After the business people, the media, the traditional automotive writers and the organizers, here is the green writer's opinion on the Montreal auto show.
This show has been criticized for its location, for the fact that it wasn't ideal for the car manufacturers. It even got three of them (Volvo, Jaguar and Land-Rover) to decide not to show up. It was also criticized for its parking facilities and to have shown very few real new models.
That's a lot of criticism!
What about the green aspect of the show? Was it interesting? Did we see new models worth the visit? How do the manufacturers and the organizers fare in all that?
Let's take a look.
The manufacturers
I will start with the manufacturers.
I decided to grade them from A to F; A being the best and F being a failing grade.
(Please note that this is a personal evaluation)
Let's start with:
Nissan: Some new models like the more powerful version of the Nissan Altima. Most of their models get bigger and more powerful with time but in no way did they get greener. No new green technology. Grade: D
Acura: It's basically the same verdict than Nissan for the same reasons. Grade: D
Ford: They presented their Escape hybrid, which is not so new anymore but at least they are going in the right direction. I would have liked to see the new Fusion, which will offer a hybrid version. They also showed a hydrogen vehicle. On the other hand, the race for power is on more than ever at Ford. Grade: B-
General Motors: The largest world manufacturer has presented no hybrid model for the Canadian market. It brought its very technologically weak hybrid pick up truck without information (I wonder why...). It showed a hydrogen vehicle and some new models are more fuel-efficient. The race for power is going on there as well. Grade: C-
Chrysler-Jeep: Nothing but more power and machismo, if not for a small incursion in the diesel field. Grade: F
Honda: Presentation of the new Accord hybrid, notwithstanding their Insight and Civic hybrid; plenty of staff to explain their hybrid technology; a hydrogen vehicle plus a cylinder de-activation system for bigger vehicles like the Odyssey. No race for power there. Grade: A
Audi: Nothing new other than a little more power. They didn't even bother to give information on their fuel consumption although it has some reasonable models. Grade: D
Volkswagen: A new Jetta, with a more powerful engine, is the only real news. They have many fuel-efficient diesel vehicles although they pollute quite a bit.
Grade: C
Mazda: One new model, the Mazda 5, which is a compromise between a compact car and a minivan. Nothing new on the green side. All their models are pretty fuel-efficient.
Grade: C
BMW: Some new and more powerful models, but nothing on the green side. At least their cars are amongst the most recyclable ones. Grade: D
This show has been criticized for its location, for the fact that it wasn't ideal for the car manufacturers. It even got three of them (Volvo, Jaguar and Land-Rover) to decide not to show up. It was also criticized for its parking facilities and to have shown very few real new models.
That's a lot of criticism!
What about the green aspect of the show? Was it interesting? Did we see new models worth the visit? How do the manufacturers and the organizers fare in all that?
Let's take a look.
The manufacturers
I will start with the manufacturers.
I decided to grade them from A to F; A being the best and F being a failing grade.
(Please note that this is a personal evaluation)
Let's start with:
Nissan: Some new models like the more powerful version of the Nissan Altima. Most of their models get bigger and more powerful with time but in no way did they get greener. No new green technology. Grade: D
Acura: It's basically the same verdict than Nissan for the same reasons. Grade: D
Ford: They presented their Escape hybrid, which is not so new anymore but at least they are going in the right direction. I would have liked to see the new Fusion, which will offer a hybrid version. They also showed a hydrogen vehicle. On the other hand, the race for power is on more than ever at Ford. Grade: B-
General Motors: The largest world manufacturer has presented no hybrid model for the Canadian market. It brought its very technologically weak hybrid pick up truck without information (I wonder why...). It showed a hydrogen vehicle and some new models are more fuel-efficient. The race for power is going on there as well. Grade: C-
Chrysler-Jeep: Nothing but more power and machismo, if not for a small incursion in the diesel field. Grade: F
Honda: Presentation of the new Accord hybrid, notwithstanding their Insight and Civic hybrid; plenty of staff to explain their hybrid technology; a hydrogen vehicle plus a cylinder de-activation system for bigger vehicles like the Odyssey. No race for power there. Grade: A
Audi: Nothing new other than a little more power. They didn't even bother to give information on their fuel consumption although it has some reasonable models. Grade: D
Volkswagen: A new Jetta, with a more powerful engine, is the only real news. They have many fuel-efficient diesel vehicles although they pollute quite a bit.
Grade: C
Mazda: One new model, the Mazda 5, which is a compromise between a compact car and a minivan. Nothing new on the green side. All their models are pretty fuel-efficient.
Grade: C
BMW: Some new and more powerful models, but nothing on the green side. At least their cars are amongst the most recyclable ones. Grade: D