[goldstategop]

There will be a lot of competition for the emerging city car market. People will demanding a car that's small enough to park in the crowded city, maneuverable on busy streets and yet which is comfortable on the inside, can hold a lot of cargo and is safe. No one wants to drive a glorified Yugo. The automaker that can deliver on these demands will rule the city car market of the future.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Cringing Negativism Network]

I envision a Kangaroo in our future.

Think for a moment, of the ubiquitous RV, towing a Jeep.

Now. Plaster the top of the RV with solar panels. Power it with a plug-in hybrid powerplant, which for short bursts cross country, could run entirely from solar power.

Make the Jeep smaller. Something along the lines of the Venture One. (a soon-to-be available tilting three-wheel hybrid). Integrate the “pod”, right into the RV, so it charges from the same solar array.

Now sell the entire unit as one.

Presto. A reborn American auto industry.

Good for our technology job base, too...