North Carolina

VinFast Breaks Ground At Its First US Factory In North Carolina – CleanTechnica

Published

1 year ago

July 30, 2023

VinFast Breaks Ground At Its First US Factory In North Carolina – CleanTechnica

VinFast continues to move rapidly into the US market, and this week, the company broke ground at the site of its new factory in Chatham County, North Carolina.

VinFast invited us out to the groundbreaking ceremony of the North Carolina plant, and arriving on the scene, it felt like a party had been stood up in the middle of a lot cleared out of the dense North Carolina forest. All of the pomp and circumstance we experienced at the global media launch in Vietnam had been transported to the North Carolina factory site 40 minutes outside of Raleigh.

From left: VinFast Global CEO Madame Thuy, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, and VinFast North America CEO Van Anh Nguyen ushered in the start of construction with a ceremonial shovel of dirt from the site. Image credit: Kyle Field, CleanTechnica

A contingent of VinFast employees welcomed a host of local and automotive media, with numerous local government officials buzzing around excitedly. Talk of how the project would impact their constituents and their particular area of focus was hot on everyone’s lips. The new project is massive and will bring a host of improvements to the rural area, including new rail lines, new jobs, utilities, traffic flow, and highway expansions.

VinFast has done its homework, embedding its US production strategy deep into the local community. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper credited the educated local workforce for the selection of VinFast’s first factory in the US in North Carolina. “The credit goes to the hard working well trained diverse workforce in North Carolina,” Cooper said. “Those people who are the very best in the country.”

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. Image credit: Kyle Field, CleanTechnica

North Carolina has also positioned itself to be a favorable place for businesses to come and has doubled down since the introduction of the most recent federal stimulus bill. “We have to be focused on doing is make sure that the American people and the people of North Carolina win in that global economy,” Cooper continued. “You do that by attracting companies from all over the world to come to your country and to your state and create those jobs right here.”

The first phase of the factory will support an annual production of 150,o00 vehicles when fully ramped up. It will produce both the well known VinFast VF8 and its larger sibling, the 7-seater VF9, which has yet to go on sale here in the US. VinFast launched sales of its VF8 crossover electric vehicle a few months ago, and early reviews have flagged numerous issues with the vehicle.

The VinFast VF8. Image credit: Kyle Field, CleanTechnica

The start of construction at the new factory site comes as VinFast continues to struggle to establish itself in the local market. Early VF8s are at dealerships but enter the market without much in the way of service centers to support them in the event of issues. The majority of the issues within passed vehicles seem to be rooted in software which can theoretically be updated over the air, but some are just plain physical defects or material quality issues in the vehicles.

These will require service center visits and mechanical fixes in the swapping out of parts. It’s hard to say if VinFast will succeed, but it’s clear that both on the customer front and now on the construction and production front, it has its work cut out for it if it’s going to have any shot at surviving in the US.

Disclaimer: VinFast paid for the author’s travel and accommodations to attend this event.

I don’t like paywalls. You don’t like paywalls. Who likes paywalls? Here at CleanTechnica, we implemented a limited paywall for a while, but it always felt wrong — and it was always tough to decide what we should put behind there. In theory, your most exclusive and best content goes behind a paywall. But then fewer people read it! We just don’t like paywalls, and so we’ve decided to ditch ours.

Unfortunately, the media business is still a tough, cut-throat business with tiny margins. It’s a never-ending Olympic challenge to stay above water or even perhaps — gasp — grow. So …

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North Carolina

Tropical weather update for Wilmington: What we can expect and when

Published

5 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Tropical weather update for Wilmington: What we can expect and when

The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor a tropical depression over Cuba. It’s expected to become a tropical storm later Saturday, bringing impacts to the Carolinas around the middle of next week.

Heavy rainfall and flooding are the primary impacts expected, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

“Gusty winds are also possible, but it is too early to predict specific impacts in great detail at this time,” the weather service said.

At the same time, there is the potential for heavy rainfall and some flooding associated with front expected to stall inland this weekend.

As of 11 a.m. Saturday, the center of the tropical depression, which would be name Debby if it becomes a tropical storm, was over Cuba and moving west-northwest near 15 mph. The hurricane center said a turn toward the northwest is forecast for Saturday, followed by a northward motion on Sunday and then a slower northeastwardmotion Sunday night and Monday.

Maximum sustained winds were near 35 mph. Slow strengthening is expected throughout the day Saturday. Faster strengthening is possible Sunday, with the storm nearing hurricane strength when it reaches the Florida Gulf Coast, the hurricane center said.

STORM TRACKER: Monitor the latest tropical developments here.

Here’s a look at what we can expect in the Wilmington area, according to the latest briefing from the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

Wind

The probability of tropical storm force winds has increased, especially for the South Carolina coast. The most likely time of arrival of for northeast South Carolina is Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, and for Southeastern North Carolina is during Wednesday morning.

Rain

The potential for significant rainfall exists with 8 to 12 inches possible from near Cape Fear to portions of thenortheast South Carolina coast. Flash flooding and urban flooding are possible. Some rivers, including the North Cape Fear River and the Waccamaw River, could exceed flood stage next week.

INTERACTIVE MAP: Enter your address to see hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed nearby

Marine impacts

Rough surf, including dangerous rip currents, and hazardous marine conditions are expected this weekend and will persist into the upcoming week.

Are you prepared for a hurricane?

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Even if this system won’t pose a threat to the NC coast, it’s never too early to be prepared.

GET READY: Are you prepared for a hurricane? Here’s what to know if you live in the Wilmington area.

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North Carolina

Tropical Depression Four forms on its way to the Gulf of Mexico

Published

12 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Tropical Depression Four forms on its way to the Gulf of Mexico

As of the 5 AM update Friday, Tropical Depression Four has formed. Areas along the East Coast including North Carolina need to continue monitoring this system. Winds are at 30 MPH and gusts are up to 40 MPH. The pressure dropped to 1009 mb and is moving to the west at 16 mph. TD 4 is expected to become Tropical Storm Debby over the weekend. Tuesday night and Wednesday are First Alert Weather Days due to the threat to ENC from this system but we may need to adjust the timing as we get closer.

The latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center continues to show ENC in the cone of uncertainty.(WITN)

It’ll move slowly before escaping to the north next week. As it moves up the East Coast, there’s a lot more uncertainty about the track and threats. We expect the track of this system to change through the weekend and even into next week. If ENC sees impacts from this system, they’d likely come mid-week. The longer this system stays over land, the weaker it’ll be. It’ll have the chance to strengthen if it moves back over open water, especially if it moves over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.

Storms are possible Saturday through Monday as a developing tropical system gets closer.(WITN)

The speed of this system is just as important as the strength. The quicker it moves through, the less rain piles up. If it slows down or stalls, higher rainfall amounts would be expected. Our river levels have dropped a bit since July’s wet weather, but levels are still higher than what you’d find in a typical August.

What We Know, What We Don't — What We Know, What We Don’t(WITN)

This is a reminder that we are heading into the heart of the hurricane season and to make sure your emergency supplies are ready.

Stay with WITN and WITN.com as we continue to track this system over the coming days and monitor the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.

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North Carolina

Alabama man on work trip stops to buy $3 quick pick Powerball ticket, wins 6-figure jackpot

Published

19 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Alabama man on work trip stops to buy quick pick Powerball ticket, wins 6-figure jackpot

Christopher Baker of Leesburg, Alabama was on a work trip in Hickory, North Carolina, when he thought he’d try his luck on a lotto game. It turned out to be a lucrative Powerball win.

An Alabama man on a work trip in North Carolina bought a $3 Quick Pick Powerball ticket on a whim and walked away with a six-figure windfall.

Christopher Baker of Leesburg in northeastern Alabama bought his lucky ticket in July in Hickory, North Carolina, where had been traveling for work, according to Powerball.

When the numbers were drawn, Baker says he had to do a double-take when he realized he had a $100,000 winning ticket. He had matched four white balls and the red Powerball, which would have been $50,000, but a 2X multiplier doubled the win and the disbelief.

“I just kept looking at it to make sure I was reading it right,” he laughed, according to Powerball. “I told my family but they didn’t believe me. either.”

Baker, who called his win “a shocker.” said he plans to save his winnings to buy a house.

Baker will take home $71,501 after federal and state taxes are withheld.

How to play the Powerball

In order to purchase a $2 Powerball ticket, you’ll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store − and in a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online.

To play, you will need to pick six numbers in total to mark on your ticket. Five numbers will be white balls ranging from numbers 1 to 69. The Powerball is red and one number which is between 1 and 26.

If you want to increase your chances of winning, you can add a “Power Play” for $1 which increases the winnings for all non-jackpot prizes. This addition can multiply winnings by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X.

Players can also ask a cashier for a “Quick Pick” where a cashier will give you a computer generated numbers on a printed Powerball ticket.

Drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. If there’s no jackpot winner, the cash prize will increase by millions.

Where to purchase tickets

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.

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