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Honda to offer Civic GX to public

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Old Aug 28, 2003 | 07:10 AM
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Default Honda to offer GX to public

Natural gas vehicle to sell for about $20,000
August 28, 2003

ASSOCIATED PRESS

American Honda Motor Co. Inc. plans to become the first automaker to mass market a vehicle that runs on natural gas.

The Civic GX will go on sale to the public during the second half of 2004, spokesman Andy Boyd said Wednesday. It will sell for about $20,000, about $3,000 more than a gasoline-powered Civic.

The GX will cost about one-third less to operate than a car that runs on gasoline and will be much better for the environment, Boyd said. It will have a driving range of about 200 miles, about half of a regular Civic.

On average, a car with a natural gas-powered internal-combustion engine emits 87 percent less nitrogen oxide, 70 percent less carbon monoxide and 25 less carbon dioxide than a car with an engine that uses gasoline.

The GX is not entirely new. The automaker has produced 500 to 1,000 of them each year since its introduction in 1998.

Most have been sold in fleets to utility companies, universities and government agencies that drive them short distances and are set up to easily refuel them.

To make the GX more appealing to consumers, Honda will sell for $2,000 an appliance that allows owners to fill their tanks with natural gas from their homes.
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Old Aug 28, 2003 | 08:12 AM
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I wasn't aware that it was possible to refuel these yourself. But hell, for $22,000 (Plus I imagine a large gubmint discount) you get a great vehicle with decent performance. I see tons of Hybrids out on the street...I bet this will sell out in no time, especially to those liberal assholes like Bill Maher.

Any word on if Honda will try to do the same with their Hydrogen powered cars in the near future?
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Old Aug 28, 2003 | 02:45 PM
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Liberal is not a four-letter word.
That is all.
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Old Aug 28, 2003 | 04:43 PM
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True, but Bill Maher's still an asshole.

Anyway, the problem with natural gas-powered cars is that there's no refueling infrastructure to support them. It would be easy enough to establish it though, and even without it for a short-distance car it's probably a lot simpler to refuel the thing yourself than to leave a full electric car charging all night. Hybrids will still have more appeal though since they're so well-suited to long trips and they can still be filled up at a regular ole gas station.
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Old Aug 28, 2003 | 05:07 PM
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At least Mahrer's not like Chris Matthews!

But I think its a great idea. It's not a car for most of the people on the board, but I think there's a lot of people who are genuinely concerned about the environment (not just tree-huggers and hippies) who would happily pay more for a car that pollutes less. Plus, with govt's subsidies, I'd imagine the car wouldn't cost very much more than a gasoline version after all the cost-savings from the gas.
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Old Aug 28, 2003 | 06:03 PM
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Originally posted by MrFatBooty
Anyway, the problem with natural gas-powered cars is that there's no refueling infrastructure to support them.
Which is why that and Hydrogen will never take off until A) the Oil companies are forced to build refueling stations or B ) Automakers collaborate with a third party to build them or build them themselves.
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Old Aug 28, 2003 | 07:41 PM
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Originally posted by 98CoupeV6
Which is why that and Hydrogen will never take off until A) the Oil companies are forced to build refueling stations or B ) Automakers collaborate with a third party to build them or build them themselves.
It is too bad more oil and gas companies do not take the stance that BP has done. They classify themselves as an energy company and promote all different types of energy. There would be a lot of money to be made by diversifying their portfolios of energy.

I would love a hybrid or natural gas vehicle as my daily commuter to and from work! And I am a Republican!(for those that do not visit the On Topic forum)
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Old Aug 29, 2003 | 10:48 AM
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Yep, Maher's a cac. :down: As a registered Independent, my general position is any form of political fundamentalism is counterproductive at best.

Anyway, I too would love to see the DOE pressure / cajole oil companies into financing the infrastructural development of LPG. It's going to be necessary at some point in the future anyway, so why not start now?

In southern Marin, one Shell station and one Chevron sell LPG for automobiles. Prices are somewhere around $1.89/gal. :happpysad:
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Old Aug 30, 2003 | 10:18 AM
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why dont hippies just ride bikes? natural gas is better than gasoline, but it still pollutes. my stance on this issue is that at this time, there is no reason for change. gasoline is our best bet for now. hybrid technology will never be superior, and natural gas will never match the ubiquity.

if you wanna save money, drive a diesel. if you wanna save the environment, ride a bike. :fawk:
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