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GM looks to China for cleaner cars
Beijing (AFP) Oct 29, 2007 US giant General Motors said Monday it would launch a 250-million-dollar alternative fuel research centre in China, as it looks to dramatically ramp up production of more environmentally friendly cars. The new centre in Shanghai, which will conduct research into fuels and vehicles, will be launched in conjunction with the firm's Shanghai auto partner, SAIC, General Motors chief executive Rick Wagoner told reporters. GM also announced that it would begin selling a hybrid vehicle model in China next year using locally made engines. "GM is proud to be announcing one of the most important and far-reaching collaborative strategies to promote energy efficiency and environmentally friendly transportation in China and around the world," Wagoner said. GM expects hybrid and biofuel vehicles will comprise around 10 percent of its worldwide production of 9.2 to 9.4 million units this year. "(But) if you look out five years or so, I think that number is going to be significantly higher. It could be 50 percent of global production," Wagoner said. The first phase of construction of the Shanghai centre, which will also include the the Chinese government as a partner, will be completed next year. It will focus on developing bio and other alternative fuels, and the engines for them, Wagoner said. An additional agreement with SAIC and Beijing's Tsinghua University will establish a five-million-dollar clean fuel research laboratory in the Chinese capital. "The centre is responsible for reducing China's dependence on petroleum based fuels," Wagoner said. "China has the potential to become the market leader in the adoption of alternative propulsion systems." China's auto industry, a key component of its booming economy, has come scrutiny with climate change and pollution in the global spotlight. A recent report from the State Environmental Protection Administration said car fumes caused 79 percent of air contamination in China's highly polluted cities on bad days. Auto sales in China, the globe's second largest car market after the United States, soared in the first nine months of the year to 4.58 million units, a 23.84 percent increase from a year ago, according to Chinese state media. Detroit-based General Motors expects to sell more than one million vehicles in China for the first time this year, compared with 876,747 units in 2006. For his part, SAIC chairman Chen Hong said his company planned to produce 10,000 hybrid fuel vehicles a year by 2010, as it raises its commitment to find cleaner ways to power vehicles. The global automobile industry is in the midst of a shift away from production in highly developed countries to emerging markets. Sales in country's like China, India, Russia and South Africa have taken off. GM said in August these markets will account for a quarter of its new car sales, exceeding North America. Related Links Car Technology at SpaceMart.com
Japan showcases cars that talk sense
Chiba, Japan (AFP) Oct 26, 2007It may seem an unnerving prospect, but the cars of the future could be programmed to talk to you when you are vexed by someone else's driving, recommend you take a rest when you are sleepy or alert you to a possible collision. |
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