Auto makers focus on fuel efficiency
By Colleen Barry |
March 2, 2011, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
Just when car makers thought it safe to roll out new models in the wake of the economic crisis, a spike in fuel prices has cast a new shadow over the industry and redoubled attention on green technologies.
Ford Motor Co said yesterday ahead of the Geneva Auto Show in Switzerland that it is boosting its offering of low-emissions technologies and will have five alternative powertrains in Europe by 2013.
Stephen Odell, the chief of Ford Europe, said the new powertrains will include hybrid, pure electric and plug-in hybrid technologies.
Fuel prices, driven sharply higher in the past month by tensions in the Middle East, have raised worries that consumers may shy away again from buying a new vehicle.
"With our capabilities in regular combustion engines and with five electric vehicles in production we are well placed," Odell said.
Although most car makers are showing upbeat signs of recovery, the key theme at the auto show, as during the financial crisis years, will once again be fuel efficiency.
Rolls Royce's one-off electric-powered Phantom luxury sedan could give electric the kind of upscale appeal it so far lacks.
There will be a particular focus on engine downsizing, an industry term for squeezing more power out of small engines. Nissan will be showcasing a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine in the Nissan Micar DIG-S that is touted as having the same power as a 1.5 liter four-cylinder model. Fiat has done similar work with the Twin Air engine in the Fiat 500.
Overall, auto makers are showing optimism coming into Geneva, evident in the rollouts planned.
After seeing participants scale back in recent years, organizers said they had requests for more show space than they could provide, and that 70 brands will be represented from 31 countries.
Ford Motor Co said yesterday ahead of the Geneva Auto Show in Switzerland that it is boosting its offering of low-emissions technologies and will have five alternative powertrains in Europe by 2013.
Stephen Odell, the chief of Ford Europe, said the new powertrains will include hybrid, pure electric and plug-in hybrid technologies.
Fuel prices, driven sharply higher in the past month by tensions in the Middle East, have raised worries that consumers may shy away again from buying a new vehicle.
"With our capabilities in regular combustion engines and with five electric vehicles in production we are well placed," Odell said.
Although most car makers are showing upbeat signs of recovery, the key theme at the auto show, as during the financial crisis years, will once again be fuel efficiency.
Rolls Royce's one-off electric-powered Phantom luxury sedan could give electric the kind of upscale appeal it so far lacks.
There will be a particular focus on engine downsizing, an industry term for squeezing more power out of small engines. Nissan will be showcasing a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine in the Nissan Micar DIG-S that is touted as having the same power as a 1.5 liter four-cylinder model. Fiat has done similar work with the Twin Air engine in the Fiat 500.
Overall, auto makers are showing optimism coming into Geneva, evident in the rollouts planned.
After seeing participants scale back in recent years, organizers said they had requests for more show space than they could provide, and that 70 brands will be represented from 31 countries.
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