Small Is Big At Geneva Motor Show
By Anthony Fontanelle
Great things come in small packages. Therefore, small is big. And the lingering mantra is reflected at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.
Amid stringent emissions standards, automakers are faced with the dilemma of producing the profitable gas-guzzlers or concentrating on the fuel efficient small cars. But the latter seems to be domineering than the former.
At the opening of the Geneva show Thursday, automakers flaunted their leanest and greenest road machines. Slim, sleek, and green – the road machines show they were on a strict diet. A diet composed of lighter materials, upgraded engines, electricity-generating brakes, sophisticated in-car technology, and cleaner tailpipe emissions.
Automakers at the Geneva show believe that in order to offer big, one need not increase dimensions and weight. They simply have to make the car features responsive to what the world asks in general, and what the consumers need in particular.
Minus the extraordinary towing and hauling capacity, the cars need not offer sturdy built and remarkable off-road performance. What’s more, they can do away with other auto accessories such as tonneau cover. Instead, the cars can showcase dynamic styling and fresh innovations without sacrificing its environmentally friendly nature.
An assortment of fuel efficient small cars paved the way for a greener auto parade in Geneva. Among the cars that kicked off at the motor show include Ford Motor Co.’s new Fiesta, Fiat’s concept version of 500 Aria and Toyota Motor Corp.’s three-seater iQ. All three automakers said the carbon dioxide emissions of their cars are below 100 grams per kilometer. This is an effort to beat the EU proposal of 130 grams fleet average by 2012.
The EU proposal, even if it is diluted before being approved, has set automakers fine-tuning their lineup to slash harmful emissions. Famed environmental group Greenpeace, however, said even tighter emissions targets than those in the EU proposal are needed if climate change is to be reigned in.
The Geneva show, which runs through Sunday, is regarded as the most level playing field for automakers because Switzerland lacks its own industry. At the said show Thursday morning, approximately 20 activists protested, demanding that automakers rethink what makes a good car and calling for average fleet emissions to be limited to 120 grams per kilometer by 2012, and 80 grams by 2020, reported MSNBC.
Martin Lloyd of Greenpeace accused automakers of “greenwashing” their industry with a few headline-grabbing eco models while continuing to sell heavier, faster and less efficient vehicles. “The industry knows what it has to do and it has the technology to do it,” he concluded.
About the author
For more information about your parts needs like tonneau cover visit your trusted online source.
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
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