U.S. Auto Makers Unveil Blueprints for Green Future

Hoping to receive $25 billion in federal loans, U.S. automakers have outlined how they would significantly improve the environmental performance of their fleets, with Chrysler calling for an industry-wide joint venture to develop electric-car technology and Ford and General Motors vowing to reduce the size of their cars and speed the development and production of electric vehicles. Chrysler is urging the federal government and the Big Three automakers to band together to develop the world’s most advanced electric cars and batteries and prevent Asia from dominating that market. Ford said it is working on “next generation” hybrid vehicle technology that will include plug-in electric cars and a strong emphasis on turning small-car production — traditionally a money-loser for Ford — into a profit center because of new design and high fuel economy. GM promised to spend nearly $3 billion in the next four years on developing alternative fuel and electric vehicles and to offer 15 hybrid models by 2012. GM, which faces the gravest financial problems of the Big Three, also vowed to continue developing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and models that run on biofuels.