Lee Iacocca tells it like it is to Charlie Rose

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We’ve all taken to calling them the Big 2.5 – and I think we have ourselves to thank for that – and here’s Lee Iacocca to tell us why that is. Certainly an authority on Chrysler, he has a unique and casual perspective on the company. He says he wished he had the money to buy it when it went up for sale because – get this – “… it’s a good buy.”

According to him, comparatively, Chrysler has low production costs and if it were making small cars, it would be pulling in steady profits and building back its reputation.

Of course, Iacocca isn’t just here trying to save the automotive world. He’s on Charlie Murphy’s Rose’s show to promote his new book, “Where Have All the Leaders Gone?”, which he comically answers himself, “Some of them died.” The book appears to be a lecture on the automotive industry as well as a discussion of America’s tastes and how they need to change, plus his personal political views. If you know something about the book, or if you are personally reading it already, drop some comments so the rest of us that are too busy to sit down for a good read can hear about what he has to say.

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[Source: Google Video, Thanks for the tip, Linton!]

 

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Think Fuel Economy Standards Don’t Matter? Think Again.

What if the U.S. federal government raised fuel economy standards? How much further would your vehicle go on a gallon of gas?

The Sierra Club will show you with the MPG Calculator. Choose the make and model of your car, how many miles you drive per year and the average cost you pay for gas at the pump.

For example, I entered Volkswagen Jetta at 12,500 miles per year at $3/gallon. Click on the "I Want My MPG!" button and here's the results:

If fuel economy standards were modernized, I would
Use 182 fewer gallons of gas a year
Save $545 at the pump annualy
Reduce CO2 emissions by 5,083 pounds

It is a fun tool that really shows the impact of what increasing fuel economy standards could do: mainly saving you money and reducing green house gas emissions. Of course raising fuel economy standards relies on politicians and automakers getting on board, and there are a few proposals out there, but the call to action might also have to come from drivers. How much could you be saving?

London chauffeur car service trades big sedans for Priuses

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When you think of chauffeur driven car services you generally visualize a Lincoln Town Car or Cadillac DTS or, in England, a big Jaguar or Mercedes sedan. Now London based car service Pink Express is switching their fleet of over 100 cars over to Toyota Priuses as the leases come up.

With most of their services being offered in central London where congestion is the name of the game hybrids are the ideal solution. No one moves very fast and chauffeurs often sit around waiting their passengers. In addition to the cars, Pink Express is providing all their drivers with training in techniques to maximize fuel economy.

[Source: Pink Express]

 

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Diesels purring quietly, plotting their upcoming expansion in the American market

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None of the diesels that will be sold in the near future in America will be able to go 300+ mph like the Dieselmax that Ricardo helped to build last year, but the company is still predicting that soon (that is, by 2012) Americans will buy 1.5 million diesel vehicles a year. The factors leading to this move are upcoming higher fuel economy standards, cheaper cost of diesels vs. hybrids, and emissions standards-meeting clean diesel. This prediction comes in a report called “Is Diesel set to boom in the US?” that Ricardo is releasing with UBS. Combined diesel and hybrid sales should reach 2.7 million units, the report says. So, do the math, that means they think diesel sales will be higher than hybrid sales. Compared to the whole market, the two forecast that combined diesel and hybrid gasoline will make up 15 percent of the U.S. light vehicle market by 2012.

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[Source: Ricardo]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

We hope all of our US readers enjoy the long weekend, and get to spend some quality time relaxing with family and friends.

Many of us will be doing that, also, so it will be a bit slower this weekend. While we do have some very cool posts planned, there won't be a Weekend Review, or Weekend Web Review. We'll be back next weekend with the full range of content features.

Have a happy, safe and green weekend!

Weekend Grub: Balsamic Asparagus

Any in-season eater will tell you that spring has officially sprung when the asparagus show up at the local farmers markets. Here in the Midwest, asparagus is often one of the few veggies ready when farmers markets open in the spring. Not only are they tasty, but they are low in calories and high in nutrients such as folic acid, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and potassium. This is a simple, yet sublime preparation that will showcase the flavor of this phenomenal veggie.

 

Balsamic Asparagus

  • 1 lb fresh asparagus spears, washed and ends trimmed
  • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • salt and pepper to taste

 

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. On baking sheet or in baking dish, drizzle asparagus with olive oil, then toss with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Roast in oven for ten minutes, then drizzle with vinegar. Return to oven, roast 2-3 more minutes, until spears are bright green and "popping" in the oven. Spears should still have crunch.

 

Tip: Asparagus will tell you where the ends should be trimmed. Just bend in half gently–wherever the spear snaps is where you should trim. Compost the ends or add them to a veggie stock.

Future Car Flashback: The Model U video

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Frequent AutoblogGreen tipster Linton has begun uploading some cool Green Car video clips to YouTube.
This one is a nice flashback clip of the Ford Model U, a concept introduced in 2003, before AutoblogGreen was around. That’s why there’s not a lot here on our site about this soy- and corn-based component, hydrogen-powered vehicle. But the video clip shows that media excitement about a cool and green concept vehicle is not at all limited to cars like the Volt. It’ll be fun to watch as the next four years pass and we look back to see whether the Chevy Volt remains fodder for flashback posts or if it’s a car we’ve put through the paces in the AutoblogGreen Garage.

We’ll be featuring more of Linton’s videos as he continues to upload them. And, to everyone, keep those tips coming.

[Source: YouTube]

 

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