Assembly - February 2009 - (Page 35) innovation over the next five years, followed by electric and battery technology (82 percent). “This demonstrates that the manufacturers are recognizing clearer . . . paths to getting to market sooner, and there has been greater advancement in electric and battery technology,” says Gary Silberg, KPMG’s national advisory leader for the automotive industry. “Despite facing recessionary times and fighting overcapacity issues, automotive executives remain focused on manufacturing alternative fuel cars,” adds Silberg. “In the next five years, automotive manufacturers are expected to [invest] heavily in new models and new technologies to satisfy consumer demand [for] fuel-efficient, affordable cars.” Unfortunately, hybrid car sales dropped more than 50 percent in December from year-ago figures. Overall, hybrid sales were down 13 percent in 2008. Many consumers gravitated toward small, fuel-efficient vehicles The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado hybrid uses numerous green components. Illustration courtesy General Motors Corp. equipped with four-cylinder internal combustion engines. “The biggest hurdle is the price premium for hybrids,” says Omotoso. “The average premium in 2008 was around $6,000. This needs to be cut drastically for the green car market to take off. Honda and Toyota have announced Send Your Automatic Feed Screwdriver Into a Feeding Frenzy. 20 yrs.of building on any brands of screwdrivers World's simplest screw feeding system with only one moving part US based company 5 US Patents Adjustable torque;variable RPM's 1607 Norfolk Place SW Conover, NC 28613 800 948 1038 designtoolinc.com sales@designtoolinc.om Just Add Screws DESIGN TOOL INC. www.assemblymag.com February 2009 / ASSE M B LY 35 http://www.designtoolinc.com http://www.designtoolinc.com http://www.assemblymag.com
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