nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Well, they still gotta improve the process. but the almost the same if not higher than regular Gasoline cost mostly due to the high cost of labors within the US.

But I think Corn Ethanol is a good way to start. At least its produces less smog. I dont mind to pay an extra quarter or 2 if my 8 can take E85(and .... if New York City even has it ...)

BaronVonBigmeat

Ethanol uses more resources than burning oil does. That's why it's more expensive. Any time you read something about the "success" of ethanol, hit CTRL+F. Now type in "subsidy". You'll never be disappointed. You'd have to plow up just about all the arable land in america (forests included) to make enough fuel. And then you're still using fossil fuels--for fertilizer, to run tractors, and coal is increasingly being used to provide heat at the distillation plants. It's basically just a subsidy to politically-connected agribusiness companies like archer daniels-midland. Besides, if you want to make fuel out of plants, try butanol, which has properties nearly identical to gasoline.

Back on topic: this will be hilarious if something happens, and the price of gas shoots up to $5 a gallon or more. Like invading Iran, or a hurricane. Then GM will lose money on every vehicle they sold under this offer.

therm8

Ethanol can be made in your backyard for about $1.60-$2.00 per gallon (depending on quantity, price of corn etc). All of this legal, because you get a permit from the ATF to make ethanol fuel.

Tractors can run on ethanol. Coal we have plenty of, it was just mostly sulfur laden so gov't restrictions on burning it forced it out of use. New tech companies are popping up with coal cleaning technologies (probably a very good investment opportunity, btw). Combine that with a desire to depart from oil fired plants, and you'll see the reason for all the Appalachian mines reopening (and also the proliferation of mining accidents). I know of at least 4 mines reopening back home alone. Coal is cheap.

If 25% of fuel demand can be made up with ethanol (cheaper, mass produced ethanol), huge progress will have been made.

Everything costs more in the beginning. That's basic economics. As supply increases, and technology and infrastructure grow, the price drops dramatically.

Winfree

{quote}Back on topic: this will be hilarious if something happens, and the price of gas shoots up to $5 a gallon or more. Like invading Iran, or a hurricane. Then GM will lose money on every vehicle they sold under this offer.[/QUOTE]

According to some of my oil company insiders - plan on gas getting up to $5 per gallon some say by this summer-

Lots of politics behind this - there was a Democratic committee meeting with about 6 or 8 of the biggest oil CEOs, Mobile, Texaco, etc. They were talking about pricing and market forces.. the oil guys were being as closed mouth as a bunch of Maifi Dons talking to a Judical hearing - then Tom Biden began drinning and making nice and this kind of look began passing between the CEOs and they looked like they had been handed a Christmas - 2 days later the prices started jumping and they haven't stopped since... Then Capps put a bill out to stop drilling along the California Coast, and Gulf and it passed, and they have banned drilling in the big Alaskan Mud Flats (if a raindeer or a polar bear ever stepped on it when it was unforzen he would be lost like a Mammoth in a tar pit) and most other Alaskan place inspite of the Governor of Alaska, the local people, Eskimo people etc, all pleading for it -
And our with Friendly little oil producing maniacs in the mid East and South America kicking up - I guess our solution will be to buy stock in the oil companies!

TALAN7

Everyone who thinks GM vehicles suck outta try one. I had a 2000 Buick Regal GS for about 4 years that I literally put through the ringer and didn't have one problem with it. I put over 85,000 miles on it. Sure, it couldn't handle, and the interior looked cheap, but reliability wasn't a problem. I think it's easy to bash GM or American cars in general for their past, and I repeat, past discrepencies. American cars are now competitive with the average foreign car in my opinion. Forget about 10 years ago.

SSJ 909

Thank you

DOMINION

Yup look at all the recalls they have had Vs. Mazda

rotary-convert

Do you even know what you're talking about??? Last time I checked Ford is actually doing worse than GM. Check out their stock prices, both are knee deep in crap. Besides GM is at least making products that I would consider buying. The new Saturn lineup looks very appealing, don't forget the upcoming Buick Elise and current Cadillac have models that look great. What does Ford have? Yes I like the Fusion/Milan and current offerings from Mazda, but the Lincoln lineup is going to go the way of Edsel if they are not successfull with the upcoming MKS, MKX and boring Zypher.
Ford and GM have some major problems to address; yes their managment needs to stop relying soley on the old suv cash cows and 'bean counters' and have better lines of communication between designer,builder and consumer. Lastly they need to downsize, which is crucial if they want to make quality cars the public wants and not focus on putting in lackluster products to maintain market share.

I'm not siding with anyone but you should at least get your facts straight before you bring your asinine comments like that. It's in the country's best interest that our domestic automakers do not go belly up.

rx8wannahave

Yeah, as stated....Ford is actually doing worse. Where have you been...have you seen the Solstice, G6, Suburban/Tahoe, Vette, and the up and comming Saturn cars....GM is headed on the right direction.

Also as stated...you should be a fan, because of we lose the big 2...we are going to lose ALOT of jobs and our economy will take a big hit.

snizzle

I think GM's build quality is MUCH better now than it used to be. There was certainly a stretch where they needed a lot of help. Public perception is a big problem for GM because people assume that since GM once had quality issues that they always will. Getting the public/press back on your side is a long hard road.

rx8wannahave

^YUP, Amen to that. Let's just hope they learn their lesson...