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Current DateTime: 03:16:18 09 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 30830730
Expiration DateTime: 11/9/2009 3:18:30 PM
    • The Nikkei Business Report  13 hrs ago

        The Nikkei 225 finished up 0.2% at 9,808 Monday, but volume was down at a 6-week low. Fast Retailing, Suzuki Motor, and Kubota were top gainers, but major power companies were among the hardest hit. Makiko Utsuda from The Nikkei has more.

    • Fiat's 5-Year Road Plan for Chrysler  05 Nov 2009

        Fiat said its 5-year road plan to turn around Chrysler will result in the doubling of revenue. "There is no alternative but for Chrysler to be ambitious at this point," Stefano Aversa, co-president of restructuring specialists Alix Partners, said Thursday. "They have plenty of cash."

    • Ford's Safer Seatbelt  05 Nov 2009

        Ford is unveiling its groundbreaking seat belt. CNBC's Phil LeBeau has the details.

    • Chrysler's Rebirth  05 Nov 2009

        Chrysler is kicking off its rebirth and hoping its new game plan will please the government as well as the industry. Mike Jackson, chairman and CEO of AutoNation, shares his insight.

    • Toyota Reports Surprise Profit, but Outlook Bumpy  05 Nov 2009

        Toyota's results blew past expectations Thursday. The Japanese automaker posted a surprise quarterly profit and halved its annual loss forecast. "Toyota is still making a loss. It's still going to face a very difficult future ahead," Graeme Maxton from The Insight Bureau said. "This doesn't mean that the auto sector has turned around."

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Current DateTime: 03:16:19 09 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 30830722
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Behind The Wheel

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AP

Are we finally at the tipping point? You know, the point where people are so fed up with spending $40, $60, or $80 to fill up their car, truck or SUV that they clamor for something to be done? If word of mouth is worth anything, I say we've hit that point.

In the last week, I have heard more and more friends, neighbors and co-workers complain that we need to finally get serious about pushing alternative-fueled vehicles.

I can already heard some of you saying, "Well it's about time, Toyota Phil! Glad you finally realized that we are spending too much on oil and gas." But this is not just about all of us complaining about the cost of gas. This is about whether or not we need a real push in Washington to help private companies develop alternative-fueled vehicles.

The automakers and suppliers are all working on developing electric/gas engines, fuel cells, and vehicles that run on ethanol made from sources other than corn. There's no shortage of R&D going on. But it will take time and money to develop vehicles that truly can meet our needs.

Yes, there are electric vehicles out on the market. But we're not yet to the point where we have mass-quantity models ready to roll into showrooms. And for the conspiracy theorists who think Detroit is purposely dragging it's feet, talk with foreign automakers and researchers. They are doing the same kind of research, and are not much closer to giving us a wider array of green vehicles.

So, why should Washington get more involved?

Generally speaking, I am not a fan of the government getting involved in private industry. But in this case, I might take a different approach. Maybe we're at a point where Washington has to do more to spur development of newer technologies. And while we're at it, why not expand the tax breaks people get for buying hybrid vehicles?

Let me know what you think. I'll be curious if the broader public is to a point where the pain at the pump means something dramatic needs to be done.

Questions?  Comments? 

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Current DateTime: 01:47:27 09 Nov 2009
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