Interesting things for one of the Big 3 automakers-see video, a hand out for the others

The big 3 automakers have some great cars and engineers, some great designs too. It seems that forward thinking leadership is generally lacking though. Sure there are some cool concept cars that come out at times, but much of the really interesting stuff seem to stay in the back rooms.

The leadership of GM notably has grown bloated as I think many of the American automakers seem to be. Ford has realized I think in the past few years it needs to get on board with higher fuel efficiency and that it had nothing in the back room to do it. Thank you Toyota, and it has some hybrids that seem to be popular.If you can't beat them join them.

While I think the American automakers can make great cars, energy efficient, and affordable, it takes some innovative ideas and out of the box means of doing things. That is not what Detroit is known for. Check out this video link of a forward thinking design that could change to way cars are built. Whether they are electric or gas, they all need assembly...... batteries not included. (Just Kidding.) The Japanese assembly mode, I think called just in time, has been adopted and used beneficially for years, but having universal production lines that are mixed, is pretty innovative in my mind. In another blog there is a video of an American automaker that I think portends a major shift that Detroit and the UAW need to seriously consider if they want to still be in the manufacturing business.

While I see more electric cars in Santa Cruz, I still see lots of big SUV's with one person in them. I am glad to be seeing more of the electric cars though. Santa Cruz homes with solar panels are populare and I predict in 10 years almost all our new homes in the US will be required to have solar panels.

The plug in car is not far away, but the recharging is a problem. Better Place of Palo Alto, is working on that issue of charging stations for the Silicon Valley area of California. Meanwhile the state of Hawaii is building a state wide infrastructire for electric cars. Given the fact they have alot of sun and that all their fuel is shipped in, this makes great sense. Hawaiil will be the first state with electric car charging stations state wide.

The good thing is, that they are a relatively small state, and can hopefully iron out problems before the US as a whole figures how, or if, to make a national grid. Plugging in your Chevy Volt at home and at work will be a great way for many people to be green and weaned off from oil. I think the oil speculators have done for the nation what they and the America automaker couldn't or wouldn't .

I just hope the "cheap gas" doesn't derail the quantum shift we as a country really need.

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