Monday, January 9, 2012

Detroit Auto Show

Detroit Auto Show
The auto industry must adapt to new environmental requirements of the U.S. government. But what the Germans to show in Detroit News, is not always green and environmentally friendly.

The automotive year traditionally begins dark, cold and snow. The top managers of the industry meet this Monday like every year around this time at the Motor Show in Detroit - is the city in the auto industry dominated northern Michigan, near the Canadian border and is the headquarters of the largest manufacturer in the world General Motors. This time the mood is likely in the "Cobo Hall" again quite good. Indeed, despite the debt crisis, the prospects for the industry are sound.

Growth at a slower pace

The growth of the main markets in China, the United States and Japan continues - albeit at a slower pace and associated with declines in Western Europe. Global auto market in 2012 will grow the most by 3 to 4 percent - 5 percent in the previous year. The economic downturn in southern Europe but has a direct impact on the sales of cars, as consumers shy away from major purchases in bad times.

A slump in the years 2008 and 2009, as many car manufacturers have survived only by government scrapping incentives and billions in loans the government is, in all likelihood not before. But companies like Peugeot, which are not represented in North America, have a hard time. Since the American market continues to grow at a slower pace, can compensate for some of the rival Chrysler Fiat through its subsidiary, the difficulties in its home market of Europe. The same applies to Renault with a strong American alliance partner Nissan. Even better, it looks for the German manufacturers, who have risen in America in 2011 with double digit growth rates.

Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW are to be located in Detroit elicit initial statements to 2012th America is for the German auto industry and more important, the long-term low market share of Germans there is now increased significantly. "One in eight cars, the newly registered in the United States, wears a German badge," said Matthias Wissmann, president of industry association VDA. Slightly more than 1 million cars are Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and Volkswagen sold in 2011 in the United States.

And in the current year the U.S. market will grow again - from 12.8 million to 13.5 million units, such as the CAR-Institute of the University of Duisburg estimates. Daimler and BMW plan to expand their plants in Alabama and South Carolina, Tennessee, Volkswagen has just opened at the factory in Chattanooga for a cheap version of the Passat. Audi and Porsche would soon follow. The planned construction of the Mercedes C-Class from Daimler in Tuscaloosa and the recently launched production of the X3 SUV from BMW in Spartanburg are the latest steps.
Fuel consumption to be halved

What the Germans in Detroit to show news is not always green and environmentally friendly. But even there the first time, Mercedes-Benz SL sports coupe wears a desire for fuel efficiency with an expensive all-aluminum bodywork bill. The Munich-rival Daimler is presenting its new three-BMW, ​​which should contribute this year, almost half of BMW's sales in America. Porsche presents the new version of its iconic 911 into a convertible variant in a spotlight. Besides playing combine hybrid vehicles, electric and internal combustion engine, an important role. Daimler makes Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the bread-and-butter model of the upper middle class, presented as a hybrid. In addition, an electrically powered mini-pickup of the Smart brand is a study for the city traffic of the future. Volkswagen Jetta also shows the compact with a hybrid drive. The car is produced at the VW plant in Puebla, Mexico.
VW aims to change

Catch up even beyond the attempts of the Germans in the hybrid technology to the Japanese world market leader Toyota of Environmental Protection in Detroit will play an important role. The reason for the planned new environmental regulations of the U.S. government. The aim of the Government is an agreement with car manufacturers, through which the fuel consumption of cars will be halved in the long term. Ironically, in America, where heavy SUV, the Ford F-series are very popular. By 2025, all cars do in the United States an average of 4.3 liters per 100 kilometers. The new rules apply as are ambitious, but on the other hand, no more stringent than in Europe, which should be reached in about the same goal already 2020th

Nevertheless, not all German car manufacturers agree. While BMW follows the will of the government, seeking changes to Volkswagen. The reason is that VW America CEO Jonathan Browning fears, diesel fuel could be achieved by the new rules in America continues to fall behind. The German auto industry is considered a leader in fuel-efficient diesel technology, but diesel cars in America have only a small market share. In addition to disadvantages for the diesel, the Germans also complain a preference for large and heavy pickup American manufacturers who would be treated by the new rules less stringent.
World Premieres and electric cars

Even as the auto show is in Detroit, the automaker must comment on the plans of the government. By mid-year proposals will then be incorporated into law. In any case, President Barack Obama wants to hold on to the goal of bringing America in 2015 to one million electric cars on the road. For comparison, the same goal of one million electric cars will reach the German government until 2020 - but it's all in this country and to a smaller overall market. Already in 2011 were sold in America much more electric cars than in Germany. While there were a total of only 2,200 in this country, alone has dropped from its model Nissan Leaf nearly 10,000 units sold and General Motors Chevrolet Volt 7700.

Not everything revolves around electric cars at the show: In Detroit, more than 5,000 journalists from over 50 countries, nearly 40 world premieres to see it. The exhibition space of the exhibition has grown by about 2,400 square feet. Whether the record number may be exceeded by 735 000 visitors in the year 2011 remains to be seen. For the general public is quite simply the meeting of Saturday, 14 January to 22 January.

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