Detroit Auto Show 2009

Is it just Greenwashing or are these cars for real? Is the Electric Car in our Future?

Promises made, but so far, no tangible evidence that the cars will ever be made.

The Detroit Auto show again has "cars of the future", and some even promise to have limited quantities in showrooms in 2010.\ WHAT? Why would you promise a car for a sales year so far in advance. Doesn't that make people say, well, with the economy so bad, I can wait until the 2010 Voovoom comes out and give it a test spin. I just don't see the logic in announcing a car so far off in the future, unless the intended result is "greenwashing". Kia has a new tiny pickup truck, the Soulster. But, I notice two exhaust pipes, so that means it will not be electric.

Ford says they will have an all electric Fusion that will go 100 miles on a charge by 2010. My hope is that the EV version will not be so expensive up front that the gasoline savings can't be made up in a few years. Will anyone really pay $50,000 for a Fusion? $30,000 buys a lot of gasoline, even at $5 per gallon.

Toyota says their latest EV, which gets only 50 miles on a charge and is about as big as a Smart ForTwo will be available this year. We will see.


Dream on. More from the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

Back to Top