Big 3 show their wares Jan 10:
Big Three to Show Off 'Green Car' Technology
By David Lawder
DETROIT (Reuters) - The Big Three U.S. automakers,
aiming to shake the perception that they'd rather sell big
trucks than help stop global warming, will show their green
side next week at their hometown auto show.
Chrysler Corp., Ford Motor Co. and General Motors
Corp. all plan to display various types of alternative
propulsion technologies that save fuel and cut emissions at
Detroit's North American International Auto Show.
The show, one of the world's top three motor industry
expos, opens to the media Sunday and to the public on
Jan. 10.
The Big Three became more determined to demonstrate
their commitment to the environment and their
technological prowess amid heightened public concern
over global warming following an international climate
conference in Kyoto, Japan, in December.
Japanese automakers also made a big splash in October
with environmentally friendly technologies at the Tokyo
Motor Show, including Toyota Motor Corp.'s bold
announcement that it would sell the world's first
gasoline-electric hybrid car, the Prius, at affordable prices.
Honda Motor Co. Ltd announced it had developed an
engine that emits virtually no smog-producing pollutants.
''Environment became more of a factor in the last three
months or so,'' said Michael Robinet, an analyst with
CSM Forecasting in Farmington Hills, Mich. ''It wouldn't
have been that way if Kyoto wasn't as important and if
they weren't as upstaged at Tokyo by the Japanese
automakers.''
Meanwhile, Big Three chief executives said they were
opposed to the binding targets for carbon dioxide emission
reductions agreed to in Kyoto, and said the treaty would
not help the environment without the participation of
developing nations.
Although they are selling more fuel-guzzling sport utility
vehicles than ever, they pledged to show at Detroit that
their fuel-saving technology is as good as or better than
anybody else's.
GM added a major news conference to the schedule
Sunday to showcase what it bills as ''the world's cleanest
concept cars'' -- a family of next-generation electric and
hybrid cars that aim to reduce costs and still meet
customer needs.
Chrysler also is planning to introduce a new, much
improved version of its ESX hybrid car, which first made
its debut two years ago.
Meanwhile, Ford is expected to show off the latest version
of its P-2000 lightweight car as well as some near-term
fuel-saving and pollution-reducing technologies, such as a
new direct-injection diesel engine.
Ford spokeswoman Sara Tatchio declined to comment on
Ford's new technologies, but added, ''We hope to do
something that makes an impact on clean air in the near
term.''
Analysts regard this year's crop of Detroit hybrid concept
cars as less complex, more cost-conscious and slightly
more dependent on internal combustion power than many
previous versions.
But GM, Ford and Chrysler are still taking a more
cautious approach to introducing hybrid technology to the
marketplace, preferring to sell a limited number of
all-electric vehicles instead. . . . . . . . . . . .
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............ Bob |
