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Calling on CleanMPG members to not just visit but be a part of the Milwaukee Autoshow! (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=69372)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/WPPI_-_Hymotion-A123Systems_PHEV_Side_View.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (www.cleanmpg.com) - Feb. 3, 2008

It does not get any better than this. Accompany the 2007 Hymotion/A123Systems Prius-II PHEV-40 conversion and enjoy the Greater Milwaukee Autoshow for free!

Similar to last year, the Milwaukee Hybrid Group has been invited back to the 2008 Greater Milwaukee Auto Show. This year's event will be even more comfortable for the volunteers given a much larger area of display space has been allocated for the Milwaukee Hybrid Group Exhibit. More importantly, you will not only be promoting hybrid automobiles though real world ownership experiences and discussion, you will be presenting the WPPI Hymotion/A123Systems PHEV-40 (shown) to the public at large. Easily the highlight of the show!

“We are very excited and proud to be able to talk to the public about the next stage of the hybrid development, plug-in electric vehicles (PHEV’s),” said Bradlee Fons, President of the Milwaukee Hybrid Group. “The WPPI vehicle is not only cutting edge but gorgeous and should certainly bring the public to our booth.”

Presently, the Milwaukee Hybrid Group is looking for volunteers to man their booth throughout the show's hours of operation. The volunteers need only spend a portion of the day at the booth with the rest of the day enjoying the show at your leisure. Your participation in the event is not to show off any detailed technical knowledge as that is not what the MiHG is all about. Your real world experience and enthusiasm would easily trounce whatever can be gleaned from a manufacturer spec sheet by quite a margin and that is exactly what the MiHG is looking for!

Similar to last year’s event, there will be 3 hour segments allotted and both admission and parking are free for those willing to volunteer. The schedule places at least 2 members at the booth at all times with employees of WPPI in attendance on various non-specific days throughout the event as well.

Housing may be provided for some out of town members if requested.

Please review the opportunities in the spreadsheet below and email Bradlee Fons (brad@milwaukeehybridgroup.com) with your preferences. First to sign up will be given priority but Bradlee will accommodate your schedule to the best of his ability.

2008 Greater Milwaukee Autoshow – volunteer schedule

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/MAS_Schedule.jpg

Location: Midwest Airlines Center (http://www.midwestexpresscenter.com/) - 400 West Wisconsin - Milwaukee, WI 53203

Phone: 414.908.6000

Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday 3 pm - 9 pm, Friday 1 pm - 10 pm, Saturdays 10 am - 10 pm, Sundays 10 am - 6 pm.

Gate Admission Pricing: Volunteers admitted for free!

Adults (13 & over) - $9.00, Senior Citizens (62 & over) - $5.00, Children (7 - 12) - $4.00*, Children (6 & under) FREE.

*Kids Day is Sunday, March 2! All children 12 & under admitted free on Kids Day when accompanied by a paying adult.

Parking: Volunteers Park for free!

The Auto Show has arranged for special attendee parking rates at the Grand Ave.
The Shops of Grand Avenue - 275 W. Wisconsin Ave. – Milwaukee, WI 53203 (414) 224-0384
$6 all day parking with auto show ticket stub or exhibitor badge.

Directions:

From the North: Take I-43 south toward downtown and exit at Mc Kinley Avenue. Turn left (East) on Mc Kinley to 6th Street. Right (South) on 6th Street to Wells Street. Left (East) on Wells Street and enter parking on left inside Midwest Airlines Center tunnel.

From the West: Take I-94 east to I43 North exit. Proceed on the I43 Northbound entrance ramp to the Kilbourn Tunnel Exit; go through the tunnel to 6th Street. Turn right on 6th and go one block to Wells Street, turn left on Wells, and enter parking on left inside Midwest Airlines Center tunnel.

From the South: Take I-43 north to Mc Kinley Avenue exit. Turn right (East) on Mc Kinley to 6th Street. Right (South) on 6th Street to Wells Street. Left (East) on Wells Street and enter parking on left inside Midwest Airlines Center tunnel.

Location of the Milwaukee Hybrid Group booth within the Greater Milwaukee Autoshow will be announced in the very near future.

Whoo hoo!
Count me in!

Good Luck to you, whoever shows up at this auto show.

My wife and I were at the Houston auto show and I went by the Ford display and I specifically went to see the Ford Escape Hybrid. There is no doubt that this car has some impressive fuel mileage figures for an SUV. When the Ford rep there asked me if I would be interested in it, I answered that I would when it could be available as a plug-in. She asked why you would want that since you wouldn't have any place to plug it in to recharge like at a hotel or shopping center. I told her that 99.995 percent of my driving is for commuting to and from work and all I need is a good 20 to 40 miles range after I fully charge from plugging in at home. But after I saw her response I knew it was wasted time and effort.

I suppose I should have said because I enjoy paying for $3.00 gallon gas, contributing to CO2 emissions and supporting terrorism.

Is it any wonder that Ford is announcing new buyouts and layoffs?

The whole auto show was really a tribute to the SUV and the monster truck. I suppose this is Texas and you have to expect them to push the big Trucks and SUVs there but it sure does illustrate how much in denial they are about the future availability of gasoline not just in the years to come but that the availability of fuel additives like Alkylite are going to have a substantial effect on the cost of gasoline.

Interesting experience Radio_tec and not that surprising. Last year our members shared many a similar story about what was being discussed on the showroom floor below our booth space. In fact we had, as it turns out, another Ford rep told some visitors that the battery pack had to be replaced every couple years. Many sales people often don't have a clue.

Experiences like that are why the MiHG is here at the Show. We walk the floors of the Show with green vests that say "Ask me about hybrids" and will answer questions that visitors may have. After hearing about what the Ford rep had said, I personally went down and talked with the Ford floor manager to first let him know what was said and second to make sure that Ford does not give bad info out. I also let Toyota, Lexus, GM and Honda know that we were available to answer real life hybrid questions, based on experience.

The FEH is a great small SUV and should be promoted more. Debbie, one of our Planning Team leaders, is one of the best FEH hypermilers in the world (over 50mpg) and was doing a lot of outreach at last years Show. We all may have our preferences, but we just want the public to learn the facts about hybrids. In addition, we do a lot of promoting and talking about EcoDriving as well, since most people may not buy a hybrid but would like to increase their current FE.

We believe that we are performing a very important function at the Show, just keeping everyone honest and sharing our years of EcoDriving and hybrid experience with the public.

We have room for you....

Bradlee

Bradlee,
Although we have an important Cub Scout meeting on that first Saturday, I can be there all of Sunday. So put me down for 8 hours of time.
Sunday the 24th, 10am - 6pm

I assume we can just take lunch break in the booth, right? I promise not to make too much of a mess. :)

Looking forward to doing my part to help spread the word!