Amid tight markets, rising energy costs, automakers emphasize lower emissions

FRANKFURT, Germany: The world’s automakers will try to win customers over with more environmentally friendly cars at the Frankfurt Auto Show this week as they tout new vehicles with hybrid propulsion and more advanced, cleaner engines.

The show, which runs from Sept. 13-23, reflects concerns about high gas prices, fuel efficiency and global warming by putting green products and technologies in focus: lower-emission diesels, new hybrids and hydrogen fuel cells
Matthias Wissmann, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, said Monday that 1,081 companies were on hand for the show, and 88 new models would debut through the Sept. 13-23 event. The show is held every two years.

Auto industry green expert Ted Grozier said the show will see the industry keep up its efforts to reduce its reliance on gas-guzzling larger vehicles.

“The conventional wisdom is that the U.S. will go hybrid and in Europe the diesel is being challenged,” said Grozier of Green Order, a New York-based advisory group that counts General Motors Corp., among others, as clients for its advice on how to make cars cleaner.

“This may be a pivotal year for the industry in the battle for greener cars and the gloves have come off,” he said.

International Herald Tribune