[Quietcars] Message on Quiet Car Legislation

[michael townsend]

I wanted to ask any of the powers that be if any progress has taken place on
the legislative effort to enable car manufacturers to agree on noises,
chirps and beeps for our quieter cars.  I know that the bill hasn't been
brought up to the vote of the senate yet, but I can summarize what I know in
a paragraph or two.  

One contributor to a dog guide list suggested that Lotus had an experiment
in the works, which I acknowledged.  However, I wrote:

As a car nut, I know about these things, so here's what I know.  It's a
little confusing, so, here's what's real.  

The Lotus offering has programmable by driver applications which can be
turned off, and Lotus's application is not something that is widely accepted
at this point.  Nissan has an all electric vehicle, and the Infinity brand
in the M series also is coming out with a hybrid with audible cues.
Infinity is Nissan's luxury brand, as Lexus is Toyota's and Acura is Honda's
other division.  

The Chevrolet Volt, GM's electric/gas offering has a horn that beeps if
someone gets too close to the car, but this can also be silenced by the
driver.

IF any other hybrid like Toyota Prius has such warning devices on board and
ready to go, please let the list know.

That's the straight and skinny.