It seemed for a time the U.S. car industry and by default the car market here in The Bahamas focused on bigger is better. There was little concern about size, carbon emissions or fuel economy. Consumers wanted their vehicles to be bigger and higher than the next guy. It is safe to say that changes to the global financial system that began in 2008 changed all of that - and for the better.
The car industry serves as a good example that in order for most consumers to make more green purchases the products available simply need to be priced just as good as or better than the alternative as well as make good economic sense over the long term. The fact is consumers are increasingly savvy and simply expect to get more. Some persons will change their consumption of products once educated about the harmful effects to the environment, but our desire to change must be equally matched by products in the marketplace that simply make financial sense.
In the U.S., for example, consumers literally voted with their feet, dealing severe blows to Chrysler, General Motors and Ford that saw plummeting sales of 56 percent, 49 percent and 39 percent respectively in 2009. These giants of the car industry were humiliated into going hat in hand to U.S. lawmakers for bailout money to keep their companies afloat. In order to survive, reinventing their products was necessary. Last year each of the giants saw double digit sales making the industry as a whole more hopeful. The consumer has definitely won this standoff and the buzz words at the 2012 North American International Car Show were fuel economy.
Europe, which has had to live with high fuel prices for decades, has certainly had an influence with Fiat S.p.A., the majority owner of Chrysler helping to design the Dodge Dart featuring some models that deliver 40 miles on the gallon (mpgs). Generally for persons shopping this year for vehicles there is greater selection among fuel efficient gas powered vehicles, hybrids and electric powered vehicles with models available in every category from midsize sedans to luxury. Most automakers have vehicles that can comfortably provide mpgs in the 30-40 range. These fuel efficient vehicles are stylish, equipped with safety features and loaded with gadgets.
Other ways to spot those fuel efficient cars is to lookout for 3-4 cylinder engines in small cars and no more than 6 cylinders for example in SUVs. Additionally, manual cars allow you to have more control over fuel economy than an automatic car. In a few years these fuel efficient vehicles will become the norm because the consumer will simply demand it. We would like to hear how this article has helped you. Send questions or comments to sbrown@graphitebahamas.com. oSonia Brown is the principal of Graphite Engineering Ltd. and is a registered Professional Engineer.
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