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Green machines

Car buffs get eyeful of new technology

By Roger Fillion, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published March 26, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Updated March 26, 2008 at 9:54 a.m.

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Simon Hernandez of Professional Detailers polishes a Chevy Camaro as a Chevy HHR hangs in the air during setup for Denver's auto show.

Photo by Matt McClain / The Rocky

Simon Hernandez of Professional Detailers polishes a Chevy Camaro as a Chevy HHR hangs in the air during setup for Denver's auto show.

A Daimler-Benz fuel-efficient car is displayed Tuesday at the Denver International Auto Show at the Colorado Convention Center. The show, which will highlight about 550 vehicles, begins today and runs through Sunday.

Photo by Matt McClain / The Rocky

A Daimler-Benz fuel-efficient car is displayed Tuesday at the Denver International Auto Show at the Colorado Convention Center. The show, which will highlight about 550 vehicles, begins today and runs through Sunday.

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Automakers want to put forward a "green" image at this week's Denver International Auto Show.

They're rolling out vehicles at the Colorado Convention Center that use alternative fuels and new technology, including ethanol, "clean" diesel, rechargeable "plug-in" hybrid technology and fuel cells.

The environmental push comes amid the specter of $4-a-gallon gasoline and worries over global warming.

"Green and fuel economy are on everybody's mind," said Scott Settlemire, manager of shows and exhibits for GM's Chevrolet division.

Among other cars, Chevy will display its "concept" vehicle, the Volt.

The plug-in hybrid - slated for commercial production in 2010 - can run on electricity, gasoline, ethanol-based fuel known as E85 or biodiesel.

On Tuesday, workers were driving cars into the convention center's huge exhibition hall, installing temporary walls, preparing displays and cleaning the windshields on vehicles to be showcased.

This year's auto show runs today through Sunday. About 550 vehicles will be on display in a space spanning five football fields. More than 100,000 people are expected to visit.

Three dozen automakers are represented, from Cadillac to Volkswagen.

Among the "green" cars on display: Ford's fuel-cell-powered Fusion, Volkswagen's Jetta Sportswagon, which uses low-sulphur "clean" diesel, GM's Yukon hybrid, and Cadillac's Escalade hybrid.

The event is billed as the largest new car display between the Mississippi River and Los Angeles. It's motto: "A new car is a clean car."

The "green" slant has been evident at recent auto shows throughout the nation, including those in Detroit, New York, Boston and Los Angeles.

"It's across the country," said Barbara Pudney, vice president of Massachusetts-based Paragon Group, which produces auto shows, including Denver's.

The latest auto shows come after Congress approved - and President Bush signed into law - legislation last year requiring automakers to boost the gas mileage of their fleets to 35 miles per gallon by 2020.

While environmentalists applaud the new law passed by Congress, and supported by the auto industry, they argue that a tougher 36 mpg standard by 2016 is more effective.

"This is a program that we can do today," said Keith Hay, energy advocate for Environment Colorado.

But the auto industry begs to differ.

"It's too far, too fast," said Laura Dooley, manager of state government affairs at the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. "The technology isn't all there."

Dooley stressed, however, the industry wants to change its image on green matters. "We want the auto industry to be seen as part of the solution and no longer part of the problem."

To that end, automakers hope this week's show will persuade consumers to take a closer look at "green" models and others on display.

"We want you to come down. Open the doors. Kick the tires. Look under the hood," said Chevy's Settlemire.

Volkswagen is making a big push in the United States - and Denver - with its new "clean" diesel cars that rely on low-sulphur diesel. The German automaker said the fuel is cleaner and offers better mileage.

"It's literally 99 percent cleaner than diesel fuel and diesel products of yesteryear," said Tim Jackson, president of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association. "You can literally breathe through the tailpipe cleaner air than you'd get in a lot of major cities."

Despite the industry's green models, consumers have not exactly been flocking to one of the most highly publicized green vehicles today, the hybrid.

"Hybrids only make up about 5 percent of total vehicle sales in the U.S. today," Jackson said.

Price may be a reason. Toyota's Prius costs more than other compact cars, ranging in price from roughly $22,000 on up. That's compared with $18,000 for other vehicles in the compact category.

"It's getting easier to be green," said Jackson, noting the greater number of options. "It's just not inexpensive."

fillionr@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2467

Denver International Auto Show

Where: Colorado Convention Center

Hours: 5-9 p.m. today and Thursday

Noon-10 p.m. Friday

10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday

Tickets: $10 adults; $5 kids 7-12; free for ages 6 and under. Tonight: Seniors 65+ free with photo ID.

Information: DenverAutoShow.com or 303-831-1691

Comments

  • March 26, 2008

    6:08 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    lindsyhodge writes:

    Going green is very very important.
    Here are more useful green tips (on video): http://www.sutree.com/videos/Green_Ti...

  • March 26, 2008

    8:37 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    windbourne writes:

    Skip the required mileage garbage. It really does not work. All of the companies play games with it, and shoot for the lowest mileage, rather than the highest.

    Instead, kill all tax breaks for any fossil fuel car (such as hummers), and offer a tax break for electric or hydrogen cars, and lesser one for hybrids. In addition, require all fossil fueled cars to accept alternative fuel.

  • March 26, 2008

    9:59 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    temurlan writes:

    Just read an article on BMW's newest high performance car. It beat the Prius on MPGs. Trend?

  • March 26, 2008

    11:08 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    CDee writes:

    So we trade the fossil fuel vehicle for the fossil fuel required to create the electricity to power the electric car. Yep, this makes sense. NOT!!!!

  • March 26, 2008

    11:15 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    CWW writes:

    Yes, I was just going to ask what's the diff in using a car powered with electric from coal, than using gas from fossil fuels?

  • March 26, 2008

    12:22 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    mtnsrfer writes:

    What about contractors that need to haul equipment and supplies? Can I borrow your prius next time I need to haul 40 gals. of paint, 6 drop clothes, 3 ladders, an airless, and my hand tools? Whens the last time you saw a hybrid truck with 16 railroad ties in the back of it?

  • March 26, 2008

    2:37 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    dabumster writes:

    Renewable fuels are the answer. Give it time!! Big oil is on the way out.

    I found this local company on the web. www.m2biofuels.com