Electric Cars

The Cadillac Celestiq, an ultra-premium electric sedan, stands apart from typical showroom vehicles; it is a meticulously crafted, custom-ordered masterpiece. Each purchase involves a deep customization journey, including detailed design discussions with a dedicated concierge via video calls, culminating in a visit to Cadillac House at the GM Tech Center in Warren, Michigan, to finalize every specification. This bespoke process typically spans three to four months, reflecting the over 350,000 possible configurations, allowing buyers to personalize every aspect from stitching to material finishes.

Remarkably, a pre-owned Cadillac Celestiq has surfaced on the market, listed on duPont Registry with an asking price of $499,950. This vehicle, a 2025 model with only 668 miles, is available at Galpin Aston Martin in Van Nuys, California. This marks the second instance of a barely used Celestiq being listed for sale in California since December 2025, following a previous listing by Cadillac of Beverly Hills for $418,575 with just 3 miles. The prevailing theory for these quick resales is profit-taking, as the initial MSRP of the Celestiq was $340,000, with later models priced in the low-$400,000 range. A seller could potentially realize a 25% profit on a vehicle bought for $400,000 and resold for $500,000. Given Cadillac's plan to produce only 100-150 units annually, immediate availability of a pre-owned model bypasses the extensive customization waitlist, making it an attractive, albeit more expensive, option for eager buyers. However, prospective buyers should be aware of GM's anti-flipping policy, which could void the warranty if the sale occurs within a specified period of the original purchase.

This particular Celestiq exemplifies luxury, featuring a stunning Dolce Metallic exterior, echoing the hue of the very first production model. The interior boasts a rich burgundy lower cabin, complementing a cream upper section, including the steering wheel. The cabin is an ode to exquisite materials and meticulous craftsmanship. Beyond its lavish aesthetics, the Celestiq integrates advanced technology, including a 55-inch HD LED dashboard display, a four-quadrant Smart Glass panoramic sunroof, a 41-speaker AKG Studio Reference sound system, Super Cruise driver assistance, active rear steering, and magnetic ride control. This expansive sedan, measuring 217 inches, is built on GM's BEV3 platform, powered by a dual-motor AWD electric drivetrain delivering 655 horsepower and 646 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph acceleration in 3.7 seconds. Its 111-kWh Ultium battery pack provides an EPA-estimated range of 303 miles and supports up to 200 kW DC fast charging, blending opulence with cutting-edge electric performance.

The emergence of these luxury electric vehicles on the secondary market so quickly after their initial release highlights the dynamic interplay of exclusivity, consumer demand, and speculative investment. It underscores the allure of immediate gratification for high-demand products and the lengths individuals will go to acquire them, fostering a vibrant, albeit sometimes challenging, market for ultra-luxury goods. This phenomenon also encourages a deeper appreciation for innovation and the pursuit of excellence in design and engineering, as these vehicles represent the pinnacle of automotive artistry and technological advancement.

The Oshkosh Striker 3000, featured in the April 2002 issue of Car and Driver, stands as a formidable force in the realm of aircraft rescue and firefighting. This specialized vehicle is engineered to tackle the most demanding scenarios, from blazing aircraft wreckage to stubborn fuel fires. Its design and capabilities are a testament to advanced engineering, focusing on rapid response, immense power, and precision in extinguishing fires. Firefighters undergo intensive training to master this sophisticated machine, honing their skills at facilities like the Lake Superior College Emergency Response Training Center. The Striker 3000 represents a crucial component in airport safety, offering unparalleled performance in emergency situations.

The Oshkosh Striker 3000: Unrivaled Power and Precision in Aircraft Rescue

At the Lake Superior College Emergency Response Training Center near Duluth, Minnesota, an extraordinary training environment exists where simulated aircraft fires challenge firefighters. This facility, equipped with various aircraft mock-ups, buses, and mobile homes, is dedicated to Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) training. The star of this specialized training is the Oshkosh Striker 3000, a colossal firefighting apparatus valued at approximately $675,000.

This magnificent machine, often dubbed the "Porsche 959 of firetrucks," boasts impressive specifications designed for extreme conditions. All six of its wheels are driven, allowing it to navigate treacherous terrain with a 30-degree approach and departure angle and the ability to ascend a 50-percent grade. Its substantial 10-foot width ensures stability, even on slopes, and it can effortlessly clear obstacles like fences and small trees. Performance-wise, the Striker accelerates to 50 mph in under 35 seconds, meeting FAA requirements for rapid airport runway response within three minutes of an alarm.

Powering this 40-ton behemoth is a 15.8-liter Caterpillar in-line six-cylinder engine, generating a formidable 650 horsepower at 2100 rpm and an astonishing 1950 pound-feet of torque at 1400 rpm. The rear-mounted engine and a massive roof radiator ensure it remains operational even in extreme heat. The Striker carries a 3000-gallon water reservoir and a 420-gallon tank for aqueous film-forming foam, a potent agent for smothering fuel fires. These liquids can be discharged through three powerful spray guns: a 1200-gallon-per-minute roof turret, a 300-gpm bumper turret, and a 250-gpm piercing nozzle. The piercing nozzle, a 44-inch carbon steel lance, can penetrate aircraft fuselages to deliver extinguishant directly to the source of an internal fire.

A critical feature is the Snozzle, a flexible cherry picker with a 50-foot vertical reach on the roof, which also houses a camera system capable of transmitting visible and infrared images to the cockpit. This allows operators to detect hotspots and guide rescue efforts through dense smoke. Firefighters utilize joysticks in the panoramic cockpit to control the various spray guns and the Snozzle, deploying water, foam, potassium-based dry chemicals, or Halotron I, a dense fog suitable for delicate electronic fires. The Striker's cabin is remarkably quiet, facilitating clear communication between the crew and air traffic control during high-stress situations. Drivers are trained to approach crash scenes strategically, considering wind direction, activating undercarriage sprinklers to protect tires, and adjusting tire pressure for off-runway incidents. Captain Rex Weber emphasizes the importance of understanding the crash scene's condition and the risks involved, noting that a driver knows they're close enough when the truck's turn-signal lenses begin to melt from the heat. Oshkosh also produces four-wheel and eight-wheel-drive versions of the Striker, with prices ranging up to $1 million. These vehicles, typically lasting 15 years, are essential for airport safety and are sometimes deployed for major non-aircraft fires, as demonstrated during the Pentagon incident where Oshkosh trucks extinguished fires for five consecutive hours.

The deployment of the Oshkosh Striker 3000 underscores the critical need for highly specialized equipment and rigorously trained personnel in emergency response. This powerful vehicle, with its advanced features and robust design, highlights the continuous innovation in safeguarding lives and property, particularly in high-risk environments like airports. It serves as a stark reminder of the dedication and bravery of firefighters who operate such machines, facing perilous situations to protect us all.