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Hank Green from the Detroit Auto Show

2009-01-16 · documentary visit · Hank · 4:00 · watch on YouTube

Topic: Science & nature · mode: Documentary visit · tags: on location, timely hook

Hank rushes through the 2009 Detroit auto show's green cars (Prius, FT-EV, Volt, Converj, Insight, Tesla Roadster, Fisker Karma) and recommends the Prius, the Insight or waiting for the subsidised Volt.

What is said

The parts of the video and what is said in each (★ — how much it matters to the video).

00:00:00 — Back at the Detroit Auto Show: less glitz, more green cars

  • ★★ Hank finds this year's (2009) Detroit Auto Show more exciting than last year's (2008): less glitz, more of what he is actually interested in, green cars. — 00:00:00

00:00:29 — Rushed tour of green cars: Toyota Prius and FT-EV, Chevrolet Beat/Spark, Volt, Aveo, Cadillac Converj, Honda Insight, Tesla Roadster; running need-to-pee gag

  • ★★★ Hank says the 2010 Prius will be the most fuel-efficient car on the road, bigger and more powerful than the old Prius yet more efficient, with an optional solar roof. — 00:00:29
  • ★★ Hank says the Toyota FT-EV is like a smart car but cheaper and fully electric, and that Toyota may make it around 2012 if it ever exists. (hedged) — 00:00:58
  • ★ Hank says Chevrolet will make a production version of its Beat concept called the Spark. — 00:00:58
  • ★★★ Hank calls the Chevrolet Volt his favourite car: it goes 40 miles on electric power before an onboard generator recharges the batteries, then hundreds of miles. — 00:01:27
  • ★ Hank says the Volt on show is the new production version; viewers last saw it as a concept. — 00:01:27
  • ★★ Hank says General Motors has a concept like the Volt but as a luxury coupe, the Cadillac Converj, which he is sure would be out of his price range if ever built. — 00:01:57
  • ★★ Hank praises a fuel-efficient, cheap hybrid he expects at about $18,500 base price, opening hybrids to more buyers, himself included. (hedged) — 00:02:33
  • ★★ Hank says the Tesla Roadster is beyond his budget; the show displays both its Lotus-designed shell and its internals, which he likens to a powerful, expensive go-kart. (playful) — 00:02:33

00:03:02 — Tesla Roadster internals, Fisker Karma; round-up and buying advice (Prius, Insight, wait for the Volt with its $7,500 subsidy); sign-off

  • ★★ Hank presents the near-production plug-in hybrid Fisker Karma, which has solar panels on its roof like the new Prius. — 00:03:02
  • ★★★ Hank advises car buyers that the 2010 Prius looks like a good choice, the Honda Insight saves money (though less gas), and the Volt is coming soon. (hedged) — 00:03:02
  • ★★★ Hank says the Volt will come with a huge US government subsidy: $7,500 off the ticket price for being a plug-in hybrid. — 00:03:31
  • ★★ Hank concludes there are many more hybrid options and a lot of awesome things on the horizon. — 00:03:31

Humor (significant)

  • Explaining why the tour will be fast, Hank lists being sleepy, needing to pee and an untied shoe. — 00:00:29

    “if I stop and try and tie my shoe, I'm probably going to fall unconscious.”

  • Hank announces a big philosophical question the auto show has raised. — 00:01:57

    “which is why I haven't peed yet.”

  • Showing the Tesla Roadster's exposed internals. — 00:03:02

    “it's kind of the world's most powerful, most expensive go-kart.”

  • After the round-up and the spinny-thing sign-off. — 00:03:31

    “Have I mentioned how badly I have to pee?”

Threads in this video

Where the stories that moved here went next

Mentioned

Central: Chevrolet Volt · North American International Auto Show · Toyota Prius

Also: Organizations: Chevrolet · General Motors · Toyota

Products: Cadillac Converj · Chevrolet Aveo · Chevrolet Camaro · Chevrolet Spark · Fisker Karma · Honda Insight · Smart Fortwo · Tesla Roadster · Toyota FT-EV

Policies: US government subsidy for plug-in hybrids

Only in the description or credits: Lotus Cars

Also centred on Chevrolet Volt: November 16th: Green Cars at the LA Auto Show · VOLT! A Dream Comes True.

Also centred on North American International Auto Show: Brotherhood 2.0: January 9th · Week 2 Condensed Highlight Reel · TIny Cars SUCK!

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