For the first time in what seems like decades the news coming out of Detroit is not all bad. American automobile manufacturers are enjoying something of either a renaissance or at least a reprieve from years of poor sales and declining market share. Part of the bounce back might all be perception. After suffering what amounted to a death there was not much room for the manufacturers to do anything other than show some improvement. But something else that has been rare in Detroit seems to be emerging; innovation.
The Chevrolet Volt was named the car of the year by Motor Trend Magazine. The all electric offering is as much about hype as anything else at this point. The hybrid market represents only about two percent of the American automobile market. Electric cars lack the infrastructure to travel far from home. Charging stations for electric cars are in the planning stages, and few have been constructed yet. Electric cars have a limited range of only about 100 miles at this point.
Chevrolet might have the most famous and hyped offering in the electric car game at this point, but the Ford Motor Company is also entering the fray. Rather than create an exclusive brand for the electric car market Ford is releasing an electric version of the popular Focus model.
The Focus will be released in all-electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and conventional engine versions. Some critics have complained that the electric release is more about chasing fuel economy credit to comply with nationally mandated fuel economy standards. Even if Ford is only complying with federal law, the offering of an all-electric car provides the American auto industry with something to point to as innovative. After years of fighting with unions and closing factories it is a start. And even the classic Ford Model-T started out with the drawbacks of a limited range and not enough filling stations.