Welcome to the Platts Cellulosic Ethanol and Biofuels conference, here's your Escalade
When Toyota invited reporters to Portland last month for the Sustainable Mobility Seminar, we were greeted at the baggage claim with tickets for the Portland public rail system. Here in Chicago for GM's biofuels conference, we were met at the airport by a driver in an Escalade (and not the hybrid one that's pictured above, either). I know that Portland's public transportation system is one of the best in the country, but still.
GM had specified that only GM vehicles be used in getting us to the hotel, the driver told me and when I asked if there was any ethanol in the tank, he said there's probably E10, because that's what the pump sticker says, but no go on E85. He admitted that his company doesn't even have any vehicles that run on E85. I appreciated the ride to the hotel, but couldn't pass up the chance to share this little tidbit. Some real coverage of the conference coming right up.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kevin 9:58AM (10/09/2008)
Lame!
(GM... not the article itself.)
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Red 10:14AM (10/09/2008)
Not surprising. The USPS uses delivery vehicles that can run on E85, but VERY few of their drivers (something like less than 5%) actually use it. But still...
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why not the LS2LS7? 10:27AM (10/09/2008)
And you didn't say no, why? You're not actually REQUIRED to accept gifts (especially nonsensical ones) from companies.
If they hadn't sent an Escalade would we have heard that Toyota was stuffing your pockets at all?
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Sebastian 11:23AM (10/09/2008)
You're right that we don't have to accept anything, but you're wrong that I didn't disclose what Toyota did. We put "Our travel and lodging for this media event was provided by the manufacturer." on the bottom of posts where appropriate. Just to make that clear. See here:
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/09/24/toyota-sustainable-mobility-seminar-morning-sessions-continued/
why not the LS2LS7? 2:41PM (10/09/2008)
Interesting, I didn't click the link in this article, and so I didn't even notice it was Toyota's seminar, I thought they just paid to get you to a general seminar (i.e. Platts), not a Toyota one.
Given that this is Toyota's seminar and Toyota paid for the Escalade, why is there no toyota tag on this article? Instead GM's tag is on there and they had nothing to do with this except making the vehicle. Putting GM's tag on there makes as much sense as putting a Boeing or Airbus tag on the article because that's the type of plane you rode there.
Logan 1:20AM (10/10/2008)
You're doing it wrong.
"in Chicago for GM's biofuels conference,"
Reading comprehension class is that-a-way --->
ronnie schreiber 3:02PM (10/10/2008)
GM had specified that only GM vehicles be used in getting us to the hotel, the driver told me and when I asked if there was any ethanol in the tank, he said there's probably E10, because that's what the pump sticker says, but no go on E85. He admitted that his company doesn't even have any vehicles that run on E85.
And we all know that a hired driver is a product specialist. Geez, does ABG have any fact checking, or even someone who knows how to enter "E85, GM" in Google? I'm sure that the regular AB folks were at the same press conference at the '06 Chicago Auto Show where GM was hyping it's flexfuel and E85 programs. Current E85 compatible vehicles from General Motors include:
* HHR 4 cylinder 2.2 and 2.4 L Ecotec engine
* Buick Lucerne 3.9 L
* Cadillac Escalade 6.2 L
* Chevrolet Impala 3.5L & 3.9L
* Chevy Express 5.3L
* Chevrolet Silverado 5.3 L & 6.2L
* Chevrolet Avalanche 5.3L
* Chevrolet Suburban 5.3L
* Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3L
* Chevrolet Vans 5.3L
* GMC Yukon 5.3
* GMC Sierra 5.3L
* GMC Savanna 5.3 Liter
* GMC Savanna 5.3 Liter Cargo Van
* Hummer H2 6.2L
* GMC Yukon 5.3L
Chances are good that the Escalade used to transport you was E85 compatible.
God forbid a company that sells cars might want you to experience one of their cars instead of a public transit system.
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Shinobi 4:39PM (10/10/2008)
Y'know, as a Chicago native, let me just say, WTF?
The El has stations practically IN both airports, and also drops off right at the convention center. Why would you spend 3.80-4.00 a gallon for gas to sit in traffic for an hour to get down town when you could spend the same hour sitting on a train for 2.00.
Hope your stay in Chicago is delightful.
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