Actually JD, Ford PURCHASED the license to build the Toyota Hybrid system. They are installing a larger engine on it to power the Escape and eventualy some of the other models in the Ford line.
And the stickers already exist for the HOV lanes. You'll see them on the back right quarters of the CNG and electric vehicles that qualify as freeway capable in California.
The Federal Government is the hangup at the moment. They paid for the HOV lanes and before California can amend the agreement with the Feds for the access to those lanes, they need approval from Big Daddy. A Big Daddy that listens to Big Detroit.
The California governator really was in a win-win with this very public aproval of the bill. If the Feds (after being VERY heavily lobbied by GM and Ford) overuled the bill (which the smart money is on) he can say Big Government is stifling business here in the Golden State. If the bill is approved, he can say he started and pushed it thru passage.
What he REALLY wants, is for everyone to forget his pledge to Hydrogenate his Hummers. Found out it can't be done. He was shown in the press last week (supposedly) filling a Hydrogen Hummer at LAX. The Hummer was an experimental hydrogen BURNING Hummer from GM. Only one of it's kind in the world. Not a Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, like he promised, but a burner. Dirtier than if he 'converted' one to CNG. The fueling station at LAX was a mockup. Will never be available to the public. Was put in for a photo op to promote it in Mayor Hahn's billion dollar revamping of LAX.
Don't forget to ask questions, boys and girls. Not everything you see in the photos is real.
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
