by Ron Erb

Created on: August 30, 2008   Last Updated: September 05, 2008

Chevy Volt Jump-Starts GM Toward Green Cars
General Motor's Chevy Volt represents more than an environmentally friendly, responsible, sustainable, practical plug-in hybrid car. Chevy's green entry into the scramble to replace our family transports is a big step towards weening America from foreign oil. With GM's international presence behind the sleek, quick, high-tech machine, it could make a global impact.

America impressed the world with Yankee ingenuity during most of the twentieth century. More recently, the U. S. of A. taught the world about marketing. From selling cigarettes to soda water, the United States dazzled the planet. Ironically, the former Big Three marketed themselves into dire straits with high profit SUVs, trucks and muscle cars. When seeking sympathy for their situation, car makers claim they gave Americans what they wanted. But why were soccer moms so eager for 4-wheel-drive mall monsters? Could it have been the advertising?

While the big wheels turned and the profits rolled in, the world changed in two important ways. Both trends will push car makers well into the new century.

New communications technologies pierce international borders creating communities that never existed. People learn how interconnected we all are and about the problems we share. Cell phones and the Internet make broadcasting a push-button operation. Citizen journalism and individual communications make it increasingly difficult for corporations to act in purely selfish ways. Profits depend on global trade and international responsibility. People in America ask, if the Chinese can make electric cars, why can't Detroit?

But the Chinese want American cars! And China's race to economic powerhouse put the brakes on Detroit's SUV joy ride. This second trend dominates world markets in three ways.

China's oil thirst makes U.S. cheap gasoline a thing of the past. Gains in U.S. oil production, wherever they come from, will do little to dent global oil prices. Burdensome U.S. government oil subsidies will draw increasing criticism as the country's debt soars.

China's huge market for cars and its mounting pollution problems mark a great opportunity for American innovation. Chinese people do love American cars, but if other manufacturers offer cleaner, cheaper cars, Detroit will loose.

International car companies will need manufacturing bases in China to compete, whether through Chinese partnerships or stand-alone operations. Chinese manufacturing will be necessary to save with economies

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>