The advantages of using alternative energies


Automakers Focus On Mileage, Increased Profits

At this year's International Auto Show, auto
giants unveiled vehicles that mirror theGM head honcho said that the Detroit-based
industry's color - GREEN. Green forautomaker would likely have its E-Flex
environment-friendly vehicles. Also, greenplatform serve as a base for future
for  profitability.development. The system, used in its
just-debuted Flextreme concept car, has a
Automakers introduced improved fuelsmall diesel engine generator to charge a
efficiency and engines that run on hydrogenlithium-ion  battery  pack.
or batteries. The goal is to enhance mileage
and respond to the increasing global warmingGM hybrids such as the Saturn Vue, Saturn
concerns. At present, improving gas mileageAura and the Chevrolet Malibu are expected to
is one of the hot issues tackled by thereach 10,000 sales by the end of the year and
lawmakers. Moreover, it is expected that thewill continue to play a crucial function in
industry should comply with the stricterthe automaker's growth. The Saturn window
standards after the passage of suchmotors could be pulling some positive
legislation.shopping  energy.
Another focus of the automakers is to returnFord Motor Co., meanwhile, said that it will
to profitability. After the debilitatinghave three models with lower CO2 emissions
sales doldrums, who would not strive to beavailable in Europe by the end of 2008. The
back into the black? Amid the strong EuropeanDearborn-based automaker is working on diesel
and global economies, most of the auto giantsversions of the Focus, Mondeo and a new
have posted sales declines. This is why theysubcompact with innovative technology to
are making the most of every effort to pushlessen emissions. All three vehicles will
their  company  into  profitability.carry  the  ECOnetic  badge of the automaker.
Whether it's the threat of governmentRenault SA Vice President Michel Gornet,
regulation on both sides of the Atlantic orhowever, said that consumers have a limited
growing consumer interest, auto companiesappetite for paying extra for environmentally
have given the show an environmentallyfriendly technology. "The consciousness is
conscious flavor, even when it comes tothere," he said. "Renault is focusing on
larger vehicles such as BMW's X6 SUV-cardesigning more environmentally efficient
crossover, reported International Heraldengines  across  all  its  models."
Tribune.
Nissan Vice President Carlos Tavares said
"We're not just talking about cutting CO2that the automaker is not concentrating on
emissions, we're doing it," said BMW Chiefany specific environmental system. "We won't
Executive Officer Norbert Reithofer, afterbet the future of the company on a single
the Bavarian automaker unveiled the X6, atechnology,"  he  said.
'sport activity' vehicle with a hybrid engine
that will be on sale in 2009. "This isn'tIn the midst of the environmental drive,
just a quick, halfhearted effort. We've beenautomakers also touted improved sales.
leading the way for years. We got an earlyAccording to the report, DaimlerChrysler AG
start and it's not at all the case that we'reCEO Dieter Zetsche said that the chance of a
being  pushed  into  this  by  politicians."fatter shareholder dividend was better than
before. Audi AG, on the other hand, said that
For other auto giants, the notion is takingit hopes to sell a record 950,000 cars this
root deeper into future planning andyear and also hopes to beat last year's net
execution. General Motors Corp. Vice Chairmanprofit. Additionally, Porsche AG said that
Bob Lutz said that the American automakerits sales increased 3.4 percent during its
aims to develop an entire line of electricrecently ended fiscal year, pushed up by
cars that could share parts used byrising demand for its luxury cars.
gasoline-powered  counterparts.



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