of American history, is on the move: according to Boneyard Safari Facebook page, after the recovery of aircraft around the world carefully prepared the aircraft for transportation by removing the wing and horizontal stabilizer at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson (Arizona).

As explained by Brian Brackens of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, the left wing and fuselage [the aircraft's main body] will eventually be relocated to a Boeing facility in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where it will serve as an integration model. The 61-0009's right wing and horizontal stabilizer will be transported to the McFarland Research and Development Center in Wichita, Kansas, to support structural integrity research for the B-52H or ASIP Aircraft Structural Integrity Program.

Upon arrival in Oklahoma City, the left wing and fuselage will be replaced and used to test how new technologies or modifications will integrate with the B-52 aircraft. The integration model or model will support a number of current and future modification initiatives, including the Commercial Engine Replacement Program and the Radar Modernization Program.

The integration model will not be limited only to weapons. Any technology or capacity designed to hang on the wing or attach to the fuselage can be tested, including pods and antennas. In addition, the model will open up opportunities for innovation by providing access to industry and other government agencies through Cooperative Research and Development Agreements to test new ideas and equipment.

While at McFarland Research and Development, the right wing and horizontal stabilizer will be studied in order to learn more about the structural limitations and how long the USAF can expect the parts to last on the B-52s currently flying. Most importantly, the research there will provide important structural data on the B-52H, which will guide future decisions about the platform.

As already reported, before being removed from storage and towed to the Pima Air & Space Museum, the tail of B-52H number 61-0009 was in non-votable status in the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis-Monthan Air Base in Arizona.

As a Boneyard Safari spokesman explained to Fox 10, the bomber was built in 1961 and withdrawn from service in 2008.

It took about four months to disassemble, adjust and get it ready for change. The entire trip will take about three weeks.

Check out Boneyard Safari's Facebook page to see more beautiful images of the B-52H truck trip "61-0009".

Tags: Military AviationBoeing B-52H StratofortressUSAF - United States Air Force / US Air Force

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. Uses Canon equipment during his photographic work throughout the world of aviation

Cavok Brazil - Digital Tchê Web Creation

[gabeasermely]

An argumentative Piece

I’ve always had an interest in law, and being a lawyer is one of the career paths that I’m seriously considering - a profession where oral and written arguments, analytical thinking, and logic are your tools to make the world a better place.  Being able to argue a point logically and effectively is one of the most important aspects of being a lawyer, so I will attempt to do so here. I’ve always loved cars, and my dad owns an older SUV. I believe that it would benefit him to ditch the Tucson for a new Tesla, but he is not convinced; so the following will be my attempt to persuade him to go electric!

Over the past decade, Tesla has quickly grown from an eccentric car company catering to a select group of electric car enthusiasts to a well-known mega-corporation that sells reasonable, practical vehicles for the everyday consumer with loads of tech and power. I know it’s hard to believe, but Tesla’s market capitalization is now worth more than the combined market capitalization of Volkswagen, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, GM, Ford, Honda, Fiat, Chrysler, and Peugeot….  

Obviously, a car as powerful and unique as a Tesla comes with a slightly higher price tag than your run of the mill vehicle, but when you examine the differences in the costs of owning a Tesla as opposed to a standard gas powered car, you will find that the higher initial cost of the Tesla doesn’t tell the entire story.

My dad’s SUV was about $29,000 when he bought it in 2017 and is costing him $274/month in car payments that will continue until April of 2022. The cost of a new, well optioned Tesla Model 3 is about $45,000, and financing one would result in payments of about $450/month. Clearly there is a stark difference between the two in terms of cost, making the Tesla appear to be a poor choice financially. If you consider the other costs involved with the vehicles, however, you will find that this is not necessarily still valid.

My dad drives to and from work 5 days a week and additionally uses his car to run errands and other outings. This level of usage causes his car to need to be refueled about every 6 days. Since the average cost to fill his tank is $32, he is spending around $160/month on gas. Powering a Tesla on the other hand, would be close to free. There are chargers at his work available for any employees that would like to use them, and installing a charger at home would cost $650 - allowing for overnight charging at a practically inconsequential price. If you take the $160 that he would no longer be spending on gas away from the $450 monthly payments for the Model 3, you’re left with only $290/month being spent on the car, which is hardly more than the $274/month that his current SUV is costing him. Although this argument is already very convincing, I haven't even addressed resale value yet. In a new study, a Tesla Model 3 retains 90% of its resale value over its first 3 years.  A Tucson is expected to lose 50% of its resale value in the first 5 years.  There is considerable debate around this resale value, but it’s clear that Tesla retains its value much better than a Tucson. Dad, you're driving a falling knife - get out now!

Now that we have seen that the cars are financially similar and the Tesla holds its value better than the Tucson, when we consider the fact that the Tesla is far more eco-friendly, contains loads of incredible technology such as the capacity to drive itself, and is a lot faster and sportier as well (not to mention being downright cool), it begins to become even more appealing. Tesla is racing down the Technology Adoption Curve from the niche Early Adaptor to the mainsream.