Golly, I'm shocked :p

Link.... (http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080812/AUTO01/808120449/1148)


Auto exec: policy makers 'ignorant' about advanced vehicles

David Shepardson / The Detroit News

TRAVERSE CITY -- The CEO of Johnson Controls-Saft said two major government-backed research programs need to be radically overhauled in the wake of more aggressive foreign efforts.

Mary Ann Wright, who heads the joint battery venture and hybrid systems for auto supplier Johnson Controls and France-based Saft, blasted policy makers for being "ignorant" of what is needed to make plug-in vehicles a reality.

She said both the U.S. Council for Automotive Research and the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium, both in place since the early 1990s, "need to be completely revamped."

She also harshly criticized the lack of understanding of policymakers on advanced vehicles.

"The fundamental issue that we have in the government ... is they're ignorant," Wright said.

"They need to be educated... I get asked, 'I want one of those plug-ins like I saw my neighbor drive around.' They just do not understand the technology challenges. They don't understand where this stuff comes from. They don't understand what it's going to take to make us competitive here so that we can take the shutters off of 35,000 plants and make ourselves competitive again."

She said suppliers and automakers need to have a more open approach. The US Advanced Battery Consortium and USCAR "have been very successful" but with advanced batteries moving from the lab to the road "that requires a different model."

"We need to stop thinking of us in terms of competing against each other," Wright said, calling for "a more open, cards on the table approach." She also said suppliers "need to have a greater voice in setting the technology path."

The Japanese, by comparison, have created a battery consortium consisting of automakers and battery companies that will work under the guidance of a government agency to come up with what they hope will be international standards for lithium-ion batteries that could power the next generation of cars and trucks.

The basic lithium-ion battery technology is getting there, she said, but "the problem is we need to get more of them so we can drive down costs and drive the infrastructure." Additionally, as others have also requested, the federal government needs to do a better job with incentives for battery research and development and for consumers looking to buy a hybrid or promised plug-in vehicle like the Chevy Volt or Toyota Motor Corp. plug-in which are planned to hit the market in late 2010.

Aren't they the clowns that bought out Optima Batteries ???

:mad:

I agree with Mary Ann Wright!

The entire global green market game will be decided by who has the best solar cell and battery technology as well as the infrastructure to exploit it!

We are doing a great job here in the US, if we are shooting for third or forth place. Germany and Japan are really going for it. They are moving way ahead even though their economies and populations are much smaller than ours. It's just sad to see the partisan battles that are raging in our government where the players would rather see us go under than work together. Hey, wouldn't want the party that is currently in charge to take all the credit. Yes, it makes perfect sense but we the people are suffering from the behavior. Our founding fathers are turning in their graves. We have almost complete government gridlock.

Texas, the politicians you rail about are just like you. It's amazing you can't see it. Actually, it's quite understandable. The politicians feel their way is the only way, and anyone else's is stupid. They, and you, would rather slam someone else than even listen or consider working together. Just look back at your own posts. :)

Texas, the politicians you rail about are just like you. It's amazing you can't see it. Actually, it's quite understandable. The politicians feel their way is the only way, and anyone else's is stupid. They, and you, would rather slam someone else than even listen or consider working together. Just look back at your own posts. :)




The only difference is that you are obviously wrong all the time. ;) Seriously, that is why we need to have a group of people that are the most qualified to come up with a plan and then follow it. Politicians are not qualified to come up with a good plan because they have too many lobbyists to please. They should be trying to do what's best for the country but they are basically bought and paid for. It's just the way our system is set up. Thus, assemble a group, draw up a plan (The Apollo Energy Plan), and get to work.

Texas, you almost exhibited a sense of humor. Welcome to the real world !! ;). Funny, I was talking to my father, who turned 80 this summer. His company built and tested solar parabolic mirrors that created high temp/pressure steam back in the 70's. There was no market for them, or the electricity. To diminish your day, I'll also mention that he also designed, built, and permitted a nuclear waste incinerator for the EPA. ;)

I recall when it became evident that Japan, Inc. , was whipping our Ahs in the automotive and electronics industries. It was pointed out that Japan had a national think tank to assist their industries and economies. Sort of like NASA, Harvard, and Steve Jobs working together to help American Motors design, build, and market better more competitive autos. If we could take that approach, our best working together, thenwe would truly kick Ahs. As you point out, we are are not rigged to run that way. We will have to change or become obsolete. We truly need an effective leadership. That prosect is grim. :eek:

I recall when it became evident that Japan, Inc. , was whipping our Ahs in the automotive and electronics industries. It was pointed out that Japan had a national think tank to assist their industries and economies. Sort of like NASA, Harvard, and Steve Jobs working together to help American Motors design, build, and market better more competitive autos. If we could take that approach, our best working together, thenwe would truly kick Ahs. As you point out, we are are not rigged to run that way. We will have to change or become obsolete. We truly need an effective leadership. That prosect is grim. :eek:
Companies in Japan also receive support from their government, and management seems to be able to execute a long-term plan - unlike our CEOs who can't seem to plan past the next quarter's results.

Perhaps it will be shown in 1000 years that people working together for a common cause is much better than several individuals all trying to get theirs.

Maybe we should change our motto from We The People to Me The People.

But it's OK..... Let's look back 5 or 6,000 years ago. To a tremendous public project. The results are still there. I don't advocate carte blanche mass working for a common cause.........

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/9945/scan0090nx1.jpg

another mass following resulted in..........

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Omaha-beach-cemetery.jpg/800px-Omaha-beach-cemetery.jpg

Some great public followings have had dire consequences for the followers or the recipients of the following....

Here is an example where working together would have helped things turn out better.

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:MQ_ox6_4nJLroM:http://www.world-mysteries.com/easter_island_04.jpg

Tex, if you ever decide you want to get well, you might want to start here: http://tongue-tied2.blogspot.com/2006/06/what-appears-below-is-attempt-to.html

Tex, if you ever decide you want to get well, you might want to start here: http://tongue-tied2.blogspot.com/2006/06/what-appears-below-is-attempt-to.html

I hope you don't base your philosophy on rambling garbage like that :(

I hope you don't base your philosophy on rambling garbage like that :(

I don't like his treatment of the Declaration of Independence, but for the most part he is right on.