Category: Lifestyle

Carscoops 

Qualcomm is best-known for powering smartphones, but they’ve used CES to unveil the Snapdragon Digital Chassis concept.

Designed to show how automakers can leverage the company’s technology and services, the concept blurs the line between lifted sedan and crossover coupe. Regardless of what category it falls into, the concept is sure to turn heads as it sports a full-width front light bar and slender headlights.

Moving further back, we can see plastic body cladding, suicide rear doors, and a rakish windscreen that flows into a sloping roof.  The concept also has light bars integrated into the doors and they can apparently change color.

Also: BMW Partners With Qualcomm And Arriver Software On Automated Driving Tech

The odd design continues at the rear with a flat deck lid, a nearly vertical rear window, and enclosed buttresses.  They’re joined by slender taillights and yet another light bar.

While the concept isn’t what we would call beautiful, the exterior styling isn’t really the point.  Instead, it’s all about the cabin which features a 55-inch pillar-to-pillar display for the driver and front passenger.  It’s broken up into multiple sections and we can see an instrument cluster that is flanked by vehicle information and driver assistance settings.  In the center is an infotainment system, while the front passenger can enjoy streaming content or online gaming.

That’s just the tip of the technology iceberg as the concept is outfitted with cameras that can recognize occupants and automatically adjust vehicle settings to their preferences.  This includes the seating position and climate controls as well as recently used applications and preferred content on their respective screens.

The personal touches don’t end there as each passenger can customize their own audio zone, while also benefiting from active noise and echo cancellation.  The concept also sports zonal call technology, which reduces noise from other areas of the vehicle during voice calls.

Other highlights include a virtual assistant with natural language voice control as well as facial recognition and biometric authentication for making purchases on the go. The latter are envisioned to include features, content, and services for the concept itself as well as more mundane things such as parking fees.

In the event of a crash, footage from around the vehicle can be recorded and stored to the cloud.  This promises to simplify the “resolution process” as there will be video for drivers, law enforcement, and insurance companies to review.  Of course, depending on who’s at fault, that might be a good or bad thing.

While the concept isn’t slated for production, Qualcomm said it showcases how “Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions integrate technologies from a diverse ecosystem of companies to deliver experiences that are highly personalized and intuitive, including immersive infotainment, driver assistance, and enhanced safety.”  The company went on to say that “With the Snapdragon Digital Chassis and Qualcomm Technologies’ horizontal connected services platform, Car-to-Cloud, automakers can scale these premium experiences across a wide range of vehicle tiers and personalize them for each occupant.”

Besides unveiling the concept, Qualcomm introduced the Snapdragon Ride Flex system-on-chip (SoC) that is slated to go into production next year.  It’s designed to allow digital cockpit, advanced driver assistance systems, and automated driving functions to co-exist on a single SoC.

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Well+Good 

From stone fruit and summer shade to showy fall foliage and fresh, oxygen-rich air, it’s no secret that trees are prolific givers. Growing evidence of a connection between green space and health risk factors such as exercise, stress reduction, and social connection has natural scientists wondering: can trees help us live longer?

It’s a question researchers at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health recently saw a unique opportunity to explore. Knowing Portland-based nonprofit Friends of Trees had planted 49,246 street trees between 1990 and 2019, the research team designed a study to answer the question: what impact might thirty years of tree planting have on the health of city residents? When they cross-referenced tree planting data furnished by Friend of Trees with mortality data provided by the Oregon Health Authority, the team uncovered significant, tree-level specific results.

Even when controlled for income, education, race, and age, the group found that an increase in neighborhood street trees was linked to a reduction in non-accidental and cardiovascular disease-related (CVD) death. For every twelve trees planted in a neighborhood (an average of 4,000 residents), the data showed fifteen fewer non-accidental deaths and five fewer CVD deaths per year.

Board-certified cardiologist Elizabeth Klodas, MD, FACC, who focuses on preventive cardiology in her Minneapolis-based clinic, says, “this study underscores what we probably all know intrinsically—that we live in balance with nature. It’s probably not too surprising then that enhancing or restoring the natural environment might have positive effects on us, especially our health.”

What does the science say about whether trees help us live longer?

The Friends of Trees study isn’t the only research effort to find a connection between green space and CVD outcomes. In 2021, scientists pooled together results from 48 different studies conducted in eighteen countries. Collectively, data from more than 100 million people were included. The analysis found that every 0.1-point increase in landscape greenness within 1600 feet of a residential address is associated with up to 13 percent lower odds of CVD mortality, ischemic heart disease mortality, stroke, and coronary heart disease incidence.

If planting trees has the potential to improve neighborhood health outcomes, what might tree loss do? When an invasive beetle caused the loss of 100 million trees in fifteen states across the United States, researchers designed a study to assess the impact. Using data from the Women’s Health Initiative, the study found that women living in beetle-infested counties were at a 41 percent increased risk of CVD, including acute myocardial infarction (MI), silent MI, ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, or death from CHD.

Although researchers have consistently shown that there is a significant link between exposure to green space and specific health outcomes, they are also transparent about the limitations of natural experiments. These studies, including the latest findings out of Portland, are based on observation, not intervention. This means, unlike taking a prescription pill or undergoing another form of treatment, these studies don’t record a specific “tree dose” and analyze the outcome for one human being. This makes a direct cause-effect relationship between nature and decreased risk of CVD difficult to establish.

It also leaves practical questions unanswered. The research doesn’t tell us how much time is needed in green space in order for protective benefits to kick in. And it isn’t clear whether it’s enough to simply live on a tree-lined street or if being physically active in a natural environment is necessary in order to reap the heart-healthy benefits.

Dr. Klodas agrees the nature of these analyses is complicated. “Drawing firm conclusions is a stretch, but even if partially correct, huge impacts are possible. Data reproduction in other cities or planned communities would be helpful to shore up the validity of the conclusions, providing impetus to prioritize green space wherever we live and work as a public health concern.”

How might trees boost your health and longevity?

So far, researchers propose that green space influences health and longevity via both environmental and lifestyle mechanisms. Trees have been proven to reduce air pollution, which is an environmental factor linked to respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Trees also play a role in moderating temperatures, reducing the risk of heat-related illness. From a lifestyle perspective, studies have shown that access to green space is associated with an increase in exercise frequency in adults and play in children. A smaller set of studies has begun to explore a relationship between neighborhood green and open space and an increased sense of community. This is promising as existing research has identified a lack of social support as a risk factor for CVD.

Other studies have shown that the presence of trees is psychologically restorative, hinting that a reduction in stress and anxiety may be at work. This is consistent with what Maia Kiley, LMFT, sees in her practice as a licensed psychotherapist and certified ecotherapist. “I have discovered that when people spend time in nature, it brings them back home to themselves and offers relief from many symptoms like anxiety and depression.” She describes green space as “absolutely essential to our mental well-being.”

How can you better protect your heart, regardless of whether trees help us live longer?

What is known with certainty is that CVD is now the leading cause of premature death around the globe. It’s also clear that the number of CVD deaths is increasing disproportionately in low-and middle-income countries. While some risk factors like smoking, diet, and stress can be managed at the individual level, tree planting is an environmental factor that can be implemented at a community level cost-effectively. A cost-benefit analysis in the Friends of Trees study found that the average annual cost of planting and maintaining one street tree, somewhere in the range of 19.40 to 98 USD, produces a human life value of 14.2 million USD.

More good news is that 85 percent of the studies included in the 2021 meta-analysis on green space and CVD outcomes were published in the past five years. This is an indicator that the natural science field is paying close attention to this potential link and positioning itself to discover much more about what the natural environment can do for the human heart and how.

Until the research is more conclusive on whether trees can help us live longer, Dr. Klodas has empowering words about taking ownership of our heart health. “In cardiac care and prevention, we tend to rely solely on medications and procedures to help achieve better outcomes. The truth is that all these care system efforts pale in comparison to what we can do ourselves to minimize risk and ensure healthy longevity. Whether it’s eating in a way that effectively lowers cholesterol or ensuring our surroundings are conducive to health, we all have a lot of power over our health destinies.”

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Well+Good 

You know the scenario well: You set out your workout clothes the night before and swear that tomorrow is the day you become a morning workout person… But then your alarm goes off and your groggy brain decides that maybe having a morning fitness routine just isn’t for you.

So how do you break out of the snooze cycle if you want to tap into the wellness benefits of a morning fitness routine? According to Ariel Belgrave, a certified health and fitness coach who focuses on helping busy women build healthy habits, habit stacking is the way to make it happen.

“I am a true believer in habit stacking,” Belgrave says. “It is a powerful tool that I teach my clients looking to build healthy and long-term habits. Why? Because trying to introduce new habits to your existing routine—and making them stick—can be incredibly difficult for any human. But by attaching it to a behavior that you do effortlessly, you will not only enhance your routine, but also do it with less mental effort.”

Belgrave’s morning routine has quite a few steps now (more on that below), but the latest way she’s been prioritizing a wellness routine for her whole body via habit stacking (yes, she uses the practice on herself, too) is by upgrading her oral health. To do it, she’s been using LISTERINE® COOL MINT® Antiseptic Mouthwash every morning after she works out and at night as a part of the LISTERINE 21-Day Challenge—because a quick rinse can make a big impact, as LISTERINE kills 99.9 percent of germs that cause bad breath, plaque, and gingivitis. “Simply put, I want to keep my mouth healthy and clean so I can wear my smile every day—with confidence,” Belgrave says.

So, want to finally break up with your snooze button? Keep reading for more of Belgrave’s tips for using habit stacking to create a morning fitness routine that works for you.

1. Establish your why

You’ll never want to un-cocoon yourself from your snuggly blankets if you don’t have a good reason to get up. For Belgrave, her motivation for maintaining her morning fitness routine is knowing that it keeps her feeling centered and productive.

“My morning routine sets the tone for the rest of my day,” Belgrave says. “If I feel like I’m all over the place the moment I wake up, that energy tends to flow through other areas of my life, including work. But by having some sort of structure the moment I wake up, I am better able to prioritize self-care and get my mind right for a productive day ahead.”

2. Minimize distractions

Belgrave’s major morning routine hack: Plan to do as little as possible between waking up and working out. That way, you can (almost literally) roll out of bed and into your workout. Getting out of bed won’t feel as daunting when you don’t have a list of to-do’s running through your head before you’ve even opened your eyes, and leaving your phone on the nightstand will keep you from accidentally using your workout time to scroll social media. “I try to do very little between waking up and working out to avoid distractions—i.e. checking emails, text messages, and social media notifications,” Belgrave says. 

For Belgrave, that looks like waking up, drinking a cup of water she leaves on her bedside table the night before, and then immediately heading to her home gym to do a 30-minute workout. Sometimes, less really is more.

3. Start habit stacking

Once you’ve got your motivation and eliminated distractions, you can focus on what you want to accomplish with your morning routine. Belgrave recommends identifying something you already do in the morning, and attaching a behavior you’d like to start using this simple formula: a specific time + a cue + a location + a specific action with a time limit.

For example, if you want to make oral hygiene part of your morning routine like Belgrave does, the formula would look like this: “Every morning (specific time), after I brush my teeth and floss (cue), I will stand in the bathroom (location) and swish LISTERINE mouthwash (action) for 30 seconds (time limit),” she says.

Need ideas for where to start? Use Belgrave’s morning routine as a template, and pick the parts that work for you. “After I work out, I usually need to give my body time to cool down, so I use this cool-down time to make my morning smoothie and take my vitamins,” she says. “Once I’ve finished my smoothie, I take a shower, complete my skin-care routine, brush my teeth, floss, swish LISTERINE mouthwash for 30 seconds, get dressed, and do my hair. Before starting work, I write in my five-minute gratitude journal, and create a to-do list for the day ahead.”

Once you’ve successfully completed your new habit for 21 days, you can add on more habits—one at a time—until you have a morning routine that you actually look forward to more than pressing the snooze button.

Want to use habit stacking to give your oral-care routine a refresh like Belgrave? Check out the video below to learn more about the LISTERINE 21-Day Challenge.

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Carscoops 

Aston Martin published a teaser video of the DBS 770 Ultimate, set to be unveiled in early 2023 as a limited production special. The final edition of the V12-powered DBS will produce 760 hp (566 kW / 770 PS) and feature a number of visual and chassis upgrades over the stock model.

Visually, the DBS 770 Ultimate appears to be very similar to the DBS Superleggera retaining its sexy silhouette and LED lighting signature. It will however be distinguished by new features like the version-specific alloy wheels, and quite possibly a redesigned bodykit with reworked aero components.

Read: Aston Martin DB11, DBS And Vantage Slated To Receive Major Updates For 2023

The model will be fitted with an upgraded version of Aston Martin’s V12 engine producing 760 hp (566 kW / 770 PS). This figure is not as powerful as the rival Ferrari 812 Competizione, but it represents an increase of 45 hp (33 kW / 45 PS) compared to the twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12 of the DBS Superleggera and the DBS Volante. In those models, the engine is exclusively mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic sending power to the rear wheels.

Besides having more power, the swan song of the DBS range will also be “re-engineered” and feature “sharper dynamic focus”, which translates to a revised chassis setup.

The Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate will be produced in a limited number of 499 units. The automaker didn’t reveal pricing but it will certainly be more expensive than the regular DBS Superleggera which starts from around $330,000. We expect to learn more about Aston Martin’s “final edition flagship” soon, as the official debut is imminent.

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Carscoops 

Chrysler will be the first Stellantis brand to introduce next-generation infotainment technology in North America, based on the upcoming Stellantis electric vehicle platform, STLA. That will include massive infotainment screens that span the entirety of a vehicle’s dash, in addition to autonomous technologies, and more.

The automaker is showcasing that technology with a two-seater cockpit concept that it is presenting at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023, in Las Vegas this week. Although the showcase is presented without a body, its design and essence are based on the Airflow Concept, which Chrysler first showed a year ago at CES 2022.

Dubbed the Chrysler Synthesis cockpit (which people who can’t attend the show can play with online), it features 37.2-inches (94.4 cm) of screens for the front-row passengers on two large glass sections that span the entirety of the dashboard.

Read: Chrysler Airflow Concept Previews All Electric Future For Brand By 2028

Using advanced AI technology, Chrysler says that the infotainment system will learn owner preferences over time. Over-the-air updates, meanwhile, will allow the automaker to update the software contained within the “STLA Brain” over time to keep it up to date and exciting.

The system will also power a virtual assistant that can synchronize all aspects of an owner’s day. The assistant could work in the car and outside of it, looking at their calendar to suggest driving routes, recommend parking and charging locations, connect to a smart home, and assist with e-commerce services, Chrysler says.

The automaker promises that the STLA platform will offer level three autonomous driving. That will allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel and their eyes off the road, thanks to STLA AutoDrive technology.

The design of the cockpit, meanwhile, includes green materials, like recycled plastics, vegetable-tanned, suspended seats, and the exclusion of all chrome. That leads to intriguing and ecological material choices, like the heather dash pad and the textile-infused walnut flooring, which give the interior a modern and luxurious appeal.

At CES, visitors will be treated to a day in the life of a future Chrysler owner, starting with a “welcome” that plans an intelligent route for the day and handles autonomous driving, managing the charge status and the parking. Attendees can also experience the Chill, Zen, and Fun modes that create an in-car experience that allows occupants to create their own music while they are driven autonomously.

Chrysler plans to introduce its first all-electric vehicle in 2025 and will offer a fully-electrified lineup by 2028.

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Well+Good 

When you’re married to a touring musician like I am, travel becomes a major factor in your relationship. While tour life means that my husband and I are often miles apart, it also means I get the perk of traveling far more than I otherwise would—and to some places I never thought I’d get to visit (like Halifax, Nova Scotia, which I traveled to earlier this year). Although I am a self-proclaimed homebody, travel has been my norm for the last eight years, whether it be visiting my husband on the road, flying to see our family in Canada on a regular basis, or feeling that itch of adventure rub off on me and booking quick trips to see friends. Through it all, I’ve really learned to get comfortable—like, homebody level of comfort—with being on the go, thanks to a carry-on bag that makes it possible for me to pack all of the things.

As a homebody, I naturally tend to overpack as I need the comfort of home with me at all times, even if I am only gone for a couple of days. This often looks like, in addition to clothes, toiletries, and other essentials, stuffing a few skeins of yarn and crochet hooks (I have a serious crochet habit), several books I definitely won’t have time to read, and nearly my entire collection of sunglasses just in case. It’s a lot of stuff, and it can make traveling on a tour bus or flying from city to city a bit tricky, since I never want to take up too much room as a visitor (and schlepping large bags through airports is kind of the worst).

I’ve had other carry-on bags that I adored over the years, including the Béis Backpack ($78), which has gone on dozens upon dozens of trips with me and never disappoints. However, everything changed when I discovered the Calpak Luka Duffel ($120).

As someone who prefers backpacks to duffels—especially since I am a full-time freelance writer and am often working while traveling—for their organization and easy access, I was a tad skeptical of this Calpak carry-on bag. I was initially drawn to this bag because of its water-resistant exterior which is vital when traveling to places with the most inclement weather (hello, Vancouver rain). Another feature that caught my eye was the trolly sleeve, which stays secure on top of suitcase handles and makes it even easier to zip about the airport. But, if I am being completely honest, I was sold when a friend of mine let me see her Luka Duffel in person and I could get a true sense of its size and how well it expands—a must when plotting how I can pack weeks’ worth of stuff in a carry-on bag.

Here’s the thing about duffel bags: For over-packers, they are superior because their design is so much more flexible. Sure, there is a limit to how much you can stuff in them, but there is also a ton more wiggle room compared to more structured backpacks. This duffle is no different as its polyester exterior—which kind of looks like a puffer coat—can easily expand when stuffing it to the brim.

The Luka Duffle has the looks, the weatherproofing, and the space, but it also has some incredible design specs, making it possible to shove everything inside and still keep your belongings organized. The bag features a shoe compartment that looks like a side pocket but is actually more like a bag that expands into the bottom of the interior (psst: I totally put my dirty laundry in there at the end of a trip), a large side water bottle pocket, a large front zipper pocket, plus a hidden zipper pocket inside the trolly sleeve to keep things like your passport and wallet safe.

Inside, the carry-on bag has a large rectangular shape that, even with shoes in the show compartment, still boasts plenty of room. The interior is lined nearly entirely with pockets, including a mesh flap pocket on the front-facing side, an elastic pouch pocket on the side, and a large zipper pocket and two elastic pouch pockets on the back-facing side. Although it lacks a laptop sleeve, it fits my 13-inch MacBook Air and its adorable Baggu Puffy Lap Top Sleeve case with ease. It’s also big enough to hold my Baggu Cresent Bag (which I use as my purse when traveling) without losing a ton of space.

Above all else, the true beauty of this duffle bag is that it not only fits in the overhead bin on all airplanes, but it also fits under the seat in front of you. That means it counts as a personal item (hence why I shove my actual purse in it) so you can also carry on a larger suitcase for the overhead bin.

When I am not traveling, I still use my Luka Duffle frequently, making it one of the best and most versatile bags in my closet. It can easily moonlight as a gym bag, work bag, or as an overnight bag for a quick staycation. It’s also easy to store and, since it holds so much, I actually use it to house many of my other purses and totes on the top shelf of my closet.

As I sit here and rave about this carry-on bag, I am thinking about my plans for a three-week trip across Canada soon, and how there’s no way I’d be as comfortable being away from home for that long without a bag that can store all of essentials and extras (which, this time, will include fewer sunglasses and a lot more beanies and scarf options—brr!). Luckily, I have one.

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Well+Good 

Confession: I’m a recovering skin picker. It’s bad, I know—any dermatologist will tell you that picking your skin is a major skin health no-no, but when I’m really stressed out, I just can’t help myself. My hands will almost always end up on my forehead, feeling around for even the smallest bump or blemish to squeeze into oblivion. And in the event that there’s an actual pimple to pick at, it’s never enough to just pop it and walk away. Instead, I’ll pick, squeeze, poke and prod until I’ve turned what would’ve been a minor blemish (gone in a few days tops) into a gnarly wound that’ll be on my face for a week plus. The original tiny spot is now a crater surrounded by swaths of angry, swollen skin. TLDR: stress picking at your face never ends well, but it happens.

Now, I’ve personally picked at my skin enough times to know that once you’ve reached the point of no return (the one where you look in the mirror and immediately regret what you’ve done to your face), the best thing to do is drop your hands (wash them immediately), and do damage control. But caring for skin after stress picking is not the same as caring for it pre-blemish—so we asked dermatologists for the best course of action.

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Carscoops 

There are many ways to have fun on the road, and seldom has that been more true than now. The latest example of that comes from Wisconsin, in the form of the 7Fifteen Motorworks Troy Indy Special.

The result of John Kendall and his father’s hard work, the car is an attempt to recreate a classic hot rod known as the 1959 Troy Roadster. Lovingly reimagined for modern drivers, the Troy Indy Special can be purchased as a turnkey car.

Kendall says he and his father thought the Troy Roadster would be an easy one to recreate (which they now admit was hubris), so they bought the car and 3D scanned it in order to allow them to create a faithful, but modernized homage. The result is a surprisingly advanced little car that looks a bit like if Carroll Shelby had put his spin on the Lotus Super 7.

Read: Honda S2000 Rat Rod Is A Middle Finger To Garage Queens And Auction Houses

Indeed, it’s powered by an American V8, which in this case is a GM LS3, and buyers are offered two power options, with the base engine making 495 hp (369 kW/502 PS). If that’s not quite enough oomph for you, the company will turn up the wick so that it produces 525 hp (391 kW/532 PS), but either way the engine is naturally aspirated.

Thanks to its aluminum bodywork and its minuscule proportions, the Indy Special tips the scales at just 2,200 lbs (998 kg) with a tank full of gas and all the fluids in it. That makes it a speedy little devil, indeed. Helping to slow it down are Wilwood brakes, and to keep everything under control through the corners, 7Fifteen Motorworks, has installed independent inboard pushrod coilover suspension at all four corners.

That makes the car quite the performer, while the exquisite workmanship means that the car can be sold ready to drive. Unfortunately, elevated workmanship, low weight, and high performance aren’t a cheap combination, and the Troy Indy Special starts at $195,000.

According to Jay Leno, though, who featured the car recently on his YouTube channel, it’s well worth the money. Not only does he think you’d struggle to make the car yourself for less, the result of 7Fifteen Motorworks’ efforts is a good car.

“You got plenty of torque no matter what gear you’re in,” says Leno. “When you’re going 40, you feel like you’re going 80.”

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Carscoops 

Hyundai and Motional want people in Las Vegas to feel safe in and around its autonomous vehicles so has released this video highlighting just how advanced its safety features are.

The two companies will launch the Ioniq 5 robotaxi in late 2023 in Las Vegas before later introducing the service in Los Angeles and eventually, other cities in the U.S. states and around the world. In fact, Hyundai and Motional are already testing the EV on the streets of Boston, San Diego, and Singapore.

Read: Motional And Lyft To Launch Autonomous Ride-Hailing Service In Los Angeles

The specially-equipped Ioniq 5 models have more than 30 advanced sensors and an advanced computing system to navigate even the most unpredictable of situations. This is particularly important in a place like Las Vegas where oddly-shaped vehicles like stretch limousines and billboard trucks are seen frequently. The Ioniq 5’s have also been trained to identify and predict the behavior of all pedestrians, even if they are wearing unusual costumes and doing strange things.

In this video, we can see that if a pedestrian juggling on the sidewalk dropped something onto the road, the Ioniq 5 will recognize it and stop. Hyundai also says that the EV has become like an experienced chauffeur and is able to navigate crowded hotel driveways throughout Las Vegas, identify the individual who has requested a ride, and pick them up seamlessly.

Motional announced last year that people in Las Vegas would be able to request a ride in one of its autonomous vehicles through a partnership with Lyft. Vehicles currently have two operators in the front seats to take over in case something goes wrong but the companies plan to remove these operators from the vehicle next year. As of August, Motional revealed that it and Lyft had already offered more than 100,000 autonomous rides across Las Vegas using the advanced test vehicles.

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Carscoops 

Ford reported today that the F-Series has retained the title of America’s best-selling pickup truck for the 46th year in a row. That title did not, however, come with a sales record for the vehicle, as deliveries were down 12 percent in 2022.

The blue oval said on Tuesday that it sold a total of 640,000 trucks in 2022, which, in addition to making it the best-selling truck in America for the 46th year in a row, made it the best-selling vehicle in the country for the 41st consecutive year.

“The Ford truck team’s ability to anticipate customer needs, continuously innovate, and provide best-in-class levels of capability and performance has helped make F-Series the sales leader time and time again,” said Kumar Galhotra, president, Ford Blue. “We’re honored and humbled that our customers have helped us achieve this milestone for more than four decades.”

Read: Ford’s New Super Duty Is A Huge Hit, Averaging Over 10k Orders Per Day

Although Ford sold one F-Series truck every 49 seconds last year, it sold more vehicles in 2021. That year, the automaker reported sales of 726,004, about 86,000 more than it did in 2022. That figure, meanwhile, was already down by 7.8 percent as compared to 2020 when it sold 787,400 pickups. Before the pandemic, meanwhile, the brand was selling close to 900,000 F-Series trucks per year, reports CNBC.

Analysts report that a portion of the shortfall is down to tight supply lines. These have dogged Ford, which has struggled to keep production rolling at its plants through the pandemic, though it attempted to minimize those delays by partially building trucks as they awaited semiconductor chips.

Regardless, Ford writes that it sold so many F-Series trucks in 2022 that if they were lined up end-to-end, they would stretch for more than 2,400 miles (3,862 km), farther than the distance from Los Angeles to Detroit.

Ford is expected to report its total year-end sales figures later this week. While sales reporting from its competitors is likely to confirm that Ford has sold more trucks than either Chevrolet or GMC, taken together, the GM brands are likely to have been purchased more times than the F-Series in 2022.

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