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2004 Fuel Economy Report, page 2 of 4
by Brian Chee
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Retro 70s
That kind of shift in prices could very well signal another adjustment in consumer demand, just as it did during the '70s. Then, import automakers saw the looming oil shortages, took note of the prices and began shipping compact vehicles and other fuel-light vehicles to our shores.
And it seems as if it is happening all over again. Now, however, the imports aren't alone. While Toyota and Honda are well-positioned to offer consumers hybrid and fuel efficient vehicles, Ford and General Motors have also worked hard to take advantage of this shift they see on the horizon:
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The Civic Hybrid (manual transmission) gets 46/51 mpg, with a93 horsepower power plant.
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Fuel prices will increase to the point where people will begin buying cars that save money at the pump.
But it won't be econo boxes and compacts, as it was so long ago. Automakers will deliver the same types of vehicles consumers have grown accustomed to by using "hybrid" technology and super-efficient engines. Hybrid technology is based on a simple concept: combine a traditional internal combustion engine with the battery and electric motor of an electric vehicle, and you'll get significant fuel economy and virtually zero pollutants. For example, a hybrid vehicle essentially "stalls" when at a stop. When you step on the accelerator, the electric motor instantly engages the engine and zoooom - of you go. No more idling cars spouting black tar out of tailpipes. Hybrids on the market today include the Honda Insight, a two-door vehicle that looks like a hybrid; the Toyota Prius, a futuristic vehicle that has become the Trend du Jour among Hollywood's royalty; and the Honda Civic Hybrid - which is exactly what it says - a Civic - and has ushered in the application of hybrid power into mass market cars.
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Continued
Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
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Source: ABT
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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