GM introducing hybrid pickups,, 6000 lb tow capacity
 

On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 11:25:57 -0400, Eisboch wrote:

Not the cite I was looking for (can't remember where I read it) but
this one makes the same point:

"Green" technology autos actually cost more to manufacture and use more
total energy during the lifetime of the auto than traditional designs.


http://equityprivate.typepad.com/ep/...ng_below_.html

Quoting one paragraph:

"For many hybrid vehicles 25% to 30% of the life cycle energy
expenditure is consumed in raw material production and manufacture- this
is much higher than in non-hybrid vehicles. For foreign built cars this
means that emissions in the country of use (the United States, say) are
not being eliminated, but rather transferred to the country of
manufacture. Next time a hybrid driver looks smug feel free to remind
them that they are likely dumping their emissions into the second or
third world. What kind of pig subjugates the peoples of Mexico and
endangers their health to look "green" for their suburban neighbors and
smirks about it? "


------------------------------------------------ Eisboch

Interesting article, one can easily mistake gas mileage for the total energy footprint, but I
would also be quite careful about putting to much weight on that article. That study hasn't
been peer reviewed, and some of it's assumptions are suspect. An example, the Hummer H1
is assumed to travel 379,000 miles, while the Prius is assumed to travel 109,000 miles. Also,
development energy costs, which are included in the study, will be of a heavier weight for new
technology spread over fewer cars, than older technology spread over many cars.

While I would agree, that when thinking green, the total energy footprint is the important
number, one has to be careful how that number is reached. Pacific Institute did a rebuttal to
the Dust to Dust study.

http://www.pacinst.org/topics/integr...r_vs_prius.pdf

GM introducing hybrid pickups,, 6000 lb tow capacity
 

On Oct 24, 11:23 am, " JimH" ask wrote:
"Bill Kearney" wkearney-99@hot-mail-com wrote in message

t...

Everything I have read says the average driver will never recoup the
extra
money spend on a hybrid in gasoline savings.

Wake up. It's not just about saving the money, it's also about BURNING
LESS
FUEL.

I take it you own a sail boat and not a power boat.

Holy crap! First he didn't say it's all about burning less fuel, he
said it's ALSO about burning less fuel. Example for the narrow minded:
If he does own a power boat, but buys a high efficiency furnace and A/
C, he's using less fuel. Same if he buys a hybrid car. He didn't say
it was about burning no fuel, just less. It's simple, and it's common
sense. Good luck with it......

GM introducing hybrid pickups,, 6000 lb tow capacity
 

On Oct 22, 3:57 pm, Chuck Gould wrote:
On Oct 22, 11:31?am, "Ernest Scribbler"

wrote:
"Chuck Gould" wrote

You will be able to buy a half ton pickup from GM, rated for 6000 lb
towing capacity, in the 2008 model year.

Whoah. I'm getting a huge raise? Or hitting the lottery?

You as in the group sense, not the specific. Prices reputedly "start"
at under $40,000, and if I'm not mistaken that's not an exceptionally
high price for a new full size truck.


I'm not saying I'm old school, but I'm still leary of a gm hybrid.
Toyotaa or honda? that's different. But over the past few decades, GM
has done plenty of experimenting ont he public. a whole lot of PR
work, to make scrap metal sing. examples:

Vega. "Siliconeized aluminum block. great light engine that was worn
out in 25,000 mi or less, and car came pre-rusted.

Cadillac 8-6-4 ingenius idea of shutting off valve train so that the
engine could cruise on 4 cyl. at road speed and would vary the power
and fuel economy, that is untill the engine caught on fire.

1978 GM computerized ignition Push it more than you drive it.
5.7 Olds diesel (ahem)
6.2 GM diesel (ahem *cough*)

Cadillacs 4.1 aluminum engine complete with no camshaft bearings.
aluminum would wear, oil pressure would drop, nothing thatt about
$3800.00 couldn't cure, But they consistantly recieved the Golden
Caliber" (Yellow Pincher) award. Go figure...

about any 80's GM auto, doors hinges came factory pre-worn, and door
handles were pre broken. fading paint came standard equipment, but
mylar chromie doo-dads worked pretty good... for a while.

GM's idea seemed like "Here's what we have, lump it or leave it"

I like GM products actually, but only after they've proven themselves
after a couple years. But it seems like in many ways, their
inovation out weighs their practical reasonability.

GM seems to me like their philosophy was to entice the consumer to "be
the first one on your block to" be laughed at.