Hi,

I'm following up with Cole and "Center for Automotive Research" and found a number of related papers on their web site. So I sent an e-mail to Cole and asked if they had read and formed an opinion about the "CNW Marketing" 'Dust-to-Dust' report and forwarded a URL. While getting the 'Dust-to-Dust' URL, I noticed in August of 2007, this month, "CNW Marketing" published their rebuttal to the Pacific Institute critique.

Once again, I noticed in "CNW Marketing" the same evasive answers and lame response that marked their earlier replies to our criticisms. For example, using code words including "an agenda" instead of addressing the issues. Then throwing up red herrings such as, ". . . look at support industries during the pre- and post-ownership stages such as road maintenance (based on mileage and weight), environmental compliance and literally hundreds of non-vehicle support activities." Also, selective use of data such as citing the Honda Accord Hybrid going out of production while still clinging to the 109,000 mile Prius lifetime mileage.

It is said that all it takes for evil to succeed is for good men to remain silent. Although dealing with "CNW Marketing" is a pain, they will not be separated from their folly. We can only hope that more and more folks will simply choose to ignore them.

BTW, the best rebuttal are Prius sales:
2001 - __5,562
2002 - _15,556
2002 - _20,119
2003 - _24,627
2004 - _53,991
2005 - 107,894
2006 - 106,971
2007 - 110,565 (as of July)

These numbers do not include all other hybrids and GM's two-mode hybrids will be here this fall. In short, this battle is over and CNW Marketing has yet to realize they've lost.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
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