Ford tries out European sized taxi in New York
There are three stories I found on this vehicle, but the one in Wired is the most informative. They both have the same theme – that America is going to need smaller more fuel efficient taxis. I imagine one of the reason that Ford can lay claim to the largest maker of North American taxis is that it is now the last maker of “full size” cars – the Crown Victoria favoured by police forces and cab drivers. But of course here we have been seeing much smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles used as taxis for some time. I think the most common now are either the Prius or other Toyoya models for those who could not wait for a Prius to be delivered (though the wait now is down to under three months).
But this being one of the Big Three they still do not seem able to move very fast. This is a vehicle that has been on the road in the UK for five years but it was shown as a “concept” that might be released next year some time.
It uses a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine linked to an automatic transmission, and Ford claims that it has 90 per cent lower tailpipe emissions than the average American taxi.
So it is not exactly leading edge technology then, is it. No wonder more agile players in the auto industry are now eating Ford’s lunch. Or does the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission have a “buy domestic” requirement?
Stephen Rees's blog 
fabulous——-but I like the TATA–compressed air car -the indian company is making great cars!—–claims to get over 100km with air fill—but I think the future is in cxompressed air…..with a tiny ultra efficient motor that merely compresses air,then automaticly shuts down–the tata also re-fills its own air while braking and while going down hill— THE FUTURE IS IN COMPRESSED AIR! not hot air out of most politicians mouth (are you listening gordo-the gargler ) signed…………hiding from exxon and shell and the auto makers.
grant g
March 19, 2008 at 10:25 pm
“Most cabbies drive Ford Crown Victorias from police department surpluses that usually cost less than $10,000.
The Crown Victorias guzzle gas faster than Homer Simpson gobbles donuts, getting about 13 miles per gallon. But they’re easy to fix and can go more than 300,000 miles…”
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/03/09/city_hopes_hybrid_taxis_gain_steam/
Sungsu
March 20, 2008 at 1:13 am
The costs associated with our dependence on oil are enormous. Let’s look seriously at what we give up in order to drive our cars and our economy.
Fort Mackay, Alberta.
View Larger Map
This URL will bring up a satellite photo of Fort Mackay and the surrounding area. What you see are the results of oil production, essentially lakes of toxic waste, otherwise known as tailings ponds, which sit on the surface of the land until they leetch into the soil and surrounding water. Environmental engineers will be hard at work trying to minimize the mess created here for generations.
Would you grow food there?
Gyula Huszar
March 20, 2008 at 4:23 am
Looks like the map URL didn’t make it through the time/space continuum of comment boxes; but you can look up Fort Mackay on google maps and look around the area for your own education. Satellite photos are the best! And while you’re at it, look around the Arctic Ocean and see for yourself how the world has changed since you went to school. Decide for yourself who’s lying, the entire scientific community, or the deniers of global warming.
Gyula Huszar
March 20, 2008 at 4:32 am
That Ford looks suspiciously like the Suzuki WagonR: a model that is one of the most popular small cars in Japan. I wonder if it’s their inspiration. I also wonder what’s going on inside that company, GM too… could it be that they’re really blind to what’s happening in the world? It almost seems like irresponsible business practices to me.
The “An American REvolution” ads that Chevy is running these days are almost enough to make one ill.
Corey
March 20, 2008 at 7:30 am
I suspect that if one calculated the total area of car-asphalt in Metro vancouver, then imposed it on a scaled map as one big grey square, the grey would occupy around half the urban area. Do the same for all cities and the total number of square kilometres may be truly stunning. Then calculate the average cost of the land … it’s too mind boggling.
Meredith
March 20, 2008 at 1:39 pm
gyula haszar is right! (we agree on something eh gyula!) I saw a story on fort mcmurrey oil sands –the envirmental damage is deep. fish in near by lakes or growing extra tails,lumps and tumors! when ever it rains there`s a yellow toxic skim on all the water supplies! the skim contains sulfer ,benzine and a boodle of other toxins! oil extraction out of tar sands is a dirty dirty process –it takes one barrel of oil in energy to produce 2 barrels out of these sands– ( future generations will look back at this folly and laugh and sob ) its a high price! but I`m sad to say the powers that be in alberta won`t change, the ministry of the enviroment (in alberta ) is located,get this in a big tower called –the petroleum building! yea you got it the ministry shares its office with all the big oil conglomerates!———————-signed…………………alice in wonderland
grant g
March 20, 2008 at 3:54 pm
gyula -that burns bog video- thats why I don`t want a twinned port mann–and a south perimeter road, and port expansion- BECAUSE THE PORT EXPANSION WILL PUT 5000 MORE BIG TRUCKS ON THE ROAD- THE ROAD KILLS THE BOG –THE BRIDGE IS FOR THE TRUCKS!—- AAARGH AS i HAVE BEEN RANTING AND RAVING AGAINST THE GORDO (THE GARGLER ) CAMPBELL GOVERMENT is because his whole green budget-33% reduction-his gateway -HIS BULLSHIT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH GREEN– its about money , a lot of you are passionate about issues,but you have to read between the lines, run of river is sad ,fish farms killing wild salmon,brings a tear to my eye. gordo ignores the facts, he and falcon are enviromental disaters– maybe it takes a major loss to see the light-I have personally seen the collapse of many salmon species as I look out onto pender harbour , the humming birds are gone -the cod are gone-the salmon are gone – I have heard these political spinners for too long—-no more-THE REVOLUTION IS HERE — THE RETURN OF ECO-TERRORISM -THERE IS NO OTHER CHOICE! SIGNED………………COVERED WITH SEA LICE
grant g
March 21, 2008 at 3:45 pm