Fit for God
Drivers Who Get Hot Over Commutes Get HOT Lanes
Voice of America News October 11, 2005
Many air travelers in the United States gladly pay extra -- a LOT extra -- to ride in first class rather than coach. There, they enjoy roomier seats, faster boarding, and free drinks. Now the pay-to-be-pampered idea has come to America's interstate highways as well. Many of these high-speed roads already have special, uncrowded "HOV" or "high-occupancy-vehicle" lanes. roblem is, most lone drivers just won't give up their cars. And they're getting angrier and angrier at the lucky drivers zipping along in the HOV lanes. So to appease them -- and to ease traffic congestion -- a concept called "HOT lanes" is being tested in several cities.
"HOT" stands for "high-occupancy toll," and here's how it works: As usual, drivers of cars with multiple occupants pay little or nothing in the HOT lanes. But for a steep additional toll, single drivers can use them, too. More...
Cars of All Colors at Tokyo Show Come in Shades of Green
VOA News October 19, 2005
With hundreds of reporters and photographers on hand, Toyota's President Katsuaki Watanabe unveils the top Japanese automaker's latest concept model - the Fine-X.
It features four-wheel independent drive control for getting into those ultra-tight parking spaces, and a hybrid fuel cell-gasoline powered engine. While this year's famous Tokyo Motor Show will feature cars of all sizes - many, whatever their paint color, will have a tint of green figuratively. Most Japanese and foreign manufacturers are eager to demonstrate that they are joining the green revolution by making cars that are more fuel efficient or use alternative sources of energy. More...
World's Largest Carmaker Posts Huge Loss, Slashes Health Care Costs, Jobs
VOA News October 17, 2005
General Motors, the world's largest carmaker, says it has worked out a deal with the United Auto Workers Union to reduce what it pays for health care for its workers.
The savings are expected to be about $15 billion. The company plans to save money by cutting another 25,000 jobs over the next few years.
The cost cuts come as GM announced a $1.6 billion loss for July, August and September, which was worse than investors had expected.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Mowers!
VOA News September 7, 2005
This is the story of a bunch of grass-roots racers. REALLY grass-roots.
Like other people, Americans race horses and dogs and, occasionally, odd things like frogs and cardboard paddle boats. But mostly we race machines with powerful engines that go fast and make a lot of noise.
Like lawn mowers. That's right: lawn mowers.
