| |
|
 |
| |
Full lineup of cleaner, greener vehicles is years away - Aug. 25, 2007
The future of the auto industry is paved with green intentions.
You can't pick up a newspaper or magazine these days without reading a reference to "green."
Green is the new gold standard, and it packs a powerful punch whether it's applied to politics, sports or business. If I were a betting man, I'd say that green is here to stay ? at least for a generation or two.
The auto sector has been broadly criticized for its lack of green leadership and initiatives. Special interest groups have accused our industry of being too slow to arrive at the global warming table.
Are some of these criticisms fair? Perhaps. Some automakers have responded quicker to environmental challenges than others; all industries have their early adopters, and our industry is no exception.
I'm not saying that environmental groups shouldn't voice their criticisms and concerns. They believe passionately in their fight to reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere, and they should be applauded for keeping their eye on the ball.
Consumers need to know, however, that most major automakers have acknowledged the need to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles. Progress is being made on the research, development and manufacturing fronts.
The logistics of pursuing greener technologies is a daunting one, even for large auto makers with tens of millions of dollars and highly qualified brain power at their disposal.
Our industry is tough and resilient, and it has a long tradition of meeting consumer demand for new vehicle designs and technologies. In the 1980s, the public wanted big, powerful cars and the auto industry responded with an astonishing lineup of muscle cars.
In the 1980s, the introduction of the minivan satisfied the driving needs of hundreds of thousands of motorists, who wanted stylish, roomy and comfortable vehicles to move their families around in.
The 1990s saw the popularization of sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks, which satisfied consumer demand for ruggedness, versatility and safety.
I believe that auto makers will eventually turn their massive enterprises around to improve the manufacturing efficiencies and to produce cleaner vehicles, but it's not going to happen overnight.
There is a lot of pent-up consumer demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles, and I have no doubt that the auto sector will respond to this challenge with a vengeance.
Just over the past year, numerous car makers have announced ambitious plans to fast-track their research and development to produce greener vehicles.
In mid-June, the Ontario government announced an investment fund worth millions of dollars to develop green technologies and green jobs. Much of this investment is aimed at the auto sector, which contributes one out of every eight jobs to the provincial economy.
The provincial funding follows in the wake of a 2005 agreement between the federal government and the Canadian automotive industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
But the truth about green cars is that they are still in their infancy. The Toyota Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid, notwithstanding, a complete lineup of cleaner, greener vehicles is still years away.
In the meantime, if green vehicles are a priority with you, there are a limited number of hybrid cars and light trucks available at dealerships today.
More are scheduled to be unveiled over the next few years.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
 |
|
Home Page
