Posted on 09/16/2005 5:13:35 PM PDT by doug from upland
Automakers show hybrid vehicles to Sierra Club
Conventioneers test gas-electrics
September 10, 2005
BY TERENCE CHEA
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SAN FRANCISCO -- Three major automakers unveiled their latest hybrid cars and technology at an environmental conference Friday, promoting their most fuel-efficient vehicles as gasoline prices soar in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Ford Motor Co., Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. brought their hybrid vehicles, which run on a combination of gasoline and electricity, to the first national convention of the Sierra Club, the country's largest environmental organization.
Environmentalists have criticized the auto industry for failing to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles, but the Sierra Club wanted to help automakers promote hybrid technology by organizing what it called "the world's largest showcase of hybrid cars."
"The biggest single step to curbing global warming, cutting America's oil dependence and saving consumers' money at the gas pump is making our vehicles go further on a gallon of gas," said Dan Becker, director of the Sierra Club's global warming program. "Automakers who live by the gas guzzler may die by the gas guzzler."
At the Sierra Summit, Ford offered consumers their first peek at its latest hybrid SUV -- the 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. The compact, four-wheel-drive SUV can get 33 m.p.g. in the city and 29 m.p.g. on the highway.
The Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Ford's first hybrid SUV -- the Ford Escape Hybrid -- are just the latest examples of the Dearborn-based company's efforts to produce more environmentally friendly vehicles, said Niel Golightly, Ford's director of sustainable business strategies.
"As issues of climate change, energy security and fuel prices start to crop up more on consumer radar screens, we need to be able to meet that shifting demand," Golightly said. "What you're seeing is just the beginnings of a growth in demand, but it's a very clear trend."
Honda unveiled its latest hybrid offering -- the 2006 Civic Hybrid, which can get 50 m.p.g. on highways and city streets.
"This new Civic Hybrid is the perfect example of how to balance the needs of our customers with the needs of environmental protection," said Gunnar Lindstrom, senior manager of Honda alternative-fuel-vehicle sales and marketing. "It's all part of Honda's commitment to blue skies for our children."
Toyota did not introduce any new hybrid models Friday, but it announced this year it would soon start selling a hybrid version of its Camry sedan and a seven-passenger SUV called the Highlander Hybrid. The company, which makes the popular hybrid Prius sedan, expects hybrid sales to make up about one-quarter of its total sales by early next decade.
Conference attendees were invited to test drive a range of hybrid cars this weekend at San Francisco's Moscone Convention Center.
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A conventioneer test drives one of the hybrid vehicles displayed at the Sierra Summit 2005
After giving her keynote speech on Sunday, Arianna Huffington gets into her gas guzzling pollution spewing behemoth Chevy Suburban for the return trip to the airport.
YOU WILL LAUGH YOUR *SS OFF WHEN YOU SEE ARIANNA MOCKED ON HER OWN WEBSITE
"Come on, Arianna, don't be shy."
LOL Smart a$$.
You dont expect her to practice what she preaches do you?
Zsa Zsa Huffington is holding out for the hybrid Gulfstream jets!
Didn't that guy used to be somebody? - He looks kinda familar.
Robert Kennedy Jr. is counsel for the Sierra Club.
You might enjoy this.
As the unwashed proletariat say, "Youda man!"
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Thanks for going there to pile on. :)
he works out in my gym in Mt Kisco, NY...the other morning the Roberts hearings were on and his uncle was on TV...I looked up while he was watching and commented "fuqin drunk"...
So what is your take on why there aren't many blacks in the Sierra Club?
Were you at this meeting? I imagine the patchouli stench was unbearable.
I don't know why the lack of minorities and never thought about it. It is just something I observed in three days.
Hybrid deisels are the way to go big sedans with economy car milage and oddles of torque.
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