| At this year's International Auto Show, auto giants | | | | GM 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 and | | | | diesel engine generator to charge a lithium-ion battery |
| engines that run on hydrogen or batteries. The goal is | | | | pack. |
| to enhance mileage and respond to the increasing | | | | GM hybrids such as the Saturn Vue, Saturn Aura and |
| global warming concerns. At present, improving gas | | | | the Chevrolet Malibu are expected to reach 10,000 |
| mileage is one of the hot issues tackled by the | | | | sales by the end of the year and will continue to play a |
| lawmakers. Moreover, it is expected that the industry | | | | crucial function in the automaker's growth. The Saturn |
| should comply with the stricter standards after the | | | | window motors could be pulling some positive shopping |
| passage of such legislation. | | | | energy. |
| Another focus of the automakers is to return to | | | | Ford Motor Co., meanwhile, said that it will have three |
| profitability. After the debilitating sales doldrums, who | | | | models with lower CO2 emissions available in Europe |
| would not strive to be back into the black? Amid the | | | | by the end of 2008. The Dearborn-based automaker |
| strong European and global economies, most of the | | | | is working on diesel versions of the Focus, Mondeo |
| auto giants have posted sales declines. This is why | | | | and a new subcompact with innovative technology to |
| they are making the most of every effort to push their | | | | lessen emissions. All three vehicles will carry the |
| company into profitability. | | | | ECOnetic badge of the automaker. |
| Whether it's the threat of government regulation on | | | | Renault SA Vice President Michel Gornet, however, |
| both sides of the Atlantic or growing consumer | | | | said that consumers have a limited appetite for paying |
| interest, auto companies have given the show an | | | | extra for environmentally friendly technology. "The |
| environmentally conscious flavor, even when it comes | | | | consciousness is there," he said. "Renault is focusing on |
| to larger vehicles such as BMW's X6 SUV-car | | | | designing 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 Officer | | | | automaker is not concentrating on any specific |
| Norbert Reithofer, after the Bavarian automaker | | | | environmental system. "We won't bet the future of the |
| unveiled the X6, a 'sport activity' vehicle with a hybrid | | | | company on a single technology," he said. |
| engine that will be on sale in 2009. "This isn't just a | | | | In the midst of the environmental drive, automakers |
| quick, halfhearted effort. We've been leading the way | | | | also touted improved sales. According to the report, |
| for years. We got an early start and it's not at all the | | | | DaimlerChrysler 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 deeper | | | | than before. Audi AG, on the other hand, said that it |
| into future planning and execution. General Motors | | | | hopes to sell a record 950,000 cars this year and also |
| Corp. Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said that the American | | | | hopes to beat last year's net profit. Additionally, |
| automaker aims to develop an entire line of electric | | | | Porsche AG said that its sales increased 3.4 percent |
| cars that could share parts used by gasoline-powered | | | | during its recently ended fiscal year, pushed up by |
| counterparts. | | | | rising demand for its luxury cars. |