Volvo C70: I just like the commercial
Posted By RichC on May 3, 2006
There has been heavy advertising for convertible cars on television lately (at least the news programs) and I’ve particularly enjoyed the Volvo C70 ad. I suspect its the nostalgia music, but the mechanical ballet that occurs when the top opens and stacks neatly in the truck is mesmerizing as well. The 30 second commercial is below in case you haven’t seen it.
Did the NYSE cave to eco-terrorist?
Posted By RichC on May 2, 2006
Aggressive activists have stepped up their approach in anti-businesses activism … or terrorism … or blackmail, if you want to be polite and it seems to be working. Anyway you cut it, its a fear tactic that worked against the New York Stock exchange last year and could become a way to threaten and achieve an objective. A company called Life Sciences (or known as Huntingdon Life Sciences in Britain) was an hour from being listed on the New York Stock Exchange, but the NYSE pulled the listing. It sure seems as if it had something to do with the pressure eco-activist groups applied through threats. During the first week of September 2005, “Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty’s” (SHAC) website provided “willing thugs with the names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of 100 New York Stock Exchange leaders and staffers. SHAC’s New York City subsidiary, which calls itself W.A.R. (“Win Animal Rightsâ€), announced in similarly pointed e-mails to 10,000 like-minded supporters that the exchange was now the “primary focal point†for its campaign.”
According to the NYSE Hostage website there is no clear indication whether members of the stock exchange received polite phone calls, death threats, or something in between. In any case, “NYSE president Catherine Kinney quickly blinked. And LSRI (Life Sciences) was denied its listing less than an hour before its scheduled launch.” Coincidence ??? … I think not.
According to a report to the Senate, aggressive animal rights groups like the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) and the Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC) are stepping up their threats. The particular case against Life Sciences (Huntingdon Life Sciences in the UK) has been going on for 7 years but has only recently stretch beyond protesting the companies use of animals in scientific testing. How aggressive certain activist being called to action are willing to go is anybody’s guess … but Catherine Kinney and the NYSE caved in.
How is this viewed from your perspective … if it works will it be used again and how should the NYSE have respond to the threat?
Campaign to the letter of the law
Posted By RichC on May 1, 2006
As we gear up for election day tomorrow, the Roger Reynolds campaign had a problem and creative solution — a solution that seems to be “just what the ‘lawyer’ ordered.” In our township (in SW Ohio) we have neighborhood regulations, just as in most areas I surmise, as to the size of signs allowed in a yard — several of the Reynolds for Auditor signs violated the township’s zoning code. (and of course foul was called by supporters of the sitting candidate, Kay Rogers) The Reynolds campaign was notified that the 16 square foot zone regulation limit was exceeded by many of his signs. The campaign began to think outside the box and the Reynold campaign decided that they could cut the signs in half, place them and inch a part and that their signs would remain legal.
It almost comical if not for the heavy negative campaigning (both sides) … I only hope that if Mr. Reynolds is elected that he’s not quite that creative with our county money??? (also to date, Monday before the election, not all signs by the Reynolds campaign have met the zoning regulations. According to the local paper there are at least 4 signs that still violate the 16 square foot limit.)
On a secondary note, the campaign is probably the ugliest local one I’ve ever seen. At first I thought it was Kay Rogers bashing Roger Reynolds with poor fiscal management … then the Reynolds campaign levied misleading ads describing Rogers as being involve in something criminal. (half truths, as the FBI is investigating, but Rogers has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing.) Then the final straw … which could be serious … was an email death threat again Kay Roger. (see story) I’m looking forward to this being over … and don’t seem myself as the only local voter unable to confidently vote either person — maybe this will be my first ever write in vote???
Remember the SUPER Beetle?
Posted By RichC on May 1, 2006
Ron Patrick’s New Beetle gives a new definition to the Super Beetle of the 1970s. He has a ‘slightly modified’ version of the popular Beetle that I first saw on Tech Blog back in March. He was interviewed by Michael Taylor at Mr. Patrick’s office in Sunnyvale, California this week while a bit of video was shot. You could say that the Beetle is an ‘oil burner’ of sorts although not a stock TDI model since he tends to burn Kerosene instead of D2, ULSD or Biodiesel. Check out the video below (or SFGate article) and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.
Credit: San Francisco Chronicle – April 29, 2006
EDIT 6/2006: See more of Ron Patrick’s photos and crazy scooter idea here.
Plug-in Hybrids might get a push
Posted By RichC on April 30, 2006
Congress this past week included 1.8 billion dollars of funding that would encourage more plug-in hybrid vehicles. We’ve discussed this as an excellent solution for those using a vehicle for daily commutes that could be accomplished with a nightly ‘garage charge’ and still be able to function once that charge is depleted.
Senate Republicans and electric utilities are the ones currently pushing for the measure in congress, one that could jump-start research, development and market awareness of “plug-in hybrids.”
The Wall Street Journal reported some time ago that “DaimlerChrysler has already converted a European delivery van called the Sprinter into a plug-in and plans to allow a variety of U.S. businesses to test 40 of the vehicles over the next two years.”
The backers of this, Electric Power Research Institute being one of the primary, would conduct research with battery manufacturers to speed development and production of plug-ins.
Although the bill is choked with pet projects relating to energy, this component might be a piece of the energy policy that our future could really use. (ie. Electric energy from power companies is at an excess at night and goes wasted if not used)
J.D Power forecasts more diesel vehicles
Posted By RichC on April 29, 2006
Another day, another comment about diesel vehicles — let’s just say that I’ve been smelling diesel fumes lately. According to J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting, the number of diesel vehicles is on the rise and is expected to double over the next 10 years. In 2005, worldwide sales of diesel vehicles were 15 million; the projection is that it will be 29 million in 2015.
Europe in particular has seen a huge increase in diesel cars as their fuel taxes are bias against gasoline as the price for fuel is nearly twice that of the US. In 2005, diesel ownership in Western Europe broke the 50% barrier as diesel technology continues to improve and offer an impressive balance of performance, comfort and efficiency. (see “When will we have Euro diesels?”) Sooner or later this will become obvious in Asia and North America especially if oil prices remain high.
According to Alastair Bedwell, senior manager for J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting, the diesel engine is “a proven, cost-effective and ‘off the shelf’ solution” and “the United States and Canada are markets with enormous potential for diesel light-vehicle sales.” In Asia, he sees South Korea and India as the key markets as well as China. The only country in the far east relucted to adopt diesel technology is Japan. Over the next 10 years , J.D. Power and Associates expects slower growth in Western Europe where the diesel car market is nearing saturation, although Eastern Europe is expected to continue to show demand for diesels.
Worldwide, Volkswagen is expected to remain the largest global supplier of diesel-fueled light vehicles and followed by Ford Motor Company. Toyota is expected to be the the fastest-growing global diesel new-vehicle provider from 2005 through 2015 which comes as a surprise, considering their leadership in gasoline engine technology as well as hybrids. If true, Toyota will most likely dominate the automotive business as the #1 automotive company?
When will we have Euro Diesels?
Posted By RichC on April 28, 2006
Americans really need to open their eyes to what the rest of the world already knows … new diesels are clean, quiet, powerful and fuel efficient. Hopefully its the ‘fuel efficient’ part that resonates as fuel prices top $3.00/gallon. As for the clean part, the the new Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) and biodiesel being implemented this year will help solve that concern. Currently American diesel fuel (D2) containing 30 times more polluting sulfur than European fuels but that is about to change come October of this year. Matt Vella in the auto section of Businessweek does an outstanding job of writing a pro-diesel article and showcases several advanced diesels being sold in Europe. Hopefully more Americans will be open to learning what Europeans already know … diesel vehicles can be clean, powerful and efficient AND that gasoline/hybrids are not the only game in town.
I’ll start with my favorite vehicle since its a ‘relative’ to my Volkswagen TDI … the Audi A6. Its pricey but a well engineered automobile with a bunch of the creature comforts missing from my little car.
Audi A6 – Price: $44,492 – $58,730
Diesel Fuel Economy: 47 (US MPG)/56.5 (UK MPG)
And just because Ford and GM aren’t building diesel cars in the US, doesn’t mean that they don’t know what they are doing. Take a look at the Ford Mondeo and GM’s Opel divisions Vectra. Nice!
Ford Mondeo – Price: $27,000 – $43,500
Diesel Fuel Economy: 51.1 (US MPG)/61.4 (UK MPG)
Opel Vectra – Price: $29,295 – $43,033
Diesel Fuel Economy: 50 (US MPG)/60.1 (UK MPG)
The French automobile designers aren’t sitting still either; Peugeot has a sexy looking diesel that would surely turn a few heads here in North America.
Peugeot 407 – Price: $26,695 – $39,464
Diesel Fuel Economy: 35.8 (US MPG)/43 (UK MPG)
Now the Citroen is a bit pricey for my taste, but offers luxury and performance that still gets and estimated 41MPG! Show me a hybrid of this size that can take on the Autobahn and can keep pace with even the biggest German BMW and Mercedes Benz diesels.
Citroen C6 – Price: $52,500 – $67,628 [Est.]
Diesel Fuel Economy: 41 (US MPG)/49 (UK MPG)
And not to be left out, the Japanese who lead in quality have a midsized Toyota Avensis that could give Camry drivers the kind of economy ‘only’ possible with diesel power.
Toyota Avensis – Price: $24,906 – $39,464
Diesel Fuel Economy: 39.2 (US MPG)/47.1 (UK MPG)
Let’s get some of these on the boat … “they’re not your father’s 1980 diesel Oldsmobile.”
EDIT: I sent a letter to the editor of Businessweek that published these MPG numbers in hopes of clarification. I hope that in time North American drivers will recognize that high tech diesels make even more sense in North America than in Europe. Hybrids vehicles perform well in urban settings and on short commutes, BUT are superior for longer distance and out on the open road. It doesn’t take a rocket sciencist to recognize than North America is connected by interstate highways and that we drive far more highway miles a year than they do in Europe. That’s a significant point … evaluate the kind of driving you do and recognize where gasoline powered cars and hybrids fall short. On the highway diesels are fuel sippers … especialy when running clean, renewable, domestically grown and produced BIODIESEL.
😉
Thanks very much for your sharp eyes and kind words. You are indeed right—the author used Imperial gallons. We have now changed the story to reflect both US and UK measurements.
It’s great to have readers like you!
Regards,
Charles S. Dubow, Director – Businessweek.com
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Is Soy the next Corn?
Posted By RichC on April 27, 2006
There was a short conversation about the underlying US alternative fuel commodities this morning (04.27.2006) on CNBC. Corn and Soy are the two big ones with most attention in the US on corn. The question posed was that of Soy Oil — and if the demand for Soybean would rise due to biodiesel. (nothing earthshattering but interesting none the less)
A “Plug” for Hybrids
Posted By RichC on April 27, 2006
If you’ve given any thought to hybrid vehicles, you most likely have heard discussions or asked questions about possible plug-in versions. The concept is pretty simple — they are normal hybrid vehicles, either series or parallel, that have larger (or more efficient) batteries, a different controller and a charger that plugs into your home electrical system for recharging. Currently there are a few ‘mad scientist’ models being built but nothing commercial from a major automaker. Actually some current hybrids are already capable of doing this with a simple plug and charger … the range, engine off, is about 30 miles. According to experimenters, this range can be increase significantly by adding lithium-ion batteries which will increase electric only range to nearly 100 miles.
The following NBC clip interviews three guys who decided to give this ‘plug in hybrid’ or PHEV a try. Although the concept is great and it makes sense … it doesn’t necessarily make perfect ‘cents’ according to vehicle manufacturers. The added cost at this particular time might not be ‘sellable.’ (the quoted number to modify a car in such a way was roughly $10K per vehicle) Ouch … that’s an bunch of upfront dollars.
Of course this doesn’t detour hard core hypermilers, environmentalist or those concerned with the unmeasured cost (and future cost) our nation faces to keep imported oil flowing from the middle east. Several ‘vehicle modifiers’ are starting companies that will offer a hybrid conversion service with a plug and believe that the market is ready. (someone even mentioned the possibility of a do-it-yourself kit?) Check out Edrive Systems and CalCars for the latest.
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.