Comments on: Day 45: MI, Dearborn: visiting the birthplace of our little car http://blog.yert.com/2007/08/17/day-45-mi-dearborn-visiting-the-birthplace-of-our-little-car/ All things YERT, for one year. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:26:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Julie http://blog.yert.com/2007/08/17/day-45-mi-dearborn-visiting-the-birthplace-of-our-little-car/#comment-116 Julie Mon, 27 Aug 2007 02:52:53 +0000 http://blog.yert.com/2007/08/17/day-45-mi-dearborn-visiting-the-birthplace-of-our-little-car/#comment-116 No, we were only comparing the Ford to other American-made cars. We are painfully aware that all American-made cars are generally the least efficient cars in the world... :( No, we were only comparing the Ford to other American-made cars. We are painfully aware that all American-made cars are generally the least efficient cars in the world… :(

]]> By: Bron and Freddy http://blog.yert.com/2007/08/17/day-45-mi-dearborn-visiting-the-birthplace-of-our-little-car/#comment-115 Bron and Freddy Mon, 27 Aug 2007 02:37:01 +0000 http://blog.yert.com/2007/08/17/day-45-mi-dearborn-visiting-the-birthplace-of-our-little-car/#comment-115 Hey guys... we want to know... where did you get data/info on Japanese-manufactured cars' fuel efficiency (over 10 years)? We had a lightweight Honda civic HX (1997) that averaged @38 mpg and that was the best we found at the time.... Are you rounding up, or was there better stuff out there? Hey guys… we want to know… where did you get data/info on Japanese-manufactured cars’ fuel efficiency (over 10 years)? We had a lightweight Honda civic HX (1997) that averaged @38 mpg and that was the best we found at the time…. Are you rounding up, or was there better stuff out there?

]]> By: The Green Appeal http://blog.yert.com/2007/08/17/day-45-mi-dearborn-visiting-the-birthplace-of-our-little-car/#comment-76 The Green Appeal Sat, 18 Aug 2007 18:37:32 +0000 http://blog.yert.com/2007/08/17/day-45-mi-dearborn-visiting-the-birthplace-of-our-little-car/#comment-76 http://www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com/ I didn't vote for this one in the last poll, but then I just saw the movie a few days ago -my jaw dropped several times and I frequently exclaimed, "Wow." Right now I'm sort of in a state of disbelief over how the whole thing fell apart, or rather, was dismantled. And I'm particularly concerned about the new ethanol craze, especially more so after reading an article in the latest issue of Rolling Stone: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/15635751/ethanol_scam_ethanol_hurts_the_environment_and_is_one_of_americas_biggest_political_boondoggles It's great that Ford has built a more eco-conscientious factory and vehicle, but I feel it's all a really sly spin so people will feel like Ford and other companies are really do something for the environment, when the truth is they could have already done and be doing so much more. One example of the spin being an advertisement for the new hybrid Chevy Tahoe touting it as the highest rated mpg for any SUV on the road, and then of course when you read the fine print at the bottom of the page you see it's only a whopping 14 mpg. You mention the CAFE standards, and for me, being the skeptic that I am, the one statement in the movie that struck me as the most relevant was this: "It took a law to put seatbelts in the car. It took a law to put a catalytic converter in the car. It took a law to raise fuel efficiency. It's going to take a law to get electric cars on the road." Which is exactly what California tried to do until it caved under pressure and the threat of being sued by the automobile industry. So, I now know who killed the electric car, but while you're in Detroit, are you hearing any news about who's building them now? Check out http://www.pluginamerica.com/ for help getting started. Pittsburgh misses you! love and cheers, Sean Mac p.s. check out what your friend Bill Peduto is up to. http://www.reformpittsburghnow.com/ http://www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com/

I didn’t vote for this one in the last poll, but then I just saw the movie a few days ago -my jaw dropped several times and I frequently exclaimed, “Wow.”

Right now I’m sort of in a state of disbelief over how the whole thing fell apart, or rather, was dismantled. And I’m particularly concerned about the new ethanol craze, especially more so after reading an article in the latest issue of Rolling Stone:

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/15635751/ethanol_scam_ethanol_hurts_the_environment_and_is_one_of_americas_biggest_political_boondoggles

It’s great that Ford has built a more eco-conscientious factory and vehicle, but I feel it’s all a really sly spin so people will feel like Ford and other companies are really do something for the environment, when the truth is they could have already done and be doing so much more.

One example of the spin being an advertisement for the new hybrid Chevy Tahoe touting it as the highest rated mpg for any SUV on the road, and then of course when you read the fine print at the bottom of the page you see it’s only a whopping 14 mpg.

You mention the CAFE standards, and for me, being the skeptic that I am, the one statement in the movie that struck me as the most relevant was this: “It took a law to put seatbelts in the car. It took a law to put a catalytic converter in the car. It took a law to raise fuel efficiency. It’s going to take a law to get electric cars on the road.” Which is exactly what California tried to do until it caved under pressure and the threat of being sued by the automobile industry.

So, I now know who killed the electric car, but while you’re in Detroit, are you hearing any news about who’s building them now?

Check out http://www.pluginamerica.com/ for help getting started.

Pittsburgh misses you!

love and cheers,
Sean Mac

p.s. check out what your friend Bill Peduto is up to.
http://www.reformpittsburghnow.com/

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