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☆ Safety group calls for Amazon to use new tech in delivery vans to prevent crashes
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

About half a million light vans are sold in the United States every year, with many of those going to companies like Amazon and FedEx. Light vans are those with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 10,000 pounds. Lane departure prevention technology could have helped prevent or, at least, reduce the seriousness of, about 11% of those fatal crashes. That tech could help prevent 37% of fatal crashes involving delivery vans, the Institute said. In more than 60% of crashes and more than half of fatal crashes, the occupant of another vehicle or a pedestrian or cyclist was killed or injured.

Persons: Ram ProMaster, Ram, Van Organizations: CNN —, Amazon, FedEx, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, Institute, Stellantis, IIHS, Ford Locations: America, United States

☆ After traveling in a van for 2 weeks, I saw how the lifestyle could be cheaper than my Denver life
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I wanted to explore the US, but I also wanted to see if van life was something I could do full-time. I quickly realized that these small costs — eating out, gas station snacks, souvenirs — are where van life can get expensive. AdvertisementSo finding a lifestyle like van life, which includes adventure and potential savings, sounds too good to be true. Monica Humphries/Business InsiderI experienced ways that living in a van could be cheaper than my lifestyle todayThere are hidden costs that come with van life. I'm not saying van life is necessarily cheaper than city living, but I am convinced it can be if I work at it.

Persons: —, ProMaster, I've, Apartments.com, Axios, It's, Brittany Newson, Monica Humphries, it'd, Zach Nelson, Joe's, Joshua, Ram, van, I'd, I'm Organizations: Service, Denver, Mercedes, Benz, Costco, Walmart Locations: Denver , Colorado, Denver, Southwest America, Plenty, San Fransico, Joshua Tree

☆ I spent years considering van life and finally embarked on a 2-week trip last fall. 5 months later, I'm still dreaming of the lifestyle.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-21 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The concept of van life has intriqued me for years. I've interviewed dozens of nomads who encouraged others to try van life with shorter trips. AdvertisementThose desires could be answered with van life — especially since the version of van life I saw scrolling on Instagram and TikTok seemed to fit my outdoorsy lifestyle. Related storiesI knew two weeks wasn't enough to experience every aspect of van life. Plus, the company's vans were what I dreamed of when I pictured van life.

Persons: I've, —, Monica Humphries, Maddy Garrett, Ram Organizations: Service, Valley Music, Arts, Gatorade, Allied Market Research, Business, Subaru, Walmart, Costco Locations: Bryce, United States, RVs, Albuquerque , New Mexico, Denver, New Mexico, Las Vegas

☆ Step inside Quartzsite, Arizona, where snowbirds flock for warmer weather and a cheap place to park their RVs
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

AdvertisementOne of those places is Quartzsite's La Posa long-term visitor area . Monica Humphries/Business InsiderIf off-grid living won't fit a visitor's needs, Quartzsite is home to more than 50 RV resorts . As I meandered around La Posa, I debated how close was too close to park next to a stranger. Monica Humphries/Business InsiderIn 2020, Quartzsite became a Hollywood backdropMost people recognize the name Quartzsite from the Oscar-winning movie "Nomadland," which was released in 2020. There was a sense of freedom living on La Posa, and almost everyone I met was friendly and eager to chat.

Persons: It's, —, snowbirds, Monica Humphries, you'll, Quartzsite, Casey Osborn, he's, Osborn, He's, Osborn doesn't, Bob, La Posa, La, Fern —, Frances McDormand, Fern, Paul Winer, Winer Organizations: Service, of Commerce, Tourism, Land Management, Vehicles, La, Social Security, Reader's Oasis, Oasis, Quartzsite Yacht Locations: Quartzsite, Arizona, Quartzsite , Arizona, Mexico, La Posa, La

☆ I tried van life for 2 weeks, and an aspect of the trip made me question if I'm cut out for the lifestyle
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementIt was day 10 of my two-week-long van trip. Monica Humphries/Business InsiderI rented a van without a bathroom or a showerI've been allured by van life for years. A public restroom during the author's van trip. Using a public bathroom never has the same amount of privacy as my apartment. Monica Humphries/Business InsiderMy two weeks in the van were met with spontaneous adventures, fulfilling conversations, striking nature, and lasting memories.

Persons: —, Ram ProMaster campervan, Monica Humphries, van, I've, couldn't Organizations: Service, YouTube Locations: Arizona

☆ I spent $3,200 for a 2-week van trip. It was worth every penny.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I spent two weeks traveling around America's West in a van on a trip that cost $3,200. Instead, I shelled out $3,200 for a two-week van trip. Monica Humphries/Business InsiderThe idea for a van trip has been on my mind for years. The author's rental van outside of the Native Campervan Denver location. Monica Humphries/Business InsiderUltimately, the van trip led to new experiences and ways to travel for a trip I won't forgetI dropped off my van feeling energized.

Persons: —, Monica Humphries, I've, Joshua, Ram, Joshua Tree Organizations: Service, Mercedes, Business Locations: America's, Dublin, Ireland, Sin City, Denver , Colorado, Joshua Tree, California, Paris, Airbnbs, Denver, Palm Springs , California, Utah, Joshua Tree , California, Jerome , Arizona, Taos , New Mexico

☆ I spoke to 7 women living in vans before a solo road trip and the best piece of advice changed how I camped overnight
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewIn the weeks leading up to my first solo road trip, I called up a handful of experienced nomads and sought out their advice. Advertisement"I'm parked facing my exit," Schaffer, a 38-year-old digital nomad who has lived in a van for over four years, said. Monica Humphries/InsiderI pulled into my first campsite with Schaffer's advice on my mindI left Denver, Colorado, in my Ram ProMaster and headed to Taos, New Mexico. Then, I remembered Schaffer's advice. So for the next two weeks, I listened to Schaffer's advice and always strategically parked.

Persons: —, I've, van, Monica Humphries, Christian Schaffer, Schaffer, Ram Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Taos , New Mexico, Denver , Colorado

☆ I imagined spending my 2-week van trip in scenic campgrounds. The reality was sleeping in parking lots at Cracker Barrel and Walmart.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Sleeping outside Walmart and Cracker Barrel was free, convenient, and a true taste of van life. AdvertisementA Cracker Barrel parking lot full of RVs. Sure enough, in the review section of Google, plenty of people mentioned sleeping successfully in the parking lot at the Flagstaff Cracker Barrel. AdvertisementThe Cracker Barrel sign through the author's windshield. Knowing that so many other people were spending the night in the same parking lot was comforting.

Persons: —, Ram, Joshua, Monica Humphries, Williams, van Organizations: Walmart, Service, Google Locations: Colorado, Joshua Tree, California, Walmarts, Williams , Arizona, Jerome , Arizona, Williams, KOA, Flagstaff, RVs

☆ Lessons on loneliness from people living life on the road
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

Monica Humphries/InsiderPeople living life on the road know what it's like to be isolated. In a country facing a loneliness epidemic, there are lessons to learn from nomads like Schaffer living on the road. Van Life CampgroundsParinger realized he was missing a sense of community after a couple of years of living in a van. In 2019, he bought land in Joshua Tree, California, which became the first location for Van Life Campgrounds. Others living on the road agreed that their online community has been a huge support in tackling loneliness.

Persons: they've, —, Maddy Garrett's, Ford Transit —, Tracey Tischler, van, Monica Humphries, it's, Christian Schaffer, Schaffer, Joshua, Shahira, Navod McNeil, Instagram McNeil, couldn't, Aidan Paringer's, Paringer, Ellaboudy, Phyllis Grover, Grover, Casey Hogan, Instagram Casey Hogan, Zach Nelson, he's, It's, Aidan Paringer, Garrett, Maddy Garrett, @whoa_maddy_actually_, ProMaster, Fernald, Sierra Fernald, Brittany Newson, Instagram Newson, haven't, Tischler, Nelson, Newson, FaceTimes Organizations: Business, Service, Subaru, Ford Transit, Ford, van, Benz, Facebook, Fire, YouTube Locations: Colorado and Utah, Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Joshua Tree , California, Dallas, Van, Mexico , Oregon, Washington, Nevada, I'm, Fernald, Zion, Instagram, California

☆ Factbox: As Tesla prepares a Mexico plant, a look at auto plants in Mexico
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A general view shows the General Motors assembly plant in Ramos Arizpe, in Coahuila state, Mexico February 11, 2021. REUTERS/Daniel BecerrilFeb 28 (Reuters) - Mexico has long been a manufacturing hub in North America for multiple automakers, and the country is trying to position itself for the wave of electric vehicles (EVs) to come. The auto sector is a driver of Mexico's major manufacturing industry, which is heavily integrated into U.S. and Canadian supply chains. Mexican officials on Tuesday said Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) is the latest automaker with plans to build a plant in Mexico. Here are major automakers with plants in Mexico -General Motors Co (GM.N)Silao Plant in the central city in Guanajuato state, produces Chevrolet and GMC full-size pickup trucksRamos Arizpe Plant in the northern city in Coahuila state, builds the Chevrolet Equinox and Blazer SUVs now and will build the 2024 Blazer EV and Equinox EVSan Luis Potosi Plant in the state capital of the central state of San Luis Potosi, produces the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC TerrainFord Motor Co (F.N)Cuautitlan Assembly plant in the central city of Cuautitlan Izcalli, produces Ford Mustang Mach-EHermosillo Assembly Plant in the state capital of the northern state of Sonora, produces Ford Bronco Sport and Ford MaverickToyota Motor Corp (7203.T)Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Baja California in the northern border city of Tijuana, Baja California, produces the Toyota Tacoma pickupToyota Motor Manufacturing de Guanajuato in Apaseo el Grande, Guanajuato, produces the Toyota TacomaStellantis (STLAM.MI)Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant in the state capital of Coahuila, produces Ram light and heavy-duty pickupsSaltillo Van Assembly Plant, makes the Ram ProMaster vanToluca Assembly Plant, produces the Jeep CompassNissan Motor Co (7201.T)Nissan Mexicana (Cuernavaca) in the central city of Jiutepec, produces NP300 pickup truckNissan Mexicana (Aguascalientes 1 Plant) in the central city of Aguascalientes, produces March, Versa, KicksNissan Mexicana (Aguascalientes 2 Plant), produces SentraNissan also has a joint venture plant with Mercedes (MBGn.DE) in Aguascalientes, making the Infinti QX 50 and 55 SUVs, and Mercedes GLB SUVHonda Motor Co (7267.T)Honda de Mexico (HDM) in Celaya, Guanajuato, produces HR-VVolkswagen (VOWG_p.DE)Volkswagen de México in Sanctorum, Puebla, produces Jetta, Tiguan, TaosVW's Audi unit in San José Chiapa, Puebla, produces Audi Q5 premium SUV and plans to start manufacturing EVs by 2027Mazda Motor Corp (7261.T)Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation (MMVO) in Salamanca, Guanajuato, produces Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda CX-30Kia AmericaHyundai Motor Co's (005380.KS) Kia has a plant in Pesqueria, Nuevo Leon, produces Kia Forte, RioBMW AGBMW Plant in San Luis Potosi, produces BMW 3 Series, 2 Series and will produce fully electric "Neue Klasse" modelsSOURCES: Carmakers and Auto Forecast SolutionsCompiled by Kannaki Deka in Bengaluru; Editing by Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ US Postal Service plans to buy 9,250 EV Ford delivery vehicles
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Postal Service (USPS) said Tuesday it plans to buy 9,250 Ford (F.N) E-Transit battery electric vehicles starting later this year and will also purchase an equal number of gasoline-powered models from Chrysler-parent Stellantis (STLAM.MI). Congress in August gave USPS $3 billion as part of a $430 billion climate bill to buy electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. USPS said it will also buy 9,250 2023 and 2024 model year Ram ProMaster vans from Chrysler-parent Stellantis "to fill the urgent need for vehicles." They are part of the 21,000 vehicles included in USPS December vehicle plan. Democratic Senator Gary Peters praised USPS for using funding to "quickly adopt more cost effective and energy efficient electric vehicles."

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