Filed under: Hybrid, Legislation and Policy
Does Rob Lowe have the hybrid magic touch?
There's no shortage of news from Capitol Hill these days regarding the American auto industry, plug-in hybrids and higher gas mileage cars. But it's not every day that Mr. Rob Lowe makes an appearance. As we mentioned last week, Lowe spoke at a hearing by the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, Lowe spoke about America's oil addiction, energy independence, the War in Iraq and advanced technology cars. He called clean cars with no or low emissions "dreams."
What's interesting is that General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler were not invited to the hearing by committee chairman Rep. Ed Markey, (D-Mass.) who proposed the Plug-in Hybrid Opportunity Act of 2007. The auto industry was not totally excluded, as the head of A123 Systems was present. Frank Gaffney, head of the Center for Security Policy and a former Defense Department official in the Reagan Administration said at the hearing that Chery, the Chinese automaker, could build a PHEV for $12,000. "I dare say that will be the end of Detroit if that vehicle is available in large numbers in America in the near future," he said.
Lowe, who drives a converted PHEV from A123, said, "I have been driving this car around and I have to tell you, it did what my mother couldn't do. It did what my driving instructor couldn't do -- it's made me a better driver."
There's a video of Lowe's statements at the hearing after the break.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike Z 11:37AM (7/16/2007)
It's nice to know that Congress is there to do the people's business and not get blinded by star power. Oh wait.....
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Tim 1:27PM (7/16/2007)
Over 50% of the big 3's costs of producing cars in the US are "legacy costs" forced on them by organized crime... I mean labor. Legacy costs include giant pension plans, golden parachutes and cradle to grave 1st. dollar insurance programs etc.
Gee, I wonder why the US can't compete with Communist China and their $12.00 per MONTH labor costs? In a “global economy”, the manufacturing jobs follow the manufacturing plants and manufacturing follows cheap labor. So does the money, the power and the influence. The "Red Tide" is rising and it is poisonous to personal freedoms! The Soviet Union collapsed due to it’s war debt. The US now owes Communist China well over $1 TRILLION and that figure is quickly rising. As the US prints more fait money to cover this debt, inflation occurs. Jane, how do we get off this crazy thing!
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Jack S. 6:46PM (7/16/2007)
Who the heck does Congress invite to testify? First some hack from Cerberus who thinks knowledge of money translates to science and engineering knowledge, and now actors? Enough of the dog and pony show, this is an absolute joke.
Lets invite the cows to testify next so they can explain why they can't stop belching and farting methane. We need explanations!
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Joe P 2:39PM (7/17/2007)
Congress wants to "encourage" the auto industry to build some very high tech cars. Instead of hearing from the people who must engineer, build and market these things they invite a f#@%@&g actor. Folks, let's get this straight. An actor's job is to play make believe. They work in a world of fantasy. Many of them, obviously, bring their work home with them. Why would ANYONE listen to them, or worst, make policy on their advice?
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