The Auto Industry Tries to Cheer Up
From the “whatever happened to the time” department, Infiniti celebrated its 20th Anniversary with the Essence, a terrific coupe concept that combines GT-R snarl with electricity to create a 592-horsepower hybrid. Since Al Gore is in such a hurry to save the planet, this might be just the car for the former VP. If we had a ‘small with style’ award, it would go to Ford for its Iosis Max, a five-passenger, five-door that may be the future Focus. The rear sliding doors are brilliant and beg the question; “Why didn’t someone think of that before?” On the other end of the pecking order, the new Rolls Royce 200EX brings the size and price of ultra-elegant motoring closer to the top five-percent of the population. That is until they get their 2010 tax bill…
Ford’s Iosis Max Concept opens wide to haul five passengers in a small space
On the bad-news-good-news front, GM’s European chief talked about the company’s fragile future, then took the wraps off the Opel Ampera, a cool rendition of the Chevy Volt’s extended range, electric concept. Chevy’s bowtie brand was represented by Spark, a terminally cute micro compact that might play as well over here if the General can stay afloat through the downturn. Even the Beltway pundits will like its frugal drinking habits.
Opel’s version of GM’s Volt looks like an exotic electric.
California’s governor and car enthusiast Arnold Schwarzenegger has apparently solved the state’s fiscal problems along with lobbying for draconian emission standards. So he headed to the Geneva show, hopefully on his own dime, to check out the offerings. The governator was interested in some of the powerful, sexy sports offerings- just the vehicles that we’re unlikely to see after California and the Feds finish making their new rules.
Arnold thrills an Audi executive by just sitting in one of his cars.
The new rules won’t kill exotic cars – in all likelihood, with the improvements coming in electric vehicles, coming auto shows will see more tesla-style tour-de-force concepts.
As prices and components improve, electrics will challenge combustion vehicles in all categories. Quieter, more efficient, cleaner, and simpler, while also lighter, faster, safer and more durable. Gotta love progress.
Peace.
DS
Arnold is the same moron who years ago purchased a HUMMER. How ignorant of him. Now is state of California is in deep trouble. Perhaps he should take a look at Arnold and see what exactly is wrong! Now he wants to push green and low milage cars on the rest of us when he drives the HUMMER. I say send him back to where ever he came from and what ever you have to do dont ever let him BE BACK!
The auto market is very complex.
Think about those Baby Boomers retiring and not buying new cars.
Young people with entry-level jobs wants flashy, cheap transportation.
Gas prices will determine how far you can go.
India and China are booming markets.
Public transportation may increase.
Modern communities will have jobs, housing, entertainment and shopping all included. No cars, just walking.