EVLN(Hey Saddam! Kiss My Gass, Who said EVs can't go fast?)
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--- {EVangel}
-[edited]
From:"john maggio" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date:Thu, 3 Oct 2002 21:23:13 -0400 (EDT)
Subject:Re: th!nk ev car
I'm a participant in the NY State Power Authority's program
here in upstate New York. There are presently about 80 of
100 Ford Th!nk cars on lease between Westchester County,
Queens and Long Island. I have the longest drive to the
train station (33 miles RT over several mountians).
I average 175 miles a week and have put on her over 4150
mies since 3/8/02. I take it on back roads, main routes and even
have had it on the interstate, all with very satisfactory
results. In fact, I told my Ford dealer I wanted the 2003
model #0001 when it came off the line, that's how much I
love my car (I have the gray one).
I too, am dismayed and disappointed by Ford's decision to
drop the Th!nk program. Whle I think the upcoming protest
will produce some favorable press, perhaps the best way to
get Bll Ford's attendtion is to use a different strategy...
Namely, the stockholders. It's a publicly traded company,
right?
Ford sunk over $100 million into Th!nk and has
nothing to show for it except 1000 cars. So? Why don't we
all get the message out that we shouldn't be talking to Ford
but to the stockholders. After all, when the lease's are
up, Ford will spend several hundred thounsand dollars to
ship them back to Norway and junk them.
My idea is why not
petition the Ford shareholders to force Ford to sell the
Norway and USA plants/research centers to the employees for
a fair sum (likea LLP or LLC) and run it as an employee
owned compan. In the meantime, sell the Th!nk's to the lease
holders for say, $10,000 or $15,000. I'm sure with some
persuation, we can get waivers for the cars. Meantime, the
sharholders can see at least some return for all the money
Ford wasted.
Maybe some artculated person from EV
World or a buch or Th!nk owners can get to the shareholder's
meeting and voice their suggestions about Th!nk. I would. I
also would thik I'm gonna cry when I have to give my "Dusty
Duck" (as the kids call it) up. Unless I hold it for ransom,
or some other desprite measure.
Thanks for your time but here in NY, we are few and far
between with no concerted efforts like you guys (and gals)
in California. Feel free to use my ideas as you wish and if
you desire, keep in touch.
BTW... Had the car on I-84 tonight. Ford gave me a loaner
because mines in the shop because of a systems fault. The
loaner has big white letters on the rear window: "Th!nk
Electric, Scarsdale Ford". Here I am doing 56 when this
trucker comes barreling along at better than 80 in the left
lane. Passes me 'bout half a trailer lenght when he slams on
the brakes.
Blue brake shoe smoke swirling. Wheels locked
on wet pavement. Serves behind me and stays there for about
4 miles. Finally builds up speed and passes me. I can only
guess that he read the sign and got behind me to check the
car out as he leaned on his horn, flashed his lights and
waved.
He must've been on the CB cause after that, every
trucker who passed me gave me a good horn show and a thumbs
up signs or wave. Funniest thing you ever saw.
Who said an EV can't go fast?
Regards...
John Maggio
Pawling, NY
PS: I had made up for my car a bumper sticker that reads:
"Hey Saddam... Kiss My Gass. I Own An Electric Car."
(flanked by the American flag)
If you'd like some, give me your address.
-
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. EV List Editor & RE newswires
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