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Trump in Smart Car drive to boost £1bn golf plans



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Published Date: 15 July 2008
By Kris Gilmartin
DONALD Trump is hoping to win over environmental opponents to his plan for a £1 billion golf resort by giving a free electric car to everyone who buys one of his homes.
The billionaire is understood to be working on a deal with a major distributor in an attempt to secure a fleet of electric-powered Smart Cars to give away with each of his 500 planned properties near Balmedie, Aberdeenshire.

The environmentally f
riendly vehicles, built by Mercedes, cost about £10,000.

They have a top speed limited to 70mph, reach 30mph in less than seven seconds and are aimed at city driving.

The vehicles may also be supplied to some of the 950 holiday homes earmarked for the site at the Menie Estate on the outskirts of Aberdeen.

George Sorial, Mr Trump's right-hand man in Scotland, said the tycoon was keen to show his green credentials.

He said: "Mr Trump went to some lengths at the inquiry to underline our environmental credentials and our track record on this issue, and those weren't empty words.

"As part of the wider transport network around the complex, we would certainly be looking to use 'green'. Every aspect of the development would be progressed in line with the best environmental standards."

He added: "We aim to protect and enhance the environment in everything we do."

Neil Hobday, project director, said:

"We've been in discussions with a major distributor of Smart Cars for about a year on this idea," he said.

"Each house would have a plug point built into the garage.

"This would be a major step to lead the way as developers delivering on sustainability."





The full article contains 284 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 14 July 2008 8:16 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Donald Trump
 
1

AM2,

Scotland,UK 14/07/2008 21:42:44
At the public inquiry into these plans, a representative of the Scottish Wildlife Trust said that Mr Trump had ignored his own environmental consultants’ advice.

Under cross-examination by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Trump claimed that he didn’t need to read his consultants’ reports, since he was already an expert.

He said: “I would consider myself an environmentalist in the true sense of the word”, a comment which gave rise to so much laughter from the public gallery that the chairman had to call for order.

As WSJ blogger Robert Frank noted, “for the empire-building real-estate developer — who flies a private jumbo jet and leans toward Ferraris rather than Priuses — to call himself an environmentalist is the ultimate Trumpism”.
2

Charles Linskaill,

Edinburgh 15/07/2008 01:52:52

BIG DEAL! a 'puny' Car!

Noddy! Did you hear this!,?

Noddy: "NO CHARLES!, WHATS THE DEAL",?

CHARLES: "A 'WINE-GUM' IF YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH"!

Noddy: "D'oh that sounds good"!
3

Beth Boyle,

NY 15/07/2008 04:18:06
UGH! Is this an obvious ploy! Oh puke in me Sporran! Trump plans to distroy the land but if he gives a free "green" car to all the buyers it make it OK? Give me a break, Donald? Spend less money on golfing greens and more on the rug for your head it must be getting too cold it's not working right! Is this desperate or what?
4

Boy Wonder,

15/07/2008 06:15:55
This Trump story is just getting as strange as Chuckles Linskaill!
5

W Smith,

Middle East 15/07/2008 06:44:17
Our Donald is being welcomed in business friendly Dubai as he launches Tower Dubai and Trump International Hotel.

(These properties will be immaculate - unlike Scotland's council house estates, Nessie centre, Aviemore, and Dundee's waterfront fiasco).

Dubai's corporation tax is 0% and Scotland's is 28%.

Bit of a no-brainer.

I'm just surprised Mr Trump has anything to do with such small minded Scottish eco-bigots who owe their plush life styles to the Industrial Revolution but like to pretend they can live on meagre eco-friendly rations like the native indians in the Amazonian jungle.

Time and tide waits for no man.

Trump should head for Ireland where he will be welcomed.
6

,

15/07/2008 07:01:08
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
7

eric,

lothian 15/07/2008 08:10:59
Look at the mess of Edinburgh new developments that are ugly and done on cheap, and dont fit in, we are worse than trump.
8

Alternative (High-Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 15/07/2008 10:45:54
"30mph in less than seven seconds"

My car could be doing nearly 100mph in that time.
9

Number 6,

germany 15/07/2008 11:00:36
And still they whinge and tear at their clothes. Face it "No No Brigade," once again Trump runs rings around you. When will you get it in to your thick skulls , he's used to dealing with more impressive "Rent-a mobs" than Liebour, (the previous fans of the project),
will ever be. This is going through wether you like it or not. Try as you might to hold back development under the SNP , you will never suceeed. Simply not in the same league. Brilliant !. I hope he makes a FORTUNE
out of this development. Further more, he should be considered for construction contracts for the Commenwealth Games.
10

McGinty,

15/07/2008 11:21:40
Tayside house, Cumbernauld town centre, Hutchesontown & Gorbals, the M8, Glasgow University library, George Square in Edinburgh, St. James Centre, New St. Andrew's House, Aviemore Centre, Lochaber, Kishorn, Invergordon, Methil, Dounreay, who knows, maybe Tower Princes Street or Trump international Holyrood.
11

Number 6,

Germany 15/07/2008 12:36:56
At the very least a statue to man should be erected.lol
12

McGinty,

15/07/2008 13:53:19
Punters and posters like us can huff and puff and blaw either way but I suppose the decision will ultimately be made by those appointed. If not, the Northeast would have had it stitched up months ago, probably would have had the tractors in aboot pulling up sand dunes for him or burning Martin Ford in effigy. I suppose those not happy could always swap his hair dye or sow clover on his putting greens or put chloride in his cement.
13

dido-bendigo,

Scotland 15/07/2008 15:53:48
Oh!! I couldn't see for tears after I read these comments!! Good grief! he must need this project desperately!! Never mind the quality, just feel the width!!! The advisers to the Emperor are something else! What is the range of these vehicles before they need a re-charge? Will they get to Aberdeen or St Andrews and (more importantly) back, on one charge? Will they take visitors to Crathes or Drum Castles and still get back over the hill? Can we look forward to the roads being dug up (again) to install re-charge points at the maximum range, with cabins to wait in until you can get home? Will the electricity supplied be green? How do the vehicles behave in freezing conditions in January and February? Oh!! You couldn't make it up if you tried!!!
14

mobocaster,

Aberdeen 15/07/2008 17:33:31
Well well, the properties have gone from Desperate Housewives to desperate tokenism in one swift movement.

Silly season stories indeed.
15

,

15/07/2008 17:50:49
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
16

Beth Boyle,

NY 15/07/2008 18:06:35
Methinks Mr. Trump has sat doon on the Scottish Thistle!
17

mobocaster,

Aberdeen 15/07/2008 19:29:12
This purports to be Trump taking delivery of a new car:

http://www.cherryflava.com/photos/uncategorized/trump.jpg

Mmm, smart!

18

McGinty,

15/07/2008 20:04:14
#15 Your graph was illuminating so much so that I think it should be shared for the benefit of all.
\ _
\___/ \_
\__ __
\ / \___
\__/\__
\
19

McGinty,

15/07/2008 20:05:03
That didn't work so here's a simplified version
???????????
20

McGinty,

15/07/2008 20:08:44
That should have been
| | | | | | | | | | |
v v v v v v v v
21

mobocaster,

Aberdeen 15/07/2008 20:23:16
You can also play with the settings on that page and compare Trump to the various market index trends - He significantly underperforms all of them.
22

Mincepie265843,

Alba 15/07/2008 20:23:17
A free wee car wi your hoose. Now that's a deal I would go for! Don't see many developers doing that. Good on you Trump!
23

Jhookley,

aberdeenshire 16/07/2008 01:25:09
Mobocaster - once again you fill this site (and others) with the same rubbish. For the record, the Trump entity you reference is Trump Entertainment Resorts, a public company traded on the NASDAQ that, according to numerous sources, including Forbes magazine, represents less than one percent of his total assets. According to SEC filings with the US government, he only owns 27% of that company stock. His main entity, the "Trump Organisation" - is private (for your own information, that means not traded on a public exchange) and owns all his other projects, including TIGLS. It is known to be debt free and doing very well - not to mention the money it brings in from TV, books and other licensing ventures.

You are a fool. Everyone living here wants this project, including environmentalists with any brains. Stop posting lies and distortions. Get your facts in order.
24

dianne13 ,

Aberdeenshire 16/07/2008 08:20:45
#23
No, everybody doesn't want this project. This is just another cheap shot by the Trump organisation to keep the media pressure up.
They behave like a bunch of used car dealers, as for Neil Hobbday, check his credentials.

"According to the London Sunday Times, Hobday’s development company went “into administration” in 2005 and has yet to be sold. Some 30 staff were “made redundant” (laid off), and investors were left with almost $2 million worth of unpaid bills, more than $330,000 of which was owed to local businessmen. Trump says he hired Hobday because he understood the application process." (Vanity Fair)

Hmmm... given the way this application is going - he doesn't seem to understand anything.
see: http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/05/trump200805
25

McGinty,

16/07/2008 17:15:15
#23. I don't support it either but what puts people off is not so much the project itself but the kind of people that support it and the associated mouthiness.
26

overton,

balmedie 16/07/2008 17:15:22
No. 24

Since you don't even live in the area what's it go to do with you?
The majority of people here do actually want the project to progress without any further hindrance from self-opinionated outsiders.
27

overton,

balmedie 16/07/2008 17:19:27
No. 25

The only mouthiness that has been exhibited throughout this artificially protracted saga has been from mega mouth Martin Ford and his plumby supporters.

Ford's hijacking of this project against the wishes of the electorate has received the appropriate reaction from the people and Aberdeenshire Council.

28

mobocaster,

Aberdeen 17/07/2008 23:47:02
#23 - Hookley.

Trump's financial history is a matter of record - the bankruptcies, restructurings & reduction in holdings to appease major creditors. As well as the junk bonds & other aspects of risk taking with other peoples money. Yes, I can admire Trump's ability to compartmentalise his interests & come out smelling of roses, however none of this augurs well for the current econimic climate & certainly does not justify taking the risk with our environment.

Claiming they are lies simply demonstrates the level of contempt held for this country by you, Trump & your ilk.

Also, only a few months back, Sorial was stating the complete opposite - How the costs of this scheme were troubling Trump greatly (you will know where to find that link). One of you is talking rubbish & either way, which one matters little as the economic evidence to the enquiry amply demonstrated Trump's earlier lies & the financial weakness of the scheme.

As for the "everyone wants it" claim - That has been done to death on here before & you simply cannot justify it in any way.

Maybe you should go & get some facts sorted yourself?
29

Jhookley,

18/07/2008 17:42:30
Mobocaster - what public records are you referring to? Yes, the casinos have issues (and for the record, the casino entity is the ONLY Trump company that ever filed for a re-org - which is a legal and accepted business practice, commonplace in the States) and Trump, like EVERY other developer, had some lean years. That's the nature of real estate. The Trump Organisation never filed a BK. You also fail to acknowledge the multitudes of other successful Trump projects all over the World. His buildings are iconic and people who live in them love their homes. During the PLI, it became clear how overstated the so called environmental issues were. How is the SSSI destroyed when less than 10% of it gets touched? He has a top environmental team committed to mitigate in the areas affected. I can justify the claim that everyone wants the project because I live here and have yet to meet a single person against it. I attended several days of the PLI and did not observe the "antis" - except for Mr Foote. Why would you say DT had contempt for this country? He has fought and spent millions to save this project and endured the nonsensical criticism from imbeciles like yourself who obviously contribute nothing and have no rational plan for the economic future and well being of Scotland. Its men like Trump that put people to work by the thousands. Its elitist left wing clowns like yourself who ramble on endlessly about the environment, the curved sedge, the adders tongue or whatever the buzzword of the day is but actually end up doing nothing for mankind but waste public money distorting the facts. What economic evidence are you speaking about? Trumps case went unchallenged and SNH, SWT and the RSPB openly acknowledged that they did not intend to offer any evidence against it! Ford and his group were finished in 90 minutes and said virtually nothing. I doubt that someone like you has the ability to even understand or comprehend the forces at work here and you obviousl
30

overton,

balmedie 18/07/2008 18:06:52
Well JHookley, I and the majority here could not agree more with what you have just said.
Thank you.
31

Myosotis,

19/07/2008 20:30:43
Jhookley and Overton have simply no evidence that a majority of people in Aberdeenshire want the Trump development, besides gleanings from the views of their own circle of friends.

No poll has been made since last autumn, and the numbers signing the petition sites have been much against Trump since December, when his under-hand dealings with the Scottish government emerged.

The Aberdeen Evening Express then campaigned for people to sign the PM Downing-St pro-Trump petition. But this drew in just 200 extra votes, during which time 1400 added their names against.

So now the paper dare not have a poll, instead their Chief Reporter puts out frequent pro-Trump publicity designed to bribe locals and house purchasers.
32

overton,

balmedie 20/07/2008 09:57:08
# 31
Once again an objector from outside the area puts in his barren tuppence worth.

You Lib Dems are finished up here because of your ignorant and ill-mannered behaviour over this opportunity.
Away and do something worthwhile for this community (if you are that interested) instead of undermining it.
33

,

21/07/2008 14:19:07
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
34

overton,

balmedie 22/07/2008 06:27:29
# 33

If you were honest you'd admit that you don't give a jot for Menie or even the now developed pristine moorland that is nearer to your place of residence.

Coincidentally the 'gang of four' objectors at the PI were maverick Lib Dem councillors who were ably abetted by the now defuct Lib Dem Nicol Stephen and others - so please don't go into denial because it only makes your idiotic comments look even more stupid.

You know very well that the whole objection issue was created by Debra Storr and her colleague Martin Ford and that indeed Debra set up an e-mail hub through the Ellon Focus Lib Dem website to cater for the extreme views of a small band of objectors - you perhaps are on that e-mail list?

The behaviour of a small but ignorant group of objectors led by Lib Dems (including Debra and Martin) behaved in an extremely ill-mannered way at the first meeting at Balmedie School much to the disgust of the local supporters of the scheme.

Please do not try to re-write history and don't forget the uproar that happended after Martin Ford unbelievably found himself in a position of power without responsibility for once in his sad self opinionated life.
35

,

22/07/2008 06:33:31
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:

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