Study Says More Hybrids and Diesels on the Way

Honda, which has just recently won awards for its TV ad promoting its European Accord 2.2i-CDTi diesel (see automotive news

DaimlerChrysler has combined both diesel and hybrid technologies for even greater efficiencies. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

section for June 26, 2005: Honda 'Grrr' Ad Wins the Cannes Grand Prix), a car that has also up 19 world records (see automotive news section for May 28, 2004: Honda Sets 19 World Records with Accord 2.2i-CDTi Sport), is considering offering a variant in North America (see automotive news section for April 19, 2005: BMW and Honda Slated to Bring Diesel to North American Markets by 2007).

There is also the opportunity of combining both diesel and hybrid technologies for even greater efficiencies, and DaimlerChrysler has taken the idea a step further by developing a prototype dubbed F500 Mind. Despite the automaker's capability to develop and build such a vehicle, a spokesman at DaimlerChrysler's Washington, DC "Impact on America" symposium explained that such a drivetrain, while extremely efficient, would also be very expensive to

The remainder of this decade and beginning of the next promises to be of great interest to those who follow the automotive industry. (Photo: Toyota Canada)

produce, and therefore is not expected in the immediate future (see automotive news section for June 9, 2005: DaimlerChrysler to Invest $40 Billion in North America despite Cutbacks by GM and Ford).

No matter which alternative drivelines will be most prominent in our future, nothing short of a significant drop in the price of crude oil will slow down the development of more hybrid- and diesel-powered models. The remainder of this decade and beginning of the next promises to be of great interest to those who follow the automotive industry, and even greater significance for those who have previously purchased, or want to buy an alternatively powered vehicle in the near future.