2008 Washington Auto Show: Technology and a Green Future
By Todd Kaho
Traditionally, the Washington Auto Show is recognized throughout the auto industry as the “policy” show because of its location in our nation’s capital. Washington DC is the logical place to grab attention for those big issues that impact the entire automotive landscape, particularly if the news needs to be recognized by legislators, influencers, and policy makers.
To that end, the Washington Auto Show was recently moved from the winter holiday timeframe to late January when Congress has returned from recess, allowing for a needed interchange of ideas and information. To define this new course, the Washington Auto Show adopted the theme “Engineered for the Future.”
Automakers showcased some of their most high-profile advanced technology vehicles at their stands in Washington this year. Toyota and Ford brought in examples of their plug-in hybrids that are now running in field trials. Ford also detailed its expanding E-85 ethanol flexible fuel lineup, which now includes FFV versions of the Expedition, E-Series full size van and wagon, and the Lincoln Navigator. Chevrolet’s Volt concept was on hand to forward the automaker’s E-Flex electric drive architecture, while Saab had its sleek Aero X ethanol concept at the show. VW showed its new TDI SportWagon. Other automakers highlighted their production hybrid wares.
The auto show’s keynote address was given by Mark LaNeve, General Motors North America vice president of Vehicle Sales, Service, and Marketing, who shared that he felt “it is becoming obvious that we are getting our mojo back in developing and building great products that can compete with anybody.” As part of the day’s press conferences, LaNeve announced major orders for up to 1,732 GM-Allison hybrid-powered buses from transit agencies in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. He also presented keys to the first two DC-area drivers selected to join the automaker’s Project Driveway market test of the hydrogen Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell.
John Ourisman, show chairman and principal of the Ourisman automobile dealerships, explains: “This year’s theme, ‘Engineered for the Future,’ applies as much to streamlined aerodynamic style as it does to fuel efficiency. Today’s and tomorrow’s automobiles offer the whole package, and that’s what we’re featuring at the 2008 show. Green is not just a buzzword. It’s an imperative. It’s the future of the auto industry.”
Highlighting the new direction, the Washington Auto Show partnered with Green Car Journal in a multifaceted effort to raise automotive environmental awareness. Central to this approach was the magazine’s inaugural Green Car Summit: Automobiles, Energy, & Environment for media, government staff, and industry executives. The Green Car Summit included two informative panel discussions with auto industry leaders and energy association executives.
The first panel included representatives from General Motors, Ford, Toyota, and Volkswagen, who discussed the direction of the auto industry with specific dialog about future technologies and strategies to meet the new 2020 Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. That lively and informative discussion led to a second panel with energy industry officials from the Electric Drive Transportation Association, Diesel Technology Forum, National Hydrogen Association, NGVAmerica, and the Renewable Fuels Association. The panels were moderated by Green Car Journal editor Ron Cogan and Washington Post columnist Warren Brown.
John Ourisman (above) noted that the Summit was a fitting addition to the Washington Auto Show, adding that “the Green Car Summit reflects the Washington Auto Show’s deep commitment to promoting fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly offerings and to initiating dialogues between carmakers and policymakers.” And policymakers do show up to see the show and attend the evening Charity Preview and Congressional Gala. While the Summit was taking place, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers concurrently held a “Government Sneak Peek” of advanced technologies and vehicles for key government agency employees and legislative staff.
To raise public awareness for its new green initiative, the Washington Auto Show staged a Green Car Parade that traversed the streets of DC from the Mayor’s office to the Convention Center. Participants represented a wide array of green alternatives and technologies. Leading the parade was the Aztec solar car, an electric race car originally built by MIT students in the early 1990s that’s been restored by the Electric Vehicle Association of Washington, DC. EVA/DC also fielded EV Sol, a bright yellow electric Pontiac Fiero conversion, and an electric Ford Ranger.
In addition to the pure electric vehicles, Fairfax County, Virginia’s Prius plug-in hybrid conversion also drove the streets of DC along with a production Prius, Ford’s E85 Ethanol FFV Escape Hybrid, a Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Chevy Tahoe and Malibu Hybrids, and a Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid. Alternative fuels were well represented in the parade by a Civic GX and CNG Mercury Marquis running on clean natural gas, a preproduction 2009 Volkswagen clean diesel Jetta TDI, B20 biodiesel fueled 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and a FlexFuel E85 Chevy Avalanche representing ethanol. The highlight of the parade was a Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell hydrogen vehicle. Chevy had five of these vehicles at the show as part of the kick-off for its 100 vehicle Project Driveway fleet. Many of the cars in the parade were then transitioned to the show floor as part of the first-ever Green Car Pavilion.
Green Car Journal selected the Washington Auto Show to announce its inaugural Green Car Vision Award™. This new award recognizes emerging technologies embodied in a limited production or demonstration vehicle that delivers important and far-reaching advancements in environmental performance. The program’s five finalists included the BMW Hydrogen 7, Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell, Honda FCX Clarity, electric Phoenix SUT, and Toyota Plug-In Hybrid. At a press conference during the show’s media day, Ron Cogan announced the Green Car Vision Award™ winner, the Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell. Accepting the award was Beth Lowery, GM vice president of Energy, Environment, and Safety Policy.
With over 700 vehicles on display from 42 different manufacturers, the Washington Auto Show is on course to increasingly influence both policymakers and consumers. This is especially so as the auto industry’s products continue to be a focal point in the ongoing debates on national issues such as energy efficiency, energy security, CO2 emissions, and air quality. We fully expect the stature of the Washington Auto Show to continue growing as its role as the industry’s “policy show” becomes ever more important in the years ahead.
|
