As it turns out, Americans are interested in buying hybrid cars, but environment isn't the main reason why.  In fact, according to this article, "reducing our impact on the environment comes third among reasons why the US should be a leader in hybrid cars (with 64%). First is "reducing the nation's reliance on foreign oil (81%)" and second is "creating jobs (67%)".  This is not surprising.  Americans are pragmatic, and I would say that the idea of "healing Mother Earth" is a bit foreign to most us.  In our way of thinking, if we can immediately see the benefit, then its the right thing to do.  Most don't understand the philosophical underpinnings of environmentalism.  For those who see the environment through moral or ethical lenses, such pragmatism, while maybe not as noble sounding as they might prefer, actually moves the agenda along in some way.  Just not as far and for the same reasons as they want.  Either way the air is cleaner and we increase in peace and prosperity.  Not a bad gig! 

In 2012 Hyundai will be releasing their own version of the Prius, according to this article from Top Gear U.S.A.  The car is at best decent looking, provided that it actually looks like the picture shows (without the streaking lights coming off the back), but it still has that horrid Hybrid design stench...that is really the best way I know how to describe it.  All in all I'm confused as to why carmakers have to make their green vehicles look so outrageous.  Take a look at the Prius and Honda Insight, for example.  Why do they have to look so...so...ridiculous?!?!?!  Is there a necessary connection between the design and the hybrid concept?  If so I stand corrected but I seriously doubt it.  I'm reminded of the cheesy science fiction movie where the filmmakers overdo their prediction of what the future will look like, like on Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure when they visit a future society where the people are floating.  There is nothing about the future that says humans will be floating, and there is nothing about green automobiles that calls for designs that alienate regular folks.  Its sad to say, but most people would rather see a giant hole in the ozone layer than drive the hybrids that are out there.  Car makers need to take note of that. 

In these crazy economic times, its nice to have some help looking for good deals.  Top Gear, UK has put together a nice little feature titled Bargain of the Week, where the latest and greatest new car deals are featured.  

Ian Douglas writes in the Telegraph this article about the Peapod, the latest offering from GEM, a subsidiary of Chrysler.  Just when I thought the Mac/iphone world couldn't get any more bizarre, along comes a car with an iPhone key.  Not keys that look like miniature iPhones.  Not a cute little iPhone keyring.  No, its an actual iPhone that starts the bloomin ignition!  I'm trying to work this out in my mind.  Other than a gratuitous cool factor, what are the practical benefits of this?  Are regular car keys becoming so obtrusive and offputting?  This suspicious attitude was of course was my first reaction upon reading the article, as is usually the case with all new fangledness, because I like to sit in self righteous judgment over new inventions or innovations out of sheer jealousy.  But then I started thinking.  This could be really cool! 

Well, hold on a sec.  Its not a real car, for as Douglas says from the article, "They haven't been crash tested by Ncap so I have no idea how dead you'd be if you hit something, the seats are made of gauze and from the photographs the whole thing has more than just a whiff of Playmobil about it," and elsewhere, "Canada and the USA have refused to allow it on the open roads so it can only be used in gated communities, campuses and the like."  But still.  For me this would be cool because the following could happen:

- I could actually own an iPhone. 
- I could store my phone, car keys and car stereo in my pocket. 
- I could have that arrogant, "why aren't you driving a car that goes 25mph" air about me, putting the SUV drivers (including myself) to open shame.
- I could actually own an iPhone.

And maybe thats it.  Having an iPhone for a key is bizarre enough, but it only makes any kind of sense in the equally bizarre world where souped up golf carts pass as cars.  That, my friends, is a world that I just don't understand, and I'm afraid I never will.  

Man I wish I would have watched this video before driving cross country with a van load of squidlings.  Great tips for those about to launch out this summer. 

With a growing family and a minivan about to explode from sheer age, I figured it was time to go a hunting for two vehicles.  The first one we bought was a 2000 Suburban with low mileage.  It's a nice vehicle and seats about 24 (its huge!!!).  Our second purchase was a 2001 Land Rover Discovery.  Of course we all know that Land Rovers are expensive luxury SUV's when they are bought brand new.  But buying it used doesn't remove the stigma, at least in my own mind.  People will come up to me and say, "wow man you must be rolling in the dough to afford that!"  Of course nothing could be further from the truth, but in my zeal to appear poor I quickly throw down a list of why such a purchase doesn't mean I am wealthy, including: 

  - How little I paid for the vehicle
  - How my payments haven't gone up
  - How old the vehicle is
  - Pointing out other cosmetic and mechanical defects

Why do I want people to think I am poor?  Where does this insecurity come from?  Could it be that I place such a high value on my own image, and that poor has become the new rich in some circles?  Is there an inherent nobility to being broke?  In reality, no.  But that doesn't remove the temptation to appear more noble in the eyes of those around me.  I guess I should have thought of that before making the purchase.  But alas I am happy with it, and the kids dig the sunroofs.  Thats a win in my book.  Now I need to grow up myself and simply enjoy the fact that I was able to get a nice vehicle for a good price, no matter what other people think.  Here's to insecurity!