"lean, green, fighting machines"

American Honda's Robert Bienenfeld,

Manager of Market Development--dubbed

"Mr. Clean" in reference to the company`s

advertising campaign--spoke of the many

surprises that have occurred within the AFV

industry. Bienenfeld described the infrastructure

accomplishments demonstrated by the coast-

to-coast drive, "Cleanest Across America," in

the new Honda Compressed Natural Gas

Don Jones, ICF Kaiser/PIX 06308

(CNG) Civic GX. He also talked about policy,

"Honda's CNG

Civic GX has

set a benchmark as the

public image, competition, and technology.

cleanest [internal combustion] car on earth, with elegance,

simplicity, and cost-effectiveness."

--Robert Bienenfeld

"lean, green, fighting machines"

Sherri Goodman, Deputy Under

Secretary of Defense for Environmental

Security, quoted Secretary of Defense William Cohen, who called

AFVs "lean, green, fighting machines." Goodman explained that the

Department of Defense recognizes how AFVs benefit the environment,

energy security, and the economy. The military has a unique interest in

petroleum logistics and efficiency needs. By 2010, the military hopes to

deploy forces with reduced logistical needs--forces that go further and

faster with less fuel. Given the requirements for greater fuel efficiency

and "stealth" (powerful, with less heat and noise) abilities, AFVs will

continue to loom large on the military's radar screen.

Chairman of the White House

Dick Moreau, Director of Natural

Jane Beseda, Toyota Motors'

Task Force on Climate Change

Gas Programs for General Motors

Corporate Manager for Strategic

Dirk Forrister reiterated that the

(GM), presented a solid business

Planning, explained the need to

President and Vice President want

perspective to the audience. Moreau

foster a competitive market for

to mirror the Clean Cities approach

discussed the importance of

alternative propulsion systems.

in their efforts to reduce the

customer interest, which is needed

Beseda outlined the different

transportation industry's negative

to boost the economic, environmental,

options available and announced

impact on global climate change.

and local energy needs. He stressed

Toyota's intention to introduce

He relayed that the President hopes

the need for customer acceptance

the natural gas Camry to the

to utilize partnerships with key

of the vehicles, which in turn would

U.S. market. She also expressed

players to deploy energy-efficient

create more product demand, and

her belief that hybrids would be

vehicles in the marketplace, and

drive down the cost. He concluded

the most probable next step before

challenge industry to reduce

by reiterating GM's strong commit-

fuel cell EVs are ready for the road

emissions and barriers to new

ment to increase production of

in 20042006. Beseda emphasized

technologies. Forrister noted that

AFVs, both in terms of different

the importance of a successful

the President recognizes global

models and more vehicles.

transition from conventional fuels

warming as the biggest issue of

to alternative fuels to fuel cells.

the next 2025 years, and hopes

to retool existing partnerships to

bring solutions to the 20082012

climate change reduction goals.