Are Smart Cars Safe and Economical or Just Small

Originally the brainchild of Lebanese-born entrepreneur/inventor Nicolas Hayek (1928–2010) of Swatch watch fame, Smart cars are designed to be small, fuel-efficient, environmentally responsible, and easy to park—the ultimate in-city vehicle. Back in 1994, Hayek and Swatch signed on with Daimler-Benz (the German maker of the venerable Mercedes line of cars, now Daimler AG) to develop the unique vehicle. The company name Smart is derived from a combination of the words Swatch, Mercedes, and â€Å"art.† High Fuel Prices Drive Demand for Smart Cars When initial sales were slower than hoped for, Hayek and Swatch pulled out of the venture, leaving Daimler-Benz as full owner (today, Smart is part of the Mercedes car division). Meanwhile, rising oil prices drove up demand for Smart vehicles, and the company began selling them in the U.S. in 2008. Smart Cars’ Small Size More Impressive Than Their Fuel Efficiency Measuring just a hair over eight feet long and less than five feet wide, the company’s flagship â€Å"ForTwo† model (named for its human carrying capacity) is about half the size of a traditional car. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the car’s fuel efficiency at 32 miles per gallon (mpg) for city driving and 39 mpg on the highway for the 2016 model year. Many gasoline-operated compact cars now easily reach and surpass those numbers. Unique to them, however, is their size: three ForTwos with bumpers to the curb can fit in a single parallel parking spot. U.S. Distributors Could Not Meet Initial Demand With soaring gas prices in 2008 and 2009, Smart cars sold quickly in the United States. The company’s U.S. distributor imported an additional 15,000 cars before the end of 2008, as its initial order of 25,000 vehicles was almost depleted. Mercedes Benz dealers across the country had long waiting lists for new Smart vehicles, which sold for upwards of $12,000. That initial enthusiasm was not sustained, and sales leveled lower, with only 7,484 units sold in the United States in 2015, and in 2018, according to Automotive News, Mercedes sold just 1,276 Smart EQ Fortwo models. Smart Cars Earn Highest Safety Rating As for safety, the ForTwo did well enough in crash tests by the independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to earn the group’s highest rating—five stars—thanks to the car’s steel race-car style frame and liberal use of high-tech front and side airbags. Despite such good safety performance for such a tiny car, IIHS testers caution that larger, heavier cars are inherently safer than smaller ones. Do Smart Car Benefits Justify the Cost? Beyond safety concerns, some analysts bemoan the ForTwo price tag as unnecessarily high given what you get. The cars are not known for their handling or acceleration, although they can go 80 miles per hour if necessary. The website Treehugger.com suggests that eco-conscious consumers might do better spending their money on a conventional subcompact or compact car, many of which get equivalent if not better gas mileage and are likely to fare better in a crash. Better yet, green-minded consumers should consider a hybrid or fully electric car. Finally Some Real Energy Efficiency For those who need a great in-city car for short errands and commutes, today’s ForTwo might be just the ticket—in its all-electric version. Available in the U.S. through a lease program, the latest electric ForTwo can travel 68 miles (highway/city combined) on a charge, putting it in direct competition with more expensive offers like the Toyota Prius  and Nissan Leaf.

Too Many Threats for Soldiers - 910 Words

In today’s world as an American soldier there are an untold amount of things that may be perceived as a threat. During the United States war on global terrorism these threats have migrated away from the common enemy holding a gun, grenade, or rocket in which the soldier would be accustomed to seeing. Instead what has turned into a common occurrence in conflict is the use of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices). These lethal weapons commonly crafted out of tools and objects that are usually found within an ordinary home. Large tin coffee cans packed with explosives within its bottom, filled to the top with sharp and small objects ranging from separated scissors to nuts and bolts to act as shrapnel bombs. These would be set aside a dirt road adjacent to a pile of trash with a triggering mechanism either timed, remote detonation or a pressure trigger by wire in order to set off around unsuspecting soldiers who may be within a convoy or patrolling around the outskirts of a village. This example is one of many in which the threat that the soldier must recognize is one that is much more difficult to see, making it a prime method for terrorists to use in their efforts. These methods however were not always the only threats in which a soldier would encounter. In previous experiences that have been reported the detonation of an IED had acted much like the blow of a whistle, a flag being waved around to cue the start of an ambush. In situations much like the add-on to this example itShow MoreRelatedChild Of A Soldier For The War1419 Words   |  6 Pagestime they very need people who is younger to be a soldier for the war. Every kid they teach them how to use the gun event they skull. Many nations they had do this to their people who live in that nation s. States it is not much of a problem mostly because here we have child labor laws. Child soldiers are not really a problem in the U.S because of our Labor laws. They have to do this too their child because they ar e pool, so they need to do this too let their kid get out and find himself the way toRead MoreEssay On The Boston Massacre955 Words   |  4 Pagescolonists and a group of British soldiers protecting themselves. It occurred on the night of March 5th, 1770, a small argument broke out between a few colonists and British Private Hugh White in front of the Custom House in Boston. After a while, more colonists started to gather around creating an agitated mob. Many think that the British were at fault for firing when not given permission, and others think the colonists were at fault for harassing and mocking the British Soldiers. Now the topic is â€Å"Who isRead MoreConscription Of The United States1076 Words   |  5 Pagescivilization the Greek and Roman empires respectively. The United States, considered by many to be the modern superpower of western civilization, used to exercise conscription however, the practice was abolished by the United States’ government in 1973. Sin ce then, there has been a continuous dilemma regarding whether the revival of conscription is necessary to provide the military with a sufficient amount of soldiers to safeguard the United States’ military supremacy over the rest of the world. WithoutRead MoreThe Cold War1676 Words   |  7 Pagessector surrounded the Capital city. In addition to this, the German capital of Berlin was also divided into four sectors. However by 1961, all Capitalist sectors had merged to form one independent country known as the German Federal Republic and so too, did all the Capitalist zones in Berlin merge to form West Berlin. In the same light, the Russian Sector also formed an independent country known as the German Democratic Republic and the Russian Sector of Berlin was thereon seen as East Berlin. EachRead MoreThe Things They Carried Essay1015 Words   |  5 Pagesaccurately portrayed, and provides a rare insight into the guilt stricken minds of soldiers. ‘The Things They Carried shows the impact of the war in its many forms: the suicide of an ex-soldier upon his return home; the lessening sanity of a medic as the constant death surrounds him; the trauma and guilt of all the soldiers after seeing their friends die, and feeling as if they could have saved them; and the deaths of the soldiers, the most negative impact a war could have. The suicide of Norman BowkerRead MoreU.s. Senate Armed Services Committee1399 Words   |  6 Pagesartificial soldiers and machinery. Rather than increasing the physical protection of soldiers in battle conditions, they are frugally wasting money on the possibility of a success in the development of a wartime fighter of artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, troops overseas are being put at risk due to inadequate armor. By fitting our troops with new tactical gear rather than investing in soldiers with artificial intelligence, one can avoid the risk of faulty armor. Sending out artificial soldiers willRead MoreTraining For Combat Over The Last Decade Essay1091 Words   |  5 Pagesthe army has been revamping its training and field manuals to reflect what was learned (or, often relearn). These are necessary skills needed to defeat future threats while engaged in two different conflicts the war against terrorism. Brigadier General Benjamin C. Freakely, Chief of Infantry, stated,  "This is shifting the mindset of Soldiers and identifying their military occupation specialty. (Burlas, 2004). However five years ago, the army completed some revision of it counterinsurgency (CION) forRead MoreHow to Use Your Chain of Command1035 Words   |  5 PagesUse Your Chain Of Command Why it is important to follow proper instruction procedures in the military is for many reasons. As a soldier it is our responsibility to not only follow instruction/orders, but to execute the command. Not following orders can result into consequences not only for the soldier whom committed not following instructions, but also it can put others at risk too. Like your N.C.O. in charge of you, to your Team Leader, to your Section Sergeant, to your Platoon Sergeant, toRead MoreEssay about War Of The Worlds by H.G. Wells1204 Words   |  5 Pageshave been a friendly visit, so what were their intentions? In H.G. Wells War of the Worlds the humans’ instinct to survive overcomes threats to their existence. When faced with the unknown the human instinct for survival gives us only two options, fight or flight. When the unknown plumes of fire were first spotted shooting from Mars it attracted many scientists, and it was also the same year that Mars was close enough to Earth to allow scientists to observe it with telescopes from thatRead MoreAccountability in the Army1528 Words   |  7 PagesWhat does it really mean to be a United States soldier? Most would say that it takes the embodiment of bravery, selfless service, honor, and sacrifice. And most would be right. But what good would these coveted traits be in the hands of an irresponsible soldier? Every service member has been charged to maintain their arms, equipment and self at all times. If they don’t, they could easily take themselves out of the fight, putting themselves and their battle buddies in harm’s way. This is called accountability

Essay on A Long Way Gone By Ishmael Beah Essay Example For Students

Essay on A Long Way Gone By Ishmael Beah Essay Imagine yourself in the shoes of a twelve year old boy who vigorously fought through blood and death, seeking for survival and hope during a Civil War in Sierra Leone. The novel, A Long Way Gone, tells the story of, Ishmael Beah, a young boy who experienced the mental and physical battle of reluctantly becoming a soldier. Today, majority of us can relate to Ishmael’s unfortunate circumstances through his life because it is something that we have all been affected by individually in areas all across the world. Beah’s memoirs as a boy soldier instantly caught my attention from beginning to end because of his clear, apprehensible voice and ability to draw readers into the action. Throughout this book, Ishmael focused most on very descriptive details (Imagery), flashbacks, and how an individual can relate to the situation in order to connect to the big idea of survival. Through these narrative techniques, A Long Way Gone was able to touch many readers’ heart. Before a civil war broke out in Sierra Leone in 1991, Ishmael had a normal life with his family in his hometown of Mogbwemo. When the war led by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) transpired, Ishmael and his older brother, Junior, along with their friends, were traveling to Mattru Jong to participate in a talent show. When the abominable news reached them, they traveled back to Mogbwemo just to witness the destruction and death. From this point onward, Ishmael and the other boys wandered from village to village, trying to avoid contact with the rebels. After being separated from the other boys in a rebel attack, Ishmael experienced diverse emotions of fear in a forest and learns that there is no such place to call home as it is already wiped out. Ishmael’s hope to encounter hi. .y relate to because they can be homeless or in poverty and have nothing to eat. Everybody should be able to relate to this situation somehow because everybody felt hunger at some point. What do we do when we get hungry? We search for food. This is exactly what Ishmael and the other boys did. They were so hungry that they stole corns from a little boy. Although there was explicit action throughout the book, A Long Way Gone proves itself to be one of the most salient war stories of our generation. Even though we were not in Ishmael’s shoes, we can quickly learn what it is like to be in a war by just reading this wonderful book. People who have no clue what it is like to be affected by a war should read this book and learn from it because it is exposes us to the firsthand tragic. Through the techniques of imagery, flashback, and connection, this book is one of a kind.

Beowulf Hero Or King Essay Research Paper free essay sample

Beowulf Hero Or King Essay, Research Paper An Anglo-saxon hero is supposed to accomplish single glorification. Beowulf searched for single celebrity and glorification his full life. His chase to go a hero was so strong that it motivated him to take on the immoralities of the universe. Through his brushs with immorality he was able to accomplish single celebrity and therefore carry through the outlooks of an Anglo-Saxon hero. Beowulf was besides able to run into the outlooks that faced a male monarch during the Anglo-Saxon period. During his regulation as male monarch, Beowulf treated his people, the Geats, with immense an equity and was really good to all of them. A hero is a adult male of great bravery and strength that is admired for his aristocracy and feats. Through Beowulf s brushs with immorality he shows the true heroism and bravery of a hero, and as a consequence achieves single glorification. We will write a custom essay sample on Beowulf Hero Or King Essay Research Paper or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page There are three chief brushs with evil animals that clearly display Beowulf as being a hero, and they are as follows: the brush with Grendel, the brush with Grendel s female parent, and the brush with the firedrake in the tower. After the first conflict was over, Beowulf Had been granted new glorification ( 392-393 ) . However, Grendel s mother shortly retaliated against Hrothgar, so the jubilation and congratulations was short lived. The 2nd brush involved Beowulf going to the lake where Grendel s female parent lived and killing her besides. After Beowulf K illed the animal, he was praised by his glorious set of Geats ( 597 ) who, Carried Beowulf s helmet, and his mail shirt ( 600-601 ) as they walked back to happen Hrothgar. As Beowulf entered Herot, he was covered with glorification for the dare Battles he had fought ( 616 ) and he sought Hrothgar to toast him and demo Grendel s caput ( 618 ) . In the 3rd brush, Beowulf was an old adult male yet he still fought the firedrake that was endangering his land. This brush truly displays how Beowulf is a hero. It showed that his heroism and assurance was present even as an old adult male. An Anglo-Saxon male monarch is expected to establish his determinations on what will profit his topics. The fact that Beowulf ruled Geatland for 50 old ages instantly gives the indicant that the people accepted him as a leader. Through Wiglaf the reader learns how Beowulf treated his work forces. Harmonizing to Wiglaf, Beowulf gave his household the Armor and gold and the great estates ( 719 ) that his household enjoyed ( 720 ) . As Beowulf is deceasing, he tells Wiglaf to take the treaure and take his people. Beowulf was decidedly able to run into the Anglo- Saxon outlooks of being a hero and a male monarch. Through his brushs with the three immorality animals he was able to accomplish single glorification and celebrity. As male monarch, Beowulf treated his people, the Geats, really good. He provided everything they needed and based his determinations on what would profit them.