Flying Taxis Could Come to NYC as Soon as 2025
Hey there, New Yorkers and New Jersey people! Hold onto your hats (and maybe your hairpieces) because we’ve got some news that’s going to lift you off your feet—literally! That’s…
Xwing CTO Maxime Gariel is seen checking on the systems in a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan which has been outfitted with autonomous flying equipment at Xwing headquarters in Concord, California on May 3, 2022. – As urban traffic gets more miserable, entrepreneurs are looking to a future in which commuters hop into “air taxis” that whisk them over clogged roads. Companies such as Archer, Joby and Wisk are working on electric-powered aircraft that take off and land vertically like helicopters then propel forward like planes. Neighborhood parking garage rooftops or shopping mall lots could serve as departure or arrival pads for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. (Photo by Nick Otto / AFP) (Photo by NICK OTTO/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo by NICK OTTO/AFP via Getty Images)Hey there, New Yorkers and New Jersey people!
Hold onto your hats (and maybe your hairpieces) because we've got some news that's going to lift you off your feet—literally! That's right, flying taxis could be zooming through the Big Apple as soon as 2025. I can already hear the traffic reports now: "The FDR is backed up, but the sky lanes are clear!"
Now, you might be wondering, what's the deal with these flying contraptions? Well, folks, according to PIX11 they're the brainchild of Joby Aviation, and they've cooked up a vehicle that can seat a pilot and four brave souls ready to take flight. Picture it: a cozy little cabin soaring above the city, powered by not one, not two, but six electric motors. I mean, that's more motors than my dad's old clunker has, and it's not even capable of leaving the ground!
And get this—vertical takeoff and landing! That's right, no need for a runway or a helipad. These babies can just pop up and down like a fancy elevator. Just imagine hailing one of these bad boys on a busy Manhattan street. People will be turning their heads so fast they'll get whiplash!
Now, booking a ride is supposed to be a piece of cake. Just a few taps on your phone, and you're on your way. It's like Uber, but with a lot more "up" in the equation. Can you imagine the surge pricing during rush hour? "Sorry, sir, but your trip to the top of the Empire State Building is going to cost you an arm, a leg, and your firstborn child."
And here's the kicker, folks: these flying machines are supposedly quiet enough to blend in with the everyday noise of the city. So, you might not even notice when one of these puppies is whizzing by overhead. Just another day in the urban jungle, right?
So, get ready to spread your wings, New York! The future of transportation is looking up—literally. And who knows, maybe soon we'll all be zipping around the city like the Jetsons. Just remember, if you see me up there, wave hello! I'll be the one with the windblown hair and the big, goofy grin.
Surprisingly There Are Only 3 New Cars Under $20K Or Less
For the first time in nearly two years, the new car average sale prices fell below the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). The average transaction price paid for a new vehicle in the United States declined in March 2023 to $48,008, according to Kelley Blue Book data. That’s a month-over-month decrease of 1.1%. This means that consumers paid less than the sticker price displayed on the window.
"Right now, in-market consumers are finding more inventory, more choice and dealers more willing to deal, at least with some brands," said Rebecca Rydzewski, auto-industry researcher at Kelley Blue Book's parent firm Cox Automotive.
According to their data, non-luxury buyers paid an average of $44,182. Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, and Volkswagen all saw their average price decline in March. Honda and Kia dealers still charged an average of 3% to 6% over sticker price. Their research also found that luxury buyers saw less of an improvement. They paid an average of $65,202.
New cars now average over $48,000 before taxes and fees. There are still new cars available for less than the average cost. As of May 2023, there are only three new vehicles that would cost $20,000 or less.
However, all three of these cars are small sedans with minimal cargo space and efficient gas mileage.
Take a look at the only 3 new cars under $20,000 or less.
Kia Rio: starting at $17,875
The Kia Rio subcompact sedan starts at $17,875 and the Rio5 hatchback at $18,515. Both front-wheel-drive models come standard with a 120 hp four-cylinder engine, automatic transmission, air conditioning, and a highway fuel economy rating of 41 mpg.
Mitsubishi Mirage/ Mirage G4: starting at $17,340
The Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback starts at $17,340 and the Mirage G4 sedan is just $1,000 more. its three-cylinder engine rated at just 76 horsepower -- and the most-efficient non-hybrid vehicle, with the hatchback getting an EPA combined rating of 39 mpg.
Nissan Versa starting at $16,925
The Nissan Versa sedan is priced at $16,925. It is roomy for the price and has a 122 hp four-cylinder under the hood, a standard 5-speed manual transmission, automatic emergency brakes, and a five-star NHTSA crash test rating. Models equipped with an automatic transmission start at $18,595 and have a 40 mpg highway fuel economy rating. A fully loaded version with adaptive cruise control, heated seats, and a wireless charging pad tops out at $20,215.
