I first met Akimasa Yasuoka at the California Air Resources Board meetings. I ran into him again at the 2009 Los Angeles autoshow. He updated me on the demands CARB is making on the auto industry. At the March 2008 Board Hearing, the California Air Resources Board (ARB or the Board) adopted modifications to the [...]
Michael Weiss is the Senior Manager & Strategic Project Manager for the Mercedes-Benz Car Group. Weiss took me on a ride in the Mercedes-Benz 450h. The MBZ 450h is Mercedes' full two-mode hybrid, the first European hybrid in the United States.
Robert S. Carter Group Vice President and General Manager - Toyota Division Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc met me at the Toyota Sienna at the 2009 Los Angeles auto show. Carter talked about the Prius, and the future of the plug-in electric Prius. Carter also talked about the recall because of the pedal/floor mats. Carter [...]
Mark Templin, Lexus division group Vice President and General Manager talked with me at the 2009 Los Angeles autoshow about the amount of hybrids that Lexus has on the market. We were in front of the LFA. Templin told me that only 500 would be made, at a cost of $375,000, and then they "would [...]