With the rise in worldwide oil prices and question as to the future of the petroleum industry, many individuals are trading in their gasoline-guzzlers for “Green Cars.” Factor in the falling economy, and many automotive producers are finding it more profitable to take the bite and finally switch over to development and production of eco-friendly hybrids and economy cars. So what does this mean, exactly for some of North America’s biggest automotive manufacturers?
Naturally the recent economic crisis and questions about petroleum consumption have led to the closing of a number of SUV plants in North America, most predominantly for General Motors. This has naturally led to the fear that with the falling stock market, jobs lost from these plants will not help the ailing economy.
But the recent push in hybrid and alternative-power vehicles has proved a welcome boon for the automotive giant. GM is responding in a very green, and hopefully very economic way with the release of a new series of small “green” cars, including the much-hailed Chevy VOLT, which will start production in GM’s Hamtramck, Michigan plant by 2010.
Ford has also taken the hint with the active conversion of a number of its current and former SUV plants into fuel-efficient vehicle production. Like Chevy, Ford aims to be completely on line by 2010 along with doubling their hybrid production and increasing the number of current hybrid models by 2011.
Ford is also taking the lead by bringing smaller European model cars across the pond, a move often excluded due to the American demand for the bigger and bulkier. But a consensus might be reached with the development of four-cylinder EcoBoost vehicles, including six-speed transmission vehicles, boding well for the future of more powerful hybrid vehicle for individuals who find the need.
The Ford plant in Cuautitlan, Mexico, currently a site for the production on the F-Series pickups, is just one example of the planned conversion, instead switching to manufacture of the Fiesta, which is currently on the floor in Europe and will reach the North American market by 2011.
Toyota already seems to be ahead of the game with their overwhelming lineup of hybrids ranging from the economic Prius to the luxury Lexus LS600 already in production. Other companies including Tesla Motors are coming up in the new world of eco-friendly cars. It seems like American manufacturers are playing catch-up when it comes to green manufacturing, but luckily they’re
I am an junior English major/ Philosophy minor at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. Currently I am spending the spring of 2009 studying at the University College Cork in Cork, Ireland.
