Daily Brief: Amphibious Truck Mayhem, Mercedes’ Sedan Reset, GM’s $8.6K SUV Shock, and an LAPD Sting That Lit Up LA

Today’s garage smells like wet neoprene and freshly sharpened pencils. On one end: an amphibious pickup that can putter across a lake like it’s a driveway. On the other: Mercedes rethinking its electric sedan design, GM dropping a price bomb with a new crossover that’s reportedly bigger than an Equinox yet costs less than a set of carbon-ceramic brakes, and a Los Angeles pedestrian sting that has drivers fuming. Let’s get into it.

Mercedes’ EV Sedans: From Jellybean to Three-Box Again

Remember when Mercedes’ EQ models went all-in on the cab-forward, aero-first look—smooth, quiet, efficient, but a little anonymous? The next chapter changes the tune. The EQE’s successor is said to pivot toward a more traditional three-box sedan silhouette. Translation: a defined hood, a proper trunk, and the kind of stance that makes a valet glance twice.

Why it matters: the cleaner separation of volumes can help packaging (more useful trunk space than a hatchback-imposter tail), potentially improve rear headroom, and offer better brand identity at a time when EV sedans risk blending together. The move also comes as wind-tunnel tricks get subtler; you can still carve through the air without wearing a full jellybean suit.

• Design direction: A crisper, more “S-Class junior” look instead of pure aero blob.
• Usability: Expect a more practical trunk opening and a cabin that feels less like a dome.
• Driving feel: A more defined front structure can help steering precision and NVH tuning—something Mercedes typically nails.

From my experience with recent Merc sedans, the magic isn’t only in the numbers—it’s in the secondary ride and how quietly they go about their business. If the EQE successor blends that with sharper lines, buyers who skipped the amorphous look might finally lean in.

GM’s New Crossover: Bigger Than an Equinox, Priced Under $8,600

Yes, you read that right. GM has revealed a new SUV for select markets that’s reportedly larger than the Equinox yet starts under $8,600 (equivalent). It’s a market play, not a U.S.-spec unicorn, but it lands like a meteor in the price-per-inch conversation.

Why it can be so cheap elsewhere: localized production, different safety and emissions requirements, simpler powertrains, and fewer bells-and-whistles. Don’t expect Super Cruise, 20 speakers, or a leather-wrapped everything. Do expect basic transportation for big families where value rules.

• Value shock: Sub-$8.6K for an SUV sized beyond Equinox territory is seismic, even if region-limited.
• Spec reality: Likely modest engines, manual climate, fabric seats, and steel wheels in base form.
• Market fit: Ideal for emerging markets, fleet use, and rural areas where durability beats dazzle.

Budget SUV Reality Check

If you’re in North America, temper your expectations: vehicles priced like this typically don’t meet the crash and emissions layers that U.S. regulators require. But the bigger story is strategic—GM clearly wants to own the value narrative where size and seats per dollar still win showroom footfall.

Wild Card of the Day: The Amphibious Pickup That Refuses to Respect Shorelines

Canada birthed a $190K amphibious pickup that looks ready to rescue grandma in a blizzard and then drive straight across the lake to deliver hot cocoa. It’s the kind of machine that makes you ask, “Is this practical?” and then winter answers, “Absolutely.”

Call it an Argo-style fever dream made real: multi-wheel traction, sealed bodywork, and the sort of all-terrain, all-weather capability that places it somewhere between a Sherp, a UTV, and a side-by-side with boat privileges. I haven’t piloted this exact rig, but similar amphibious platforms have a signature feel—slow and unstoppable. On hardpack, you plan your day around their pace. In the gloopy stuff, they shrug and keep going while regular off-roaders bog down and start making excuses.

• Amphibious capability: Drive into the water, float, and motor across—no drama, just ripples.
• Disaster-ready: Floods, ice storms, remote work sites—this is a tool first, toy second.
• Quirk watch: Road speed is limited, steering can be skid-steer-ish, and storage for wet gear becomes a daily puzzle.
• Price reality: Around $190K CAD puts it in pro-gear territory—think lodges, search-and-rescue, utilities.

In cottage country or backwoods job sites, a rig like this isn’t overkill—it’s insurance. Also, for those thinking “ice crossing,” the amphibious part answers the what-if with a wink.

Road Safety Watch: LAPD’s Pedestrian Decoy Operation Sparks Backlash

Los Angeles drivers loudly debated a recent pedestrian enforcement push, where officers reportedly staged crossings to catch motorists failing to yield. Some called it entrapment; LAPD framed it as a teaching moment. This isn’t new—cities from coast to coast run similar operations—but the LA version touched a nerve on Ventura and beyond.

Here’s the practical bit. California law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at unmarked intersections when it’s safe to do so. The gray area arrives when a decoy steps out while a driver is judging gaps, speeds, and the “can I stop smoothly?” calculus. In dense traffic, that calculus can be a mess.

• For drivers: Slow early, cover the brake approaching crosswalks, and watch for late-steppers at the curb.
• For pedestrians: Make eye contact, step decisively only when safe, and beware of the second-lane danger—one car stops, another might not.
• For everyone: Signals help, but right-of-way is shared responsibility in practice, not just in statute.

Do I love decoy stings? Mixed feelings. They do yank attention back to pedestrian safety, but the line between “educational” and “gotcha” is thin. Better signage, leading pedestrian intervals at lights, and daylighting (clearing parked cars near crosswalks) fix the root problem without the flashbang of a ticket book.

Closing Laps

Mercedes sharpening its EV sedans is good news for those who want elegance with their electrons. GM’s ultra-cheap, extra-large crossover shows how differently the global market can be tuned. And the amphibious pickup? It’s a reminder that capability sometimes looks odd until the weather turns. As for LA’s crosswalk debate, the safest driver is the one who assumes the next second will surprise them—and is ready when it does.

FAQ

• Is Mercedes killing the EQE name?
  The headline news is about a design reset toward a classic sedan shape for the EQE successor. Naming strategies evolve, but the bigger story is the move away from the rounded EQ styling language.
• Will GM’s sub-$8,600 SUV come to the U.S.?
  Highly unlikely in that form. Vehicles at that price point typically target markets with different regulatory and equipment requirements.
• How fast can amphibious trucks go on water?
  Generally, amphibious rigs prioritize traction and flotation over speed. Think steady progress rather than speedboat antics; they’re built to get you across, not set lap records.
• Was the LAPD pedestrian operation legal?
  Decoy operations are commonly used and generally legal when conducted within guidelines. Local laws and department policies apply; if you received a citation, consult the specific statute and consider legal advice.
• Why are EV sedans moving back to traditional shapes?
  Aerodynamics still matter, but automakers are balancing efficiency with brand identity, packaging, and customer preference for a classic three-box silhouette.