Source: CNW Marketing Research
Now the chances are that when asked to name iconic products, green or not, cars will come to mind first, with (for now) Toyota’s Prius taking the ECO-ICONIC prize (even though for most people this is a very un-sexy car). As The New York Times put it: “Why are Prius sales surging when other hybrids are slumping? Because buyers want everyone to know they are driving a hybrid."
No wonder then, that most other car manufacturers are keen to give their ‘clean(er)’ cars a distinctive, if not iconic look. First, let's look at two, by now well-publicized, ECO-ICONIC runner-ups:
Honda’s FCX Clarity is a fuel cell vehicle that runs on electricity powered by hydrogen, and emits only water vapor and heat. Honda is also developing a Home Energy Station for refueling the FCX Clarity, which it has been testing in Torrance, California, since 2003. A modest roll-out in the US is scheduled for this summer, with Japan following in the fall. Honda is supposedly also working on a dedicated 'global hybrid' family car (meaning that like the Toyota Prius, there won't be a non-hybrid version) which is scheduled for launch in 2009.
First unveiled as a prototype in July 2006, Tesla Motors began regular production of its electric sports car, the Tesla Roadster, in March 2008. The 2008 model is already sold out and Tesla is currently taking reservations for the 2009 model. The 2008 Tesla Roadster accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds, has a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h) (limited for safety) and has a base price of USD 98,000. There are already plans to introduce a sedan, competing with the likes of the BMW 5 Series and the Audi A6.
For more electrical sports cars and sedans in the making: check out 2008 Electrum Spyder and the Venturi Fétish. And sedan-wise, let’s not forget the 2008 Dodge Zeo (Zero Emission Operation) concept car, the Chevrolet Volt, the Loremo… (Source: Trendwatching)
Posts
