“ When I was sixteen, I had just two things on my mind – girls and cars. I wasn’t very good with girls. So I thought about cars. I thought about girls, too, but I had more luck with cars.

“ Let’s say that when I turned sixteen, a genie had appeared to me. And that genie said,’ Warren, I’m going to give you the car of your choice. It’ll be here tomorrow morning with a big bow tied on it. Brand-new. And it’s all yours.’

“Having heared all the genie stories, I would say, ‘What’s the catch?’ And the genie would answer, ‘There’s only one catch. This is the last car you’re ever going to get in your life. So it’s got to last a lifetime.’

“If that had happened, I would have picked out that car. But, can you imagine, knowing it had to last a lifetime, what I would do with it?

“I would read the manual about five times. I would always keep it garaged. If there was the least little dent or scratch, I’d have it fixed right away becuase I wouldn’t want it rusting. I would baby that car, because it would have to last a lifetime.

“There’s exactly the position you are in concerning your mind and body. You only get one mind and one body. And it’s got to last a lifetime. Now, it’s very easy to let them ride for many years. But if you don’t take care of that mind and that body, they’ll be a wreck forty years later, just like the car would be.

“It’s what you do right now, today, that determines how your mind and body will operate ten, twenty, and thirty years from now.”

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2009-05/15/content_7781666.htm

Create 350 Jobs in GE, Thousands More in Supply Chain Plant Will Produce Batteries for Hybrid Locomotives, Other Industries Prepares Application for Federal Stimulus Money to Produce Revolutionary Technology

Niskayuna, N.Y. – May 12, 2009 – GE (NYSE: GE) announced today that it will open a new, state-of-the-art battery manufacturing plant in Upstate New York that will serve as the main manufacturing facility for GE’s newly formed battery business. The initial investment in the factory will be $100 million. It will be located in the Capital Region and will create 350 new manufacturing jobs at GE and thousands more in the supply chain. The announcement coincides with GE’s submission this week for federal stimulus dollars from the U.S. Department of Energy.

GE has invested more than $150 million to develop advanced battery technologies, including a high energy density, sodium-based chemistry battery that will provide energy storage for several future product applications. The first application will be GE’s hybrid locomotive, which will be commercialized in 2010. In addition, GE has launch customers in several industries, including mining, telecommunications and utility, with key applications for heavy service vehicles, backup storage and load leveling for the smart grid.

This investment in sodium battery technology complements GE’s investment in A123, a leading supplier of lithium batteries for plug-in electric passenger cars. With these two technologies, GE now leads the world in applications for high power and high energy density storage systems.

GE selected New York for the manufacturing plant because of strong support from New York state officials, specifically Governor David Paterson and Dennis Mullen, President of the Upstate Empire State Development Corporation. Also playing an important role in the planning of the new facility was U.S. Representative Paul Tonko, who helped to assemble the New York delegation in supporting the GE project.

“This type of public-private partnership is essential to rebuild America’s manufacturing base, create new jobs and to accelerate the pace at which new technology comes to market,” said Jeff Immelt, Chairman and CEO of GE. “We believe the advanced battery business could be a $1 billion business over the next decade. As GE launches this technology business, I want to thank Governor Paterson and his economic development team for their assistance in facilitating the agreement that made the selection of New York an easy decision.”

The new factory also will have the advantage of being in close proximity to GE Global Research in Niskayuna, where advances to the battery chemistry were developed. The batteries, which are a critical piece of energy storage systems, will rely heavily on new materials, new manufacturing technologies and intelligent controls.

Governor Paterson said, "We are making New York the global capital of the new clean energy economy. That commitment is part of the reason GE is interested in expanding its operations to begin producing high-tech batteries here; evidence that our strategy translates to real jobs for real New Yorkers. This is exactly the kind of project Congress envisioned when they developed this component of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and I urge the U.S. Department of Energy to approve this important project for New York State."

GE’s planned facility will employ a high wage “green collar” workforce that will produce approximately 10 million cells each year when the facility is at full capacity. That translates to 900 megawatt hours of energy storage, or enough energy storage to power 1,000 U.S. homes for a month or enough energy to support 1,000 GE hybrid locomotives.

U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko said, “Job expansion, especially in the manufacturing sector, provides the underpinnings for growth and opportunity in the Capital Region as one of the leading energy corridors in the world. GE’s planned facility is representative of the types of high-tech manufacturing operations that will create stable jobs and result in additional positive financial impact with suppliers, contract partners and other local businesses. This project is also a sound example of how our government can work hand-in-hand with private companies to pursue new technologies and renew and revitalize our communities, particularly in Upstate New York.”

The new battery business will be a part of GE Transportation and will serve customers in the rail, marine, mining, telecommunications and utility sectors. As the leading producer of diesel-electric locomotives, GE has a rich history of delivering breakthrough technologies that are today commonplace in the rail industry. This battery technology will allow GE to be the first manufacturer to introduce a hybrid, heavy-haul freight locomotive that reduces emissions while improving fuel efficiency, putting GE well ahead of its competition.

Matthew K. Rose, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, one of the world’s leading railroads, said, “Hybrid locomotives, and the battery technology on board, could be an important part of how we ship goods by rail in the future. The ability to produce a battery pack designed for rail applications is a significant milestone to producing a commercially available hybrid locomotive that will further enhance rail’s reputation as the most environmentally sound mode for moving freight in America."

In addition to the support received by Congressman Tonko, GE’s application for federal stimulus money has received endorsements from the rest of the New York delegation, including Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand as well as Congressman Scott Murphy.

Senator Schumer said, “Given the tough economic environment, today’s announcement is welcome news as we try to grow the manufacturing base in New York. This project is yet another indication that the Capital Region is on the cutting edge of alternative energy development, and the jobs that it will create will give the region a much needed shot in the arm.”

Senator Gillibrand said, “The entire New York Congressional Delegation is supportive of GE’s planned facility. Now that state funding is secure, we must work over the coming weeks to ensure that this project will move forward so that construction and battery production can begin as soon as possible.”

U.S. Rep. Murphy said, “GE's plans to locate a new, battery manufacturing facility in the Capital Region truly are an investment in Upstate New York's future. This is exactly the kind of project that will help reinvigorate Upstate's manufacturing job base, and I am proud to support GE's planned facility."
GE hopes to secure additional federal funding for the new facility later this summer. Applications for Department of Energy funding are due next week. The goal is to have the new manufacturing operation producing batteries by mid-2011

Geely, the second biggest Chinese automaker, is reported to be in talks with the hurting Detroit giants about taking over their Swedish units

First it was India's Tata Motors (TTM) that bought Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford (F) last year. Now it might be the turn of a Chinese automaker to take over some of Detroit's unwanted brands. China's Geely Automotive has put its name into the hat as a suitor for General Motors' (GM) Swedish unit, Saab, The Wall Street Journal reported on May 7, citing unidentified sources. The news comes a few weeks after Geely, the No. 2 domestic automaker, reportedly made a bid for Ford's Sweden-based operation, Volvo.

Is Geely, which trades in Hong Kong and is controlled by Zhejiang Geely Holding, based in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, interested in picking up the Swedish pieces of GM and Ford? Lawrence Ang, an executive director of the Hong Kong-listed subsidiary, says there is no truth to either report. "We are not bidding for Volvo," he says, "and not for Saab." However, Ang does allow that talks might be taking place between Geely's parent company and the Detroit pair. "I can only speak on behalf of the listed company," he says. "So maybe it's the holding company, but not us." Wang Ziliang, spokesman for Zhejiang Geely, did not answer calls to his office.

Despite Ang's denial, some analysts suspect the Chinese company is indeed interested in making some deals. Michael Dunne, managing director of J.D. Power (China) (MHP), notes that Geely is constantly in talks "with several parties not only at the automaker level but at the private equity level, and in talks with lots of people in technology." While Zhejiang Geely is a privately held company without government ownership, Dunne says any foreign acquisition would still need the green light from Beijing. The company may therefore have received instructions to deny the existence of negotiations until the government is fully on board with the transaction, he says.

A deal with either Saab or Volvo would certainly help Geely get a leg up on its domestic rivals. The Swedish carmakers could provide superior technology and marketing know-how, and could also provide Geely with an eventual platform from which to sell into Western Europe. "Geely is looking at how to move upscale in terms of technology, quality, and image, and this may be a one-time opportunity to buy assets at a low price," says Dunne. Last year the group's domestic sales only grew 4% to 166,265 units. Total auto sales for 2008 were $1.2 billion, up 16%.

Heading Down a Bumpy Road?

China's experience purchasing foreign brands to jump-start its forays into overseas markets has met with little success. In 2003 Huizhou-based electronics group TCL acquired the TV operation of France's Thomson and the following year took over the cell-phone business of Alcatel. Neither partnership delivered on its promise for the Chinese company. In 2005, Lenovo bought IBM's (IBM) PC business in a much trumpeted deal that would establish it as China's first truly global brand.

But in February the company replaced its CEO, former Dell (DELL) executive William Amelio, with his Chinese predecessor Yang Yuanqing, and signaled the company would refocus more on domestic sales. The 2004 purchase by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. of a 51% stake in Korean automaker Ssangyong Motor ended with the Korean company seeking bankruptcy protection in January.

The disappointing results of many Chinese acquisitions overseas might make it harder for Geely or any other automaker from china to close a deal with Detroit. Talk of the Chinese coming to the rescue is just wishful thinking, says one industry analyst. "Right now, the foreigners are thinking the Chinese will pay huge prices and life will be great," says the analyst, who asked not to be named because of company policy. "But I don't think the government will allow it unless it's real cheap."

Working on its own, Geely has had some success in emerging economies, with the company selling in markets like Romania, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Peru. It exported 37,940 autos in 2008, an 80% increase over 2007, but that's just a fraction of the nearly 140,000 cars exported by domestic rival Chery Motors, which has global ambitions of its own. Geely also lags behind BYD, which has rolled out the world's first plug-in hybrid.

More recently, the global recession has put a damper on Geely's exports. In the first quarter of 2009, overseas shipments plunged 83%, to just 1,373 vehicles in 2009. Still, Ang is confident the company will achieve its export target of 40,000 in 2009 by penetrating new markets in Southeast Asia and Latin America.

Balfour is BusinessWeek's Asia correspondent. With Ian Rowley in Shanghai

http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/may2009/gb2009057_609995_page_2.htm

女孩子20岁左右是她最美丽的。这时她的心地最善良，她有点成熟，又有点孩子气。
男孩子20左右的时候是他最暗淡的日子，这时什么都没有，不能独立又不想依赖，挣扎着彷徨着，寻找着自己的位置，所以如果一个男孩子在他20岁左右的时候遇见了与他年纪相当的女孩子，那一定要珍惜她，因为这个女孩子是用用自己最美丽的年华陪他走过了最暗淡的日子！女孩只有陪他走过，女孩将永远幸福下去。
巫婆说这是一篇魔力日志… …

http://www.yukoncc.com/sspadmin/album-audio/route66.mp3

Well if you ever plan to motor west
Just take my way that's the highway that's the best
Get your kicks on Route 66
Well it winds from Chicago to L.A.
More than 2000 miles all the way
Get your kicks on Route 66
Well goes from St. Louie down to Missouri
Oklahoma city looks oh so pretty
You'll see Amarillo and Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona don't forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino
Would you get hip to this kindly tip
Get your kicks on Route 66
Well goes from St. Louie down to Missouri
Oklahoma city looks oh so pretty
You'll see Amarillo and Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona don't forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino
Would you get hip to this kindly tip
And go take that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66

… …

Tesla Motors, Inc. started taking orders last week for its Model S, an all-electric family sedan that seats seven and can travel 300 miles per charge. The company currently sells the Tesla Roadster, a hot two-seat electric "supercar," which starts at a base price of more than $100,000. Unlike the Roadster sports car, the Model S falls more in the luxury sedan category and is available at about half the cost: $57,400. But being battery-powered, all Tesla vehicles qualify for a federal tax credit of $7,500. The company points out that if gasoline prices return to $4 per gallon, the Tesla Model S will save enough money to place it on par with a gasoline-fueled sedan priced at $35,000.

Tesla is currently accepting refundable deposits of $5,000 for the Model S and plans to start production in late 2011, with vehicle deliveries starting in 2012. However, the company is hoping to finance the construction of the Model S assembly plant using a $350 million federal loan from DOE's Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program (we can't comment on whether that will happen or not). If the loan does go through, the Model S will be available with a variety of battery packs, yielding a range of 160, 230, or 300 miles. It can be recharged using a standard 120-volt outlet or a 240-volt outlet (the type used for electric dryers), but it can be recharged in only 45 minutes if the owner has access to a 480-volt outlet. The floor-mounted battery pack is also designed to be changed out in only a few minutes, allowing for battery-swap services like those proposed by Better Place. (See the article from this newsletter on Better Place's plans for California and Hawaii.)

The Tesla Model S gains a unique advantage from its floor-mounted battery pack: the vehicle has a trunk in back and a trunk in the front. And although its performance will fall short of the Roadster, it will be able to accelerate to 60 miles per hour (mph) in less than 6 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. A sports version will cut the 0-60 mph time to less than 5 seconds. Like the Roadster, the Tesla Model S will channel its power through a single-speed gearbox. See the Tesla press release and the Model S Web page.

Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far

In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.

President Barack Obama announced last week that DOE is offering up to $2.4 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to support next-generation plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and their advanced battery components. Of the $2.4 billion, $1.5 billion in grants will go to U.S. manufacturers to produce high-efficiency batteries and their components; $500 million in grants will go to U.S. manufacturers to produce other components needed for electric vehicles, such as electric motors; and $400 million will go towards projects that demonstrate and evaluate plug-in hybrids and other electric infrastructure concepts. When these plug-in hybrid vehicles are offered for sale, U.S. residents who purchase them will be able to claim a tax credit of up to $7,500. Building a plug-in hybrid vehicle industry in the United States will create tens of thousands of jobs and will reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil.

DOE will provide assistance to construct or upgrade battery manufacturing, component, and recycling plants for lithium-ion and other advanced batteries, as well as for factories producing the power electronics for electric drive vehicles. These agreements will help lower the cost of battery packs, batteries, and electric propulsion systems. DOE will also support demonstration, evaluation, and education projects to help develop the market for advanced electric drive vehicles. The $2.4 billion in funding is divided between two Funding Opportunity Announcements. Applications for Transportation Electrification are due by May 13, and applications for the Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative are due by May 19.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles will travel up to 40 miles without recharging, allowing most U.S. commuters to drive to work and back without using any fuel. Beyond that 40-mile range, the vehicles will run much like today's hybrids, achieving high fuel economies. Overall, plug-in hybrids are expected to achieve fuel economies as high as 100 miles per gallon. But for such vehicles to be practical will depend on the development of advanced, lightweight batteries that can meet tough requirements for durability and performance. See the DOE press release and the Vehicle Technologies Program.

http://www.energy.gov/news2009/7066.htm

Come in May.

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/up/

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2009-03/19/content_7594975_3.htm

麒麟，亦作“骐麟”，简称“麟”，古代传说中的仁兽、瑞兽，是中国古代传说中的一种动物，与凤、龟、龙共称为“四灵”。 被称为圣兽王。且是神的坐骑。

　　麒麟，是按中国人的思维方式复合构思所产生、创造的动物。雄性称麒，雌性称麟。从其外部形状上看，麋身，牛尾，马蹄（史籍中有说为“狼蹄”)，鱼鳞皮，一角，角端有肉，黄色。这种造型是将许多实有动物肢解后的新合拼体，它把那些备受人们珍爱的动物所具备的优点全部集中在麒麟这一幻想中的神兽的建构上，充分体现了中国人的"集美"思想。

　　“麒麟”以“鹿”为偏旁，古人造这个词的时候，便明白无误地告诉人们，麒麟由鹿演化而来，但它又决不是鹿，比鹿多了一些零件和装备。据说它的身子像麕，也可以写成麇，古籍中指獐子；有牛的尾巴，圆的头顶，却只有一只角。有的说麒是雄的，麟是雌的，形状被描绘得略有不同。但据说麒的开头大略像鹿。它被古人视为神兽、仁兽，长寿，能活两千年。能吐火，声音如雷。“有毛之虫三百六十，而麒麟为之长”。

The number of miles traveled by vehicles in the United States fell by 3.6% in 2008, while the number of trips taken on public transportation increased by 4.0%, according to statistics gathered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). The DOT estimated that U.S. residents traveled 2.922 trillion miles in 2008, down from 3.030 trillion miles in 2007, a reduction of nearly 108 billion miles. In fact, U.S. driving has been declining for 14 months, for a total vehicle travel reduction of 115 billion miles. The DOT found the greatest decrease in rural driving, which was down by 4.2%, suggesting that people are simply driving less in rural areas. Meanwhile, urban driving decreased by 3.2%. See the DOT traffic trends from December 2008, along with the DOT press release.

At least part of the drop in urban driving can be explained by the 4% increase in the use of public transportation. U.S. residents took 10.7 billion trips on public transportation in 2008, according to APTA, reaching the highest level of ridership in 52 years. Light rail experienced the greatest increase, at 8.3%, in part because of relatively new and expanded service in places like Charlotte, North Carolina, and restored service in New Orleans, Louisiana. For other mass transit modes, commuter rail increased by 4.7%, subway ridership increased by 3.5%, bus ridership increased by 3.9%, and paratransit (on-demand transit services) increased by 5.9%. See the APTA press release and the full statistics.

In 2008, U.S. residents drove less and made greater use of mass transit, including buses.

Credit: Ned Ahrens, King County

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