Land Rover, Chinese Gov't Hop on Green-Car Trend
Two more automotive groups made entries into the quickly growing green car market this week. On Tuesday, Land Rover announced that it would unveil a concept version of its first-ever green vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show in January, and the Chinese government's state-owned automaker rolled out the country's first domestically designed hybrid cars.
Land Rover, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, is more commonly known for its luxury SUVs -- an auto class not generally linked with fuel- or resource efficiency. But the new green car, the three-door LRX mini-SUV, will be the company's smallest vehicle, and it has been developed with technologies to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy through its smaller size and lower weight.
The move comes as car companies of all stripes are making their vehicles greener, both to capitalize on growing green consciousness among consumers and to get out ahead of carbon caps that are under discussions in Europe and, to a lesser extent, the U.S. In the U.K., officials warned that if new emissions limits went into effect Land Rover could be forced to close its doors, owing to the brand's overall low fuel economy.
The LRX is not powered by a hybrid engine, but aims to incorporate lower-impact materials in its construction, including polycarbonate glass windows, carpeting made of more sustainable materials, and recycled plastics for some interior models.
The newest vehicle from the Changan Automobile company, however, is a hybrid-electric car, and it will be the first such car designed and sold in China. Changan, the state-owned auto manufacturer, has developed the car to use 20 percent less fuel than conventional vehicles, and will be showcased during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Hybrids have yet to take off in China, however, in part because the government subsidizes gasoline and the cars' costs place them out of reach of many auto buyers: the new Changan hybrid will cost the equivalent of just over $20,000, and the Toyota Prius costs over $40,000.
Land Rover, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, is more commonly known for its luxury SUVs -- an auto class not generally linked with fuel- or resource efficiency. But the new green car, the three-door LRX mini-SUV, will be the company's smallest vehicle, and it has been developed with technologies to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy through its smaller size and lower weight.
The move comes as car companies of all stripes are making their vehicles greener, both to capitalize on growing green consciousness among consumers and to get out ahead of carbon caps that are under discussions in Europe and, to a lesser extent, the U.S. In the U.K., officials warned that if new emissions limits went into effect Land Rover could be forced to close its doors, owing to the brand's overall low fuel economy.
The LRX is not powered by a hybrid engine, but aims to incorporate lower-impact materials in its construction, including polycarbonate glass windows, carpeting made of more sustainable materials, and recycled plastics for some interior models.
The newest vehicle from the Changan Automobile company, however, is a hybrid-electric car, and it will be the first such car designed and sold in China. Changan, the state-owned auto manufacturer, has developed the car to use 20 percent less fuel than conventional vehicles, and will be showcased during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Hybrids have yet to take off in China, however, in part because the government subsidizes gasoline and the cars' costs place them out of reach of many auto buyers: the new Changan hybrid will cost the equivalent of just over $20,000, and the Toyota Prius costs over $40,000.
