On June 8th, 9th and 10th, Taming the Giant Corportion will be held in Washington, DC. The conference will focus on corporate accountability and will include a variety of speakers from MoveOn.org, the Project on Government Oversight, and more.
Click here to register for the conference.
As gas prices hit $3.60 a gallon in southeast Michigan this week the coming onslaught of mini-cars appears to be growing. The latest to jump into the fray appears to be Nissan with plans to bring over three minis from Japan starting in the second half of 2008. First out the chute should be the redesigned version of the Cube which has been on sale in the Japan for several years already.
According the Japanese paper Nikkei, at least one of the minis is likely to be priced under $10,000. The new Cube is evidently being designed for sales in North America and possibly Europe in addition to Asia. We already know that Ford is bringing the US a model based on the Mazda2, GM will likely bring out a model based on one of the Triplets and Chrysler is trying to finalize a deal with Chery to produce a small car in China. With Smart, and possibly Toyota in the mix, we will have all kinds of choices in the next couple of years.
[Source: MotorAuthority]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.
Filed under: Etc., Transportation Alternatives
Just yesterday, we ran a post indicating that some people in the United States of America would like to see some better small cars on our side of the pond. Despite what many believe, not all Americans believe that bigger is always better. I know that trucks and SUVs have been all the rage for the last ten years or so, but small cars such as the Mini, New Beetle and even the Smart are proving that small can be cool too. OK, so that covers cars, but what about other forms of transportation. Well, small private jets are certainly considered cool, and scooters are making inroads in the typically huge custom cruiser style motorcycle market, not that I expect most Harley owners to trade their Road Kings in for Vespas or anything. But how about boats? I know that many consider a huge yacht to be the utmost in luxury confines, but then again, I also know some would choose kayaking over pontoon-ing any day. So, why not take a moment to consider a catamaran which is capable of folding down to the size of a large gym bag? Ever dreamed of sailing on the ocean blue but realized that you couldn’t afford to (I’m a poet…)? Try this one out for size.
[Source: Gizmag]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.
The automobile company initially produced a small series of 100 BMW Hydrogen 7s which are being used by selected representatives from industry, politics and society. The first person awarded one is the Board Chairman of Sixt AG, Erich Sixt. Sixt is Germany’s largest car rental company for many years, with some 1,600 rental stations in over 85 countries.
“We have to be open to new engine technologies – after all, we know that fossil fuels are in finite supply,” Sixt said in a statement. “Hydrogen has the potential to surpass petrol and diesel in the long term. BMW is on the right path – and a pioneer in the field. I am pleased to receive the BMW Hydrogen 7 and look forward to finding out about the interaction between hydrogen and petrol operation.”
Dear gentlemen at BMW: Can we ask for one? Although we would have really a hard time looking for a Hydrogen pump station (although the Hydrogen 7 runs on unleaded, too) or a parking spot.
[Source: BMW]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.
Filed under: Diesel, Green Culture, Hybrid, Lexus, Toyota
We’ve all seen the assorted tinsletown glitterati rolling up to award shows and premiers in their shiny new hybrids. Some of them like Ed Begley, Jr. and Darryl Hannah are genuine greenies. Others not so much. So why do so many celebrities show up in Priuses instead of stretched limos when the cameras are turned on? Look no further than the EMA.
EMA is a non-profit that is funded at least in part by Toyota and Lexus, CNN reports. The Japanese company has spent about $100,000,000 marketing their hybrid technology over the past decade with at least some of that money going to convince the likes of Pierce Brosnan, Blythe Danner, and Ted Turner to show up in their products. So far Toyota is still well ahead in their promotional efforts compared to the Europeans like Mercedes and Volkswagen that are pushing new diesels but that may change in the next year as many of the new BlueTec diesels hit the streets.
[Source: CNN]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.
Filed under: Flex-Fuel, Hybrid, Hydrogen, Ford
Some future and current Ford vehicles will be part of the first Brighton to London eco-rally on June 5 – World Environment Day.
While the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run marks the abolition of the ‘Red Flag Act’ requiring a man on foot to precede motorised vehicles, next month’s eco-rally follows the route in reverse to bring tomorrow’s alternative fuel technologies to the capital.
A Ford hydrogen-powered FocusFuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) will be the centrepiece of the blue oval’s line up crossing the Trafalgar Square finish line. The Ford Explorer FCV prototype will be Europe’s first glimpse of the latest North America-developed fuel cell system achieving a range of 350 miles on the zero-emission fuel.
Accompanying the FCV will be the Focus Flexifuel cars, representing the only real low-carbon models that are on sale now: Ford Focus and C-MAX Flexifuel bioethanol/gasoline cars. The Focus was the first Flexifuel car on sale in Britain and in early 2008 Flexifuel versions of the new Ford Mondeo plus S-MAX and Galaxy models will be put on sale by Ford.
More about the eco-rally here.
[Source: Revolve]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.
If coffee (or tea) is part of your daily routine, skip the paper cup and sleeve and bring your own.
Here's a few tips on features I find useful in a travel mug:
A leak-proof, no-spill top. Look for a lid that fits secure and has a snap-top closure (ie. something that covers the little drinking hole.) This feature will allow you to carry around a full cup without sloshing it about, plus the remnants that remain at the bottom won't spill out in your bag or the backseat of your car when you're finished.
If you're unsure whether the cup you're looking at passes, try the water test (either in the store if they're cool with it, or check the return policy to make sure you can bring it back if it doesn't.) Fill the mug with water, snap the lid securely in place, turn upside down and shake it around a bit. If it doesn't leak or spill you're in business.
Stainless steel. There are a lot of plastic travel mug options out there (first check to make sure it PVC free if going that route). Plastic is lightweight, which makes them easy to carry around, but can crack easily when dropped. Plastic also doesn't keep the beverage warm for very long.
Ceramic is another option (especially if it is lined with stainless steel). It is sturdy and durable, but might be better for around the office since ceramic mugs with lids don't often come in shapes that are cup-holder friendly.
I prefer stainless steel because it it durable, keeps hot beverages warm for the better part of a day, and keeps cold beverages cold. But like aluminum foil – keep it out of the microwave.
Know how many ounces your mug holds. I have a 16oz mug (equivalent to a Starbucks Grande hot cup) but would often be over charged at different places depending on how big the cashier thought my cup was. Most places serve coffee in 8oz, 12oz, or 16oz sizes. If you're unsure, or if your coffee place is unsure, do another water test. Fill up a paper cup with water. Pour into your mug. If it fills it up, that's the size you should ask for.
Also ask your coffee place if they offer a cup discount. By bringing your own, you're actually saving businesses money since you're not using their stock of paper cups. Many places will offer a ten-cent discount (others may not, but it doesn't hurt to ask.) Oh, and bringing your own mug will also make you more memorable to your barista/coffee server.
Amy says: I love my $20 blue, stainless steel, travel mug I bought from Starbucks nearly three years ago. With all the coffee I drink I've saved a lot of paper cups from going to the landfill. However, I'm also known to leave the house without my travel mug more than I should (mainly because I forget to wash it.) After cleaning it out at night I'll throw it in my bag so it is ready to go the next morning. You might want to consider keeping your mug at the office, in the car, or put it next to your keys or cell phone as a helpful reminder.
More Bring Your Own Tips from Rebecca:
Doyle Doss and the Kandle HeaterEditor's note: Today on "Greening the Golden Years," Max talks to Doyle Doss, a veteren of the renewable energy industry, and developer of popular green products like the Kandle Heater. Doyle discusses his background, his thoughts on climate change, and several of the products offered on his website.
This week's installment of "Greening the Golden Years" is available here.
Hurricanes over the past 5,000 years appear to have been controlled more by El Nino and an African monsoon than warm sea surface temperatures, such as those caused by global warming, researchers said Wednesday.
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Etc.
I’m starting to pay a little more attention to news about vehicle safety telematics. Telematics is the idea that vehicles are in communication with things like streetlights, cell phones and other vehicles. Some of these features seem a bit futuristic, but an article in Automotive News today predicts they will be standard by 2011. We’ve heard a lot about what Nissan has been doing and there are systems like OnStar, but this is something we’ll have to investigate further in due time. We’ll see if more news doesn’t start flowing soon. If AN is right, it certainly should be.
According to AN, Thilo Koslowski, vice president of technology research company Gartner Inc., said yesterday that “virtually” all automakers will have telematics strategies in place by 2008, and some will have telematics in operation. By 2011, then, telematics that have to do with safety will be standard on all vehicles. Things like hands-free cell phone integration and navigation are desired by consumers, but things like shopping while driving aren’t. Whew. Maybe there’s some sense left in the consumer mind after all.
Related:
[Source: Jack Herman / Automotive News]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.