Green turns golden at car show
By Darryn Simmons, The Courier-Journal
February 25, 2008
Environmentally friendly cars of the future were the stars yesterday on the last day of the combined Carl Casper Custom Auto Show and Louisville New Car Show at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
One big attraction was the Carl Casper Custom hybrid 2008 Ford Focus. It runs on any combination of solar, electric, hydrogen and gasoline energy.
"It's been unbelievable," said Russ Scott, chief operating officer of Hydrogen Technology Application Inc., which provides the hydrogen cells for the custom Focus. "People are so hungry for this."
Scott was at the hybrid cars display taking questions . He said the price of gas these days has people looking for alternatives.
"Everyone wants to know when these cars will become available and how much they'll cost," he said. "They're tired of paying the price at the pump."
So tired, Scott said, that there's not a lot of surprise at the likely $33,000-$34,000 price tag.
"There's not a lot of sticker shock when I tell them," he said.
Fred Connor of Louisville said he would definitely consider buying a hybrid.
"Good for the environment and good for my wallet sounds like a winner to me," he said.
Scott said he thinks hybrids could become widely available next year.
Also popular at the show was the smartfortwo, a two-seater that has been available in Europe since 1997 and is now available by reservation in the United States at www.smartusa.com .
Larry Burke, a sales manager for the car in Louisville, said gas prices increased interest in his product, too.
"It's the right car at the right time," he said.
Sarah McDaniels of Louisville said she liked the car, but not the price.
"It's half a car. It should be half the price," she said.
The hybrids and all the other fun things made for another successful show, said John Davidson, vice president of Showcars Inc., which puts on the Carl Casper show.
Combining the two shows was a working formula, Davidson said.
"A lot of people have come out here not knowing there was the new car show as well and were thrilled that they got that extra bonus," he said.
He did not have an attendance total, but said he was happy with the crowds.
"Friday was a little low due to the weather, but Saturday did really well thanks to appearances by people like Jason Earles" from the Disney "Hannah Montana" show, he said.
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