Apr
2
Sustainability: Still at Concept Stage
April 2, 2008 |
Please allow me to continue this months running theme: frustration! Here we are going into yet another spring and, in the big picture, what has changed? All the big manufacturers are still trotting out concept cars which focus on green technology, low (no) emissions, sustainable production. But when do we buy these wonder-cars?
The unfortunate truth is (as always with concept cars) is - never. They just never make it. Call me a cynic but in the case of green-machines I’d say the focus of their concept is the prime reason they never hit the showroom floor. I mean normally concepts that survive get toned down and re-designed into a blandness that makes them unrecognisable - safe, yes; sensible, yes; exciting, no; by the time they reach production. But, when all the concepts are shouting about an end to using gas then I just get the feeling that the designs and the ‘impracticalities’ become a nice big, neat excuse.
Just look at the NYIAS (New York Int. Auto Show) this year - lots of lovely shiny concepts, just like last year. Just like last year these models promise great emission levels, the use of hybrid and other technologies. But didn’t we see all this before? Sure a few new vehicles have come to the market with big ‘H’ marks on the tailgate and ‘eco’ all over their logbooks, but don’t you just feel the manufacturers might be keeping their best toys out of our pram? Just a thought.
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