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Concepts give a glimpse of the future
When you've been in the retail automotive business for as long as I have, you are always anticipating the next wave of the future.
What new technologies and designs will drive our industry forward? What safety and performance features will become standard in the years ahead?
To get an idea where our industry is headed, the Canadian International AutoShow is a great place to start.
At this year's show, which opened yesterday and runs through next weekend, all the automakers will be showcasing their latest makes and models, from entry-level sedans and coupes to sport utility vehicles to exotic sports cars and more.
In some ways, a major auto show is like the haute couture of the automotive world. At the AutoShow, auto manufacturers roll out their latest creations, hoping to generate some buzz and trend-setting appeal.
Some cars make a fashion statement, some attract little or no interest, and others become huge commercial successes.
For me, one of the most fascinating aspects of the show is the concept vehicles. These newly minted automobiles offer visitors a chance to view the next generation of passenger cars and trucks from all angles.
A concept vehicle is a prototype that is intended to highlight a new vehicle's technology, styling and overall design before it goes into production.
When you consider the time, money and resources that automakers invest in producing each new car or truck, it's truly impressive. Billions of dollars are spent researching, designing, engineering and manufacturing each vehicle before it becomes a reality. Concepts are given the green light with the highest of hopes.
Concept vehicles inevitably provoke discussion about the future of the automotive industry ? especially among those in the retail car industry. Where do I think the future of automobiles is going? I think increased competition will inspire automakers to continue to produce vehicles that are safer, more environmentally friendly, comfortable and fun to drive. Consumers and governments will demand no less.
Comfort and safety are two areas where automakers will continue to make huge progress.
Some of the new technologies on the drawing boards today include credit card-style electronic locking/unlocking devices, onboard sensors and cameras and two-way communication systems. These features could very well make their way into automobiles within a few years.
What else can consumers expect from vehicles in the near future? Route guidance, online information and vehicle location services will continue to improve and help motorists' mobility, to name a few.
Looking further down the road, the recent spike in world oil prices, coupled with the increasing demand for oil and global warming, have awakened auto manufacturers to the need for lower emission, more fuel-efficient vehicles. Going forward, consumers will embrace new technologies.
Most auto manufacturers are either developing or exploring some form of alternative to gasoline-powered engines.
In the next 10 or 15 years, you'll see incredible advancements in fuel-cell, hybrid-electric, gas-hybrid, diesel-hybrid and flex-cell technology. By 2015 or 2020, I believe that alternative energy technologies will be standard on most new cars, trucks and SUVs.
Of course, if you really want to glimpse the future of the automotive industry, visit the Canadian International AutoShow.
The show runs until Feb. 26 and provides a showcase of what is currently available, as well as a window into the future.
You'll find all the information you need at http://www.autoshow.ca.
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