Bogus 'reporter' tries to pull a fast one on Bill Ford, Rick Wagoner and Tom LaSorda

From the Daimler Chrysler press blog:

Communications VP Jason Vines exposes an attempt by a member of a California environmental group to pose as a reporter during a news conference following meetings today between the CEOs of Detroit's automakers and Congressional leaders on energy issues.

Busted! Bogus "Reporter" Crashes Congressional Visit

A funny thing happened at our press conference in Washington today between Bill Ford, Rick Wagoner and Tom LaSorda. A person posing as a reporter posed a question why the three companies weren’t building plug-in hybrids like the Toyota Priuses on the road.

Unfortunately Tom LaSorda didn’t get to answer the question. We then found out the quote- reporter, worked for CalCars and that they had actually converted the Priuses to plug-ins. Toyota, meanwhile, voids the warranty of these vehicles. The only manufacturer with factory-built plug-ins is DaimlerChrysler with 30 Dodge Sprinter plug-in hybrids currently in test fleets.

Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.

Ben55 - 5/18/2006 9:24:00 PM

+1 Boost

Yeah, but JT still thinks Toyota is decades in front of everybody when it comes to hybrid technology.

PlanoA4 - 5/19/2006 11:53:41 AM

+1 Boost

Didn't toyota invent the wheel?

Ben55 - 5/19/2006 8:31:26 PM

+1 Boost

They sure did, if you ask JT.

mercuryguy - 5/21/2006 9:11:45 PM

+1 Boost

What is it going to cost to maintain all those batteries under the floorboards especially in Northern Climates where road salt corrodes the Battery Terminals and batteries tend to Freeze and Short-Out?

If I loose an electrical Ground while making a left turn, will the electric motor fail? Will I be broad sided? Will I get a Battery Acid Shower during a collision from the Batteries housed under my seat? We all know that after a few years, Automotive electrical systems tend to loose their grounds due to corrosion.

What will the mechanic charge me to service and replace those batteries? This work sounds complex, and probably beyond the skills of the average backyard mechanic. I would doubt if Midas could even perform the work.

Here is one for the Green-planet People, what are all these Lead-Acid Batteries going to do to our planet when these cars rot in a junk-yard years from now, or when the Battery Acid goes down the street sewer after a bad accident?

SteveL - 5/22/2006 2:45:54 PM

+1 Boost

Hmmm MercuryGuy did not get an answer back from any greenies. Thats a big suprise!