Automakers Have Different Approaches to Going Green

Washington DC June 14, 2007; The AIADA news letter reported that at the Michigan Alternative Fuel Forum in Ann Arbor MI, automakers disagreed on what may finnaly end up as the fuel of the future ...Hybrid Electric, Clean Diesel, Gasoline, BioFuels or Hydrogen, or all of the above.

In its coverage of the event, attended by 700, the Detroit News said that automakers disagree on the best option, and that some believe a combination of choices is best for the environment and the consumer.

Dennis Assanis, chairman of mechanical engineering at U of M. was quoted as saying "such dialogue is important because there is no single solution to quenching America's demand for foreign oil"

Toyota said that hybrid vehicles will be the platform it builds all its alternative fuel programs upon. Chuck Gulash, Toyota vice president for research and materials in North America, said the Japanese automaker will make improving its hybrid powertrain the cornerstone of its alternative fuel efforts.

Earlier this year, Toyota sold its 1 millionth hybrid car. It took 10 years to reach that point. "Our goal now is to sell 1 million hybrids a year," he said.

At the same forum, Ford and GM executives highlighted their goal to make half their fleets ethanol-capable by 2020 and continue to work in the fuel cell and hybrid arenas.