 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
Nowhere is the ingenuity and inventiveness of the 20th Century more evident than at the 1999 Washington Auto Show. The new vehicles bear little resemblance to their earliest predecessors, but they speak volumes about the technology that has driven America toward the new millennium.
"It's amazing how closely the automotive industry has followed the American family through its journey," says Jonathan K. Cherner, President, Cherner Automotive. "As our lifestyles have changed, our vehicles have followed."
Area automobile dealers report that our environment, the advent of computers, the mobility and pace of our family and work lives have all dramatically shaped automotive design.
"There's no doubt that over the last twenty years, the quality of vehicles has become far superior. Manufacturers are now producing the most complex set of wheels on earth," asserts Lou Kairys, President, Lustine Toyota-Dodge. "Safety, ease of operation, reliability are all tremendous today."
Kairys credits growing competition with improving the product for the consumer. "You have to produce a quality product to be in business today. The manufacturers have met this challenge."
Safety enhancements topped the list of leading innovations for many WANADA members, including Steve Pieper, President, Heishman's BMW. "The focus on safety is among the industry's greatest advancements. Even though they have been controversial at times, air bags and side restraints have saved thousands of lives. Head restraints, too, have taken a quantum leap forward."
Robert W. Banning Jr., President of Bob Banning Motors, agrees. "The safety enhancements have been so important. They go beyond the obvious features like disc brakes and air bags to issues like front-wheel drive and vehicles that perform better in inclement weather," Banning said.
"The conversion to the fuel injection system is also a safety plus," adds Banning, citing the elimination of choking and stalling problems.
Innovations related to fuel - how much we use, how much we pay for it and it's impact on our environment - have also brought dramatic changes to the industry and to the automobile.
"Over the last 20 years, the auto industry in general has delivered what appeared to be impossible in the early 60s with regard to emissions. I personally think that's been the greatest contribution to our country and even worldwide," says Fred Frederick, President, Fred Frederick Chrysler-Plymouth. "There are 200 million vehicles creating some level of emissions in our world every day. That's something to be reckoned with."
Frederick explains that "the national emission program was embraced in a very aggressive way by the Big Three, in partnership with the federal government. The bottom line is - we have cleaner vehicles in all developed countries - Europe, Japan and the U.S. We should have clean cars in every pocket of the world. Regulatory harmony is needed. The industry needs to have one message worldwide."
"I think the world can continue to expect exciting, safe, clean cars that are fun to drive," Frederick predicts.
Jack Pohanka, Chairman, Pohanka Automotive, makes note of the role of computer technology in industry achievements. "The development of the use of computers on cars which enabled the industry to meet very challenging fuel economy and air quality standards and to develop significant safety features while improving vehicle performance were the most important developments in vehicles in recent history," says Pohanka.
Not to be discounted, says Vince Sheehy, President, Sheehy Auto Stores, is the changing price of gasoline. "When gas prices were very high, we saw the influx of small, fuel-efficient cars. The gas crunch of '74 and again in '78 created a market for the Asian imports. Now, with gas the cheapest it's been in 30 years, we have the best truck market we've had in years. Most vehicles have been designed, somewhat belatedly, to take advantage of these changes in gasoline."
Copyright @ 1998 John H. Davis Comm.
|