Several Democrats from Staten Island are considering running for Mr. Fossella's seat: City Councilman Michael E. McMahon and Michael Cusick, a state assemblyman.
He is one of three representatives in the 75-seat city assembly for the Europe party.
The German carmaker has been one of the most visible champions of electric vehicles, with plans to introduce a battery-powered, four-seat city compact next year.
The white 28-seat city bus pulled away from the Taj Mahal and turned onto Atlantic Avenue, heading toward the Pathmark in neighboring Ventnor, four miles south.
In six years with New Jersey Transit, Daniel Bruey of Hammonton has won the state rodeo four times, driving a 1995 49-seat "city style" New Jersey Transit bus.
At 8 p.m. (6 p.m. seating), City Winery, 155 Varick Street, near Spring Street, South Village, (212) 608-0555, citywinery.com; $65 for bar stools; $75 for reserved tables; $80 for reserved best tables; $80 for V.I.P. seating.
But Mr. Reithofer said he saw the so-called i3, a four-seat city car that will be built in Leipzig, Germany, as a way of preparing the company for long-term changes in the industry.
That four-seat city car — known as the i-MiEV in other markets — will offer a roughly 70 mile range for under $30,000, not counting tax incentives that can chop thousands off the price.
Can this all-new two-seat city car right the wrongs of its predecessor?
When mid-size sedans are averaging better fuel economy than a two-seat city car, an intervention seems in order.
