Why America will not advance to the future because we need a new way of thinking and we need our President to change his agenda with the advisers who are not in his best interest. America has a history and its shortly going to damage and ruin it's self. Why war is not an answer and controlling other nations is a way to tear down the walls history and changing our way and your ways as well we all need some changes.
I am sure if you all of the people who work in the White House do not speak on certain subjects because they do not want to get in trouble. Its always secrets and this is what makes fear and when people fear you they react and it never turns to a positive out come.
Now that was fast! Just a mere six days after the program was rolled out, 'Cash for Clunkers' may have to be rolled back in. Evidently the program has been way too successful.
Here is the Washington Post's take on the issue:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/30/AR2009073004122.html
I think this is a great thing the program has almost run out of money. It proves that there is a market out there and given a generous incentive (in this case up to $4,500), folks will buy new cars.
I wonder if the Obama Administration will allow more money to be diverted to the program. While I want to see the US auto industry bounce back, I don't want a big program that may become wasteful. Besides, after all the vouchers are gone, will people stop buying cars?
Let's hope not.
Vroom vroom!
Hemi’s, Mopar’s, Chevy, Ford, Roush, Shelby, Challenger, Mustang, Camaro, Corvette, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston martin, Porche, Bentley, Lexus, Acura, and other cars; sorry if I didn’t list them, will soon be dead. Obama has issued a mandate that forces auto manufacturers to create fuel efficient cars. Well most won’t be affected because they are foreign cars but U.S. made vehicles must meet the stringent 35.5 mpg limit on passenger vehicles. What does this mean to you, you ask? You won’t be able to have those Shelby GT500’s or Camaros that pump out 500+ horsepower anymorel. You can’t even get a decent luxury v6 that makes more than 300 horsepower. For example, I owned a 2003 honda civic ex; 5 speed manual. If I slowed down and went speed limit I might get close to 40 mpg. Not to mention it was a coupe. Small, compact, fuel efficient, aerodynamic cars will be our future. Car guys weep along with me as we see super cars slowly go by the wayside. I don’t want a Prius. I don’t want a Insight. Both of which are good cars by the way. But don’t fret, there is still hope. There are sports cars that use fuel cells and diesel hybrid technology out there. Not to mention Tessla has an all electric sports car. What I’m trying to say here is, the old ways have died. The new ways are just arriving. It is still too early to see what the future would be like, but I definitely know there won’t be any more 6.0 liter v8’s coming outta the good ole’ U. S. of A. American Muscle, meet green. Being a big car guy myself, trust me I LOVE CARS, it’s sad to see that is going away. But for the greater good. Just go buy a classic, fix it up, pass it on to your kids, and keep it in the family like it was your family jewels.
Might be something we will drive in the future. World's smallest car.
PC Childs, commented some gibberish on my site that almost threw me into a frenzy. OMG did he not read the post? Is he just babbling away at me? Wait, did he almost call me an idiot? Well the point is, everything he said didn’t make any sense at all if you read my entire post. I’m sad that muscle cars will be going away just because I enjoy a nice American made muscle car. Most car guys would agree with me. But this pansy drives a 1986 VW with a 1.6 liter engine and he has the nerve to say I know nothing about cars. He’s the idiot for blasting me about new technology when hes in a 1986 car! Mercedes has a fuel cell sports car, Tessla has an all electric sports car, Honda has three concept fuel cell cars and electric sports cars and thats just some of the auto makers in the hybrid sports car arena. Mercedes has an hybrid suv that drove across Africa!! Never heard about that did you PC Child. There are motorcycle makers in California that are making all electric motorcycles. Even if you didn’t want a sports car or motorcycle, I can hypermile my 3.0 V6 coupe up to 45 mpg. So take your little 1986 1.6 liter engine that gets 50 mpg with old technology, and I’ll get my 2003 3.0 V6 with 45 mpg car and I’ll laugh at you in my luxury car all the way to the gas station. Oh by the way I give props to VW for making a 250 Mpg vehicle. It’s not as new as his spiffy as his 1986 VW but well, decide for yourself. Take a look and comment which car you would like to take.
Here’s some stats about the new VW Extreme 1.0 Liter car. The VW 1-Liter, developed in a wind tunnel, has a very narrow and very flat body configuration that necessitated tandem seating for the two occupants. Measuring in at 4.1 feet wide, 11.4 feet long, and just over 3 feet tall, the car features an amazing drag coefficient of just 0.159…even more wind-cheating than the slippery GM EV1 electric car’s 0.19 Cd. With its 235 mpg fuel economy, it can travel 400 miles on its 1.7 gallon fuel tank…all the while achieving a 75 mph top speed.
PC Child’s 1986 Golf is a POS. You guys comment and vote please. FYI this post was in response to my Car Culture Post Here.
I believe the President is wrong in his effort to increase fuel efficiency in cars. He's beating a dead horse. When we entered the 20th Century, cars began displacing horse and wagon, despite limited access to fuel supplies. The time has come for electric to replace the use of fuel.
The President needs to challenge the industry to design a bottom mounted universal battery that can be easily replaced at Battery Service Stations, similar to Gas Stations. In this manner, we will not be limited to specific distances. When you start to run low, you stop and and get a quick change out for a fully charged one.
The car companies compete to develop more efficient electric cars and the battery companies compete to developa higher capacity battery. They start with family and commuter cars. Large scale production should reduce costs, though one has to wonder whether to believe their claims of costs are to be believed. Perhaps a new car company needs to be started, run by scientists.
The electric companies can work on making their proction more efficient and less polluting, while work continues on alternatives.
Here's my inspiration on how to save the American auto industry:
When Henry Ford produced his first car, there was a need to produce cars all day everyday. But now there is no need for new cars every year so why not produce cars every three years and allow for some real research and development and the dealships can stay active maintaining the vehicles they sell for three years.
A. Include in the sale price (or discount) the price of 3 years of oil changes B. Include in the sale price free tire rotations for the 3 year period C. Guarantee a trade-in regardless to the condition of the vehicle at time of trade-in D. Make arrangements with recylcing plants to recycle the trade-in.
Ban vehicles older than 5 years unless they are classics in modern day running condition (emissions, fuel, etc.). A lot of the nestalgia is that the car is inexpensive, not endearing.
On my way to work this morning I was listening to a news story on NPR about how the Obama administration has issued their ultimatum to GM... come up with a restructuring plan in 60 days or file for bankrupcy.
The report went on to say that the leaders of GM needed to find a way to save billions of dollars. Unfortunately, I don't think there is any way to avoid affecting the union workers antiquated job-protection policies such as the Jobs Bank and still meet this quota. Everyone is suffering the effect of this economic downturn right now. The grim reality is that things will have to change if we'll ever pull out of this. There is no easy solution.
But auto-workers aside, another thought came to me about how the auto industry could save money... A LOT of money... and this isn't just about making eco-efficient cars... Why can't the auto industry adapt what so many online retailers are doing? Something economically savvy, and cost-saving... That is - make cars to order?
People would certainly have to be able to test drive their vehicle, they would get to demo it at the dealership, but then could customize their car to their own taste. Imagine being able to configure the features you want in your car instead of having only 4 or 5 variations to choose from. And what's more, the auto makers are not risking making too many cars and suffering the loss of a poor furture forcast, as so many are doing right now.
Of course, the downside to this is that it is probably not going to make auto-workers too happy, nor will consumers be able to have that feeling of driving out of the dealer's lot with the car they want that very day... It would take some months for the car to be made to order. However, given the current situation of the auto industry, I don't think it's a bad idea to consider.
Other thoughts?
No, I'm serious! Dr. Ron Paul (I can't stop laughing!) said he can't buy a car because of uncertainty in the auto industry!
Found the YT link on the C4L site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtAkYtV5eZA. Watch the whole thing, but the most interesting part of the vid occurs around 1:36 to 1:52:
...so the sooner they go into bankruptcy, the better! That's the proper procedure; it would've done it a year ago or whatever -- if these companies would have declared bankruptcy, the good assests would have been bought up, and I wouldn't be so hesitant in buying a new car, which I need, because now, I don't know what the car companines are going to do. [italics his, underlined italics mine, bold underlined italics mine to empahise the phrase which he used a slightly lower tone]
Even though the irony of Dr. Paul needs a car and can't buy one because he's unsure of the auto industry's long run and how the current financial policy is affecting him are funny, the current financial policies aren't something to laugh at. I'm getting nervous since the low of gasoline in my area was around $1.45/gal circa mid-November, it's now $1.96/gal. Maybe Peter Schiff has a point about hyperinflation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8HRRQ6JkCw.
Yeah, I could've made a few Deal or No Deal or The Price Is Right jokes, but I know that it took me about 14 mos in 2005-6 to buy the used car that I have, and I hated the fact that someone had to cosign the loan because I didn't carry credit cards at the time! (I don't like carrying them, or having to worry about the interest payments! Stupid credit "economy!") So, I can understand Dr. Paul's frustration in his car-buying decision! Maybe The Suze Orman Show could help, but I don't know if Dr. Paul needs that kind of financial advice, but it depends on how bad his old car is doing.
As I said, something's really weird when Dr. Paul can't buy a new car.
Until later,
EMK
Contact: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
This post is a brief overview of the Automotive Industry which describes some of the fundamental problems that are rarely spoken of. In addition, you will learn of a few of my personal experiences growing up, an environment where I was surrounded by the industry; you will learn of a few perspectives that are shocking and that even only a few within the industry know of. At the end of the post, you will better understand what happened to American Manufacturing and where it stands. The Auto Industry is at the heart of all of American Manufacturing. It is an industry that laid the groundwork for many other types of industries to follow, deemed at one point in history to be the highest of successes. But now, it sheds light on what can become warning signs for other businesses that mistakenly try to imitate it.This months hot topic is whether to bailout/rescue the regressing American Auto Industry. The original owners and their successors abandoned that industry long ago. The auto industry was ravaged and plundered by the wealthiest Americans a half century ago and has been in decline ever since. Shortsighted greed from one generation to the next has been the culprit. Since autos were first mass-produced and America monopolized the world, it was only natural that the American percentage/share of the market would eventually be reduced. However, total growth was enormous and total size of the market continues to grow even through today. Therefore, American growth of exports should have continued to grow, but does not significantly due to pillage and poorly planted roots. In simpler terms, we originally owned the entire pie. The pie was split up. Since the entire pie has grown dramatically, our piece should have grown too. However, the Big 4, 3, 2, … have been loosing market dominance and lead since the end of World War Two. Here we are years later in crisis, and the real question remains whether or not to rescue the real victims of the auto industry, the workers. People were not retrained or re-educated; most were never afforded real education's to start. People are now in despair and hopelessness. From my vantage point now living in Colorado for the last two decades, I have seen the high tech industry follow the auto industry, but at a learned and accelerated rate. Other industries are also copying the auto industry and are laying similar foundations also headed for disaster. Going back to a brief history, the misguided roots show how the decay started and why it spread.Although I did not grow-up during the inception of the Auto Industry, its roots surrounded me. I spoke with a few who were there in the earliest days, and spoke with many who were of the following generation. I absorbed its history by studying it while attending school in Motown (Motor Town), by natural osmosis, and in my earliest career dealing with the car makers.Growing up as a kid I lived less than a mile from Henry Ford's first moving assembly line factory, with GM’s World Headquarters’ just three miles away, and with Chryslers World Headquarters at the end of our street. The first Ford plant (in Highland Park, a city now surrounded by Detroit) and the first of GM's plants were built on the importation of the next generation of former black slaves and white share crop workers from the south (whites similar to former slaves whose white necks were red from working in the sunny fields, hence the mean spirited term 'Redneck'). The joke that Henry Ford must have laughed at and that went around town was "each worker would get paid enough to buy a Ford" (Of course using infamous 'Ford Credit' which was a primary direct withdrawal from their pay checks.) Henry manipulated a built-in guaranteed customer base and tapped double profits, being profits on the cars and the profitable bonded interest. Those were scams that he copied from sharecropping. The remains of their wages were so low that they had to live in shacks; but after all Henry felt, they came from shacks near the fields in the south. So much bigotry and repeated methods from sharecrop economic slavery. Instead of updating and rebuilding the original plants and without regard for the people who were the workers, the emerging auto giants left to go further to the suburbs. So, as they moved and grew they imported shipload after shipload of immigrant economic slaves from Poland (to Hamtramck, MI) and more economic slaves from the Middle East (to Dearborn, MI). There were other minorities imported as well, also imported for economic servitude to supporting industries such as mining, iron works, steel fabrication, glass works, textile, …. Astonishing how easily the game of 'divide and conquer' worked upon the variety of minorities; a game of keeping the workers pitted against each other using race and ethnicity; all to hold back the power of the people from truly uniting. WW2 caused the Automakers not only to retool but also to reevaluate their future directions.Soon, after the victory of WW2, came the Auto Giants grand visions for economically conquering the world via expansion outside the U.S. They quietly boasted that that would leave mainly world headquarters executives, designers, and engineers in the U.S. with the prestigious white-collar jobs. It was felt then (and these are not my bigoted opinions, not from me, yikes) that after all even 'the weaker sex' could do factory labor jobs as seen during WW2 (i.e. Rosie the Riveter). So why not have the 'stupid foreign workers' do the labor outside the U.S. What also gave way to the idea that manufacturing could succeed outside the U.S. was Mexico; since Mexican workers were also imported, but only temporarily during WW2. (By the way, the temporary Mexican workers were never fully paid back as promised during WW2.) A tremendous wave of pride about white-collar jobs became very popular in Detroit and in other automotive communities during the 50's. That vision sat poised on the back burner, but a pre-planted seed was already in place, which was Canada (Windsor) just across the Detroit River. Canada was a much-desired orchestrated precedence for the automakers; it set the stage for grace given by the government as an easily set up protocol for off-shoring jobs. Soon after, the automakers made a migration south to other states, then further south to Mexico, and finally overseas and on to economic slavery in China.Today we see the results of the destructive path the industry has taken. Layoffs, instead of being temporary situations reserved for pauses during new model changeovers, eventually became the mark of permanent labor plant closures. Obvious abandonment of people soon became the name of the automakers game. Along the swathed trail are - Highland Park, Detroit, Pontiac, Flint, Marquette, Gary Indiana, Pittsburgh, Toledo, Cleveland, …, which became known in the early 80’s as 'The Rust Bowl’. Sort of a rape, pillage, and burn mentality, which continues to today. Amazing how well the reasoning of "that's the way it's always been" persists and grows from one generation to the next. Excuse after excuse gave temporary reasoning to incremental geographic movements for global conquer. Temporary excuses ranged from the need to originally amass large workforces, to the hindrance of union pressures, to American workers are lazy, to 'over' government regulation, to …, all straw obstacles as to why the auto industry needed to move as it did. No! Greed is not good. We see how those at the top of the industry have each come in, grabbed with their greed, and left. Now today, we see how greed has caused "what once was, no longer is". So in short, now we see the results of greed, poorly planted roots, and disregard, taking its toll on America. Equally, is the toll on the myriad of unrelated businesses, old and new, that have adopted the auto industries infectious habits of having little to no regard for individual people that make up the American workforce. People.While being raised in the center of Detroit, I experienced many situations involving the Auto Industry; the following although early was not my earliest, and is an actual example. Around 1963, when I was 11 years old, I remember George Romney visiting our house to exchange political favors. Our 23-room house was a rundown relic of a past era, but it cleaned up well as a phony front for wealth and pretentious power. I remember we kids had to pretend that we were Christian Protestants for the visiting Governor (former Chairman of AMC) who was doing his Christian Mormon tradition of visiting the homes of his new legislators. How ostentatious they both were with fraudulent humility of how they rose from their humble beginnings. But more to the point, I remember Romney sitting at our dinning room table and saying "The Big Four Automakers don't have to worry about giving the Unions what they want, as long as the benefits will not be due for decades. By that time the labor plants will be outside the U.S." That shocked my brother Jimmy and I, as we listened playing in the sunroom just off the dinning room. Later we were once again physically punished (beaten-up), this time for listening to adult talk. Jimmy a year older than I, and intellectually gifted, soon became a Page at the State Capital. The accounts he returned with were shocking as well. Growing up as we did would make your head spin and open your eyes to disgust. We continued living in those surroundings until we grew out of our teens. Then we moved on to make our own adult lives, creating better environments much different from what we were born and raised in.Recalling back to my teens, I realized back then the Detroit riots were not only about race, but was also about economic oppression. It was the minorities who were oppressed the worst, most especially African-Americans. Bad however you measure it is bad. (For a better understanding of the decline of Detroit and to better understand the riots, take a look at my other post: “DETROIT RIOTS OF 1967, A RECOLLECTION OF THE TRUTH.” You will also better understand how very close we came to seeing a nationwide repeat of the riots in the coming Spring of 2009.)Unions, workers, man-hours, laborers, …, are not people, they are burdens to be minimized and eliminated. While watching Lee Iacocca being interviewed on Charley Rose last year, I noticed Iacocca admit that he new all the way back during negotiations with the unions, in the early 80’s, that Chrysler would never have to pay off in full on long term commitments to the unions. As Iacocca danced around the issue he said "now the unions will have to face reality". And, as Rose went on to discuss it more, Iacocca was getting more uncomfortable, and eventually managed to change the subject away from discussing past union negotiations. Iacocca was a bit slicker than George Romney was, since Iacocca was on national TV. It made me ashamed that Chrysler World Headquarters was at the end of our street when I was a kid. And, that as a young adult I had so proudly in my early career returned while working for a couple of electronics companies to Chrysler's World Headquarters R&D operations. I thought it an honor to have paid Iacocca's in-house barbershop to cut my hair, even his same barber. Some honor.Following Chrysler, I moved up to deal with GM, and was puzzled. I listened to upper executives at GM complain that they constantly had to bribe Mexican government officials and border guards for GM plants. I guess they also assumed I already new and accepted that the plants in the late 70's had already begun their exodus to Mexico and other countries. I have always looked at bribery as disgusting and wrong, it was not for me or those who I dealt with, that's among the many good things that a mentor named Jack Bazzy taught me as a young kid. By becoming acquainted with other mentors as an adult, I learned to seek out highly reputable employers and quality knowledgeable friends. I learned how to educate myself, and moved up very high in the scientific and technical industries, all of which I enjoyed.Although I grew up in Highland Park / Detroit, that was not anywhere near my top focus in choosing Obama. But, it is a simple history for me to recall, amazing how many more details I can give, but the main points have been brought forward. In addition, from being a mutt of sorts myself, to being a self made man, be that what it may, I have no illusions of being great. What I do mean here is that I quickly recognize many of Obama's unique insights, although mine are different but a bit similar in nature. Like many Obama supporters, I have personal experiences on most issues Obama has raised. So, above is just one of many examples that I can personally give.To better understand manufacturing in America, you can read my other blog: WHAT SCREWED UP MANUFACTURING FOR AMERICA
Blog members can reply here, anyone is welcome to email me at: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
A $2 trillion plan to the Future..
I propose a $2 trillion plan to stimulate our economy, vastly improve our energy situation, take the lead on global warming, and dramatically improve our self sufficiency thereby reducing pressure on our national defense.
If implemented successfully, it won't cost the taxpayers any money. In fact, the success of the plan will save our country trillions of dollars.
President Obama should use the first $trillion to order 50 million electric cars from our three domestic car companies to be built and sold over the next 4 years. Foreign domestics could also be included. The cars would cost around $20,000 and be absolute state-of-the-art for safety, thereby reducing our auto death rate of 40,000 per year, including 6000 teens.
The new electric cars would replace one third of our current passenger car fleet of 150 million cars and reduce our need for auto gasoline by 30% by 2012.
The second $trillion should be used to purchase 50 million home solar/battery kits at $20,000 per kit that would be sold along with the electric cars as a package so that the electric cars would all be running on solar power. Those living in the shade could take part in a solar farm where their kit would be placed to generate solar power.
The Federal Government could then pay out money to the domestic car companies as they hit their performance targets on this order. The Feds would also pay out to the solar companies as well. As the money came flowing back in on the sales of the solar cars, the government would be repaid.
The consumer would buy this $40,000 electric car/ solar power package because he would get 100% low rate financing from the banks, underwritten by Obama. The Feds would also kick in a $20,000 tax credit to get these cars moving off the lot. The consumer now has a car that needs no gasolilne, and has a battery that provides backup in the event of a power outage, and allows him to reduce his peak period electricity usage.
The cost of that tax break would be $1 trillion. But think about how income would be produced and how much additional tax revenue would be generated. My SWAG is that ending this recession sooner rather than later is worth at least $5trillion.
To summarize, by 2012, with a booming economy feuled by low energy costs, we would have reduced our passenger car gasoline consumption by 30% thereby reducing our oil import needs by 20%. (The goal for 2016 should be to double again to 100 million electric cars.) Our dependence on the middle east for oil would be over. Our leadership on global warming would be unquestioned.
Our domestic solar companies would be world-wide giants providing hundreds of thousands of new, high paying domestic jobs. With strong, innovative management, Our domestic car companies would once again be world leaders saving old jobs but also adding new ones around the country. The midwest would boom. The two trillion financing would help the banks recover. And the Federal Government would be able to reduce the budget deficit from the $1 to $2 trillion level to break-even.
NOW THAT'S CHANGE!
The poor economy gives Obama the opening to dramatically restructure our energy equation, attack global warming, and move our country forward as leaders of the 21st century world economy. Bring on the OBAMATRON, the solar car of the future!
If the Big 3 fail, couldn't we simply encourage smaller U.S. car companies to do what those three should have been doing. Heard of the Karma? I know that Honda has a hydrogen-powered car in SoCal in production.
What were Ford, GM, and Chrysler thinking? Maybe they should fail, just as Citi should (Even global conglomerates should fail.)!
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Q: How “can” Detroit be bailed out now?
A: Offer an American built Car Incentive that is advertised and targeted to the Consumer.
So, provide a special government funded Incentive for Consumers to buy existing new cars that are clogging the vehicle supply-chain. And, provide progressive financing so Consumers can have affordable, new, reliable transportation and lower their current expenses.
Q: How can this work?
If this is successful, everyone wins. If not, we are no worse off than now.
There are many other issues, and most prominently the current Detroit leadership. However, let us not punish the automobile industry for the incompetence of a few.
This is my suggestion.
Respectfully,
Kent M. Barr
Consultant
MrKMBarr.com
Congrats, even my 80 year old mother in Indiana voted for you which was no small feat. I am a college professor in Fort Lauderdale and I made sure all my students went out and voted but I want to tell you, I admire your managerial skills, more than anything. One of the main things is getting people involved, when a person believes what they are doing is their idea or benefit to them, they always perform much better. Never before have I seen this applied enmasse as you did with our volunteers and donaters, which brings me to my point.As a professor, I have noted that you already have a majority of the young people in college with you and now feeling part of our success. They are involved in your presidency and a year ago they did not even know who the vice president was. It is a entire new attitude from the young people, I love it. I have never seen this in 25 years of teaching.
My suggestion.. .offer a scholarship competition for the best energy efficient vehicle design,energy use in building and interior design, new energy sources and so on and so forth. Allow it developed at the university level in team effort so cross over skills in various programs can be utilized. Whenever ideas are exchanged between different majors thats when innovative new ideas occur Have a top 3-5 winner range,reward all members of the TEAM , faculty involved and school and do it annually. You have a fired up base, students as well as educators. The minds are here to help America solve our energy crisis, competition always leads to perfection,drive and purpose. The reward increases all of these.I am working in holographic technology we have already took 200 dollars worth of equipment and a couple months ago made a HD TV display the objects as holographs in front of you. This technology would decrease the need to travel by virtually putting someone in a conference room with complete interactivity without being there. If you watched CNN on election night they did this with an alternative method of broadcasting a live person.
This is here and it is available now.
Anyway, all America needs is a push in the educational system to develop it cheaply and enmasse.
If new jobs and new energy is what we need, we need new inovations and lets put our young minds in this manhanttan project and become the technology leaders of the world.
Last summer I had the unfortunate event of an auto accident in Westerville.
It was raining really hard, and the person behind me did not stop fast enough, hitting the rear end of my 1999 Pontiac Sunfire in the Passenger side rear quarter panel.
Being a 1999 Pontiac Sunfire, with over 110,000 miles, it was technically totaled when the tank was empty, so it was no shock that this finished the car for me. I then hit the streets looking for a new car.
Here is what Senator Obama had to say in response to Ford's announcement yesterday that they would revamp existing American manufacturing facilities to make its next generation of cars rather than shipping those manufacturing jobs out of the country.
"I applaud Ford's commitment to building its next generation of fuel efficient cars here in the United States. The industry is in a time of transition and we need to find solutions that allow our automakers to keep production in America, such as Ford's plan to retool existing factories to produce the cars of tomorrow. Michigan families are facing tough economic times, and my heart goes out to them. By following Ford's example and creating more jobs here at home, I believe we can strengthen American manufacturing and turn our economy around."
This is somthing that I posted on Politico under politics 08 in the user section. I just thought I'd repost it here.
Here is my absolute favorite configuration for powering a house. It can also be expanded to power apartment complexes or entire cities.
Have power sources that come from renewable energy. Solar PV cells, solar powered Stirling engines, wind power, hydro electric power (typical or from tidal movements) and have them all powering the electrolysis production of hydrogen. Basically look around at what energy sources are available in that particular region. Maybe you’re lucky enough to have geothermal.
Have a hydrogen storage area. There are several storage units that are in development that would provide almost as much storage space and liquefying it with out the dangers.
Pump the hydrogen through a hydrogen fuel cell. That’s where the power for the house comes from. The exhaust from this will be distilled water that can be pumped back into the electrolysis unit and used over and over again.
Could you imagine what a facility like this the size of an oilrig could produce?
Here’s one for a fuel station (notice I did not say gas)
Have a hydrogen electrolysis production unit powered by what ever is available (see above. Solar, wind, etc.) When a car comes to fuel up they put hydrogen in and the pump extracts water out of a holding tank in the car for electrolysis so as to defer the water bill. For plug-in electrics, have some sort of standardized battery pack that can be switched out and reused. If you’ve ever seen a place that sells propane, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Notice that neither one of these vehicles has any emissions of any kind. Nadda. Nothing. Zip, zilch zero.
All of the technology that would be required for both of these systems exists today. I’d love to claim credit for the idea, but these ideas have been around forever. If you haven’t heard of them it’s because there isn’t as much money to be made off of them as say gas or diesel or the money that car dealerships make from costly, complicated and wasteful maintenance on present cars. The closest all this has ever been allowed to come into the mainstream was GM’s EV1 program (that’s a whole other story so I’ll just let you google that one.)
Now the hydrogen fuel cell needs to be tooled for mass production as do the battery packs but that shouldn’t take that long. As I said the technology is there, it’s just never been developed.
The main thing that I love about this is that it can be done completely on the Mom & Pop industry level. It eliminates the need for large corporations to be responsible for doling out the fuel and fixing the price. The price for refueling would be determined by the market and the only oversight the government would have to be involved in would be safety.
Btw, this all falls into some of the policies that Sen. Obama would like to accomplish.
Seriously, take a look! Innovation is creativity with practicality!
George: Electric Surge Car (Surge technology)
Mickiboop: Important Information for Our Futures... (Water-powered technology)
Why aren't they being explored more aggressively?
