This dinosaur is the shape of things to come, at least viewed from the
perspective of the giant carmaker, General Motors. The float, entitled 鈥楲ooking
to the Future鈥�, was the company鈥檚 entry in the annual New Year鈥檚 Day parade
held in Pasadena, California. As a concept it was intended to be a vehicle
for exploring other planets, but its appearance owes more to Diplodocus.
The neck could stretch to reach nearly 17 metres and the float was controlled
by two drivers in the head.
The 33-tonne brute also ran into more earthly trouble. Animal rights
protesters seized on the occasion to demonstrate against General Motors鈥�
use of animals in crash tests. And the United Auto Workers withdrew its
sponsorship from the float in protest at General Motors鈥� plans to close
a West Coast assembly plant later this year.
At least General Motors did not have to endure the public humiliation
suffered by the Honda Motor Company. Its float, called 鈥楢merica鈥檚 History
Book鈥�, broke down and had to be towed.
Advertisement
