Back to the Future?

This weeks entry is not the typical article or video clip, but rather and interesting slide show posted by the Boston Globe: The 2009 Detroit Autoshow

As recent as two years ago many Americans were calling for bigger and better vehicles with more power, more space, and more bells and whistles. In a matter of just one year there was a shift in philosophy as gas prices crept towards $5 dollars a gallon and Americans were calling for alternative fuels and gas efficiency. Although there has been some relief in gas prices, that trend is still prevalent in the US Auto industry and the industry is finally listening as they take government dollars to stop their economic free fall. The 2009 Detroit Autoshow was evidence of that as everyone from domestic manufacturers from General Motors and Ford to Foreign producers such as Toyota and Honda. There was even a touch of true class and beauty from companies such as Lexus (a great car, but glorified Toyota, their parent company) and the Karma S from Fisker, which could be yours for a mere $90,000.

The technology featured was mostly some form of electric, most notably the much anticipated 2011 release of the Chevy Volt by GM. GM recently announced finalized plans to implement an LG battery to power the car, a shift from their original plan, but one they believe will perform better. This of course involves outsourcing jobs, as JG is not an American company. They have come under some heat for that decision. What appears to be overlooked by many with the anticipation of the electric car from GM, is that they are reinventing the wheel with the Volt. In the late 80's/early 90's GM introduced the EV-1, which was a huge hit and was the blueprint as far as alternative fuel vehicles were concerned. Seemingly on a whim, they pulled all EV-1's from the road and "recycled" them. The Movie, Who Killed the Electric Car, gives a great in depth look at the EV-1.

Interestingly, there was also the introduction fo the new Smart Car which is being produced eerily like the the EV-1. Only 1,000 are being manufactured and they are only being put out on the road on a lease basis so that they may retain control of all the vehicles. Another interesting unvieling was the 2010 Saturn Vue hybrid, mainly because who knows if Saturn will be around in 2010 as GM proposed cutting that line in order to save costs and avoid bankruptcy. Each of these new concept cars are incorporating more and more bells and whistles and providing luxury and usefulness, while working toward developing electric cars. The future is now!