Demand for ‘greener’ vehicles will see emergence of new technologies

ED RICHARDSON
MOTOR MANUFACTURERS are among the first to feel the effects of global warming, according to Kothandaram Venkatakrishnan, research analyst at Frost & Sullivan Market Insight. “The automakers are currently facing greater uncertainty than ever. Use of environment-friendly and clean technologies is going to make all the difference between the winners and the losers of the industry,” says Venkatakrishnan. “The automakers have to make some strategic choices in selecting, developing, and commercialising those technology platforms that best portray their brand and marketing strategies. OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) that are able to produce motor vehicles with lower carbon emissions could see their global market share rise and financial performance improve.” The demand for “greener” vehicles will see the emergence of new technologies. “Apart from the technological advancement owing to environmental concerns, the investments are likely to be also seen in developing the next generation vehicles such as fuel cell vehicles, hybrid and intelligent vehicles,” he says. Motor manufacturers, in their defence, are pointing fingers at the fuel industry. “Several new technologies are unable to reach their full potential, or are even prevented from being put on the market, because of the inadequacy of the fuels at the pump,” says Organisation des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA) Secretary-General, Yves van der Straaten. He was commenting on the publication of the fourth edition of the Worldwide Fuel Charter, which was established in 1998 to promote greater understanding of the fuel quality needs of motor vehicle technology and especially emissions control equipment. Advanced ultra-clean engine and vehicle technologies require the best fuel quality to achieve their emissions and performance potential. Fuels that are sulphur-free and metals-free are prerequisites to the effective use of these ultra-clean technologies, he says.