Top cities to move to – on Nat Gas

So how’s y0ur neighborhood growing?   When America gentrifies it has a few options to do so.   Call the mover or DIY. Those over at Yahoo, Business Insider and the like, have found the perfect graphic courtesy of ===.   Since you may be human vs. a computer, take a look at this visual.

The 2014 Top Yellow States.    Courtesy Penske via Business Insider

The evidence in the past 4 years ranks 10 cities with the most migration.   What the Penske 2014 graphic shows is where those driving themselves are moving.   The 2014 top 10 cities with Penske moves – the competitive nature of things allows Budget and U-Haul to have their own rankings – are:

1. Atlanta
2. Tampa
3. Dallas
4. Orlando
5. Phoenix
6. Houston
7. Seattle
8. Chicago
9. Denver
10. Las Vegas

What would be interesting to know from all those who flocked to Atlanta:  “Did you get 9 miles to the gallon of gas or were you finally able to choose an alternative like Natural Gas?”

For those who can not or are not buying Natural Gas: “Did you move because the water in your back yard was on fire?”  Or more important, “Was your new home built with a pristine water supply?”

For those not in the “Green” camp: “Did you have the ability to move from a Cold state to a Warm state because the increase in US energy production has afforded you new opportunities that will better your family’s future?”

What ever your answer, ensure that you have the energy to fuel another day.  The best option for your neighborhood depends on your neighborhood’s natural resources.

Click to own or rent Lubie Love.

Plan for 123 Million Users by 2014

A glimps into the future or past at Meteor Crator Arizona (just off the old-Route 66). Copyright © 2013 Mason Hayutin

The energy debate America is having is surely making a difference.   The latest technology in exploration from Space to abandoned oil fields and vast non-productive Prairies is allowing each of us to answer the questions:

At what price are we willing to trade one way of life for another?

At what price will citizens dependent on their Automobile be willing to switch from “dirty” fuels to “clean” alternatives?

My concern with these questions became formalized as I participated in the fine art documentary film, LUBIE LOVE – The Movie.  Hard to believe that the release was 4 years ago at New York’s Tribeca Cinema.   In that short amount of time, Apple and Samsung have relegated the desktop computer to a near death along with the slow-to-adapt Blackberry.   Next year, nearly 123 Million users will be watching – consuming TV and digital content on “SmartTVs.”   With just a click of the keypad, mouse, smartphone or remote, an independent film like LUBIE LOVE  can be watched and reviewed 123 Million times! (Review your copy here).

Yesterday, in my home state of Colorado, three Colorado communities voted to let more facts on Fracking be known.  They voted on extending a moratorium on hyrdrolic fracturing by as much as 5 more years.  Boulder, Layfette and Fort Collins chose to say “No” for now.   They also chose to embrace a “clean environment” where drinking water is likely to be one of the Front Range’s biggest obstacles to sustained growth.

Credit can be given to my contemporary in film, Josh Fox.   He successfully galvanized a national awareness of drinking water being so polluted  by “careless” exploration techniques that one could easily light it on fire. His first movie Gasland exposed the problem found by a Weld County, Colorado resident.  I can only wonder how much of that problem was pre-existing vs. caused by the actual fracturing of a nearby natural gas well?  Methane escaping from the ground happens naturally.

And credit can also be given to T. Boone Pickens and the Pickens Plan.   In 2009, Boone beat me to the CNBC’s Englewood Cliff’s, New Jersey studios to announce a vision for America’s energy future.  Harnessed by the wind, and a big bet on Natural Gas, Pickens thrust the political debate to be about getting off foreign oil.  Unlike the SmartTV, the Pickens Plan has approximately 2 million active users/followers.

Compare that to approximately 350 Million Americans.  At age 16, each of us – at least in Colorado, has a right to drive.  A right that fuels us forward for generations.   And when the keys are finally turned over in our elder years, we are only left with a memory of what it was like to drive.   Boone, according to the Houston Chronicle, is one elder whose memory will include being able to say he had a Natural Gas powered Cadillac in the 1990s!

Obviously driving has enabled a global community to advance.  The future though, as has already been proven, is not strapped to just one way getting from point A to point B.  The path is dependent on providing economically sustainable alternatives.  These alternatives must produce an economic base that enables each of us to live as we choose.  Today, companies like FedEx and UPS are increasing their profits by relying on natural gas powered delivery vehicles.

In the same breadth, the economic future of rural and non-rural communities is being put to test by the ethics and practices used to produce natural gas.  To frack or not!    The decision is not black and white.

Josh, like others, were faced with profiting from an “Amazing” gold rush in the form of land and mineral right sales that could allow their future to be forever financed.   As one oil industry executive conveyed to me by phone yesterday – “I’m receiving royalties from wells that were drilled in 1931.   Almost 100 years later the well is still productive.   And I am happy it is mine.”

The freedom of choice by the American consumer (compared to those by politicians) is perhaps our greatest achievement as a society.   When we wake up we can decide to earn a living so we may buy anything available in the open market.   Of course that’s where choice battles are fought and won – from harmoniously produced music to poorly made vehicles.   The definition of success for all of these goods and services are measured in one simple way – profit.

The Fracknation Energy Plan – Not Gasland

In a classic display of concern and interest, citizens of all walks of life appeared for the screening of Gasland 2 in Boulder Wednesday evening.   The Glenn Miller Ballroom was home to the launch of independent film director Josh Fox’s latest update on the troubling energy process called Fracking.  Boulder was an ideal site for Josh and his primary underwriter, HBO, to screen a relevant and galvanizing film.  It is a film that shows how everyone’s backyard is impacted by the presence of an abundant energy supply – in this case Natural Gas.   NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) is not going to be enough when fracking natural gas becomes an acceptable practice throughout the United States.

Courtesy Josh Fox

For those who do not know, America’s lack of an energy policy has led to a diversified plan to extract what ever is economically viable from our natural resources in a general attempt to become energy independent and regain our leadership in supplying the world with energy.   What Gasland 2 shows is that the stakes are higher than ever for not just a few American landowners with mineral rights (Josh included) but for the vast areas of land that produce natural gas.  These areas lay below our homes in rural and urban areas alike.   In one scene Josh joins fellow film maker Chris Paine (Revenge of The Electric Car) on a quick ride through the hills outside Hollywood, California which once again have become productive and economically viable plots for performing oil and gas wells.

Josh has succeeded in bringing attention to a national issue that is being heavily lobbied by big oil and natural gas companies.   The position has become so extreme that military tactics used on citizens in Iraq are being engaged by various companies right here in America.  Specifically Range and Chesapeake Energy are keen to bully anyone interested in getting in the way of the profits that these publicly owned companies feel are rightly theirs.

Because Fox has a genuine concern for his own property in Pennsylvania, his battle cry has been heard by both sides of the argument.   President Obama knows that a stagnant economy that fails to drive new opportunities – jobs – is one that will lose not just party politics but economic security.   Landowners too know that they can become sellouts when the gas companies come calling for their land.  Unlike previous royalty splits, the fracking movement has been hiding a serious problem – one often panned by the right-wing media.  Water contamination is the source of why fracking is a terrible energy choice.   When wells fail, typcially 1 in 20, a variety of gases including methane seep back into the ground water and air.  More dangerous are the toxic chemicals that percolate into the water supply during the fracturing process.   The hazard to human health is just one by-product that companies like Range Energy, Chesapeake and Encana want citizens to overlook.   Gasland 2 clearly shows that communities – once sought for their standard of living – are becoming worthless because of fracking.   From outside Pittsburgh, PA and Ft. Worth, Texas to small towns in Wyoming and Colorado, households are being lost to the poisons and contaminants found in drinking water, ground water and the unseen gases in the air.

At the Boulder screening Fox attempted to allow the crowd to voice their concerns and organize into a non-violent, proactive organization.  Like so many other efforts though, the idealists are not as persuasive as Josh’s film.   For the movement to have strength, it will need to convince you and me to refrain from using products that rely on natural gas.  As an abundant, cheap energy source, Fox and crew need to drive people to non-gas powered vehicles and homes.  While doable today, consumer convenience of electric powered energy – mainly solar – is not yet ready for mass competitive consumption.

Fracknation needs to understand first and foremost that contaminated drinking water is an extreme cost to all of society.  Americans have the right to have a clean environment.  The question Fox asks correctly is: “Who is evoking the right to protect our resources today?”   Who amongst us is willing to correctly say – our energy appetite needs to avoid ruining our critically viable, abundant and key resource that sustains all of life.  Clean, uncontaminated water is a must!   This message must not land on deaf ears.   Congress – and businesses – must place priority on human welfare and not on short term financial gains.  Most critical is that consumers – citizens – need to consume products free of natural gas.

GASLAND 2 will be aired to 40 million households starting in July 8 at 9PM on HBO.  Definitely set aside the time to learn about this critical energy question and take a stand.

How We Got Here

A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of running into a friend from Sundance.  He and I share a passion for awesome skiing and snowboarding.  What we both understand is that when the weather isn’t cutting it, the glorious Rocky Mountains yield not just poor powder conditions but a miserable water supply.

Since 1980, the snow level in Colorado – my home state – has consistently been lacking.  By the early 90s, almost all of the major resorts sub-combed to “Cloud Seeding” or most obvious – massive snow making efforts.  The state not only recognized that without international travelers or locals ready to pile into their cars for 4 hours of average drive time to and from the slopes, a major economic resource would be lost.  Snow making and other technologies were allowed and skier visits blossomed.  Real estate development flourished and jobs became plentiful.

This New Year’s I had the fortune of being up in Aspen.  A five day ski vacation became, while enjoyable, a 2 day “avoid rocks on skis and snowboards fest” and 3 days of Apres recovery.  For those who do not know, January should be well packed with a rock free snow base – not bushes piercing through the ski’s base.

The technology innovation that was meant to solve a lack of snow base somehow didn’t matter.  No amount of technology was going to yield a snowfall that was going to justify enticing mother nature to comply with my vacation – or that of the eager high net worth travelers to Colorado’s slopes let alone Aspen’s.   This post was actually kindled by the fact that on a different visit to the western slope, as I drove back from Aspen to Denver, Lake Dillon was barer than I have ever witnessed.  This is one of Denver’s main water reservoirs.  And it is like this across the West.

And there lies the problem.  Americans pursuit for the holy grail on energy is not going to come soon enough to meet the domestic supply needs for our unwavering demand for energy.  Domestically we do have natural resources to fuel not just us but a large part of the world for some time.   And the marvels of technology will constantly improve our ability to stretch one last ounce, btu or kwh out of our resources.  When they are gone though, when they are corrupted by overzealous and foolish short term steps to maximize returns today, we are left to be dependent on the unknown.  Water not gas is the element life depends on.  Wasting water for oil, for scrubbing, fracking, or filtering in the livestocks and neighbors backyards is a foolish use of a resource.  In economics it is referred to as “A MISALLOCATION OF RESOURCES.”

Where we go from here:

Quite simply – we have to change habits not just resources.  American’s can quickly adjust to floods.  It’s as easy to stop consuming something that corrupts your way of life for an efficient alternative.  Electricity generated from renewables is utopian today but not in 10 years.  As we wait for over-subsidized industries – yes big oil is one – we can shift our buying habits now.   And this can happen with just a quick snap of our fingers.  This can happen without America’s politburo called Congress.

Take the online grocery store, gallery, or perhaps best known shoe stores as a lead example.  When ordering from Zappos.com, you have the ability to pick a group of shoes (and now clothes) in your size and within 2 days have your newest shoes on with the clothes that you otherwise would have had to guess about.  While you waited in the comfort of your home, you cut out: the approximate 20 minute commute, the possible insurance claim for the bumper bending accident in the mall’s parking lot, the blinking gas empty fuel gauge light on your dashboard and the possibility that you couldn’t find what you were looking for in the first place.  True you would not have purchased or needed to rely on insurance, gas, a public traffic infrastructure or the autobody repair by not stepping into your car.  You would have jogged to the gym, walked to the grocery store, read this or other inspiring articles or even simply have driven to meet some friends for a better social experience.

Your contribution to the economy would have been consuming from an efficient, market oriented source rather than wasting a precious resource – time.  America should not tolerate politicians – red or blue – who waste your time.  Citizens have a moral duty to become educated about how best to optimize their efforts.  For those who do not – your choices were yours and yours alone.   Those who find that applying money to employing the supply chain of FedEx, UPS, Nike, Coach, Hugo Boss, or even To Boot New York, should equally revel in the fact that their way of life will become simplified.   This is not an argument to do without – on the contrary.  Consume wisely and markets will lead politicians into choices that are irrefutable.

When water is ignitable, when the sky is black (or pink) and farm land is barren from over farming and drought, pork belly projects like Ethanol will easily find their way to the landfill near your congressional leaders biggest foe’s district – a fight that too could have been avoided by simply pressing send vs. print.

Tributes start at Home

Truckers honor 911 in Lubie Love – The Movie. Photo Credit:Copyright © Mason Hayutin, 2005

Have we learned anything over the past 11 years regarding energy.  O’ Yah!  It’s the central force behind a global posturing in both business and politics.  The auto bailout brought us not only saved jobs that should have disappeared Adam Smith style.  It brought us a greatly improved CAFE average.  We are now able to select a host of automobiles which on average can hit 35 MPG.   Yet the top 1% revel in the fact that their average MPG in luxury models maybe, just maybe yields 20 MPG for Yukons, Range Rovers, Beamers and Maybachs.

Energy experts including Boone have lost millions on alternatives.  The push for domestic only energy is a rock solid idea.  Unfortunately the propensity of employees and employers is to disregard safety for short term gains.  Natural gas, discovered and extracted poorly will quickly turn communities and ultimately the country into an environmental wasteland.  Big rigs – like the those featured in Lubie Love – The Movie should be on Natural Gas today.  Only if NG can be delivered guaranteed clean.

Having a job that has no future is not what American’s need.  Digging ditches just to fill them right back up might be work – but definitely the policy doesn’t advance the worker or society.  Educating and retooling does.  Knowledge accurately shared, benefits us all.  As we honor the fallen, as we stand together, we should advance the debate on energy in the simplest most direct process possible: consume only products that work and politics will shift very quickly.  The need to wait two or four years to throw the bums out will follow your vote at the register expeditiously, accurately and fast!

2011 costs American’s $4155 in Gas

It’s a “December to Remember.”  The American consumer is now spending on average $4155 to keep their beloved car filled and revved up.  This all according to the latest December 19th report by the Associated Press on fuel costs.  The shock of higher prices at the pump has not forced the American government to introduce a comprehensive energy policy, one which mixes domestic oil, gas, electric, and the like into a market friendly guidepost.  Citizens have moderated their rallying cries – The Pickens Plan has a registered base of 1.7 million citizens demanding domestic supply – while strong, hardly a dent in a population of nearly 350 million citizens.   The anti-natural gas debaters have been neutralized by big oil in spite of awareness campaigns from the left and Hollywood.    Of course the splashy news of Solyndra’s bankruptcy and China’s cheap photovoltaics has all but killed hope in the public solar support category; only the most endowed companies will pursue viable solar installations.  The politicians have hung themselves with a tax measure linked to the insistence that new jobs will await the newest gas pipeline.  Somehow, educating a new installer base on wind, solar and electrical grid needs is not as appealing as the tried and true Keynsian approach to America.  And where is the consumer?  Struggling to keep the lights on.

As CNBC’s report on the latest findings indicates, consumers are being most impacted when their wages have not risen.

She’s my baby, but I’m going to have to switch to something more economical, Hunter Collins said about his Dodge Charger and the 40 mile commute to and from his job.

To save, he like others are making difficult personal choices to break the addiction to a ride he loves.  Practical over performance is setting some of the tone this holiday season.  The alternatives for the consumer conscious is to turn to mass transit – hardly a practical option in most American cities.  Yet even in the major cities the price to journey out is not decreasing.  New York’s MTA now charges $2.50 per ride before bulk savings are applied.  This is 25% higher than where fares were only 2 years ago.

Perhaps the best alternative when the domestic policy is not leading bailed out automakers to provide fuel efficient value in new rides is to restructure the way one consumes, commutes and thinks about moving from point A to point B.  Most American will not, nor should they, give up their dependence on a car.  The car/truck though should be intelligently transformed.   Unlike 1981, or 2001 for that matter, the consumer can now obtain most of their needs and wants directly – and without leaving the comfort of their home.  The internet and mobile connectivity is widely engrained.    This year will close as one of the best for online merchants and e-commerce.    It is also the option that allows each of us who choose to rely on Fedex and UPS for almost any need or want we might have.    And as indicated in earlier posts on this site, the automakers have in 5 years made vehicles lighter and ultimately more fuel efficient – especially after the 2008 auto bailout.

Finding a way to cut the cord to a car is not for everyone.  Yet for those who do, you will not only save the gas, insurance and monthly payments that likely total annually $12 to 15K easily; you will induce a structural shift in the way commerce and government will need to respond to your market driven choice.

Revenge – The Movie has an uncanny feeling

Many of us wish for the day when fueling up at the pump is an after thought.  In 2006, some American car owners – everyday Janes and Joes to celebrities and dignitaries – thought the EV1 would surely answer a century of dependence on oil.  Before they could add serious mileage to their vehicles, the major auto manufacturers recalled, repossessed and ultimately destroyed these fuel efficient vehicles.  The film “Who Killed The Electric Car” vilified the manufacturers for their brash actions.  They broke basic tenets of supply and demand.

General Motors, Toyota, and others actually had uncovered a new “money” tree.  The concept of green vehicles – where there will be a day where every automobile on the road will be quiet, efficient, stylish and perhaps most important enhance the environment for all – became a luxury good.  Poor Jane and Joe.  The only place they can go today is to a dirty fuel efficient ride.

Nissan Motors, along with GM, Toyota, Tesla and others are in a race to bring the electric car to the masses.   In the movie first screened at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival, “Revenge of the Electric Car“, is a amazing story of how the smallest enthusiast to the largest manufacturers of the world have heard the cries of the consumer.  Without government subsidy though, vehicle’s like the Nissan Leaf have sticker prices more like luxury cars from 2006.  It is 2011 and as a second vehicle used to travel locally, the modern, feasible purely electric vehicle can meet most of the consumer’s wishes – $3/fill up has definite curb appeal.  Unfortunately the targeted consumer is more affluent than a commoner.

The current offering will only be a dent in the energy independence bucket.

Americans seek oil and energy independence.  Manufacturers have the need to profitably produce vehicles that people want and need.  The voting system of choice is capitalism and capitalism mixed with cronies has produced the current wave of electric cars.  Fortunately, Nissan Motors seems to have leaped the competition by producing it’s vehicles in Smyrna Tennessee.  The Chevy Volt, while dependent on a mix of gas and electricity, attempts to bridge consumer needs and curb worry of running out of fuel.  Ultimately, hybrid’s, plugged and unplugged will be eclipsed by manufacturing achievements that encourage full electric options.   As Bob Lutz, former Vice Chairman at GM, accurately mentioned to me in a private conversation, “…the [peak] oil debate seems to get foiled by new technological advancement and discoveries…”  While there are only a finite means available to us on our planet, innovations lead by enlightened leaders ensure that our economy can function and prosper.   At all levels, the outcome of a green ride can be truly prosperous for all.   Elon Musk of Tesla Motors is well aware and most likely to find the answer first as he has a vested interest in Spacex, Tesla Motors and the roofing company of the future “Solar City.”

As with most, time will tell how successful the documentary and the technologies will truly be.  Revenge of the Electric Car is a great story and documentary on global capitalism and innovation.  A must see when in a theater near you.

Oscars Primed – Colorado Featured On Times Front Page

As the glitter is polished out by Rodeo drive, the role of documentary films reveals itself yet again. Today’s headline at the New York Times features the potential contaminating effects of Natural Gas exploration. The “right” want to convince the population that cheaper natural resources are imperative to our energy independence. On the “left” the debate hovers around saving the pristine – the essence of life: clean water.  At both fronts, big money is at stake.

Hollywood needs to dramatically impact our lives to stay relevant.  Thankfully so.  Without the reprive, each of us would loose sight on what is important to our own well being.  The debate that cinema can raise is evidenced each time you leave a theater and ask (hopefully with others) what did you think?

The commerce/business side of the debate is something other – typically what will you earn?  T. Boone Pickens and independent film maker Josh Fox (backed by HBO), have a David vs. Goliath story.

Because a little self promo never hurts – LUBIE LOVE was screened first in 2009 (Tribeca, Denver, DC)  to raise awareness of the consumer/commerce role in this very essential national debate.

Fox, the successful thespian and Brooklyn based film maker, took his own encounter with big oil to the next level.   His ownership of a plot of Pennsylvania land had a natural resource that could fuel his future – Natural Gas.  All he had to do was sell out.

Yet to sell out too low or not at all, Fox decided to uncover the problems associated with Natural Gas exploration.  His fill, today up for an Oscar, is GASLAND.  In it, his road trip carried him to Colorado.  His now famous scene – a flame bursting from a rural Colorado landowner’s kitchen sink is at the heart of the debate: Will the need for consumer energy outweigh the need for consumer essentials – clean drinking water?

As T. Boone Pickens may point out, we just do not need clean water but “conflict free” cheap energy.  Since both commodities society has to pay a price for, consumers must quickly decide if we would rather have more water to drink or more fuel to carry us on in our consuming ways.

As an economist, it is essential that we have affordable energy supplies.  Boone and Fox are each accurate.  The unfortunate fact is that either Fox has to sell a great amount of tickets or Boone has to convince congress that your next car should be natural gas powered.

Any rancher – typically the same as a landowner – in Colorado knows the importance of water rights.  The water feeds each of us ultimately.  Keeping this depleting resource pristine is essential – for all of us to survive.  Cattle, feed, crops, corn, little Sally to your sister Ella require first, water, and than a means to get a product to market.  As has been mentioned so many times on this site, selecting a Clean alternative to oil should be left to the market.  With humans at the controls we hopefully will find ourselves with a clean environment.  Yet hope is not a good method to get an effective outcome – be it in horseshoes or hand grenades.  Policy changes, in Washington and at the state level, need to be made.  Energy policy that affects each of us – individually and as companies.

GASLAND underscores the essential problem with shifting from oil to an alternative.  We have the same issue whether considering nuclear power, “clean coal”, tar sands or natural gas – using some substance to extract energy.  The real alternative is a bridge to Solar and Wind.

When funded correctly, electricity can be cleanly produced with a lower external cost to our environment.  The same Colorado land owners in GASLAND, along with many others be it farmers, home owners or oil companies can solve the natural “NIMBY” debate.  By rationally positioning each structure optimized for southern exposure, built to local code and guidelines broadly set at the federal level, a viable upgradeable infrastructure can eliminate our fuel dependency.  In areas less served by wind and solar, natural resources like “conflict free” Natural Gas should be used.  It is not in the interest of us collectively to loose options – specifically if our national economic success depends on it.   Our future economy must be driven by advanced, clean techniques.

Kudos to both T. Boone Pickens and Josh Fox for raising the awareness and debate.  See GASLAND!

Eqypt – One of America’s Top Investments – Hungry

As you may be aware by now, Egypt (and Yemen) are in revolt mode. Egypt is one of the top five countries to receive American foreign aid (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq and Israel). The significance to all of our race fans – core inflation is running at 10% in Egypt. Food and gas however are excluded in core typically. Egypt is one of the largest importers of wheat in the world – and the last time I drove our countryside, we had a good fill of it. The choice of our farmers to harvest food oriented crops vs. crops bound for energy – mainly Ethanol – depends on US policy. It also depends on consumer demand for “Flex Fuel” vehicles.

In Colorado, the pumps have been glaring with “87” stickers since the 80s. When introduced, Ethanol refined gas was mostly used to ensure that Colorado’s air quality remained less polluted than without, specifically along the front range. Today, “87” and even “85” pumps line our country’s gas stations. It is typically the lowest priced option at the pump – but not the most optimal for performance drivers.

Additive aside, we can make a major difference for both our own economic and political stability but for countries impacted by hunger. The Detroit auto show, which just completed, presented a host of Electric vehicles geared for production in or around 2015. Choosing electric vs. ethanol prevents the further decay of food for energy vs. food for your own table. It would be unfortunate if the riots and exploits happening in far off lands like Egypt came to a neighborhood near you. Daily choices that we make have significance, especially when fueling our economy.

Here is what President Obama had to say on our position with Egypt.

American farmers and land owners should encourage, where appropriate, energy company involvement when focused on electric options. Wind is one of America’s most abundant resources and so too is the land shining under the sun. Foreign countries, most notably Saudi Arabia and China, have realized that Solar – not oil will define their future. Connecting our aging electrical grids throughout America with robust, modern facilities will change our economic destiny – one that appears bleak to some, to one that shines for all to benefit.

If you have an opinion on this debate feel free to comment – as I would love to hear from you.

Auto Biz lures consumers

December proved to be a strong year for the likes of Ford (F). However the upper end of the spectrum, from Audi specifically, demonstrated that consumers will, in limited quantities, pay up for exclusivity. As presented at Design Miami, Audi proposed that their hybrid coupe (only approx. 30 miles on the electric engine) will allow you to eventually pull up to a sheek, highly styled facade. Once inside you will enjoy fresh juices, gourmet cookies and maybe even a quick “old time” pinball game. The convenience though is speed up because your Tron like ride will be full to the brim with clean diesel.


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