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Only the Rich Can Afford It. Should Taxpayers Back It? (an electric car costing $109,000)
New York Times ^ | November 28, 2008 | Randall Stross

Posted on 11/29/2008 9:00:18 PM PST by reaganaut1

THE Tesla Roadster is an electric car that goes fast, looks sensational and excites envy. The seductive appearance, however, obscures some inconvenient truths: its all-electric technology remains woefully immature and don’t-even-ask expensive. If enough billionaires step forward to inject additional capital to keep the doors of its manufacturer, Tesla Motors, open, I’m happy for all parties.

If investors pass up the opportunity, however, why should taxpayers fork over the capital that Tesla needs? The Roadster is not much more than a functioning concept car that sells for $109,000. The company is requesting $400 million in low-interest federal loans as part of the $25 billion loan package for the auto industry passed by Congress last year.

The program is intended to encourage automakers to improve fuel efficiency, but should it be used for a purpose like this, as the 2008 Bailout of Very, Very High-Net-Worth Individuals Who Invested in Tesla Motors Act? Can you conceive any way that federal dollars could be put at greater risk — and for no equity in return, keep in mind — to benefit fewer people?

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; US: California
KEYWORDS: automakers; cars; electriccars; teslaroadster
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To: razorback-bert
It must be a natural progression. She started out with a Matrix, 3 years later, got a RAV4, 2 years later got a Prius for the mileage.

The Rav she used like you did, no rear seat. The Prius was completely a gas economy thing.

61 posted on 11/30/2008 1:24:30 PM PST by JSteff (It was ALL about SCOTUS. Most forget about that and may have doomed us for a generation or more.)
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To: Lurker

“Good. Then get out your G**d***** checkbook, but keep your hands off my wallet.”

We can’t have a return to the gas lines of the 70’s. We can’t give Hugo Chavez and Achmedinijad veto power over the entire economy.


62 posted on 11/30/2008 2:20:10 PM PST by ari-freedom (Conservatives solve problems. Libertarians ignore problems. Liberals create problems.)
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To: reaganaut1
Only the Rich Can Afford It. Should Taxpayers Back It? (an electric car costing $109,000)

Hell NO!

63 posted on 11/30/2008 7:09:59 PM PST by Publius6961 (Change is not a plan; Hope is not a strategy.)
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To: All

I remember taxpayers in CA REJECTING a scam to sell bonds to help people buy such autos. When was that? Let me think a moment. Hell’s bells! It was only last month!


64 posted on 12/01/2008 7:37:19 AM PST by newzjunkey (God damn America? He has indeed, Rev Wright. He has indeed.)
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To: org.whodat

We need bees far more than we need these G-damn Tesla Roadkills. I say spend the money on repopulating bees.


65 posted on 12/01/2008 7:39:41 AM PST by newzjunkey (God damn America? He has indeed, Rev Wright. He has indeed.)
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To: newzjunkey
LOL, were is the thread on repopulating bees.
66 posted on 12/01/2008 11:23:19 AM PST by org.whodat (Conservatives don't vote for Bailouts for Super-Rich Bankers! Republicans do!)
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To: org.whodat

BZZZ


67 posted on 01/10/2009 9:15:52 PM PST by mamelukesabre (Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum (If you want peace prepare for war))
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