GERMANY: Carmakers show off their new "green" fleets on the opening day of the world's biggest car show in Frankfurt, Germany
- 00:03:27
- ITN Source
GERMANY: Carmakers show off their new "green" fleets on the opening day of the world's biggest car show in Frankfurt, Germany
Carmakers wasted no time trying to show off their new-found "green" credentials -- as well as their glittering profits -- at the start of the 62nd Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) on Tuesday (September 11). Opening the world's biggest car show with a raft of optimistic reports on improved earnings and greater fuel efficiency, executives from carmakers around the world were bubbling with confidence about their greener fleets and fatter profits. Rather than being rattled about increased pressure to lower the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions believed responsible for climate change, automakers went on the offensive at the start of the show that a million visitors are set to see by September 23. Executives from General Motors Corp, DaimlerChrysler, BMW, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen, Audi and Fiat had plenty of good news to deliver to the thousands of journalists staked out in the cavernous halls of the trade fair's grounds. Many also took the opportunity to try to argue they were leading the way on making low-emission, environmentally friendly cars -- and not being pushed by politicians or consumers. "What is important for us in the future stands here. In 2009, BMW dealers will have a full hybrid car ready at their dealership. It will be the sport Activity coupe, the X6. In my opinion these are two important steps for the future of the BMW-group," said BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer. Reithofer also had reassuring words for investors -- 2007 operating profits would be above 2006 levels, all three group brands would post record unit sales this year, and sales even in the weak German market this year would be above 2006 levels. General Motors (GM) CEO Rick Wagoner also announced GM's push for eco-friendly vehicles. "So our strategy is simple, offer a broad range of clean and efficient vehicles, powered by different sources of energy to respond optimally to local customer needs around the world," said Wagoner. General Motors Corp's European arm said unit sales rose 19.3 percent to 138,200 in August, helped by a 15.9 percent increase at its Opel/Vauxhall brand. In the January-August period unit sales were up by 101,800 to a total of 1.445 million.
ITN Source | September 12, 2007
