Auto makers to emphasize 'green' vehicles at auto show
February 7, 2008
BY DAN JEDLICKA - Chicago Sun-Times
This story was also posted online at www.leasetrader.com.
General Motors executives said here Wednesday that the emphasis on its "green'' vehicles at the upcoming Chicago Auto Show isn't "smoke and mirrors'' to give itself a more environmentally friendly image.
Toyota now enjoys the "greenest'' image, thanks to its successful gas/electric Prius model.
Troy Clarke, president of General Motors North America, said in an interview during a media preview of the show, which opens Friday, that the auto industry "is at an important crossroads'' and that GM must develop such things as electric cars and fuel cell vehicles.
"GM now sells many vehicles that can run on either gasoline or an E-85 fuel (85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline) and hopes to have an all-electric car ready by 2010. But it may take a decade or so to develop the infrastructure'' to let motorists conveniently use alternative power vehicles such as ones powered by fuel cells as easily as they now use gasoline-engine ones, Clarke said.
Clarke said it now looks like alternative power vehicles will cost more than conventional ones and that "at the end of the day, the consumer will ask himself if it's worth paying extra money for a non-gasoline vehicle that gets higher fuel economy if he must pay more for it.''
Meanwhile, Mark LaNeve, vice president of GMNA sales, service and marketing, said in an interview that GM has no choice but to spend huge sums to develop alternative-power vehicles, while getting "zero sum'' for its research efforts.
"We can't just focus on small cars or gas/electric hybrids. No one type of unconventional vehicle will solve the problem of getting more fuel economy and providing lower emissions, but rather a mix of hybrid, electric and E-85 vehicles are needed, said Ed Peper, general manager of GM's Chevrolet division, which accounts for most of GM vehicle sales.
Meanwhile, demand for gasoline will continue to grow -- and petroleum prices may continue to rise -- as growing numbers of people in China, Russia and India buy motor vehicles for the first time and use gas for them,'' LaNeve said.
Also at the media preview, Ford displayed a popular compact van now used in Europe that offers an alternative to full-size commercial vans. Called the Transit Connect, the van is easier to park and maneuver, although it is roomy. Ford said it's an example of how the automaker is leveraging its global product lineup. The van goes on sale here mid-2009.
Volkswagen displayed a new minivan and said it's part of VW's effort to expand its American vehicle line to get a larger share of the U.S. market. The large minivan has a streamlined exterior and posh interior. It will cost about $25,000, but its introduction date still is indefinite.
"Volkwagen must improve quality and offer a broader lineup in America to become more of a global player,'' said Stefan Jacoby, head of Volkswagen's American Group.
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Print | posted on Thursday, February 07, 2008 7:01 PM