Automakers Focus On Mileage, Increased Profits

At this year's International Auto Show, auto giantsGM head honcho said that the Detroit-based
unveiled vehicles that mirror the industry's color -automaker would likely have its E-Flex platform serve
GREEN. Green for environment-friendly vehicles. Also,as a base for future development. The system, used
green for profitability.in its just-debuted Flextreme concept car, has a small
Automakers introduced improved fuel efficiency anddiesel engine generator to charge a lithium-ion battery
engines that run on hydrogen or batteries. The goal ispack.
to enhance mileage and respond to the increasingGM hybrids such as the Saturn Vue, Saturn Aura and
global warming concerns. At present, improving gasthe Chevrolet Malibu are expected to reach 10,000
mileage is one of the hot issues tackled by thesales by the end of the year and will continue to play a
lawmakers. Moreover, it is expected that the industrycrucial function in the automaker's growth. The Saturn
should comply with the stricter standards after thewindow motors could be pulling some positive shopping
passage of such legislation.energy.
Another focus of the automakers is to return toFord Motor Co., meanwhile, said that it will have three
profitability. After the debilitating sales doldrums, whomodels with lower CO2 emissions available in Europe
would not strive to be back into the black? Amid theby the end of 2008. The Dearborn-based automaker
strong European and global economies, most of theis working on diesel versions of the Focus, Mondeo
auto giants have posted sales declines. This is whyand a new subcompact with innovative technology to
they are making the most of every effort to push theirlessen emissions. All three vehicles will carry the
company into profitability.ECOnetic badge of the automaker.
Whether it's the threat of government regulation onRenault SA Vice President Michel Gornet, however,
both sides of the Atlantic or growing consumersaid that consumers have a limited appetite for paying
interest, auto companies have given the show anextra for environmentally friendly technology. "The
environmentally conscious flavor, even when it comesconsciousness is there," he said. "Renault is focusing on
to larger vehicles such as BMW's X6 SUV-cardesigning more environmentally efficient engines
crossover, reported International Herald Tribune.across all its models."
"We're not just talking about cutting CO2 emissions,Nissan Vice President Carlos Tavares said that the
we're doing it," said BMW Chief Executive Officerautomaker is not concentrating on any specific
Norbert Reithofer, after the Bavarian automakerenvironmental system. "We won't bet the future of the
unveiled the X6, a 'sport activity' vehicle with a hybridcompany on a single technology," he said.
engine that will be on sale in 2009. "This isn't just aIn the midst of the environmental drive, automakers
quick, halfhearted effort. We've been leading the wayalso touted improved sales. According to the report,
for years. We got an early start and it's not at all theDaimlerChrysler AG CEO Dieter Zetsche said that the
case that we're being pushed into this by politicians."chance of a fatter shareholder dividend was better
For other auto giants, the notion is taking root deeperthan before. Audi AG, on the other hand, said that it
into future planning and execution. General Motorshopes to sell a record 950,000 cars this year and also
Corp. Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said that the Americanhopes to beat last year's net profit. Additionally,
automaker aims to develop an entire line of electricPorsche AG said that its sales increased 3.4 percent
cars that could share parts used by gasoline-poweredduring its recently ended fiscal year, pushed up by
counterparts.rising demand for its luxury cars.