Gore-Backed Car Firm Gets Large U.S. Loan

[cobra de capell]

Gore-Backed Car Firm Gets Large U.S. Loan

WASHINGTON -- A tiny car company backed by former Vice President Al Gore has just gotten a $529 million U.S. government loan to help build a hybrid sports car in Finland that will sell for about $89,000.

The award this week to California startup Fisker Automotive Inc. follows a $465 million government loan to Tesla Motors Inc., purveyors of a $109,000 British-built electric Roadster. Tesla is a California startup focusing on all-electric vehicles, with a number of celebrity endorsements that is backed by investors that have contributed to Democratic campaigns.

Snip........http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1253...IDDLTopStories
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Geez, I wonder if there is even a re-payment plan?

First, a GM hybrid at $40K and now one at $90K - sounds like a great business plan to back with tax dollars. /s

[tcrist]

CDC,
Take a look at the Tesla. It is a VERY HIGH END electric auto. I know someone that worked there a couple of years back. It is one fine auto. Yes, the price is way to steep for me or anyone that I personally know.

I did not know that jacka$$ Gore had anything to do with it though.

I do believe that someone needs to get going in a different direction with the fuel thing.
I know that they say the world will never run out of oil but I look at it a differnt way.

Think of all of those oil rigs with their pipes stuck into the earth and sucking the oil up.
Now, think of a slurpie. You have this mass (ice in this case) with liquid in it and a straw (pipe) stuck in the bottom. You suck up the liquid and what happens to the mass (ice)? It dries up, will split and crack.
My belief is that is whats happening to the earth. Why do you think we have had so many sink holes, mud slides and such.

Now, I agree with your post and I am no tree hugger by any means. Logicly thinking, we do need to do something though.

At the price of these cars you better buy one right out of high school and keep it for your whole life to ever even try to break even.

End of my rant, Terry

[Anthony]

It's stimulating the economy, so it must be worth it.

[Excaliber]

Fisker, Telsa, two different companies, both recieving Fed dollars in pursuit of alternative transportation methods. Gore is associated with Fisker. Personally, I don't think it's makes any difference in getting or not getting funding for that company. They meet the guidelines for research and development, so they got approved.

Both companies are VERY high end price wise, $90K to over a $100K per car. Aint NO ONE saving ANY money at that price, just a show piece for the rich owners. But, ya gotta start some where, it's fundamental research. I'm not a big fan of electric cars and have serious doubts about their future. Then again, I'd rather see the money spent there than studying if hookers drink more beer or more wine. Or some other totally stupid research funded by the Feds!

[bomelia]

Halliburton! Halliburton! Doh! Forgot, Obama is the Prez now. Political profiteering is legitimate once again. This time, on something that was fabricated out of "air".

Mike

[392cobra]

Gore ought to be forced to drive a Prius like his doe-eyed, weepy, sensitive vegitarian eco-weenie buddies.