My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on September 27, 2007

Volkswagen will be making their rounds in hopes to promote their TDI diesel and alternative fuels in something they call the “Volkswagen Dieselution Tour.” Here’s a bit from a press release.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Volkswagen of America, Inc. is launching the Dieselution Tour, a mobile marketing exhibit, to educate the media and the public on advances in clean diesel technology and alternative fuels.

Using interactive displays and exhibits, the Dieselution Tour will highlight current environmental issues and showcase advances in diesel engine technology, design and performance. Starting today, the exhibit embarks on a four-month tour, making stops at events and locations around the United States, including environmental and alternative fuel festivals, auto shows and the 2008 Super Bowl.

“Volkswagen of America considers the Dieselution Tour an important informational resource for everyone concerned about the environment and improved fuel economy standards,” said Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We want to show Americans that today’s clean diesel technology is a quantum leap from the powerplants introduced nearly 30 years ago. This tour aims to change any outdated perception about diesel technology.”

“As the diesel car sales leader in the United States, we have worked hard to make our diesels cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient,” Jacoby added. “Once consumers realize that a clean diesel alternative can improve their fuel economy by nearly 35 percent over comparable gasoline engines, we’re confident that many drivers will visit their local Volkswagen dealerships.”

The Dieselution Tour is centered around a 53-foot-long, double-expandable semi-trailer with exhibits and interactive displays. Elements include an “Alt Fuel/ Alt Film video area; a Dieselab with a series of interactive and video displays; a Diesel Heritage section, illustrating Volkswagen’s diesel history and leadership; a Sustainability Station, involving an interactive quiz and a Carbon Footprint Calculator; a Beyond Diesel perspective featuring SunFuel; and a Motorsports display, outlining Volkswagen’s recent history and international success in racing diesel vehicles in events like the Baja 500, Pikes Peak, and the Dakar rally.

The Dieselution Tour will also feature the 2009 Jetta TDI, Volkswagen’s new, 50-state clean diesel offering. The vehicle is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. in spring of 2008. Also on display, a 3.0-liter V6 TDI Touareg, the Polo Blue Motion and the oldest Volkswagen diesel in America, a 1977 Rabbit.

Partner/sponsor companies involved in this landmark exhibit are International Truck and Engine Company and CarbonFund.org. a non-profit carbon offset provider.

Signifying Volkswagen’s environmental concern, the Dieselution Tour will be certified as CarbonFree by Carbonfund.org. Volkswagen and Carbonfund.org recently announced a partnership to offset one year of carbon emission from each new Volkswagen sold in the U.S. from September, 2007 through January 2, 2008. In return, Volkswagen is working with Carbonfund.org to reforest land in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV) in northern Louisiana, a wetland ecosystem that had been largely converted to farmland.

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Posted By RichC on September 26, 2007

As Volkswagen TDI owners wait patiently for new VW diesels to show in the spring of 2008, we can at least surf the web to find a few interesting tidbits in order to pass the time. Perhaps the most anticipated new Volkswagen is the small SUV called the Tiguan. The current site is in German (let me know if there is an English version), but the video clip is acceptable in all languages. This is going to be a hot little all-wheel drive vehicle when it show up in the U.S. and it should appeal to a wide range of buyers if it is priced right. (really nice with a small VW TDI diesel) Check out the YouTube clip below:

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Posted By RichC on September 25, 2007

In a press release, Chrysler announced a special discount program for ‘members’ of the National Biodiesel Board to purchase or lease a Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge vehicle. (link) The focus is on the company’s new diesels which means it only includes the Dodge Ram HD pick up truck and Jeep’s high end Grand Cherokee SUV. Although the effort Chrysler is making to team up with the NBB to promote clean, domestic, renewable biodiesel is to be applauded, their vehicle lineup is rather skimpy.

On a brighter note, Chrysler and the NBB are working together for a new national fuel standard for B20, a fuel composed of 80 percent conventional diesel and 20 percent biodiesel. A standard is anticipated in the next several months. “A B20 standard will enable us to support the use of B20 in all diesel vehicles – from passenger cars to the largest city buses and semi-tractor-trailers – further encouraging use of this clean, renewable, American-made fuel,” said Deborah Morrissett, Vice President – Regulatory Affairs for Chrysler.

Chrysler has already approved use of B5 (5 percent biodiesel fuel) in its diesel vehicles, and the Grand Cherokee and Dodge Ram pickups are delivered to customers running on the renewable fuel, Morrissett noted. And the company has approved use of B20 by its fleet customers who follow specifications for fuel quality.

Increased use of renewable fuels, including biodiesel, is needed if Americans are to achieve ambitious goals for greater energy security, less dependence on oil and a cleaner environment, Morrissett said. For example, a Dodge Ram diesel pickup or Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV running on B20 fuel would use nearly 40 percent less petroleum over its lifetime compared with a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle.

“Like NBB, we believe that biodiesel has an important role to play in America’s energy future,” Morrissett said. “We look forward to continuing our work with NBB and its members on this important national priority.”

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Posted By RichC on September 24, 2007

A Leftlanenews brief mentioned that Volkswagen will offer all future models with a hybrid option. VW head of development Ulrich Hackenberg also told Automobilwoche that VW will offer a BlueMotion — the name of VW’s environmentally friendly diesel line — version of Tiguan SUV and that there is a “good chance” the Eos retractable hardtop convertible would be offered with the BlueMotion technology. Eventually, Volkswagen plans to expand BlueMotion throughout its entire lineup.

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Posted By RichC on September 22, 2007

It was a great day for a CinciTDI get together (GTG) as the scheduled brake bleeding event went like clockwork thanks to our volunteer ‘wrenchers.’ (Thank you guys) Most of the VW TDIs received fresh brake fluid very efficiently as the Motive Powerbleeders made short work of changing the brake fluid in each of our Volkswagens. Unlike many GTGs, we all had time to relax and talk a bit — including the ‘wrenchers;’ it was great to hear each others thoughts on how to plan and prepare our bid to host the 2008 TDIFest. I’m starting to get excited … it is going to be a great ‘Fest!

Again, thanks to all the CinciTDI folks who came, helped and share a good time around our cherished little Volkswagens. (It was great to meet some new folks too)

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Posted By RichC on September 21, 2007

Since I have a friend who frequently travels to Canada (link 1; link 2), we note the exchange rate of U.S. dollars to Canadian dollars. (click for larger 5 year graph) It has been rather attractive for the past several years and in fact made our visit a few years back much more pleasant. This is changing since yesterday we’ve gone ‘par’ on exchange rates. $1 Canadian = $1 US. Hmm … maybe I’ll postpone that talked about trip to the Canadian Rockies another year?
🙂

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Posted By RichC on September 20, 2007

I enjoy Ben Eriksen’s sailing blog enough to include one of his video clips below … although I don’t think many reading my blog are sailors? His recent single handed sail back from Maine aboard his Nor’Sea 27 will probably be enjoyable just the same, as he has done a pretty good job of capturing his trip in this clip. For me, I readi his regular posts because they stimulate the fond memories my wife and I had in pre-kids years aboard Brenich, our Baba 30 … and then with our kids aboard Tulla — a Nor’Sea 27. (the reason I was initially attracted to Living Aboard a Nor’Sea 27 blog.) I’d like the think Brenda and my best years of sailing are still ahead.

Ben’s current trip to Maine was the highlight of his summer after leaving his web designer career earlier in the year … although I suspect temporarily? He spent the summer working on wooden boats at Gannon and Benjamin on Martha’s Vineyard while living on Chamois.

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Posted By RichC on September 19, 2007

I suspect that most active DIGG users know that the popular social bookmarking site which has popularized rating stories by Internet surfers continues to expand. For those that don’t, here’s a great intro from Kevin Rose (founder) that previews a few of the new expanded list of features.

Lots of new changes coming to Digg! We’re excited to introduce you to the new Digg Profiles. With over fifty new features, we’ve completely revamped our profiles from the ground up – making it easy for you to share your favorite Digg stories with friends. If you’d like to see them in action, visit Digg or get a walk through of some of the new features in this video.

Because Digg enables people to share information with one another, the policies for how you use Digg and how we treat your privacy on Digg are very important to us. As part of this release, we have updated our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which we encourage you to check out. Some highlights to note:

* Digg will notify you via email when certain activities happen, such as when someone adds you as a friend or a story you submit becomes popular. You can control what emails you want to receive in the Email Settings section of your Digg User Profile.
* You can easily find your friends’ Profiles on Digg by searching for them by their email address. If you don’t want to enable others to search for your Digg Profile by your email address, or if you want to manage what personal information to display in your Digg Profile, you can reflect this in your Privacy Settings.

The best way to learn more about these changes is to try out Digg Profiles for yourself. Visit Digg.com, login, and click the Profile button at the top of any page on the site.

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Posted By RichC on September 19, 2007

A great time was had by all as the leaders from Miami University planned an outstanding YoungLife kickoff meeting at our house. My son’s Lakota East High School Young Life friends enjoyed a beautiful evening and well attended kickoff meeting with football, pudding fights, slip’n slide, swimming and picnic food grilling. I hope the new friendships and enjoyable fellowship continues as the year progresses. The five impressively mature college leaders have great group in which to “share the good news of God’s love.” [link] From a parents perspective, I couldn’t be more impress with everyone I’ve met involved in the YoungLife Christian outreach.

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Posted By RichC on September 18, 2007

The Fed cut interests rates today by 1/2 basis point; many assumed they would only react by moving 1/4 including former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan. One can only assume that the Fed sees inflation under control or are hoping to fend off a recession brought on by a slump in the housing market. The Dow moved up immediately after the afternoon announcement and skyrocketed 335.97 points.

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