Showing posts with label energy efficient cars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label energy efficient cars. Show all posts

China Poised to Challenge Global Auto Giants in the Greener Vehicle Market

Under the government"s long-term science and technology plan China is exploring a variety of greener vehicle technologies. In 2006, the Chines government issued a policy directive to encourage the development of small cars with low fuel consumption and low emissions.

China's Chang’an Auto is already mass producing a hybrid vehicle for about $20,000, which is $10,000 less than the Toyota Prius hybrid. Chang’an produced 50,000 Jiexun-HEV hybrid cars in 2010.

China's efficient low emission vehicles are part of its global strategy aimed at the greener global vehicle market. In addition to the growing domestic market, China is increasing exports to developing nations, as well as to the US and Europe.

Inexpensive compact cars like the Chery QQ, and the Geely Panda are selling well domestically. There is also a resurgence of demand for larger sedans in China. These larger models are important to its export strategy. In 2009, 30,000 of the 190,000 Chinese cars were exported.

Geely plans to increase its overseas sales to 1.3 million vehicles annually by 2015, with assembly plants already operating in Russia, Ukraine and Indonesia, and another one planned in Mexico.

Chery, exported 120,000 vehicles in 2009 and has over 20 overseas plants designed to boost sales in Russia, the Middle East, South America and South Africa. The company also signed an agreement to produce compact cars under the Chrysler brand for US and European markets.

The Chinese are positioning themselves to take on the global giants in global sales of greener vehicles.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Fuel Efficient Classic Small Cars

Long before electric hybrids there were small cars with small efficient engines. On August 11, an event called The Little Car Show got underway in Pacific Grove, ahead of the big Concours d'Elegance at nearby Pebble Beach. Unlike the aforementioned, the Little Car Show is free.

Many of these classic small cars have better fuel efficiency ratings than modern hybrid vehicles.

Among the tiniest drawing a crowd was a Tiger Messerschmitt it has a fuel consumption of 6.5 and 7.9 l/100 km. Other cars include the Austin Healey Bugeye Sprites which has a fuel consumption of 43 miles per imperial gallon (6.6 L/100 km; 36 mpg-US). There were also a couple of late '60s Citroen 2CV6 which can travel 100 km on 3 L of gasoline (78 MPG).

There were several American-made Crosley's, they get 50 miles per US gallon (4.7 L/100 km; 60 mpg). Several American Austins were also present, including a beige Bantam.

The founding of the American Austin Car Company offers lessons for the car companies of today. Over 80 years ago, Sir Herbert Austin looked at America and realized that the US needed a small economy car instead of the big fuel burning cars that were prevalent. That vision was responsible for the manufacturing of approximately 20,000 American Austins between 1930-1935. In 1935 the company was reorganized under the name American Bantam. The Bantam has an astounding fuel efficiency rating of 100 mpg which is twice the fuel efficiency of the world leading Toyota Prius Hybrid.
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