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☆ Mercedes Benz ditches plan to sell only EVs by 2030
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

In 2021, the German carmaker announced plans only to sell electric vehicles — "where market conditions allow" — by 2030. And, as of Thursday's release, it expects its overall EV sales to reach just 50% by the time 2030 rolls around. During a September interview at the Munich car show, Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius first hinted at a more narrow outlook for the EV market. AdvertisementMercedes expects its EV sales to account for about 19% to 21% of new car sales this year. Mercedes isn't the only automaker that is reevaluating its EV plans.

Persons: Mercedes, Ola Källenius, It's, Mercedes isn't, Harald Wilhelm Organizations: Benz, carmaker, EV, Mercedes, Reuters Locations: Munich

☆ A 'messy' quarter: What analysts are saying after Rivian's latest quarterly report
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Analysts are growing cautious on Rivian shares as its struggles are worsened by weak electric vehicle demand. RBC has a $15 per share price target, which is roughly 3% below Wednesday's close of $15.39. RIVN 1D mountain Rivian stock. Narayan said legacy automakers are in a better position to navigate the current slowdown in EV demand, and said he expects Rivian stock to "to come under pressure." Langan lowered his price target to $14 per share from $18.

Persons: Rivian, Tom Narayan, expected.It, Narayan, FactSet, Wells, Colin M, Langan, Goldman Sachs, Mark Delaney, Delaney, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: RBC Capital, RBC, Barclays Locations: Wednesday's

☆ Rivian is laying off 10% of its salaried workers amid challenges
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Rivian announced Wednesday that it will lay off 10% of its salaried workers beginning Thursday morning, amid a quarterly loss and an increasingly competitive EV market. Rivian has a total of 16,700 employees but would not disclose how many of those are considered salaried employees. Rivian has previously, on two different occasions, laid off 6% of its workforce, as the company has looked to reduce its losses. Sales of electric vehicles has not expanded as rapidly in the past year as it had before, and automakers have blamed high interest rates for some of that slow-down. Scaringe boasted that Rivian produced the best-selling electric vehicle over $70,000 last year.

Persons: CNN — Rivian, RJ Scaringe, Rivian, Tesla Organizations: CNN, Ford, Tesla, Scaringe Locations: California

☆ Is electric vehicle ownership bipartisan?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Alex | Leeds Matthews | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The data doesn’t include each voter with an electric vehicle, but it does offer some insight into political attitudes among consumers. Currently, the most widely available electric vehicles options are luxury brands, while mainstream consumers have more limited options. “We’re also seeing that things are really changing over time… That speaks to the fact that the economic and pollution benefits of electric vehicles don’t obey political boundaries.”Still, public opinion research suggests interest in electric vehicles has some partisan roots, even if the landscape may be changing. A 2023 Gallup poll found that 71% of Republicans would not consider buying an electric vehicle, compared with 17% of Democrats. More than one-third of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles were registered in California, according to data from the US Department of Energy in 2022.

Persons: ”, David Kieve, Donald Trump, “, Stewart Stropp, Brett Williams, ” Williams, “ We’re, Kentucky —, Joe Biden, Williams, ” Kieve, Biden Organizations: Environmental Defense Fund, Republicans, Environmental Defense, Gallup, JD, Center for Sustainable Energy, Pew, Republican, Trump, US Department of Energy, EDF Locations: California, North Dakota, Kentucky

☆ Ford, UAW reach local labor deal to avert strike at Kentucky plant
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Ryan Anastasio | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Ford Super Duty trucks are seen at the Kentucky Truck assembly plant in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S., April 27, 2023. Ford and a United Auto Workers local union reached a tentative deal on Wednesday to avert a strike at the automaker's most profitable plant. The UAW had threatened that nearly 9,000 workers at Ford's Kentucky truck plant would strike on Friday if local union demands were not resolved. The UAW said Tuesday the deal addresses local issues related to skilled trades, ergonomics and health and safety. Workers at the plant produce Ford Super Duty pickups as well as Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigator SUVs.

Persons: Ford, —, — CNBC's Michael Wayland Organizations: Ford Super Duty, United Auto Workers, UAW, Workers, Ford, Ford Expeditions, Lincoln, Big Three, — Ford, General Motors, Local Locations: Kentucky, Louisville , Kentucky, U.S, Ford's Kentucky, Louisville

☆ Rivian is slashing 10% of staff. Read the email it sent to its workers.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Despite doubling its EV deliveries in 2023, Rivian reported a $5.4 billion loss for the year. In an email to Business Insider, Rivian did not specify exactly how many salaried staff members would be cut, but said that it has 16,700 total employees, including both salaried and hourly workers. Here's the full email that Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe sent out to staff on Wednesday, announcing that layoffs would be coming on Thursday. Tomorrow, we're reducing our salaried employees by approximately 10% along with a limited number of non-manufacturing hourly employees. Also, anyone impacted tomorrow will still be eligible for our FY'23 bonus.

Persons: Rivian, Claire McDonough, Jacob Bourne, Bourne, Tesla, Scaringe, RJ Scaringe Organizations: Bloomberg, Business, Intelligence, Ford, General Motors, Dealers

☆ Ford cuts prices of electric Mustang Mach-E by up to $8,100
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

People visit Ford's all-electric SUV Mustang Mach-E at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, the United States, Nov. 22, 2019. Ford Motor Co on Tuesday said it had cut prices on its Mustang Mach-E electric SUV by up to $8,100 after sales fell sharply in January. The Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker said U.S. sales of the Mach-E fell by 51% in January to 1,295. Ford and other legacy automakers have slowed their EV push to instead focus on higher-margin hybrid and gas-powered models. Ford said in January it would reduce production of its F-150 Lightning pickup truck, cutting production at its Michigan Rouge Electric Vehicle Center to one shift starting April 1.

Persons: Ford, Elon Organizations: Angeles Auto, Ford Motor Co, . Treasury Department, Treasury, Reuters, Internal Revenue Service, Ford, Michigan Rouge Electric Vehicle Center Locations: Ford's, Los Angeles, United States, Dearborn , Michigan, China

☆ Cybertruck engineer addresses claims the Tesla EVs rust in the rain
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

One owner even said they'd been warned when the truck was delivered that it could rust in the rain. "The advisor specifically mentioned the Cybertrucks develop orange rust marks in the rain and that required the vehicle to be buffed out," a member of the Cybertruck Owners Club forum wrote. Stainless is reactive and free iron that sits on it will rust," the Cybertruck engineer said. Demaree said the latter method appeared to do the trick but advised Cybertruck owners to be careful using the polish on the truck. Tesla delivered its first dozen on November 30, and several celebrities have been spotted with their own Cybertrucks in the months since.

Persons: —, Wes Morrill, they'd, Morrill, Tesla, Elon Musk, Justin Demaree, Guy, he'd, Demaree, It's Organizations: Service, Business, Cybertruck Owners, Tesla, YouTube, Delorean

☆ U.S. Awards $1.5 Billion to Chipmaker GlobalFoundries
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Ana Swanson | Don Clark | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Biden administration on Monday announced a $1.5 billion award to the New York-based chipmaker GlobalFoundries, one of the first sizable grants from a government program aimed at revitalizing semiconductor manufacturing in the United States. As part of the plan to bolster GlobalFoundries, the administration will also make available another $1.6 billion in federal loans. The grants are expected to triple the company’s production capacity in the state of New York over ten years. The funding represents an effort by the Biden administration and lawmakers of both parties to try to revitalize American semiconductor manufacturing. Currently, just 12 percent of chips are made in the United States, with the bulk manufactured in Asia.

Persons: Biden, GlobalFoundries Organizations: Monday, GlobalFoundries, General Motors Locations: New York, United States, Asia, Malta, N.Y

☆ Biden administration to reportedly relax EV rule on tailpipe emissions
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. President Joe Biden answers questions from reporters after driving a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Xe around the White House driveway following remarks during an event on the South Lawn of the White House August 5, 2021 in Washington, DC. The shift would mean that EV sales would not need to rise sharply until after 2030. Reuters previously reported that the White House could enact proposed Environmental Protection Agency regulations as soon as March that would mandate dramatic reductions in tailpipe emissions. The administration proposal would require boosting U.S. EV market share to 67% by 2032 from less than 8% in 2023. Automakers and the AAI have urged the Biden administration to slow the proposed ramp-up in EV sales.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Joe Biden's, John Bozzella, Bozzella, Stellantis Organizations: New York Times, Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Reuters, Agency, EV, General Motors, Ford, AAI Locations: Washington , DC, U.S

EY's Daco said the past few years have been marked by a mismatch in supply and demand when it comes to goods, services and even workers. Companies furloughed workers in the early pandemic and then struggled to fill jobs. David Silverman, a retail analyst at Fitch Ratings, said companies are "feeling a bit heavy as sales growth moderates and maybe even declines." Cost cuts at UPS, Hasbro and Levi all followed sales declines in the most recent fiscal quarter. "Part of companies' decision to lower their expense structure is in line with their views that 2024 may not be a fantastic year from a top-line-growth standpoint," Silverman said.

Persons: EY's Daco, David Silverman, Levi, Fitch, Silverman Organizations: Getty, Airlines, Cox Automotive, Fitch, UPS, Hasbro, Walmart, Target Locations: U.S

☆ Trump heads to Michigan with eyes on a Biden rematch but legal woes loom over campaign
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Steve Contorno | Kristen Holmes | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

A 2020 election denier’s tumultuous reign atop the Michigan Republican Party had only recently begun. Since then, the strike has ended and the top union representing Michigan autoworkers, United Auto Workers, has endorsed President Joe Biden. State party turmoilAhead of his visit, Trump and his allies sought to put an end to turmoil within the Michigan Republican Party, which has faced a reckoning over its readiness for the 2024 election. The state party ousted its chair, Kristina Karamo, last month in the face of internal strife and lackluster fundraising. The recent Fox News survey from Michigan found Biden leading Trump 53% to 41% among union households.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Joe Biden, Nikki Haley –, Stormy Daniels, Friday’s, “, Biden, Hillary Clinton’s, Haley, Kristina Karamo, Pete Hoekstra, Hoekstra, Democratic Sen, Debbie Stabenow, ”, Jason Cabel Roe, it’s, – Trump, Trump’s, Shawn Fain, ” Trump, Fain, ” Fain, Cabel Roe, “ There’s Organizations: CNN, Michigan, Republican, GOP, Michigan Republican Party, Michigan autoworkers, United Auto Workers, Republicans, South Carolina Gov, Michigan GOP, Trump, Fox, Sneaker Con, South Carolina Army National Guard, Republican National, White House, Democratic, doesn’t, Republican Party, Biden, Big, Teamsters, UAW Locations: California, Michigan, New, York, ”, Georgia, Waterford Township, Detroit, Waterford, Trump’s Michigan, –, Philadelphia, South Carolina, State, Netherlands, Washington ,, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania

☆ UAW threatens to strike Ford truck plant in Kentucky if local issues aren't resolved
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

DETROIT – The United Auto Workers is threatening a labor strike at Ford Motor's largest U.S. plant if local union demands aren't resolved by next week. The Detroit union on Friday said nearly 9,000 UAW autoworkers at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant could strike at 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 23 if local contract issues remain. The plant — Ford's largest in terms of employment and revenue — produces Ford Super Duty pickups as well as the Ford Expedition and the Lincoln Navigator SUVs. Local contracts differ from the national agreements that the union ratified late last year with Ford, General Motors and Chrysler parent Stellantis . The union said "core issues in Kentucky Truck Plant's local negotiations are health and safety in the plant, including minimum in-plant nurse staffing levels and ergonomic issues, as well as Ford's continued attempts to erode the skilled trades at Kentucky Truck Plant."

Persons: Shawn Fain, aren't, Ford's Organizations: United Auto Workers, Detroit, DETROIT –, Ford Motor's, UAW, Ford, Ford Expedition, Lincoln, General Motors, Chrysler, Kentucky Locations: Kentucky

☆ 2 takeaways from Ford CEO Jim Farley that boost our confidence in the automaker's stock
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Paulina Likos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Ford CEO Jim Farley discussed a range of topics Thursday from hybrid and electric vehicles to how the automaker is dealing with international competitors. Ford Pro "If you're looking for the future of the automotive industry stop looking at FDS [full self-driving] and Tesla , look at Ford Pro," Farley said. The transformation of Pro, Farley said, has been a notable success for the company. "We always had a super successful Pro business … but there was no focus on it." Despite the success of Pro, Ford continues to lose money in its Model e business, which hosts its fleet of electric vehicles.

Persons: Jim Farley, Farley, Ford, Li Auto, Warren Buffett's Berkshire, BYD, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim Organizations: Wolfe Research, Club, Ford, Ford Pro, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, CNBC Locations: U.S, Europe, EVs, China, Warren Buffett's, Berkshire, breakeven

Full-year profit rose 11% to 18.6 billion euros . Stellantis' North American revenues, accounting for nearly half of the carmaker’s total, dropped 5.6% in the second half of the year to 40.5 billion euros from 43 billion euros on lower shipments that eroded its market share. Stellantis’ European revenues were flat in the second half of the year at 31.7 billion euros. Stellantis paid shareholders 6.6 billion euros last year through dividends and buybacks, up 53% from 2022. The carmaker said it plans to increase dividend payments by 16% this year, to 1.55 euros per share, and buy back another 3 billion euros in shares.

Persons: Stellantis, Natalie Knight Organizations: MILAN, Peugeot PSA, FCA, Detroit, South, Pacific Locations: North America, South America, China, India

☆ A traditional automaker just turned a profit on EVs
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Electric vehicles are finally turning a profit for Stellantis, CEO Carlos Tavares said Thursday, and, in contrast to some rivals, it will not cut back on producing EVs. The announcement marks an important milestone for electric vehicles and for traditional automakers, which have struggled to make money on EVs even as demand has grown. Ford, the only company to break out results separately for electric and traditional vehicles, reported that it lost $4.7 billion in EVs last year, or more than $40,000 per vehicle. But he said that EVs, while profitable, are still not as profitable as traditional gas-powered vehicles. That includes profit sharing for about 38,000 United Auto Workers union members at an average of $13,860, down from $14,760 a year earlier.

Persons: Carlos Tavares, ”, Tesla, Traveras, Stellantis Organizations: New, New York CNN —, Fiat Chrysler, PSA Group, Ford, GM, General Motors, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, United Auto Workers, UAW Locations: New York, Detroit, EVs, Europe, Paris

☆ Jeep, Dodge-maker Stellantis' profit slides as Detroit Three strikes bite
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

(L-R) United Auto Workers (U.A.W.) members Kaleb Delfine, Bryan Broecker, Michael Gatto and James Triplett picket outside the Jeep Plant on September 18, 2023 in Toledo, Ohio. Global auto giant Stellantis on Thursday reported a 10% year-on-year fall in profit in the second half of 2023, as six-week strikes at the so-called "Detroit Three" automakers hampered production in the group's North American profit epicenter. Adjusted operating income (AOI) came in at 10.2 billion euros ($10.96 billion) for the July to December period, down from 11.3 billion euros for the same period in 2022. Stellantis reported in late October that labor strikes by the United Auto Workers union, which ran for six weeks from Sept. 15 and also targeted General Motors and Ford Motor , cost the company $3.2 billion in revenue through October.

Persons: Kaleb Delfine, Bryan Broecker, Michael Gatto, James Triplett, Stellantis Organizations: United Auto Workers, Jeep, Global, Reuters, Stellantis, United Auto Workers union, Motors, Ford Motor Locations: Toledo , Ohio, American, Europe, North America

☆ In America, Headlights are blinding but not in other countries, this tech is why
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

In Europe and Asia, many cars offer adaptive driving beam headlights that can do this. But that still means driving much – or most – of the time using only low beam headlights that don’t reach very far. That means it will probably be years before ADB headlights are widely available in the US. But, while driving, the lights work just like standard high beam, low beam headlights. It will be years before they can offer new, redesigned ADB headlights that meet the standards, auto industry sources say.

Persons: ”, “, Michael Larsen, Larsen, Matt Brumbelow Organizations: CNN, ADB, Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, Ford, Volkswagen, Insurance Institute for Highway, Society of Automotive Engineers, ” Audi, “, General Motors, Society of Automotive, EU, Audi, Mercedes, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Locations: Europe, Asia, China, Canada, United States, America, American

☆ Your next Tesla could be made by China
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Elon Musk invited the suppliers to Mexico as part of plans for cheaper Teslas, Bloomberg reported. That move could be stoking concerns among US officials and EV makers over China's influence. China has a "highly organized, highly efficient supply chain," Venkatesh Prasad, chief innovation officer at the Center for Automotive Research, told Bloomberg. AdvertisementTesla, which also makes cars in the US, and other US-based EV makers may also be feeling the heat from competitors. Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told Bloomberg.

Persons: Elon Musk, —, Tesla's, Venkatesh Prasad, Tesla, stoke, Katherine Tai, Tai, Biden, EVs, China's, Tesla's Musk, Mary Lovely Organizations: Bloomberg, Service, Center for Automotive Research, Business, Trump, Chinese Communist Party, US Trade Rep, Nikkei, EV, Peterson Institute for International Economics Locations: Mexico, Monterrey, Shanghai, Mexican, Nuevo Leon, Austin, China, Beijing, Washington, DC, United States

☆ Beyond Tesla: Morningstar strategist names 2 under-the-radar stocks to play the EV revolution
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | In Amala-Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The electric vehicle industry is seeing cutthroat competition between investor favorite Tesla and several Chinese automakers like BYD . "While Tesla grabs all the headlines, we don't necessarily think that it's going to be the electric vehicle manufacturers that do the best. Morningstar gives stocks a rating of between one and five stars, with a top rating indicating that the shares are undervalued. We think lithium prices are probably bottoming out here," he told CNBC Pro on Feb. 2. Shares of the U.S. lithium company have had a bumpy ride over the past days.

Persons: Tesla, David Sekera, Volkswagen —, Sekera, it's, Albemarle Organizations: Morningstar, Ford Motor, Volkswagen, CNBC Pro, International Energy Agency, Reuters Locations: BorgWarner, Albemarle, U.S

☆ The Great Salt Lake is becoming a toxic bowl of dust — it may also contain the answer to a greener future
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A startup plans to extract lithium from the Great Salt Lake by temporarily sucking up its water. AdvertisementUtah's Great Salt Lake is leaving behind a toxic bowl of dust as it disappears — but hope for a greener future may also lay in the salty water. The Great Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Western hemisphere, is laced with lithium, a mineral used to make rechargeable batteries in electric vehicles. A California-based startup called Lilac Solutions wants to remove billions of gallons of water from the Great Salt Lake, extract the lithium, and then return the water. AdvertisementThe Great Salt Lake has faced record-low water levels in recent years that scientists blame on excessive water use.

Persons: Bill Gates, —, Raef Sully Organizations: Solutions, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Service, Street Journal, Lilac Solutions, Salt Lake Tribune, Mitsubishi, Nature Conservancy, EV Locations: Salt, California

☆ Chrysler reveals new Halcyon concept car as direction for future EVs
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Chrysler Halcyon concept car. The Chrysler Halcyon concept car. The Chrysler Halcyon concept car. StellantisAutomakers routinely use concept vehicles to gauge customer interest or show the future direction of a vehicle or brand. The Halcyon concept car boasts "harmony in motion" and sustainability principles, according to several officials.

Persons: Christine Feuell, we've, Feuell, Stellantis Organizations: Chrysler, DETROIT, Chrysler Pacifica, Stellantis, Fiat Chrysler, French, PSA, —, CES Locations: U.S, Canada

Systems that let drivers take their eyes off the road and fully autonomous systems are coming in about two years. Shashua talked with The Associated Press about the next steps toward autonomous vehicles. A: When you talk about autonomous vehicles, what immediately comes in mind is Waymo, Cruise, robotaxis. Q: When do you see a lot of fully autonomous vehicles on the roads? The second story of an eyes-off system on highways is already in the works.

Persons: robotaxis, Amnon Shashua, Shashua, It’s, Uber, Mobileye Organizations: DETROIT, —, General Motors, Intel, Systems, Associated Press, Cruise, Volkswagen Locations: Arizona, San Francisco, Israeli, Los Angeles, China, Europe, U.S

☆ Tesla earned $1.8 billion last year from a side hustle
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Tesla earns regulatory credits by making and selling electric vehicles. Bloomberg, which initially reported on the filing , calculated that the company had pulled in almost $9 billion from selling regulatory credits since 2009. The company has expected revenue from regulatory credits to dry up as other automakers ramp up EV production. "It will continue for some period of time, but eventually this stream of regulatory credits will reduce," he added. However, that scenario has largely failed to materialize, with Tesla’s earnings from selling regulatory credits slightly increasing from last year, when it earned $1.776 billion.

Persons: —, Elon, Tesla, Zachary Kirkhorn, Kirkhorn Organizations: Service, Securities, Exchange Commission, Business, Tesla, Bloomberg, Ford, General Motors, BYD Locations: Europe, China

☆ The 10 cheapest electric cars you can buy in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Car companies are scrambling to offer more affordable EV options amid demand slump. There are still some EV options in the $30,000 to $40,000 range. Affordable electric models are becoming a key piece of the auto industry's transition away from fossil fuels as demand for the more expensive models falls. Ford, for example, announced earlier this week it would be prioritizing smaller, more inexpensive EVs going forward. AdvertisementWhile customers wait for these less expensive models to show up, we asked car-shopping website Edmunds for a list of the 10 cheapest electric vehicles going on sale this year.

Persons: —, Edmunds Organizations: Service, EV Locations: North America

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