Monday, April 23, 2007

Decreasing the thirst of the Big Three

Sunday's Globe Magazine published an interview with automaking giant and ex-CEO guru Lee Iacocca, now 82, who has published a new book called "Where Have All the Leaders Gone?"

Iacocca endorsed George W. Bush in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004, and won't reveal what horse he's backing in 2008. But he isn't holding back from politically loaded statements. How about this, from a former head of one of the Big Three car manufacturers?

[Q:] And what's the most important new technology auto buyers don't know about yet?

[Iacocca:] Plug-in hybrids. They're being touted as the wave of the future, and I think they are. I can imagine a scene in the not too distant future when a wife will turn to her husband at bedtime and say, 'Honey, did you remember to turn off the lights, bring in the cat, and plug in the car?'

[Q:] How do you think the auto industry can and should face concerns about the environment and rising gas prices?

[Iacocca:] I have to confess that like many business people -- especially in the car industry -- I came late to enlightenment on global warming and the energy crisis. But now I'm making up for lost time. Automakers have to get aggressive about building hybrids. Why is General Motors building Hummers? That doesn't make sense. I'll go a step further: I think we should raise the gas tax and spend the money on developing alternatives to oil. Let's face it, finding more oil does not constitute an energy policy.

Whoa, no Alaskan drilling for him, huh? Bush has come around somewhat to the idea that scientific innovations, such as hydrogen fuel cell technology, are necessary to meet American energy needs, but Iacocca departs from him considerably in the argument that demanding some sacrifice from consumers and corporations has got to be part of the plan. "Hummers? That doesn't make sense."

Posted by Evan Hughes at 11:56 AM

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