It’s Auto-Show season in Canada and the US and true to their word, the automakers are strutting their “alternative-fuel” stuff. Major urban centres such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal and (of course) Detroit typically kick off the season and the road-show continues all winter and into the early spring in order to showcase all the new cars available in the showrooms today as well as many of the vehicles that will be announced in a year or two.
Let’s review what some of the manufacturer’s are showing off and when they can be expected.
General Motors: The North American media, the US congress and the general public has taken several “shots” at North America’s (and formerly the world’s largest automaker) but give the “General” credit; they know it’s a tough spot being #1 because you only have one way to go. GM will be announcing the Chevrolet Volt sometime in 2010 and they feel it will be the “shot-in-the-arm” the organization needs to regain market confidence, market share and environmentally friendliness. I believe the Volt will stimulate GM as an organization in the same fashion as the “Magic Van” (Caravan) boosted The Chrysler Corporation in the 1980’s.
Ford: The Ford Fusion Hybrid is apparently going to be one of the best hybrid systems in the market and will give Toyota’s Prius and Camry Hybrids are run for their money. Ford is poised to become a leader in this popular midsize segment and their significant dealer body has been enabled to spread the word and get the market test driving this great car with this fantastic hybrid technology.
Honda: The Honda Insight certainly has some better looks going for it and it will be (like the Toyota Prius) a dedicated alternative fuel model; in other words, there will not be a gasoline model available. Honda suggests that this 5 door hatchback (slightly bigger than a Honda Fit) will squeeze 4.7 Litres/100kms (or 60 miles per gallon) of fossil fuels; this should annoy our friends at the oil companies.
Chrysler: The Chrysler Corporation has some excellent concepts being shown off at the Auto-Shows including the 200C EV sedan and Jeep Patriot EV. Both these vehicles should be reality in a year or two as well as up to 2 or 3 more models in the next 3 or 4 years. The EV power plant is Chrysler’s product title for their extend range alternative fuel projects; keep an eye on these as Chrysler has always been a design and body-style genius….the EV concept could really make the public embrace this product.
Toyota: The all new style Prius is being touted as a “third generation” of a hybrid that is mass produced. The styling has certainly improved but more importantly to Toyota and their customers, the motor has a more power (on the fossil fuel side) but the fuel efficiency has improved.
If you haven’t been to an Auto-Show in a while, it is a great outing for the whole family. Every show has enough attractions and “side shows” that will be interesting for children, teenagers, parents and seniors. The Hybrids and the other alternative-fuel concepts will bring confidence to a weary public that has seen gasoline prices range from $1.35 per litre in the spring/summer of 2008 to the $0.70+ range in late 2008 and early 2009.
Attention Hybrid drivers and people who have road-tested a Hybrid vehicle: I would really like your thoughts about the car, the performance and the confidence that you have in this technology. Kindly send me your comments and I would be happy to publish them on the site. |