Promoting CNG CARS

[Gabby]

In the past month or so there have been posts about writing GM and Ford to petition them to restart the building of CNG vehicles in the interest of fuel economy, national energy security and of being a clean and green alternative fuel. This has done by individuals who have written them with a given address including myself.

I would like to propose to this group, to all interested non-profits groups and to all interested for profit companies that we draft an open letter to be published or advertised via the media (e.g. newspaper, clear channel radio and TV) to the Big Three auto makers.

An example of this would be a 30 second radio spot in the Detroit Market in which would air in the morning rush hour during the drive in to work. The ad work tell just how economical driving CNG really is.

A board of directors could be formed to raise funds to place the ads and gain corporate sponsorship. ( T. Boone Pickens could take it out of petty cash to place the ads ) I would think of all the gas companies, compressor firms, auto parts companies SEMA, AAIA, the manufacturers’ of pressure tanks would be interested. Surely all would benefit.

I would not mind to contribute so I could drive a new OEM GM product to this endevour.

[David Burklin]

Re: Promoting CNG CARS

Sounds like a good idea to me. We have to make lots of noise if we want to be heard.

[Lakewood90712]

Re: Promoting CNG CARS

The only way the big three are ever going to re-enter the market is if convinced of 10,000 units minimum , per year of each cng model, pre ordered by one or more dealers or fleets. For several years.

Calling T. Boone , Want to get in the car business ? Just commit to multi-year firm orders. THAT will get Detroit back in the business.

The problem is plain old "chicken or the egg " we need BOTH at the same time . Someone like T.B.P. could make it happen , if he put his funds where his talk is , and went to the automakers with a large multi year order.

Just think , Clean Energy as your local (insert car brand) dealer .

Ford was the largest and had massive warranty costs when the programe was running , and want's no part of it again. EVER .

When a customer orders a cng crown vic or E350 van, it goes to BAF for conversion, and BAF becomes the manufacturer of record , shifting most of the warranty and liability to the upfitter.

GM is a maybe , with cng cars produced in europe now.

Chrysler ? maybe it will help them stay in business a few more years.

So it's Honda, and a few brave up-fitters willing to produce vehicles now. (Including 2 CNGCHAT members)

Sorry gang , but a lot of us little dogs don't equal the bark of a big dog.

Just my $.02 worth .

[mecklen]

Re: Promoting CNG CARS

... 10,000 units minimum , per year of each cng model, pre ordered by one or more dealers or fleets. For several years. ... Ford was the largest and had massive warranty costs when the programe was running , and want's no part of it again.

I think this is a great example of why the American auto industry is where it is today. Such risk-averse, short sighted behavior will simply result in their extinction. Perhaps this is even a good thing.

[Gabby]

Re: Promoting CNG CARS

There is more than the minimum of 10,000 units needed for any car maker to take notice. There is a lot of pent-up demand with the price of fuel the way it is. There is another way of gaining their attention without the full page ad route and that is to make you tube video. After all again, what I see here in this chat room there is a lot of pent-up demand for I know I am one of them. All those high milage used cars are not going to last forever.

The video could be made by any college student or school that teaches media so long as the video is of quality. The thesis is "Hey Mr. GM or Mr. Ford, Where Is My CNG Car? " or a take off of " I Want MY NGV" ( A take off of I want my MTV) It could be done at the newest CNG filling station or be done at filling stations around the country. I mean there are filing stations outside of Utah and California, too! The question could be asked by many persons. If there is no response to this does anyone know how does one get in touch with T. Boone for I think this would be a very inexpensive way of getting the word out that we are requesting CNG cars.