GM Will Provide Hybrid Buses For GOP Convention - Pukepukepukepuke

[hatrack]

Gosh, those Republicans, they're so . . . so . . . so GREEN! :puke:

NEW YORK - "The 2004 Republican National Convention today announced General Motors (GM) will serve as the Official Transportation Provider for the four-day convention at New York City's Madison Square Garden. As the Official Transportation Provider, GM will provide a fleet of electric-hybrid buses, hybrid pickup trucks and several other highly efficient vehicles to support the 2004 Republican National Convention.

"I am pleased to announce that General Motors will serve as the Official Transportation Provider for our party's first-ever convention in New York City," said Bill Harris, Chief Executive Officer for the 2004 Republican National Convention. "GM's transportation services will be invaluable to our guests' convention experience and ensure that delegates and visitors can move smoothly and successfully around the city."

GM will provide the 2004 Republican National Convention with eight buses using GM's hybrid propulsion technology, several of the world's first full-size hybrid pickup trucks, and more than 200 cars from across the GM line of brands. GM's hybrid pickups and bus propulsion system are the first produced by an American automaker.

"We want the delegates, party officials and American citizens to know and be proud of the fact that America's largest manufacturer is a leading provider of advanced technology and fuel efficient vehicles," said Elizabeth Lowery, GM vice president of Environment and Energy. "The Republican National Convention is a tremendous opportunity for GM to showcase the contributions it has made to the American economy and culture over the past 100 years, and to educate people about the groundbreaking advances in fuel economy and new technologies GM is making."

EDIT

http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=communique&newsid=6400

Just about as greenwashy as it can possibly get!

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. What? No hydrogen fueled buses yet?

Hydrogen buses to transport chimp on his flight of fancy to Mars!

[punpirate]

2. Hmm...

... this is interesting. GMC has been out of the bus business since 1987. However, Allison Transmission, which is a GM subsidiary, has been working on a bus hybrid-electric propulsion system for several years.

Since no similar offer was made in Boston, my guess is that this has much less to do with sucking up to Republicans than it does Allison/GM trying to sell the propulsion system to New York City Transit. The MTA has been hot for anything that will bring their bus emissions down--they take a lot of heat for that. The convention is a good time to do a demonstration project to impress NYCT.

[PeaceForever]

3. Well, this can be a good thing if Republicans . . .

get convinced that clean energy can be had without sacrificing comfort and safety.