Automakers scramble to offer more fuel efficiency

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich (Reuters) – Chrysler LLC on Wednesday outlined plans to launch a new car-based SUV modeled after the Jeep Cherokee, as other major automakers took the spotlight at an industry conference to pitch their own hurried responses to the surging demand for more fuel-efficient cars.

A senior Ford Motor Co executive said the No. 2 U.S. automaker expects small car sales to increase sharply and achieve double-digit growth in profit margins on a class of fuel-efficient vehicles U.S. automakers had long neglected in their home market.

“Ford already delivers the best small cars in Europe,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of the Americas, in a speech at the conference in Traverse City, Michigan. “Now it’s North America’s turn, and we intend to deliver these small cars profitably.”

Reuters