Media Day events at The WAS spotlight breadth and success of industry and its public policy priorities
As auto sales hit a five-year high and continue to lead the nations economic recovery, the variety of events at the 2013 Washington Auto Shows Media Day, Jan. 31, showed the many innovative but challenging directions of the industry and the U.S. government where advanced technology intersects with public policy.
A morning auto industry stakeholder panel came together representing OEMs, dealers and allied businesses to present a roadmap on U.S. public policy. The affordability theme set forth earlier during Industry/Media days at this Auto Show was reiterated and further articulated by the eight Washington-focused industry spokespersons on the stakeholder panel. Significantly, the industry stakeholder panel presented a strong, concerted perspective and unity of resolve that was impressive by any measure in Washington public policy forums. Speaking at the event were representatives from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC), Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD), American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA), National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), Aluminum Association Transportation Group and Association of Global Automakers.
The automobile is driving a renaissance in manufacturing, said Matt Blunt, AAPC president and former governor of Missouri. At the consumer level, said NADAs David Regan, affordable mobility is essential to drive consumer acceptance. For millions of Americans, the automobile is not a luxury. Many Americans need a car to find affordable housing and an affordable job. The lack of access to those essentials is the downside of pricing people out of the market, Regan said. That is a road we cannot afford to travel.
Advanced technology was front and center at the Green Car Journals Green Car Technology Award winner announcement. Publisher Ron Cogan presented the award to Mazda for its SkyActiv technology. SkyActiv, which increases fuel economy and reduces CO2 emissions, allows Mazda to rethink the design of its internal combustion engine cars from the beginning, said Cogan. SkyActiv accounted for 46 percent of Mazdas sales in 2012, Mazda Northeast Regional Manager Peter Donnelly said as he accepted the award.
Later on Auto Show Media Day, Ford and GM committed major donations to different organizations. Ford is giving $500,000 to the Smithsonian Spark!Lab program in recognition of the 150th anniversary of Henry Fords birth. The donation is part of Fords commitment to honor the legacy of its founder by supporting innovative programs. Edsel Ford, the founders great-grandson and a member of the Ford board of directors, was on hand to present Henry Fords world renowned game changing mission to offer a good quality car, priced for the average man. Thats still our vision, he said, driving growth by creating jobs and creating freedom of mobility.
Correspondingly, the GM Foundation announced that it is giving $1 million to Habitat for Humanity International to help with neighborhood revitalization in 12 U.S. cities. In December, Chevrolet donated to Habitat 24 Express cargo vans to create a fleet of mobile response units to help with Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Carlos Rodriguez, chief of Emergency Medical Services in Union Beach, N.J., appeared at the Auto Show to publicly thank GM for its important hurricane victim relief efforts that so greatly assisted his community.
Jeep displayed three new models at the show, the 2014 Compass, Patriot and Grand Cherokee. The Grand Cherokee, the top-selling full-sized SUV, has had a significant update, with a new powertrain, updated front end and new back end, offering increased visibility and utility.
Nissan picked up the advanced technology theme, announcing its plan to add 500 quick-charging stations for electric vehicles across the U.S. in 18 months. It will supply 40 fast chargers to NRG Energys eVgo network in the Greater Washington Area. Ninety percent of Nissan Leaf owners charge their car at home in three hours, enough to fuel the average round-trip commute of 31 miles, said Brendan Jones, Nissans director of electric vehicle marketing and sales strategy. But some customers want more range, and the direct current (DC) fast charger can provide Leaf owners an 80 percent charge in less than 30 minutes. Thirty DC fast chargers have been installed in a test group of dealerships.
Later on Industry/Media Day, SAE International held the Plenary Session of its annual Government/Industry Forum at The Washington Auto Show on Safer and Cleaner Transportation in a Digital Age.
Views varied. Autonomous is not synonymous with driverless, said SAE panelist Chuck Gulash, senior executive engineer at the Toyota Technical Center. The driver needs to be in control. But Googles Anthony Levandowski countered, We think we can make cars that drive safer than humans do. Bob Hartwig, president of the Insurance Information Institute, added a consumer perspective: People will be comfortable with the technology when its affordable and the benefits outweigh the costs. Panelists estimates of when we will see autonomous cars on the road ranged from five to 20 years.
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