Neil Winton from Detroit News weights in on Frankfurt's green theme
While German automakers have a knack for offering large, powerful, luxurious, technically-advanced and therefore often heavy cars, they do not have a sterling reputation for producing eco-friendly vehicles. This fact was not lost on the motoring press at-large, including Neil Winton, who contributes to Detroit News out of the U.K. Winton wonders if the German automakers are really going to offer some of the vehicles they were quick to show off on their home-turf when the Frankfurt show decided to make green part of their pitch this year. All of the major European manufacturers were present and most had something to show off with which to bolster their green credentials. Some of the machines seemed like rolling oxymorons to many, such as the BMW X6 hybrid. That vehicle got a specific mention in Winton's article. We were sure to bring you all of the green news from Frankfurt, and we have the post history to prove it. So, looking back on what the show had to offer you, readers, what do you think will come of it? Will there really be a paradigm shift in the thinking of the Euro (mostly German) automakers or will they bask in the bright green glow that the show brings them just to conveniently forget to actually market their green-tech?
[Source: Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tony Belding 8:11PM (9/21/2007)
Most of the cars shown were "pale green", limp-wristed, half measures. These auto makers started with a goal of showing off how green they are, but instead managed to show that they don't really get it. They don't understand the transformations that are coming to their industry.
Nissan and GM get it. Volvo, I'm not sure about. Rumor says the Volvo ReCharge might go into production -- in 2015, which would put it way, way behind the Chevy Volt and Opel Flextreme.
Here's a quote from a Volvo rep: "A certain proportion of electrical vehicles will be necessary to meet the CO2 emission demands of the future." You hear that? Future regulations might force Volvo to grudgingly produce a few PHEVs. They're sitting on a gold mine and whining that somebody might force them to start digging.
None of the other companies showed any particular sign of having a clue about what's coming.
You've got all these car companies wringing their hands and crying that they'll go out of business if they have to make cars that can get 40 MPG. Meanwhile, GM and Toyota are racing to produce cars that will get 100+ MPG with no compromises required from the owner. (In fact, they they should be more convenient than conventional cars.) The demand for those products will be incredible.
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