Rainforest Destruction in Borneo Tied to U.S. RV Industry
Deep in Indonesia’s Borneo rainforest, illegal excavators and loggers stripped away more than 2,800 football fields of protected land near Sungai Mata-Mata, home to endangered orangutans, clouded leopards, and sun bears. The prized meranti trees—processed into lauan plywood—feed a booming U.S. recreational vehicle industry, which has imported over $900 million of the wood since 2020.
While RV manufacturers like Thor, Winnebago, and Forest River promote eco-conscious branding, conservation groups say their supply chains are linked to deforestation that displaces Indigenous communities, accelerates climate emissions, and destroys sacred forests. Alternatives exist, but industry leaders argue lauan is essential to RV design and affordability.
The New York Times investigation uncovered shipping records tying timber from deforested Indonesian lands to U.S. RV makers, raising urgent questions for consumers about the hidden cost of “nature-loving” travel.
Read the full investigation here: The New York Times.
Lightship Begins Building Futuristic Electric RV Trailer
Colorado-based startup Lightship has officially started production of its all-electric RV trailer, the AE.1 Cosmos Edition, marking a new era in sustainable camping. With options for a 44-kWh or 77-kWh battery pack, plus integrated solar panels, the trailer can not only power onboard amenities but also assist the tow vehicle with its proprietary TrekDrive system.
According to the company, TrekDrive can double the range of an EV tow vehicle or double fuel efficiency for gas-powered trucks by applying power uphill and controlled braking downhill. The smart hitch syncs the trailer with the tow vehicle for smooth handling, making it as futuristic as it is practical.
Lightship’s AE.1 Atmos trim starts at $184,000 with a massive 77-kWh battery and 1.8 kW of solar, while the Panos model offers a 44-kWh pack and 840 W solar for $151,000. Co-founders Ben Parker and Toby Kraus say the lineup is designed to bring sustainable adventure “to more families and adventurers, regardless of their camping style.”
The launch underscores a shift in the RV industry as electrification reshapes travel. Whether the high price tags will appeal to mainstream RV buyers remains uncertain, but Lightship’s AE.1 may represent the first real glimpse of the future of road-tripping.
Read the full story here: Autoweek.
F1 Engineer Behind Senna’s Dominance Unveils Analog Supercar
At Monterey Car Week, surrounded by futuristic hypercars, a new creation with Formula 1 DNA stole the spotlight: the Nichols N1A ICON 88. Built by Steve Nichols, the engineer behind the legendary 1988 McLaren MP4/4 that carried Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost to dominance, the N1A is a raw, analog supercar for purists.
The car packs a 7.0-liter naturally aspirated V-8 producing 650 hp, paired with a bespoke six-speed manual gearbox. Thanks to a graphene-infused carbon fiber body, weight is kept to just 1,984 pounds—delivering an astonishing 720 hp per ton power-to-weight ratio. Aerodynamics were refined in the MIRA wind tunnel, while motorsport-grade suspension and brakes emphasize track-ready performance.
Inside, the cockpit channels Senna’s McLaren MP4/4 with a reclined driving position, analog gauges, and minimal electronic aids—ABS and power steering are optional. Nichols Cars, founded in 2017, is launching the N1A under the ICON 88 banner, with the first 15 cars honoring McLaren’s 15 race wins in the 1988 season.
For enthusiasts longing for an unfiltered, F1-inspired driving experience, the N1A offers a rare tribute to racing history with modern engineering precision.
Read the full story here: Motor1.
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