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Archive for June, 2009
Where’s the people’s cut?
Author: adminJune 30, 2009
Bankruptcies, loans, grants, etc – Where’s my cut?Just finished a story about a Dow Chemical venture into a pilot-scale algae-based integrated biorefinery. Interesting piece. Algae still has hurdles, but the upside is HUGE.
Yet, Dow is seeking a Department of Energy grant to “demonstrate the technology at a level to sufficiently prove that it can be implemented on a commercial scale”. Read: Profitable.
Fine. I can handle the fact that Dow, a company that has made billions in profit over the years, needs my help to investigate the next big green development. Still, why is it that whenever Dow hits the next big breakthrough – using my money – the politicians get rewarded, Dow stock holders get paid, but I don’t?
What investor would ever agree to such an investment?
And it’s not just Dow. It’s many major companies. It’s certainly GM, GMAC, Citi, Chrysler, AIG, etc, etc, etc. Aren’t such companies forever indebted to the tax payers, to the people? Is it not we, the people, that are the real investors, not the government?
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Where’s the people’s cut?
Author: adminJune 30, 2009
Bankruptcies, loans, grants, etc – Where’s my cut?Just finished a story about a Dow Chemical venture into a pilot-scale algae-based integrated biorefinery. Interesting piece. Algae still has hurdles, but the upside is HUGE.
Yet, Dow is seeking a Department of Energy grant to “demonstrate the technology at a level to sufficiently prove that it can be implemented on a commercial scale”. Read: Profitable.
Fine. I can handle the fact that Dow, a company that has made billions in profit over the years, needs my help to investigate the next big green development. Still, why is it that whenever Dow hits the next big breakthrough – using my money – the politicians get rewarded, Dow stock holders get paid, but I don’t?
What investor would ever agree to such an investment?
And it’s not just Dow. It’s many major companies. It’s certainly GM, GMAC, Citi, Chrysler, AIG, etc, etc, etc. Aren’t such companies forever indebted to the tax payers, to the people? Is it not we, the people, that are the real investors, not the government?
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Toyota halts diesel plans. Banking on gas hybrids
Author: adminJune 30, 2009
Diesel only for Europeans?Despite an uptick in recent US diesel vehicle sales, probably thanks to a significant drop in diesel fuel prices, Honda, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Nissan and Toyota have “halted diesel programs because of spiraling costs and other problems,” according to AutoWeek.
Toyota followed up this news with the comment that they are “banking heavily” on gasoline-powered hybrid vehicles.
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$4.00 gas: America’s only hope for change?
Author: adminJune 30, 2009
Otherwise guzzlers will still be America’s top sellersIf gas prices hit $4.00 today, what would happen?
According to a survey by Cars.com, 40 percent of car shoppers would immediately buy a more fuel efficient vehicle today. Another 41 percent would buy a more fuel efficient vehicle when they were ready to buy another auto.
However, if gas were $3.75, instead of $4.00, only 29 percent would buy a more fuel efficient vehicle.
Even more noteworthy, at $2.50 – 2.75, 64 percent of new car shoppers won’t even consider a more fuel efficient vehicle.
I guess it’s not really that surprising that US automakers are still dragging their feet on cheap hybrid cars, or even a real push towards hybridizing their truck fleets. Without much higher gas prices, Americans just aren’t that interested.
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Audi Ur-Quattro: More intel about 2010 comeback
Author: adminJune 30, 2009
We have more intel for you about the rumored comeback of the Audi Ur-Quattro in 2010.Focusing on lightweight through materials and design, the new Quattro is expected to weigh in under 3,080lb (1,400kg). The light-weight program could include motorsports-inspired touches like polycarbonate in place of some of the glass, reports Auto Motor & Sport, as well as thinner glass elsewhere and extensive
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Audi: Goodwood festival monument teaser released
Author: adminJune 30, 2009
Looks like Audi will unveil a giant monument at the Goodwood Festival of Speed next weekend and we have a teaser for you!A massive automotive ‘monument’ in front of Goodwood House will form part of Audi’s 100 year celebrations at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (3 to 5 July). The art installation is still under construction and Audi says once it is finished it will represent "one of the most
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Audi A5 Cabriolet: Riding out the storm
Author: adminJune 30, 2009
Nice review here of the beautiful Audi A5 Cabriolet.Yes, it looks that bit exclusive, and it does pose the threat of a fairly stiff annual road tax bill here in Ireland, but it also carries a touch of real cabrio class while managing to avoid breaking the fuel-money piggybank. I found that the three-litre common-rail diesel engine will, if treated half right, give you surprisingly frugal
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VW Sharan: Spy shots of next generation
Author: adminJune 30, 2009
The next-generation VW Sharan will get sliding doors for the rear entry and is expected to be launched in Geneva 2010.Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, VW SharanSource: Auto Motor und Sport
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VW Golf GTI: Technology review
Author: adminJune 30, 2009
Nice technology review of the new VW Golf GTI.The Euro-spec GTI is equipped with a second-generation 2.0 TFSI engine with 210 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. New to the European market, this is the same power unit that appeared in the U.S.-spec Mk V in mid-2008 with 200 hp. (Where did the 10 hp go? Volkswagen of America rates the EA888 2.0 TSI on 91 octane; if you run 93 octane you’ll get about 210
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Porsche Panamera S, Porsche Panamera 4S: Video time!
Author: adminJune 30, 2009
We found two new videos of the Porsche Panamera S and the Porsche Panamera 4S. Enjoy! The Panamera S and 4S are moved by a 4.8-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine making 400 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 500Nm or 369 lb-ft of peak torque from 3,500 to 5,000 rpm. In the S, power is transferred to the rear wheels via a standard six-speed manual gearbox or optionally, a seven-speed double-clutch PDK
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