Autobloggreen presents: The Least Green Vehicles of the Chicago Auto Show
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Feb 8th 2007 at 11:50AM 
While I was walking around the Chicago Auto Show today, it occurred to me just how many large trucks, SUVs and gigantic vehicles were in attendance. So, I decided to take pictures of them, and if a fuel mileage estimate were there, I took a shot of that as well. I'm finding it kinda hard to choose which one is really the least green. There were the three International trucks, which make much more sense as semi trucks than daily-drivers. Of course, no non-green list would be complete without mentioning the Hummers. There was the SRT8 Grand Cherokee, which took the "Worst Listed Fuel Economy" award. But, I really think that the six-door Ford Super Duty truck that was lifted to the moon wins the award. I just can't see any real purpose for the vehicle to exist. Large trucks, such as the Super Duty trucks, are necessary in today's society, but not this one. I didn't ignore the cars either, as I shot a four-door Maserati and the new four-door Bentley with it's twelve cylinder engine. Enjoy our gallery, and let us know what you think.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
fraseraj 7:49PM (8/16/2009)
Just a comment on the picture of the "tank". Its not a tank, its a BRADLEY. Yes, it has tracks and a turret like a tank, but call a Bradley a tank in front of a Scout and you will have a fight on your hands. The same goes for Tanks. Tankers and Scouts, while they often are in the same units together, have a fierce rivalry.
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robert veach 12:44PM (2/08/2007)
I am involved with a new "hugely green company" called CitizenRE that will provide FREE solar panels on your homes roof or yard. I have over 35 years of engineering experience and have evaluated this buisiness model and I feel this company will make a huge impact on the enviroment!
Come to this website and evaluate it for yourself:
www.jointhesolution.com/yorkville
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Doug R 1:37PM (2/08/2007)
Jeremy, who are you to decide what someone else needs to be driving on the job? If a contractor (or whom ever) can pull their equipment and avoid operating another vehicle by using one with 6 doors, doesn't that save fuel?
When calculating how "green" a vehicle is, consider this:
The average compact gets approximately twice the mileage of a suburban type vehicle yet can carry only about 1/3 the cargo. If you need to make a minimum of 2 trips to do the same work, you have completely negated the mpg advantage. What you have accomplished is doubling your travel time, added to the increasing congestion (which also wastes fuel) and doubled your chances of being involved in an accident.
#1, if your product is free then who is paying for the facilities, the materials and the labor involved with making the product?
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Don M 1:29PM (2/08/2007)
The only way to get these SUVs off the road is to make something that makes them less safe then a normal car. That would mean a car as low as a ferrari with robust structure shaped like a ramp on four sides. There should be a crush zone on the front and back. 5000 of these on the road and no "soccer mom" would be driving an SUV.
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Doug R 2:15PM (2/08/2007)
So now we're suggesting a method to intentionally endanger the lives of SUV owners to further the agenda. Tell me you're kidding Don M. I have to ask. Reading many of the comments in these blogs makes me seriously wonder. Would this mean I would be free to add metal spikes close to the ground in order to impale your new contraption?
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Tim 2:06PM (2/08/2007)
Doug R- Your argument makes sense when people are using these giants for what they were designed. Unfortunately, the only thing the vast majority of people carry around in these things is their huge ego and little...
Anyway, I agree that people should be free to choose as long as that choice doesn’t harm anyone else. I am just amazed and a little depressed at the lack of intelligence, education, common sense and self control demonstrated by much of humanity. Yes, we are free to choose until there is no other choice.
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Henry 2:28PM (2/08/2007)
Hey Doug,
These machines are more dangerous then machine guns. If a kid crosses the road on a crosswalk you wouldn't even see him.
As for MPG there are better options.
There are CNG trucks trailer towing up to 8800 lbs(3991 kg).
http://www.ngv.org/ngv/ngvorg01.nsf/bytitle/FordF-150Pickup.htm
Or you can convert the ones you have.
http://www.ngvglobal.com/market-developments/more-ford-engine-conversion-options-in-the-us-baf-technol.html
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/01/diesel_rarr_nat.html
There are some heavy duty electric trucks
http://www.foresightvehicle.org.uk/public/info_/FV/Smith_Electric_Truck.pdf
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Doug R 3:23PM (2/08/2007)
Thanks for the honest and thoughtful response Tim. Most companies are very conscious of the bottom dollar and wouldn't use a vehicle that wasn't required.
Some people can make do with a compact and that's fine. Although there is the safety if a larger vehicle to consider. I can't speak for others but I do need the SUV I drive. I try very hard to make one trip, make it a planned circle when possible in order to save fuel and I don't make special excursions unless absolutely necessary. If it weren't for the 4WD capability, we would have been stranded during the last ice storm.
Some folks don't make the best decisions. I certainly have been known to have a brain fart or 2 myself. The day we reach the point where some one else is put in the position to make the decisions for us, we're in deep doo doo.
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Don M 2:40PM (2/08/2007)
Doug,
You definitely have the typical mindset of an SUV driver.
So you are allowed to crush a car but a car should not have the option to roll you over in an accident.
As for the spikes - thats what the crush zone is for. Gives distance before your wheels have a chance to catch the ramp. Placing them low works great for a cars with a fair height in an accident - not so good for building-sized vehicles.
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Doug R 3:23PM (2/08/2007)
Henry, your logic (or lack of) is laughable. More dangerous than machine guns, ok. I'm sure CNG is being used where it's practical to do so. Business should waste valuable time modifying what they have rather than buy what they need, what do they work with in the meantime? What about small business owners with one vehicle? You don't have a clue about what it takes to run a business do you Henry?
Keep on living in your own wonderland dude.
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robert veach 2:46PM (2/08/2007)
I am involved with a new "hugely green company" called CitizenRE that will provide FREE solar panels on your homes roof or yard. I have over 35 years of engineering experience and have evaluated this buisiness model and I feel this company will make a huge impact on the enviroment!
Come to this website and evaluate it for yourself:
www.jointhesolution.com/yorkville
Reply
Doug R 3:24PM (2/08/2007)
No one is forcing you to drive a compact, and I didn't start the "death race 3000" discussion, you did. So you are seriously suggesting intentionally endangering the lives of us SUV owners. You have some major maturity issues and you probably need some anger management classes as well.
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Superfly 3:00PM (2/08/2007)
Easy Don,
Something like that would fly or flip away like a smart car when it was hit by a large SUV. Too much impact force. Although it would be very safe for pedestrians.
Doug,
Something like that would definitely be a criminal offense. A kid running in a parking lot could lose a leg.
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Doug R 3:32PM (2/08/2007)
The spikes comment was rhetorical Superfly and meant to demonstrate the absurdity of Don M.
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Tim 3:47PM (2/08/2007)
Doug R- Thank you for your kind words. I do believe in choice and I can't wait until something like GMs E-Flex or Ford's HySeries Drive can give us more flexibility and economy with the vehicles we NEED to drive.
Quick note… I think I read somewhere that the enhanced safety of the SUV’s mass is balanced out by their higher center of gravity. In other words, they flip over. To my amazement, I saw one do just that in the middle of an intersection just last year. There were no other cars involved, just excessive speed. Please drive carefully and wear your seatbelts.
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Chris M 4:09PM (2/08/2007)
Yes, people have a choice, and are free to make bad automotive choices. And we are free to criticize and make fun of foolish choices.
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Chris M 5:01PM (2/08/2007)
That 6 door pickup looked like a bad limo suffering from an identity crisis.
It's not just how unlikely it is to carry that many people plus a pickup-load of stuff, the real major league foolishness is how they jacked it way up, guaranteeing horrible handling and rollovers galore.
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Henry 5:04PM (2/08/2007)
Doug,
The links I sent is great for businesses that want to save money by spending 5000$ on a truck modifications to save 2000$ a year on gas. I think that makes good business sense.(Unless you work in a small business with one pickup).
As for more dangerous then a machine gun - I've been hit by a SUV last week. If they didn't see my head thanks to my 6 foot height - I would've been roadkill. With a machine gun at least you can see what you hit.
I don't live in Wonderland. I live in Iceland in the winter and the desert in the summer.
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Jeremy 7:44PM (2/08/2007)
Doug R, nobody gave me the right to decide what other people can buy. Truth be told, trucks are a complete necessity for some people. In fact, I own a small truck with a 6 cylinder engine for hauling heavy objects for my job and home on-going home-improvement, and it's a 4x4. That does not change the fact that it is not a green vehicle. I plan to rectify that situation if possible when it comes time to replace the truck. I am hoping that when the Pheonix SUT is available, I'll be ready to purchase it.
This is all that anyone can ask. If you, or anyone, has a need for a specific vehicle, buy it. But, before you do, consider all your options and weigh the impact on the environment along with all the other criteria.
I stand by this list. There is not a single "green" vehicle on this list.
If there were a market for six door, jacked-up to the moon 4x4 vehicles such as the one in the gallery, Detroit would be making them. There is not a market for it. It was created to show off, and that is all. I honestly hate it, and I'm a truck owner. I also strongly question the need for the International line of consumer vehicles. I have no problem with them creating vehicles for the consumer market, but why these vehicles?
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Schneegz 12:50PM (2/09/2007)
"I know it's a tank, but I did say 'vehicles'".
No, it's not a tank, it's an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). Besides the crew, It carries an infantry squad into combat, then supports them when they dismount. Tanks don't carry passengers, except for the Israeli Merkava, which is a combination IFV and Main Battle Tank.
As far as its lack of "greenness", at least it's a Diesel!
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