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Thieves Taking the Hybrid Off Of Hybrid Cars March 2005If a deal exists, there's always a crook trying to take advantage. San Josean Martha Denning reports that someone this week swiped the ``hybrid'' nameplate off her Honda Civic gas/electric car. ``I assume,'' she assumes, ``it's to put on a regular Honda Civic if the carpool law passes or to park free in San Jose. Maybe they think that the cops will just see the big `hybrid' label and not check any deeper to see if it really is a hybrid.''I'd suspect the guy with the inflatable rubber doll in his passenger seat, but maybe that's just me. At any rate, Honda dealers aren't reporting a rash of similar thefts, but they do say there have been complaints of thieves swiping the Honda ``H'' logos (and what's up with that?). Neither have there been reports of crooks pilfering ``Prius'' markers off Toyota hybrids. ``But we do sell them in our parts department,'' notes Mark Feldman of Stevens Creek Toyota, who adds that he hopes the labels aren't being used in an attempt to get around parking or freeway restrictions. ``We don't need anyone ruining a good thing.'' MOREOVER: Denning's thief may have a hard time making use of the pilfered label. California's carpool lanes aren't yet open to solo hybrid drivers and wouldn't be until 2006 at the earliest, advises colleague Gary ``Mr. Roadshow'' Richards. And while San Jose does let hybrids park free in city lots and at meters, that only applies to hybrid vehicles bought in the city and it takes a permit (owners can apply by calling (408) 277-4304). That bums longtime resident Denning, who bought her hybrid in Fremont -- before San Jose's buy-here policy went into effect. ``A good parking policy,'' suggests fellow driver Jill Boone, ``would be one that allowed any vehicle that gets over 40 mpg to park for free, regardless of where it is purchased or even registered. All the time. Oh, well, if only I wrote the policy.'' SOURCE: SJMN | ||
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