Washington Auto Show Highlights
The Washington Auto Show (WAS) kicked off this week in partnership with The Green Car Journal, and was sponsored by the Washington Area New Automotive Dealers Association (WANADA).
Officially called "The Green Car Summit," this event is three years running and this year features a theme of "Change Happens Here.” Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volkswagen of USA, headlined the summit, which was jam packed with press conferences and revved-up presentations.
The event is expected to be well attended by enthusiasts, industry experts and policymakers, making this year's Green Car Summit one of the most exciting in its three-year existence.
Alan Mulally, CEO of Ford and someone who has received admiration from many in the automotive industry recently, officially opened the show. The kudos are mostly due in part to Ford's recent winning of the North American Car and Truck of the Year Award at the Detroit Auto Show. Additionally, it was announced that the 2011 Ford Mustang GT will be the Official Pace Car of the Daytona 500 on February 14, 2010.
Among the visitors at this years show will be heavy hitting policymakers who have moved legislation that invests millions of dollars in green fuel technologies. Department heads from Capital Hill will also be present throughout the show.
The new attraction this year is the huge 65,000 square foot “Advanced Technology Super Highway.” G.M., who recently sold their Saab brand to Spyker, will offer visitors test drive tours around the auto show.
Over a dozen automakers will showcase alternative fuel vehicles. Additionally, attendees will have the chance to see exhibits focused on the latest fuel technologies showcased by top manufacturers and suppliers. The EPA and other agencies will be displaying and offering information on safety devices, future fuels and will discuss how their roles are changing in the industry. The EPA Administrator, Lisa Jackson, had the honor of opening the Technology Highway. Her office is now responsible for vehicle emissions, fuel economy and their impact on the environment.
Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of The Green Car Journal, named the Audi A3 TDI the 2010 Green Car Vision Award winner. The race to win this award featured the CODA sedan, which was the only independent start-up model to make the final list. Other finalists included the Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus BEV, Mercedes-Benz F-Cell and the Toyota Prius PHV. Each of these vehicles represent a mix of battery electric, hydrogen cell and hybrid plug-ins.
Stay tuned for more updates on WAS thoughout the week.
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