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Toll Discounts for Going Green

A small but growing number of toll agencies around the world are giving discounts to owners of some alternative-power vehicles, according to the New York Times.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced last November that it would offer a $2 E-ZPass discount to the owners of three hybrid models, following the example of the New York State Thruway Authority, which introduced 10 percent E-ZPass discounts on those cars in 2006.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:15 AM to Alternative fuels | Permalink | Comments 0

So Efficient, L.E.D.’s Are Now Fashion Plates, Too

IN recent seasons, a new fashion accessory has become a must-have for the debutants of the auto-show circuit. No automaker introduces a new concept car, it seems, before dressing it up with L.E.D. jewelry, according to the New York Times.

Light-emitting diodes are replacing the car’s trusty glass light bulbs much as compact fluorescents are replacing Edison’s ancient incandescents in home lamp sockets. L.E.D.’s are longer lasting, more compact and consume less electricity.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:13 AM to Design | Permalink | Comments 0

White Wins; Silver Fades

WHITE has nudged out silver as the most popular automobile color in North America, ending silver’s seven-year run at the top, according to the New York Times.

The NYT cites DuPont’s annual color survey, released last month, which reports 19 percent of the cars and trucks sold in North America in 2007 were white and 18 percent were silver.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:11 AM to Design | Permalink | Comments 0

Ernie Boch gets surprise 50 year birthday bash

Kristen and Ernie Boch

Car czar Ernie Boch Jr. was toasted, roasted, feted and fawned over by hundreds of pals, cohorts and fans at a rockin’, rollin’ surprise 50th birthday bash at The State Room the other night, according to the Boston Herald.

At the “Backstage” themed blowout, guests grooved to the tunes of Pure Energy Live, mingled around pool tables, lined up for airbrush tattoos and applauded an illusionist, all orchestrated by Pure Energy’s Johnny K.

Of course, the driving force behind the car baron’s bash was his lovely bride, Kristen, who was the hostess with the mostest in a fab white-and-silver strapless gown.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:01 AM to Fun | Permalink | Comments 0

Oil Slides on Renewed Recession Worries

NEW YORK -- Oil futures fell below $90 a barrel Monday, extending their recent streak of back and forth trading as recession fears reasserted themselves, according to the Associated Press.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 10:57 AM to Crude oil market | Permalink | Comments 0