CA: Do Not Ask for Whom the Road Tolls…
The Newspaper reports that the California state legislature has blessed AB3021, a measure that will expand toll roads throughout the Golden State. The CA tr…
Read more
Volt Birth Watch 78: The First Of Many Tax Breaks
As Detroit gears up for the beggar-bowl bailout-fest, the Volt is taking center stage as, well, the only reason to invest in Detroit's future. We already kno…
Read more
Bailout Watch 10: TTAC Called It– Wall Street Journal Reveals Motown's $25b Bailout Plan
And so it begins. The Wall Street Journal' s lead editorial makes it perfectly clear that Motown's plans to tap your taxes is well advanced. And guess what?…
Read more
Nissan Loses Mississippi Pissing Contest
Nissan's taking a hit where it didn't expect, thanks to their failing full-size truck sales. According to the Madison County Journal, when Nissan built thei…
Read more
Bailout Watch 9: DetN Buries McCain Op Ed– $5k Fed Tax Credit for Alt. Fuel Vehicles
I'm flabbergasted. Presidential hopeful John McCain (or someone on his staff) pens an opinion piece for The Detroit News and the paper doesn't make ANY menti…
Read more
CBS Picks Pickens' Plan to Pieces
The ironically named Kevin Drum takes on once and former oil man T. Boone Pickens' plan for American energy independence. After CBS' Drum has his wicked way…
Read more
Obama To Spend $4b of Your Tax Money for 1m Hybrids by 2015
The Detroit News reports that Senator Barack Obama wants to help Michigan et al. help him become president of the United States (surprise!). To that end, Ba…
Read more
TTAC to DC: Let's Kill CAFE!
When it comes to public policy, I don't often agree with the automotive industry in general and Motown in specific. That's because the car biz is ready, will…
Read more
Bailout Watch 8: Senate Dems Back Bailout
When the new energy bill mandating higher CAFE ratings came out last December, it didn't offer automakers any kind of financial assistance to meet those goal…
Read more
Feds Face Falling Gas Tax Revenue With Road Pricing, New Toll Roads
Oil prices go up. Gas prices go up. American consumers switch en masse to the kind of vehicles promoted by CAFE ( Corporate Average Fuel Economy) regs since…
Read more
In a Related Matter… OH Gives GM $82.1m Tax Break for Chevy Cruze Production
In the rush to get a blog post ready, I often skim the end of an article, after digesting the headline. At the very tail of The Detroit News' piece on the Ch…
Read more
VW TDI Gets $1,300 Federal Tax Credit
Even though diesel fuel costs more than gasoline, even though diesel engines cost more than their gasoline equivalents, VW plans to sell TDI versions of the…
Read more
GM Floats UK CO2 Extortion Scheme
When it comes to government-mandated corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) regs, I'm with GM Car Czar Bob Lutz. It's like forcing a clothing maker to sell sm…
Read more
Warren Mayor Has the Answer to Detroit's Problems
The mayor of Warren, MI has the answer to The Big 2.8's woes. The MacComb Daily reports that in a letter to the Michigan Congressional delegation, Mayor Jame…
Read more
GM: The Taxpayer Giveth, The Taxpayer Taketh Away
Thanks to politicians , The Big 2.8 are looking at a nice little earner courtesy of, well, you. The Detroit News provides the gory details. "The U.S. House…
Read more
Ford Sues The Taxman
It's no secret that when strapped for cash the Detroit automakers often turn to Uncle Sam. Typically, these efforts involve a bailout, loan guarantees or tax…
Read more
U.S. Anti-Car Jihad Getting Warmed-Up?
The average U.S. consumer is done with SUVs and full-size pickups. Although the shift may have had something to do with safety concerns, political correctnes…
Read more
Shai Agassi Wants $100b of Your Taxes for EV Recharge Stations

Hey, why not create a national network of electric vehicle [EV] re-charge stations? OK, this video kinda exaggerates the all-important re-charge time. And if those mats recharge your EV in ten seconds, why do you need a car wash-style battery swap stations? These are not churlish questions (which is why we continue to ask Tesla about their Roadster's range and recharge times). They speak to the commercial viability of the entire project. Anyway, go for it Shai! What's that? You want MY tax dollars to pay for all this? AutoblogGreen tells the tale. "Speaking to the House of Representatives Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming (we have one of those?), Agassi said, 'For the price of two months worth of oil, some $100 billion, we can put in place the infrastructure needed to power the nation's cars and end this oil dependence.' Ambitious, no? He then threw in the 'American jobs' angle with, 'Of that $100 billion, moreover, some $80 billion will go into jobs that, by their nature, can only be performed in the US – the construction of the infrastructure itself.'" Other than remarking on Agassi's chutzpah. AutoblogGreen lets the wisdom of federal tit-sucking go unchallenged. We call boondoggle. If it's such a good idea, let the electric companies pay for it.

Read more
Canada Day Brings B.C. Automotive Cash Grab
Today marks Canada's 141st anniversary. CTV reports that British Columbia's motorists can now look forward to higher motoring costs. That's right, Premier Go…
Read more
Bailout Watch 4: McCain on Detroit Bailout– "I'm Afraid Not"
Whatever else you can say about White House hopeful John McCain– and you're going to say lots– the guy's got a set. Followers of our E85 coverage…
Read more
UK Diesel Hits $9.84 a [US] Gallon
While you contemplate the full misery that this sad state of affairs inflicts upon the average UK motorist, eating into what's laughing called their after-ta…
Read more
E85 Boondoggle of the Day: Just Give Us Land, Lots of Land
In an excellent E85 editorial we published two years ago, Michael Karesh pointed out that U.S. corn growers would need a landmass nearly the size of Texas to…
Read more
Forbes' Flint: Detroit's "Bad Luck" is the Feds' Responsibility
Forbes' Jerry Flint has some strong words for Detroit. But first… "Yes, Asian car companies cheated. They kept us out of their countries and kept the…
Read more
Obama Courts Michigan With $150b Green Initiative (Boondoggle)
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's love – hate relationship with Detroit automakers– they're evil, foot-dragging SUV-builders who nee…
Read more
E85 Boondoggle of the Day: Ethanol Now Accounts for 24% of U.S. Corn Crop
We've heard a lot about U.S. corn-based ethanol production lately, what with E85 boosters saying it ain't got nothin' to do with rising food prices. In searc…
Read more
And So It Begins: Plan for $18.5b Detroit Hand-Out
So, now that the feds are forking-out $30m of your hard-earned tax dollars to GM, Ford and Chrysler/GE for plug-in hybrid battery technology research, auto i…
Read more
Autocar: UK Gov is Killing Car Industry
Autocar magazine has suddenly woken-up to the threat to UK jobs posed by the Government's new CO2-based car taxes. And boy are they miffed! After listing th…
Read more
Russia's Putin Says NYET to Foreign Imports
Is great to be leader of glorious Russian Federation. Of course, we can always be more glorious. And glory be to the Russian car industry. Make world's great…
Read more
SecTrans Joins Gas Tax Bashing
With HillRod and McNasty calling for a summer vacation from reality gas taxes, populist posturing on the price at the pumps is hitting an all time high. It…
Read more
"I'm Supposed to Respond to the People and Try to Make Them Happy"
No, it's not Heidi Fleiss talking. It's a different kind of prostitute: Florida Governor Charles "Charlie" Crist. I kid, I kid. But that's Charlie's ultimate…
Read more
LA Pencil Pushers Tells Taco Trucks to FO&D
LA is working to put its taco trucks out of business.
Read more
NYT: I Spit on Your Federal Gas Tax Holiday!
The New York Times doesn't like the idea of a federal gas tax holiday
Read more
Gas Tax Hol Divides Dems, Unites Hillrod and McCain
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Just kidding, it's the worst of times. I can't even turn on the TV for fear of seeing anything having to…
Read more
UK New Car Carbon Tax Scarfs $5b, Does Sweet FA for CO2
The UK's new tax on new cars will raise $5b and reduce C02 levels by less than 1%.
Read more
GM CEO Optimistic on Strikes/Delphi
GM's CEO is optimistic about everything.
Read more
SF To Tax Bakeries, Gas Stations, Refineries for CO2 Emissions
San Francisco considers a CO2 tax on local businesses.
Read more
Iowa Senator: Ethanol Over Food Worries "A Big Joke"
Iowa Senator Charles E Grassley says biolfuels are not to blame for soaring world fuel prices.
Read more
Indian Industry Group Seeks Duty On Chinese Cars
The Hindu Times reports that the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers and TATA Motors have asked the Indian government to slap a 35 percent duty on Ch…
Read more
U.S. Sec. of Trans: Ditch Gas Tax for Road Pricing
The Seattle Times reports that the U.S. Secretary of Transportation wants to lower federal gas taxes. The bad news: Mary Peter wants to replace the taxes wi…
Read more
NYT: "If Congestion Pricing is Defeated, New Yorkers Can Look Forward to Higher Taxes, Higher Fares and Worse Transit Service."
The New York Times wants congestion pricing for The City, in a BIG way.
Read more
NYT: Congestion Charging Approaches "Moment of Truth"
With the deadline for $354m in federal matching funds for New York City congestion charging (CG) looming (April 7), the New York Times ongoing support for th…
Read more
NYT: Pain at the Pump? Bash Bush, Tax Gas
The New York Times blames Bush for rising gas prices, and suggests raising federal gas taxes
Read more
April Fool's Day Truckers' "Shutdown" Gains Momentum
"Call it a strike, a shutdown or just flat-ass going broke.” That's how independent trucker/cattle hauler Dan Little describes his intention to pull ov…
Read more
London Motorists Face 120 Parking Fines
The U.K. cracks down on parking with stiff fines, electronic enforcement
Read more
E85 Boondoggle of the Day: U.S. Gov Suckers Station Owners
The U.S. Department of Energy spends your tax money on E85 Propaganda
Read more
Heathrow Airport Considers 20 "drop Off" Fee
Heathrow Airport considers 20 "drop off" fee
Read more
Gas Hits $3.28 Per Gallon; Profits Revealed
Gas prices soar; someone's making money.
Read more
25% of New U.S. E85 Production Now on Hold
The U.S. ethanol industry is in danger of stalling out.
Read more
UK Budget Penalizes Family Haulers, Big Style
The UK raises taxes on sales of larger cars, and taxes them after that, as well.
Read more
Spitzer Scandal Torpedos NY Gas and Car Tax Hikes
Eliot Spitzer will no longer be able to raises taxes on gas and cars.
Read more
E85 Boondoggle of the Day: Sorghum Rocks!
A new company investigates sorghum-based ethanol
Read more
Maine Turnpike Plaza Plans Face Leery Locals
York residents don't want a $35m turnpike plaza in their backyard
Read more
NYC Has 142k Free Parking Passes for 18.5k Spaces
Mayor Bloomberg says he'll crack down on free parking passes
Read more
NYT: Big Apple Congestion Charge NOW
The New York Times wants a congestion charge, bad.
Read more
Canada to Cull Clunkers With Taxpayers' Money
Canada will offers incentives for new car buyers
Read more
Utah Lawmakers Mislead Voters on New Toyota Plant
Utah legislators want voters to think a new Toyota plant is coming. It isn't.
Read more
Texans Protest Trans-Texas Toll Road Proposal
Texans aren't wild about the idea of a Trans-Texas toll road
Read more
New London Congestion Charges to Warm Planet, Increase Traffic
Clean Green Cars recommends that London eliminate the congestion charge exemption for low CO2-emitting cars
Read more
E85 Boondoggle of the Day: FL Grants $25m to "alternative Fuel Developers"– and Then Some
Florida pays $35m in taxpayer-funded alternative fuel grants, with more to follow
Read more
Washington State Creates Annual MPG Tax
A bill in the Washington legislature would tie a vehicle tax to the EPA rating of your car.
Read more
  • Lorenzo Heh. The major powers, military or economic, set up these regulators for the smaller countries - the big guys do what they want, and always have. Are the Chinese that unaware?
  • Lorenzo The original 4-Runner, by its very name, promised something different in the future. What happened?
  • Lorenzo At my age, excitement is dangerous. one thing to note: the older models being displayed are more stylish than their current versions, and the old Subaru Forester looks more utilitarian than the current version. I thought the annual model change was dead.
  • Lorenzo Well, it was never an off-roader, much less a military vehicle, so let the people with too much money play make believe.
  • EBFlex The best gift would have been a huge bonfire of all the fak mustangs in inventory and shutting down the factory that makes them.Heck, nobody would even have to risk life and limb starting the fire, just park em close together and wait for the super environmentally friendly EV fire to commence.