ID :
40080
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 21:16
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/40080
The shortlink copeid
Auto show opens in Detroit amid economic crisis
DETROIT, Jan. 11 Kyodo -
An annual North American international auto show opened in Detroit on Sunday,
with automakers worldwide showcasing their staying power and innovation through
the throes of a global economic crisis.
The event comes after not only the Big Three U.S. automakers -- General Motors
Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC -- but also Toyota Motor Corp. and other
Japanese car manufacturers show unprecedented sales declines in 2008.
In response to the downtrodden economy, the auto show includes themes of fuel
efficiency, simple designs and going green.
Among U.S. automakers, GM and Chrysler are under considerable pressure to
develop competitive cars with a portion of taxpayer money already received in
December from an emergency rescue package.
The media will be focusing on whether the Big Three can demonstrate their
ability to compete with Japanese competitors like Honda Motor Co. or Toyota.
Japanese automakers will also fall under pressure to uphold their reputation
for green and fuel-efficient technology.
Toyota is unveiling a world debut demonstration for a ''battery electric'' car
at this year's show. The Japanese automaker is also showcasing its newest
hybrid model, the 2010 Prius, as well as a Lexus hybrid for its luxury line.
''A full hybrid, the (new hybrid Lexus) can operate in electric-only or
gas-engine-only modes,'' Toyota said in a press release, ''as well as a mode
that combines the power of both. Extended electric-mode operation during
low-speed or stop-and-go driving conditions helps reduce fuel consumption.''
Honda, another Japanese automaker known in the United States for its fuel
efficiency and design, is displaying a 2009 Insight Hybrid as its answer to the
other vehicles at the show. Honda has ducked out of its standard press
conference at this year's show due to the global economic downturn.
Further affected by finances, Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will
not be showing at all this year in Detroit.
Meanwhile, Chinese automakers Brilliance China Auto Ltd. and BYD Co. are also
contributing main floor exhibits for China for the first time.
Competition between the United States and Japan, and China's introduction to
the main floor, has the 2009 North American International Auto Show living up
to its international reputation.
Organizers anticipate this to be ''the most historic auto show in Detroit'' to
date. About 700,000 people visited the show last year. The show will open to
the media Sunday through Tuesday. It will open to the general public Jan.
17-25.
New car sales in the United States in 2008 plummeted 18.0 percent from the
previous year to their lowest level in 16 years, with five of six major U.S.
and Japanese makers suffering double-digit percentage drops.
==Kyodo
An annual North American international auto show opened in Detroit on Sunday,
with automakers worldwide showcasing their staying power and innovation through
the throes of a global economic crisis.
The event comes after not only the Big Three U.S. automakers -- General Motors
Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC -- but also Toyota Motor Corp. and other
Japanese car manufacturers show unprecedented sales declines in 2008.
In response to the downtrodden economy, the auto show includes themes of fuel
efficiency, simple designs and going green.
Among U.S. automakers, GM and Chrysler are under considerable pressure to
develop competitive cars with a portion of taxpayer money already received in
December from an emergency rescue package.
The media will be focusing on whether the Big Three can demonstrate their
ability to compete with Japanese competitors like Honda Motor Co. or Toyota.
Japanese automakers will also fall under pressure to uphold their reputation
for green and fuel-efficient technology.
Toyota is unveiling a world debut demonstration for a ''battery electric'' car
at this year's show. The Japanese automaker is also showcasing its newest
hybrid model, the 2010 Prius, as well as a Lexus hybrid for its luxury line.
''A full hybrid, the (new hybrid Lexus) can operate in electric-only or
gas-engine-only modes,'' Toyota said in a press release, ''as well as a mode
that combines the power of both. Extended electric-mode operation during
low-speed or stop-and-go driving conditions helps reduce fuel consumption.''
Honda, another Japanese automaker known in the United States for its fuel
efficiency and design, is displaying a 2009 Insight Hybrid as its answer to the
other vehicles at the show. Honda has ducked out of its standard press
conference at this year's show due to the global economic downturn.
Further affected by finances, Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will
not be showing at all this year in Detroit.
Meanwhile, Chinese automakers Brilliance China Auto Ltd. and BYD Co. are also
contributing main floor exhibits for China for the first time.
Competition between the United States and Japan, and China's introduction to
the main floor, has the 2009 North American International Auto Show living up
to its international reputation.
Organizers anticipate this to be ''the most historic auto show in Detroit'' to
date. About 700,000 people visited the show last year. The show will open to
the media Sunday through Tuesday. It will open to the general public Jan.
17-25.
New car sales in the United States in 2008 plummeted 18.0 percent from the
previous year to their lowest level in 16 years, with five of six major U.S.
and Japanese makers suffering double-digit percentage drops.
==Kyodo
