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Lowe Promotes Hybrid Tax Breaks by Anthony Fontanelle Actor Rob Lowe appeared before lawmakers last Thursday and promoted tax credits for people who add a plug-in feature to hybrid cars and trucks. Lowe went to Capitol Hill last week to tout plug-in hybrids and a bill sponsored by Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass. The said bill would give car owners tax breaks for converting their hybrids into plug-in models that can be recharged using a regular wall outlet. It can be recalled that automakers were disappointed by the decision to include Lowe, while none of them was invited. In his statement, Lowe twice quoted his Sam Seaborn character from TV's "The West Wing" and said that the car has improved his driving skills since he tries to get a better mileage. Additionally, Lowe portrays a junior senator from California on ABC's "Brothers & Sisters." "I have been driving this car around and I have to tell you, it did what my mother couldn't do. It did what my driving instructor couldn't do, it's made me a better driver," Lowe stressed. Lowe testified Thursday before a special House panel created to respond to energy and global warming concerns. Later, the actor appeared at a demonstration about three blocks from the Capitol featuring a Toyota Prius that had been converted to a plug-in hybrid. In an interview by the Associated Press, Lowe said that his interest in clean energy was not new. Recent events, he said, led him to become more active on the issue. "The first money I ever made and was able to invest, I invested in an alternative energy company going back 25 years," he said. "Like a lot of Americans, I've been watching as the climate changes and as we are in a war on terror where our oil addiction helps fund people that want to kill us. It's gotten my attention." Lowe promoted plug-in hybrids, which have both electric and gasoline motors, plus a battery pack that can be recharged at home. "I have been driving this car around and I have to tell you, it did what my mother couldn't do. It did what my driving instructor couldn't do - it's made me a better driver," Lowe added. As the issues for global warming and increasing gas prices continue to bother the Congress, automaker and the general public, auto parts and product lines are subject to closer scrutiny. Toyota engines, Subaru spark plugs and other auto parts may be required to be enhanced soon to cope with the fuel regulations. About the Author Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

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2009: The Year Of Hi-Tech Turn-Ons - New Year To Be Dominated By In-Car Technology According To Motoring Website (The Auto Channel)

HARROGATE, United Kingdom – January 5, 2008: A car that parks itself and wakes you up if you nod off at the wheel may once have been the stuff of dreams for car buyers but, according to motoring website motors.co.uk, they will be top of the list for discerning car buyers in 2009.

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Auto sales crumple (Long Beach Press-Telegram)

Huge rebates and zero-percent loans couldn't overcome economic uncertainty as U.S. auto sales plunged 36 percent in December, capping a dismal year that saw sales free-fall by 2.9 million vehicles from 2007.

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Yukon 'greening' government vehicle fleet (CBC North)

The Yukon government is working to make its vehicle fleet more cost-effective and environmentally friendly, in part by buying "greener" cars and trucks.

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Microsoft still pushing 'Apple tax' notion (CNET)

Ahead of Macworld, top Windows marketer says consumers can't afford to go Mac. But with the economy in tatters, will people be buying any PCs other than Netbooks?

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Toyota to suspend domestic production for 11 days (AFP via Yahoo! News)

Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday that it would suspend production at all of its domestic plants for 11 days between February and March in response to a slump in sales.

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Less Driving, Gas-Buying Spur Call For Tax Boost (CBS 2 Los Angeles)

Motorists are driving less and buying less gasoline, which means fuel taxes aren't raising enough money to keep pace with the cost of road, bridge and transit programs. A federal commission created by Congress to find a way to make up the growing revenue shortfall in the program that funds highway repairs and construction is talking about increasing federal gas and diesel taxes.

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Toyota, Honda U.S. Slump Ends Gains Dating to Mid-90s (Update2) (Bloomberg)

Jan. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. said U.S. sales plummeted by more than a third in December as the recession and weak consumer confidence ended annual gains for Japan’s two largest automakers dating to the mid-1990s.

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