EV1 It seems impossible to be a GM customer

[butchmedic]

We (the Pash family) are among hundreds who have offered to buy a EV1, in working condition, as a salvage vehicle; thus releasing GM of further liability. Most of us are not Eco-nuts, but recognize that the EV1 is the best American made EV and the most patriotic way to reduce our oil dependence TODAY. We want to to buy and drive the EV1 and be on the road GM EV advocats. Isn't that what Corvette owners do?

These are not concept cars, any more than the Toyota RAV4 EV is a concept car. They are a controlled market vehicle that were partially funded by taxpayers like you and me. They have not lived their full useful life and do not deserve to be crushed. The taxpayer investors should have some say about their outcome. It is very unusual for corporations or even the government to CRUSH SURPLUS that still has a useful life. Usually surplus is auctioned "as is". I guess GM has a different motive than income, good PR, or what is in the national interest.

We know that an EV is not for everyone just as a Hummer is not for everyone. We just ask for an equal opportunity to have consumer choice, to own, drive and adore our dream car. For those that worry about us contributing to power plant pollution - DON'T. Our home has roof top solar electric and fills the grid during daylight peak hours. During off peak hours we charge our Solectria Force (factory EV conversion of a Geo Metro) and create enough electricity for the EV1.

Pursuing our dream,
The Pash family

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Note from the EV1 Vigil

This will be our final vigil report from the Burbank location.... as many of you have heard, it has been an eventful week. On Monday, 3 Pilot transport trucks came, hauling away approximately 21 EV1s- but not without a fight. Vigilers Alexandra Paul and Colette Divine engaged in an act of non-violent civil disobedience by blocking the trucks from leaving the GM driveway and were arrested for it. They were held for a few hours while being processed, then were released pending arraignment- and were both back on vigil watch the very next morning. GM should be honored to have such committed customers, and should be ashamed that they would have to go to such lengths to show this loyalty to a GM product- but I know we are proud to have them as part of our group.

These three trucks were tracked to Mesa, AZ, and were photographed entering the Desert Proving Grounds, where the EV1s have been crushed over the last couple of years. Two vigilers drove back through the night, arriving in Burbank just in time to watch as 9 more open PMT transport trucks loaded the remaining EV1s in an absolute panic- EV1 tires screeching and body panels cracking against each other. It's amazing that GM got away with charging customers for wear and tear on cars that were going to be crushed, only to cause similar damage loading them onto the trucks- we can only imagine what the GM shareholders must be thinking at this point, the stock having plunged this week, GM having refused nearly 2 million dollars because they'd rather "recycle" these cars (at what expense?)- and who can quantify the cost of negative publicity?

The 9 transporters left Burbank at approximately noon on Tuesday- each accompanied by police escort. We an only assume that these too have gone to Mesa, and are currently being dismantled in preparation for crushing.

It is important to note that we have tried for over a month to communicate with General Motors in several very civil ways (and we've been trying for several years overall to communicate with them). We have called, we have written over 100 letters- we have even invited them to speak at our rallies. Recently we were told that they were busy "formulating a response" to our inquiries- we have, in fact, gotten a response- it just wasn't a very mature one. It came in the form of a dozen very large trucks, and GM has quite literally taken their toys and gone home.

As much as they may not like how the Burbank vigil came to fruition this week, General Motors cannot avoid accepting responsibility for the fact that it could have been avoided had they not stonewalled the very people trying to buy their cars.

General Motors used to contend that mandates don't drive markets, and that they wanted to provide products based on consumer demand. What they have demonstrated however, is the opposite- the sheer act of wanting one of their cars has made us less valuable to GM as customers.

Our effort is not over- it is merely changing forms. We will have a transition rally in Burbank, which will stage there at 11am and caravan to a new location at noon as we quite literally drive into the future. Anyone with an EV is invited to join the EV procession- but please join us in any vehicle you can! There are support actions happening in other cities- if you would like to participate or start one in your area, please let us know!

Media update: catch Alexandra Paul on Extra tonight at 7pm on NBC, and Chelsea Sexton on Eco-talk again on Air America on Sunday (www.ecotalkblog.com ).

Much more to come,

the EV1 Vigilers www.saveEV1.org

[bakerna]

As great as your message is, you need to resize your avatar, read the rules again.