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Auto makers turn several shades of green

JEREMY CATO

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 6:56 PM EDT 15/03/07

With no silver-bullet technology in hand, the industry is working on a variety of alternatives, Jeremy Cato writes ...Read the full article

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  1. Frankie @^_^@ from hamilton, Canada writes: THE AUTO SHOW SHOULD HAVE FREE ADMISSION> IF THE COMPANIES WANT TO SHOW OFF THEIR CARS FOR US TO BUY THEN THEY ARE THE ONES WHO SHOULD BE FOOTING THE BILL> ITS THE SAME AS IF SEARS WOULD CHARGE ADMISSION TO THEIR STORES SO YOU COULD BUY SOMETHING FROM THEM> I COULD NEVER FIGURE OUT WHY PEOPLE WOULD SPEND GOOD MONEY TO GET IN PLUS OUTRAGIOUS PRICES FOR PARKING JUST TOO SEE SOMETHING THEY CAN SEE FOR FREE AT THE SHOWROOM> IF ANYTHING THE BIG THREE SHOULD PAY FOR IT ALL>AFTER ALL THEY ARE GOING DOWN THE DRAIN ILL TAKE MY 20 BUCKS AND SPEND IT ELSEWHERE>
  2. Jim Summers from Waterloo, Canada writes: I don't think the "Invisible Hand" works quite the way you claim. The consumer has the invisible hand that chooses the "best" alternative that producers supply. Then the producer that provides the best alternative makes more sales and profit, and the rest of the producers make less sales and profit, and start thinking about how to improve their product. The critical point is that the invisible hand doesn't make products magically appear for consumers to choose; suppliers get to choose what products to offer in the market. This is relevant to the case of hybrids. Would GM be developing and producing hybrids if Toyota and Honda customers didn't prove there was a market for hybrids? If the big three had their way and the only products on the market were SUVs and muscle cars, how would we know there is a demand for hybrids? Toyota and Honda have the right idea by offering a wide range of vehicles for sale. They were happy to be selling hybrids when the craze started (after many years of low sales), but if gas prices had stayed low, they had plenty of gas guzzlers for sale as well.
  3. T Parker from Toronto, Canada writes: Great article jeremy. Very balanced and non slanted in any specific direction. This is one of the first articles I have seen in a while that paints the real picture.
    One of the biggest problems in allowing these technologies to become available is actually to do with the press. Everyone has their own choices on what people want and don't want. In order for any of these technologies to make it to market, it is critical for the press to present all options to the public in an unbiased fashion. You have done that.
    Personally, as a consumer, my choice is pure battery power. Infrastructure is a non issue as electricity outlets are everywhere. On every building. Inside and out. This will reduce additional costs that automakers will try to attach to alternative energy technologies.
    Hydrogen vehicles are going to have the biggest problem in getting to market as the infrastructure is going to cost billions to establish. I personally am not willing to pay for that infrastructure development.
    Battery technologies are moving along quite quickly. If GM put the volt on the market next year, I would buy one. Regardless if their was a premium attached or not. The first to market with a pure battery vehicle gets my vote. And the cash in my wallet. Until then, I will stick with what I have.
  4. Broken Record from Victoria, Canada writes: The difficulty of finding diesel fuel is a myth. I drive a diesel and there are two filling stations within a kilometre of my house that sell diesel. I find it's the exception to find a filling station that doesn't sell diesel. I travel regularly into B.C.'s Interior (for those who have never been there, it's the back of beyond) and diesel is available at nearly all stops.
    Companies like Volvo, Volkswagen, Saab, Jaguar that appeal to a let's say, better educated demographic would do well to offer the same diesel models they do in Europe, assuming our regulators will let them, and when they catch on with the cognoscenti it's only a matter of time before the wider market is clamouring for them.

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