Fred, Honda ran a full page ad at the back of section C of yesterday's
Wall Street journal.
There is a @ five by ten inch photo in the center of the page of their Honda hybrid vehicle, surrounded by white space, with the following caption above it:
"The new hybrid vehicle from Honda.
What's next, perpetual motion?"
Then at the bottom of the page is the following:
"By combining an ultra-low emission engine with an electric motor, the Honda hybrid vehicle has brought the future of automotive transportation a little closer. Sooner than you might imagine. And before anyone else. You see, the Honda hybrid vehicle will be available later this year. At Honda, we're committed to developing environmentally responsible vehicles that reduce emissions and improve
fuel economy. The future is, well, here."
Honda
Thinking
This type of early advertising for Honda's November launch should also
prod GM along. GM claims to be the first in EV's and also states that they intend to remain there. I guess it remains to be seen who
is right.
We have some very nice competitive forces working on our behalf, in particular, with William Clay Ford the new Chairman of
Ford coming into office this month, among environmental flags being
waved very vigorously. And with Okuda, chairman of Toyota, who is
also aggressively pursuing alternative fueled vehicles.
It is also interesting to note that Toyota is in serious negotiations with GM in jointly developing alternative fueled vehicles. We should be hearing more on this according to Automotive News.
I'm still waiting to hear what news, if any, might come out of the LA auto show and the upcoming Detroit auto show on EV/HEV's. Has anybody
heard any news? Or, will our first NiMH battery driven GM/EV01 continue to remain one of the best guarded secrets from the public?
Regards. |
