Frankfurt Auto Show: automakers renew emphasis on lower emissions

Frankfurt Auto Show will attract this year those who like more environmentally friendly cars with hybrid propulsion and more advanced, cleaner engines.

	Frankfurt Auto Show will reflect concerns about high gas prices, fuel efficiency and global warming by putting green products and technologies front and center (webbuilder2.asiannet.com)
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The show, which runs from Sept. 13-23, will reflect concerns about high gas prices, fuel efficiency and global warming by putting green products and technologies front and center: lower-emission diesels, new hybrids and hydrogen fuel cells - some market-ready, others as concepts.

Auto industry green expert Ted Grozier said the show will see the industry keep up its efforts to reduce its reliance on gas-guzzling larger vehicles.

"The conventional wisdom is that the U.S. will go hybrid and in Europe the diesel is being challenged," said Grozier of Green Order, a New York-based advisory group that counts General Motors Corp., among others, as clients for its advice on how to make cars cleaner.

"This may be a pivotal year for the industry in the battle for greener cars and the gloves have come off," he said.

Indeed, BMW AG, Porsche AG, Volkswagen AG and DaimlerChrysler AG will all be showing cars with low-emission diesel engines; hybrids that feature electricity to augment traditional fuel motors; as well as hydrogen fuel cell concepts that BMW is researching. All of it is part of the effort to make high-mileage, cleaner cars that also meet drivers' expectations for performance.

"Our customers can rest assured that their Mercedes will also in future meet the most stringent requirements in terms of safety, comfort and effortless superiority, and that they will do so with exemplary green credentials," said DaimlerChrysler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche.

Swedish automaker Volvo AB, owned by Ford Motor Co., will have its plug-in hybrid concept at the show. Called the ReCharge and based on its C30 hatchback, the hybrid is similar to GM's Chevrolet's Volt, which was unveiled at the Detroit auto show earlier this year.

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